Iraqi Army soldiers currently being trained by Australian and New Zealand trainers from Task Group Taji underwent a physical fitness test at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq on 01 October 2015. Fitness is an important aspect of the military training being delivered and instils team work and confidence in the Iraqi soldiers which the Australian and New Zealanders actively support.
The fitness test included a timed two kilometre run and maximum push ups to a cadence. This test is similar to the Australian Army basic fitness test which includes a 2.4 kilometre run, maximum push ups in two minutes and 100 sit-ups to a cadence. The test was one of the final components that Iraqi soldiers on the NCO Academy course had to complete following their graduation ceremony which was held on Sunday 20 September, 2015.
Iraqi Security Forces continue to be trained by Task Group Taji personnel from Australia and New Zealand at the Taji Military Complex in Iraq as part of the broader international Building Partner Capacity (BPC) mission. The training includes marksmanship, building clearances and obstacle breaching techniques; as well as training in the Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) for squad through to company-level operations to use in their fight against Daesh.
Task Group Taji's BPC contribution is part of Australia’s broader Defence contribution to Iraq, codenamed Operation OKRA, which includes a Special Operations Task Group and an Air Task Group.
