Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Indeed, Australia continues to make one of the largest contributions to the counter-Daesh campaign. As I mentioned in my previous response, the Air Task Group, which comprises our F/A-18 Hornet strike aircraft, our E-7A Wedgetail intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and the KC-30A air-to-air refuelling tanker, continues to support those operations to liberate Mosul. Up to 300 ADF personnel are contributing to the combined Australia-New Zealand building partner capacity mission, providing training to Iraqi security forces in Taji. To date, more than 20,000 Iraqi trainees have graduated since training began in May 2015, including over 3,000 police trainees more recently, and there are currently more than 1,400 trainees conducting this important work. Additionally, the Special Operations Task Group, which comprises up to 80 ADF personnel, continues to provide advice and assistance to the Iraqi CTS, and up to 30 Australian personnel are embedded in coalition positions in Iraq.