The rise of Islamic State how the jihadi group conquered territory in Iraq and Syria
The rise of Islamic State how the jihadi group conquered territory in Iraq and Syria.
By: Crasher Car
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The rise of Islamic State how the jihadi group conquered territory in Iraq and Syria - Video
MP Joyce Murray discusses evolving mission in Iraq on Power and Politics
MP Joyce Murray discusses the evolution of the mission in Iraq on Power and Politics.
By: Joyce Murray
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MP Joyce Murray discusses evolving mission in Iraq on Power and Politics - Video
Secret video of ISIS smuggled out of Iraq 2015
By: Robert Jackesh
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Secret video of ISIS smuggled out of Iraq 2015 - Video
The 82nd Airborne, and more specifically its 3rd Brigade Combat Team, are no strangers to Iraq.
Since 2003, parts of the brigade have deployed in support of U.S. efforts there on at least three occasions.
Now, more than three years after the U.S. military presence in Iraq was thought over, about a quarter of the Panther Brigade will return with a new mission to help train Iraqi forces to fight ISIS.
About 1,000 paratroopers from the brigade will deploy this week as part of the Operation Inherent Resolve mission.
The deployment was officially announced in December and is expected to last nine months.
As his paratroopers prepared for the mission, the brigade commander, Col. Curtis A. Buzzard, has watched tensions boil in the Middle East -- and Iraq in particular -- as forces have fought against ISIS, also known by the acronym DAESH based on the group's Arabic name, ad-Dawlah al-Islamiyah fi al-Iraq wash-Sham.
"We've seen the impact of DAESH over the last year and a half, not just on Iraq, but on the region," Buzzard said. "It's clearly an existential threat.
Starting this week, Buzzard's troops are done watching.
They'll join about 250 paratroopers from the brigade already deployed to provide security to U.S. personnel.
But these latest troops will instead advise and assist Iraqi forces with the planning and execution of the counter offensive against ISIS.
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1,000 82nd Airborne Paratroopers Headed to Iraq This Week ...
It's a case of winning the battle of the Middle East for Iraq and the United Arab Emirates when they take the pitch for the Asian Cup third/fourth place playoff at Hunter Stadium on Friday.
Iraq are using the match as a springboard to the future with forward Younus Mahmoud confident they are laying a platform for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
"I know they (South Korea) won and went to the final but we won also, we won 20 (experienced) players," said Mahmoud.
"They will benefit the national team for the next 10 years."
Both teams have had memorable tournaments and will be looking to go out on a high similar to when they caused the upsets of the tournament in the quarter-finals.
Iraq took centre stage when they banished next-door neighbours Iran in a drama-laden match in Canberra.
Though they won through in a penalty shootout, the match was highlighted by an epic gaffe by Australian referee Ben Williams who issued Iran defender Mehrdad Pooladi a second yellow for time-wasting, before halftime.
The UAE needed less controversy to cause the upset of the tournament when they beat Japan in front of 20,000 fans at ANZ Stadium.
Catching the Samurai Blue napping early they then parked a bus that was the size of an A380 in front of their goal for 110 minutes before also scoring their win on penalties.
Both teams faltered 2-0 in their semi-finals, UAE to the Socceroos and Iraq to South Korea.
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Iraq look to World Cup qualifiers