MEMBER for Wannon Dan Tehan has visited Iraq and Afghanistan to meet with Australian and allied troops in his capacity as Defence Personnel Minister.
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Beginning on Friday last week, Mr Tehan visited personnel based at camp Qargha, who are providing support to the British-led advisor effort at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy on the outskirts of Kabul.
Following a successful troop engagement, Mr Tehan flew by CH-47 Chinook helicopter to meet with ADF personnel at both Task Group Afghanistan Headquarters and Headquarters Resolute Support.
In Iraq, Mr Tehan visited Special Operations Task Group and Task Group Taji personnel deployed on Operation Okra.
Operation Okra is Australia’s contribution to the military intervention against the terrorist group Islamic State, also known as ISIS.
The operation has flown bombing, reconnaissance and refueling missions over Iraq and parts of Syria.
An ADF statement said the visit provided Mr Tehan with valuable insight into deployed conditions and daily life on operations.
There are about 1700 ADF personnel and defence civilians deployed to the Middle East region.
Mr Tehan also spoke at a cyber security conference in Singapore on Wednesday.
Mr Tehan demanded countries toughen up their laws against online attacks, warning that financial services and critical infrastructure were vulnerable to virtual hijacking.