Prime Minister John Key has just flown out of Iraq after a secret visit to the New Zealand troops at Taji Military Camp - a dramatic two days in a place Mr Key described as a "god-damn awful place."

MORE: Barry Soper: Key's dusty trip to Taji

Mr Key's trip to meet the New Zealand trainers and troops in Taji was kept under wraps until after he left Iraq early this morning for security reasons. The trip was nearly jeopardised by dust storms grounding aircraft. They delayed his visit by a day and almost left him marooned in the military camp in one of the world's hottest conflict zones for an extra night.

LISTEN: John Key speaks to Larry Williams Drive about the Iraq trip

His trip was months in the planning and a small group of media including the NZ Herald accompanying him were required to keep it confidential until he had left the war zone.

During the visit Mr Key and his entourage, as well as the media, were protected by a team of about 20 elite SAS troops, who have not been deployed in Iraq.

About 106 New Zealand troops are based alongside 300 Australian troops at Taji to train Iraq security forces. Mr Key is the first leader of the coalition countries based at Taji to visit the base since the United States moved back in to help Iraq battle Islamic State in 2014.

Mr Key visited to see first hand the conditions the troops were working in and fulfil his promise to visit when he announced that deployment in February.

He described Camp Taji - a flat, dusty place built of concrete in the middle of the desert - as a "god damned awful place."

"It's sort of beige and it's a tough operating environment. And our people are out there working - when they start telling you it's 40 degrees and 'cool' - well, what does hot look like?" During Mr Key's visit temperatures were about 40 degrees, but a few weeks ago were peaking above 55 degrees. He said his visit had reassured him about the safety of the troops in the compound. "A successful operation for us is not just upskilling the Iraqi armed forces, it's getting all of our men and women home in one piece, safe and sound."

The troops do not leave it except by air because of the risk of improvised explosive devices in nearby territories and on the road to Baghdad.

Only 16 of the 106 at Taji are trainers - about half of the total number are there to protect those trainers while the remainder are logisitics and medical staff. "

He said the decision to deploy was based on advice from the Ministry of Defence, but it was he who had to make the call. "As the person who signs off at a very personal level on whether this happens or not, I feel very intimately involved in this operation. I take personal responsibility for what happens out here and so it's important for me to be able to see it first hand."

It is Defence Force policy not to reveal the names or photos of those serving, but as the Defence Force tries to show it has become more transparent after criticism of its secrecy compared to Australia, media were able to interview staff at the base including trainers and support staff

Those troops the Herald spoke to were about six months into their deployment and had about a month to go. All had volunteered for the posting and said they were pleased to be back in action after the gap since New Zealand withdrew most of its reconstruction team from Bamiyan in Afghanistan.

During his time in Iraq Mr Key met with the New Zealand soldiers, ate with them in the D-FAC (dining facility/ mess) and watched them training a group of Iraqi soldiers who have just begun their 6 week training course. He also spoke briefly to some of the Iraqi commanders.

Mr Key said what he saw on his visit had reinforced his decision to send the troops.
"I felt very strongly about the mission before I sent our men and women here but I feel very vindicated in what we are doing."

The New Zealand troops had integrated well with the Australians and he believed the training was making a difference. "You can see they're taking a very localised view of it and not trying to impose a New Zealand way of doing things, not trying to impose our culture on the Iraqi forces. They are using a respectful way of training them."

However, he did not believe it would justify extending the deployment beyond the two year limit he had set.

"Quite frankly this is likely to be a troubled part of the world for a very long period of time - we could arguably stay here forever. But this isn't New Zealand's engagement. I think New Zealand has a job to do here. We're doing it. I think there should be an exit point and that exit point at about two years feels about right to me.

Before travelling to Taji, Mr Key also met with Iraqi President Fuad Masum and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi during a day in Baghdad. He said while they knew the challenges Isil presented, they were confident of winning.

The Prime Minister told him his concern was more about freedom fighters coming to Iraq to fight with Isil than Iraqis joining the group.

After a visit to the medical centre, complete with an operating theatre in a tent, he was given his formal welcome in the 36 degree desert heat. The temperatures soar to above 60 degrees in June and July.

The Army performed the Tumatauenga in which the Task Force Taji patch - a badge featuring an entwined silver fern and boomerang - was laid down as the wero. Most of the 300 Australian troops in the Task Force Taji group also came to watch the occasion.

Although New Zealand and Australia are not formally an Anzac force, they work closely together and the Taskforce Taji team has a shield featuring an intertwined silver fern and boomerang. Mr Key spoke to both Australian and New Zealanders afterwards, saying it was clear they were an Anzac force in spirit, even if not in uniform.

LONG ROAD TO TAJI
Prime Minister John Key's visit to Taji was plagued with troubles and delays at both ends - but it came from the weather rather than Islamic State or IEDs.

Mr Key's plan to fly on to Taji after a day in Baghdad on Sunday was delayed by a day because a dust storm prevented the RNZAF Hercules he and his 45 strong entourage were travelling on from landing in Taji. Instead Key returned to Dubai where the Hercules ran into more problems - fog resulted in aborted landings at two different airports in the UAE before it finally landed at Dubai International Airport.

The next day Mr Key called on the help of New Zealand's partners at Taji - Australia - and hitched a ride on a Royal Australian Air Force Hercules on a scheduled 'milk run' - a delivery of mail and supplies to Taji.

There was further trouble at the end of his stay. Mr Key had cut his day short to try to out run a looming dust storm on the US Army Chinook helicopters. However, the choppers had to return to Taji just ten minutes after taking off. Nor was driving an option - although Taji is just 25 km from Baghdad, the road is a key target area for insurgents with a high risk of improvised explosive devices and attacks at checkpoints.

Mr Key said he was determined to keep trying until he could make it into Taji. "I wasn't prepared to go home until I had come here. If I'd had to sit it out a bit longer I would have. We've come a long way and it's one thing for me to go and see the politicians but my responsibility is to the New Zealanders, to come and see them."

About 100 flying days each year are lost because of duststorms in Taji.

The first sandstorm was a blessing for one member of the media who would otherwise have missed the visit to Taji - TV3's political editor Patrick Gower had to be left behind in Dubai to Baghdad because he left his passport at the hotel. However, the sandstorm forced Key's delegation to return to Dubai for another night and Gower was able to join again. He had already confessed his slip-up to his bosses, saying that his "Paddy luck" had finally run out - and was delighted to discover it had returned again the next day.

 

(Via NZ Herald)