More Australian troops headed to Iraq

MORE AUSTRALIAN TROOPS HEADED TO IRAQ

* Additional 300 Australian regular troops to be deployed by May.

* Joint mission with NZ: train Iraqi soldiers in basic weapon skills, operations, medical and logistics.

* NZ sending 143 soldiers.

* US, Spain, Italy, Germany, Denmark and Netherlands also sending trainers.

* Two-year mission, reviewed after 12 months.

* Troops to be based at Taji, about 30km north of Baghdad.

* 170 Australian special forces already in Iraq due out in September.

* Six Super Hornets, a KC-30 airborne refuelling aircraft and a Wedgetail airborne control aircraft continue operations.

Source: Prime Minister Tony Abbott