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Elizabeth Creasy: From Darwin to Iraq, a firsthand experience with the Australian soldiers committing to helping in the battle against ISIS.

Elizabeth Creasyis spending four days embedded with Task Group Taji in Iraq. The combined Australian-New Zealand military training group is assisting Iraqi soldiers and police officers in the fight against ISIS.

It's pitch black and freezing cold as we step off the C130.

There's a bone-chilling wind blowing across the Tarmac as myself, my cameraman Paul Collins and Newscorp veterans Charles Miranda and Gary Ramage are ushered off the runway.

Barely a word is said as we're bundled into vehicles driven by US marines who take us into a remote military base. I have no idea where I am.

Patrolling the base at the Taji Military Complex northwest of Baghdad at sunrise. (Supplied)

All I know is I'm somewhere in Iraq. I'm pretty sure I've gone into shock. I'm trying to tell myself I haven't walked into a booby trap.

There are no lights on as we drive through the first check point in convoy, all I can see is the outline of huge concrete walls that tower above.

We drive further into the base, and are taken into a tent. Inside it's warm and full of uniform-clad soldiers.

The only person I recognise is Sharon - the public affairs officer. I've met her once before at Robertson Barracks in Darwin. I'll soon discover she's a little pocket rocket, armed with a steyr and a browning. An Essex girl with a heart of gold.

I finally accept I haven't been kidnapped by ISIS and this is where my media embed is starting.

A marine I can barely understand tells me where I am, but I still have no clue where I am.

"Any questions?" he asks. I don't bother.

Sharon takes me to our room. I sleep surprisingly well.

The media taking part in embed training and members of Task Group Taji. (9NEWS)

The next day I finally get my bearings. I'm at Camp Manion (Al Taqqadum Air Base). A US military base just 10 kilometres from Fallujah. I feel a bit sick.

"It's safe here, don't even worry," one soldier tells me. I try to believe him.

My concerns subside a little when I meet my "Force Pro". Armed with two guns, these are the guys assigned to protect the media. I stick close by.

When the Iraqis arrive for training it's like nothing I've ever seen before. A conga-line of armoured vehicles twisting and turning through the desert until they get to the training area. About 30 of them pile out, cigarettes lit, uniforms stylishly tailored. Some could be male models.

The "Force Pro" guys warn me the Iraqis will want selfies. They're not wrong. As soon as one asks for a picture with me, dozens more crowd around, lining up one after another, iPhones outstretched, I feel like a superstar.

The Australian "Force Pro" men. (9NEWS)

They motion for me to remove my sunglasses and helmet. I take off my glasses but I don't really want to remove the helmet. I laugh to myself at my sudden modesty.

Aside from the selfies these guys are here for very serious reasons. This division has fought ISIS before, driving them out of their hometowns of Fallujah and Ramadi. They have the battle scars to prove it.

One sergeant I speak to has been shot twice and survived. He says the training he's getting from the Aussies will help him protect his people - Sunnis, Shiahs, Christians, it doesn't matter.

His words give me goosebumps.

An Iraqi soldier. Task Group Taji aims to build the capacity of the regular Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). (9NEWS)

After an intense one-on-one shooting exercise with he Taji Taskgroup guys, the Iraqis leave the firing range. The armoured vehicles head off into the distance.

Flags flying, Iraqi soldiers hanging out of windows, sitting on roofs. My sergeant friend stands on the bonnet, rifle held up proudly above his head.

It's a sight I won't forget.

Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2017

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Elizabeth Creasy: Meeting the Australians behind the fight against ISIS in Iraq - 9news.com.au