The commander of the Australian taskforce leading a contingent of soldiers to Iraq to help train local forces says they are doing their part in "the world's fight" against Islamic State (IS) militants.

About 300 troops, mainly from Brisbane's 7th Brigade, will help train the Iraqi army and provide security and logistical support as part of the international fight against IS.

This first rotation of troops will leave this afternoon from the Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera, north-west of the Brisbane CBD, where family and friends will gather to say goodbye.

The contingent will form Taskforce Taji, alongside 100 New Zealand soldiers.

The operation was signed off by Federal Cabinet last month.

Speaking on 612 ABC Brisbane, Taskforce Taji commanding officer Colonel Matthew Galton said he made sure deploying troops understood the importance of the mission.

"It may be a fight that's occurring in Iraq right now but it really isn't just Iraq's fight ... it's the world's fight quite frankly to defeat this enemy," he said.

"So I think for the guys and girls knowing the importance of that mission and how critical it is, that will give them a focus while they're over there.

"I spent some time in Iraq late last year and early this year when developing the planning for what we're going to do ... so I'm quite looking forward to working with our US partners and working side by side with the Iraqis to help them out.

"They have a tough fight there and I'm glad we can come over and help them."

'It's a good feeling to be able to go and deploy'

Col Galton said the troops were looking forward to getting to Iraq to start their mission.

"It's been several weeks of hard training in preparation," he said.

"It's a good feeling to be able to go and deploy and put into use all the skills and training you spend so many years building up.

"It's all about training the regular Iraqi security forces and making sure they're well prepared and well trained to be able to take up the fight against Daesh [Islamic State] ... a fight we hope to better have them ready for."

Col Galton said family and friends of the deploying soldiers had been invited to attend a parade at the Gallipoli barracks this afternoon.

"It's a good chance for us to show our appreciation to the support that the families give to us," he said.

"I'm sure they're all quite anxious ... I'm sure there's quite a feeling of pride among the families as well."

A small advance team of soldiers was sent to Iraq last week.

About 200 special forces soldiers have been in Iraq since late last year.