As long as they are called 'non-combatants' the government does not have to pay the higher wages that combatants are paid.
This is not correct. They are paid that. I know for fact.
As to our flower power Prime Minister and his party of talking pointy heads, they would prefer to have the optic illusion that we are not involved in combat in Syria, that is why they pulled the jets out. But then, he must be troubled that his mission of "giving candy to kids and flowers to old ladies Peacekeeping and Training" persona is being outed.
The fact that we are also in Iraq and it is making news is probably equally troubling.
As to our fine soldiers over there. May they come home safe as soon as duty allows.