Photo: The Canadian Press

Defence Minister Rob Nicholson says an advance military team will leave Trenton, Ont., for Kuwait next week as Canada gears up to join the fight against Islamic State militants in Iraq.

In a statement Saturday, Nicholson says the Theatre Activation Team will be comprised of approximately 120 Armed Forces members from across the country.

The team is responsible for setting up the infrastructure support required for Canada's part in the battle against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.

The government announced Thursday that Canada's fighter jets and surveillance planes bound for the war against ISIL would be based in Kuwait.

The base will host CF-18 jet fighters, two CP-140 Auroras and a C-150 Polaris.

It is expected to take about three weeks before the aircraft are in place and ready to conduct operations.