Update

[beefy22]

To All,
Just a brief update on B Coy here in Afgahn, the boys from B & Fsg Coy group have just completed a op involving working with the Dutch,moral is good and are now looking for thier next tasking.We would also like to Say Hi to D Coy in Iraq, good luck.

[richie264]

Were they Dutch Marines & are they still tall & built like brick s**t houses ? Without giving to much away how difficult are these Multi National tasks ?

[VicHughes84]

Richie will let you know, I'm about to deploy with SOTG 4 working within ISAF SOCC.

[VicHughes84]

In line with the Government decision to increase ADF elements in Afghanistan the following forces are currently preparing for deployment.

A Special Operations Task Group into Oruzgan Province of up to 300 personnel;
A Mobile Control and Reporting Unit to Kandahar Airfield of up to 75 personnel;
An additional C130J Hercules aircraft and associated aircrew and support elements to enhance the increased commitment;
An increased National Command and logistics element to support the larger commitment;
The extension until August 2008 of the existing Reconstruction Task Force - Protection Company Group;
A commitment to reinsert two CH-47D Chinook helicopters from February 2008 following their withdrawal and refurbishment in April 2007.
The total Australian commitment in Afghanistan following this deployment will be approximately 970 personnel by mid-2007 and will peak at approximately 1000 by mid-2008.

ADF contribution
Australia's contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan is an important component of the Australian Government's commitment to working together with the international community to help prevent acts of terrorism around the world.

In October 2001, Prime Minister John Howard announced that the ADF would contribute to coalition operations against terrorism. The ADF contribution to the international effort is known as Operation Slipper.

Since that time, the ADF's contribution to overcoming global terrorism has evolved according to the needs of the international coalition against terrorism.

National Command Element
An ADF National Command Element (NCE) consisting of about 30 personnel is located in Kabul and includes command, security and support staff. The ADF national command element is led by Colonel John Frewen.

Liaison Officers – Approximately 20 officers are serving with the ISAF Headquarters and units.

Reconstruction Task Force
The Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) is Australia's contribution to the Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Afghanistan's Oruzgan Province. The RTF consists of around 380 personnel providing command, security, engineering and operational support capabilities. It is equipped with Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV), Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) and armoured engineer plant equipment.

The RTF has a clearly defined role to work on reconstruction and improvement of provincial infrastructure (schools, hospitals, bridges, etc) and community-based projects to assist the Afghan Government achieve a stable and secure future for its people. The RTF also provides trade training to the local population and military engineering training to the Afghan National Army. This type of assistance is designed to benefit the people of Oruzgan Province well into the future and form the building blocks of a stable and prosperous community.

The RTF is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Harry Jarvie, from the Brisbane-based 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment.

RTF achievements
The RTF has made excellent progress in building indigenous capacity since deploying to Afghanistan in September 2006. The trade training school has opened and is training more and more locals in basic carpentry and other skills every month. The graduates receive Afghan Government recognition for the four-week course and a greatly improved chance of employment in the community. The school also allows the RTF to grow a pool of local trainers through continued development of their teaching skills and by employing graduates as instructors for future courses.

Additionally, the RTF has continued its training of Afghan National Army engineers. They are receiving a mixture of structured and on-the-job training, which has allowed them to contribute to our construction projects, encouraging further local support for RTF operations.

The RTF has several major projects in both planning and execution phases. These currently include:

• Redevelopment of the Tarin Kowt Provincial Hospital: This has commenced with several Quick Impact Projects (QIP) already complete. RTF tradesmen have completed rewiring and re-plumbing the main building and the construction of a new building containing a kitchen is well under way. Construction is also under way for a new Cholera Ward and Outpatients Department buildings. This is the RTF's most significant project and will result in significant local employment for both contractors and labourers.

• Renovation of the Tarin Kowt High School: This has commenced with the first works package already competed. Works to further renovate the school are ongoing.

• Major causeway: Construction of a large causeway over the Garmab Mandah River on the eastern edge of Tarin Kowt is well under way. This causeway will eventually connect Tarin Kowt with the Northern and Eastern regions of the province.

• Yaklengah Health Centre: Construction is under way for the renovation of the Yaklengah Health Centre. This is the Health Minister's highest priority after the Tarin Kowt provincial hospital.

• Talani School compound wall: Construction on this project is due to begin in May.

These projects are all aimed at developing the Province's health, education, security and other essential infrastructure. They are planned and managed by Australians and built with a high content of local contractors, ensuring maximum local ownership of the projects, employment and vital income for their developing economy.

The RTF has continued with its village-based projects in the vicinity of Tarin Kowt. These village-based construction missions have normally been 72-96 hours in duration and focus on a geographic area containing several villages.

Each village has a survey conducted and minor works undertaken by RTF tradesmen. Additionally, engineer reconnaissance is conducted for subsequent projects in those villages, which will be completed by a mixture of RTF assets on follow-up visits, and contractors.

These missions have been highly successful, with village elders and people showing an enthusiastic response to the work conducted and the presence of the RTF in their villages.

CH-47 Chinook helicopter detachment
The CH-47D Chinook helicopter detachment that consisted of two helicopters and 110 personnel has completed its mission in Afghanistan. The Australian Chinooks formed part of the US Aviation Task Force supporting NATO Operations in southern Afghanistan who will continue to support the RTF on request.

The ADF has a fleet of six aircraft. Five aircraft served in Afghanistan during the last 12 months and achieved a flying total of 1215 hours.

The aircraft are required to return for routine phase maintenance and engine modification upgrades. The personnel that operate and maintain the aircraft will also spend time to recuperate from this high tempo and high stress environment.

After a period of reconstitution, the CH47 Chinook Helicopters will be available for operations when they return to Afghanistan in 2008.

Other ADF support to Afghanistan
ADF operations in Afghanistan are sustained and supplied by a national logistics asset located in Kandahar, consisting of approximately 40 personnel.

The ADF also provides an officer to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

Some ADF assets and personnel assigned to Operation Catalyst (ADF contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq) are dual-assigned and also support Operation Slipper. These assets include:

• An Australian National Headquarters - Middle East Area of Operations, located in Baghdad to exercise command and control of deployed Australian Defence Force units;

• HMAS TOOWOOMBA is responsible for conducting maritime interdiction operations in the northern Persian Gulf;

• Two Air Force AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol aircraft, aircrew and support staff to conduct maritime patrol missions in support of maritime interdiction forces in the Persian Gulf.



In line with the Government decision to increase the troop commitment to Afghanistan, approximately 300 personnel will deploy as part of a Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) into Oruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan.

The Task Group will be made up of personnel comprising elements of the Special Air Service Regiment, the 4th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (Commando), Incident Response Regiment and other support elements.Australia’s Special Forces have, through recent deployments, developed a wealth of experience and useful local knowledge for the style of operation now required to support the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) efforts in Oruzgan.

Military operations of this nature are dangerous and the highly trained soldiers within the Special Operations Task Group are likely to face some significant challenges in the conduct of their duties.The Special Forces have performed exceptionally during their previous deployments into Afghanistan achieving effects well out of proportion to their size.The Special Operations Task Group will operate in support of ISAF security operations in Oruzgan Province.

Photographic imagery is available from www.defence.gov.au/media/download

That explains most of what Australian troops are doing in Afghanistan.

Vic

[ukcalling]

well done to beefy and all the boys sounds like your all doing a great job in tough conditions and flying the flag with pride keep it up and see you soon
Daz