Edition 1230, March 04, 2010 - Department of Defence

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18 CENTREPIECE Army March 4, 2010 19 A BATTLE OF WILLS The Mentoring Reconstruction Task Force 2 has just completed its deployment in Afghanistan. In that time, it continued the work MRTF 1 had started and furthered the drive to gain the trust of the Afghan people. Visible presence: WO2 Darren Murch befriends a local in the Mirabad Valley. Joint projects: Capt Daniel Waugh inspects the progress of a project with Tila Muhammad Hassan Zai, an Afghan engineer. AFTER more than eight months of intense operations, the 730 members of MRTF 2 can take time out to reflect on their achievements after transferring authority to the Mentoring Task Force 1 (MTF 1) on February 14. A stronger Afghan National Army 4th Bde, a visible security presence for locals in Oruzgan province, education opportunities for local children and a new medical centre are among the key successes for the Australian soldiers of MRTF 2. The achievements were conducted against the backdrop of a threat level that saw the joint Afghan and Australian patrols respond to 43 IEDs, 27 indirect fire attacks and numerous armed contacts with the Taliban throughout MRTF 2’s deployment. MRTF 2 CO Lt-Col Andrew Hocking praised his people who worked tirelessly during their deployment. “Like most people in Australia, I’m extremely proud of the bravery and dedication shown by my troops over the past eight months,” Lt-Col Hocking said. “The MRTF’s Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams who have been mentoring the ANA provided highly effective joint patrols and, along with the newly established patrol bases, have offered greater security for locals in the Mirabad, Chora and Baluchi valleys. “It has been a great privilege for everyone in the battle group to develop the capability of the ANA and ultimately help the people of Oruzgan,” he said. Among the many successes of MRTF 2 was the discovery of about 90 weapons and ammunition caches, which improved the safety of locals and caused disruption to Taliban insurgent attacks in the region. As well as continuing the mentoring process MRTF 2 maintained the high tempo of reconstruction work set by their predecessors, which included the construction of a waste-management facility in Tarin Kowt, a boys’ high school and primary school, a medical centre and an all-weather river crossing. Ongoing projects that will be managed by MTF 1 include the construction of girls’ high schools in Tarin Kowt and Malalai, and redevelopment of the Oruzgan Ministry of Energy and Water compound. With the transfer of authority between the Australian task forces, they also took time to remember a fallen mate, Pte Benjamin Ranaudo, who was killed by an IED in July 2009. Twenty-nine MRTF 2 members were wounded in the course of operations. With the handover complete, Lt-Col Hocking said his troops were looking forward to returning home. “It’s now time for the battle group to remember our fallen, rest and rehabilitate with our families and, in time, prepare ourselves for any future challenges in the interest of our country. “I wish the men and women of MTF 1 the best of luck.” Photos: Sgt Mick Davis Stronger ties: An ANA soldier provides protection during a shura, which CO MRTF 2 Lt-Col Andrew Hocking addressed (inset) in the Mirabad Valley region. Time’s up: The MRTF 2 flag is lowered at the handover parade to MTF 1 at the Multinational Base in Tarin Kowt. On the beat: Soldiers patrol through the Dorafshan Rud in Tarin Kowt while (inset) Cpl Quin O’Connor and Pte Escher Ford protect the streets of Tarin Kowt. School’s in: MRTF 2 engineers conduct surveying checks at a new girls’ high school construction site in Tarin Kowt after completing a boys high school in Tarin Kowt (inset).
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Page 1 and 2: Edition 1230 March 4, 2010 BOOZE NE
Page 3 and 4: Army March 4, 2010 Weapon trial: A
Page 5 and 6: Army March 4, 2010 THE welcome mat
Page 7 and 8: Army March 4, 2010 G-Wagons put to
Page 9 and 10: Army March 4, 2010 By Sgt Andrew He
Page 11 and 12: Smooth sailing ahead with our great
Page 13 and 14: Army March 4, 2010 LOTTO WINNERS? Q
Page 15 and 16: Army March 4, 2010 A P Accredited S
Page 20 and 21: Army March 4, 2010 Dave’s tale a
Page 22 and 23: A FINANCIAL PLANNER WHO SPECIALISES
Page 24 and 25: Army March 4, 2010 TRAINING 25 5CSS
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Page 30 and 31: Army March 4, 2010 WHEN it comes to
Page 32 and 33: Army March 4, 2010 A cut above the
Page 34 and 35: Army March 4, 2010 KAPOOKA SERIES R

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