Defence

Marshalling Point

Our operational performance and preparedness

 

ACM Angus Houston, Chief of the Defence Force

The Senior Leadership Group (SLG) Recall Day was held earlier this month and provided me with my first opportunity to address the senior leadership team since assuming command of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). It was a very productive day and I encourage you all to read my SLG speech, which is printed in this edition of Defence. It highlights my vision for the ADF and my intent for my tenure, described by seven key themes. This will give you a clear idea of where I intend to go in terms of leading the ADF for the next three years.

One of the themes that I highlighted to the SLG is our 'operational performance and preparedness'. It is vital that we all continue to work hard to ensure our people can perform superbly on operations. During the last few years our performance has been impressive and I am determined to see that this level of commitment and professionalism is maintained.

I was fortunate to see this superb performance first-hand last month when I made my first visit to Iraq since becoming Chief of the Defence Force (CDF). Our people are facing a very real and lethal threat in very tough climatic conditions. Though there is no doubt that Iraq is a very dangerous place, I found the visit to be an uplifting experience. This is because it didn't matter where I went - and I went to 12 different locations where our people were working - and it didn't matter if it was a soldier, a sailor, or an airman or woman, everywhere I went I saw professional people doing a wonderful job for Australia.

People such as: the junior sailors on board HMAS NEWCASTLE, who were performing their tasks wonderfully in the most sweltering and difficult conditions below deck; the committed and skilled reservist and permanent medical staff and air traffic controllers at Balad; and our embedded personnel in the multinational force headquarters who were enthusiastically lauded by many people I encountered for their professional and valuable contribution.

Our men and women deployed on Operation CATALYST are making real progress in restoring key institutions that will allow the people of Iraq to rebuild their lives. Their work is highly regarded by the Iraqi people and our Coalition partners.

You can be very proud - just as I am - of their great enthusiasm, deep commitment and incredibly high level of performance. I know in the short time that I had with our Prime Minister during his visit to the Al Muthanna Task Group, that he is equally proud of our people and deeply impressed with their performance.

Though I know we all look forward to the day when our men and women can come home, there does remain work to be done and there are some considerable challenges ahead. We are committed to the transition of security responsibilities to the Iraqi Security Forces as their capacity develops.

As you may know, the ADF's contribution to Operation SLIPPER will soon increase.

Australia made a valuable contribution in Afghanistan in 2001 and 2002 as part of the Coalition that removed the Taliban from power. Since then, presidential elections have been held and a representative government has been established. However, the institutions of government remain fragile and it is very important that the great progress made to date is consolidated to help the new Afghan Government achieve its goals.

Last month, the Prime Minister announced that we would deploy a Special Forces Task Group made up of approximately 150 SAS soldiers, commandos and logistic support elements, to Afghanistan in September as part of Australia's increased commitment to the fight against terrorism. These soldiers will be employed in a variety of roles, similar to those performed during 2001 and will work closely with our Coalition partners. Their efforts will be targeted against anti-Government and terrorist groups and their supporters, and are likely to include combat patrolling of remote regions as well as reconnaissance and surveillance operations.

We are also examining the possibility of sending a Provincial Reconstruction Team to Afghanistan. This team would support community-rebuilding efforts to improve the quality of life of the Afghan people. It is expected that should this go ahead, it would involve up to 200 personnel who would deploy between April and May next year.

I know the entire Defence organisation joins with me in wishing our people about to deploy to Afghanistan all the very best.

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