Defence

Army

Reconstruction Task Force

Australian Defence Force personnel are working in Afghanistan as part of the Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Team under the NATO International Security Assistance Force's Stage III expansion into southern Afghanistan.

Australia's contribution, known as the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), is a mix of engineers and security personnel, deployed to Afghanistan for up to two years, and is working on reconstruction and community-based projects as part of Australia's commitment to assisting Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future.

The majority of the task force is drawn from the Darwin area and made up of personnel from the 1^st Combat Engineer Regiment, which is providing combat engineers and tradesmen to undertake the majority of the RTF's construction activities. This will include skills training for the local population to ensure the benefits of the deployment continue well after our personnel have returned home.

The Australian protective force for the RTF is being provided by the Brisbane-based Motorised Infantry of the 6^th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 5^th/7^th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and the Darwin-based 2^nd Cavalry Regiment.

Work is progressing well on the RTF Trade Training Building in southern Afghanistan. The building will be used by the RTF Trade Training Team to teach the local population various building skills including carpentry and masonry.

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