The main Army contingent marching along George St in Sydney on Wednesday, June 18, 2003. Photo by Cpl Belinda Mepham, Army newspaper CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy chats with Cpl Ben Williams, 4RAR(Cdo) on June 17, after the return of the Force Extraction Team and Combat Services Support Group from the Middle East. Photo by Bill Cunneen, Service newspapers

FET for praise by CA

CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy welcomed members of the Force Extraction Team and Combat Service Support Group home from the Middle East at a function at Randwick Barracks in Sydney on June 17.

The majority of soldiers, who were from the Force Extraction Team (FET), returned home after about two months deployment in the Middle East.

The two teams (FET East and West) also included members of the Royal Australian Navy and the Airforce.

“Their professionalism, along with their training and detailed preparation, has ensured the huge task of moving large amounts of people and equipment out of the Area of Operations has been conducted smoothly,” he said.

“Their task, while often overlooked by the public, is a vital part of any successful operation.”

The detachment was responsible for cleaning of stores and equipment in accordance with Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service guidelines and packaging of dangerous cargo such as ammunition and fuel used by the Special Forces Task Group.

They also provided psychological support, information support and coordination of movements from the Middle East.

The returning members were from a variety of units including 4 RAR(Cdo), 1 Int Bn, 145 Sig Sqn, IRR, Joint Movement Control Centre, elements of the LSF, including Puckapunyal-based 26 Tpt Coy, 10FSB.

Land Commander Maj-Gen David Hurley and other senior officers joined the CA in welcoming home the troops.

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