SOCAUST ORDER OF THE DAY
To those who served in SOTG Rotation 2 to Afghanistan,
January – May 2006
Volume 11, No. 44, June 01, 2006

Congratulations to you all on a job magnificently done. Drawn as you were from 34 different units and organisations, and following on from the outstanding work of the first rotation, you worked tirelessly together to create a coherent, focused and ultimately potent combat force.

In the face of extremely demanding environmental difficulties, you rapidly consolidated and focused your efforts, maintaining continuous pressure on the enemy at a time, during winter, when traditionally he has enjoyed operational respite.
At no stage did you allow this pressure to ease, maintaining an almost constant presence in some of the most hostile and physically demanding areas of Afghanistan.

Moreover, your relentless approach towards targeting the enemy leadership was evident and highly effective.
Ultimately you successfully denied the enemy the ability to relax in his traditional sanctuary areas, undoubtedly reducing his ability to function effectively elsewhere.

To those who supported and enabled the combat force, be very proud of your achievements, for without your efforts, the men in the field could not have functioned as effectively as they did. Congratulations and thanks.

And finally, to those who did the business out there in the mountains and valleys of Afghanistan, who endured the extreme temperatures, the unforgiving terrain and the relentless risk of IED strike, and who, through great courage, teamwork and ingenuity, effectively wrested the initiative from a determined and cunning enemy – to all of you, well done, mission accomplished.

Once again you have done the command, the Australian Army and the ADF proud.

M.S.J. Hindmarsh
Maj-Gen
SOCAUST
17 May 06