Extra troops for RTF
Volume 11, No. 50, August 24, 2006
By Cpl Mike McSweeney
 |
Boost: 150 more troops have been assign to the RTF in Afghanistan.
Photo by Cpl Bernard Pearson. |
AN ADDITIONAL 150 personnel will deploy to Afghanistan as part of the ADF Reconstruction Task Force (RTF).
In an address to Parliament on August 9, Prime Minister John Howard said additional troops were required to provide the necessary level of security and protection for the RTF.
“The Government is aware of the risks faced by the ADF in Afghanistan and is committed to ensuring that the Reconstruction Task Force is fully equipped and resourced to conduct this highly important task,” he said.
“After careful consideration, the Government has decided to increase the size of the Reconstruction Task Force.
“The deployment will include an infantry company group of about 120 personnel to provide enhanced force protection.”
The 400-strong RTF will work with Dutch forces on the third phase of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
“The Government is very pleased with Dutch planning and preparations and very impressed with the military capability of the Dutch forces that are being deployed to Afghanistan,” Mr Howard said.
He said the ADF would be in the Oruzgan Province for two years at the invitation of the Afghan Government.
“The RTF will work in the Oruzgan Province, in southern Afghanistan, on reconstruction and community based projects with the aim of building long-term viability of Afghan communities,” he said.
Lt-Col Mick Ryan will lead the RTF, which will mainly be drawn from 1Bde. They will be equipped with Bushmasters and ASLAVs and will operate under the national command of Australia’s Joint Task Force in the MEAO.
Mr Howard said advanced elements of the RTF would deploy in August, the main body in September and the final elements would arrive in November.
“I ask all Australians to support the members of the ADF who are serving their country by helping to create an environment of security and stability in Afghanistan.”
