The soldiers’ friend
Volume 11, No. 52, September 21, 2006

Talking business: Defence Minister Brendan Nelson chats to WO2 Andrew Stuart and Lt-Col Mick Mahy in Iraq. Photo by LAC Rodney Welch

TROOPS in the Middle East have received a special visit from Defence Minister Brendan Nelson and Secretary of Defence Ric Smith.

The Minister visited several locations where Australia has troops deployed, including the SFTG, the RTF advance party and the CH-47 Detachment in Afghanistan, in late August.

“No matter whether your job is logistics, administration or patrolling on the ground ... or the P3 crews, every single thing you do contributes to the success of your unit. No one is more important than another,” Dr Nelson said.

Channel 7 Sunrise’s David Koch went along on the trip and was just as well received as the Minister.

Kochie was impressed with the way the Australians dealt with the conditions in which they work and live.

“It’s amazing what these folks put up with being here... It’s great to see the Aussie spirit of knuckling down and getting the job done,” he said.