Moving outside the wire
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006
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On patrol: Pte Leigh Hansen, 6RAR, maintains a secure watch as troops from 1RTF patrol the streets of Tarin Kowt in southern Afghanistan.
Photo by Cpl Ricky Fuller |
1RTF has established its security footprint firmly enough on the ground in Oruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan to shift its focus “outside the wire”.
Since arriving in Oruzgan several months ago, 1RTF engineers have been heavily involved in the development of camp facilities and services infrastructure within FOB Davis.
The taskforce’s engineering capabilities have been focused primarily on internal projects but technical engineers from the 1RTF’s Works Cell have successfully coordinated local labour and construction workers on several engineering tasks.
Troop Commander Lt Adam Tull said the coming months would be busy for the taskforce.
“Now we are firmly established within our camp, we are committed to reaching out beyond these walls to bring about security, economic development and a new era of prosperity to the people of Oruzgan,” he said.
“We understand this will be a gradual process – but we are greatly encouraged by the support received from the Afghan people.
“It is clear the Australians understand the value of winning the support of the local people. With that, we can devote more resources towards reconstruction. There are obvious benefits for everyone under this arrangement.”
While the Australians are positive about their role in Afghanistan, the future is challenging.
1RFT members soon will experience the harsh Afghan winter, an increase in operational tempo and the obvious hardship that comes with being so far away from home.
“It’s hard for the families, there’s no denying that,” said Spr James Haw, a carpenter.
“That’s why it’s important that they understand back home that this is a good mission. We’re helping the people of Afghanistan as well as improving our own skills. It’s a great feeling being an ambassador for your country.”
Other significant 1RTF projects include the construction of a 67m concrete causeway over the Garmab Mandar River, the construction of a two-storey headquarters for a government department, the establishment of checkpoints for the Afghan National Police within Tarin.
The perfect medicine
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006
By Capt Lee Bowden
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Bright future: An Afghan man watches LCpl Jason Lefevre (front) and Spr Paul Tewkesbury refit the hospital with new lights.
Photo by Cpl Ricky Fuller
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IT’s just what the doctor ordered – 1RTF is giving Tarin Kowt Hospital in Afghanistan a face-lift.
Refurbishment of the hospital is the Taskforce’s top reconstruction priority in support of the Afghanistan Government.
The main focus will be the construction of three buildings within the hospital compound.
This includes a new outpatients’ building that will provide a better quality area for running the health clinic and treating patients. Two distinct areas for men and women will meet with local customs.
The first of the three buildings to be built will be a kitchen to supply patients and staff with a suitable food preparation area and new cooking equipment.
The third building will provide a safe location where those suffering from cholera can recover.
Minor works being conducted by 1RTF include the replacement of doors and windows to the existing hospital, installation of shelves for greater storage and a partition room in the recovery area to create a separate women’s area.
Most of the works will be carried out by local contractors employed by 1RTF.
“This is a very rewarding project to be involved in,” the lead engineer for the project, Capt Claire O’Neil, said.
“Basic healthcare is really lacking in Oruzgan and the local population is really happy to see us doing something in this area.
“It is also great to be able to provide a sort of role model to local women because they don’t often see females in the kind of role of that I am in.”
1RTF also is working to improve the hospital water and sewerage system. A new electrical generation system will be installed and the exterior of the main building will have a facelift to beautify its surroundings.
Building a better future
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006
By Maj Hugh Meggitt
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Learning curve: Carpenter Cpl Glenn Miller (right), 1CER, with some trade training students.
Photo by Cpl Ricky Fuller
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1RTF has followed the lead of Sir Winston Churchill in completing another crucial phase of its mission in the Tarin Kowt mountains of Afghanistan.
To paraphrase the great British wartime leader’s quote – “Give us the tools and we will do the job”, 1RTF has gone one better by providing both the tools and the skills for reconstruction to a select group of Afghanis.
Almost one month after their initial welcome, the successful students of the first Trade Training Course, run by 1RTF engineers, received their graduation certificates and tool kits from Commander Task Force Oruzgan Col Theo Vleugels and CO 1RTF Lt-Col Mick Ryan.
Four weeks of intensive training covering all aspects of basic construction resulted in six local civilians and one Afghan National Army soldier developing into competent and employable trade assistants.
From tentative beginnings, they graduated capable of effectively employing a variety of hand and power tools and being able to plan and undertake basic construction projects.
Friendships also were forged among students and trainers in the process of developing a unified, safer and more stable Afghanistan.
“The course was a highly enjoyable and constructive month for both my section of trade engineers and the students,” OC Trade Training Section WO2 John Watson said.
“The key focus was on teaching but the good humour displayed by both students and instructors exemplified the bond developed by all throughout the course.”
First watch is over
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006
By Maj Mark Tanzer and Capt Sarah Hawke
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Bang on target: Capt Chris O’ Byrne, Pte Karl Dixon, Cpl Luke Rosenberger, Lcpl Ryan Ingold, Pte Ben Gibson, Pte Aaron O’ Neill and Pte Chris Tucci with a collection of 155mm artillery shells ready for demolition. |
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On patrol: Capt Ben Dullroy mans a Minimi on a Bushmaster while on patrol in the southern desert.
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MEMBERS of Overwatch Battle Group (West) 1 received praise from the senior British commander in Iraq just before their homecoming late last month.
The soldiers paraded for the last time at Camp Terendak in Tallil a few days before the battle group was handed over to OBG (W) 2.
Maj-Gen Richard Shirreff, General Officer Commanding Multi-National Division (South East), paid tribute to the soldiers for performing operational overwatch in both the Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar provinces.
He said Australians had won an Iraq-wide reputation for engaging the local population with sensitivity and respect, while still being able to “show steel” when needed.
Maj-Gen Shirreff said there was no doubt that the battle group’s offensive spirit, as demonstrated at the Ar Rumaythah contact in September, had led to a decrease in militia activity in Al Muthanna.
Maj-Gen Shirreff presented CO OBG (W) 1 Lt-Col Michael Mahy with a prized Gurkha kukri and a framed print of a war artist painting titled “The 14th King’s Hussars Accept the Surrender of Kazimain, 11 March 1917.”
The gift to Maj-Gen Shirreff was a bronze statuette depicting “Andy,” a Light Horseman at Gallipoli.
A few days later on November 27 at the same location, Lt-Col Mahy officially handed over command of the battle group to Lt-Col Tony Rawlins, CO of OBG (W) 2.
During the low-key ceremony, Lt-Col Mahy said he was proud of what the battle group’s soldiers had achieved.
“While they faced great risk, the patrols achieved excellent levels of success on every mission and our well-trained and well-equipped forces drew praise from coalition and Iraqi partners,” he said.
“I also recognise the support of families and friends and this has also been crucial to the success of the battle group.”
It already has been a busy time for OBG (W) 2, with Lt-Col Rawlins already having carried out a number of meetings with local sheiks as well as government and Iraqi Security Force leaders in the Dhi Qar and Al Muthanna provinces.
Lt-Col Rawlins said the engagement process with local leaders had been and continued to be a key element in ensuring security and progress in Dhi Qar and Al Muthanna.
“We’re looking forward to the task ahead. The troops are well prepared and keen to help make a difference on the ground here in southern Iraq and carry on the solid work of OBG (W) 1.”
OBG (W) 2 is made up of about 500 personnel drawn mainly from 1 Bde.
A Christmas gift to remember
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006
By WO2 Graham McBean
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Hello there: Cfn Dave Wilson is welcomed home by mother Gayle and girlfriend Sherie Litzow at Brisbane International Airport after six months in Iraq with OBG (W) 1.
Photo by WO2 Graham McBean. |
CHRISTMAS came early for the families of the members of Overwatch Battle Group (West) 1 who have returned from six months’ service in Iraq.
Eager families, friends and loved ones waited at Brisbane International Airport as soldiers, mainly from 2/14LHR, filed through Customs and into waiting arms on November 26.
Similar scenes of joy were repeated when 2RAR members arrived in Townsville on December 3.
The anticipation was almost too much for Gayle Wilson, mother of Cfn Dave Wilson, who waited with Dave’s girlfriend, Sherie Litzow.
“I am so excited. Words cannot express how I feel,” Mrs Wilson said. “We did manage to hook up over the internet and at least we could have a conversation and make sure he was all right.”
Ms Litzow said it had been a long six months and she had distracted herself with work – “that’s all I have done since he has left”. She said it had been very important that they had talked before he had left and that keeping busy had been the best way to pass the long months of the deployment.
It was a jubilant homecoming for LCpl John Gutmanis, who was met by his wife, Kerryn, and children – all eight of them.
LCpl Gutmanis said he was now looking forward to the Christmas break and a holiday on the family farm.
Triumph in Tonga
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006
By Capt Al Green
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Warm welcome (left): Tongan speaker Pte Eliesa Holaafolau is greeted by a local girl in Nuku’ alofa during joint stabilisation operations in support of the Tongan Government. |
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Hello there: Cfn Dave Wilson is welcomed home by mother Gayle and girlfriend Sherie Litzow at Brisbane International Airport after six months in Iraq with OBG (W) 1.
Photo by WO2 Graham McBean. |
1RAR’s Ready Company Group completed another successful mission when it returned to Townsville on November 30 from its third overseas deployment for 2006 after helping to restore calm in Tonga.
At the heart of the successful execution, according to Australian force commander Maj Jim Hammett, were proven systems and mechanisms from the strategic through to the tactical side of operations.
“We train within a consistent structure and methodology that is versatile enough to adapt to most situations from war-fighting to stabilising operations,” Maj Hammett said.
The troops were deployed to Tonga as a company minus, specifically
3 Pl, A Coy, known as “the dogs”, and a Company HQ with the usual attachments – support section, signallers and a medic. Higher level medical support such as a resuscitation team and aeromedical evacuation resources were provided by the New Zealanders. It was an international effort with diplomacy the driver.
The operation’s catalyst was a request from the Tongan Government for ADF assistance.
The operation called for a stabilising effort in direct support of the Tonga Defence Services: a simple aim perhaps, but complex in detailed planning and execution.
The operational command was run by HQ 1 Div, formerly Deployable Joint Force Headquarters. These types of operations are their specialty – cross service support, in the form of troop transport for example, and international linkages at the working level were addressed here.
The preparedness of the RCG meant the troops were squared away with their skills and administration – always ready to go.
The routine feel of the rapid DPDS work-up, intelligence briefings and orders, issue of rations, stores and ammo were also a far cry from the time when quick notice deployments were a rarity.
On the flight across the Pacific there were no apparent signs of stress, just a quiet confidence that came from troops who knew they were up to the job. Recent operational experience, as 3 Pl’s Lt Mark Johnston observed, reinforced that confidence.
“Most troops employed for this task recently spent three months in Timor-Leste and are well experienced in this type of stabilising operation,” he said.
On the ground, one of first tasks of the Australian National Commander, Maj Hammett, was to link in with the stakeholders – the Tonga Defence Services rightly taking the lead.
While the New Zealanders worked to secure and maintain the air head, direct negotiation by Maj Hammett with the Tonga Defence Services focused on working to their specific needs, which centred on manpower relief and backup.
The Aussies initially provided a quick reaction force to deal with any flare-ups. The next task involved joint patrolling of exclusion zones and key point security.
Section commander Cpl Matt Foreman found that the soldiers quickly formed strong relationships with the Tongans they were supporting.
“The Tongans were ‘switched’ and great to work with,” he said.
That goodwill also extended to the locals. “I don’t think I’ve met nicer people,” Cpl Foreman said.
To maintain the goodwill and to prevent a campaign of disinformation, the local media were proactively engaged.
Tongan speaker Pte Eliesa Holaafolau spoke on radio and television to let the locals know that the mission was simply to provide a stable environment for the Tongans to sort their problems out.
As well as the positive consequence of spreading the message, the experience also had the secondary effect of turning him into a TV star.
The overall effect of troop presence was considered a positive and calming one by the locals – buying space and time for them to restore order.
Forensic investigators could work unhindered as Tonga Defence Services rested or were released to support investigations.
As Pte Scott Brown, out on the barricades, put it: “Though it’s calm we’re probably achieving more by our presence than we know.”
Maj-Gen rises to occasion
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006
Moving on up: Brig John Cantwell has become the first Australian Army officer in 62 years to be promoted to Major General while serving on operations. Maj-Gen Cantwell was promoted in Iraq by the senior military commander in Iraq, Gen George Casey, Jr, and Maj-Gen David Fastabend. Maj-Gen Cantwell was also presented with the Legion of Merit, Degree of Officer for his work in Iraq.
Minister on the menu
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006
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Talking point: Defence Minister Brendan Nelson chats with Cpl Scott West from 6RAR during dinner at the Heliport in Timor-Leste.
Photo by Cpl Rachel Ingram |
DEFENCE Minister Brendan Nelson discussed various deployment issues and dined with soldiers on a visit to Timor-Leste in late November.
Dr Nelson had dinner and breakfast with the soldiers and took the time to listen and discuss issues, which ranged from refrigeration to retention within the Defence Force.
Dr Nelson also told the soldiers he was proud of their work in Timor-Leste and said he would be thinking of them and their families over the Christmas period.
During his visit Dr Nelson also met with Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and Foreign and Defence Minister Jose Ramos-Horta to discuss a range of issues related to the ADF deployment.
