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‘No better soldiers’
Edition 1175, September 20, 2007 |
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High praise: Dr Brendan Nelson addressed the troops of the Reconstruction Task Force in Tarin Kowt during a brief visit to the Middle East. “General Petraeus says you are the epitome of professionalism,” he told the assembled soldiers.
Photo by Cpl Neil Ruskin |
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AUSTRALIAN troops continue to win praise and build on their reputation as professional soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson, CDF ACM Angus Houston and Defence Secretary Nick Warner made a short visit to the Middle East late last month.
During discussions on the Afghan security situation and the coordination of aid reconstruction with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Defence Minister General Abdul Raheem Wardak, Australian troops were commended for their professionalism.
“Not a single complaint has been made about the conduct of Australian troops and their actions in Afghanistan,” said Dr Nelson when he addressed engineers and infantry soldiers attached to RTF 3 in Tarin Kowt.
“President Karzai told us that there are no better soldiers operating in Afghanistan and that he admired the guts of the Australians in Oruzgan.”
He said the recent spate of attacks by the Taliban highlighted that their work was dangerous but that it was also drawing the Taliban out.
“Our coalition partners appreciate their efforts in providing a safe and secure environment that allows reconstruction work to continue,” Dr Nelson said.
A key meeting during the tour was with the Commanding General Multi-National Force-Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, to discuss the coalition’s strategy in Iraq. Dr Nelson said Gen Petraeus paid particular tribute to the dedication of ADF members serving in Iraq.
“They are the epitome of professionalism. They are extraordinarily capable. They get it. And that is the highest praise in this kind of endeavour,” he said.
Dr Nelson said Gen Petraeus also gave an insight into the “surge” in Iraq with clear indicators that security was improving.
“Gen Petraus said the number of insurgent and religious attacks had fallen by three quarters, there had been a doubling of weapons caches found and an increase in the number of al-Qa’ida members killed or captured,” he said.
He said that al-Qa-ida was off-balance, that results were being achieved and that the US would continue to build on this progress.
He also reaffirmed that deployment of the Overwatch Battle Group had been extended until the end of June 2008.
The delegation visited Australian trainers in the national depot at Taji, just north of Baghdad, who are supporting logistics training, including supply-chain management and warehouse operations, organisational maintenance, and the introduction and maintenance of small arms including the M-16.
“When I spoke to the Australian Army Training Team in Iraq, made up of 100 trainers from the Army and RAAF, I highlighted the value of Australia’s military commitment,” Dr Nelson said.
Dr Nelson said all Australians should feel immensely proud of the work being done by all its deployed forces.
“Whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, or the other eight countries where Australian troops are deployed, there is no group of Australians who has done more to define who we are and how we see ourselves than the men and women of the Navy, Army and Air Force,” he said.
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