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| 41WG on PM’s radar By Kristina Kalnins Edition 4907, May 3, 2007 |
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Seventy-five personnel from 41WG and supporting CSS elements, including air combat officers, engineers, technicians, suppliers and medics, will take on this significant and demanding role as part of Operation Slipper. The Prime Minister wasted no time in meeting these officers and airmen/airwomen and then thanking them during a speech at the Officers’ Mess. “It really is a great pleasure to be on this wonderful base and have the opportunity to meet so many of you,” Mr Howard said. “I’ve had a great opportunity to be briefed on the radar responsibility that Australia will be assuming in Kandahar … and it’s a reminder of the extraordinary professionalism and high responsibilities that our forces are accepting, not only in the military operational areas, but also in providing such extremely important, in fact critical, high level technical support, not only for Australian forces in Afghanistan but also for our Coalition partners.” The Prime Minister also shared some stories of his time overseas where he had the opportunity to visit ADF members on deployment. “It’s been one of the more humbling and memorable experiences of my time as Prime Minister to visit the men and women of our forces deployed overseas,” he said. “Their morale is high, their commitment is impressive and their capacity to combine what is required of modern defence forces and that is a fighting capability without fear and also an understanding of the need to win the confidence and respect of the local people. “So can I say thank you very, very much for everything that you are doing for Australia; I admire the fighting men and women of the Australian Defence Forces; I admire all the things they do for our country and I know the entire country is particularly proud of your professionalism.” More than 300 personnel from the base attended a barbecue lunch at the Officers’ Mess with the Prime Minister and Federal Member for Patterson Bob Baldwin MP. After helping himself to the buffet, Mr Howard seated himself at a table with ADF members for a casual chat and to hear their thoughts. LAC Craig Gallard, a 3CRU surveillance operator who will deploy in June, said he looks forward to using his skills on operation in Afghanistan. “This is my first deployment and I am very excited to be going,” LAC Gallard said. “As an air surveillance operator I’ll be helping to compile a recognised air picture to identify aircraft in the area.” FLTLT Robert Vine, an air combat officer, explained the many feelings experienced before a deployment and confidence in the team was one of them. “We are well looked after and well trained so I am happy to be going,” FLTLT Vine said. FLTLT Scott Redman, an engineer from 41WG who will deploy to Afghanistan with the Advance Party, knows what to expect, as he was part of the reconnaissance group that travelled there recently. “The living conditions are reasonably good. We have air conditioned tents, good dining facilities and a limited amount of recreational facilities,” he said “The Americans have been there for some time and have made life as comfortable as they possibly can.” The Advance Party will be commanded by WGCDR Paul Turner from 41WG, who will hand over command to CO 114MCRU WGCDR Peter Cooper when the full Task Group arrives in July 2007.
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