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Special delivery in the Mid East


Edition 4907, May 3, 2007
 
TOUCH DOWN: Above, Defence Minister Brendan Nelson arrives at Tarin Kowt Airfield in Southern Afghanistan onboard an Australian C-130J.
Photo by LAC Rod Welch and CPL Rob Nyffenegger
 
Inset: Dr Nelson mixes with troops from Reconstruction Task Force 2 at the Oruzgan Province during his MEAO visit.
Photo by LAC Rod Welch and CPL Rob Nyffenegger
 
The return to the MEAO of two Chinook helicopters, the deployment of an additional C-130 in 2008 and extra logistics and intelligence support are to be a part of an expanded ADF presence in Afghanistan.

Defence Minister Brendan Nelson announced the extra personnel during his visit to the MEAO from April 19-23.

These assets are in addition to the 300-personnel Special Operations Task Group, expanded RTF Protection Company Group capability and Air Force air surveillance radar capability that recently deployed to Kandahar Airfield to assume control of a portion of Afghan operational air space from mid-2007.

During his tour, Dr Nelson visited ADF personnel across the MEAO, including personnel based in Oruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan, the Overwatch Battle Group-West at Tallil Air Base and the Security Detachment in Baghdad.

He also held talks in Kabul with Afghanistan’s Defence Minister, General Abdul Raheem Wardak, Iraqi Prime Minister Buri al-Maliki in Baghdad and with the Multi-National Force commander GEN David Petraeus.

“There are several elements that comprise our deployments in the MEAO. I again had the privilege to visit the men and women of the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force, who each play a vital role,” Dr Nelson said.

“On every occasion I had the opportunity to address our troops; I emphasised how proud we are as a nation of what they do, the values represented by the uniform, the importance of their work in the global fight against terrorism and the sacrifices made by their families.”

Dr Nelson also attended the traditional Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli.