Our People in the NT
Helping Out in Afghanistan
"I was working on the Sydney Olympic Village and, when that finished, my wife and I moved to Queensland. I was unemployed there and so I contacted Defence Recruiting. During that time I started work in a warehouse and when they offered me a position in the Army I jumped at the chance. I guess family had a bit to do with my decision. My grandfather served in World War Two and Korea , and I have a cousin who was serving," Matthew said.
"Working in the Army has been a great decision, I like working in the outdoors. The job offers challenges, fun times and adventure. One of the things I notice most is the camaraderie and mateship, especially when I look back on the time I was unemployed.
"With my previous experience in warehousing, working in the Quartermaster Store seemed like a good progression. My job is to fulfil everyone's supply needs. I have to make sure that people get the stores and equipment that they need so that they can achieve their tasks," Matthew said.
Matthew is currently deployed in Oruzgan Province , southern Afghanistan as part of Australia 's 1 st Reconstruction Task Force.
"We are here to begin the reconstruction of the province of Oruzgan , starting with the little things. The way we are involving and giving ownership to the Afghan people is amazing. It's like the old saying, 'Feed me a fish and I'll eat today, teach me to fish and I'll eat in the future.' By involving and training the locals, it means they can continue to improve their lot once we have finished our mission.
"The Afghan people genuinely need the help. After twenty or so years of war, someone has to come in and help. As Australians we are used to working in harsh conditions and extend a hand to those in need."
This is Matthew's first operational deployment and eagerly awaiting his return are his wife and two daughters aged three and a half and six months.
"This will be the longest time I have been without seeing them. But my wife is used to me being on courses and her family help look after her and the kids. The first thing I'll do when I get home is grab my kids and hold them for as long as I can. By the time I see the girls they will have grown quite a bit. They won't have seen their Daddy for six months and the younger one will be trying to walk," Matthew said.
Matthew is one of some 400 Australian Defence Force personnel currently in Afghanistan as part of the international coalition against terrorism. The Australian contribution, known as Operation SLIPPER, currently includes a Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), in partnership with the Netherlands , in support of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
The RTF is comprised of command, engineer, security and support elements. These forces are focused on reconstruction and community-based projects as part of Australia 's commitment to assisting Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future.
Two Army Chinook helicopters and an additional 110 personnel are also deployed to Afghanistan providing aero-medical evacuation, air mobility and logistic support to coalition operations.
small number of Australian personnel are also embedded within ISAF to assist in the nationwide operations.