Media Room | Reports and Publications | Careers and Recruiting | Industry and Contracts | Other Defence Links

Our People in QLD

Philip Bevan - Sunny Coast Soldier Returning From Afghanistan

Private Philip Bevan, formerly of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast is approaching the end of his six month tour in Southern Afghanistan with the Australian Army. In the last days of his mission Phil explained in his own words what he’s been up to in Afghanistan.

I am employed in a machine gun team within an infantry section. We provide security for the engineers while they build things like schools, hospitals for local people and patrol bases for the new Afghan Army. We did some joint patrols with the Afghan Army – they’re good bunch of blokes working hard to get more professional and effectively stand up against the Taliban. The Taliban are pretty brutal and the locals are scared of them. That’s why it’s so important to bring security to the area. We treat the locals with respect and they respond to that.

We’ve worked in a variety of terrain and in both hot and very cold conditions. Most people here live in what’s known as the Green Zone, fertile river valleys where they grow their crops - beyond that is just bare rocky mountainous terrain. Patrolling in the snow was a new experience for everyone, not done since the Korean War we were told. The snow ball fights were great fun – a good way to relax in the very remote patrol base we operated in over winter.

This is my second time to the Middle East having previously served in Iraq. The missions are quite different but for an Infantryman both missions tested us out, brought out the best – this is what we train for. The best part of this and any mission has been the mateship. It’s been great to work with such a good bunch of blokes - everyone helped each other especially in the tough times through winter. When we came in off patrol there was often a hot brew or a feed waiting – things like that are very much appreciated.

While there are risks here our personal protection is pretty good with Kevlar helmets and body armour for protection. We also operate from Bushmasters; armored vehicles that provide about the best protection you can get against roadside bombs so that’s pretty reassuring.

While I’ve enjoyed the mission I’m really been looking forward to getting home to friends and family then going on a family fishing trip to Awoonga Dam in April.

See you all then.