Our People in WA
Justin Back and Dennis Robins - Helping Out in Afghanistan
Justin is now a cavalry officer whose job is to provide security to the Australian Army Engineers conducting reconstruction tasks within the local villages. Dennis is an analyst who provides security advice for the various missions.
Both are part of the Australian 1st Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), working alongside Dutch soldiers as part of a NATO mission in southern Afghanistan.
"The 1st RTF's mission is to help rebuild Afghanistan ," Justin said. "The people have had a hard run and we want to help give them a fair go. The job is really rewarding."
When asked what it was like working in a place like Afghanistan , Dennis said, "The people of Afghanistan have had a really hard time in recent history, but most of them just want to get back on their feet. Just like people in Australia , they want the basics, food, clean water and a peaceful place where they raise their kids. We are here to give them a hand and work with them to build a better standard of living."
Both Dennis and Justin spoke about the great support they are getting from family and friends back home and what they think about the deployment.
'I am away a lot, so my family is sort of used to it," said Dennis. "I am engaged to a 'Santa-girl', (Santa Maria class of 1998), who is in Darwin trying to organise our wedding which we plan to have at Santa Maria or Aquinas. It is a big project, so it is more or less keeping her busy while I am away.'
Justin agreed, 'I have spent some time in both Iraq and Afghanistan, so my friends and family back home are used to me being away. I obviously miss them, but it's great coming home to familiar faces. There are always a few drinks and a few laughs upon return so I'm looking forward to it."
After graduating from Aquinas in 1997, Justin conducted a Rotary Exchange to Belgium in 1998 and started university in Tasmania before joining the Army in 2000. Afghanistan is Justin's second deployment, the first being to Iraq in 2003.
"You would be surprised how many people in the Army are Aquinians - we run into them all the time, both in Australia and on operations," said Justin. "The College has a long tradition of graduating fit, keen young men into the Forces. I would recommend to anyone wanting something different in a job to consider speaking to Defence Recruiting. The training you receive sets you up well to operate properly under stressful conditions, find solutions to complex problems and most of all, lead motivated, professional people. We work and play hard and believe strongly in what we do."
Dennis joined the Army after graduating from Aquinas in 1998; he completed his Honours Degree in politics at the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2001 and was commissioned as an officer from Duntroon in 2002. While on deployment, Dennis is trying to stay up-to-date with his studies so he can finish his Master's Degree early next year.
"Deployments are really busy, you work long hours in sometimes harsh conditions, but the rewards make it all worth while," said Dennis. "I still have time to stay in touch with my family and read the odd book! You would be surprised how fast the time goes when you're busy. As Justin said, we love it. The Army believes strongly in mateship, hard-work and upholding Australian values."
Justin and Dennis have stayed in touch since their graduation. Although they have followed different career paths in the Army, they have now found themselves working together in what is a challenging deployment. They believe the values and standards that were encouraged at Aquinas have set them up well for the challenges they face every day.
Justin and Dennis are two 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 the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), working with the Netherlands in support of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). 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.
A small number of Australian personnel are also embedded within ISAF to assist in the nationwide operations.