Our People in WA
Lee Roberts - Beating the heat in Afghanistan
While Western Australia basks in the summer sun, Warrant Officer Class Two Lee Roberts has been enduring the snow of Oruzgan Province. He is now part of Australia’s Reconstruction Task Force.
Lee, a Warrant Officer Class 2, said he is happy to be involved in a job encompassing a range of tasks from forensics to criminal intelligence. “I also enjoy conducting liaison with other law enforcement agencies,” he said. “It’s really rewarding working with forces of other nations.”
While he thrives on the challenge of conducting investigations and seeing them through, Lee said that the best part of the job was helping the locals and meeting local children. “They’ve always got a smile on their face and all the Aussies here want to see them have a brighter future.”
Lee has come a long way since he graduated from Safety Bay High School to work as a young trades assistant with BP. But the studies haven’t stopped. He is currently studying for his Masters Degree in Criminal Intelligence. “I guess I have found my niche as a Military Police Investigator,” he said.
“Att the end of this tour I’ll be returning to live in the town I grew up in – Rockingham – and commuting to Leeuwin Barracks where I’m a senior investigator. I’ve got a great family, a great job and I am able to live in a great place. What more could I ask for?”
Lee is one of some 900 Australian Defence Force personnel who are now in Afghanistan as part of Operation SLIPPER, Australia’s commitment to assist Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future. Army engineers are focused on reconstruction and community-based projects while a Special Operations Task Group is operating to disrupt Taliban extremists' command and control and supply routes.