Task Forces reconstruct and rotate in Afghanistan
18 April - Following a successful six-month deployment in Afghanistan, the 3rd Reconstruction Task Force (RTF-3) has formally handed over to the next rotation of soldiers taking their place.
The incoming task force (RTF-4) consists of more than 400 combat engineers, infantry, cavalry and support staff, the majority based in Brisbane and Sydney.
Commanding Officer Reconstruction Task Force Four (CO RTF-4) Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) Stuart Yeaman takes over from CO RTF-3 LTCOL David Wainwright. Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) RTF-4 Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Steven Di Tullio replaces RSM RTF-3 WO1 Terry Mckeown during a handover ceremony held in Camp Holland, Afghanistan.
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today congratulated the Commanding Officer of RTF-3, Lieutenant Colonel David Wainwright, and his men and women, after completing a demanding deployment in Afghanistan.
?The Reconstruction Task Force successfully built patrol bases and check-points in the previous Taliban strong-holds of the Chora Valley and Dorafshan. These efforts alone have brought security and stability to the local people,? Mr Fitzgibbon said.
?Australia?s reconstruction efforts in the region, the security partnership we share with our Dutch colleagues and the Afghan security forces, and the constant pressure applied by our Special Forces is eroding Taliban resolve.?
However, Mr Fitzgibbon said despite the advances made by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Oruzgan and southern Afghanistan remained dangerous.
?My thoughts remain with the families of Sergeant Matthew Locke, Private Luke Worsley and Trooper David ?Poppy? Pearce who were killed in the line of duty last year in Afghanistan. With ANZAC Day a week away, it?s fitting for Australia to remember the contribution these service personnel, and those who serve and have served on overseas duty, make in the nation?s interest.?
The civil works program has also continued with the ongoing construction of the Eastern Causeway (US$1.2M), Tarin Kowt Provincial Hospital (US$1.25M), Afghan Health and Development Training Centre (US$1.66M), Yaklengah Health Centre (US$322,000), Tarin Kowt Waste Management (US$420,000), Tarin Kowt Primary School (US$1.59M) and Tarin Kowt Boys? High School (US$280,000).
Mr Fitzgibbon also expressed his best wishes to the Commanding Officer of RTF-4, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Yeaman, and his personnel, who are about to embark on an equally challenging time in Afghanistan.
?RTF-4?s mandate will continue with reconstruction of local infrastructure and community-based projects to assist the Afghan Government achieve a stable and secure future for its people.?
The Townsville, Sydney and Brisbane-based soldiers of RTF-3 will return home throughout April and early May.
http://www.defence.gov.au/DefenceBlog/2008/0414_0420.htm#RadioStorm
