An historic transfer of authority parade on at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mirwais marked the end to Australia’s mentoring operations in the Afghan province of Uruzgan and the change to an advisory role.
The 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Task Group, Mentoring Team – Delta, handed security authority for FOB Mirwais to the 2nd Kandak of the Afghan National Army’s (ANA) 4th Brigade in November.
The transfer of FOB Mirwais was the fourth and final FOB handover, following earlier transitions at FOBs Hadrian, Wali and Sorkh Bed.
The advisory role aligns with the International Security Assistance Force’s ongoing transition of Afghanistan’s security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces.
Mentoring Team – Delta’s departure means there are no longer forward elements of the Australian Army permanently based in the remote regions of Uruzgan.
Australia will continue to work closely with the Afghan and International Security Assistance Force partners during the security transition period.
Australia’s advisory role to the Afghan National Army’s (ANA) 205 Corps 4th Brigade is to be led by the 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Task Group at the brigade level, from the more centralised Tarin Kot.
Australian Diggers are proud of their mentoring efforts leading to the security transition.
“Because of our mentoring the ANA now have competent infantry platoons, snipers, mortar men, signallers and officers,” Corporal Benjamin Arnold, a Sniper Team Leader with Mentoring Team – Delta said.
“They now independently plan, conduct, execute and control operations.”