Nine NZ Defence Force personnel have arrived back in New Zealand after serving alongside the Australian Defence Force in Uruzgan, Afghanistan.
The Kiwi contingent filled planning and co-ordination roles in Combined Team Uruzgan (CTU), the multi-national headquarters that controls ISAF operations in Uruzgan province. The Kiwi staff officers were chosen for their specialist skills and experience for the one-off deployment, and worked alongside personnel from Singapore, Slovakia, the Netherlands and the United States.
New Zealand Contingent Commander, Major John Harvey, said the ANZAC connection was strong during their eight-month deployment to Tarin Khowt. Combined Team Uruzgan was identified as providing the opportunity to work in a joint inter-agency multi-national environment focusing on the high end of counter insurgency operations.
“The opportunity to learn from the Australian Defence Force and our other coalition partners on the scale that was offered at Combined Team Uruzgan was without parallel.
“Our extremely close bonds in terms of culture, training and a no nonsense approach to operations was key. Of course there was our rivalry of old friends with a long history.
“This deployment is the latest in a long list of proud service on combined operations between Australians and New Zealanders. Those of us that have served here feel honoured and privileged to have served alongside the Australian Defence Force in a challenging and professionally rewarding theatre.”
Major Harvey added that he had seen at first hand the progress in Uruzgan Province with improved security, governance and development.
NZDF
