The Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, and Chief of the Defence Force , General David Hurley, visited Australian troops in Afghanistan on Tuesday 19 February 2013.
The Minister addressed Australian troops at the Multi-National Base Tarin Kot, and told them all Australians were proud of the work they are doing in Afghanistan. The Minister and CDF also met Australian Commander of Combined Team Uruzgan Colonel Simon Stuart, the Commander of the 7 Royal Australian Regiment Task Group Lieutenant Colonel Mal Wells and the Director of the Provincial Reconstruction Team Mr. John Feakes.
They discussed progress in the transition to Afghan led security responsibility in Uruzgan to the Afghan National Army (ANA).
They were accompanied by the Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mr. Jon Philp, Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Ash Power, and the Commander of Joint Task Force 633, Major-General Michael Crane.
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
