VCDF visits troops in the Middle East

Vice Chief of the Defence Force Air Marshal Mark Binskin met with Australian troops during a visit to Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Air Marshal Binskin spent time with ADF personnel at Tarin Kot and Kandahar Air Field.

“This was a good opportunity to speak with our people on the ground who are working every day with their Afghan counterparts,” he said.

“It’s clear that they have built very good working relationships with the Afghan forces.

“I have visited Afghanistan periodically since 2004 and in recent years I have noted significant progress in the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces.

“All four infantry kandaks of the ANA 4/205 Brigade in Uruzgan were operating independently by December 2012. When the provinces currently under the fourth tranche of transition complete the process, approximately 87 per cent of Afghanistan's population will be under Afghan National Security Forces security responsibility.”

Air Marshal Binskin also met with Australian, Afghan and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) senior leaders at Tarin Kot and Kandahar including Commander, Regional Command South, Major General Robert Abrams and Commander of the Afghan National Army (ANA) 205 Corps Major General Abdul Hamid.

Air Marshal Binskin received operational updates on the progress in the transition of security responsibility in Uruzgan province to Afghan National Security Forces.

“Australian and ISAF commanders are confident that security transition in Uruzgan is on track for completion by the end of 2013,” Air Marshal Binskin said.

“The ADF’s 7RAR Task Group continues to make steady progress in building Afghan capacity. The task group is focusing on advising at the ANA 4/205 Brigade headquarters level.

“Additionally, the Australian Special Operations Task Group continues to work closely with its Afghan counterparts to target the insurgents by disrupting their leadership and their narcotics and weapons smuggling networks.”

In the United Arab Emirates, Air Marshal Binskin met with the Head of Operations Major General Saif Musabeh Al Musafry, Commander of Naval Forces, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Salem Mohamed Al Musharrakh and the Commander of the Air Force and Air Defence, Major General Mohamed Bin Sweidan Saeed Al Qamzi to discuss regional security developments.