Afghanistan force given a fond farewell

TOWNSVILLE defence force personnel were farewelled by loved ones in a parade at Lavarack Barracks yesterday ahead of a sevenmonth deployment.

About 85 troops, mostly drawn from the 10th Force Support Battalion, will deploy as part of Force Support Element Eleven, the contingent forming part of Operations Accordion in the Middle East Region, and Highroad in Afghanistan.

The families and friends lined the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment parade ground as the deploying personnel marched past, trailing the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Band, with a barbecue following at the Geckos Family Centre.

Officer Commanding FSE 11 Major Hans Hamilton said the unit was comprised of supply and warehouse personnel, fitters and armourers whose task is to support other ADF members deployed to the region.

“For all the personnel here and all their families, this is very important … a parade is always a good thing to have for the soldiers and we’re looking forward to this as a farewell to the families just as much as the soldiers,” Maj Hamilton said.

“It was quite refreshing to find out that about 80 per cent of our personnel coming, it’s their first time and they’re really keen to contribute to this mission and the effort overseas.”

Holding her four-year-old daughter, Tia Matalau tearfully spoke about how tough it will be to say goodbye to her husband Corporal Apaitia for his eight-month deployment to Afghanistan.

“It will be hard, very hard; he goes away all the time but this will definitely be the longest and hardest one,” she said.

“I him.”

Maj Hamilton’s wife Helen said she was filled with pride and nerves for her husband’s deployment.

“This is what they trained for; they’re very well equipped, they know what they’re doing and they’re going to make our country proud … it brings a tear to my eye,” she said.

There are more than 1000 ADF personnel currently deployed to the broader Middle East Region, including about 100 Reservists. love him, we’ll miss