DIGGERS FLY FLAG ON AFGHAN DUTY
TOWNSVILLE troops have arrived in Afghanistan as part of counter terrorism operations, taking a piece of their home unit with them.
The green flag of Townsvillebased Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR), is flying high with the 14th Rotation of Force Protection Element ensuring it remains a visible reminder of home during the six-month deployment.
Officer Commanding Force Protection Element Major Christopher Hall said the flag was a source of pride for his soldiers.
“Our Charlie Company Flag normally flies at our headquarters in Townsville,” Major Hall said.
“By flying it here on operations we show others that we have taken ownership of the force protection mission and we bring part of our 1 RAR identity with us.”
The regiment arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan in August to take over from members of 5 Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, as part of Operation Highroad.
Previously known as Operation Slipper, Australian troops have been in Afghanistan as part of an ongoing mission “to help contain the threat from international terrorism” since 2001.
The deployment comes on the back of Australia’s contribution to the Afghan National Army Officer Academy ending.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said Australian advisers at Afghan training bases made a “valuable contribution”.
“Our personnel have been vital to the establishment of national institutions such as the Afghan National Army Officer Academy in October 2013,” Ms Reynolds said.
“The work that the Australian Defence Force has done in training the thousands of officers for the Afghan National Army will have a lasting impact on the security of Afghanistan.”