DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 231/09
Friday, 24 July 2009
AUSTRALIAN TROOPS ARRIVE TO SUPPORT AFGHAN
ELECTIONS
The Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East, Major General Mark Kelly AO, has
announced that a company-sized group of Australian infantry and cavalry has arrived in
Afghanistan to support the conduct of next month’s Afghan elections.
MAJGEN Kelly said the Australian commitment, announced by the Prime Minister earlier
this year, was part of an additional 8,000 strong International Election Support Force which
is assisting with the conduct of the 20th of August elections.
“The 120 Australian troops have deployed to Afghanistan to provide additional security to the
Afghanistan Presidential and Provincial Council elections. They will be part of a force that is
providing support to the Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army”, MAJGEN
Kelly said.
“The conduct of free and fair elections is an important milestone for the people of
Afghanistan. The provision of security by Afghan National Security Forces will also be a
clear demonstration of the growing capacity of Afghanistan’s institutions to manage their own
affairs.”
MAJGEN Kelly also said that the expression of the democratic will of the people was a
reminder to the Taliban insurgents that there was no place for oppression and intimidation in
Afghanistan.
The Australian Election Support Force will transition to providing additional security to the
operations of the 2nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-2) once the elections
are concluded.
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) in Townsville, the
2nd Cavalry Regiment in Darwin and B Squadron of 3/4 Cavalry Regiment along with combat
engineers from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment in Townsville form the Election Security
Force and have deployed for approximately eight months.
Media Note:
The Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East, Major General Mark Kelly AO is
available for interview between 4.30pm and 6.30pm today. Requests for interview are to be
provided to the Defence Public Affairs Operations Centre on 02 6265 3343.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
