DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 417/09
Friday, 4 December 2009
SPECIAL FORCES MAINTAINING THE PRESSURE
Australian Special Forces are maintaining the pressure on insurgents in Oruzgan Province as
the onset of cooler weather in Afghanistan commences.
Special Forces soldiers have conducted key leadership engagements with local Afghans to
ascertain their perceptions of security, assess the requirement for further practical assistance
with irrigation infrastructure for farmers in the area, and assess other community needs.
The operation was led by uniformed Afghan police from the Special Operations Task Group’s
partner force - the Oruzgan Provincial Police Reserve (PPR) - and supports the efforts of the
Australian Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF) in building a new patrol base
in the Mirabad region.
The harsh winter months in Afghanistan are traditionally seen by the insurgency as an
opportunity to regroup and rearm after the so-called fighting season.
“This is a fight for and on behalf of the people,” the Commander of Australian operations in
the Middle East, Major General Mark Kelly said.
“We can not afford to let up the fight during the winter, so while some insurgents may be
regrouping, we will continue the fight to win support of the people.
“We must let the insurgents know we’ll always be on their back, keeping them off-balance,
and let the people know we will be there to support them.
“Along with our Afghan Police partners, we sit down and talk with the people, not just the
community leaders but ordinary farmers and villagers as well, to find out their hopes and
fears as well as the practical issues facing them in their daily lives. It is the barometer for how
we are going.
“Special Forces soldiers also hosted an Eid festival lunch at Camp Russell. Traditional
Afghan food was prepared and shared with local on-base workers and their families. It was an
opportunity for the soldiers to share an important religious and cultural event with our local
friends.”
Media notes: Imagery will be available at:
Commander of Australian Operations in the Middle East, Major General Kelly is available for
interview
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
