Troops on the frontline in Afghanistan

First Mentoring Task Force Troops on the frontline in Afghanistan

Brisbane-based soldiers from the 1st Mentoring Task Force (MTF-1) soldiers continue to make steady progress while undertaking population protection operations in Oruzgan Province.

In the past week, MTF-1 soldiers and their Afghan National Army counterparts have found fifteen insurgent weapons and ammunition caches, as well as two improvised explosive devices, in the Mirabad Valley, Baluchi Valley and Chora regions.

The caches and improvised explosive devices were found inside houses, in fields and other areas frequented by the local people as well as Australian, ISAF and Afghan National Security Force personnel.

Commanding Officer of MTF-1, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain said his soldiers conduct security operations around the clock across the MTF-1 area of operations in dangerous and challenging conditions.

"Our people work in partnership with Afghan National Army soldiers and patrol the streets, fields, deserts and villages on operations day in and day out," Lieutenant Colonel Blain said.

"The reality is that there is no frontline in Afghanistan. Even the Multinational Base in Tarin Kowt comes under insurgent rocket attack from time to time: we're constantly fighting against insurgents who try to blend into the village environment so they can control the people through fear, whilst simultaneously conducting indiscriminate, violent attacks."

Combined, the caches found during the past week contained one 107mm rocket, eight rocket propelled grenades, one rocket propelled grenade launcher, thousands of rounds of ammunition for AK47 Assault Rifles and small quantities of other small arms and machine gun ammunition, two hand grenades, two heavy machine gun tripods, four high explosive mortar rounds and seven sets of chest webbing used by insurgents.

"Our troops search houses and other buildings used by the Taliban to hide caches, build bombs and launch attacks," Lieutenant Colonel Blain said.

"Our soldiers' partner and mentor Afghan troops on these operations and they are having a real impact on Taliban freedom of movement."

Last week's finds are in addition to more then 200 weapons caches and IEDs already discovered and destroyed this year in Oruzgan Province.

For more information on the Australian Defence Force's operations in Afghanistan go to:

ENDS

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