GG saddles up for Afghan visit
Governor-General of Australia, General Sir Peter Cosgrove visited Australian Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan yesterday, 4 October 2017.
CAPTION: Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Commander of Joint Task Force 633 Major General John Frewen (left). Photo by Corporal Max Bree.
During the visit the Governor-General also met with President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.
It’s been two years since Sir Peter visited Afghanistan, and took the opportunity this time on his way home from ANZAC Centenary commemorations in Europe.
Australian Defence Force personnel are deployed on Operation Highroad, Australia’s contribution to NATO’s Resolute Support mission providing long-support to the Government of Afghanistan.
About 270 ADF personnel are deployed in the Kabul, Bagram and Kandahar regions as part of Operation Highroad.
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Hi Brian, Re your reply to John I would like to say many soldiers from past conflicts saw much ‘fruit salad’ bestowed upon visiting dignitaries, absent CO’s and admin staff that was truly a result of patronage or some other words I can’t think of. By 1,000 times Soldiers in SVN deserved recognition that was never given. With no communication anywhere, cover ups by many and complete political and Military disregard and so perhaps John, probably wrongly, wrote those words. I wish to say that as a welfare officer I have the utmost regard for the modern professional soldier. I am especially dismayed at the lack of recognition of the men of ‘Operation Sovereign Borders.’
We know much about the operations, battles, trench warfare, attack , defence & withdrawal in KOREA & VIETNAM>
Please tell us the operation in Afganistan & the Middle East in clear military language about the Army, RAN & RAAF. Is there a real war for all the fruit salad on display compared with two for Korea etc.
Hi John.
First off, I think your reference to ‘fruit salad’ in regards to medals that have been well earned, is disappointingly disrespectful. I’m sure the families and friends of the 40 blokes killed in action in Afghanistan would agree with me.
That said, while there isn’t as much written about ‘our longest war’ as there has been about more historical conflicts – for which the Department of Defence must (and probably does) accept much of the blame – the number of articles and books that have eventually been published over the years does actually begin to pile up. Your lack of knowledge on the subject can therefore only be put down to a lack of reading on your part.
There’s plenty been written in the pages of CONTACT over the years too. But for right now I will cite an article from as far back as December 2006, which detailed 395 days deployed, of which 306 were spent outside the wire, with 139 contacts with the enemy and 217 offensive air support missions called in. If that ain’t action, I don’t know what is. You can read that article here – https://issuu.com/contactpublishing/docs/contact12/32
Or try this one – a first-person account from an SASR sergeant wounded in battle – the same battle in which Corporal Mark Donaldson was awarded a VC for his actions – https://issuu.com/contactpublishing/docs/contact45/28
Getting back to your ‘fruit salad’ remark. There are still only two (or sometimes three) medals for a campaign/war.
Yes, there is a relatively new medal for four years service – plus the ones that have always been around, such as for 15 years service and ASM for non-warlike service, and a range of medals for distinguished or gallant service.
So, if you see a modern soldier, sailor or airman wearing a sizeable rack of medals, rest assured that that man or woman has most likely served his/her country the appropriate length of time in multiple theatres, may have picked up extras for bravery etc, and undoubtedly deserves more respect that your ‘fruit salad’ quip would suggest.
Sincerely
Brian Hartigan
CONTACT Editor
and proud wearer of 5 appropriately-earned medals