Colonel Darryl Tracy greets Colonel Richard Hall (left) during the changeover of command. Watching is Colonel Spellmon, Commander of the ISAF Brigade which supports the NZPRT. (WN08-0044-06tn)
17 October 2008
The thirteenth rotation of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team is now in charge after a change of command ceremony at Kiwi Base in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan, last night.
A hoe (Maori paddle) was passed from the outgoing Senior National Officer Colonel Darryl Tracy to Colonel Richard Hall as a symbol of the transfer of authority, signaling the end of a six month tour of duty for 136 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel in Afghanistan.
The latest rotation of NZPRT troops arrived in Afghanistan two weeks ago, and has conducted familiarization patrols in the Kiwi area.
The outgoing NZPRT contingent returns to New Zealand next Wednesday.
ENDS
New Zealand’s contribution to Afghanistan is as follows:
• 132 personnel in the NZ Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan Province.
• Two non-commissioned officers assisting with the training of the Afghan National Army.
• Five officers in International Security Assistance Force headquarters positions
• One military liaison officer with the United Nations Assistance Mission.
• Two medical specialists with the Canadian Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar.
There are currently 1074 New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed on 14 operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world.
For further information please contact Nicole Munro-Johnson, Defence Public Relations, on (04) 529 6033 or 021 569 148.