20 October 2008
Media are invited to attend the return of 136 NZDF personnel from a six month deployment in Afghanistan on Wednesday 22 October.
The twelfth rotation of personnel with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team will touch down at Ohakea Air Force Base at 7.10am, to be met by Chief of Army Major General Lou Gardiner, family and friends.
When: 7.10am Wednesday 22 October 2008
Where: Ohakea Air Force Base
What: Arrival of 136 NZDF personnel from a six month deployment in Afghanistan.
Media wishing to attend the arrival must register with Paul Stein, phone 06 351 9037, before 12 noon on Monday 20 October to ensure access is available. Photo identification will be required on the day.
ENDS
New Zealand’s contribution to Afghanistan is as follows:
- 132 personnel in the NZ Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan Province (this number is smaller for the winter months).
- 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.