CPL Kim Ferry
A contingent of 94 New Zealand Defence Force personnel departed from Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea to begin a six month deployment to Afghanistan on Monday 12 October.
The remaining 43 NZDF personnel in the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) rotation deployed a few days later. Three New Zealand Police officers deploying to Afghanistan were also on the flight.
The majority of the troops make up the 15th rotation to serve in the PRT, based at Bamyan Province. The others work in roles within the International Stabilisation Force Headquarters, the National Support Element, and with the British Army training the Afghan National Army.
The Minister of Defence, Wayne Mapp; Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae; and Commissioner of Police Howard Broad were at Ohakea to farewell the contingent.
Breakdown of NZDF roles in Afghanistan
- 137 personnel in the NZ PRT in Bamyan Province (the winter rotation is always slightly smaller than the summer one).
- 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.