New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Release

27 April 2007

Kiwi Troops Return After Successful Tour In Afghanistan

After enduring six months in the extreme cold of an Afghanistan winter the ninth rotation of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZ PRT) is coming home.

The majority of the 107-strong group, made up of Army, Navy and Air Force personnel, will return to Ohakea Air Force Base on April 28 having completed their duties in Afghanistan’s Bamyan province. An advance party of 37 personnel from the deployment returned on 19 April.

During their six month tour they completed a project which saw the opening of the Bamyan Boys’ High School, which will accommodate 300 boys from Year 1 to Year 12. The team also completed several village well projects, facilitated delivery of motorcycles and vehicles to the Afghan National Police, oversaw construction of several Police checkpoints and the reconstruction of two key bridges in the region.

Group Captain Kevin Short said extreme weather had added an extra dimension to operations.
“The incredibly heavy snows we had over winter made movement very difficult, but the team managed to complete a large number of key projects that will make life a lot easier for the people of the Bamyan province.”

“I am extremely proud of what the team has achieved during our six months in Afghanistan but I know we are all looking forward to getting home, reuniting with family and friends, and taking a well earned rest.” Group Captain Short said.

A fresh rotation of New Zealand Defence Force personnel departed for Afghanistan on 12 April to continue security and reconstruction work in the Bamyan province.

Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jack Steer said he had no doubts the new deployment would continue in the previous rotation’s footsteps.

“The New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction team in Afghanistan has developed an excellent reputation since it first deployed in 2003 and we are proud of what they have achieved to date.

“We are always mindful that the families remaining behind in New Zealand have a tough time while their loved ones are deployed, and we thank them for their continued support which allows us to achieve this kind of success.”

ENDS

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