Ambassadors from United States, Australia visit coalition team

Courtesy Photo | Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan Jon Philp (left) listens to a speech given by the U.S. Assistant Chief of Mission to Kabul Afghanistan Ambassador Hugo Llorens to civilian and military personnel from the Provincial Reconstruction Team - Uruzgan during his visit to Multinational Base - Tarin Kot. The U.S. Assistant Chief of Mission to Kabul, Afghanistan Ambassador Hugo Llorens and Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan Jon Philp visited Multinational Base-Tarin Kot May 8. During their visit they had lunch with Commander and Deputy Commander of Combined Team Uruzgan Col. Simon Stuart and Col. Douglas C. Cardinale, met with the governor of Uruzgan Amir Muhammad Akhundzada and visited personnel from the Provincial Reconstruction Team-Uruzgan at their headquarters. (Photography by WO2 Andrew Hetherington)  

TARIN KOWT, AFGHANISTAN

05.15.2013

Courtesy Story

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

Tarin Kot Afghanistan - The U.S. Assistant Chief of Mission to Kabul, Afghanistan, Ambassador Hugo Llorens and Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan Jon Philp visited Multi National Base – Tarin Kot on May 8.

Ambassador Llorens made the trip to the base to thank United States civilian personnel from the Provincial Reconstruction Team – Uruzgan (PRT – U), who ended their mission in Uruzgan on May11.

During their visit the Ambassadors received a briefing from PRT-U and met with Commander and Deputy Commander of Combined Team Uruzgan Colonel Simon Stuart and Colonel Douglas C. Cardinale and with the Governor of Uruzgan Amir Muhammad Akhundzada. The ambassadors also visited military and civilian personnel from PRT – U. In a speech to the assembled PRT – U, Ambassador Llorens praised Australian and United States armed forces and civilians for their team work.

“The United States troops proudly have served together with you, Australian forces. We did it on the Western Front in the first World War, almost a century ago. And later we were comrades in arms in the Pacific Campaign during the second World War, and in Korea, Vietnam, and elsewhere during the decades that followed,” Ambassador Llorens said.

“I always say toughness and resilience are the hallmarks of Australian soldiers. That’s what makes you such great troops.

“Uruzgan, too, will now take its place, I think, in our shared history as a place where Australia and the United States worked together in embodying common ideals and sacrificed together in pursuing common goals.

“Australia is one of our closest allies and we in America are very fortunate for that, believe me.”

Ambassador Llorens also praised Combined Team Uruzgan and what it has achieved.

“Even the name of this endeavour, Combined Task Force Uruzgan, speaks to this partnership,” he said.

“On the security side it has involved hundreds of soldiers, both American and Australian, working together and sharing danger together.

“On the development side it has entailed the focused effort over several years involving both soldiers and civilians, to improve both governance as well as health and education in Uruzgan,” Llorens said.

“You have done a lot for these people. You have been a force for good.”

• Date Taken: 05.15.2013
• Date Posted: 05.16.2013 00:44
• Story ID: 106981
• Location: TARIN KOWT, AF