NEWS RELEASE

081121-NR-633-Australians take over ANA mentoring role in Uruzgan

International Security Assistance Force - Afghanistan

Committed to the security, reconstruction and extension of governance in Afghanistan

2008-633

Australians take over ANA mentoring role in Uruzgan

KABUL, Afghanistan (November 22) — An Australian team replaced the Dutch Marine Corps Nov. 18 in its mentoring role for the Afghan National Army in Uruzgan province.

“We've trained those brave soldiers in operations outside and also in the conversion to the M-16 [rifle]. We've conducted several operations with them, and hopefully, we gave them good opportunity to develop and to make this unit ready to conduct operations on their own,” said Dutch Marine Corps Major Arjan.

“The Dutch marines gave a good start to the Kandak (battalion) and the Australian Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team continue that work by advising and conducting operations with the second infantry Afghan Kandak,” replied Major David.

-ends-

URUZGAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Dutch Marine Corps Major Arjan and Australian Major David perform a symbolic handover Nov. 18 of ISAF's Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team that is supporting Afghan National Army soldiers in Uruzgan province. (ISAF photo)

Notes for Editors:

1. More information on the International Security Assistance Force can be found here <http://www.nato.int/isaf>

2. The latest broadcast quality video imagery of ISAF operations can be downloaded here <http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=general/general_search.php&table=video&query=isaf&type=>

3. The latest High Resolution stills can be downloaded for news purposes here <http://www.flickr.com/photos/29456680@N06/>

Issued by Headquarters ISAF Public Affairs Office ◦ E-mail: [e-mail]

Telephone: [phone] ◦ Mobile: [phone]

---