Quote:

AUSTRALIAN special forces troops may remain in Afghanistan after the end of 2014 to train their Afghan counterparts or to carry out counter-insurgency operations if required, says incoming defence minister David Johnston. "We think that what the previous minister agreed to was acceptable and we'll keep a weather eye on that," Senator Johnston told The Australian. That decision would depend on talks with the Afghan government and with the US-led military coalition. Senator Johnston said he would very soon sit down with Australian Defence Force commanders to work out a plan for the future, to include a new white paper that would be comprehensive and fully costed. A priority would be the closing of the main Australian base at Tarin Kowt, the withdrawal of the bulk of Australian personnel and the relocation of those who remained to Kabul and Kandahar. A key task would be to ensure continued stability in Afghanistan. Senator Johnston said the plan for Australia's future military involvement in Afghanistan was formulated by ADF chief David Hurley. "Accordingly I have great confidence that that's a good plan." Senator Johnston said another priority would be talks with the Navy on extending the lives of its six Collins Class submarines and plans to replace them with 12 new boats, possibly the so-called "son of Collins". The main goal was to ensure there was no submarine capability gap. Senator Johnston said the outgoing government was advised by the Navy on how the Collins should be replaced and he had no reason to question those decisions. "But we'll be looking at everything very closely," he said. Senator Johnston said there were in the ADF some of the most exceptional people he'd ever dealt with, and that it would be "a tremendous honour to represent them in the Australian parliament". Senator Johnston said it was a great honour to serve as defence minister after 11 years working on defence issues in the Senate committee system. "I undertake to the men and women of the ADF that the Abbott government will rebuild defence, to ensure it is properly resourced, equipped and managed," Senator Johnston said. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/troops-may-stay-longer-in-afghanistan-says-incoming-defence-minister/story-e6frg8yo-1226720486210

Don't like the idea of special forces troops remain behind in Afghanistan after the end of 2014 but on the other hand they will be left behind to help train their Afghan counterparts or to carry out counter-insurgency operations, which would hopefully help the nation stabilise and not fall back into the hands of the extremes.

I guess its acceptable. Thoughts?

I wonder who will be playing the role of the 44th Foot at Gandamuk, this time?

Others have had experience of what it is to try and be the last out of Afghanistan.  If we're staying, are the Yanks and the Europeans as well or will our diggers be left in the lurch by a government led by a party has little understanding of how to conduct alliance warfare (ie, the complete failure of Howard to gain us a seat as a co-belligerent at the conference table of the Allied Coalition which decided strategy in Afghanstan).   ::)

Pantheon wrote on Sep 24^th, 2013 at 4:38pm:

Don't like the idea of special forces troops remain behind in Afghanistan after the end of 2014 but on the other hand they will be left behind to help train their Afghan counterparts or to carry out counter-insurgency operations, which would hopefully help the nation stabilise and not fall back into the hands of the extremes. I guess its acceptable. Thoughts?

It's an abomination.

We've been there 10 years already. Enough is enough. The Afghans who have been receiving training over the past 10 years can now train other Afghans.

No need for Australians to be there any more. It has long since become a profitable rort on the part of the Afghan government ~ milking the West for God Knows how many billions of dollars by now.

Give them the weapons they need, and let them now train each other.

And bring our boys home.

After all, these are the fvckers who flood the West with their heroin.