Mentoring Task Force One
Mentoring Task Force One | |
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War in Afghanistan
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Decorations | Meritorious Unit Citation |
Mentoring Task Force One (MTF-1) was a
History
Formed in 2009 for deployment as part of
After completing mission-specific training in Australia, MTF-1 arrived in Afghanistan in January 2010. Initially commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain, MTF-1 formally took over responsibility for the area of operations (AO) from Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force Two in February.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Australian_resupply_convoy_in_Uruzgan_province_Apr_2010.png/220px-Australian_resupply_convoy_in_Uruzgan_province_Apr_2010.png)
During its eight-month deployment MTF-1 conducted over 1,700 patrols involving more than 560 small-arms fire incidents, locating over 100 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and more than 250 weapons and explosives caches. Involved in sustained operations, MTF-1 suffered nearly 40 battle casualties, including six killed in action, the majority from IEDs.
MTF-1 handed over authority to Mentoring Task Force Two and returned to Australia in October and November 2010.[7] On 20 November, the task force marched through Brisbane's central business district along with other deployed units from the 7th Brigade, as the returning soldiers were officially welcomed home in the biggest such parade since the end of the Vietnam War.[7] MTF-1 was subsequently awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours for "sustained outstanding service in warlike operations on Operation Slipper in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, between 20 January and 30 October 2010".[5] A number of other members of the task force were also decorated for their service with MTF-1, including both Blain and Jennings, who were each awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[8]
Notes
- ^ ISSN 1322-039X.
- ^ Dennis et al 2008, p. 9.
- ^ "Changing of Guard for Australian Soldiers – Mission Continues". Department of Defence. 16 February 2010. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
- ^ "Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain Farewell". Department of Defence. 28 June 2010. Archived from the original on 5 November 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
- ^ a b "MUC – 1MTF: Full citation text" (PDF). Australian Government. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
- ^ "Victoria Cross citation for Corporal Daniel Keighran". news.com.au. News Limited. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ^ a b "March in Brisbane to welcome soldiers who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq and East Timor". The Courier Mail. Brisbane: News Limited. 20 November 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
- ^ "Australia Day 2012 Honours List: Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)" (PDF). Australian Government. 26 January 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
References
- Dennis, Peter; ISBN 9780195517842.
Further reading
- Masters, Chris (2012). Uncommon Soldier: Brave, Compassionate and Tough, The Making of Australia's Modern Diggers. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-1741759716.
External links