Brisbane-based soldiers of Sixth Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) are playing a vital role in Afghanistan. Deployed as Force Protection Element 10 (FPE10), they provide security and protected mobility to the Australian and Coalition service men and women helping Afghanistan to develop its defence forces. Officer Commanding the element, Major Morgan Reid, said Australia could not achieve the train, advise, assist mission without the soldiers.
Operation Highroad is the Australian contribution to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. Task Group Afghanistan’s Headquarters is at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport and comprises a command element of about 40 ADF personnel, which coordinates administration, communications and logistics support for all ADF members deployed to Afghanistan. Australia remains committed to a stable and secure Afghanistan and continues to support the NATO-led train, advise and assist mission called Resolute Support which has replaced the previous NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission. Australia contributes about 300 Defence personnel to the train, advise and assist mission.
6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) is a mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in Brisbane, Queensland, on 6 June 1965 and has since then served in a number of overseas deployments and conflicts including South Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. During the Vietnam War the battalion earned a US Presidential Unit Citation from the United States, when members from ‘D’ Company participated in the Battle of Long Tan on 18–19 August 1966. The battalion is currently based at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane and forms part of the 7th Brigade.
