NZ troops return from Afghanistan
Friday 10 September 2004
94 New Zealand Defence Force personnel will arrive in Christchurch on Tuesday from a six-month tour of duty with the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Afghanistan. Amongst the returning personnel is Group Captain Gavin Howse who was the Senior National Officer for the mission.
The welcome home will be attended by the Minister of Defence, the Honourable Mark Burton and the Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson.
New Zealand first committed troops to the PRT in the Bamyan Province of Afghanistan in September 2003. One year on, the NZ PRT has made a significant contribution to the rebuilding of the Bamyan infrastructure, and has been instrumental in helping the Bamyan province achieve the highest voter registration in the country.
The PRT is designed to assist the Afghan Transitional Government extend it's influence beyond Kabul, and promote reconstruction in Bamyan and assess civil, political and military reform efforts through community engagement.
The flight is scheduled to arrive at Christchurch Airport at 7.15 pm, Tuesday 14 September 2004. Media interested in covering the arrival should contact Lieutenant Megan Walsh, (021) 249 4769.
Selected personnel will be made available for interview at Christchurch Airport, media wishing to conduct interviews are requested to register their interest with Captain Rachel Riley, (021) 384 179 prior to 3.00 pm 14 September 2004.
ENDS
For further information please contact Commander Sandra McKie, Defence Press Officer, Ph: (04) 4960299
This page was last reviewed 29 September, 2011 and is current.
