Members of Special Operations Task Group, based at the Multinational Base in Tarin Kot continue their efforts to ensure Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have the capacity to plan, conduct and lead independent operations within Uruzgan province. The advanced training includes combat casualty care, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and communications.

Australian Defence Force personnel operating in Uruzgan continue to receive vital support from the RAAF’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle detachment. Heron operators conduct daily missions inside the province in order to provide real time intelligence and imagery analysis to commanders on the ground. The information captured by Heron is now also helping shape Afghan National Security Force operations in the region.

Five Royal Australian Navy sailors are conducting dangerous work in Tarin Kot, Afghanistan as part of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team. 1 EOD Troop arrived at Multi National Base – Tarin Kot in November 2012 and has been busy assisting with the validation of Afghan National Security Forces EOD technicians. The vital preparation is to enhance training and skills required to conduct safe explosives clearance outside the wire.

Mother's Day had special meaning for the many mother's serving in the Australian Defence Force, especially for those on deployment and on operations overseas. For mother's on deployment in Afghanistan it was duty as normal but also an opportunity to take time out and reconnect with their loved ones back home.

The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, AO presented the Battle Honour Eastern Shah Wali Kot to the 2nd Special Air Service Squadron of the Special Air Service Regiment at Campbell Barracks, Swanbourne, on Friday, 10 May 2013. The battle honour was presented at a unit parade also attended by Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith MP, Commanding Officer, Special Air Service Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel G, members of the SASR and their families. The Battle Honour Eastern Shah Wali Kot has been awarded to the Special Air Service Regiment and 2nd Commando Regiment in recognition of the extraordinary heroism, exemplary combat performance and the relentless destruction of a highly trained and fanatical Taliban enemy of numerical superiority within the extremely inhospitable region of Eastern Shah Wali Kot, Afghanistan, during the period May to June 2010.

The Honour Distinction recognises the contribution made by 17 Construction Squadron to the United Nations Transition Assistance Group in managing the transition of Namibia to independence in 1990. Following a review of the Army Battle Honours system in 2010, the Honour Distinction was created to specifically recognise service under operational conditions in security-related, peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations. 17 Construction Squadron will be the first Australian Army unit to be presented the Honour Distinction since the creation of the honour. It is the first honour in the Army Battle Honours system to be awarded since the Vietnam War. The Australian Contingent of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group consisted 613 personnel, the majority of whom were Army Engineers from 17 Construction Squadron. The first contingent arrived Namibia on 11 March 1989, with further contingents arriving in April and September that year.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Defence Minister Stephen Smith have released the 2013 Defence White Paper. The White Paper addresses international and domestic developments since the last White Paper in 2009, which influence Australia’s national security and defence, including: economic strategic and military shift to the Indo-Pacific; the Australian Defence Force’s operational drawdown from Afghanistan, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands; the United States’ re-balance to the Asia-Pacific; Australia’s enhanced practical cooperation with the United States pursuant to our Alliance relationship; and the ongoing adverse effects of the Global Financial Crisis, which have continued to have a significant impact on the global economy, domestic fiscal circumstances and Defence funding.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Defence Minister Stephen Smith have released the 2013 Defence White Paper. The White Paper addresses international and domestic developments since the last White Paper in 2009, which influence Australia’s national security and defence, including: economic strategic and military shift to the Indo-Pacific; the Australian Defence Force’s operational drawdown from Afghanistan, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands; the United States’ re-balance to the Asia-Pacific; Australia’s enhanced practical cooperation with the United States pursuant to our Alliance relationship; and the ongoing adverse effects of the Global Financial Crisis, which have continued to have a significant impact on the global economy, domestic fiscal circumstances and Defence funding.