Defence Ministers � Minister for Defence Stephen Smith ? Australia ready to lead ISAF Combined Team ? Uruzgan (CTU)

The Minister for Defence Stephen Smith MP today announced that the Australian Defence Force is ready to assume command responsibilities of Combined Team Uruzgan following a final mission rehearsal activity at Robertson Barracks in Darwin. Over the past two weeks soldiers from the Army's 1st Brigade have finalised extensive training, together with United States Army counter-parts from the 2nd Spartan' Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division, forming the joint headquarters of Combined Team Uruzgan (CTU). Australia sees this as the appropriate time to take the leadership role in Uruzgan Province, to help ensure that transition in Uruzgan over the coming 12 to 18 month period is effected in a seamless way.

Source: http://media.australia.gov.au/notify/click.cgi?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minister.defence.gov.au%2F2012%2F09%2F11%2Fminister%26%2345%3Bfor%26%2345%3Bdefence%26%2345%3Bstephen%26%2345%3Bsmith%26%2345%3Baustralia%26%2345%3Bready%26%2345%3Bto%26%2345%3Blead%26%2345%3Bisaf%26%2345%3Bcombined%26%2345%3Bteam%26%2345%3B%25e2%2580%2593%26%2345%3Buruzgan%26%2345%3Bctu%2F&collection=releases&rank=31&auth=E%2BVocMCoNzN3ioCa%2B5vbXA

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