A Whole Generation Of Girls Got To See The Sky
The fall of Afghanistan this week has occurred 12 years after my last tour, a month since we mourned the lost of Ben Ranaudo to an IED blast on operations and nearly to the day that a suicide bomber detonated the IED Vest he was wearing in a marketplace in the Chora Valley.
The target that day was an Afghan Army Patrol.
The result was the death of not only a number of Afghan Soldiers, but of many innocent Civilian Children, Women and Men.
On that day in FOB Mirwais, a small team of Coalition and ANA Soldiers triaged, treated, and evacuated over a dozen of the critically injured.
To say there is a lot of emotion right now not only for myself but for Veterans of the War in Afghanistan is a major understatement.
So here are my thoughts on the unfolding situation in Afghanistan.
Our efforts were not in vain. Our service in Afghanistan made a difference to the Afghanis that we met with, talked to, mentored, treated and fought with.
I spoke with a good friend a couple of days ago about if we really made a difference. He explained that we can tell that we did make a difference because of our impact on the lives of those we encountered.
As individuals and small teams, our impact on the ground helped to shape the lives of those whom we encountered, the kids we played with, the men we talked to and the ill and injured that we treated.
Did our Battlegroups make a difference? Missions may have successfully completed, there may have been medals handed out and cucumber sandwiches eaten, but was a lasting impact made?
Did the Australian “Whole of Government” commitment have a lasting impact? I don't know.
During our chat, my friend reminded me of the peace achieved in Timor Leste that began with the Australian led INTERFET Mission in 1999. When unrest flared up in 2006, Australian Troops redeployed and since then, Timor Leste has seen a lasting peace and prosperity of their own making.
Did we think we were successful in Timor Leste as troops began to drawdown in 2004/05? Did we think it was all for nothing in 2006 when the situation deteriorated, and troops again deployed due to growing instability?
We don’t know if steps taken in Afghanistan on an (Australian) government level have or will make a lasting impact, but I honestly believe in the lasting impact that we as individuals and small teams have made.
Another friend said we can be proud of our efforts in Afghanistan because an entire generation of girls got to see the sky.
These girls have grown up with freedoms that their mothers never knew.
Don't forget that there has also been a generation of boys who have grown up with women being educated, in the workforce, in public life and in politics.
I believe we can stand proud of what we, those whose boots were on the ground in Afghanistan managed to achieve.
Our mission has long been over.
With the Coalition Forces no longer deployed on combat operations in Afghanistan and with the Afghanistan Army shattered before the rolling wave of Taliban forces, it is the Generation who grew up in the sun know most how much they have to lose.
It is now up to the People of Afghanistan to take up the fight for their lasting freedom.
Run For Resilience