KABUL - The remaining New Zealand Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan have returned home, after having lowered the flag on the NZDF’s 20-year deployment to the country.
NZDF Defense News reported that more than 3,500 NZDF personnel have served in Afghanistan in this time, in what has been one of the NZDF’s longest-running deployments.
Ten New Zealanders lost their lives while serving in the country.
Colonel Ben Bagley, the Senior National Officer for the final contingent, said its six personnel had made a significant contribution.
“While small in number, we had sizeable tasks ahead of us when we first arrived in Afghanistan last year. When we lowered the New Zealand flag, we were all quite proud to be the last Kiwis to represent our country in Afghanistan,” he told NZDF Defense News.
Bagley was based at the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission headquarters in Kabul and his role included planning, liaison and preparation for the transition of security, camps and bases; and setting the conditions for the change in footprint of coalition forces in line with Afghan peace processes.
Three NZDF personnel were supporting the United Kingdom-led mentoring for the Afghan National Army Officers’ Academy (ANAOA).
Over time, the NZDF’s role at the ANAOA changed from training cadets to one of mentoring Afghan trainers. (ATN)