Our People in TAS
David Counsell - Orford Man Mentors Afghan Soldiers
Orford’s David Counsell, 27, is now earning his living in the high mountains and dangerous valleys of Afghanistan. He’s part of Australia’s Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force.
David grew up in Orford and went to school at Orford Primary School before attending New Town High and Elizabeth College in Hobart. He was also a member of Orford and Royal Hobart Golf Clubs.
Then, in 2000, he joined the Army as an artillery officer. These days he’s usually based at Holsworthy near Sydney.
But in Afghanistan’s Oruzgan province he’s leading a team of Diggers whose job it is to train up Afghan National Army soldiers.
This is his second deployment to the Middle East. He has already served in Southern Iraq for six months between 2007 and 2008.
David has now been Afghanistan several months and doesn’t mind it at all.
“I like being in a remote location, meeting new people including local Afghans. The culture is amazing and the food is nice - a lot of meat, a lot of rice and a lot of bread,” David said.
During his deployment David missed his sister Sarah’s 30th birthday. “I called her in the morning and got all the people in the command post to sing her happy birthday. I think she appreciated it!” he said
At the completion of his deployment, David plans to see his parents and then have a holiday in the United States.
Australia's military contribution to Afghanistan is part of the nation’s broader commitment to Coalition efforts against international terrorism, countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and maritime security.
The Australian deployment, comprising around 1550 personnel in Afghanistan and a further 850 across the Middle East, is know as Operation SLIPPER.
Under Operation SLIPPER, Australian forces contribute to the efforts of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, aimed at preventing Afghanistan again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists, and the United States-led International Coalition Against Terrorism.