Second
SAS contingent home
The
second contingent of crack troops from the elite Special Air Services
(SAS) regiment to serve in Afghanistan returned home to a warm welcome
from family and dignitaries.
About 150
soldiers were welcomed at their Campbell Barracks headquarters in Perth
by their families and officials, including Governor-General Peter Hollingworth
and army chief Lieutenant General Peter Leahy.
The troops
were away for five months. They have been replaced by a third deployment
of SAS soldiers to Afghanistan.
Dr Hollingworth
said the men had served with distinction during their hazardous deployment
and had made the nation proud.
"It
is difficult to explain in words what we feel on a day like this, our
gratitude and our respect for what you've done," he told the soldiers.
"You've
conducted yourselves with unfailing courage, with professionalism and
dedication to your mates."
Lieutenant
Colonel Rowan Tink, who commanded the troops, said the environmental
conditions in Afghanistan had been extreme, with the first contingent
landing in the middle of the northern winter and the second contingent
having to endure summer temperatures of up to 50 degrees.
On many
occasions they were forced to lug backpacks full of supplies as heavy
as their own body weight.
"One
particular group I recall trying to struggle their way up to (high)
altitude and bleeding from the noses as they were trying to get there
in a hurry," he said.
"We
are probably the only force that's been able to exist out in those mountain
ranges and in the area for weeks, some of it resupplied, but a large
part they've had to carry on their backs."
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