// Wellingtonian to Lead Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan

02 October, 2006

02 October 2006
By James Heffield

Promoting unity and security in Afghanistan would seem like a daunting task for most, but Group Captain Kevin Short, from Wellington, says he will take it all in his stride.

Group Captain Short has been given the job of leading the next rotation of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZ PRT) to Bamyan province in central Afghanistan.

His 108-strong team, the ninth rotation of the NZ PRT to travel to the country, will deploy on October 16 to continue the good work of previous New Zealand teams in Bamyan province.

“The biggest challenge we will face will be achieving all of our objectives over a harsh winter,” he said. “We are more limited than the summer rotations because of the snow and cold. It will be frustrating at times but we will do our best to cope.”

Group Captain Short has more than 30 years experience in the Air Force, much of which was spent as a Navigator on a RNZAF Orion aircraft.

Working on a land based operation like Afghanistan would be different to what he had done in the past but he was well prepared and looking forward to it, he said.

His team would maintain security in Bamyan province by conducting frequent patrols and village visits. They would also support the provincial and local government by providing advice and assistance to the provincial governor, the Afghan National Police and district sub-governors.

In addition to promoting security and nation building, Group Captain Short’s team would look to continue the work of previous New Zealand reconstruction teams to improve infrastructure in their area.

Earlier this year NZ personnel in Afghanistan laid the first foundation stones for Bamyan Boys High School, which will accommodate 300 boys from Year 1 to Year 12. The NZPRT negotiated to purchase land for the school and has contracted a local firm to begin construction, which is expected to be complete by November, 2006.

Ends

Return to the Feature Summary