Faulkner visits troops in Afghanistan

John Faulkner has visited Australian troops in southern Afghanistan, his first
overseas trip since becoming defence minister just over a week ago.
Senator Faulkner met soldiers and was briefed by commanders of the Mentoring and
Reconstruction Task Force and Special Operations Task Group.

He was accompanied by Chief of Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston,
defence department secretary Nick Warner and Australian commander in Afghanistan
Major General Mark Kelly.
Addressing troops at their base at Tarin Kowt, Senator Faulkner thanked them for
their tireless work and dedication in arduous and dangerous conditions.
"I did want to say to you all: how much we appreciate and respect what you are doing
and thank you for the commitment you all make. The work that you do is absolutely
critical and you all do your country proud," he said in a statement.
The visit came after Senator Faulkner's meetings in Europe with defence ministers
from NATO countries and other allies in the coalition in Afghanistan.
US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates and British Secretary of State for the Ministry
of Defence Bob Ainsworth were among top officials that met with Senator Faulkner at
a gathering near Maastricht in the Netherlands of nations contributing to NATO-led
operations in southern Afghanistan.
Senator Faulkner then headed to the Belgium capital Brussels, where he took part in
another NATO meeting on Afghanistan, including discussions with NATO Secretary
General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Afghan Defence Minister General Abdul Rahim
Wardak.
Senator Faulkner took over the defence portfolio after Joel Fitzgibbon's resignation
last week.