November 9: Diggers must wear ballistic underwear
Australian soldiers deployed to Afghanistan are now being issued with ballistic underwear for their psychological as well as physical well-being, SBS Chief Political Correspondent Karen Middletonreports.
Styled like bike pants and made from elastane, polyester and silk, the unisex pants protect the groin from blast damage. The double-layer 'ballistic jocks' can be hot and uncomfortable. But they are effective -- and compulsory.
November 6: Explosive device training for Afghan forces
Australian investigators are training Afghan counterparts to examine the remnants of exploded bombs, unexploded components and seized weapons for evidence of those who have handled them.
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And as SBS Chief Political Correspondent Karen Middleton reports, they are also tracking changes in how explosive devices are constructed, to give soldiers a better chance of detecting them.
Watch this story on YouTube:
November 5: Questions about security after handover
As Australian forces draw down in Afghanistan, there are questions about the security situation they will leave behind. SBS Chief Political Correspondent Karen Middleton and cameraman Jeff Kehl travelled to Deh Rawud, west of Tarin Kowt, for a closer look at the insurgency.
They found an area marked by regular firefights and bomb blasts -- and some tension with the locals.
October 31: Australian troops constantly fear 'green on blue' attacks
Attacks against coalition troops by men wearing Afghan uniforms, so-called 'green on blue' attacks, have become a constant threat for Australian troops in Afghanistan. SBS Chief Political Correspondent Karen Middleton is embedded with Australian forces in Uruzgan province. She spoke to Australian and Afghan soldiers about the 'insider threat'.
October 30: A troop's best friend
With homemade bombs still the biggest threat to Australian forces in Afghanistan, the explosive detection dogs play a crucial role. The dogs aren't bred for the job but are recruited sometimes from the pound - for their retrieval drive. And the best ones risk their lives for the love of a tennis ball, reports Chief Political Corresondent Karen Middleton from Afghanistan.
Watch this story on YouTube:
October 29: Chaplains provide comfort for troops
Afghan soldiers and police lined the route between the military base and governor's compound, which was bombed last year.
WATCH: Karen Middleton discusses security conference.
October 19: Australian troops to take over security of Uruzgan Province
Australia has formally taken over full security responsibility for Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan, after a hand-over ceremony at the base in Tarin Kowt, reports Chief Political Correspondent Karen Middleton from Afghanistan.
Australian Colonel Simon Stuart now assumes command of the combined coalition forces in Uruzgan as the US draws down its troops.
The move allows Australian forces more control over the plans for transition – pulling the forces out by 2014.
In a simple, and mostly symbolic, ceremony in Tarin Kowt, control is transferred from American to Australian forces. In Uruzgan province, Australia is now in charge.
WATCH: Karen Middleton explains the timing of the handover:
At the ceremony Australian, American and Afghan military and civilian officials gathered, along with those from the other nations working here – Slovakia and Singapore.
“Uruzgan is a broad church and we must all work together for our common purpose,” said the incoming Australian commander, Colonel Simon Stuart.
In the wake of “green-on-blue” attacks, there is an emphasis on Afghans and their coalition partners fighting together against a common enemy.
Uruzgan's provincial governor Amir Akhundzada has offered Australia his condolences for the loss of its men at the hands of an Afghan soldier.
'We condemn these cowardly actions', he says. 'We know Australian forces and representatives of the government and people sacrifice their lives here and make great efforts to help the Afghan people.”
The ceremony has been a long time coming for the Australian forces in Afghanistan. In the 11 years of this conflict – and the seven years in this province – their political masters have never before allowed them to take the lead. But with the United States now drawing down, their time has come.
The Americans are wishing them well but assuring the provincial authorities they aren't being abandoned.
“Today is an historic day as we witness the transfer of authority,” said Major-General Robert Abrams, Commander of US 3rd Infantry.
“Our Afghan partners, you do not stand alone. There remains work to be done and we will be here to do it with you.”
But they won't all be there. The Slovaks who guard the base are leaving as well. Australians will do that job, too.
Governor Akhundzada is confident his forces can manage the threat as others depart.
The Australian mission is now 'transition' – getting ready to be out by 2014.
