Soldiers from the First Mentoring Task Force conduct mounted patrols and convoys in Bushmasters through the Baluchi Valley.

Mid Caption: Set against the picturesque rugged mountains and lush green valley of the Southern Baluchi, soldiers of the First Mentoring Task Force and their Afghan National Army (ANA) counterparts swept the laneways, qualas and fields of villages in Southern Baluchi Valley in surge operations that delivered an increased security presence in the area. The operation called Jenub Fayda (Southern Advantage) was a major combined ANA and MTF1 security operation that was designed to facilitate Afghan government development opportunities in liaison with the local community. The main focus of development is education, health and works. Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain said that support from the community was strong with local elders voicing their thanks for Afghan Army and MTF1 efforts. A range of combined MTF1 and ANA surge operations will be conducted over the coming months in the Baluchi and Mirabad valleys as well as the Chora area. LTCOL Blain said MTF1 will deliver a suite of effects including security, development and governance by working closely with AusAid, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Afghan government and Coalition partners.

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