RSL Australia Categorically Rejects President Trump’s Afghanistan Troop Comments

MEDIA RELEASE

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) categorically rejects the assertion by United States’ President Donald Trump that allied forces "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan.

RSL Australia National President, Peter Tinley, said the President’s claim was factually wrong, historically ignorant, and deeply offensive to the 47 Australian service personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice, the 261 wounded, and the nearly 40,000 Australians who served in our nation's longest war.

Peter Tinley said the facts speak for themselves.

“Australian forces were among the first coalition troops into Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks. The SAS was on the ground two weeks after 9/11 with the US Marine brigade of the legendary General James Mattis.

“I know, because I was there, as Deputy Commander of the Special Forces Task Group in those opening months,” he said.

“For two decades, Australians operated in Uruzgan Province, one of the most dangerous regions in the country. Our troops didn't "stay a little back." They conducted offensive counter-insurgency operations, cleared Taliban strongholds, defused roadside bombs, mentored Afghan forces under fire, and fought in sustained close combat.

“Four Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross, our nation's highest honour for battlefield gallantry, for actions in Afghanistan. Corporal Cameron Baird was killed in action in 2013 after charging an enemy position three times to protect his mates. Trooper Mark Donaldson ran through enemy fire to rescue a wounded interpreter. Corporal Daniel Keighran deliberately drew enemy fire away from wounded colleagues. Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith mounted an assault against an enemy fortification, exposing his own position, drawing fire away from members of his patrol who were pinned down, storming two enemy machine gun posts, silencing them.

Peter Tinley said these were not the actions of men who “stayed behind the lines”.

“To our veterans, I say I understand what you are feeling today. I feel it too. Many of you deployed multiple times, missed births, funerals, and years of your children's lives. Some of you carry visible and invisible wounds that will never fully heal. And some of you are caring for mates who are struggling or grieving those who didn't make it home.

“To have that service dismissed so casually is a profound insult. Your service mattered. Your sacrifice mattered. No ill-informed comment can diminish what you did for this nation and our alliance.

“To the families of the fallen, I tell you that we hold your loved ones in sacred trust.

“The 47 names on the Australian War Memorial’s Roll of Honour, from Sergeant Andrew Russell, killed in 2002, to Corporal Cameron Baird in 2013, represent the finest of our nation. They were sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters. They gave everything. Australia will never forget them, and RSL Australia will never allow their sacrifice to be dishonoured or disrespected.”

Peter Tinley said Australia had stood with the United States in every major conflict since World War One.

“We did not hesitate after September 11. When America invoked Article 5 of the NATO Treaty for the only time in history, Australia invoked the ANZUS Treaty in solidarity. We were there, as we have always been, because that is what allies do.

“The United Kingdom, Canada, Poland, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, and so many others paid the same price alongside us. The RSL Australia honours the memory of every allied soldier who fell in Afghanistan.”

Peter Tinley said President Trump’s comments demanded a show of Australian leadership.

“I call on the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to reaffirm, in the clearest terms, that Australia's service in Afghanistan was conducted with courage, professionalism, and distinction.

“The Prime Minister should call on President Trump to withdraw his comments and apologise to all those who served in the 20-year war.

“Our veterans deserve nothing less than the unequivocal support of their nation's leaders and

RSL Australia will always stand for the truth of our veterans' service,” Peter Tinley said.

Lest We Forget.