By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THREE Geelong soldiers have returned from Afghanistan’s front lines with mixed emotions: happy to be home but leaving a part of themselves in Uruzgan province.
Sergeant Nick Barrand, Lance Corporal Daniel Taylor and Corporal Tom Reynolds spent tours of duty in Tarin Kot disarming explosive devices, avoiding snipers and watching for enemy infiltrators.
Despite living with day-to-day tension imposed by ever-present danger, the soldiers said leaving was difficult after investing so much time and effort into securing the area.
Bell Post Hill’s Sgt Barrand and Corio’s Lce Corp Taylor, of the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, are now back at their Adelaide base.
Corp Reynolds discharged from the Australian Army after returning from his second tour of duty and has settled with wife Tamie at Ocean Grove. The couple expect their first child in June.
Sgt Barrand said he knew it was time for Australia to finish its mission in Afghanistan.
“I’m happy to return to my family and for the opportunity to see everyone again. However, I made some good friends over there and it was difficult to leave them behind,” he said.
“The environment over there meant that we forged very close relationships with the Afghans and the knowledge that the Afghan soldiers are still conducting dangerous tasks does play on your mind.”
As sappers, Sgt Barrand and Lce Cpl Taylor advised the Afghan army’s counter IED team on disarming the deadly explosive devices, which Taliban insurgents used in their guerrilla war.
Lce Cpl Taylor said he enjoyed his seven months in Afghanistan.
“It’ll be a sombre moment when the final soldiers leave the province because we’ve invested a large effort into improving the conditions for the people that live in Uruzgan.
“However, I was pleased to get home and see my family again. It takes a toll on your body and mind just being away from your family for that length of time.
“I think I now have a much better appreciation of the simple freedoms we enjoy in Australia.”
Mr Reynolds admitted he was “loving” being back in Geelong close to family and friends despite missing his Afghan army mates.
“I did two trips over there and hung out with the same guys. I miss those guys.”
Mr Reynolds said only time would tell what the future held for Afghanistan.
“We know we’ve given everything we can and we have to wait and see what they do.”
