Richard Hall - A Long Road to Progress: Dispatches from a Kiwi Commander in Afghanistan

For as long as I can remember, I have had a fascination with Afghanistan its people, its geography, its tumultuous history and its bloody recent past and present. The opportunity to serve in Afghanistan with the New Zealand Defence Force was too good to miss. I would like to thank the many people who allowed my ambition to travel to Afghanistan to become a reality. In particular, I would like to thank Derek McCormack, vice-chancellor of AUT University, for his understanding and encouragement. I would also like to thank the New Zealand Defence Force for putting their trust in me.

Once in Afghanistan I was helped by so many people: The Governor of Bamiyan Province, Dr Habiba Sorabi and her many officials, Colonel Scott Spellmon and the staff of Task Force Warrior, John Wecker (US State Department), Ian Dovey (ISAF media), Mirriam from USAID, Herun Song and the staff of UNAMA, Lieutenant Colonel Pang and Captain Teo from the Singaporean Army and Lieutenant Mike Beale and his team at ISAF headquarters. The biggest thanks, however, are reserved for the men and women of CRIB XIII. It is always difficult to highlight individuals, especially as we had to live and work as a team. I would like, however, to acknowledge the advice and unswerving support from Lieutenant Colonel John Howard and Lieutenant Colonel Jim Bliss, the hard work of my principal staff officers Major Hamish Gibbons, Major Cliff Crib (US Army), Major Mike Pettersen, Major Ian Bell, Captain Laura Cranston, Captain John Humphries, Lieutenant Gina Goodridge, Warrant Officer Class 1 Warr, Sergeant Major Rapana and Rob McIvor and my patrol commanders, the patrol sergeants and their respective liaison officers.

The book would never have been written without the quiet encouragement of Harriet Allan and her team at Random House, who gave me the confidence that I could do it. I would also like to acknowledge the support of the New Zealand Defence Force and thank the following for the use of their photographs: the New Zealand Defence Force, Ian Dovey (page xxii), Mahdy Mehraeen (pages xxiii, xxiv), Sam Teo (page xxiii).

And lastly, none of this would have been possible without Sinda, my wife. Throughout my military career, she has stoically borne so many, many months of separation and suffered the anxiety and worry that comes from not knowing what is happening the unhappy and unenviable fate of those who are left behind when their loved ones depart into war zones. Without a murmur, she indulged my dream and waved a tearful goodbye to me once again, allowing me to realise this goal. To her I owe my greatest thanks.