From Rod McGuirk, AP:  Most Australian troops in Afghanistan will be home by the end of the year when the international military base at Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan province closes, Defense Minister Stephen Smith said Tuesday.

At least 1,000 of the 1,550 Australian troops in Afghanistan will be withdrawn by the end of 2013, he said. . . .

"This is the most significant decision and announcement that has been made so far as our withdrawal from Afghanistan is concerned, so far as our redeployment is concerned and so far as success of transition is occurring," Smith told reporters. . . .

Australia has the 10th largest national force in Afghanistan and is the largest military contributor outside NATO. Australia also has the largest number of special forces in the campaign after the United States and Britain.

While Australia’s military involvement is supported by both the Australian government and opposition, its popularity among the Australian public has plummeted as the war has dragged on for 12 years. In that time, 39 Australian troops have died and another 249 have been wounded. . . .

Australia operates two camps within Tarin Kowt: Camp Russell and Camp Holland. . . .

In 2014, small numbers of Australian troops will remain in Afghanistan training the Afghan military in Kabul and Kandahar.  (photo: Corporal Hamish Paterson/Australian Defence Force)

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