Image Gallery: March 2006
Special Forces Task Group (SFTG 1) ceremony
04 March 2006
The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough MP, and the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, were among the dignitaries who on 4 March 2006 welcomed home east-coast based members of the first rotation of troops from the Special Forces Task Group (SFTG 1) which served in Afghanistan in late 2005.
The soldiers were welcomed home at a ceremony at Tobruk Lines in Holsworthy Barracks, home of the 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (Commando) [4RAR (Cdo)]. SFTG 1’s mission was to destroy Taliban and Al Qaeda resistance to Afghanistan’s democratically elected government. They completed seven major special reconnaissance and deliberate-action operations and contributed to two support operations during their service in Afghanistan. This was achieved in extremely rough terrain, where temperatures ranged from 50 degrees Celsius at the beginning of their deployment to below-zero temperatures at the time of their return to Australia.
The 190-strong SFTG 1 was comprised of soldiers from the Special Air Service Regiment, 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (Commando), Incident Response Regiment, 1 Commando Regiment, the Special Operations Combat Services Support Company and other specialist ADF personnel drawn from across Australia.
| 20060304adf8185016_0008 The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough MP, addresses a welcome home function in Sydney for members of the first rotation of troops from the Special Forces Task Group which served in Afghanistan in late 2005. (Date taken: 04 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060304adf8185016_0011 The wives and children of east-coast based members of the first rotation of troops from the Special Forces Task Group which served in Afghanistan in late 2005 were on hand to hear welcome home speeches and to witness the award of Australian Active Service Medals. (Date taken: 04 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060304adf8185016_0022 The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, salutes a Corporal who served with the Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan in late 2005. The Chief of Army has just awarded the Corporal the Australian Active Service Medal. (Date taken: 04 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060304adf8185016_0024 A commando soldier who served with the Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan in late 2005 wears an Australian Active Service Medal, just presented to him by the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy. (Date taken: 04 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060304adf8185016_0025 The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough MP, enjoys a joke with a commando who served with the Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan in late 2005. (Date taken: 04 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060304adf8185016_0034 The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, talks with a commando Sergeant and his family following the welcome home function for soldiers who served with the Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan in late 2005. (Date taken: 04 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060304adf8185016_0038 The Special Operations Commander - Australia, Major General Mike Hindmarsh, talks with a commando following the welcome home function for soldiers who served with the Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan in late 2005. (Date taken: 04 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060304adf8185016_0040 A commando beret tucked in the pocket of its owner following the welcome home function for soldiers who served with the Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan in late 2005. (Date taken: 04 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060304adf8185016_0044 Brigadier David Thomson (retired), the first commanding officer of the 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4 RAR), talks with the Battalion’s Regimental Sergeant Major following the welcome home function for soldiers who served with the Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan in late 2005. 4RAR is now the Australian Regular Army’s commando battalion. (Date taken: 04 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060304adf8185016_0056 The Australian Active Service Medal (lower, with ribbon), and the Returned From Active Service Badge (left upper) were awarded to several soldiers who attended the welcome home function on 4 March 2006 for members of the Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan in late 2005. (Date taken: 04 March 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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