|
01 September 2006
Defence Minister visits Reconstruction Task Force
Minister for Defence Dr Brendon Nelson visited Australian troops serving in Afghanistan to see first-hand the facilities the Australian Reconstruction Task Force will be using during its tour of duty.
A contingent of some 400 Australian Defence personnel will be working in Afghanistan as part of the Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Team under the NATO International Security Assistance Force’s Stage III expansion into Southern Afghanistan.
Australia’s contribution, known as the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), will be a mix of engineers and security personnel deployed to Afghanistan for up to two years and will work on reconstruction and community-based projects as part of Australia’s commitment to assisting Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future.
The majority of the task force will be drawn from the Darwin area and made up of personnel from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment based in Darwin which will provide combat engineers and tradesmen (carpenters, plumbers, electricians and plant operators) that will undertake the majority of the RTF’s construction activities. This will include skills training for the local population to ensure the benefits of the deployment continue well after our personnel have returned home.
The Australian protective force for the RTF is being provided by the Brisbane based Motorised Infantry of the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, equipped with Bushmaster vehicles, 5/7 RAR also with the Bushmaster and the Darwin-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment with ASLAVs. Command, logistics and support elements have come from the Darwin-based 1st Brigade.
Read Release: MINDEF VISIT TO AUSTRALIAN TROOPS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN
|
 |
20060829adf8185016_0007
An Australian forklift on the dusty road to receive a shipment of supplies just flown in for the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0029
A Russian Antonov aircraft lands in Afghanistan with a shipment of supplies for the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF).
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0040
Forklifts move in to commence unloading supplies, from a Russian Antonov aircraft for the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0048
Leading Aircraftman Joseph Eerden in his fork lift, commences unloading equipment from a Russian Antonov aircraft in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0062
An Australian CH-47D Chinook helicopter circles the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) camp before landing in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0065
New building supplies being unloaded from a Russian Antonov aircraft in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0068
An Australian Bushmaster rolls around camp on the dusty roads in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0069
An Australian Bushmaster rolls around camp on the dusty roads in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0076
Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) soldiers take a dusty walk around camp to familiarise themselves with their new home in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0078
Australian Reconstruction Task Force Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan (left), welcomes Minister for Defence Dr Brendon Nelson to the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) camp in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0083
Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Task Force Commander, Colonel Theo Vleugels (left), welcomes Minister for Defence Dr Brendon Nelson to the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) camp in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0085
Captain Jennifer Egan (centre left) briefs Minister for Defence Dr Brendon Nelson (far left) on camp construction and future works. With them is Brigadier General Jan Peter Spijk (centre right) and Colonel Theo Vleugels (far right) from the Netherlands.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0100
Captain Jennifer Egan (right) briefs Minister for Defence Dr Brendon Nelson on camp construction and future works for the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0116
Australian Reconstruction Task Force Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan and Task Force 636 Commander Brigadier Mick Moon.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0121
Captain Jennifer Egan (centre left) briefs Minister for Defence Dr Brendon Nelson (centre right) on camp construction and future works. Standing by is Brigadier General Jan Peter Spijk (far right) and Colonel Theo Vleugels (far left) from the Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Team.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0135
Australian Reconstruction Task Force Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan chats with Minister for Defence Dr Brendon Nelson during a short visit to the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
 |
20060829adf8185016_0137
Australian Reconstruction Task Force Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan farewells Minister for Defence Dr Brendon Nelson after a short visit to the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 29 August 2006)
Low-res | High-res |
|
|
OTHER
DOWNLOADS
|
|
| |
|
