Image Gallery: September 2006
Latest Images from Operation SLIPPER
20 September 2006
A contingent of some 200 Australian Defence Personnel has arrived in Afghanistan as part of 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 small Australian contingent is the RTF advance party and will be working in Afghanistan preparing the camp, conducting planning for RTF construction and trade training projects, and setting up the logistics supply chain for when the main body arrives later in the year.
The majority of the task force is 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) to 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 provided by the Brisbane-based Motorised Infantry of the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, equipped with Bushmaster vehicles; the 5th/7th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment also with the Bushmaster; and the Darwin-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment with ASLAV light armoured vehicles. Command, logistics and support elements have come from the Darwin-based 1st Brigade.
| 20060904adf8185016_0093 Australian Reconstruction Task Force Lieutenant Josh Mickle (far left), Lieutenant Tim Mogridge (center left) Lieutenant Matthew Ford (right) and Lieutenant Von Lambert inspect their ammunition prior to going out on patrol in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 08 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060904adf8185016_0138 Australian Reconstruction Task Force members Lieutenant Josh Mickle (left) and Von Lambert adjusts their body Armour prior to going out on patrol in Southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 08 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060904adf8185016_0145 Helping each other, Lieutenant Von Lambert helps Lieutenant Josh Mickel with his body armour prior to a patrol in Southern Afghanistan as part of the Australian Reconstruction Task Force. (Date taken: 08 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060905adf8185016_0040 The sun goes down on another day at the Australian Reconstruction Task Force camp in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 08 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060905adf8185016_0068 A Dutch YPR-765 armoured personnel carrier rests in a defensive position on the perimeter wall of Camp Holland in Southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 08 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060907adf8185016_0044 Soldiers from the Australian Reconstruction Task Force carry out daily maintenance tasks in the dusty environment of Southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 08 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060907adf8185016_0051 Corporal Adrian Davie moves containers into place with the help of the Manitou forklift. (Date taken: 08 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060908adf8185016_0039 Australian Reconstruction Task Force troops prepare defensive positions around the camp in Southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 08 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060908adf8185016_0066 Warrant Officer Class 2 Kylie Crockett lays another sandbag as the Australian Reconstruction Task Force troops prepare defensive positions around the camp in Southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 08 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060908adf8185016_0157 Carpenters Lance Corporal Toby Stoll (right) and Sapper Tim Lee (left) move to their next job on the Australian Reconstruction Task Force camp in Southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 08 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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