Image Gallery: April 2007
1st Reconstruction Task Force returns home
24 April 2007
Chief of Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy welcomed home the final group of soldiers returning from Afghanistan after successfully completing their mission as the 1st Reconstruction Task Force.
Families and friends lined the airport to see the 90 Darwin soldiers disembark. Among the group was Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan, the Commanding Officer who led the task force during its six-month rotation. LTCOL Ryan from Darwin’s 1st Combat Engineer Regiment handed over to Brisbane-based 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment prior to departing the town of Tarin Kowt in Oruzgan Province on his journey home.
LTGEN Leahy greeted and thanked the returning troops before they were reunited with families, partners and loved ones.
"These men and woman have done an outstanding job in the service to their nation. In a difficult and demanding operational environment they have performed with distinction and deserve our thanks," LTGEN Leahy said.
The Reconstruction Task Force had a clearly defined role to work on reconstruction and improvement of provincial infrastructure (schools, hospitals, bridges etc) and community-based projects to assist the Afghan Government in securing a future for its people. The Task Force also provided trade training to the local population and military engineering training to the Afghan National Army.
| 20070422_adf_8243523_01 Lieutenant Levon Lambert from the Darwin-based 7th Royal Australian Regiment embraces his partner Sonia Przeorsk at Darwin Airport after six months with the 1st Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 22 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070422_adf_8243523_06 Private Joey Proctor from the Darwin-based 7th Royal Australian Regiment gets his first glimpse at his daughter Marley, after six months with the 1st Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan. PTE Proctor poses for a photo with his new family including wife Jodie at Darwin Airport. (Date taken: 22 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070422_adf_8243523_10 Lance Corporal Scott Barry from the Darwin-based 7th Royal Australian Regiment is welcomed home by his son Logan Jack Barry and partner-come-fiance Desley Schmidt, after six months with the 1st Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan. LCPL Barry dropped to one knee moments after embracing his family to propose to partner Desley. Needless to say, the answer was a resounding "yes". (Date taken: 22 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070422_adf_8243523_20 Commanding Officer of the Darwin-based 1st Combat Engineer Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan is met at Darwin Airport by his partner Jocelyn and daughters Kara and Dana, after six months in Afghanistan leading the 1st Reconstruction Task Force. (Date taken: 22 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070422_adf_8243523_24 Corporal Belinda Rowe from Darwin-based 1st Armoured Regiment is welcomed home by fellow military friends Belinda Larson (embraced) and Lauren Grainer at Darwin Airport, after six months with the 1st Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 22 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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