Image Galleries
| December 2007 |
| Sapper Pat Bear enjoys Christmas with RTF Sapper Pat Bear was donated to the Reconstruction Task Force Three by the Defence Community Organisation in Townsville as a focus for the children of the deployed soldiers, who can read about Pat’s adventures in the Task Force’s welfare newspaper. 03 images (Date uploaded: 25 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Christmas carols for Reconstruction Task Force Across the Middle East, Australian troops will celebrate Christmas Day 2007 with barbeques, sport and religious services. While security will be maintained as usual, there will also be time for celebrating, opening presents and talking with family back home. 05 images (Date uploaded: 25 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Santa visits Dominican Orphanage in Dili Australian and New Zealand troops from the International Stabilisation Force have had a long-established relationship with the Dominican Orphanage in Dili since arriving in May 2006. Through the efforts of the force's Military Police Section and the goodwill of the people of Singleton, NSW, Santa Claus visited the orphanage and handed out individual presents to each of the children there. 08 images (Date uploaded: 25 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Temporary school the International Stabilisation Force built for locals The Timor-Leste Deputy Education Minister made a visit to the village of Aliambata to view a temporary school building that engineers from the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) have constructed to replace the original school which was burnt down in August 2007 during post election violence. 09 images (Date uploaded: 24 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Traditional Maori powhiri Newly arrived soldiers from the New Zealand Army now in Timor Leste as part of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) have formally received their Australian force commander - Brigadier John Hutcheson - with a traditional Maori powhiri at their headquarters in Dili. 07 images (Date uploaded: 24 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Christmas celebrations Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 (OBG W 4), prepare for Christmas celebrations around Camp Terendak - either by decoration, celebration or a message back home to Australia. 04 images (Date uploaded: 24 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Prime Minister visits Afghanistan Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has visited Australian troops and Iraq government officials in Afghanistan. 11 images (Date uploaded: 23 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Prime Minister and Defence Minister visit Middle East Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Minister for Defence Joel Fitzgibbon visited Australian troops and Iraq government officials in the Middle East. 10 images (Date uploaded: 22 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| The Honorable Greg Combet MP in the Wedgetail Operational Flight Trainer The Honorable Greg Combet MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, was briefed on three Defence Materiel Organisation projects based at Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown. The photo relates to the $3.5 billion Project Wedgetail which will provide six Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft. 02 images (Date uploaded: 20 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Lance Corporal John Gillespie returns home The remains of Lance Corporal John Gillespie, arrived home after a brief stopover in Darwin. Family, government representatives, veterans and current Defence Force members attended a ramp ceremony to officially welcome the soldier home, after nearly 40 years missing in action. 13 images (Date uploaded: 19 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Third C-17 set for delivery Air Force accepted its third C-17A Globemaster III during a ceremony at Boeing’s plant in Long Beach California on Tuesday 18 December. 06 images (Date uploaded: 19 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Lions Australia Christmas Cake in the Middle East Lions Australia has donated 1,000 1kg Christmas cakes to Australian Defence Force Personnel serving across the globe on operations. 02 images (Date uploaded: 19 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| First Multi-Role helicopters accepted into service
First Multi-Role helicopters accepted into service The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) accepted the first two MRH 90 Multi-Role Helicopters (MRH) at the Australian Aerospace facility in Brisbane today. 13 images (Date uploaded: 18 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Darwin’s 1st Brigade homecoming Soldiers from Darwin’s 1st Brigade arrived home recently after successfully completing their six month mission supporting the 3rd rotation of the Overwatch Battle Group-West (OBG-W) in Iraq. 19 images (Date uploaded: 18 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Lance Corporal Gillespie repatriation The remains of Lance Corporal (LCPL) John Gillespie, a Medical Assistant, formerly of 8th Field Ambulance, were repatriated from Hanoi to Australia today. 15 images (Date uploaded: 18 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Overwatch Battle Group West 3rd rotation welcomed home The Commander of the Overwatch Battle Group West 3rd rotation (OBG (W)-3), Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood, arrived home this morning with more than 40 of his troops and personnel from the Australian Army Training Team Iraq VIII (AATTI- VIII). 08 images (Date uploaded: 17 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Christmas countdown begins Many preparations are being finalised across the Middle East to allow the soldiers, sailors and Air Force personnel based across the Middle East Area of Operations to enjoy the festive season and keep in touch with family and friends back home in Australia. 03 images (Date uploaded: 17 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Prime Minister visits Operation ASTUTE in Timor The newly-elected Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, and Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, stopped off in Timor-Leste for a whirlwind tour. 12 images (Date uploaded: 17 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Black Hawks conduct counter-terrorism training in Sydney In the midst of a week of heavy storms, 171 Aviation Squadron Black Hawk training was conducted in the heart of the city of Sydney. 04 images (Date uploaded: 17 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| The Prime Minister of Australia, The Honourable Kevin Rudd MP visits troops in Timor-Leste The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, stopped off in Timor-Leste for a whirlwind tour. 04 images (Date uploaded: 14 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| HMAS Arunta patrols Persian Gulf CMDR Brown commands HMAS Arunta on its second tour of the Persian Gulf. CMDR Brown has taken command of the frigate after a career spent aboard submarines. 10 images (Date uploaded: 14 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Golden Casket christmas party 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2 AFDS) supported the Golden Casket Variety Childrens Christmas Party held at the Brisbane Convention Centre. 10 images (Date uploaded: 14 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| OBGW4 Handover ceremony Responsibility for Australia’s military overwatch role in southern Iraq has changed hands. 08 images (Date uploaded: 14 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| HMAS Maryborough in Sydney Harbour HMAS Maryborough is the newest Armidale Class Patrol boat to enter service in the Royal Australian Navy, recently commissioning in Brisbane. 09 images (Date uploaded: 14 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Tiger simulator handed over to Army Aviation A suite of aircrew and ground training devices for the Army’s new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH Tiger) was handed over by the prime contractor, Australian Aerospace Pty Ltd, at a ceremony at the Army Aviation Training Centre (AAvnTC), Oakey. 03 images (Date uploaded: 13 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| ADFA graduation The next wave of Navy, Army and Air Force officers successfully graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) today and will soon begin postings to establishments around Australia to continue their training. 14 images (Date uploaded: 13 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Vistit to the Hunter Orthopedic School The Hunter Orthopedic School in Newcastle is the primary sponsored charity of HMAS Newcastle. Members of the ship's company visited to conduct a Christmas presentation day. 12 images (Date uploaded: 12 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| HMAS Adelaide returns for final time Members of the crew have their families join to sail with the ship from Fremantle for a day cruise and for the arrival of HMAS Adelaide at Fleet Base West for the last time. 06 images (Date uploaded: 12 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Family cruise day on HMAS Adelaide Members of HMAS Adelaide's crew were joined by their families for a day cruise from Fremantle to Fleet Base West. 09 images (Date uploaded: 12 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Spices of the Middle East RAAF Cook Matthew has been working with cooks of many nationalities including Sri Lankan, Indian, Bangladeshis and Nepalese. He says his cooking has improved and he has learnt some great ways to make a curry. Matthew is in the final month of a six month deployment to the Middle East. 02 images (Date uploaded: 11 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Darwin soldiers arrive home from Iraq Soldiers from Darwin’s 1st Brigade arrived home recently after successfully completing their six month mission supporting the 3rd rotation of the Overwatch Battle Group-West (OBG-W) in Iraq. 10 images (Date uploaded: 10 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Exercise Pacific Reach 2007 Exercise Pacific Reach is a triennial Asia-Pacific submarine rescue exercise designed to promote regional cooperation on submarine rescue. The exercise this year is the fourth in the series and is being hosted by Australia between 26 November and 7 December 2007. 11 images (Date uploaded: 10 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| 65th anniversary of the loss of HMAS Armidale 1 The Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB) HMAS Armidale, was in position over the original HMAS Armidale 1, where it was sunk exactly 65 years ago. The memorial service was conducted at 3:15pm (Northern Territory time) on 1 December, and was transmitted live to the city of Armidale. 04 images (Date uploaded: 06 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Final recruit graduation at RAAF Base Edinburgh The last Recruit Graduation Parade to be held at RAAF Base Edinburgh before No.1 Recruit Training Unit moves to RAAF Base Wagga Wagga has marched out. 06 images (Date uploaded: 06 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| 25-year mo' goes for charity Warrant Officer Stuart Thomas had his 25-year-old moustache shaved off to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland. 05 images (Date uploaded: 06 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| HMAS Anzac returns to HMAS Stirling from the Persian Gulf The Royal Australian Navy Anzac Class Frigate, HMAS Anzac, arrived home today, following a six-month deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO). 12 images (Date uploaded: 05 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| AFL players train with Army Army Recruit Training Centre has hosted players and staff from the North Melbourne Football Club at Kapooka for a three day training exercise. The players took part in a number of activities, culminating in a "modified challenge". 10 images (Date uploaded: 05 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Graduation parade for RAAF No. 4/2007 Initial Officer Course The next batch of Royal Australian Air Force officers have marched out during their graduation parade from the No. 4/2007 Initial Officer Course at RAAF Base Williams - Point Cook Officer Training School (OTS) facility. 07 images (Date uploaded: 04 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Exercise Pacific Reach - Submarine Parachute Assist Group Personnel from the Royal Navy's Submarine Parachute Assist Group (SPAG) jump out of a SK50 Sea King Helicopter at Cockburn Sound, Western Australia as part of Exercise Pacific Reach. 04 images (Date uploaded: 04 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| HMAS Wewak delivers aid to Gona Beach Carrying 60 tonnes of water, rice and dried fish, the Royal Australian Navy Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) HMAS Wewak left the port of Lae on Papua New Guinea’s northern coast to deliver cargo of humanitarian aid to Gona Beach as part of Operation PNG Assist, to help the villages of Oro Province recover from devastating floods after Cyclone Guba. 04 images (Date uploaded: 04 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Funeral of Private Luke Worsley
Almost 1000 mourners congregated in the Sydney CBD at St Andrew’s Cathedral for the funeral of Private Luke Worsley, who was tragically killed in Afghanistan recently. 07 images (Date uploaded: 04 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Exercise Pacific Reach
Commodore Kiyoshi Hiroe Commodore Submarine Flotilla One (Japan) and the Officers of the JS Chihaya were invited for afternoon tea and a tour onboard HMAS Collins. The afternoon tea and tour was part of Exercise Pacific Reach's Harbour Phase. 04 images (Date uploaded: 04 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Joint medical facility at Camp Holland Some of the best facilities available to treat soldiers for trauma injury are co-located with the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) in southern Afghanistan. 05 images (Date uploaded: 04 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| ADF aircraft deliver aid The Black Hawk helicopters of B Squadron 5th aviation Regiment and Royal Australian Air Force Caribous from 38 Squadron have, with the help of civilian aircraft out of Girua Airfield, delivered the last of aid needed in remote villages effected by the floods that struck Oro province in Papua New Guinea after Cyclone Guba. 06 images (Date uploaded: 04 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Memorial service for Private Luke Worsley The Camp Victory-based ADF personnel conducted a memorial service as their tribute to Private Luke Worsley, who died in combat fighting with Taliban forces in Tarin Kowt district, Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, on Friday, 23 November 2007. 03 images (Date uploaded: 04 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Exercise Pacific Reach - HMAS Yarra
Exercise Pacific Reach is a triennial Asia-Pacific submarine rescue exercise designed to promote regional cooperation on submarine rescue. The exercise this year is the fourth in the series and is being hosted by Australia between 26 November and 7 December 2007. 4 images (Date uploaded: 04 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Exercise Pacific Reach - Divers take the plunge
Members of the Australian Clearance Diving Team Four and divers from other nations includomg Singapore, China, Canada and Japan conduct a demonstration of different nationality-specific dive safety procedures at the Fleet Base West pool. The demonstration is part of the Harbour Phase of Exercise Pacific Reach at HMAS Stirling during the first week of the two-week exercise. 4 images (Date uploaded: 04 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Exercise Pacific Reach - abandon ship exercise on HMAS Collins
The crew of Collins Class Submarine, HMAS Collins conduct abandon ship drills alongside Fleet Base West. This involves members escaping through the fin door and jumping overboard with life suits/jackets and life rafts or mustering on the forward casing while being observed by sea training staff. 7 images (Date uploaded: 04 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| HMAS Adelaide Freedom of Entry
During the Naval Association reception the Ship’s Bell from the first HMAS Adelaide was handed back to the City for safe keeping until the next HMAS Adelaide, (LHD 02), one of two amphibious Assault vessels to be built for the RAN is Commissioned. 10 images (Date uploaded: 03 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| UN Secretary Council visit to Phoenix Operation ASTUTE is the Australian Government's response to a request from the Government of Timor-Leste to assist in restoring peace to their country. 04 images (Date uploaded: 03 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Patrol in the Western Districts Operation ASTUTE is the Australian Government's response to a request from the Government of Timor-Leste to assist in restoring peace to their country. 05 images (Date uploaded: 03 December 2007) View Gallery |
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| Ship Shape
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| Patrol near Balibo Operation ASTUTE is the Australian Government's response to a request from the Government of Timor-Leste to assist in restoring peace to their country. 07 images (Date uploaded: 03 December 2007) View gallery |
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| FACE concert at the Dominican Orphanage A group of Australian entertainers have had a gig of a different kind, performing at the Dominican Orphanage in Timor Leste. 07 images (Date uploaded: 03 December 2007) View gallery |
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