Image Gallery: July 2007
Special Forces Training Facility opens at Holsworthy
24 July 2007
The Governor-General, His Excellency MAJ GEN Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC, officially opened the new Special Forces Training Facility (SFTFT) at Holsworthy Barracks today.
The Governor-General was joined by the Minister for Defence the Hon Dr. Brendan Nelson MP as they inspected the new facilities and farewelled Sydney based members of the Special Operations Task Group preparing to deploy into Oruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan as part of Operation SLIPPER.
The new Special Forces Training Facilities, valued at $94 million, will be one of only four of its kind in the world providing leading-edge training to counter-terrorism forces. The new facilities will include indoor and outdoor multi-level electronic and live firing ranges as well as a variety of training environments for 4 RAR Commando.
The facilities will be used to train for counter-terrorism scenarios and other specific Special Forces roles.
These state-of-the-art facilities will greatly benefit Sydney-based Commandos and complement existing training facilities in Western Australia for the ADF’s Special Air Service Regiment.
Australia’s Special Forces are among the best in the world and this is due not only to their skill and professionalism but also their supplies, equipment and training facilities. The new Special Forces Training Facilities are part of a larger project that will see the construction of new office accommodation and an upgrade of infrastructure at Holsworthy Barracks.
Read media release: Governor-General opens Special Forces Training Facility at Holsworthy
| 20070718adf8262658_063 Special Forces Training Facility at Holsworthy WMV video |
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| 20070718adf8262658_063 Soldiers from the Tactical Assault Group as part of the 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) Commandos, put their counter-terrorism drills into effect at the newly-developed Special Forces Training Centre Facility in Holsworthy. (Date taken: 18 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718adf8262658_222 Soldiers from 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) Commandos conduct an urban assault demonstration at the new Special Forces Training Centre Facility in Holsworthy. (Date taken: 18 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718adf8262658_276 Soldiers from 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) Commandos conduct an urban assault demonstration at the new Special Forces Training Centre Facility in Holsworthy. (Date taken: 18 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718adf8262658_301 Soldiers from 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) Commandos conduct an urban assault demonstration at the new Special Forces Training Centre Facility in Holsworthy. (Date taken: 18 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718adf8262658_389 Soldiers from 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) Commandos conduct an urban assault demonstration at the new Special Forces Training Centre Facility in Holsworthy. (Date taken: 18 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718adf8262658_390 Soldiers from 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) Commandos conduct an urban assault demonstration at the new Special Forces Training Centre Facility in Holsworthy. (Date taken: 18 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718adf8262658_623 Soldiers from 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) Commandos conduct an urban assault demonstration at the new Special Forces Training Centre Facility in Holsworthy. (Date taken: 18 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718adf8262658_763 Soldiers from 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) Commandos conduct an urban assault demonstration at the new Special Forces Training Centre Facility in Holsworthy. (Date taken: 18 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718adf8262658_901 Soldiers from the Tactical Assault Group as part of the 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR) Commandos put into effect their counter-terrorism drills at the newly-developed Special Forces Training Centre Facility in Holsworthy.(Date taken: 18 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070724adf8262658_011 The Governor-General, His Excellency MAJ GEN Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC, addresses the soldiers and their families as (L-R) Regimental Sergeant Major Army Warrant Officer Class 1 Kevin Wood, the Chief of the Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, and Regimental Sergeant Major Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Warrant Officer Class 1 Rod Scott, listen in. (Date taken: 24 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070724adf8262658_017 The Governor-General, His Excellency MAJ GEN Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC addresses soldiers and their families on the importance of the Special Forces and having first rate training facilities. Minister for Defence The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson MP and the Assistant Commissioner of the NSW Police Force, Assistant Commissioner Mennell, listen in. (Date taken: 24 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070724adf8262658_036 Minister for Defence The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson MP tells the crowd of soldiers and families of his intimate adventurous experience with the Commandos, with (L-R) Regimental Sergeant Major Army, Warrant Officer Class 1 Kevin Wood; Chief of the Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC; Regimental Sergeant Major Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Warrant Officer Class 1 Rod Scott OAM MG; and Special Operations Commander Australia Major General Mike Hindmarsh, AM, CSC. (Date taken: 24 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070724adf8262658_044 Minister for Defence The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson MP states the importance of Special Forces training for successful operations. (Date taken: 24 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070724adf8262658_057 The Governor-General, His Excellency MAJ GEN Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC, shakes hands with Lieutenant Colonel Mark Smethurst AM, Commanding Officer 4th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (Commando), at the Special Forces Training Facility opening ceremony. (Date taken: 24 July 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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