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Afghan National Army efforts rewarded
Members of the 2nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-2) worked closely with engineers from the Afghan National Army to construct Patrol Base Wali in Mirabad, Oruzgan Province.

MRTF 2 Discover New Weapons Cache
MRTF patrols, working with the Afghan National Army have discovered caches of arms, ammunition and bomb making materials during an ongoing operation in the Miribad Valley within Oruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan.

Op Astute Troops celebrate Christmas in East Timor
A number of Australian Defence Force personnel deployed to East Timor have taken time on Christmas morning to share gifts and food with local residents in Dili.

OP Slipper HMAS Stuart receives mail on Christmas Day
HMAS Stuart (CMDR Masters) recently completed its first patrol in the Middle East Area of Operation, stopping off in the Gulf of Aden, for maintenance, re-supply and respite.

Op Slipper HMAS Stuart celebrating Christmas
The crew of HMAS STUART (CMDR Masters) have celebrated Christmas at sea, as the ship conducts counter-piracy and maritime security patrols in the Gulf of Aden as part of Operation SLIPPER.

Op slipper Christmas in the MEAO

"To an Australian Soldier" and "To the Explosive Detection Dog" care packages have arrived and are being sorted and prepared for distribution across Afghanistan and the Middle East by members of the Combat Support Unit.

Op slipper 1RAR Band performs in the MEAO
Australian soldiers at Camp Holland in Afghanistan were far away from loved ones for Christmas but that didn't stop them from celebrating the festive season.

Op Slipper Christmas celebrations at Camp Holland
Australian soldiers at Camp Holland in Afghanistan were far away from loved ones on Christmas Day but that didn't stop them from celebrating the festive season.

HMAS STUART in the Gulf of Aden
HMAS Stuart (CMDR Masters) recently completed its first patrol in the Middle East Area of Operation, during this deployment, stopping off in the Gulf of Aden, for maintenance, re-supply and respite.

Hampers from Home
Troops in East Timor are in for a treat with Chrisco selecting its best selling ‘Traditional’ hampers to provide a range of food items that will remind them of home.

Tree decorating in Afghanistan
Although far from home, soldiers based at Camp Holland in Southern Afghanistan are getting into the Christmas spirit by putting up decorations around the base.

Operation Astute International Stabilisation Force getting into the Christmas Spirit
Major Robyn Johnston and Squadron Leader Kate Fox sing Christmas carols at Camp Phoenix, Dili East Timor.

Op Astute members getting into the christmas spirit
Sergeant Paul Miller from Fremantle, Western Australia conducts maintenance on a Mack truck at the workshop in East Timor.

Defence blood & organ donation awareness campaign
The Royal Australian Air Force has won the ADF’s inaugural blood donor challenge, helping to raise awareness of the need for blood in Australia and on operations overseas.

Op Herrick
The Aussie Gunners of “Brumby Troop” serving with the British Army in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, recently received a Royal visit from Princess Mary of Denmark.

EX BOSS LIFT 05/09 Exercise Boss Lift Malaysia
Fourteen employers from across NSW recently travelled to Rifle Company Butterworth Rotation 88 as part of Exercise Boss Lift.

Preparing for Christmas Day
CPL Rachael Wilson one of the Movements Clerks at HQ JTF 633 prepares to celebrate Christmas Day in the MEAO.

Mr.Glenn Wahlert visits the Hunter Region
Director General Industry Strategy, Mr. Glenn Wahlert visits the Hunter region to launch new ME program and Advanced Manufacturing Program.

(Date uploaded: 18 December - 09 images)
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Cowboys Go Green
If teamwork in the Cowboys looks a little slicker next year the reason may lay in a patch of jungle just west of Tully.

(Date uploaded: 18 December - 08 images)
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Navy’s air defence capability grows stronger
Standard Missile 2 Acceptance Test and Evaluation firing in the East Australian Exercise Area on HMAS MELBOURNE, the first firing of it's kind.

(Date uploaded: 18 December - 04 images)
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Defence indigenous development program wraps up for 2009
In the time-honoured style of graduating military officers, the Norforce soldiers throw their hats into the air and cheer to mark the end of class formalities for the Defence Indigenous Development Program at the Katherine Rural College in the Northern Territory.

(Date uploaded: 17 December - 14 images)
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Point Cook Primary School on the move after 86 years
Point Cook Primary School, established at RAAF Base Point Cook in 1923, is moving off base to help cater for the growing community in the local area.

Commanding Officer of MRTF2 - Tours his Areas of Operation
The Commanding Officer (CO) of the 2nd Rotation of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-2), Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) Peter Connolly, has toured Australia's area of operation (AO) in Southern Afghanistan.

AirCrane 'Isabelle' drops in to Richmond
Rotary-wing firefighting aircraft are using RAAF Base Richmond on an as required basis by NSW Rural Fire Service.

C-17 TEPATS
Training Evaluation Performance Aircraft Training Set (TEPATS), will serve as a maintenance procedural trainer for the No 36SQN maintenance workforce.

Transition of authority parade
The Commanding Officer of the 2nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Connolly, officially handed over command of the Battle Group on December 12th 2009 to Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hocking. LTCOL Connolly commanded MRTF-2 since June 2009.

Christmas cheer for troops overseas
A letter on behalf of 14 Australian soldiers providing artillery support for international forces at an isolated outpost in the dangerous Helmand Province in Afghanistan has triggered a wave of Aussie Christmas cheer for our troops overseas.

20/20009 Recruit Course graduation parade
20/09 Recruit Course graduation represents the commencement of careers for 167 young people within Air Force.

Graduation Parade of the 2009 RMIT Class
The Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, AC, visiting HMAS Cerberus to review the Vice Regal Ceremonial Divisions, including the Graduation Parade of the 2009 RMIT Class.

Exercise Precision Red
Personnel from the RAAF's Air Lift Group and Combat Support Group are participating in Exercise Precision Red 02/09 from RAAF Base Townsville, High Range and Shoalwater Bay Field Training Areas.

Sydney Siders Enjoy Carols at HMAS Watson
On Saturday 5 December 2009, HMAS Watson held its annual Carols by the Bay. HMAS Watson enjoyed an impressive turnout from the local community and Royal Australian Navy members alike.

Stone Brothers Racing meets 6 Aviation
Alex Davison and Shane van Gisbergen, the drivers from Stone Brothers Racing, and their crew visit 171 Squadron, 6 Aviation at Holsworthy and afterwards enjoy a flight around Sydney Harbour and CBD.

Minister for Defence visits Troops In Townsville
The Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, visits the band of the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) who are busy rehearsing for their Christmas tour to entertain the troops in the Middle East.

Australian Defence Force Academy and the University of New South Wales continue partnership
A continuation contract signing for the Extension of the Agreement between the Australian Defence Force Academy and University of New South Wales for the provision of education services at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

MRTF-2 Soldiers Help to Build Bridges in Southern Afghanistan
The local residents of the Oruzgan Province, Southern Afghanistan, are benefiting from the mentoring being provided by Australian Army Engineers to the Afghan National Army's 4th Kandak (ANA).

New Detachment brings bigger eyes to support Diggers in Afghanistan
The first Australian-leased Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle will shortly begin operations supporting Australian troops in Afghanistan.

New Zealand Army Pinzgauer Armored Vehicles take over in Timor
Australian Army M113A1 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) have been an important part of Australia’s mission in East Timor since they were first used to secure the Dili area when INTERFET inserted in 1999.

(Date uploaded: 10 December- 04 images)
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Sabi, the Explosives Detection Dog
SABI, the Explosive Detection Dog missing in action for 14 months in Afghanistan, is lapping up the attention and affection of Australia’s Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in Oruzgan province as she bides her time for her hopeful return home.

Minister for Defence visits Troops In Townsville
Minister of Defence, Senator John Faulkner and Secretary of Defence, Dr Ian J Watt visits the band of the 1st Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment. Who are busy rehearsing for their Christmas tour to entertain the troops in the Middle East.

HMAS Tobruk returns from Operation Samoa Assist
HMAS Tobruk returns to her home port of Sydney after participating in Operation Samoa Assist, where she provided humanitarian relief to the people of Samoa and Tonga affected by the September tsunami.

Visual Environment Maintenance Trainer Showcase
Seated in the cockpit station of the Super Hornet Visual Environment Maintenance Trainer (VEMT) is Mr Wayne Wendt, MP, Member for Ipswich West.

Official opening of an Australian hangar
CommanderJoint Task Force 633 (CJTF 633), Major General (MAJGEN) Mark Kelly along with Chief of Staff Air Commodore (AIRCDRE) Warren Ludwig and Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS) Group Captain (GPCAPT) Alan Wright, attend the official opening of an Australian hangar.

HMAS Toowoomba returns from Operation Slipper
The Anzac Class Frigate’s 193 men and women were welcomed before a large gathering of family and friends, in a traditional ceremony at Fleet Base West at Garden Island, WA.

Navy takes command of major multinational task force in Gulf for first time
A team of 25 Royal Australian Navy officers and sailors will depart this week for the Middle East to form the command group of a Coalition Naval Task Force engaged in maritime security operations throughout the region.

(Date uploaded: 07 December - 06 images)
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Defence Minister visits 2nd Commando Regiment
The Minister for Defence John Faulkner visited Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment to see demonstrations of commando capability and meet with soldiers.

Future Navy leaders graduate from training
The parade, reviewed by Air Chief Marshal Houston, marked the end of the five-month New Entry Officer Course for the graduates.

HMAS Darwin arrives home
HMAS Darwin arrives home to Fleet Base East, Garden Island after a four and a half month deployment to South East Asia.

Special Operations Task Group
Australian Special Forces are maintaining pressure on insurgents in Oruzgan Province with the onset of cooler weather in Afghanistan.

Exercise Stoneage
On the 13th November, 6 Squadron deployed to RAAF Base Edinburgh to conduct Exercise Stoneage 09, the conclusion of their most recent operational workup period on the AGM-142 “Raptor” missile.

Operation Azure – Australian Contingent In Sudan
The significant contribution that six ADF members have made as UN Military Observers (UNMO) during their six month deployment has been recognised at a ceremony held on 18 November 2009 at Australia House in Khartoum, Sudan.

Family Day on HMAS Anzac
The families of the the crew of HMAS Anzac have enjoyed a recent day aboard, being treated to a delicious lunch and exciting displays.

Mentoring Task Force 1 Mission Rehersal Exercise
Around 800 soldiers of the 6RAR Battle Group took to High Range in November and December for a series of live fire exercises and Afghanistan mission rehearsals.

Combat Engineer Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Members of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force -2 stepped up operations during the building of the new Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Mirabad, conducting security patrols from platoon house locations to the east and west, disrupting insurgent threats to the building operation.

Cache find
In the first two months of Operation Baz Panje in the Mirabad valley of Oruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan, soldiers from the 2nd rotation of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-2) have uncovered 44 separate caches.

East Coast Air Defence Exercise (ECADEX) 09
Up to 28 fast jets from Amberley, Williamtown and Tindal have taken to the skies for the East Coast Air Defence Exercise (ECADEX 09).

(Date uploaded: 02 December - 13 image)
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Reinterment of Australian Soldiers PNG
The remains of four Australian soldiers killed during WWII have been laid to rest at a cemetery in Papua New Guinea.

(Date uploaded: 01 December - 30 image)
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33 Squadron Grow a Mo for Movember
33 Squadron have raised just over $2000 since participants began growing their moustaches on the 1st of November.

(Date uploaded: 01 December - 01 image)
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Exercise High Sierra 2009
Six pilots from No. 2 Operational Conversion Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW are being put through their paces during Exercise High Sierra prior to conversion as new fighter pilots.

(Date uploaded: 01 December - 09 images)
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