Image Gallery: June 2009
14 June 2009
Minister for Defence Visits and Thanks Australian Troops in Afghanistan
The newly appointed Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, visited Australian Defence Force personnel serving in the Middle East and Afghanistan as part of a familiarisation trip days after taking over Defence’s top job. The visit took in key areas which are the focus of Australia’s efforts - as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) - in defeating the Taliban insurgency and rebuilding Afghanistan. The Minister was accompanied by Secretary of Defence, Mr Nick Warner; Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, AC, AFC and Commander Joint Task Force 633, Major General Mark Kelly, AO.
Operation SLIPPER is Australia's military contribution to coalition efforts against international terrorism. Under this operation our forces contribute to the efforts of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, aimed at preventing Afghanistan again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists, and the United States-led International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT) efforts in the broader Middle East.
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Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, thanks Australian Defence Force personnel based in the Middle East for their continued efforts.
(Date taken: 13 June 2009)
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Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, is briefed by Captain Dave Phillips on the Tarin Kowt counter improvised explosive device training facility accompanied by the Commander Joint Task Force 633, Major General Mark Kelly and by the Secretary of Defence, Mr Nick Warner.
(Date taken: 13 June 2009)
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Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, is briefed on counter improvised explosive device (CIED) techniques at the Tarin Kowt CIED training facility. In the background, soldiers conduct a demonstration of the techniques used to defeat IEDs.
(Date taken: 13 June 2009)
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Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, Defence Secretary Nick Warner and Chief of Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC, AFC are briefed on Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) by Gunner Carly Box.
(Date taken: 13 June 2009)
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Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, is briefed by Captain Tom Whale in front of the Tarin Kowt Trade Training School during his tour of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ripley.
(Date taken: 13 June 2009)
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Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, shares a laugh with a local Afghani tradesman and Lance Corporal Josh McLaren, an instructor with Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF) One.
(Date taken: 13 June 2009)
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Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, talks with members of the Australian Defence Force personnel during his visit to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).
(Date taken: 13 June 2009)
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Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, addresses members of Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF) One and Two during his visit to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).
(Date taken: 13 June 2009)
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Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, is served a meal at a recreation area during his visit to Australian Defence Force personnel serving at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ripley near Tarin Kowt in Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 13 June 2009)
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