Image Gallery 2010

16 March 2010
One Commando Regiment Army Reservists reach out to Uruzgan

SPECIAL Forces reservists from the 1st Commando Regiment comprised the main fighting element of Australia’s Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) during the recent winter in Afghanistan.

Thanks to their efforts in Uruzgan, Taliban insurgents have less access to the population and local Afghan police have a stronger presence.
Their mission over winter was Population Centric Operations (PCO), which involved heading to remote and dangerous parts of Uruzgan that were at risk of insurgent influence to build the support of local communities.

They did this by listening to community leaders, conducting medical clinics, providing humanitarian assistance, and conducting community based security assessments, in conjunction with Uruzgan’s Provincial Police Reserve, whom they supported and provided training for.

In addition, they were involved in a number of hostile engagements with insurgents.

The men and women of the 1st Commando Regiment who formed the bulk of the SOTG over winter came from a wide variety of professions and backgrounds to give up an Australian summer, civilian work commitments, and time with loved ones, in order to help the people of Afghanistan overcome an insurgency that seeks to deny the people of Afghanistan the freedoms Australians can take for granted.

Their Officer Commanding, a Major B, said the wide variety of skill sets and experience that came with a deployment of Army Reservists proved to be a key enabler in fulfilling their mission.

“I think on this particular tour, focusing on PCO, even though we’re special forces there’s no doubt that having reservists there we’ve got a broader experience of life in general that’s certainly value added to this particular SOTG rotation,” Major B said.

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A commando from the 1st Commando Regiment returns to Tarin Kot on his All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) after lengthy operation in Southern Afghanistan.

(Date taken: 26 February 2010)
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Soldiers from the 1st Commando Regiment are welcomed back to their base by their Commanding Officer and their colleagues after another successful mission in Southern Afghanistan.

(Date taken: 26 February 2010)
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Soldiers from the 1st Commando Regiment return to Tarin Kot in a Long Range Patrol Vehicle (LRPV) after a successful mission in Southern Afghanistan which saw them travel over 600km in 17 days

(Date taken: 26 February 2010)
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An Explosives Detection Dog sits at the ready before an operation with the commandos of the 1st Commando Regiment in Southern Afghanistan.

(Date taken: 26 February 2010)
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An Australian Soldier from the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) fixes his gaze forward as he and his colleagues prepare to go outside the wire to help and protect the people of Afghanistan.

(Date taken: 26 February 2010)
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A member of Australia's Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) waits patiently for the word to move out during operations in southern Afghanistan.

(Date taken: 26 February 2010)
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An Australian soldier with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in southern Afghanistan takes a moment to reflect before heading out on another mission to underwrite future prosperity and stability for the people of Afghanistan.

(Date taken: 26 February 2010)
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Commandos from the 1st Commando Regiment prepare for darkness as the sun sets behind snow-capped mountains in Southern Afghanistan

(Date taken: 26 February 2010)
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A commando from the 1st Commando Regiment deployed as a part of SOTG keeps an eye on the road in Southern Afghanistan.

(Date taken: 26 February 2010)
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Commandos from the 1st Commando Regiment prepare for darkness as the sun sets behind snow-capped mountains in Southern Afghanistan.

(Date taken: 26 February 2010)
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A commando from the 1st Commando Regiment and a member of SOTG’s Afghan partnering unit, the Provincial Police Reserve, discuss the finer points of the plan before an operation.

(Date taken: 26 February 2010)
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