Image Gallery 2010

19 March 2010
Baluchi development

Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain got a clearer understanding of community perspectives after meeting local representatives during the Community Development Council (CDC) meeting in Sajawul, north of Tarin Kot.

The CDC meetings, locally known as a shuras, are opportunities for the people to discuss issues relevant to their community. They are also an opportunity for Australian and Afghan leadership to get a better understanding of community sentiment towards ISAF presence in the area.

Over 30 locals discussed security and development matters at the latest shura, which was held on-site at a school development project in the Baluchi Valley Region.

During the shura, LTCOL Blain announced that funding has now been made available to complete the school, which was very well received by community representatives.

A key outcome of the meeting was community desire for a safer community where children have a secure place to attend school and receive basic health care. Things we take for granted in Australia.

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Afghan and First Mentoring Task Force soldiers head out from Patrol Base Qudus to attend a community meeting, known locally as a shura, in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Keeping guard at a shura, an Afghan National Army soldier provides security alongside his Australian mentor, Lance Corporal Michael Jenkins.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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An Afghan soldier securing a Baluchi Valley shura location under mentor guidance from Australian Lance Corporal Michael Jenkins.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Private Jason Hymans from the First Mentoring Task Force provides security alongside Afghan National Army soldiers at a shura in Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Children from Sajawul pose for the camera near a shura being held in the school complex.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Corporal Daniel Luxford from the First Mentoring Task Force, keeps a watchful eye on his Afghan National Army counterpart at a check point in Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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(L-R) Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain moves from Patrol Base Qudus to the Shura location with Captain Julian Hohnen in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Regimental Sergeant Major of the First Mentoring Task Force, Warrant Officer Class One, Stephan Colman on patrol in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Lance Corporal Michael Jenkins from the First Mentoring Task Force, provides perimeter security for a Shura in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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An Afghan welcome shared between an Afghan National Army officer and community elder at a Shura in Sajawul.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Captain Julian Hohnen from the First Mentoring Task Force greets a local Afghan elder at the Shura in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain met with Afghan elders at a Shura in Sajawul.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain discusses local concerns with community elders at a Shura in Sajawul.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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First Mentoring Task Force personnel engage local elders at a shura in Sajawul.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain engages with local elders at a shura in Sajawul.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain discusses the security and development situation at a shura in Sajawul.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Mentoring Task Force and local elders dicuss the futrue of Sajawul at a shura in Sajawul.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain settles into discussions with local elders at a Shura in Sajawul.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain beside an Afghan National Army officer discussing local concerns at a shura in Sajawul.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Hearts and minds, Private Thomas Peters from the First Mentoring Task Force takes time out with an Afghan child in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Lance Corporal James Kahika from the First Mentoring Task Force and an Afghan soldier share a laugh with local children in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Lance Corporal James Kahika from the First Mentoring Task Force and Afghan soldiers conduct a snap vehicle search in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Lance Corporal James Kahika from the First Mentoring Task Force keeps overwatch at a vehicle checkpoint in Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Lance Corporal James Kahika from the First Mentoring Task Force inspects a vehicle at a snap vehicle checkpoint in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Lance Corporal James Kahika from the First Mentoring Task Force shakes hands with an Afghan child in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Thumbs up, Corporal Garry Francis, a medic with the First Mentoring Task Force gives the all clear to a local child after providing some first aid.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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Private Ravi Pawar from the First Mentoring Task Force and soldiers from the Afghan National Army, provide security to local Afghan elders leaving a shura in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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(L-R) Corporal Daniel Luxford and Lance Corporal James Kahika from the First Mentoring Task Force discuss security arrangements after a shura in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 10 March 2010)
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