Image Gallery 2010

29 March 2010
MTF1 Recon of Baluchi Valley

Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force (MTF1), Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain was accompanied by senior MTF1 staff during a recent reconnaissance of Sajawul and Khuajem Ahmad in the Baluchi Valley Region.

The “recce” provided the CO and his staff an opportunity to understand the on-the-ground situation and to get a sense of the subtle differences between the villages.

The activity began with an Afghan National Army (ANA) led patrol to Sajawul where the party met with key locals over a chai tea to continue shura discussions about security and development in the area.

During the meetings, MTF1 personnel obtained a clearer understanding of the development projects that could be undertaken by the local population with appropriate funding and equipment.

Previous Australian contingents in the Sajawul area set a solid framework for ongoing community support and participation with local tribal elders demonstrating a high level of trust and faith in the MTF, ANA and ISAF.

MTF1 is focused on enhancing relationships with the local people with a view to expanding security and expanding opportunities for wider local development.

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Afghan and First Mentoring Task Force soldiers head out from Patrol Base Qudus to conduct a reconnaissance of Sajawul and Khuajem Ahmad in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain and Regimental Sergeant Major of the First Mentoring Task Force, Warrant Officer Class One, Stephan Colman cross an aqueduct in the village of Sajawul.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Happy Birthday - Major Colin Morrison from the First Mentoring Task Force, patrols the green zone of Sajawul on his 33rd birthday.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Captain Julian Hohnen from the First Mentoring Task Force, patrols across the green zone in the village of Sajawul.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Sergeant Mike Toorn from the Royal Netherlands Army gives out some toys for the children of Sajawul, whilst on a joint patrol in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain enjoys a cup of local chai tea with key leaders of Sajawul in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Out the Front - An Afghan National Army soldier holds ground, by providing security during a brief visit to the key leaders of Sajawul in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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A brighter future - A young Afghan child dressed in a Afghan National Police uniform poses for the camera during a brief stop in the village of Sajawul in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Major Colin Morrison provides overwatch as Captain Julian Hohnen from the First Mentoring Task Force advances over a bridge crossing in the Baluchi Valley.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain and Regimental Sergeant Major of the First Mentoring Task Force, Warrant Officer Class One, Stephan Colman cross an aqueduct in the village of Khuajem Ahmad.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Regimental Sergeant Major of the First Mentoring Task Force, Warrant Officer Class One, Stephan Colman patrols through the green zone of Khuajem Ahmad in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Major's Colin Morrison and Damien Green from the First Mentoring Task Force, on patrol in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Corporal Daniel Luxford from the First Mentoring Task Force, keeps a watchful eye local farmers as they pass by in the village of Khuajem Ahmad.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Dundee Style - Corporal Daniel Luxford from the First Mentoring Task Force, pushes some sheep away during a patrol in the village of Khuajem Ahmad.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Afghan soldiers lead the way - An Afghan National Army soldier pushes forward through the village of Khuajem Ahmad in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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An Afghan National Army soldier takes a well earned rest with soldiers from the First Mentoring Task Force in Khuajem Ahmad in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Soldiers from the First Mentoring Task Force and Afghan National Army, take a closer look at potential threats in the village of Khuajem Ahmad in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Afghan and First Mentoring Task Force officers and soldiers patrol through the village of Khuajem Ahmad in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Corporal Daniel Luxford from the First Mentoring Task Force, on patrol in Khuajem Ahmad in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Major Colin Morrison from the First Mentoring Task Force, pushes up and across the dasht, enroute to Patrol Base Qudus in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Senior officers and soldiers of the First Mentoring Task Force, on patrol in the Baluchi Valley Region.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Corporal Garry Francis, a medic with the First Mentoring Task Force, rests in the thick fields of wheat in the green zone of the Sajawul village.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Corporal Garry Francis, a medic with the First Mentoring Task Force, rests in the thick fields of wheat in the green zone of the Sajawul village.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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Major Justin Roderick from the First Mentoring Task Force, observing the beautiful ancient landscape of Afghanistan in Sajawul.

(Date taken: 11 March 2010)
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