Image Gallery 2010

31 March 2010
Sinha Patrol

With Afghan crops reaching knee high in the green zone, First Mentoring Task Force soldiers are increasing the patrol tempo in an effort to drive insurgents from local villages.

As a part of this effort, MTF1 soldiers from Patrol Base Atiq conducted a dismounted patrol through the village of Sinha in the Mirabad Valley Region on the 25th March 2010.

The patrol was designed to provide a security presence in the area and to demonstrate Australian and ANA commitment to disrupting insurgent activity.

During the patrol a shura was conducted with a local Malik (elder) of Sinha to discuss the security situation and development projects in the area. Basic health care was also provided to a young boy with a bruised knee.

Throughout most of Sinha the local people responded positively to the patrol with MTF troops receiving frequent smiles and waves.

The soldiers were also met by the typically inquisitive local children who are always ready for a chat.

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Soldiers from the First Mentoring Task Force prepare to leave on patrol through the Mirabad Valley Region at Patrol Base Atiq.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Private Arran Spinks from the First Mentoring Task Force patrols past a couple of local farmers in the Mirabad Valley Region.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Private Locke McConville from the First Mentoring Task Force patrols past some Afghan children in the Mirabad Valley Region.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Private Lucas Madruga from the First Mentoring Task Force provides security in the village of Sinha during a Shura with a local Malik.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Captain Paul Carter from the First Mentoring Task Force chats with the local Malik of Sinha in the Mirabad Valley Region.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Captain Paul Carter from the First Mentoring Task Force listens to the local Malik of Sinha in the Mirabad Valley Region during a Shura.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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(L-R) Lance Corporal David Payne and Corporal Adam Heemskerk from the First Mentoring Task Force take a rest in the village of Sinha during a Shura.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Corporal James Dwyer applies basic health care to a young Afghan child who has a bruised knee as Captain Paul Carter provides security in the Mirabad Valley Region.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Corporal James Dwyer from the First Mentoring Task Force shakes hands with a young Afghan child.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Corporal Adam Heemskerk from the First Mentoring Task Force takes up a firing position in the cover of the green zone of Sinha a village in the Mirabad Valley Region.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Private John Drake from the First Mentoring Task Force patrols the green zone of Sinha.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Private John Drake, Bombardier Glen Swain and Captain Paul Carter from the First Mentoring Task Force patrol through the green zone of Sinha.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Private Joshua Cavanagh from the First Mentoring Task Force patrols past some local Afghan children of Sinha in the Mirabad Valley Region.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Private Sam Kirley, Private John Drake, Bombardier Glen Swain and Gunner Ashley Kerr from the First Mentoring Task Force patrol along an aqueduct in the village of Sinha.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Corporal James Dwyer from the First Mentoring Task Force chats with some local Afghan children in the village of Sinha.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Corporal Adam Heemskerk from the First Mentoring Task Force send a message on the radio in the Mirabad Valley Region.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Private Lucas Madruga from the First Mentoring Task Force plays with the local Afghan children of Sinha.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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A local Afghan child poses for the camera in the village of Sinha.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Corporal Adam Heemskerk from the First Mentoring Task Force checks his compass for navigation in the knee high grass of Sinha.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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(L-R) Corporal Adam Heemskerk and Captain Paul Carter from the First Mentoring Task Force check map to ground in the Mirabad Valley Region.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Lance Corporal David Payne from the First Mentoring Task Force patrols through the green zone of Sinha.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Captain Paul Carter from the First Mentoring Task Force, sends a message on the radio while patrolling in the village of Sinha.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Private Sam Kirley, Private John Drake, Bombardier Glen Swain, Gunner Ashley Kerr and Private Joshua Cavanagh from the First Mentoring Task Force, take up firing positions in a field of wheat in the village of Sinha.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Bombardier Glen Swain patrols with (L-R) Gunner Ashley Kerr and Private Joshua Cavanagh in the green zone of Sinha a village in the Mirabad Valley Region.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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Soldiers from the First Mentoring Task Force reach the end of the green zone and head into the Dash on route back to Patrol Base Atiq.

(Date taken: 25 March 2010)
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