Image Gallery 2010

31 March 2010
Islamic New Year

On the evening of 20 March 2010, Officers and soldiers from the First Mentoring Task Force and members from the Dutch Task Force joined Afghan staff at the Multinational Base in Tarin Kot to celebrate the Afghan New Year and see in the year 1389 according to the Afghan calendar.

Celebrations included speeches, a traditional Afghan BBQ with kebabs, traditional dancing and music from an Afghan band that traveled from Kandahar especially for the occasion.

Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain attended the night’s festivities.

“I think the night was a great insight to Afghan culture. The way that they come together to celebrate a new year in the northern spring with its new growth, energy and optimism. The dance and music is all about bringing people together and starting the year on a positive note,” said LTCOL Blain.

“Looking at their dance and hearing the music and speeches it’s obvious that New Year’s is about letting go of the past and looking to the future,” LTCOL Blain said.

Once the music started, the local Afghan’s got the party going with traditional dancing, that saw not only the local Afghan’s participate but, but also Australian musician and Australian staff member ‘Fred’ Smith joining in with some songs and some interesting dance moves.

“I have been rehearsing with these musicians for a month now and we have found some common ground,” Mr Smith said.

The evening was a great success with Australian, Dutch and Afghans joining in the celebrations.

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Let the music play - Musicians play traditional Afghan music at Multinational Base - Tarin Kot during the Afghan New Years celebrations.

(Date taken: 24 March 2010)
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(L-R) Major James Field and Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain clap along with members from the Dutch Task Force to traditional Afghan music.

(Date taken: 24 March 2010)
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Local Afghans, employees at the base, dance to their traditional music during New Year's festivities at Multinational Base - Tarin Kot.

(Date taken: 24 March 2010)
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Conscious of the beat, drummers play to the dancing crowd during Afghan New Year's Eve celebrations at Multinational Base - Tarin Kot.

(Date taken: 20 March 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain, enjoys the festivities at Multinational Base - Tarin Kot.

(Date taken: 20 March 2010)
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(L-R) Captain Maartje Spoelstra from the Royal Netherlands Army and Australian musician Fred Smith jam with a traditional Afghan band during New Year's celebrations at Multinational Base - Tarin Kot.

(Date taken: 20 March 2010)
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Australian Musician Fred Smith plays a classic Australian hit to the Afghan New Year's Eve crowd Multinational Base - Tarin Kot.

(Date taken: 20 March 2010)
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Australian Musician Fred Smith and a local man dance to traditional Afghan music during celebrations of the Afghan New Year.

(Date taken: 20 March 2010)
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(L-R) Major James Field and Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain enjoy the traditional dancing at Multinational Base Tarin - Kowt.

(Date taken: 20 March 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain is served some local Afghan food during the celebrations at Multinational Base - Tarin Kot.

(Date taken: 20 March 2010)
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