Image Gallery 2010

16 July 2010
Patrol Base Transfer of Authority in Chorah Valley

"Having worked closely with Australian forces during the past four years, the Netherlands’ officially passed command of a patrol base in the Chorah Valley, Uruzgan Province, to the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Combined Team-Uruzgan (CT-U) last week.

The Dutch Government decided in December 2007 that its forces would be progressively withdrawn from Afghanistan throughout 2010, and this handover of command in Chorah signals the beginning of transition to a new phase of coalition operations in the region.

Under the new multinational construct 'Combined Team-Uruzgan’, Australia will work closely with US allies, Afghan forces and other International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) partners, including Singapore and Slovakia, to continue to build security and development in Uruzgan Province.

Following the ceremony, new Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Jennings attended a shura with his Dutch counterparts and local Chorah Valley community leaders.

The Australian Task Force has worked closely with the Dutch and the Afghan government on initiatives and projects in Tarin Kot, Chorah, Baluchi and Mirabad to bring economic benefits to the people of Uruzgan. The First Mentoring Task Force will continue to enhance and expand the capability of the Afghan National Army through increased mentoring support while also continuing its work with other agencies in reconstruction and development efforts.

As the Afghan National Army develops and security improves further development opportunities will be fostered for the people of Uruzgan.

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"Australian and Dutch soldiers stand to attention during the lowering of the Netherlands’ National Flag at a patrol base in the Chorah Valley which signalled the commencement of a new phase of operations in the region"

(Date taken: 28 June 2010)
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Dutch soldiers at the transfer of authority ceremony in the Chorah Valley region of Uruzgan Province.

(Date taken: 28 June 2010)
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"Australian and Dutch soldiers stand to attention during the lowering of the Netherlands’ National Flag at a patrol base in the Chorah Valley which signalled the commencement of a new phase of operations in the region"

(Date taken: 28 June 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Jennings (second from right), stands to attention during the lowering of the Netherlands’ National Flag at a patrol base in the Chorah Valley.

(Date taken: 28 June 2010)
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Australian, Dutch and Afghan soldiers make their way to a Chorah Valley shura following the patrol base handover of authority ceremony.

(Date taken: 28 June 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force Lieutenant Colonel Mark Jennings takes his first patrol as commander during a visit to the Chorah Valley region.

(Date taken: 28 June 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force Lieutenant Colonel Mark Jennings (right) takes part in a shura with local Chorah Valley leaders.

(Date taken: 28 June 2010)
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Australian and Dutch soldiers mix with Afghan community leaders at a shura in the Chorah Valley region.

(Date taken: 28 June 2010)
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Local Afghans pour tea for their guests at a shura in the Chorah Valley region.

(Date taken: 28 June 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force Lieutenant Colonel Mark Jennings (right) takes part in a shura with local Chorah Valley leaders.

(Date taken: 28 June 2010)
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Commanding Officer of the First Mentoring Task Force Lieutenant Colonel Mark Jennings communicates via interpreter with one of Chorah Valley's community leaders.

(Date taken: 28 June 2010)
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