Operation SLIPPER: Image Gallery
21 September 2006
Gigasat FF370 satellite dish
A contingent of some 200 Australian Defence Force personnel has arrived in Afghanistan as part of a Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Team under the NATO International Security Assistance Force's stage III expansion into southern Afghanistan.
Australia's contribution, known as the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), is a mix of engineers and security personnel deployed to Afghanistan for up to two years to work on reconstruction and community-based projects as part of Australia’s commitment to assisting Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future.
The Australian contingent will be preparing the camp, conducting planning for RTF construction and trade training projects, and setting up the logistics supply chain for when the main body arrives later in the year.
The majority of the task force is drawn from the Darwin area and made up of personnel from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, which will provide combat engineers and tradesmen (carpenters, plumbers, electricians and plant operators) that will undertake the majority of the RTF's construction activities. This includes skills training for the local population to ensure the benefits of the deployment continue well after our personnel have returned home.
The Australian protective force for the RTF is being provided by the Brisbane-based Motorised Infantry of the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, equipped with Bushmaster vehicles; the 5th/7th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (5/7 RAR), also with the Bushmaster; and the Darwin-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment with ASLAV light armoured vehicles. Command, logistics and support elements have come from the Darwin-based 1st Brigade.
| 20060909adf8185016_0002 Corporal Liam Cooper installs the dish panels to the Gigasat FF370 satellite dish at the Australian Reconstruction Task Force camp in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060909adf8185016_0014 1st Combat Signals Regiment Corporal Matthew Scott makes the dusty walk to work at the Australian Reconstruction Task Force camp in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060909adf8185016_0028 Captain Stephen Medlin installs the dish panels to the Gigasat FF370 satellite dish at the Australian Reconstruction Task Force camp in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060909adf8185016_0038 Corporal Liam Cooper (right), Warrant Officer Class 2 Helen Brown (centre) and Captain Stephen Medlin (left) install dish panels to the Gigasat FF370 satellite dish at the Australian Reconstruction Task Force camp in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 September 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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