Operation SLIPPER: Image Gallery
07 November 2006
1st Reconstruction Task Force TK Derby Carnival Donkey Race
A contingent of Australian Defence Force personnel is working in Afghanistan as part of the 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), will be a mix of engineers and security personnel deployed to Afghanistan for up to two years and will work on reconstruction and community-based projects as part of Australia’s commitment to assisting Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future.
The majority of the task force will be 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) to undertake the majority of the RTF’s construction activities. This will include 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, 5/7 Royal Australian Regiment and the Darwin-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Command, logistics and support elements have come from the Darwin-based 1st Brigade.
Read Release: Deployed personnel mark Melbourne Cup
Listen to the comments by The Director General Public Affairs on the Melbourne Cup.
| 20061106adf8185016_0089 Sergeant Ben Mitchell (right) volunteers as field marshal for the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) Workshop entry into the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's TK Derby carnival donkey race. The TK Derby is part of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Melbourne Cup celebrations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20061106adf8185016_0106 1st Reconstruction Task Force jockeys Sapper Tim Lee (rear) and Trooper Tim Brusch (front) stand by to mount up and contest the first TK Derby carnival donkey race. The TK Derby is part of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Melbourne Cup celebrations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20061106adf8185016_0127 False start, as 2nd Cavalry Regiment Trooper Tim Brush moves his donkey back to the starting line prior to the running of the first TK Derby carnival donkey race. The TK Derby is part of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Melbourne Cup celebrations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20061106adf8185016_0136 1st Reconstruction Task Force troops make last-minute alterations to their jockey’s colours with the name of their entry "Solutions" prior to the running of the first TK Derby carnival donkey race. The TK Derby is part of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Melbourne Cup celebrations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20061106adf8185016_0144 Riding for the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, jockey Trooper Tim Brush waits with his trusty steed prior to the running of the first TK Derby carnival donkey race. The TK Derby is part of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Melbourne Cup celebrations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20061106adf8185016_0162 And they're off and racing, as troops of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force contest the first TK Derby carnival donkey race. The TK Derby is part of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Melbourne Cup celebrations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20061106adf8185016_0165 And they're off and racing, as troops of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force contest the first TK Derby carnival donkey race. The TK Derby is part of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Melbourne Cup celebrations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20061106adf8185016_0166 Racing in the first TK Derby carnival donkey race, jockeys Sapper Tim Lee (front) and Lance Corporal Daniel Ellis (rear) try to make a late running as they fall behind the field after a slow start. The TK Derby is part of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Melbourne Cup celebrations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20061106adf8185016_0192 Go you good thing, as 1st Reconstruction Task Force Sapper Tim Lee (centre) leads the first TK Derby carnival donkey race. Moving up fast on the inside is 2nd Cavalry Regiment jockey Trooper Tim Brush (right). The TK Derby is part of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Melbourne Cup celebrations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20061106adf8185016_0206 Jockey Trooper Tim Brush celebrates with other members of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment after winning the first TK Derby carnival donkey race. The TK Derby is part of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Melbourne Cup celebrations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20061106adf8185016_0228 1st Reconstruction Task Force Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan (left) presents 2nd Cavalry Regiment jockey Trooper Tim Brush (right) with the TK Derby Cup after a perfect ride to win first TK Derby carnival donkey race. The TK Derby is part of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Melbourne Cup celebrations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20061106adf8185016_0233 2nd Cavalry Regiment jockey Trooper Tim Brush gets a spray down as he holds the TK Derby Cup up high, after winning the first TK Derby carnival donkey race. The TK Derby is part of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Melbourne Cup celebrations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
