Operation SLIPPER: Image Gallery
22 November 2006
Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd visits troops in southern Afghanistan
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.
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 based in Darwin 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 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.
| 20061106adf8185016_0022 An Australian C130J-30 Hercules taxies around after landing in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061106adf8185016_0031 Dutch Reconstruction Task Force soldiers disembark an Australian C130J-30 Hercules on the ground in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061106adf8185016_0037 1st Reconstruction Task Force Major Brent Maddock (left) welcomes Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd (right) to southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061106adf8185016_0051 1st Reconstruction Task Force Air Field Engineer, Squadron Leader Epeli Naivalu (right) chats with Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd (left) about current air operations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061106adf8185016_0062 1st Reconstruction Task Force Major Brent Maddock (left) updates Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd (right) about current operations in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 November 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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