Image Gallery 2007
07 March 2007
Latest images from Operation SLIPPER
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), is a mix of engineers, security and support 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 majority of the task force is 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 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, 7th Royal Australian Regiment and the Darwin-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Command, logistics and support elements have come from the Darwin-based 1st Brigade.
| 20070226adf8502859_099 The sun rises over Afghanistan as the Reconstruction Task Force pushes out on another mission to help rebuild the country. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_101 Australian ASLAVs and Bushmasters form up in their protective harbours, as they await the arrival of armoured plant equipment to commence works in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_106 Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan receives an update from his field commanders as he visits a patrol in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_130 Watched by local villagers and assisted by Afghan Army Engineers, Australian Army engineers work on mosque refurbishment in one of the villages in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_131 1st Reconstruction Task Force Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan discusses work progress with Major James Francis. The American officer is responsible for training the Afghan Army engineers, who are being mentored by their Australian counterparts. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_145 Private Josh Dowsing from the 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment is working as the platoon signaller in one of the security forces protecting the reconstruction efforts in Uruzgan Province. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_153 Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan engages Private Robert Curtayne in a conversation whilst on patrol in southern Afghanistan. The Lieutenant Colonel and the Private are at a local mosque that is being refurbished by Australian and Afghan Army engineers. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_213 A discussion of building requirements. Through sign language and interpreters, Sergeant "Barney" Hunt discusses with a local elder the final placement of gabion baskets, designed to better protect the man's village from flooding. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_226 An Australian soldier provides security for te Reconstruction Tack Force in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_238 An Australian soldier watches as a local works his field in a village where the Australians are helping rebuild infrustructure. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_275 An Afghan child finds a new playground in wire baskets which are part of the engineering works that the Australian Reconstruction Task Force is undertaken to help build a better future for his country. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_287 Lieutenant Tim Mogridge and his cavalry troops take a few moments of well-earned rest while on patrol in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_327 An Australian engineer and some local Aghan children. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_380 Afghan children gather to watch and befriend Australian soldiers who are providing security for the Australian engineers working in the village below. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_405 Private John Fillingham from the 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regment, with a fascinated Afghan child. Deployed Australian soldiers are known the world over for their warmth and compassion to locals and this is certainly the case in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_418 Another mission over. Members of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force move back through Tarin Kowt on their way home to Kamp Holland, their secure Forward Operating Base. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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