Image Gallery 2007
09 March 2007
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_051 A Reconstruction Task Force convoy consisiting of armoured Mack trucks, a skid steer loader, a front-end loader and an excavator. All the vehicles have been specifically engineered and armoured to operate in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_058 The armoured plant convoy of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force moves through an Afghan village whilst on its way to another village, where the plant equipment will be utilised in essential rebuilding operations. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_066 On a rainy morning in Afghanistan, the armoured trucks and plant of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force roll out on their first mission "outside the wire". (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_070 Afghan locals gather and watch as armoured trucks and plant of the Australian Reconstruction Task Force arrives in their village to assist in essential reconstruction works. The vehicles can achieve in a day, construction that would take the locals, working by hand many weeks to complete. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_155 Australian and Afghan Army engineers work together using a newly-arrived armoured skid steer loader to mix the cement for the refurbishment of a local Mosque. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_156 Australian and Afghan Army engineers work together using a newly-arrived armoured skid steer loader to mix the cement for the refurbishment of a local Mosque. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_223 The Australian Reconstruction Task Force's armoured excavator is followed by the local's only plant equipment as they work together to improve this village in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_239 A local watches from on top of the walls being built to protect their village from flood waters as Australian armoured earth-moving equipment speeds up the construction process. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070226adf8502859_244 Lieutenant Adam Tull, one of the engineer troop commanders in Afghanistan, watches as Australia's first purpose-built and deployed armoured plant fleet works to improve local infrastructure in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 26 February 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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