Image Gallery 2007
16 March 2007
Prime Minister Mr John Howard visits 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'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 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 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and the Darwin-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Command, logistics and support elements have come from the Darwin-based 1st Brigade.
| 20070315adf8502859_051 Australian Prime Minister Mr John Howard is welcomed to southern Afghanistan by the Commanding Officer of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_061 A slightly different Prime Ministerial convoy. Prime Minister Mr John Howard and his party are moved through Kamp Holland, the home to the Australian and Dutch soldiers in Uruzgan Province, by Australian-made Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_091 Australian Prime Minister John Howard is welcomed by the Dutch Commander of the joint Australian/Netherland Task Force-Uruzgan (TF-U), Colonel Hans van Griensven, during a visit to Australian forces in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_103 Australian Prime Minister John Howard receives a warm welcome from deployed Diggers in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_110 Australian Prime Minister John Howard congratulates ISAF's Australian contingent on a job well done, during a suprise visit to their base in Tarin Kowt. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_139 Australian Prime Minister Mr John Howard is briefed on the Trade Training School - one of the 1st Reconstruction Force's many proud achievements. The school equips local Afghans with construction skills, investing in Afghanistan's future. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_165 Pleased with his troops' efforts, Australian Prime Minister John Howard experiences first-hand the positive outcomes being achieved for Afghans at the 1st Reconstruction Task Force's Trade Training School in Uruzgan province. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_173 Australian Prime Minister John Howard meets soldiers from the nations working with Australians in southern Afghanistan. American and Afghan officers take time to discuss the fantastic relationship they have with the men and women of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_186 Two Afghan National Army engineers meet Australian Prime Minister John Howard during his visit to southern Afghanistan. The Afghan soldiers are being trained and mentored by the Australian reconstruction forces and work side by side with their Digger colleagues to help rebuid this shattered country. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_198 Corporal Jeremy Armstrong of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force introduces Australian Prime Minister John Howard to the local students he is training in electric generator maintenance. Without an established electricity system, many in southern Afghanistan rely on generators to provide power to their homes, businesses and amenities. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_230 The leader of Australia John Howard and the leader of its troops in southern Afghanistan, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan, discuss the ongoing reconstruction efforts in the region. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_267 Surrounded by enthusiastic Australian Diggers, Prime Minister John Howard, Chief of the Australian Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and the 1st Reconstruction Task Force Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan take time out with the Aussies who are helping rebuild Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_268 Surrounded by enthusiastic Australian Diggers, the Prime Minister, the Chief of the Australian Defence Force and the 1st Reconstruction Task Force Commander take time out for a photo with the Aussies who are helping rebuild a shattered country. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_280 After his speech congratulating them on their efforts, the Australian soldiers warmly welcomed Prime Minister John Howard as he took time to personally thank them and accept their invitations for personal photographs. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_284 The smile says it all. An Australian Digger nearing the end of his tour is personally thanked by Prime Minister John Howard for his efforts and achievements of his colleagues during their reconstruction activities in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_293 Soldiers of the 1st Reconstruction task Force took the opportunity to meet Prime Minister John Howard, as he walked amongst them to thank them on behalf of Australia for their efforts in rebuilding Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_297 A g'day and a congratulations, as Prime Minister John Howard mingles with the soldiers of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force in Tarin Kowt. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_299 Soldiers from the 1st Reconstruction Task Force were thrilled with the opportunity to have their photo taken with their country's leader, during John Howard's visit to Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_319 Warrant Officer Class Two Andrew Gehrig asks Prime Minister John Howard to sign the border of the Australian Flag he has carried throughout his deployment in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_350 "Straight to the pool room". The opportunity for a photo with Prime Minister John Howard during his visit to their base in southern Afghanistan will be a memory many Australian reconstruction soldiers will long remember. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_370 "You have gone a long way to creating a new Afghanistan. I thank you and the nation thanks you for that," says Australian Prime Minister John Howard as he addresses members of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. Behind him is the Commander of the Australian task force, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_375 The Australian Prime Minister addresses the members of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force. Their Red Kangaroo insignia is widely recognised as symbolising a great contributer to the International Security Assistance Force working to rebuild Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070315adf8502859_415 His visit over, Prime Minister John Howard is farewelled as he heads towards a waiting Royal Australian Air Force Hercules as he continues his suprise visits to Australian forces working throughout Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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