Image Gallery 2007
29 March 2007
1st RTF bench press competition and final parade
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.
| 20070325adf8255272001 The weight-range winners of the Afghanistan based 1st Reconstruction Task Force bench press competition. From left: Corporal Andrew Foreman, Corporal Stefan Webb, Major Mark Ascough, Corporal Christopher Symes and Sapper Jason Grant. (Date taken: 25 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070325adf8255272004 Corporal Christopher Symes pushes his limits in the Afghanistan-based Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) bench press competion. The competion was held at the end of the 1st RTF deployment. Corporal Symes lifted an RTF record of 165kg in the event, taking out the open section. (Date taken: 25 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070325adf8255272014 An Australian soldier pushes his limits in the Afghanistan-based Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) bench press competion. The competion was held at the end of the 1st RTF deployment. Soldiers from the Darwin-based 7 RAR dominated the event. (Date taken: 25 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070325adf8255272021 Major Hugh Meggitt pushes his limits in the Afghanistan-based Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) bench press competion. The competion was held at the end of the 1st RTF deployment. Soldiers from the Darwin-based 7 RAR dominated the event. (Date taken: 25 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070325adf8255272030 Commanding Officer of the Afghanistan-based Reconstruction Task Force Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan addresses his troops at the completion of their deployment. He said they had worked incredibly hard to pioneer the way for follow-on Australian Task Forces and made a real and lasting contribution to the lives of the Afghan people in Uruzgan Province. (Date taken: 25 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070325adf8255272034 Commanding Officer of the Afghanistan-based Reconstruction Task Force Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan addresses his troops at the completion of their deployment. (Date taken: 25 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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