Image Gallery 2007
10 April 2007
Images from Operation SLIPPER
More than 100 Australian Defence Force personnel have been operating from Kandahar Air Field, in southern Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission to rebuild the troubled country. The personnel who made up Australian Task Group 633.7 were part of Operation SLIPPER, Australia’s ongoing mission to support the Government of Afghanistan and to facilitate a secure and stable future for the Afghan people.
The majority of the Task Group was drawn from Townsville’s 5th Aviation Regiment. Task Group 633.7 operated two CH-47D Chinook helicopters, which were utilised in support of combat and logistical operations. The Chinooks are part of a coalition air support group, originally designated Task Force Knighthawk and later Task Force Corsair. The majority of the Task Force’s aircraft are drawn from the American Army.
The Chinooks began missions in March 2006 and flew their last mission on 30 March 2007.
Commander of both the first and last Chinook rotations Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Humphreys said the professionalism and work ethic of the men and women of the Chinook detachment has earned the respect and admiration of our coalition partners.
"Our aircrew, support personnel and our aircraft are world class and second to none, they have proved this time and time again. Pound for pound we have flown more missions than our partners, carried more material and personnel. This achievement was a result of the close working relationships between the US Army Aviation Task Force, our Australian Diggers and the other ISAF coalition partners with whom we have served. That the task group achieved all this in a high threat environment is a testament to the Australian Army aviators and the personnel that support them," LtCol Humphreys said.
Read media release: RETURN OF CH-47 DETACHMENT
| 20070331adf8502859_005 Craftsman Nick Baxter dismantling one of the Australian Chinooks. (Date taken: 30 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070331adf8502859_060 Corporal Kevin Tobias, a member of the Technical Support Troop in southern Afghansitan. (Date taken: 30 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070331adf8502859_062 Corporal Kevin Tobias cleans down components of a CH47 prior to shipping back to Australia. (Date taken: 30 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070331adf8502859_067 Craftsman Nick Baxter wraps electrical components of the Chinook prior to its return to Australia. (Date taken: 31 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070331adf8502859_085 Craftsman Nick Baxter, one of the Technical Support Troop who kept the Chinooks flying over southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 31 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070331adf8502859_101 Craftsman Mick Kinley cuts the lock wires on a rotorblade in preparation for the aircrafts shipping to Australia. (Date taken: 31 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070331adf8502859_109 Craftsman Paul King from the 5th Aviation regiment, serving in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 31 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070331adf8502859_278 Craftsman Nick Baxter prepares to remove the forward fairing on a Chinook. (Date taken: 31 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070331adf8502859_326 Corporal Simon Ramsay and Craftsman Jason Buttigieg inside a Chinook as they work to dismantle it throughout the night. (Date taken: 31 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070331adf8502859_341 Corporal Jayson Vimpani works in the aft engine area of a CH47 in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 31 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070331adf8502859_352 Corporal Simon Ramsay working on the aft pylon of a CH47 in Kandahar. (Date taken: 31 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070331adf8502859_359 Craftsman Mark Marotta and Corporal Trevlyn Green work on the drive shaft of an Australian CH47 on the flight line in Kandahar. (Date taken: 31 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070331adf8502859_407 Corporal Simon Ramsay working through the night to dismantle a CH47. (Date taken: 31 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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