Image Gallery 2007
18 October 2007
Handover ceremony RTF-2 to RTF-3
A ceremony was held on 12 October at Tarin Kowt, Southern Afghanistan marking the passing of the banner by the Australian soldiers of Reconstruction Task Force Two (RTF-2) to their fellow diggers from Reconstruction Task Force Three (RTF-3).
As the sun rose over the stark mountains of the Tarin Kowt, Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) Harry Jarvie, the Commanding Officer (CO) of RTF-2, praised the men and women under his command for their achievements during the past six months, namely several major construction projects. These ventures included medical centres, schools and bridges; projects that the Taliban were unable to stop with threats and, at times, determined acts of violence - all beaten off by the Australian diggers. "Our soldiers are magnificent," said LTCOL Jarvie.
LTCOL Wainwright, CO of RTF-3 said that the unit faced great challenges in the days ahead in working to the benefit of the people of Southern Afghanistan. "Our troops are focussed on the mission, they are ready and determined to make a difference for the better," he said.
Drawn from more than 20 units, the mainly Queensland-based soldiers are part of the engineer led RTF-3. The force consists of a combined arms battle group made up of armour, infantry, & combat engineers with logistic and specialist support. The goal is to ensure that every care is taken to provide for troop protection during the conduct of reconstruction projects.
| 20071012adf8252964_006 Commanding Officer of the 2nd Reconstruction Task Force (RTF-2) Lieutenant Colonel Harry Jarvie accepts a gift of appreciation from Commander Task Force Uruzgan Colonel Nico Geerts of the Dutch Armed Forces. During the handover ceremony the Dutch thanked the RTF- 2 for their work in Afghanistan and also expressed their remorse over the death of Trooper David Pearce. (Date taken: 12 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071012adf8252964_009 Regimental Sergeant Major of the 2nd Reconstruction Task Force (RTF-2), Warrant Officer Class 1 Noel Sean Channing Johansen lowers the RTF-2 flag for the last time at the Australian Forward Operating Base in Tarin Kowt during a handover ceremony from the men and women in RTF-3. (Date taken: 12 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071012adf8252964_012 Regimental Sergeant Major of the 3rd Reconstruction Task Force (RTF-3) Warrant Officer Class 1, Terry Mckeown raises the RTF-3 flag for the first time at the Australian Forward Operating Base in Tarin Kowt during a handover ceremony from the men and women of RTF-2. (Date taken: 12 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071012adf8252964_014 Commander Officer for the 3rd Reconstruction Task Force (RTF-3) Lieutenant Colonel David John Wainwright addresses the men and women of both RTF- 2 and 3 during a handover ceremony at the Tarin Kowt Forward Operating Base. (Date taken: 12 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071012adf8252964_016 (From left to right) Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the 3rd Reconstruction Task Force (RTF-3) Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Terry Mckeown, Commanding Officer (CO) for RTF-3 Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) David John Wainwright, CO RTF 2 L TCOL Harry James Jarvie and RSM RTF-2 WO1 Noel Sean Channing Johansen conduct a handover ceremony. (Date taken: 12 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071012adf8252964_024 (From left to right) Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the 3rd Reconstruction Task Force (RTF-3) Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Terry Mckeown, Commanding Officer (CO) for RTF-3 Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) David John Wainwright, CO RTF-2 L TCOL Harry James Jarvie and RSM RTF-2 WO1 Noel Sean Channing Johansen conduct a handover ceremony. (Date taken: 12 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071012adf8252964_025 (From left to right) Commanding Officer (CO) for 3rd Reconstruction Task Force (RTF-3) Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) David John Wainwright, Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) RTF-3 Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Terry Mckeown, Brigadier James Douglas Simpson, RSM RTF-2 WO1 Noel Sean Channing Johansen and CO RTF-2 L TCOL Harry James Jarvie at the handover ceremony. During the ceremony the RTF-2 flag was lowered for the last time and replaced by the flag of the incoming RTF-3. (Date taken: 12 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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