Image Gallery 2007
22 October 2007
Aussie rock in Afghanistan
Under a new moon hanging low in the Afghan sky, Australian rock music and some raw Aussie humour kept the troops of the Reconstruction Task Force well entertained.
Doc Neeson, front man of the Angels joined with singer Alexis Fishman, the Sydney Army Band and comedian Gary Bradbury in the concert to the delight of troops who were appreciative of the entertainment variety to their tough operational schedule.
Coinciding with the concert, a three-day patrol that had ranged across the Tarin Kowt region, returned to base. While some of those exhausted diggers chose to rack-out, others, after their debrief, chose to rock out, joining their mates in dancing and singing along with the performers.
The co-located Dutch soldiers comprising Task Force Uruzgan (TFU) also appreciated the exposure to Australian culture though, as could be expected, appeared a little confused at some of the Aussie humour.
While the concert gave personnel an opportunity to relax, all still carried their unloaded weapons - a reminder that the troop’s Camp Holland home is a forward operating base located in a tough environment -one that demands eternal vigilance.
Doc Neeson’s song, "Am I ever going to see your face again" struck a particular chord with troops who face uncertainty every time they leave the wire.
The connection made, a new generation discovered the Angels' brand of hard rock and an older generation of soldiers was taken back to the 80s.
The artists, who have donated their services to the tour, had little rest before again winging their way forward by RAAF C-130 to find more troops to entertain.
| 20071019adf8252964_025 Alexis Fishman along with the Army Band Sydney, entertains the diggers at Camp Holland, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan during the Tour de Force tour. (Date taken: 19 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071019adf8252964_086 Doc Neeson of the Angels entertains the diggers at Camp Holland, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan during the Tour de Force tour. (Date taken: 19 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071019adf8252964_102 The diggers respond to Doc Neeson of the Angels as he entertained them at Camp Holland, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan during the Tour de Force tour. (Date taken: 19 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071019adf8252964_104 Sapper Jason Taylor of the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment goes wild during the Tour de Force concert. Jason is a long standing fan of Doc Neeson and the Angels since he met them in East Timor in 1999. (Date taken: 19 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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