Image Gallery 2007
29 October 2007
Aussies make connections with Afghan leaders
An Australian long range patrol from the Reconstruction Task Force focused on engagement with local Afghan leaders and communities along the Tiri Rud & Dorafshan Rud - major river systems that provide a lifeline to the people of Uruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan.
The emphasis on dialogue saw the troops involved in impromptu sit-down meetings, known locally as Shuras.
Liaision officer with the Provincial Reconstruction Team, Lieutenant Andrew Wegner said that the message coming strongly out of the Shuras was that the population wanted coalition forces to bring stability to the area.
"Concrete results and ongoing security is what the people of this province respond to; and that's our opportunity to supplant and degrade influence of the Taliban," Lieutenant Wegner said.
| 20071020adf8248214_047 A soldier from the 3rd Reconstruction Task Force covers the lower ground of an Afghan National Police checkpoint during a meeting between members of the Australian, Dutch, United States and Afghan forces. (Date taken: 20 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071020adf8248214_050 Members of Mortar Platoon 2nd Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment, as part of the 3rd Reconstruction Task Force, stand next to their mortar tubes ready to fire during a patrol in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 20 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071020adf8248214_066 An Infantry signaller from the 3rd Reconstruction Task Force shares a laugh with some locals at an Afghan National Police checkpoint during a joint Dutch, United States and Australian patrol in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 20 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071020adf8248214_086 A group of Bushamster Infantry Mobility Vehicles and ASLAV vehicles of the 3rd Reconstruction Task Force position themselves before nightfall during a joint Dutch, Australian and United States patrol in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 20 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071020adf8248214_091 Captain Robert Haertsch of the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, as part of the 3rd Reconstruction Task Force, makes notes for future construction while a group of Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles and ASLAVs lay parked during a patrol in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 20 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071020adf8248214_130 Private Travis Nicholson from Mortar Platoon 2nd Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment, as part of the 3rd Reconstruction Task Force, prepares a mortar post for night firing as members of the Afghan National Police conduct evening prayers during a joint United States, Dutch and Australian patrol in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 20 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071020adf8248214_169 Specialist Richard Reed of the 1st/263rd ARVN Armoured Battalion compares rations with Corporal Hagar Quirke of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment during a joint United States, Dutch and Australian patrol in the Uruzgan Province of Afghanistan. (Date taken: 20 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071020adf8248214_179 A returning ASLAV drives past a mortar section from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment in the early hours of the morning whilst out on a patrol in the Uruzgan Province of Afghanistan. (Date taken: 20 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071020adf8248214_200 Lieutenant Andrew Wegener from the 4th Field Regiment makes notes while Sergeant Major Leon de Groot of the Dutch Provincial Reconstruction Team stowes equipment during a short halt in the back of a Bushmater Infantry Mobility Vehicle during a joint United States, Dutch and Australian patrol in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 20 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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