Image Gallery 2007
25 December 2007
Christmas carols for Reconstruction Task Force
Across the Middle East, Australian troops will celebrate Christmas Day 2007 with barbeques, sport and religious services. While security will be maintained as usual, there will also be time for celebrating, opening presents and talking with family back home.
Reconstruction Task Force Three (RTF-3) is the third rotation of Australian Defence Force reconstruction troops to Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, as part of Operation SLIPPER.
Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel David Wainwright, RTF-3 is a combined arms team, predominately using Army engineers with infantry and cavalry security elements to achieve its mission. RTF-3 is in partnership with the Netherlands Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and forms part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
RTF-3 concentrates on reconstruction, improvement of provincial infrastructure and community based projects. The RTF also provides trade training to the local population and military engineering training to the Afghan National Army.
The Task Force contains around 380 ADF personnel from predominately Queensland based units. It is equipped with Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV), Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) and armoured engineer plant equipment.
Operation SLIPPER is the ADF contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Operation SLIPPER is an important component of the Australian Government's commitment to working together with the international community to help prevent acts of terrorism around the world.
| 20071224adf8267338_083 Major Leigh Briggs (right) and Major Amanda Lye lend their voices to Reconstruction Task Force Three’s Carols by Candlelight service on Christmas Eve 2007. The service was held in the Australian’s freight hangar and was well attended by the Diggers and their Dutch and American comrades-in-arms. (Date taken: 24 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071224adf8267338_087 Soldiers from Reconstruction Task Force Three gather in the Australian Defence Force’s freight hangar at Kamp Holland, in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, for a Carols by Candlelight service on Christmas Eve 2007. The service was well attended by the Diggers and their Dutch and American comrades-in-arms. (Date taken: 24 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071224adf8267338_131 Lieutenant Colonel David Wainwright, Commanding Officer of Reconstruction Task Force Three (left), Sapper Pat the Bear and Santa gather for a photo opportunity following the Reconstruction Task Force’s Carols by Candlelight service on Christmas Eve 2007. (Date taken: 24 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071224adf8267338_134 Corporal Benn Goulter catches up with his childhood as he says hello to Santa following the Reconstruction Task Force’s Carols by Candlelight service on Christmas Eve 2007. (Date taken: 24 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071224adf8267338_159 Santa's helpers Sapper Scott Ruehland (left) and Sapper Brendon Taylor catch up for a chat in the recreation hut following the Reconstruction Task Force’s Carols by Candlelight service on Christmas Eve 2007. (Date taken: 24 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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