Image Gallery 2008
24 January 2008
Afghan Army base in Chora
Despite freezing temperatures, Australian soldiers have driven a wedge into Taliban territory by helping locals construct an Afghan Army base in Chora.
While the Dutch forces and Australian Reconstruction Task Force provide the security, and are involved in trade work and supervision, it’s the local Afghans who are contracted to do the actual building. In this environment the engineers focus on quality control & mentoring as well as bridging capability gaps such as the provision of heavy earth works.
The Reconstruction Task Force - 3 (RTF) consists of a combined arms team, located in Uruzgan Province in Southern Afghanistan as part of Operation SLIPPER. The RTF is in partnership with the Netherlands Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and forms part of the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force. The RTF has a clearly defined role to work 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. This type of assistance is designed to benefit the people of Uruzgan Province well into the future and form building blocks of a stable and prosperous community. The RTF contains around 370 ADF personnel from predominately Queensland based units. It includes elements to provide command, security, engineering, and administrative support and is equipped with Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV), Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) and armoured engineer plant equipment. Australia's contribution to ISAF is an important component of the Australian Government's commitment to assist Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future.
| 20071215adf8252964_093 Reconstruction Task Force - 3 (RTF-3) soldier Lance Corporal Joseph Rears speaks to locals in the Chora Valley Southern Afghanistan. The RTF are helping contstruct a Foward Operating Base (FOB) for the Afghan Army. (Date taken: 15 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071215adf8252964_103 Reconstruction Task Force -3 soldiers Sergeant Justin Smith & Lance Corporal Michael Crossley take a break during a patrol in their ASLAV in the Chora Valley Southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071215adf8252964_125 Reconstruction Task Force - 3 (RTF-3) Soldiers Sapper Scott Ruehland and Sapper Corrie Watson lay wire in the Chora Valley Southern Afghanistan. RTF-3 is helping to contstruct a Foward Operating Base (FOB) for the Afghan Army. (Date taken: 15 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071215adf8252964_154 Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) Soldier and works superviser Warrant Officer Matt Daldry oversees construction work at a school in Tarin Kowt Southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071215adf8252964_187 Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) construction engineer Captain Mick Koen shares a thumbs-up with local children in Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071215adf8252964_194 Reconstruction Task Force - 3 (RTF-3) construction engineer Captain Mick Koen discusses a project underway with a local man in Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071215adf8252964_203 Reconstruction Task Force - 3 (RTF-3) soldiers share a meal with locals in Tarin Kowt Southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 15 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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