Image Gallery 2008
26 February 2008
Forward Operating Base established in Chora Valley
For 35 days in the Afghan winter the Australian soldiers of Reconstruction Task Force 3 and their Afghan National Army (ANA) allies were responsible for the construction of an ANA Forward Operating Base (FOB) and provision of security in Afghanistan’s strategic Chora Valley.
Australia has deployed an ADF Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), consisting of a combined arms team, to the 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.
| 20080128adf8248214_017 A group of soldiers from Reconstruction Task Force 3 huddle around a fire during one of the colder days of operations in the Chora region of Afghanistan. (Date taken: 29 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080128adf8248214_054 A soldier from the Afghan National Army and Sapper Brian Van Etten carry wooden beams on a worksite in the town of Chora, Afghanistan. Sapper Van Etten is from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment in Australia and is serving in Afghanistan with Reconstruction Task Force 3. (Date taken: 29 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080129adf8248214_023 A soldier from Reconstruction Task Force 3 patrols against the rugged and snow-covered mountains of the Chora region of Afghanistan. (Date taken: 29 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080129adf8248214_042 Sergeant Lloyd Brandon (2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment) examines a frozen water catchment while on patrol in the Chora region of Afghanistan. He is serving in Afghanistan with Reconstruction Task Force 3. (Date taken: 29 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080129adf8248214_051 Lieutenant Ben Watson (2nd Battalion Royal Ausralian Regiment), deployed to Afghanistan with Reconstruction Task Force 3, speaks to a local man through the use of an interpreter whilst on patrol in the Chora region of Afghanistan. (Date taken: 29 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080130adf8248214_023 Sapper Brian Van Etten (3rd Combat Engineer Regiment ) sweeps for mines while on patrol in the Chora region of Afghanistan. Sapper Van Etten is deployed with Reconstruction Task Force 3. (Date taken: 29 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080130adf8248214_085 A pair of 81mm mortars from Mortar Platoon of the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment fire simultaneously during operation in the Chora region of Afghanistan. The men and their weapons are serving with Reconstruction Task Force 3. (Date taken: 29 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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