Image Gallery 2008
25 March 2008
Latest Images from Operation SLIPPER
Since Australian troops forced the Taliban to retreat from near the Baluchi Pass in Afghanistan last month, the Aussie's have wasted no time in getting to know the locals and assessing their needs.
Special engagement teams from the Reconstruction Task Force operated from a newly constructed patrol base and quickly proved that friendly communication was the best way to break the ice with cautious locals.
With a shared sense of fun if not language, the diggers became particularly popular with local children who ran out to greet frequent patrols moving through the former Taliban strong-hold.
The Reconstruction Task Force (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.
| 20080228adf8252964_01058 A Shura (Afghan name for meeting) is held near Patrol Base Worsley in the Dorafshan region, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. The Shura was hosted by Commanding Officer, Reconstruction Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel David Wainwright, who is seated centre-left wearing a bush hat and facing the viewer's left. (Date taken: 28 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080310adf8252964_039 Combat Engineers from Reconstruction Task Force 3 build a culvert while conducting roadworks in the Dorafshan region of Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 10 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080310adf8252964_042 Infantry Platoon Commander Lieutenant Ben Watson of Reconstruction Task Force 3 makes a new friend during a goodwill patrol in the Dorafshan region of Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 10 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080310adf8252964_044 Security soldiers watch over Combat Engineers from Reconstruction Task Force 3 build a culvert during roadworks in the Dorafshan region of Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 10 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080310adf8252964_052 Infantry soldiers of Reconstruction Task Force 3 walk pass a sign of spring during a local engagement patrol in the Dorafshan region of Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 10 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080310adf8252964_055 Infantrymen Corporal Daniel Lobascher and Private Luke Hanlon, from Reconstruction Task Force 3 pause during a local engagement patrol in the Dorafshan region of Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 10 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080310adf8252964_074 A Reconstruction Task Force 3 soldier pauses to chat during a local engagement patrol in the Dorafshan region of Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 10 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080310adf8252964_084 Curious locals look on as Combat Engineers of Reconstruction Task Force 3 conduct roadworks in the Dorafshan region of Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 10 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080310adf8252964_136 Combat Engineer Lieutenant Michael McDonell of Reconstruction Task Force 3 makes a new friend as he supervises roadworks in the Dorafshan region of Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 10 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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