Image Gallery 2008
19 May 2008
Reconstruction Task Force 4 operations in Baluchi Valley
Reconstruction Task Force 4 is expanding its operations north from its base in Tarin Kowt, building a series of patrol bases for use by ISAF and the Afghan National Police and Army. The Task Force is now operating regularly in the Baluchi Valley, an area of great strategic significance to the Taliban extremists in Uruzgan Province.
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 400 ADF personnel from predominately Brisbane and Sydney-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.
| 20080502adf8239682_041 RTF 4 soldiers conduct a vehicle check point near Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 02 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080502adf8239682_069 An RTF 4 soldier in the Green Zone near Tarin Kowt, keeps an eye on local farmers working in the area. (Date taken: 02 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080502adf8239682_101 An Australian soldier conducts a vehicle check point to enhance security for engineers working in the area. (Date taken: 02 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080502adf8239682_108 RTF 4 soldiers conduct a vehicle check point near Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 02 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080502adf8239682_261 A Reconstruction Task Force 4 convoy moves through the dusty plains to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 02 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8239682_129 Lieutenant Christopher Gilmore watches local children run to see Australian soldiers patrol past in Sorkh Morghab, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8239682_187 "Salaam Aleekum" (hello welcome): A little girl meets a soldier from RTF 4 on a patrol near Sorkh Morghab, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8239682_255 Lieutenant Christopher Gilmore watches as an Afghan boy takes tea into a meeting between RTF 4 officers and tribal leaders at Sorkh Morghab, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8239682_283 Lieutenant Christopher Gilmore, RTF 4, meets a local farmer in Sorkh Morghab, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8239682_326 Sergeant Philip Roberts, RTF 4, watches as a young Afghan boy brings a sheep out to graze in Shah Zafar, Uruzgan Province. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080503adf8239682_398 Australian soldiers talk to locals as they patrol near Forward Operating Base (FOB) Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 03 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080504adf8239682_012 Dutch and Australian soldiers prepare for a joint patrol near Forward Operating Base (FOB) Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 04 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080504adf8239682_021 Private Kaine Edwards from RTF 4 patrols the Green Zone near Forward Operating Base (FOB) Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 04 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080504adf8239682_080 Soldiers from RTF 4 patrol the mountains around Forward Operating Base (FOB) Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 04 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080504adf8239682_094 Soldiers from RTF 4 patrol the mountains around Forward Operating Base (FOB) Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 04 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080504adf8239682_115 Lance Corporal Sione Holani provides overwatch for soldiers patrolling the Green Zone near Forward Operating Base Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 04 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080506adf8239682_275 Australian Bushmasters provide security at the site for the new Forward Operating Base at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080506adf8239682_283 Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Yeaman, Commanding Officer RTF 4, assesses the site for the new Forward Operating Base, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 06 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_047 Private Thomas Saunders moves out on a patrol into the Green Zone near Forward Operating Base Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_118 Australian soldiers provide security as local leaders talked with about possible projects in the area around FOB Lyddiard, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_143 Captain Douglas McGuire and Major Andrew Dahl talk to tribal leaders about operations in the area around Forward Operating Base Lyddiard, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_167 Private Adam Tanner, RTF 4, amuses local kids during a patrol near FOB Lyddiard, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_182 Private Thomas Saunders, RTF 4, on patrol near FOB Lyddiard, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_194 Private Thomas Saunders provides security for his section as they patrol in the Green Zone near Forward Operating Base (FOB) Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_198 Lieutenant Matthew Dirago prepares to move whilst on patrol in the Green Zone near Forward Operating Base (FOB) Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_257 Private Adam Thomas, RTF 4, provides security whilst on patrol in the Green Zone near Forward Operating Base Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_268 A soldier from RTF 4 patrols the Green Zone near Forward Operating Base Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_292 Private Peter D'Angleo, RTF 4, takes position to support his platoon's movements through the Green Zone, Shah Zafar, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_314 Soldiers from RTF 4 patrol back to their overwatch position near Forward Operating Base (FOB) Worsley, at the entrance to the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_332 Major Andrew Dahl, IO RTF 4, talks to troops involved in an overwatch position after patrolling in Shah Zafar, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080507adf8239682_338 Private Adam Thomas (right) with Lance Corporal Daniel Jones (left) listen to a debrief by Lieutenant Matthew Dirago after an RTF 4 patrol in Shah Zafar, Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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