Image Gallery 2009
17 February 2009
Bushmaster's set off for Zabol Province
With two essential bridges destroyed in Zabol Province, NATO command in Afghanistan, requested that the Australian 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF -1) move to the neighbouring Zabol Province to construct new bridges and thereby reopen the main supply route in southern Afghanistan.
Having made their final preparations at Kandahar Air Field, the Australian convoy made its journey northwards towards the first bridge site.
Upon arrival, the Task Force’s priority was to establish a security zone around the work area, and prepare their “homes” for the coming days in the unforgiving Afghan Winter.
| 20081213ara8502859_0007 Australian Protected Mobility Vehicles, better known as Bushmasters, leave Kandahar Air Field, southern Afghanistan, to make the dangerous journey to Zabol Province. The soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF -1) have been tasked with an essential mission to repair bridges on Afghanistan's Highway 1. (Date taken: 13 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081213ara8502859_0011 Warrant Officer Class 2, Ken Nelliman, commands an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle, as part of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF -1) mission to Zabol Province in southern Afghanistan. Warrant Officer Nelliman, serves with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and is originally from Townsville. (Date taken: 13 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081213ara8502859_0045 A 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF -1) Australian Light Armoured Vehicle, moves down Afghanistan's Highway 1. (Date taken: 13 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081213ara8502859_0080 During a pause in the convoy, Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1, Dave Allen utilises a Pashto speaking soldier to check on local contractors, who will assist the Australian Forces in the rebuilding of bridges destroyed along Afghanistan's essential Highway 1. (Date taken: 13 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081213ara8502859_0087 An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) is part of the Australian convoy moving to Zabol Province to rebuild essential bridges on Afghanistan's Highway 1. The ASLAV is leading the civilian vehicles employed to assist in the reconstruction mission. (Date taken: 13 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081213ara8502859_0162 A strange collection of travelling companions. An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle leads a convoy of Afghan vehicles employed by the Australian forces, to support their mission of reconstruction in Zabol Province. (Date taken: 13 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081213ara8502859_0182 A 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR) pennant and the Australian flag, fly over some of the Bushmaster vehicles, on route from their home base in Uruzgan Province to their mission in the neighbouring Zabol region. (Date taken: 13 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081213ara8502859_0202 Breaking track- an Australian Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle, moves off Afghanistan's Highway 1, as it moves to an overwatch position to protect the first of two bridges that Australian forces have been tasked to repair in Zabol Province, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 13 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081213ara8502859_0222 In overwatch. An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) takes position in the security perimeter, guarding a reconstruction site in Zabol Province, southern Afghanistan. Below the ASLAV, local contractors move their trucks into postion to unload essential bridge building stores. (Date taken: 13 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081213ara8502859_0244 Royal Australian Engineers, from Darwin's 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, check for mines as a 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force mission moves into location to rebuild bridges destroyed on Afghanistan's Highway 1. The Engineers are aided by Scuba, an Explosive Detection Dog. The soldiers are from 5 section, 2nd Field Troop. From left to right, Sapper Garret Mazurek, Corporal Bryan Carr, Sapper Troy Croton, Sapper Zachary Hurst, Sapper Jacob Ruane and Lance Corporal Trent Goodwin. (Date taken: 13 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081213ara8502859_0285 Commanding Officer of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel, prepares his home for the next few nights. Many of the soldiers shell scrapes, were filled with good old fashioned Australian swags, to ward off the sub zero temperatures of the Afghan winter. (Date taken: 13 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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