Image Gallery 2009
18 February 2009
Visiting Australian Patrol Bases in Chora Valley
Paying a visit on the outlying Australian Patrol Bases takes considerable effort with the threat of Insurgent activity on their minds, all who form part of a convoy going out to these bases are vigilant throughout the trip for any dangers. The trips invariably take a lot of time and there is a lot of dust, but the effort is worth it as the soldiers in these Bases look forward to catching up with mates, receive fresh rations and most of all the delivery of mail from home.
The 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-1) is engaged in construction works and the provision of mentoring and training for the Afghan National Army in Uruzgan Province. MRTF1 is comprised of engineers, mechanised infantry and cavalry from the Darwin-based 1st Brigade and is drawn mainly from the 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 1st Combat Engineer Regiment.
| 20090209adf8206488_010 Australian Bushmasters stopped on Route 51 on their way to the village Mirwais and Patrol Base Locke in the Chora Valley. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090209adf8206488_012 Australian Bushmasters stopped on Route 51, on their way to the village Mirwais and Patrol Base Locke in the Chora Valley. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090209adf8206488_017 Bushmaster driver, Warrant Office Class Two Dave Larkin, at the wheel on Route 51, on their way to the village Mirwais and Patrol Base Locke in the Chora Valley. Dave is from 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, in Darwin. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090209adf8206488_024 Australian Bushmasters and Australian Light Armoured Vehicles stopped on Route 51, on their way to the village Mirwais and Patrol Base Locke in the Chora Valley. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090209adf8206488_030 Crew Commander, Warrant Officer Class Two Stephen Sewell, has a look around on Route 51 while en route to the village Mirwais and Patrol Base Locke in the Chora Valley. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090209adf8206488_039 Australian Bushmasters and Australian Light Armoured Vehicles moving along Route 51, on their way to the village Mirwais and Patrol Base Locke in the Chora Valley. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090209adf8206488_057 At the end of a long day behind the wheel of an Australian Bushmaster, Warrant Office Class Two Dave Larkin from 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, in Darwin begins the job of cleaning off the accumulated dust. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090209adf8206488_061 Australian Bushmasters parked at Patrol Base Locke in the Chora Valley. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090209adf8206488_068 The visiting Commanding Officer of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-1) and members of the MRTF-2 advance party were welcomed with a formal dinner at Patrol Base Locke. Hosted by Jagran (equivalent to Major) Mohammed Aghan, Commander of the Afghan National Army 2nd Kandak based at Patrol Base Locke, the language barrier seemed not to be a hindrance to the occasion. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090209adf8206488_083 Commanding Officer of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-1), Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel (left), enjoys the formal welcome dinner at Patrol Base Locke. The welcome was hosted by Jagran (equivalent to Major) Mohammed Aghan, Commander of the Afghan National Army 2nd Kandak based at Patrol Base Locke. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090209adf8206488_084 Commanding Officer of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-1), Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel (left), shakes hands with Jagran (equivalent to Major) Mohammed Aghan, Commander of the Afghan National Army 2nd Kandak based at Patrol Base Locke, during a welcome dinner. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090209adf8206488_091 Corporal Jamin Nest from 1st Combat Engineer Regiment in Darwin takes a break to enjoy the sun, during a stop at Patrol Base Atiq in Uruzgan Province. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090209adf8206488_102 Lance Corporal Trent Goddard, from 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Darwin, gets a chance to read a favourite book during a stop at Patrol Base Atiq in the Uruzgan Province. (Date taken: 09 February 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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