Image Gallery 2009
25 February 2009
Afghanistan - where our troops work
Afghanistan is a country of contrasts, harsh, yet beautiful, where our soldiers work in environments ranging from the desert to the lush green zones bordering the numerous waterways, which criss-cross the country. These green zones are heavily populated and adding to the complexity of the area, are the walled, almost fortified mud brick houses in which the locals live.
As well as the complex terrain, our troops face the extreme and contrasting weather of hot dry summers and freezing cold, wet winters.
| 20090109ara8502859_0006 An Australian supply convoy moves through Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan. The armoured trucks are carrying operational supplies and building materials for winterstation at a patrol base, north of the main Australian compound at Tarin Kowt. (Date taken: 09 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090109ara8502859_0056 An Australian Bushmaster and Australian Light Armoured Vehicles take up overwatch positions in the Baluchi Valley. The vehicles are moving in during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 09 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090109ara8502859_0059 The Australian flag flies proudly above an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle parked inside an Australian and Afghan patrol base in the Baluchi Valley, Uruzgan Province. The vehicle is part of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force mission to clear the area of insurgents during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 09 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090110ara8502859_0035 Sun rises over the imposing Afghan peaks that ring the Baluchi Valley in southern Afghanistan. The valley, north of the main Australian base at Tarin Kowt, is the area which was the focus of Operation Tura Ghar in early 2009. Some 800 Australian, Afghan and Dutch soldiers operated throughout the region to ensure a secure and stable future for the Afghan people living in the shadows of these mountains. (Date taken: 10 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090110ara8502859_0080 Afghanistan is a land shaped by towering mountains and valleys. At the centre of these valleys are the green zones, surrounded by the desert. (Date taken: 10 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090110ara8502859_0104 The Baluchi Valley, which lies north of the main Australian base at Tarin Kowt, was the focus of Operation Tura Ghar in early 2009. Soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force worked with the Afghan National Army and the Royal Dutch Army to clear the area of insurgents, thereby allowing essential reconstruction work to continue with a reduced threat to both coalition forces and local nationals. (Date taken: 10 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090110ara8502859_0148 On a chilly Afghan evening, the moon rises over the Baluchi Valley, where soldiers of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force are engaged in patrols as part of Operation Tura Ghar. The Afghan landscape is awe inspiring and beautiful, even for those working hard to ensure a better future for the people who inhabit this epic landscape. (Date taken: 10 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090110ara8502859_0152 As an Afghan evening approaches, Australian soldiers pause to take in the majestic view from their overwatch position in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 10 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090110ara8502859_0153 The Baluchi Valley in southern Afghanistan was the location of a major Australian, Afghan and Dutch mission in the early weeks of 2009. Soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force were amongst the 800 personnel who took part in Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 10 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502759_0039 Majestic snow capped Afghan mountains towered above the soldiers of the 1st Mentoring and reconstruction Task Force as they operated in the Baluchi Valley in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502759_0058 An Australian Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle negotiates the roads of the Baluchi Valley during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502759_0063 Snow capped mountains tower above a village in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0091 In a scene familiar to Australian soldiers operating in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan, a young boy carries his small sister though the area they have secured during their patrol. The Afghan children have no fear of the Australian soldiers and regularly approach them to receive a treat from the soldier's rations. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0169 A young local national is all smiles as he interacts with Australian soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, who are conducting patrols through his village in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0173 Local villagers, of all ages, are happy to chat with Australian soldiers as they patrol through their village in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. Private Corey Wooten, a member of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force continues to provide security for his patrol whilst chatting with the locals, who welcome the Australian presence and the security it provides their families. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0175 A farmer from the Baluchi Valley and some local children, chat with Australian soldiers as the patrol through their village during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0184 Private Luke Godfrey moves away from a local national and his bike. Private Godfrey had checked the heavily decorated bike and its owner, prior to letting them move through an Australian position in the Baluchi Valley. The soldier from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force was on patrol during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0188 An Afghan local moves his bike, decorated in the local style, past Private Luke Godfrey of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force. Private Godfrey and his fellow platoon members are conducting a patrol in the Baluchi Valley region of southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0388 A local farmer in the Baluchi Valley region of Uruzgan Province, goes about his daily business as a patrol from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force moves through his village. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090113ara8502859_0034 An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle makes its way past a Baluchi Valley compound during Operation Tura Ghar in southern Afghanistan. The Bushmaster is serving with the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force. (Date taken: 13 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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