Image Gallery 2009
25 February 2009
Operation Tura Ghar
The Baluchi Valley region has long been a sanctuary for insurgents and during January and February of 2009 nearly 800 Australian, Afghan and Dutch soldiers participated in Operation Tura Ghar to remove the insurgent threat and create a better security situation in the region.
Australian soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force including Combat Team Tusk and the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams, conducted partnered operations with the Afghan National Army (ANA) throughout the operation.
The Baluchi Valley is an area of rugged mountains, lush “green zones”, the desert-like ‘dascht’ and walled villages. The Australians and their ANA counterparts conducted operations in all these terrains through the wet and snowy conditions of an Afghan Winter.
| 20090109ara8502859_0103 Corporal Michael Cole of the Royal Australian Engineers, discusses operations with an Afghan National Army Engineer that he and his team have just trained. (Date taken: 09 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090109ara8502859_0123 A group of Australian soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force discuss upcoming operations for Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090109ara8502859_0145 An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle provides perimeter security at a patrol base, during Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090109ara8502859_0175 An Australian Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle moves into a patrol base in southern Afghanistan, during Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi Valley. (Date taken: 09 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090109ara8502859_0178 Sergeant Peter Piccinelli and Sergeant Michael Smith of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force discuss base improvements at one of the forward patrol bases in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090110ara8502859_0108 An Australian soldier of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force keeps a close eye on the valley below, as his fellow soldiers conduct patrols during Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 10 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090110ara8502859_0156 An Australian Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle sits above the Baluchi Valley in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan, during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 10 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090110ara8502859_0157 A Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle, from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, sits above the Baluchi Valley in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 10 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090110ara8502859_0162 Lance Corporal Tony Bubeck of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force mans the MAG-58 machine gun at the rear of a Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle during Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 10 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0113 A soldier from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force scans the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan as part of Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0114 An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle sits in over watch as infantry from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force patrol the Baluchi Valley village, southern Afghanistan during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0128 Sergeant Bernie Maus gives orders to Corporal Nathen Webb, both members of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, during Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0133 An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle and a Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle provide a "ring of steel" as Australian infantry conduct combat patrols in the Baluchi Valley during Operation Tura Ghar, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0139 Australian soldiers, from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force form a secure perimeter on a hill in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan, during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0144 Keeping a close eye on proceedings in the nearby village, an Australian Soldier from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force and an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle, conduct security operations in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0148 Captain Scott Klima and Sergeant Bernie Maus, informally discuss plans during Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0153 A Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force provides security for a dismounted patrol in the valley below, during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0183 Australian soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force descend from their overwatch position in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan, during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0191 Lance Corporal Corey Wooten of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, directs his soldiers as they enter a village in the Baluchi Valley during a patrol conducted as part of Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0193 Corporal Nathen Webbs of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force scans the area for any threat as he and his fellow soldiers patrol through a village in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0280 Captain Scott Klima, of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, checks the route, as his patrol return from a southern Afghan village to their armoured vehicles as part of Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0291 Lance Corporal Corey Wooten of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force keeps a close eye to the rear, as he and his patrol move through an Afghan village during Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0292 While local shop keepers watch on, Private Ben Godfrey, of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, moves through a village in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090111ara8502859_0318 Australian soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, climb the hills of the Baluchi Valley, towards the security of their armoured vehicles, during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 11 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0004 Soldiers and Engineers of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force descend from their overwatch position to commence patrolling as part of Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0017 Australian soldiers of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force fan out across the rugged countryside of the Baluchi Valley in Uruzgan Province during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0024 Private Karl Kiss of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, takes up position against a quala wall during a patrol in the Baluchi Valley in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0026 Soldiers of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force patrol through a "green zone" in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0031 Private Karl Kiss, of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, reports his platoon’s progress by radio as they patrol during Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0033 Sergeant Shane Kreusler, of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, scans the perimeter whilst his platoon occupies a cordon position in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0035 Private Corey Wooten of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, takes cover during a patrol in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0041 Private Timothy Byford and Private Michael O'Meara of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, move carefully through the "green zone" of the Baluchi Valley during a patrol in support of Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0046 Lieutenant Ashley Judd of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, reports on his patrol's progress during Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0047 Soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, Private Karl Kiss and Major Joshua Jardine, scan their arcs, as Lieutenant Ashley Judd radios his higher command, during a patrol in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0050 An Afghan farmer cleans out an irrigation channel while Private Corey Wooten of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force scans his arcs in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0055 Company Sergeant Major of Combat Team Tusk, Warrant Officer Class 2 Robert Bennett scans the tree lined green zone of the Baluchi Valley, during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0060 Lieutenant Shea Wines, the Nursing Officer of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, joins a patrol as part of Operation Tura Ghar in Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0065 Corporal Nathen Webb of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, checks his map during a combat patrol in southern Afghanistan, as part of Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0068 Private Luke Godfrey of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, keeps a sharp eye on the perimeter, as he and his patrol move through the Baluchi Valley in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0069 Private Paul Taylor, of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, during a patrol in southern Afghanistan, as part of Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0088 Lance Corporal Luke Bohm, of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, rests against a mud brick house during a patrol in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0090 Two Afghan children watch on, as Australian soldiers of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, patrol through their village in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0093 Australian soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force’s Combat Team Tusk, take up secure positions in the "green zone" of the Baluchi Valley, during Operation Tura Ghar. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0095 Private Darislav Besedin, of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, mans his F89 machine gun in a secure position during a patrol through the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0100 Private Beau Smith of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, during a patrol as part of Operation Tura Ghar in Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0103 Lieutenant Ashley Judd of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, during a rare moment of relaxation, whilst on patrol in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0178 Private Corey Wooten, of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, continues to scan his arcs, whilst interacting with local nationals during Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0223 Lieutenant Ashley Judd and Private Karl Kiss (foreground), of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task force, during a patrol which was part of Operation Tura Ghar in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090112ara8502859_0395 A lush “green zone” waterway provides a challenging obstacle for the soldiers of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force operating during the freezing Afghan Winter, in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 12 January 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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