Image Gallery 2009
15 May 2009
Combined OMLT and Combat Team Operations.
The Baluchi Valley has been one of the key Areas of Operations for the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF – 1) and during the first week of May, the focus on security operations continued.
1 Platoon from Combat Team Tusk moved to Patrol Base Qudus, located near the mouth of the Baluchi Valley to support an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) and Afghan National Army missions in that area.
The combined MRTF – 1 and ANA forces conducted a number of cordon and searches, targeting compounds of interest, local dwellings that are suspected of harbouring Taliban weapons caches and explosives.
Utilising Afghan Army Engineers, trained by the Australian forces, the soldiers from both nations secured the area before searches were conducted.
| 20090504adf8185016_0046 An Afghan summer storm breaks over a 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle during operations in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 04 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090505adf8185016_0015 Australian mentored Afghan National Army Engineers, search an overwatch position for Improvised Explosive Devices during partnered Australian and Afghan Army missions in the Baluchi Valley. (Date taken: 05 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090505adf8185016_0029 Two Afghan villagers watch on, as Afghan National Army soldiers and their Australian partners patrol through the Baluchi Valley in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 05 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090505adf8185016_0077 A soldier from the Afghan National Army carrying his M16 rifle and spare RPG rounds, during a patrol with an Australian Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team and soldiers from Combat Team Tusk. Both organizations are force elements of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force. (Date taken: 05 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090505adf8185016_0161 Australian Explosive Detection Dog “Storm” and his handler, Corporal John Cannon, search an area of the Baluchi Valley for any insurgent weapons or explosives caches. The area they are searching is the remains of a compound destroyed by close air support during the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force’s contact with insurgents in the Kakarak region,on 12th April 2009. (Date taken: 05 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090505adf8185016_0180 An Australian and Afghan Army security cordon provides protection during a compound search in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 05 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0013 A Patrol Base with a view. An Australian soldier from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force mans a tower at Patrol Base Qudus, overlooking the Baluchi Valley in Uruzgan Province, as an International Security Assistance Force CH-47 Chinook helicopter flies away from the base after conducting a re-supply. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0015 With an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle providing protective support, Private Michael Callaghan, from 1 Platoon, Combat Team Tusk prepares to step off during a cordon and search patrol. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0025 Bombardier Ryan Ohnemus (left) and Gunner Daryl Tate (right) establish communications as Platoon 1 of Combat Team Tusk moves off to commence a mission in support of the Afghan National Army and their Australian mentors in the Baluchi Valley. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0036 Corporal Christopher Phillis scans his arcs as he and fellow members of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force’s Combat Team Tusk move through a village in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0121 A young Afghan looks on with interest as Sapper Jacob Gatt patrols through his village in the Baluchi Valley. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0127 Captain Benjamin Woolmer consults with one the Afghan National Army soldiers, he and his team are mentoring during joint operations in the Baluchi Valley, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0144 Australian and Afghan soldiers chat with a local villager as his compound is searched for insurgent weapons or explosive caches during a mission in the Baluchi Valley, Uruzgan Province. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0148 Australian and Afghan soldiers chat with a local villager as his compound is searched for insurgent weapons or explosive caches during a mission in the Baluchi Valley, Uruzgan Province. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0154 Young Afghans watch on as members of an Australian Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team conduct partnered operations with the Afghan National Army in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0183 Soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force conduct last minute discussions with an Afghan Army Officer during joint operations in the Baluchi Valley. The soldiers are about to conduct a search of a compound of interest. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0194 Corporal Michael Cole (centre right) discusses the upcoming search of a compound in the Baluchi Valley with one of the Afghan National Army Engineers he has been responsible for mentoring. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0201 An Australian Army Engineer from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force prepares to search a quala using his mine detector. The search is targeted to find insurgent weapons and explosives, hidden throughout the Baluchi Valley region of Uruzgan Province. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20090507adf8185016_0205 Sapper Jacob Gatt, an Australian Army Engineer from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Forces, emerges from an Afghan compound after completing his search for insurgent weapons caches during a mission in the Baluchi Valley. (Date taken: 07 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
