Image Gallery 2009
18 June 2009
Ongoing Reconstruction
Whilst the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF -1), has been busily working as mentors for the Afghan National Army, the engineers of the 1st Field Squadron, have been working tirelessly, continuing the Australian mission to facilitate the reconstruction of Uruzgan Province.
The Works Team continues to manage reconstruction works across a wide range of required infrastructure – from schools to river crossings, Health Training Facilities to Health Centres. One primary project provides desperately needed medical facilities to the rural areas and a complementary facility, where the staff for this centre can be trained.
As their tour comes to an end, the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force moved from their main base in Tarin Kowt to the village of Sorkh Morgab to open a new Basic Health Centre, designed, funded and managed by the Australian Engineers and built by a local construction company. The facility is the latest to be opened in the area, following a new market, also developed as an Australian led reconstruction project. The Commanding Officer of the Battle Group, Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel likens the new facilities to having a major shopping centre being built in your suburb.
A school and mosque will eventually compliment the Basic Health Centre and the market. An Australian windmill spins above this impressive facility, providing a new water source for the locals as they enjoy their new civic and cultural hub.
Even as these projects are finished, the Engineers move further and further from the provincial capital and conduct reconnaissance on projects required in areas that are now experiencing the peace that the Australian mission is bringing to this corner of Afghanistan.
| 20090608adf8185016_0011 Private Bradley Halpin an Infantry soldier from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force’s Combat Team Tusk prepares to step off during a mission to inspect reconstruction projects and survey for future works. Private Halpin and his fellow platoon mates are tasked with providing security for the Australian Engineers, responsible for the reconstruction works in the region. (Date taken: 08 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090608adf8185016_0016 Private Damian Boxall patrols through a wheat field in Uruzgan Province during a reconstruction inspection and reconnaissance mission in support of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force. (Date taken: 08 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090608adf8185016_0035 Corporal Mark Tennent, an Australian Army Engineer, conducts survey readings in preparation for future reconstruction efforts in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 08 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090608adf8185016_0038 Captain James Scott (left) and soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force patrol through the Mirabad region of southern Afghanistan, during a mission to inspect reconstruction works and inspect the locations of future projects. (Date taken: 08 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090608adf8185016_0061 Local Afghan children go about their daily chores, oblivious to the Australian patrol from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, who are visiting their area in preparation for future reconstruction missions. (Date taken: 08 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090608adf8185016_0126 Australian soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, patrol through Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan Province. Towering above the soldiers is a billboard encouraging local farmers to grow wheat instead of opium poppies. (Date taken: 08 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090608adf8185016_0171 Private Daniel Sudweeks (centre), moves ahead of his fellow 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force soldiers during a reconstruction patrol in Uruzgan Province. (Date taken: 08 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090608adf8185016_0186 Captain James Scott, a Project Engineer with the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force moves across the Afghan countryside. Captain Scott is on this patrol to survey future reconstruction projects in Uruzgan Province. (Date taken: 08 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090608adf8185016_0229 Sergeant Ricky Morris stands knee deep in a rapid flowing Afghan stream as he and fellow engineers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force survey the location for a much needed river crossing in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 08 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090608adf8185016_0287 Private Reece Pearce, a soldier serving in Afghanistan with the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, patrols down a local street, during an engineer led patrol in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 08 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090608adf8185016_0305 Lieutenant Thomas Larter interacts with fascinated Afghan children as the soldiers of his platoon provide security for the Australian Engineers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force. (Date taken: 08 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090609adf8185016_0011 Commanding Officer of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel (centre) is warmly greeted by Afghan officials during the official opening of the Sorkh Morgab Basic Health Centre. Engineers under the Lieutenant Colonel’s command were responsible for managing the local contractors who built this much needed facility. With Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel is the Governor of Uruzgan Province, Assadullah Hamdam (right). (Date taken: 09 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090609adf8185016_0054 Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel (right), Commanding Officer of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, shares the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Sorkh Morgab Basic Health Centre with Afghan and Dutch Officials. The design, funding and management of the construction of the centre were the responsibility of Australian Engineers serving with the Task Force. (Date taken: 09 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090609adf8185016_0088 Captain Michael Thompson (left) and Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel (right) of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, discuss the newly opened Sorkh Morgab Basic Health Centre with a local Afghan health official. (Date taken: 09 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090609adf8185016_0089 Captain Michael Thompson (left), a Project Engineer with the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force chats with a local Afghan official during the official opening of the Sorkh Morgab Basic Health Centre in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090609adf8185016_0107 Australian soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force gather at the Sorkh Morgab Bazaar. The shops and the adjacent Basic Health Centre are reconstruction projects managed by the Australian Forces and opened during the eight months that the Task Force has been in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090609adf8185016_0110 Major Robert Cox (centre), the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force’s Liaison Officer with the Provincial Reconstruction Team discusses reconstruction work in the Sorkh Morgab area of Uruzgan Province. With Major Cox is the Governor of the Province, Assadullah Hamdam (right). (Date taken: 09 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090609adf8185016_0133 Private Daniel Sudweeks stands vigilant during the official opening of the Australian built Sorkh Morgab Basic Health Centre in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 09 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090609adf8185016_0151 Commanding Officer of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel congratulates a local Afghan engineer on the excellent work he had completed during the construction of the Sorkh Morgab Basic Health Centre. (Date taken: 09 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090609adf8185016_0170 Captain Michael Thompson (right), a Project Engineer with the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, discusses the Australian led reconstruction project in the Sorkh Morgab region of Uruzgan Province, with the Deputy Commander of Australian Forces in Afghanistan, Brigadier John Caligari (centre). (Date taken: 09 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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