Image Gallery 2009
21 July 2009
Ramp Ceremony for Private Benjamin Ranaudo
Members of the 1st Battalion Battle Group have farewelled their mate, Private Benjamin Ranaudo, who was killed in Afghanistan on Saturday the 18th July.
The 22 year old died early in the morning while on operations north of Tarin Kowt. He was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED).
Private Ranaudo was a member of the Townsville based 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) and joined the Army just over three years ago.
He previously served in East Timor and during his deployment to Afghanistan, was a member of the Force Protection Combat Team.
In a moving memorial service and ramp ceremony, Ben was remembered as a professional, well liked soldier who served with distinction.
Members of coalition forces lined the road to the runway, where the plane was waiting to take Ben home.
There are around 600 soldiers currently serving with the 1 RAR Battle Group which forms the second rotation of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-2).
MRTF-2 has been working closely with coalition partners and the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to ensure safety is improved in the lead up to the election, which will be held in August.
A key component of MRTF-2 is the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT), whose mission is to assist in the development and training of the 4th Brigade of the Afghan National Army. MRTF-2 and ANSF conduct joint operations against the Taliban in the Province.
Apart from security operations and training the ANSF, MRTF-2 also manages construction works in Uruzgan Province.
| 20090720adf8239716_043 The casket of Private Benjamin Ranaudo is dressed with the symbols of his military service, a slouch hat, bayonet and the Australian Flag at his memorial service at Tarin Kowt. Southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 20 July 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090720adf8239716_059 Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 2 (MRTF2) soldiers escort their mate Private Benjamin Ranaudo as his casket is moved by ASLAV to an awaiting aircraft for his final journey home. (Date taken: 20 July 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090720adf8239716_067 Members of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 2 (MRTF2) form a guard of honour and salute as Private Benjamin Ranaudo's casket is moved out to the airstrip at Tarin Kowt , Afghanistan. (Date taken: 20 July 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090720adf8239716_092 Members of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 2 (MRTF2) honour and say a sad farewell to Private Benjamin Ranaudo at a memorial service before his casket is carried to an awaiting aircraft to be flown home to his family. (Date taken: 20 July 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090720adf8239716_094 Members of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 2 (MRTF2) honour and say a sad farewell to Private Benjamin Ranaudo as his mates from his section carry him to an awaiting aircraft to be flown home to his family. (Date taken: 20 July 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090720adf8239716_101 The casket of Private Benjamin Ranaudo is carried by his fellow section members of Combat Team Alpha through an international Honour Guard to an awaiting aircraft to begin his journey home. (Date taken: 20 July 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090720adf8239716_103 Members of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 2 (MRTF2) honour and say a sad farewell to Private Benjamin Ranaudo at a memorial service before his casket is carried to an awaiting aircraft to be flown home to his family. (Date taken: 20 July 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090720adf8239716_113 The casket of Private Benjamin Ranaudo is carried by his fellow section members of Combat Team Alpha, international Honour Guard to an awaiting aircraft to begin his journey home. (Date taken: 20 July 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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