Image Gallery 2009
22 July 2009
Local man fights alongside Afghan colleagues in battle against terrorists
The role of the OMLT is to mentor the ANA by working alongside them to help increase their confidence, to turn men into soldiers and soldiers into leaders.
Australian soldiers eat, sleep, work, train and fight alongside them, providing guidance as required.
The camaraderie between the Afghan and Australian soldiers is strong. If not out patrolling amongst the people of Uruzgan Province, significant time is spent in patrol bases playing soccer, kicking a football, playing volleyball and teaching the local language to the Australians. The ANA are also very interested in learning English and Australian culture.
The OMLT operates throughout Uruzgan Province, stationed in small patrol bases spread across the Baluchi, Chora and Mirabad areas.
Operation SLIPPER is Australia's military contribution to coalition efforts against international terrorism. Under this operation our forces contribute to the efforts of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, aimed at preventing Afghanistan again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists, and the United States-led International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT) efforts in the broader Middle East.
| 20090629adf000000_002 Key staff that make the Afghan National Army (ANA) Australian mentoring program work, from left to right. LTCOL Abdul Wasi, MAJ Bashir Ahmad and MAJ Brenton Russell. (Date taken: 29 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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