Image Gallery 2009
22 July 2009
Aussie rotary wing at Kandahar airfield
Two Australian Army CH-47D Chinook Medium Lift Helicopters (MLH) based at Kandahar Airfield as part of the Australian Defence Force’s commitment to coalition operations in southern Afghanistan.
The Chinook is a very versatile and reliable aircraft that is used extensively to support special operations, troop movement and combat resupply to various camps and forward operating bases (FOB) in southern Afghanistan.
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.
| 20090618adf8083167_001 In the early hours of the morning, an Australian CH-47 Chinook is prepared for a combat resupply mission to forward operating bases (FOB) in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_005 A CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH) waits in the predawn light to be loaded with the flight crew's gear, before departing on a combat resupply mission in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_008 Corporal Nathan Matthews, a CH-47D Chinook aircrewman, prepares his M134 Dillan 6-barrel mini-gun in the early morning prior to a combat resupply mission to forward operating bases in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_009 Corporal Nathan Matthews, a CH-47D Chinook aircrewman, makes preparations in the early morning prior to a combat resupply mission to forward operating bases in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_011 Captain Naomi Rogusz, flight captain for a CH-47D Chinook combat resupply mission in southern Afghanistan, briefs the flight crews prior to departing Kandahar airfield for the mission. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_021 Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Maloney begins loading personal baggage for personnel from the Netherlands being transported to Tarin Kowt. The Australian Chinook aircraft and their crews support coalition as well as Australian requirements in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_030 Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Maloney, on the ramp at the rear of a CH-47D Chinook as it taxis out to the runway at Kandahar Airfield. A second Chinook follows as they prepare to depart on a combat resupply mission to forward operating bases in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_037 Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Maloney sits besides a MAG58 machine gun on the cargo ramp of an Australian CH-47D Chinook as it departs Kandahar Airfield on a combat resupply mission in southern Afghanistan. In the background, a second Chinook leaves the runway; due to the inherant danger in operations in Afghanistan, helicopters always operate in tandem. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_062 At a forward operating base (FOB) in southern Afghanistan, Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Maloney waits for supplies to arrive which he will supervise being loaded in the back of a CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH). At some FOBs, this process has to occur quickly due to the threat posed by indirect fire attacks by the insurgency. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_065 Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Maloney guides the loading of a Ford utility vehicle into the cargo area of a CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopter (MLH). The ability of the aircraft to carry such loads, makes it one of the most versatile aircraft in theatre. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_067 Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Maloney, directs the loading of a Ford utility vehicle into the cargo hold of an Australian CH-47D Chinook during a combat resupply mission in southern Afghanistan. The ability of the Chinook to carry such a variety of loads makes it an invaluable asset in the conduct of operations in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_070 Having just directed the loading of a Ford utility vehicle into the cargo hold of an Australian CH-47D Chinook helicopter, Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Maloney moves quickly to enable the aircraft to continue onto it's next location. In one resupply mission, the aircraft will visit a number of forward operating bases (FOB) and at each location, it is important that the aircraft spends as little time as possible on the ground. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_108 Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Maloney is ever watchful manning the ramp gunner position of an Australian CH-47D Chinook helicopter as it flys low over a traditional Afghan village in southern Afghanistan. The Chinook was conducting a combat resupply mission to forward operating bases (FOB) in Uruzgan province. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_144 An Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier exits an Australian CH-47D Chinook with his weapons and personal gear having been transported from an ANA manned forward operating base (FOB). In the background, Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Maloney refuels the aircraft in preparation for further resupply runs to FOBs in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_158 At a forward operating base (FOB) in southern Afghanistan, Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Maloney coordinates and assists with the loading of supplies which will be delivered with troops, to an Afghan National Army (ANA) manned FOB. The combat resupply missions conducted by the Chinooks and their crews are vital to ability of the more isolated FOBs in continuing their mission. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_174 Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Maloney with his MAG-58 machine gun at the ready as the CH-47D Chinook passes low over a 'green belt' area in southern Afghanistan during a combat resupply mission. The so-called 'green belt' is a haven for insurgents in Afghanistan and the crews must be particularly vigilant when their flight path takes them over these areas. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_179 An Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier moves with a sense of urgency as he exits an Australian CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Anaconda in southern Afghanistan. FOB Anaconda is remote base manned by the ANA and faces a constant and real threat of attack by the Taliban. The Chinook crews work quickly at such locations to load and unload troops and supplies at such locations. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_181 An Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier moves with a sense of urgency as he exits an Australian CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Anaconda in southern Afghanistan. FOB Anaconda is remote base manned by the ANA and faces a constant and real threat of attack by the Taliban. The Chinook crews work quickly at such locations to load and unload troops and supplies at such locations. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_189 Captain Naomi Rogusz, aircraft captain for a combat resupply mission in southern Afghanistan, briefs the crews of two Australian CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopters (MLH) prior to departure. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_190 Corporal Don Riddle calculating aircraft endurance based on a number of factors including payload, fuel and altitude prior to a CH-47D Chinook departing on a combat resupply mission to forward operating bases (FOB) in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_193 An Australian CH-47D and two United States CH-47F model Chinooks sit on the parking apron at Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan. The Australian 'D' models are due to be replaced shortly by recently acquired 'F' models. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_205 A CH-47D Chinook lifts off from Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan at the start of a combat resupply mission. The resupply missions are vital to the ability of forward operating bases (FOB) to maintain a presence in isolated areas and provide security for local Afghan communities. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_215 The mountainous terrain of Afghanistan dwarfs a CH-47D Chinook helicopter during a combat resupply mission in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_227 Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Maloney closes the fuel bay hatch on completion of refuelling at a main coalition forward operating base (FOB) in southern Afghanistan. During an extended mission, the aircraft will fuel a number of times depending on environmental conditions and the types of payload. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090618adf8083167_245 Corporal Nathan Matthews mans a M134 Dillan 6-barrel minigun on the starboard side of a CH-47D Chinook helicopter during a combat resupply mission in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 June 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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