Image Gallery 2009
28 July 2009
Chief of Defence Visits his Troops in Afghanistan
The Chief of the Defence Force has made a flying visit to the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-2) and visited soldiers in a remote patrol base.
Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston was joined by Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East, Major General Mark Kelly, Major General Ash Power and Brigadier Wayne Budd.
The CDF received a brief from the Commanding Officer of MRTF-2, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Connolly, before boarding a CH-47 and flying to FOB Mirwais.
The CDF and other senior staff met members of 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.
The visitors also met with members of the Afghan National Army and received a brief about their operations.
After the visit to the patrol base, the CDF and others shared a BBQ with soldiers serving at FOB Ripley in Tarin Kowt.
There are around 600 soldiers currently serving in the 1 RAR Battle Group which forms the second rotation of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force.
Apart from security operations and training the ANSF, MRTF-2 also manages construction works in Uruzgan Province.
| 20090724adf8239716_016 Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 2, Commanding Officer (CO) Lieutenant Colonel Peter Connolly (right) greets the Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston (left) and Major General Ash Power as they arrives MRTF2 HeadQuarters in Tarin Kowt, Southern Afghanistan. ((Date taken: 24 June 2009)) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090724adf8239716_040 Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston is greeted by Captain Simon Boxsell (far Left) with the Commanding Officer MRTF2 Lieutenant Colonel Peter Connelly (2nd Left) Afghan National Army 2nd Kandak Executive Officer (XO) Major Bashir Ahmid and the Middle East Area of Operations Commander, Major General Mark Kelly (far Right). ((Date taken: 24 June 2009)) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090724adf8239716_060 Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston meets Lance Corporal Aaron Kime at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mirwaise ((Date taken: 24 June 2009)) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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