Image Gallery 2010
28 January 2010
SOTG Reaches Out to Remote Communities in Uruzgan
Patrolling among the isolated village communities in the mountains of Uruzgan Australia’s Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) is continuing to establish new and important bonds with the people.
With the onset of winter, the insurgents’ influence is still evident, requiring constant vigilance and focus from soldiers of Australia’s SOTG. Working with their partner unit, the Provincial Police Reserve (PPR), they are spending the winter pushing out to remote villages and snowy mountain valleys to engage with Afghans, providing them confidence in their Governments growing ability to provide for their basic needs such as medical, health and security requirements. This continues the SOTG’s population centric approach adopted in recent times in line with Commander ISAF’s intent.
Although only relatively short distances from Tarin Kowt as the crow flies, the mountain valleys cradling the communities of Garmab and Patan are over watched by 2000 metre mountainsides and only accessible by unreliable vehicle tracks. After crossing some difficult terrain by vehicle the SOTG and the PPR went in to both valleys on foot. Before their recent visits, Coalition forces had not visited these areas for years.
An important aspect of the visits was to assess community standards of health and access to medical care and to understand their social and security structures. Each small village is unique. far removed from town water and electricity these villages exist apart from some of the simple staples enjoyed by Uruzgan’s larger population centres.
Despite the fact they had no ready access to health facilities, the SOTG Medical Officer, Major G, said the people of the valleys were in relatively good health.
| 20091209adf8537195_001 Although only a relatively short distance from Tarin Kowt, the Garmab Valley is flanked by barren mountain sides. Here, members of Australia's Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) and local Afghan police access the area on foot. (Date taken: 09 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091209adf8537195_002 Members of Australia's Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) and local leaders take part in a shura - a traditional Afghan meeting - to build rapport between the SOTG and the communities of the Garmab Valley. (Date taken: 09 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091209adf8537195_003 A boy from the Garmab Valley smiles for the camera as his community elders take part in a shura - a traditional Afghan meeting - with members of Australia's Special Operations Task Group (SOTG). (Date taken: 09 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091209adf8537195_004 Children come out to see Australian Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) soldiers and local Afghan police pay a visit to their village. (Date taken: 09 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091209adf8537195_005 A young girl from the Garmab Valley looks on with caution and curiosity as members of Australia's Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) become the first coalition visitors to her village for the first time in two years. (Date taken: 09 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091209adf8537195_006 During a visit to the Garmab Valley by Australia's Special Operations Task Group, the SOTG took the opportunity to conduct a number of on-the-spot medical clinics. The Regimental Medical Officer of the SOTG said they were able to provide medical assistance to approximately eighty people during the visit. (Date taken: 09 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091209adf8537195_007 During a visit to the Garmab Valley by Australia's Special Operations Task Group, the SOTG took the opportunity to conduct a number of on-the-spot medical clinics. The Regimental Medical Officer of the SOTG said they were able to provide medical assistance to approximately eighty people during the visit. (Date taken: 09 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091209adf8537195_008 Soldiers from Australia's Special Operations Task Group visited the Garmab Valley recently to make a medical and security assesment of the area. Here a member of the SOTG shares his rations with local children. (Date taken: 09 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091209adf8537195_009 PUT IT THERE: A soldier from Australia's Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) shakes hands with the future leaders of the Garmab Valley during a visit to the area by the SOTG and local Afghan police. (Date taken: 09 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20091209adf8537195_010 An Australian soldier from the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) gives some water to a child from the Garmab Valley during a visit to the area by the SOTG and local Afghan police. (Date taken: 09 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20100108adf8255596003 Members from Australia's Special Operations Task Group access the area on the way Garmab Valley. (Date taken: 08 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| Product20100108adf8255596010 A soldier from Australia’s Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) makes his way down into the Patan Valley to provide community assistance through medical support and security assessments. (Date taken: 08 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| Pataan Product20100108adf8255596011 While Australia swelters in summer heat, soldiers from Australia’s Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in Afghanistan make the most of a winter wonderland. (Date taken: 08 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| Pataan Product20100108adf8255596013 In the snowbound valley of Patan, local boys are eager to speak with a soldier from Australia’s Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) (Date taken: 08 January 2010) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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