Image Gallery 2006
18 September 2006
Latest Images from Operation SLIPPER
An advanced party of 38 Australian Defence personnel has arrived in the Middle East to prepare a camp for the Australian Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.
The contingent of some 400 Australian Defence Personnel will be working in Afghanistan as part of the Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Team under the NATO International Security Assistance Force’s Stage III expansion into Southern Afghanistan.
Australia’s contribution, known as the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), is a mix of engineers and security personnel deployed to Afghanistan for up to 2 years and will work on reconstruction and community-based projects as part of Australia’s commitment to assisting Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future.
The majority of the task force has been drawn from the Darwin area and is made up of personnel from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment based in Darwin which provides combat engineers and tradesmen (carpenters, plumbers, electricians and plant operators) that undertake the majority of the RTF’s construction activities. This will include skills training for the local population to ensure the benefits of the deployment continue well after our personnel have returned home.
The Australian protective force for the RTF is being provided by the Brisbane based Motorised Infantry of the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, equipped with ‘Bushmaster vehicles, backed-up by the Darwin based 2nd Cavalry Regiment with ASLAV light armoured vehicles. Command, logistics and support elements have come from the Darwin based 1st Brigade.
| 20060824adf8185016_0059 Sergeant Linda Mol (left) and Sergeant Celeste Greenwood (right) compare passenger list to confirm all the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) advanced party members have arrived in the Middle East. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060824adf8185016_0087 Check and re-check. 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment's Lieutenant Matthew Ford, checks his equipment while waiting to move out with the 1st Reconstruction Task Force (1RTF) advanced party, in the Middle East. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060825adf8185016_0003 Soldiers from the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) for Afghanistan, Warrant Officer Class 1 Chris Carroll (left) and Warrant Officer Class 1 John Heffernan (right) collect their equipment and prepare for weapons handling test at the Force Level Logistics Asset Compound in the Middle East. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060825adf8185016_0115 The Australian 1st Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) for Afghanistan's Lance Corporal David Reed, of the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, fits his personal protective armour at the Force Level Logistics Asset Compound in the Middle East. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 0060825adf8185016_0162 Captain Dennis Robins listens for his next set of instructions on the use of the Wagtail radio during a communication brief given at the Force Level Logistics Asset Compound in the Middle East. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060826adf8185016_0004 As a member of the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) for Afghanistan, Captain Nickki Orr checks her equipment as she waits for her turn on the weapons range. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060826adf8185016_0029 1st Combat Signals Regiment Warrant Officer Class 2 Kylie Crockett listens into the range brief shortly before completing her range practice, in the Middle East, as part of the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) for Afghanistan. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060826adf8185016_0058 1st Combat Engineer Regiment Warrant Officer Class 1 Chris Carroll, checks his weapon as he waits to complete a range practice during preparations for the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060826adf8185016_0083 Force Level Logistics Asset staff member Flight Lieutenant James Wright (left) assist Commander Lindsay Irwin to zero his F88 Steyr rifle during training for the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) for Afghanistan. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060826adf8185016_0087 Force Level Logistics Asset staff member Corporal Shane Mitchell (left) tallies the target area for 1st Combat Engineer Regiment Lance Corporal David Reed (right), during training for the Australian 1st Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060826adf8185016_0116 1st Combat Signals Regiment, Signalman Stefan Holod puts his F88 Steyr rifle to the test as part of a range practice during training for the Australian 1st Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) for Afghanistan. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060826adf8185016_0123 Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) soldiers move into position to participate in a range practice during training for the Australian 1st Reconstruction Task Force into Afghanistan. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060828adf8185016_0057 Nice view. 1st Combat Engineer Regiment Corporal Shane Allan enjoys the view from an Australian C130J-30 Hercules while on route to Afghanistan as part of the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF). (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060828adf8185016_0073 Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) soldiers past the time aboard an Australian C130J-30 Hercules on route to Afghanistan. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060828adf8185016_0104 Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) soldiers disembark an Australian C130J-30 Hercules on the ground in the Afghanistan. (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060828adf8185016_0119 Australian Reconstruction Task Force Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan (centre) gets an update on activities in country by Major George Bailey (left) and Major Andrew Abbot (right). (Date taken: 28 August 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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