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20 May 2003
Welcome home of the Special Forces Task Group, Sydney

About 200 members of the Special Forces Task Group were welcomed home in Sydney this afternoon.
The soldiers, from 4RAR (Commando), the Incident Response Regiment and the SFTG Combat Services Support Team, were met by families and friends at Holsworthy Barracks after arriving at Sydney Airport on a chartered Qantas aircraft.
Prime Minister John Howard, Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Danna Vale, Opposition Leader Simon Crean, Chief of Defence General Peter Cosgrove and Deputy Chief of the Army General Frank Roberts officially welcomed the troops home during the afternoon ceremony.
The Commandos provided the SFTG’s alert force during Operation Falconer, on call if an SAS patrol encountered heavy resistance.
The Commandos also provided protection for humanitarian aid flights into Baghdad, security at al Asad Airbase and recently secured the Australian Embassy.
The IRR element provided a nuclear, biological and chemical protection and decontamination for the SFTG and was heavily involved in searching the al Asad facility.
The CSST provided logistic support to the SFTG including the provision of arial resupply of SAS patrols operating deep in Western Iraq.

Read media release: Special Forces Task Force returns home

Major General Duncan Lewis
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Major General Duncan Lewis greets soldiers from the Special Forces Task Group as they step off the plane back onto Australian ground at Sydney Airport.
(Date taken: 20 May 2003)
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'Come on Mum, its my turn to cuddle him now'
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'Come on Mum, its my turn to cuddle him now.' The soldier returns to a hero's welcome from his son.
(Date taken: 20 May 2003)
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Trooper Adams wife is pregnant with thier child

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Trooper Adams' wife is pregnant with their child, this was the first touch of the new addition to the family for him.
(Date taken: 20 May 2003)
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Warrant Officer Class One from the Combat Services Support Team
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Warrant Officer Class One from the Combat Services Support Team wrapped up in his partner's arms.
(Date taken: 20 May 2003)
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About 200 members of the Special Forces Task Group were welcomed
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About 200 members of the Special Forces Task Group were welcomed home in Sydney this afternoon.
(Date taken: 20 May 2003)
Low-res | Hi-Res
Father and son share a moment
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Father and son share a moment during the welcome home ceremony at Holsworthy Barracks held for the soldiers of the Special Forces Task Group.
(Date taken: 20 May 2003)
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Wally Thompson, the first Regimental Sergeant Major-- Army and the first RSM of 4RAR
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Wally Thompson, the first Regimental Sergeant Major Army and the first RSM of 4RAR welcomes back Trooper Nigel from operations in the Middle East.
(Date taken: 20 May 2003)
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