16 August 2007
Construction complete, Taliban repelled
The Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) has constructed a police out-post in the Tarin Kowt region. The strategically-sited out-post was completed in six days under trying circumstances, including two unsuccessful attacks by the Taliban.
Facilities such as these strengthen the security infrastructure and add to the capability of the local police, which is essential to stamp out the intimidation and terror tactics employed by the Taliban.
Australia has deployed an ADF Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), consisting of a combined arms team, to the Oruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper. The RTF is in partnership with the Netherlands Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and forms part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
The RTF has a clearly defined role to work on reconstruction, improvement of provincial infrastructure and community based projects. The RTF also provides trade training to the local population and military engineering training to the Afghan National Army. This type of assistance is designed to benefit the people of Oruzgan Province and form building blocks of a stable and prosperous community.
The RTF contains around 370 ADF personnel from predominately Queensland-based units. It includes elements to provide command, security, engineering, and administrative support and is equipped with Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV), Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) and armoured engineer plant equipment.
Australian Explosive Ordnance Disposal team members display the improvised explosive device they retrieved from near the police out-post work site. The long black item is a pressure plate. This is used to trigger the main charge, red, at bottom of the image.
A Reconstruction Task Force tradesman at work on the construction of the police out-post.
Engineers at work on the construction of the police out-post.
Soldiers find refuge in the shade of their vehicle. The Afghan environment can be unforgiving for the soldiers in combat gear, reaching mid 40s during the summer.
A specially-designed armoured excavator working at the police out-post work site. These machines provide soldiers with the same balistic protection as the armoured vehicles.
Two soldiers maintain a watchful eye on the area. Australian soldiers maintain security 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For those who don't think soldiers 'dig in' on operations any more....think again. These pits provide the soldiers protection from rocket and mortar attacks.
Soldiers keep the out-post construction site secure.
Reconstruction Task Force soldiers work to harden their position to maximise a secure environment during the construction of a police out-post in the Tarin Kowt region.
An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle provides both security and overwatch for the Reconstruction Task Force.
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