Tiger-pie

Captain Mick Koen discusses a project underway with a local man in Tarin Kowt.

Construction engineer Captain Mick Koen shares a thumbs-up with local children in Tarin Kowt, Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan. I just hope he hasn't taught them to chant "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi".

Warrant Officer Matt Daldry oversees construction work at a school in Tarin Kowt Southern Afghanistan.

Laying wire in the Chora Valley Southern Afghanistan. RTF-3 is helping to contstruct a Foward Operating Base for the Afghan Army.

Brief stop during a patrol.

Reconstruction Task Force - 3 (RTF-3) soldier Lance Corporal Joseph Rears in the Chora Valley Southern Afghanistan.

Funnily enough I was discussing this sort of thing with one of the civvies I work with. When I paid off HMAS Parramatta in '91 I never went back to look at her as they were pulling it apart before selling it to be cut up on a beach in India. I wanted to remember the old girl as she was. At least the Adelaide will go on, she is to be submerged in waters off Terrigal, New South Wales, and used as a dive wreck. Regards; Johnsy

Ship's Company conduct a final march past as the CO takes the salute.

Commanding Officer marches off the ship with the White Ensign.

The White Ensign is lowered for the last time.

Ship's company marches off.

The Commanding Officer of HMAS Adelaide, Commander Rob Slaven, walks with the Decommissioning Guest of Honour, Amanda Synnot, as she inspects the Guard on parade.

Guard in Open Order.

The Guard presents arms in Closed Order as crew members look on from the breeze-way.

SUBJ. A FAREWELL TO ARMS. 1. TODAY ADELAIDE II SAILS INTO THE REALMS OF MYTHS AND SEA MONSTERS, FOREVER TO CHART A COURSE THROUGH THE HEARTS AND MEMORIES OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SAILED IN HER. SHE PASSES IN STYLE AND GRACE, HAVING BOLDLY LEFT HER INDELIBLE MARK IN THE STORIED ANNALS OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY. ADELAIDE HAPPILY RETIRES FROM THE ARENA INTO THE SIRENS LOVING EMBRACE, SURE FOOTED IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE BEST IS YET TO COME. 2. SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI. Adelaide's Guard march off.

On the road again, Trooper Robert Doncaster provides top cover.

Officer Commanding Combat Team Waler, Major Christopher McKay (foreground), and Squadron Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Class 2 Carl Barr, watch as part of the range practice is completed.

On a berm two ASLAVS wait for the order to fire.

Bushmaster on the move.

Again, from the front.

Side view of an ASLAV showing the anti-RPG screen.

Some things never change... Private James Somerville from Combat Team Waler waits with shovel in hand.

Ammunition reload for 12.7mm BMG.

It is accepted, but not encouraged. Regards; Johnsy

The 516 soldiers of Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 are mostly drawn from units of the Brisbane-based 7th Brigade. The Battle Group is comprised of the Headquarters and Cavalry Squadrons of the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), operating Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs); and an Infantry company from the 6th Battalion of The Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) operating Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMVs). Combat Team Waler is named for a type of horse used by the Australian Lighthorse Units in the past. The name 'Waler' is derived from the term 'New South Waler', a horse bred in New South Wales, and Australia's first colony. It was coined as a term for colonial bred horses used both in Australia and as remounts for the British Army in India. Rajahs also bought Walers for military and recreational use such as polo. Walers, through the flourishing remount trade, were sold to India from the 1840's to the 1940's and were supplied to the Australian Army for the Boer War and World War I, where their feats of endurance and courage became legendary. Although again supplied to the Army in World War II, the horses were not sent overseas, mechanization having transcended their use. Below is Lieutenant Guy Hayden riding his gallant mare "Midnight". During the second battle for Gaza "Midnight" remained continuously under saddle for 7 days . Hayden rode "Midnight" in the charge at Beersheeba and both were shot as they reached the Turkish trenches however Hayden was not mortally wounded.