Camp Russell

Camp Russell

Introduction

Camp Russell is part of the complex of coalition bases and facilities in and around the town of Tarin Kowt. Camp Russell has been used by Australian special forces both in the first deployment in 2001-3, and again from 2006, as well as by the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force. It includes an airfield.

Camp Russell - 2007

Source: RTF dawn service in Camp Russell, Image Galleries 2007, Operation Slipper, Department of Defence, 25 April 2007.

Government sources

Special Forces battle against terror, Defence (magazine), October 2006

In a media briefing at Australian Defence Force (ADF) Headquarters in Canberra on 27 September, Special Operations Commander, Major General (MAJGEN) Mike Hindmarsh, revealed details of actions and conditions faced by members of the Special Forces Task Group (SFTG) during its recent deployment to Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper. In August 2005, the 200-man SFTG departed Perth for their Area of Operations (AO) in southern Afghanistan in order to conduct special operations in support of United States-led Coalition security and reconstruction efforts in the country. However, on arrival it was obvious that to be suitable for the SFTG, the new Forward Operating Base (FOB), Camp Russell, would require serious work to be habitable and secure. The SFTG’s new home was named in honour of Sergeant Andrew Russell who was killed in a landmine incident during the Operation Slipper deployment to Afghanistan in 2002.

Home sweet home: The Special Operations Task Group’s first days at Camp Russell, Capt. Al Green, Army, Edition 1130.

The rising sun reveals stark mountains surrounding the sparsely vegetated sand and stone plateau. Also on hand to greet the sun is the advance party of Australian Special Forces soldiers and support staff who have arrived to stake out the new Forward Operating Base that will be used by the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in Afghanistan for the next 12 months.

Analysis

SAS combatants strike deep into Taliban heartland’, Paul McGeough, Sydney Morning Herald, September 27, 2005

ADF Forward Operating Base established in 2005. Base for the Special Forces Task Group during its deployment. Named in honour of Sergeant Andrew Russell who was killed in a landmine incident during the Operation Slipper deployment to Afghanistan in 2002. “Officially, it sits in dusty valley. But unofficially, an Australian officer expanded the lexicon: “It’s a dusty shit-hole”. New timber huts are being built for the SAS, commandos and other elements of the ADF. For now, they share air-conditioned tents in an adjoining US base and the grub is probably as good as it is going to get – a mix of the military’s version of home cooking and pre-packed combat rations.”

‘Kicking the Taliban where it hurts’, Uruzgan weblog

See also

Project coordinator: Richard Tanter
Updated: 30 June 2009