Troop show: Aussies in Afghanistan

One of the largest Western special units in operation in Afghanistan is the Australian Special Operations Task Group (SOTG). This is part of Operation Slipper, the Australian contribution to the fight in the Hindu Kush. Today, SPARTANAT shows you some impressions of this special unit:

The SOTG is composed of soldiers from various units. The two Commando Regiments (1st & 2nd CDO), the Special Operations Engineering Regiment (SOER), the Special Operations Logistic Squadron (SOLS), and of course, the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) make up the majority of the approximately 300 personnel.

The base of the SOTG is the multinational base in Tarin Kot, but there are also outposts in Kandahar and Kabul. The main operational area is the Uruzgan province.

The standard camouflage for Australian SF is Multicam. The operator in the upper image is wearing a Combat Shirt from Platatac, an innovative design with extra padding on the shoulders. The M-4 is the most commonly carried weapon, not the version of the AUG used by regular forces.

These two SOTG members show that the M4 doesn't always have to be standard. While the VLTOR Modstock is frequently seen, the Troy Battle Rail is a much rarer sight.

These gentlemen have something a little more exclusive, with their tops likely coming from US stocks. Like many armies, the FN Minimi is also used by Australians as a machine gun.

In the precision area, however, they take their own path and use straight-pull repeaters from Blaser. The continuous Multicam at the knees of the pants identifies them as the G3 model from Crye Precision.

Of the 38 fallen Australian soldiers in Afghanistan, a large part served in the SOTG. May they rest in peace.