English: Photo by Captain Lachlan Simond Mid Caption Australia’s latest contribution to the rebuilding of Afghanistan, the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-1) commenced operations in Uruzgan Province in mid October 2008. The task force is lead by the Darwin based 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR) and is the first Infantry commanded group to operate in Afghanistan. 7 RAR supported by soldiers from other Darwin based units and service personnel drawn from across Australia. Continuing on the excellent work achieved by earlier Reconstruction Task Forces, the MRTF-1, has the added mission of training and mentoring members of the Afghan National Army (ANA). The new role is designed to provide better security into the future, complementing the ongoing efforts to rebuild infrastructure for the people of Afghanistan. Based at Tarin Kowt in southern Afghanistan, MRTF-1 operates as part of the Netherland’s lead Task Force Uruzgan. The Australian personnel will serve in Afghanistan for eight months.