Afghanistan: the Australian Experience -Tarin Kot 2011

The first of three commissioned documentaries produced by John Martinkus from over twenty-seven hours of footage shot during his deployment to Afghanistan in 2011 as the Memorial's official cinematographer. The film opens with extracts of interviews with engineers and Special Forces members recounting their experiences of combat; these men appear later in the film. At Al Minhad Airbase Dubai, the final preparation point prior to deployment to Afghanistan. Training includes weapons proficiency tests, the treatment of battlefield casualties and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) identification on a live range. Interiors of troops and supplies in a RAAF C-130 Hercules flight to the main Australian base at Tarin Kot. Special Forces members describe the changes and growth of the Tarin Kot base since 2004. Captain Andy Cullen the Australian Ordnance Explosive Device (OED) troop commander speaks about the change in Taliban tactics from conventional fighting to the use of IEDs, the "insurgents' weapon of choice". Official artist Ben Quilty wearing a bomb disposal suit is instructed in the art of OED disposal by Capt Cullen. Footage of Capt Cullen operating the Dragon Runner bomb disposal robot. Capt Cullen speaks about the big attacks in Tarin Kot in which mainly civilians, including school children, were killed and injured. There is description of how from 2008 the significant use of IEDs led the Australians to transition to Bushmaster Mobility Vehicles for better protection. Cpl Matthew Snowden, 3 Combat Engineer Regiment (3 CER) and Trooper Daniel Spain 'B' Squadron 3/4 Cavalry Regiment, describe their experience of IED strikes. Cpl Matthew Snowden describes the vital work of engineer sappers in detecting and neutralising IEDs. Interviews with detector dog handlers Sappers Ivan Pavolvic and Ian Moss. Night vision scene of Special Operations Task Force (SOTG) troops preparing for a night raid. Interviews with Special Forces soldiers (identity obscured) on the targeting of Taliban commanders, the conduct of operations and the increase in Afghan National Army (ANA) participation in operations. ANA soldiers on parade at Tarin Kot overseen by their Australian trainers. An interview with Major Andrew Baker 2/14 Light Horse Regiment, who is charged with the training of ANA members, discusses the challenges of training a developing army. Afghans are slowly taking over the from the allied forces, although having only limited resources, and lacking air support and surveillance capability. The question is raised as to whether the Afghans would be able to "stand up" after the departure of the ADF and ISAF personnel. The film concludes with the flight out of Tarin Kot on a C-130 Hercules back to Al Minhad.