Al Muthanna Task Group Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Australian colour and subdued versions of the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) patch with the Al Muthanna Task Group Lamassu in the background.

RTF (Reconstruction Task Force) Afghanistan 2006

These are the 'colour' and subdued version of the Ist Reconstruction Task Force patch worn by those 400 Australian ADF personnel forming part of the Netherlands-led NATO Provincial Reconstruction Team in Southern Afghanistan. The later 2nd RTF patch is also shown, but as yet I am unsure as to whether it has a subdued version as does the first pair. Australia’s contribution, known as the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), will be a mix of engineers and security personnel deployed, it seems, indefinately. It will work on reconstruction and community-based projects. The task force is made up of personnel from Combat Engineers and a protective force of Motorised Infantry, equipped with Bushmaster and ASLAV vehicles. Command, logistics and support elements are also included. (Information from ADF web page)

Australian rectangular UN patches.

These are two variations of the new Australian rectangular UN patch, one obviously with a little more of an Australian flavour. I believe these were first issued in late 2005-2006 for the first time to those troops deployed to Timor Leste (East Timor) Photo: ADF Web Page

Operation Stabilise, Timor Leste (East Timor) 2006

These are opposing patches issued for the deployment to Timor Leste, as part of Operation Satabilise in 2006. The Australian Ensign, in this case in full colour on DPCU, is now the standard for troops deployed overseas and is worn on the left upper arm. The right hand shoulder carries the unit designator patch, or in this instance, the overall Operation patch. Unit and operational patches can be issued by the defence force itself or the unit itself in many instances is given a budget to provide its own patches, often of its own design. These are often purchased from 'in-country', or local embroiders and should not be mistaken for many patches which seem to be coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan for example, which are not unit acquisitions. In other words, fakes or copies, will start to become more prevalent.. so beware.

Operation Acolyte, Melbourne Commonwealth Games, 2006

These were both issued to Service personnel who participated in Operation Acolyte, the Defence Force contribution to security at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006. The round patch was use for brassards and jump suits/ overalls etc and the, now standard, rectangular patch was used on the newer 'Land 125' uniforms. At the time 4 CDO (RAR) and TAGe were the only units issued with the 'Land125' uniforms, hence the rectangular patches are most likely only SF related. The services also issued a certificate with similar emblems etc to all service personel who participated.

Series 3 DPDU NCO Rank

These NCO rank patches are in the 3rd pattern DPDU and are now obsolete with the introduction of the 'Land 125' uniform. The 'Land 125' is available in both DPDU and DPCU cuts and utilises external vertical zip pockets, chest epaulette for rank slides (NCO and Officer) and velcro arm patches for Unit patches, ensigns and 'biscuits'. These rank squares have also been seen on the (also) now obsolete brassards.