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Christmas 2007

Christmas countdown begins

Many preparations are being finalised across the Middle East to allow the soldiers, sailors and Air Force personnel based across the Middle East Area of Operations to enjoy the festive season and keep in touch with family and friends back home in Australia.

Headquarters Joint Task Force 633 is based in Camp Victory in Baghdad. It has a joint-force team of Navy, Army and Air Force personnel who provide the command function for the Australian Task Groups in Iraq, Afghanistan and the wider Persian Gulf region as part of Operations Catalyst and Slipper.

Operation Catalyst is the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq. Working with the Iraqi Government, the ADF continues to contribute to Multi-National Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq, assist national recovery programs and facilitate the transition to Iraq self-government.

Operation Slipper is the ADF contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Operation Slipper is an important component of the Australian Government's commitment to working together with the international community to help prevent acts of terrorism around the world.
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The Lion Queen: Major Catie Inches-Ogden, the Force Level Logistic Asset’s Chaplain, has been busy consigning Lions Club cakes to the soldiers, sailors and Air Force personnel based across the Middle East Area of Operations. Lions Australia has shipped 1000 1kg Lions Christmas Cakes to Australian Defence Force personnel scattered across the globe on operations.

(Date taken: 14 December 2007)
Low Res | High Res
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Postie pressure: Sergeant Tim Blad, the postman at the central Australian Defence Force logistic base in the Middle East, struggles to keep his head above the Christmas parcels that are entering and leaving the region. A staggering 13 tonnes of mail has arrived since mid-November and more than six tonnes has left the Middle East bound for families and friends back home.

(Date taken: 14 December 2007)
Low Res | High Res
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Warrant Officer Class One Jacinta Peel hangs Legacy candy canes on the Headquarters Joint Task Force 633 Christmas tree. The canes have been sold for US$5 each, and more than $350 has been raised to date for the charity.

(Date taken: 16 December 2007)
Low Res | High Res