Baby, we’re back home

Sign of the times: (above) CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy and Courtney Thurgood, admire the art work of Jay Kuilboer at Darwin airport.

Roses are red, I’ve been blue: (left) Capt Andrew Suttor welcomes home partner Lt Courtney Bethan with a red rose. Photos by Cpl Crissy Williams

By Maj John McPherson

“WE went away with a pretty simple plan which was to do the job we were given, as well as we could, and then get home in one piece. I’m pretty pleased we’ve done both of those things.”

This was how CO AMTG1 Lt-Col Roger Noble summed up the contribution of the 450 men and women he led into Al Muthanna Province in Iraq six months ago.

Lt-Col Noble arrived back in Australia on November 20 with the final 83 soldiers of ATMG1.

Three airlifts over the previous week had brought home the rest of the original AMTG.

When asked his perceptions on how Iraq was progressing Lt-Col Noble said: “In the news you tend to see bombs and blood and you miss about 98 per cent of the country … which is a whole lot of people working really hard and trying to get ahead, trying to have a good life. And we were right in the thick of that.”

CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy welcomed the final group home at Darwin International Airport.

“It’s bloody good to have you back. You have made a substantial contribution to Iraq and, particularly, to Al Muthanna Province,” Lt-Gen Leahy said.

“The Army is proud of you, the nation is proud of you, you should be proud of each other.”

He read out a letter from Governor General Maj-Gen Michael Jeffery congratulating the soldiers for their efforts on behalf of their country and paying particular tribute to their families, friends and loved ones for their sacrifices while their men and women were in Iraq.

A smile came to most people’s faces when a reporter asked Lt-Col Noble about the difficulties faced by those at home, and the talk that there had been a number of babies born while the soldiers were away.

“That’s right. There were 12 newborn babies, so we’re going to have a calendar – Babes of Iraq!”

The members of AMTG1 enjoyed two days’ off before returning to work to settle administrative matters. Then it was time for some well-earned leave.

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