Attackers hit OBG-W force
Volume 11, No. 53, October 05, 2006

Poster contest CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy invites soldiers to enter a new recruiting poster design competition to help create Army’s future recruiting imagery. “The new recruiting campaign must be dynamic, contemporary and, above all, hard hitting, in line with the HNA concept,” Lt-Gen Leahy said. ENTRY DETAILS Images should have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi or be more than 20cm on the longest axis. Submissions should be sent to andy.weir@defence.gov.au in either jpeg or pdf format. Submissions are to be in NLT November 15. Entrants agree that by submitting designs, copyright will belong to Defence.

SOLDIERS of Overwatch Battle Group-West (OBG-W) came under attack in Al Muthanna province on September 26.
The well-coordinated attack, which included RPG and small arms fire, occurred while OBG-W elements were conducting a meeting at an Iraqi Army barracks in Al Rumaythah.
The fighting lasted almost an hour. The Australians withdrew – under fire – without injury to personnel or serious damage to equipment and vehicles.
Comd OBG-W Lt-Col Mick Mahy said the soldiers “acted with great discipline, exceptional courage and used well executed tactics”.
Bushmasters and ASLAVs played a crucial role in protecting the soldiers during the intense gun battle, in which it was believed a number of attackers were wounded.
It was the first sustained and coordinated attack against Australian forces in Iraq. CDF ACM Angus Houston said the incident was a reminder of the dangerous environment in which the forces operate.