Logistics base open

By Captain Chantal Llora

THE Force Level Logistic Asset (FLLA) facility has relocated to another Coalition base in the Middle East as part of Operation Catalyst.

The new facility will provide supplies and move troops to the various locations where Australians are based in Iraq.

The Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston visited the new site and officially opened it on July 23.

“What’s been achieved here is absolutely incredible and demonstrates the teamwork that must have been in play to produce such results. Teamwork between the Australians, Americans and our local friends,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

The host nation approved the project on May 11 and its detailed design on May 17. Since then, it has been non-stop for the six man relocation team.

“When I think back to the magnitude of what we were undertaking, and the fact that we agreed to do it in two months, we were either extremely naïve or extremely stupid,” project manager Lieutenant Colonel Paul Hobbs said.

“But we did it.”

The team arrived in the Middle East on March 8 and over the past few months took the project from inception to completion.

The facility is designed for its ability to be relocatable and offers the only bit of greenery in the area – a patch of grass imported straight from Australia. This patch of green was enough to bring a few Aussies who’d been “in country” for awhile, close to tears.

“I can’t believe how much I’ve missed the sight of grass and palm trees while I’ve been here,” said Corporal Scott Lander, who has been working as a supplier in the Middle East for the past five months.

“I can almost imagine I’m home.”

During the CDF’s visit, he presented the relocation team with a commendation for ensuring the new logistic base matched the quality of the ADF personnel using it.

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