Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
08 September 2005
RAAF 92 Wing maritime patrol in the Persian Gulf
Since February 2003 the RAAF's 92 Wing has provided maritime patrol aircraft in support of Australia's military commitment to the Middle East Area of Operations.
The Lockheed Orion aircraft and their aircrews are drawn from 10 and 11 Squadrons RAAF, both based near Adelaide, while support personnel are drawn from a range of units across Australia.
The detachment is the second sub-group belonging to the Australian Defence Force's Joint Task Force 633, and as such is commonly referred to as Task Group 633.2.
The detachment flies a broad range of missions, from overland reconnaissance in Iraq to maritime patrols in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, and as such the members of TG633.2 are flying missions in support of both Operations CATALYST and SLIPPER.
Operation CATALYST is the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq. Operation CATALYST commenced on July 16, 2003, and currently comprises 1370 ADF personnel. Operation CATALYST runs concurrently with Operation SLIPPER, Australia's contribution to the fight against international terrorism.
| 20050819cpa8267338_013 The sun sets over the wing of an RAAF Orion maritime patrol during a maritime patrol mission over the northern Persian Gulf. (Date taken: 19 August 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050819cpa8267338_032 RAAF Sergeant Rod Wallace, an Airborne Electronics Analyst from 11 Squadron, takes his turn at an air observation window in an Orion maritime patrol aircraft during a mission over the northern Persian Gulf. (Date taken: 19 August 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050819cpa8267338_070 An RAAF Orion maritime patrol aircraft flies past the USS Nimitz during a maritime patrol mission over the northern Persian Gulf. (Date taken: 19 August 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050819cpa8267338_107 Aircraft captain Flight Lieutenant Steve Davies sits in the copilot's seat of an RAAF Orion so that he can supervise the copilot as he gains some command time during a maritime patrol mission over the northern Persian Gulf. (Date taken: 19 August 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050821cpa8267338_041 Leading Aircraftman Kristian Edwards, an aircraft life-support systems fitter, attaches a Secumar survival vest to a display board he has made displaying the survival aids available to the crewmembers who fly onboard the RAAF Orion maritime patrol aircraft in the Middle East Area of Operations. (Date taken: 21 August 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050821cpa8267338_063 Avionics Technician Leading Aircraftman Ewan Pettigrew climbs onboard an RAAF Orion maritime patrol aircraft at a base in the Middle East. (Date taken: 21 August 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050822cpa8267338_001 Leading Aircraftman Ian McAllister, an Airfield Defence Guard, conducts a patrol of the Australian camp on a Honda quad bike. The camp is home to the crews and support personnel assigned to the RAAF's maritime patrol detachment in the Middle East. (Date taken: 22 August 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050822cpa8267338_010 Leading Aircraftman Ian McAllister, an Airfield Defence Guard, conducts a patrol of the Australian camp on a Honda quad bike. The camp is home to the crews and support personnel assigned to the RAAF's maritime patrol detachment in the Middle East. (Date taken: 22 August 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20050822cpa8267338_031 The Red Back spider is the mascot for the 160 personnel of TG633.2, the RAAF's maritime patrol aircraft task group assigned to Operation CATALYST and Operation SLIPPER. (Date taken: 22 August 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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