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Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery

08 March 2006
Minister for Defence visits Australian troops in Baghdad

The Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson MP, and the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, in early March 2006 visited Australian troops deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation CATALYST.

After being greeted by the current Joint Task Force Commander, Brigadier Paul Symon, the Minister and CDF visited several locations in which Australia has troops deployed, including the Al Muthanna Province in southern Iraq.

Following meetings with each of the commanders of these Australian Defence Force elements the Minister took the opportunity to speak with and meet as many of the troops as possible.

Operation CATALYST is the ADF’s contribution to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq. Operation CATALYST commenced on July 16, 2003. At the time of the Minister's visit the operation comprised 1400 ADF personnel.

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The Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson (left), walks with the Australian Ambassador to Iraq, Howard Brown, from his arrival point by helicopter in the international zone of Baghdad.

(Date taken: 06 February 2006)
Low-res | High-res 		Warrant Officer Class 1 Richard Polson, the Senior Military Advisor for the 1st Battalion of the Iraqi Training Brigade, talks with Iraqi instructors about the training they are delivering to the Iraqi Jundis (soldiers) during their recruit training at the Kirkush Military Training Base
20060306adf8484513_019
Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson (right), is met by the Australian Ambassador to Iraq, Howard Brown, on arrival by helicopter in the international zone of Baghdad.

(Date taken: 06 February 2006)
Low-res | High-res 		Warrant Officer Class 1 Richard Polson, the Senior Military Advisor for the 1st Battalion of the Iraqi Training Brigade, talks with Iraqi instructors about the training they are delivering to the Iraqi Jundis (soldiers) during their recruit training at the Kirkush Military Training Base
20060306adf8484513_037
The Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, is briefed on the capabilities of the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) by Major Malcolm Wells, the commander of the Security Detachment in Baghdad.

(Date taken: 06 February 2006)
Low-res | High-res 		Warrant Officer Class 1 Richard Polson, the Senior Military Advisor for the 1st Battalion of the Iraqi Training Brigade, talks with Iraqi instructors about the training they are delivering to the Iraqi Jundis (soldiers) during their recruit training at the Kirkush Military Training Base
20060306adf8484513_038
The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, speaks with members of the Baghdad Security Detachment.

(Date taken: 06 February 2006)
Low-res | High-res 		Warrant Officer Class 1 Richard Polson, the Senior Military Advisor for the 1st Battalion of the Iraqi Training Brigade, talks with Iraqi instructors about the training they are delivering to the Iraqi Jundis (soldiers) during their recruit training at the Kirkush Military Training Base
20060306adf8484513_056
The Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, is briefed on the capabilities of the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) by Major Malcolm Wells, the commander of the Security Detachment in Baghdad.

(Date taken: 06 February 2006)
Low-res | High-res 		Warrant Officer Class 1 Richard Polson, the Senior Military Advisor for the 1st Battalion of the Iraqi Training Brigade, talks with Iraqi instructors about the training they are delivering to the Iraqi Jundis (soldiers) during their recruit training at the Kirkush Military Training Base