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Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery

10 March 2006
Maritime Commander Rear Admiral (RADM) Davyd Thomas visits HMAS Parramatta

The Maritime Commander Rear Admiral (RADM) Davyd Thomas, in February 2006 visited HMAS Parramatta in the Northern Persian Gulf (NPG) and was impressed with what he saw.

In an address to the ships company RADM Thomas commended Parramatta and her crew for the important job they are doing.

"I would like to tell you how proud I am with what you are actually achieving here and the effort you are putting in," RADM Thomas said.

"You have been aggressive in your approach to maritime operations up here and you’ve set the benchmark. This ship has made a significant difference to the whole operation here in the North Persian Gulf."

HMAS Parramatta had been patrolling the NPG for more than four months at the time of RADM Thomas's visit. Her twofold mission is to check merchant ships for contraband, and to safeguard Iraq’s offshore oil platforms. It is a strategically vital job as the two platforms produce around 85% of Iraq’s national income.

The deployment of HMAS Parramatta is part of Operation CATALYST, the ADF’s contribution to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq. Operation CATALYST commenced on July 16, 2003. In February 2006 the operation comprised a total of 1400 ADF personnel.

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The captain of HMAS Parramatta, Commander Jonathan Mead (left), on the bridge of the frigate with the Maritime Commander Australia, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas, in the Persian Gulf.

(Date taken: 17 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
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The Maritime Commander Australia, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas (centre), chats over afternoon tea aboard HMAS Parramatta in the Persian Gulf with Able Seaman Communications Information Systems Shaun Boer (left), and Leading Seaman Stores Naval Joanne Schiltz (right).

(Date taken: 17 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
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The Maritime Commander Australia, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas, addresses the crew during awards presentations aboard HMAS Parramatta in the Persian Gulf.

(Date taken: 18 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
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The Maritime Commander Australia, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas, addresses the crew during awards presentations aboard HMAS Parramatta in the Persian Gulf.

(Date taken: 18 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
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Leading Seaman Electronics Technician Julius Tadulala accepts the Combat System Proficiency Shield certificate from the Maritime Commander Australia, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas, aboard HMAS Parramatta in the Persian Gulf.

(Date taken: 18 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
20060218adf8163792_067
The Maritime Commander Australia, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas, watched by Lieutenant Commander Eric Young, signs the ships autograph cricket bat during a visit to HMAS Parramatta in the Persian Gulf.

(Date taken: 18 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
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Ceremony on HMAS Parramatta in the Persian Gulf for the visit of Maritime Commander Australia, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas.

(Date taken: 20 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
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The Guard of HMAS Parramatta fires a salute during ceremony for the visit of Maritime Commander Australia, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas.

(Date taken: 20 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