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Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery

15 March 2006
Australian soldiers in southern Iraq

Operation CATALYST is the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.

Operation CATALYST commenced on 16 July 2003 following on from Operation Falconer. Working with the Interim Iraqi Government, the ADF continues to contribute to Multinational Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq and assist national recovery programs.

Operation CATALYST currently comprises approximately 1400 Australian Defence Force personnel.

The Al Muthanna Task Group (AMTG2) has two tasks, to provide a secure environment for the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group (JIRSG) and to assist in the training of local Iraqi Army units so they are able to take over the internal and external defence of their country.

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Craftsman Matthew Robert John Redwood from 2nd Cavalry Regiment at work in Al Muthanna Province, Iraq. Craftsman Redwood maintains and repairs the electronics, weapons and communications systems on the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV). This is Craftsman Redwood's second tour of Iraq, after serving in Al Kasik and Taji with the Iraqi Army Training Teams. Craftsman Redwood competes in triathlons and lives with his girlfriend and 2 year old daughter in Brisbane, Queensland.

(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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Platoon Sergeant Alan Lesbirel doing his bit as part of Combat Team Quintus in Al Muthanna Province, Iraq. This is Sergeant Lisbirel's second tour of Iraq. He has also served with the British Army, including service in Bosnia and Northern Ireland. Sergeant Lisbirel resides in Darwin and enjoys boxing, soccer and running.

(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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Trooper Matthew Paul Domigan of 2nd Cavalry Regiment at work at Camp Smitty in Al Muthanna Province, Iraq. Trooper Domigan is a driver and gunner of the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) This is Trooper Domigan's second tour of Iraq, after service in Baghdad as a part of the Security Detachment. Trooper Domigan is from Windsor, New South Wales, and plays volleyball and touch football.

(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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Private Andrew Phillip Small of 5/7 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment on guard at Camp Smitty in Al Muthanna Province, Iraq. Private Small is 19 years old and is serving on his first tour of Iraq. Private Small is originally from Lithgow, New South Wales. He enjoys reading, building models and is interested in extreme sports.

(Date taken: 21 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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Private Andrew Phillip Small of 5/7 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, on guard at Camp Smitty in Al Muthanna Province, Iraq. Private Small is 19 years old and is serving on his first tour of Iraq. Private Small is originally from Lithgow, New South Wales. He enjoys reading, building models and is interested in extreme sports.

(Date taken: 21 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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Corporal David Bowden from 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Camp Smitty, Al Muthanna Province, Iraq.

(Date taken: 22 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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Corporal David Bowden from 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Camp Smitty, Al Muthanna Province, Iraq.

(Date taken: 22 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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Corporal David Bowden from 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Al Muthanna Province, Iraq.

(Date taken: 22 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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Lance Corporal Chris Yow from Combat Team Courage, Al Muthanna Task Group, during a dust storm in Al Muthanna Province, Iraq.

(Date taken: 9 March 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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Japanese and Australian troops work together during a dust storm in the Al Muthanna Province of southern Iraq.

(Date taken: 9 March 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
20060309adf8099240_011
Australian troops from Combat Team Courage, Al Muthanna Task Group, board their ASLAV light armoured vehicle during a dust storm in Al Muthanna Province, Iraq.

(Date taken: 9 March 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
20060309adf8099240_016
Japanese and Australian troops work together during a dust storm in the Al Muthanna Province of southern Iraq.

(Date taken: 9 March 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
20060309adf8099240_026
Japanese and Australian troops work together during a dust storm in the Al Muthanna Province of southern Iraq.

(Date taken: 9 March 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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Japanese and Australian troops work together during a dust storm in the Al Muthanna Province of southern Iraq.

(Date taken: 9 March 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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L-R: Trooper Mathew Nott, Lance Corporal Chris Yow and Trooper Frank Hall from Combat Team Courage, Al Muthanna Task Group, in a light-hearted moment before going out on patrol in Al Muthanna Province, Iraq.

(Date taken: 9 March 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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Trooper Mathew Nott from Combat Team Courage, Al Muthanna Task Group, serving at Camp Smitty in Al Muthanna Province, Iraq.

(Date taken: 9 March 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