Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
28 July 2006
Last views of Camp Smitty
Last views of Camp Smitty as Al Muthanna Task Group 3, now known as Overwatch Battle Group West (OBGW), leave Camp Smitty and begin their new role in Iraq, based out of Camp Terendak at Tallil.
Operation CATALYST is the Australian Defence Force's (ADF's) 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.
Operation CATALYST runs concurrently with Operation SLIPPER, Australia’s contribution to the War on Terror.
| 20060726adf8243116_004 Bushmaster crews prepare their vehicles in the early morning, for the final time at Camp Smitty. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_020 The last sunrise over tower 1 at Camp Smitty in Al Muthanna. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_038 Morning orders group for Bushmaster crews. Lieutenant Matthew Huggins (center), prepares his soldiers for the convoy move to new lodgings at Camp Terendak, Tallil. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_050 Last sunrise at Camp Smitty. A soldier walks past a Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IMV), as he carries out final tasks before moving out. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_083 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles line up ready for the move. Australian, Iraqi and British flags fly together at Camp Smitty for the last morning in the background. A British Merlin flies overhead. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_101 Bushmasters begin leaving Camp Smitty. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_108 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles in the Camp Smitty unload / load bay, prepare for the convoy to Tallil. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_110 Australian Light Armoured Vehicle and two Bushmasters (background), provide security during the sign over phase at Camp Smitty. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_116 Corporal Russell Crawford awaits the order to move out of Camp Smitty for the final part of the relocation of the Al Muthanna Task Group, and the commencement of duties as Overwatch Battle Group West. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_121 Last time together at Camp Smitty. Australian, Iraqi and British flags fly above the Camp. A British Merlin helicopter circles in the background. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_132 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles line up in the load bay ready to move out of Camp Smitty at the conclusion of sign over to the Iraqi Army. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_171 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles move out of Camp Smitty and begin their relocation to Camp Terendak, Tallil. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_182 Australian soldiers with incoming Iraqi soldiers at the front gate of Camp Smitty during the handover to the Iraqi Army. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_185 Iraqi Army soldiers begin moving into Camp Smitty and assuming the duties the departing Australian task group completed during their stay. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_187 An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle departing Camp Smitty passes Iraqi police who have now taken control of the camp. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_214 Part of the British signover team (far left), with Major George Clegg (left), Capt Adam Dunbar (center), Mohammed Hassan (Governor's Assistant right), Ibrahim Hassan, Inspecting Engineer for Camp Smitty (far right), during the sign over of Camp Smitty. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_221 Part of the British signover team (left), with Mohammed Hassan (Governor's Assistant center) signing documents accepting handover of the camp, Ibrahim Hassan, Inspecting Engineer (right), during the sign over of Camp Smitty. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_227 Warrant Officer Class Two Andrew Stuart (Company Sergeant Major of Combat Team Bravo - right) with Major George Clegg (left) from the Queens Dragoon Guards - Headquarters Squadron, lower the Australian flag for the last time on the day the Multinational Forces leave Camp Smitty. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_233 Warrant Officer Class Two Andrew Stuart (Company Sergeant Major of Combat Team Bravo - left) with Major George Clegg (right) from the Queens Dragoon Guards - Headquarters Squadron, shake hands after lowering both the Australian and British flags that have flown over Camp Smitty since April 2005. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060726adf8243116_236 Iraqi soldiers man the tower above the main gate to Camp Smitty having completed the signover and watch as the last of the Multinational Force elements leave Al Muthanna. (Date taken: 26 July 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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