Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
01 November 2007
Tour de Force winds up in Middle East
In 12 days, the Tour de Force group performed nine concerts at coalition bases for Australian Defence Force personnel across the Middle East.
All of the entertainers donated their time to the project to give the troops a mid-deployment morale boost.
The Tour De Force concerts continue an Australian tradition started before the Vietnam War.
This year’s tour group included rock and roller Doc Neeson, singer Alexis Fishman, comedian Gary Bradbury and the Army Band Sydney.
Australia currently has 2500 personnel in the area concentrating on reconstruction, training the new Iraqi Army and providing security for dozens of local communities.
Angels lead singer Doc Neeson said: "Watching these men and women just unwind for an hour or so to songs they know with familiar Aussie accents makes it worth the trip".
Approximately 515 personnel, drawn mostly from Darwin's 1st Brigade, make up the Overwatch Battle Group (West) - Three (OBG(W)-3). The Battle group is helping the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Provincial Governments build a secure and stable Iraq. OBG(W)-3 operates in the Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar provinces as part of the Multi National Force - Iraq (MNF-I).
| 20071029adf8094997_012 (L-R) Sara Grae, Mitch Hutchison, Mick Skelton, Doc Neeson, Alexis Fishman, Dave Neilson, Gary Bradbury and Mike Goldman as part of Tour de Force at Ali Air Base, Tallil, Iraq. (Date taken: 29 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071029adf8094997_1054 Doc Neeson performs to the Australian troops located at Ali Air Base in southern Iraq as part of the Tour de Force. (Date taken: 29 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071029adf8094997_1146 Doc Neeson does some crowd surfing at the Tour de Force concert which was held at Ali Air Base in southern Iraq for the Australian troops. (Date taken: 29 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071029adf8094997_1165 Doc Neeson performs to the Australian troops located at Ali Air Base in southern Iraq as part of the Tour de Force. (Date taken: 29 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071029adf8094997_194 Alexis Fishman performs to the Australian troops at Ali Air Base in southern Iraq during the Tour de Force concert. (Date taken: 29 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071029adf8094997_655 Gary Bradbury provides comedy relief to the Australian troops located at Ali Air Base in southern Iraq as part of Tour de Force. (Date taken: 29 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071029adf8094997_916 Doc Neeson performs to the Australian troops located at Ali Air Base in southern Iraq as part of the Tour de Force. (Date taken: 29 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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