Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
21 November 2007
Australian soldiers bring gift of hope to Iraq family
When Australian soldiers visited Ahmed and his family in southern Iraq, they gave them hope for a better future.
Ahmed is a self-employed mechanic who was struggling to feed his family because his rusted and obsolete tools prevented him from doing the technical work required by his customers.
But when soldiers with the Australian Overwatch Battle Group (West)-Three (OBG(W)-3) visited Ahmed’s village at Al Najam, they brought hope for a better future.
Ahmed’s struggle with obsolete tools became known to the Australian soldiers and they quickly came to the rescue with a micro-business grant which is part of the Coalition’s effort to support the economic development of Iraq.
The US$2000 grant enabled Ahmed, 31, and his partner Mohammad to purchase modern tools to expand their business of repairing engines and pumps in the village and the surrounding area.
Ahmed said previously he and Mohammad operated their business from the boot of their car but thanks to the grant have recently established a proper business using a community workshop.
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).
| 20071117adf8094997_010 Ahmed (left) and Mohamed stand with the new mechanical tools destined for the new Al Najem tribe workshop. (Date taken: 17 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20071117adf8094997_014 Major Mark Armstrong from Overwatch Battle Group (West)-3 presents Ahmed (middle) and Mohamed with mechanical tools to start a workshop for the Al Najem tribe. (Date taken: 17 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20071117adf8094997_032 Australian soldiers have helped more than 500 Bedouins in the area surrounding Camp Terendak by issuing blankets to keep them warm at night when the temperature drops to a chilly 16 degrees in the desert. (Date taken: 17 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
