Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
29 November 2007
Australian soldiers improve Iraq school
OBG(W)-3 were invited by the Mayor of Suq Ash Shuyukh to visit the town to preside over the opening of two school refurbishment projects that were funded by Australia and the Coalition.
The Commanding Officer of OBG(W)-3, Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood, presided over the opening of the Al Harbya school for about 120 primary school students.
The school was in a delapidated condition until the Australian Army Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) team provided funding to give the school a complete 'make-over' - including a new coat of paint, electrical rewiring, the installation of airconditioners, and the provision of soft furnings and class room equipment.
Lieutenant Colonel Ellwood said the refurbishment project will enhance the standard of education available to more than 120 children in the area by improving the infrastructure and maintain the consent of the population by delivering a community focused education project.
Lieutenant Colonel Ellwood said helping the welfare and education of the children is a direct investment in the future of Iraq.
Approximately 500 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).
| 20071121army8500215_ 044 The Commanding Officer of the Australian Overwatch Battle Group (West)-Three, Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood, greets Iraqi students who are students at the Al Harbya primary school in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071121army8500215_ 050 Captain Rob Barr, of the Overwatch Battle Group (West)-Three, talks to an Iraqi school teacher while excited students welcome Aussie Diggers to their school. The Al Harbya primary school in southern Iraq was extensively refurbished using Australian and Coalition funding. (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071121army8500215_ 051 Warrant Officer Mike Landy, of the Australian Overwatch Battle Group (West)-Three, stands guard on the roof of the Al Harbya primary school in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071121army8500215_ 058 Warrant Officer Mike Landy (left) watches Australian soldiers deliver essential school supplies to Al Harbya primary school in southern Iraq, which was extensively refurbished using Australian and Coalition funding. The school supplies included pencils, pens and text books covering the subjects of Arabic, mathematics and geography. (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071121army8500215_ 067 Iraqi school children are all smiles with Australian soldiers who visted their school which was extensively refurbished using Australian and Coalition funding. The children were given essential school supplies including text books, as well as soccer balls and yellow T-shirts emblazoned with the Battle Group logo, the Red Kangaroo. (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071121army8500215_ 083 Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood of the Overwatch Battle Group (West)-Three, cuts the ribbon to formally open the Al Faya'a Secondary School for Girls in southern Iraq. More than 300 girls attend the school that was extensively refurbished using Australian and Coalition funding. (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071121army8500215_ 104 Australians soldiers present a certificate of appreciation to the local contractor who refurbished the Suq Ash Shuyukh Girls school in southern Iraq. The certificate was presented by Major Mark Armstrong (left) and Captain Adam Loughrey (right), of the Australian Overwatch Battle Group (West)-Three. (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071121army8500215_ 125 Lieutenant Christian Sandner, of the Overwatch Battle Group (West)-Three, brought smiles to the faces of local Iraqi children by issuing them with toys. (Date taken: 21 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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