Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
14 December 2007
OBGW4 Handover ceremony
Responsibility for Australia’s military overwatch role in southern Iraq has changed hands.
During a parade at Australia’s Camp Terendak at Tallil, in Dhi Daq province, southern Iraq on 08 December 07, Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood transferred command of the Overwatch Battle Group (West) to Lieutenant Colonel Chris Websdane
The transition of authority ceremony from OBG(W)-3 to OBG(W)-4 was attended by more than 20 senior leaders including the governor of Dhi Qar province, the deputy governor of Al Muthanna province, senior Iraqi Army officers, senior Iraqi Police Service officers and the Commander of the Multi-national Division South-East, Major General Binns.
LTCOL Websdane thanked OBG(W)-3 for their tireless efforts to maintain peace and stability in Southern Iraq. He also thanked the leaders of Dhi Qar, Al Muthanna and the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) for their support of OBG(W)-3.
He said that OBG(W)-4 will continue to support the ISF through training and will work closely with the Dhi Qar and Al Muthanna communities.
Approximately 515 personnel, drawn mostly from Brisbane's 7th Brigade, make up the Overwatch Battle Group (West) - Four (OBG(W)-4). The battle group is based primarily on the soldiers of the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) and is commonly referred to as Battle Group Chauvel in honour of General Sir ‘Harry’ Chauvel, the commander of the Light Horse during the First World War.
| 20071208usarmy_111 General Officer Commanding Multi National Division (South East) Major General Graham Binns (centre) presents Private A Francis with a commendation for exemplary service during the Transition of Authority Parade from Overwatch Battle Group (West) - Three to Overwatch Battle Group (West) - Four at Australia's Camp Terendak, at Tallil in Southern Iraq. (Date taken: 08 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071208usarmy_128 Brigadier General Sa'ad, Commander of the 3rd Brigade of the Iraqi Army 10th Division, thanks Lieutenant Colonel Jake Elwood, Commanding Officer of the Overwatch Battle Group (West) - Three (OBG (W)-3), during the Transition of Authority Parade from OBG (W)-3 to OBG (W)-4 at Australia's Camp Terendak, at Tallil in Southern Iraq. (Date taken: 08 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071208usarmy_138 Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood, Commanding Officer of Overwatch Battle Group (West) - Three (OBG (W)-3), makes his farewell speech to Battle Groups Tiger and Chauvel, whilst Warrant Officer Class One Gregory Burns, Regimental Sergeant Major of OBG (W)-3 (left) looks on during the Transition of Authority Parade from OBG (W)-3 to OBG (W)-4 at Australia's Camp Terendak, at Tallil in Southern Iraq. (Date taken: 08 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071208usarmy_148 Warrant Officer Class One Gregory Burns, Regimental Sergeant Major of OBG (W)-3 (left), salutes as the flag of Battle Group Tiger is lowered for the last time during the Transition of Authority Parade from OBG (W)-3 to OBG (W)-4 at Australia's Camp Terendak, at Tallil in Southern Iraq. (Date taken: 08 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071208usarmy_161 Lieutenant Colonel Chris Websdane (left), Commanding Officer of Overwatch Battle Group (West) - Four (OBG(W)-4), thanks Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood, Commanding Officer of OBG (W)-3, during the Transition of Authority Parade from OBG (W)-3 to OBG (W)-4 at Australia's Camp Terendak, at Tallil in Southern Iraq. (Date taken: 08 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071208usarmy_180 Lieutenant Colonel Chris Websdane, Commanding Officer of Overwatch Battle Group (West) - Four (right) salutes and passes control of the parade to OBG (W)-4 Regimental Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Class One Brad Clarke during the Transition of Authority Parade from OBG (W)-3 to OBG (W)-4 at Australia's Camp Terendak, at Tallil in Southern Iraq. (Date taken: 08 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071208usarmy_195 Lieutenant Colonel Chris Websdane, the Commanding Officer of Overwatch Battle Group (West) - Four (second from right), discusses local security and reconstruction issues with Dhi Qar Governor Aziz Kadum Alwan Oqheli (far left), and Al Muthanna Deputy Governor Riyad Al Amir (mid left) following the Transition of Authority Parade from OBG (W)-3 to OBG (W)-4 at Australia's Camp Terendak, at Tallil in Southern Iraq. (Date taken: 08 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071208usarmy_208 Brigadier General Sa'ad, Commander of the 3rd Brigade of the Iraqi Army 10th Division (left), farewells Lieutenant Colonel Jake Elwood, Commanding Officer of the Overwatch Battle Group (West) - Three (OBG (W)-3), following the Transition of Authority Parade from OBG (W)-3 to OBG (W)-4 at Australia's Camp Terendak, at Tallil in Southern Iraq. (Date taken: 08 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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