Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
04 February 2008
Five years for AP-3C detachment
On 28 January 2003, the first Operational P-3C mission in the Middle East Area Operations (MEAO) was flown by the Maritime Patrol Group. Five years and more than 12,000 flying hours later the Task Group is stronger and more capable than ever.
19 Task Group commanders have been appointed since Group Captain Steve Martin (now Air Commodore Martin) led the first deployment. Current commander Wing Commander Steve Hanrahan said it was an honour to be among those chosen to lead the group. "I look back over the names of my predecessors and I am very proud to be counted amongst them," he said. "We can all be proud of the hard earned reputation we have as a capable, flexible and reliable Coalition partner."
The maritime patrol task group operates two AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft in missions over the Persian Gulf and Iraq in support of Operations CATALYST and SLIPPER.
The missions have included overland reconnaissance, maritime patrols and oil terminal protection sorties to support the rehabilitation of Iraq and the coalition against terrorism.
Operation CATALYST is the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq. Working with the Iraqi Government, the ADF continues to contribute to Multi-National Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq, assist national recovery programs and facilitate the transition to Iraq self-government.
| 20071227raaf8440748_001 Members of the Maritime Patrol Task Group assigned to the Middle East gather for a photo in front of an AP-3C Orion aircraft at their base in the Middle East. In front is Commander Task Group 633.2 Wing Commander Stephen Hanrahan. (Date taken: 27 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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