Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
03 March 2008
Change of command ceremony in Middle East
On 1 March 2008, the Command of Joint Task Force 633 was passed from Major General Mark Evans to Major General Mike Hindmarsh.
Major General Evans was the first Australian officer of two-star rank to command the joint Iraq-Afghanistan theatres, known as the Middle East Area of Operations. He assumed command of Joint Task Force 633 on 17 June 2007.
Major General Hindmarsh served as the Commander Special Operations Command Australia prior to assuming command of JTF633.
Headquarters Joint Task Force 633 is based in Baghdad at Camp Victory, Saddam Hussein's former Al Faw Palace complex. HQ JTF633 has a joint-force team of Navy, Army and Air Force personnel who provide the command function for the Australian Task Groups in Iraq, Afghanistan and the wider Persian Gulf region as part of Operations CATALYST and SLIPPER.
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.
Operation SLIPPER is the ADF contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Operation SLIPPER is an important component of the Australian Government's commitment to working together with the international community to help prevent acts of terrorism around the world.
| 20080228adf8267338_029 Major General Mike Hindmarsh at his headquarters in Baghdad. (Date taken: 28 February 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080229adf8267338_048 Major General Mark Evans, the former Commander Joint Task Force 633, works at his desk during his last day in command of the Task Force. (Date taken: 29 February 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080301adf8267338_008 The 107th birthdays of the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy were celebrated at Headquarters Joint Task Force 633 during the change of command ceremony at Camp Victory in Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080301adf8267338_045 Major General Mark Evans listens to a speech about his command by Captain Warren Bairstow RAN, the Chief of Staff for Headquarters JTF633, during the change of command ceremony at Headquarters Joint Task Force 633, Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080301adf8267338_108 Major General Mike Hindmarsh addresses the assembled Australian troops at the change of command ceremony at Headquarters Joint Task Force 633, Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080301adf8267338_129 The 107th birthdays of the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy were also celebrated at HQ JTF633 during the Change of Command Ceremony at Camp Victory in Baghdad. Here the cake is cut by (from left) Major General Mark Evans (former Commander Joint Task 633), Signalman Cory Dryden (the youngest soldier assigned to HQ JTF633), Major General Mike Hindmarsh (current Commander Joint Task 633) and Leading Seaman Shane Perry (the youngest sailor assigned to HQ JTF633). (Date taken: 01 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080301adf8267338_188 Major General Mark Evans (left) and Major General Mike Hindmarsh relax following the change of command ceremony at Headquarters Joint Task Force 633, Baghdad. (Date taken: 01 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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