Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
13 March 2008
School project opens at Al Salim
Diggers in Iraq have inspected the construction of a new primary school and spent time with local children during a security patrol in Dhi Qar Province.
The community project, one of dozens currently under way, is funded by the Overwatch Battle Group (West) Civil Military Cooperation team and utilises local contractors, injecting hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy.
The new 'Al Akhair' school is being built in the village of Al Salim, near the town of Al Gharref, and will replace a mud brick and reed-roof school attended by hundreds of local children. The current school, with dirt floors, is known as the 'mud school'. When it rains the children have no protection from the elements.
The 516 soldiers of Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 are mostly drawn from units of the Brisbane-based 7th Brigade. The Battle Group is comprised of the headquarters and cavalry squadrons of the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), operating Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs); and an Infantry company from the 6th Battalion of The Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) operating Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMVs).
OBG(W) 4 is based at Tallil Air Base from where it undertakes a security overwatch role for Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar Provinces as part of a larger Coalition Force.
| 20080306adf8246638_187 Sergeant Ryan Cooke, age 30 from King Island, Tasmania, gives out toys to the children of Al Salim village school. The toys were donated by US citizens for the children of Dhi Qar and Al Muthanna provinces. (Date taken: 03 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080306adf8246638_200 Sergeant Ryan Cooke, age 30 from King Island, Tasmania, gives out toys to the children of Al Salim village school. The toys were donated by US citizens for the children of Dhi Qar and Al Muthanna provinces. (Date taken: 03 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080306adf8246638_232 Anwan, age 6, enjoys his gift from the Australian soldiers at the 'mud school' at Al Salim village. In the backround, Australian soldiers inspect the old dirt-floor classrooms. The toys were donated by US citizens for the children of Dhi Qar and Al Muthanna provinces. (Date taken: 03 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080306adf8246638_238 Soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West)-4 mix with the children at the 'mud school' in Al Salim village. Australian forces are funding the construction of a new school. (Date taken: 03 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080306adf8246638_257 Sergeant Lee Sinn (left), age 39 from Wombye in Queensland and part of the OBG(W)-4 Civil Military Cooperation team, and Lieutenant Thomas Green, age 23 from Brisbane, give out pencils and books to children before returning to Camp Terendak. (Date taken: 03 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080306adf8246638_112 Under construction: the new Al Salim village school in Dhi Province funded by Australian forces. (Date taken: 03 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080306adf8246638_162 Soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 meet with the Mayor of Al Gharref, Mohammed Jasim Jabbur, to inspect the construction of a new school being built in the village of Al Salim. (Date taken: 03 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080306adf8246638_168 Construction workers laying bricks at the new Australian-funded school in the village of Al Salim. (Date taken: 03 March 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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