Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
12 May 2008
Diggers replace Iraq 'mud school'
Australian soldiers from Combat Team Heeler and the Mayor of Al Gharref have opened a new $350,000 village school in Iraq’s Dhi Qar province, providing a better learning environment for more than 200 local children.
The new school replaces one built of mud and straw and the construction has been possible due to the stable security situation in the district.
The new ‘Al Akhiar’ school has six modern classrooms, an office, storerooms, toilets, septic tank and a sealed all-weather courtyard.
The Australian battle group funded the construction of the new school, using local contractors, injecting much needed funds into Dhi Qar’s rural economy.
The school opening was conduct during one of Combat Team Heeler’s patrols in Dhi Qar Province. The multi-day patrols include meetings with key leaders, training of Iraqi Security Forces and the inspection of Australian funded projects.
The soldiers of Combat Team Heeler rise before dawn to prepare their equipment and vehicles for a patrol to open a new village school funded by Australian forces. The temperature hovers between 15 and 20 degrees for a few hours at dawn before climbing to over 40 degrees by the mid-morning.
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); an Infantry company from the 6th Battalion of The Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) operating Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMVs); and specialists from the 7th Combat Services Support Battalion.
| 20080508adf8246638_020 The sun rises over the Iraqi desert as Combat Team Heeler prepares for a patrol to open the new Al Akhiar village school. (Date taken: 08 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080508adf8246638_053 The sun rises over the Iraqi desert as Combat Team Heeler prepares for a patrol to open the new Al Akhiar village school. (Date taken: 08 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080508adf8246638_068 The sun rises over the Iraqi desert as Combat Team Heeler prepares for a patrol to open the new Al Akhiar village school. (Date taken: 08 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080508adf8246638_099 An Iraqi shows Private Michael Sutton his bike near Al Gharref. (Date taken: 08 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080508adf8246638_106 Lieutenant Thomas Green, aged 23, from Brisbane returns from conducting a security check of the new school in the village of Al Salim. (Date taken: 08 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080508adf8246638_114 Private Rhett Buckley (right) provides security during the opening of the school. (Date taken: 08 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080508adf8246638_140 Sergeant Matthew Maloney provides security while the Mayor of Al Gharref and Australian soldiers inspect the new school. (Date taken: 08 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080508adf8246638_178 The Mayor of Al Gharref, Mohammed Jabbur, chats with Officer Commanding Combat Team Heeler, Major Matthew Campbell at the opening of the new school. (Date taken: 08 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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