Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
02 June 2008
Diggers hand over Dhi Qar province
U.S. commanders and soldiers joined Diggers from Combat Team Heeler for a two day orientation and hand-over patrol in Dhi Qar province.
The patrol took place in harsh conditions with daytime temperatures edging past 50 degrees Celsius.
The Australians met with tribal and civic leaders during the farewell patrol, ensuring a smooth transition when Overwatch Battle Group (West) returns to Australia mid-year.
The patrol was integral to the Australian drawdown, which will see it hand over responsibility for ‘Overwatch’ in Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar province to units of the U.S. Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
The soldiers were treated to a traditional lunch in the town of Al Islah and the Australians exchanged gifts with local leaders during the visits, thanking them for their support in Dhi Qar since 2006.
The patrol also visited a school refurbished by the Australians in the district of Al Gharref, one of the many built by the Australians since they arrived in the area. The school represents the Australian’s focus on the children as the future of Iraq. During the visit the diggers provided school supplies for use by the children when they return from summer vacation.
The Australian drawdown is well advanced and logistic movements, such as the movement of vehicles and stores are a regular part of day to day battle group operations.
Australian forces at Tallil Air Base are on track to redeploy to Australia by the middle of the year.
| 20080524adf8246638_001 Soldiers from Combat Team Heeler and the US Army chat with Iraqis while en route to Al Islah. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_019 Lance Corporal Jesse Barrett and a US Army officer provide security for a rest stop while en route to Al Islah. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_063 Private Clinton Jones chats with Iraqi police officers outside a key leadership enagement in Al Islah. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_072 The Commanding Officer of Overwatch Battle Group (West) - 4, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Websdane conducts a handover with Lieutenant Colonel Mark Stock from the 2nd Battalion 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airbourne Division at a key leadership engagement with Sheikh Sabri at Al Islah. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_074 (L-R) Officer Commanding, Combat Team Heeler, Major Matthew Campbell, and Commanding Officer, Overwatch Battle Group (West) - 4, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Websdane say farewell to Sheikh Sabri at Al Islah. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_075 Soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) - 4 enjoy a traditional Iraqi lunch with Sheikh Sabri at Al Islah. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_102 As the sun rises soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) - 4 wake for another day's patrolling Dhi Qar Province. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_224 Lance Corporal Hayden Farrow provides security with US soldiers during a school inspection in the Al Gharraf district. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_258 Lance Corporal Michael Durkin, a sniper with the Overwatch Battle Group (West) - 4 provides security during the school opening in Al Gharraf. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_269 Major Matthew Campbell (right) conducts an inpsection of an Australian-funded school project with Officers from 2nd Battalion 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airbourne Division near Al Gharref. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_289 Private Steven Heard provides security during the inspection of an Australian funded school in the district of Al Gharref. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_310 Australian vehicles from Combat Team Heeler conduct a short halt before patrolling back to Camp Terendak for the last time. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_329 Vehciles from Combat Team Heeler and the US Army prepare to move back to Camp Terendak. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080524adf8246638_337 Private Paea-he-Ofa Halo and Lance Corporal Adam Marsh chat with Iraqis during a short stop before heading back to Camp Terendak. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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