Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
04 June 2008
Iraq drawdown on track
Australia’s draw-down from Tallil in southern Iraq is on track following the completion of a major logistical move.
Soldiers from the Overwatch Battle Group (West) and the Force Extraction Team used heavy cranes and forklifts to load dozens of vehicles, shipping containers and equipment for return to Australia.
Gusty winds and temperatures in the mid 40s did not stop the Diggers, who are working to move all of Australia’s troops and equipment from Tallil by mid year.
While the logistic teams work on the move home, combat troops continue their security patrolling, mentoring of Iraqi security forces on vehicle check-points, and their handover to US forces.
The Battle Group will remain focused and vigilant until the end of its mission.
The last Australian troops are due to leave southern Iraq by mid-year.
| 20080522adf8246638_007 An Australian Unimog Truck is loaded for return to Australia. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_026 Soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) - 4 and the Force Extraction Team assist contractors with strapping down vehicles. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_032 Soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) - 4 and the Force Extraction Team assist the contractors with strapping down vehicles. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_049 Sergeant Jason Lehmann, aged 39 from Albany Creek, Brisbane, assisting the contractors to secure the vehicles for return to Australia. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_054 Contractors secure vehicles before moving to the Army's staging area in the middle east. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_065 The Force Extraction Team are 'full speed ahead' to ensure a smooth withdrawal from southern Iraq. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_074 An Australian Unimog Truck is loaded for return to Australia. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_075 An Australian Unimog truck is loaded and ready for return to Australia. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_077 Shipping containers ready for loading onto trucks and shipping to Australia. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_101 Australian shipping containers being loaded onto to trucks that are en route to Australia. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_112 (L-R) Private Leith Szymanski, 31 from Durack, Darwin and Sergeant Sean Lehman, 40 from Bracken Ridge, Brisbane organise the movements of cargo at Camp Terendak, Tallil Iraq. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_124 Shipping containers full of Australian military equipment are loaded onto trucks en route to Australia. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_137 Private Leith Szymanski, 31 from Durack, Darwin, assisting contractors with the lift of Australian cargo at Camp Terendak in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_140 Private Leith Szymanski, 31 from Durack, Darwin gives a word of advice to contractors during the uplift of cargo that is en route to Australia. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_153 Shipping containers full of Australian military equipment being loaded onto to trucks that are en route to Australia. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_166 Australian soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) and the Force Extraction Team assist contractors with the loading of shipping containers. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_197 The convoy loaded with Australian vehicles and shipping containers passes through the front gate at Camp Terendak in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080522adf8246638_201 The convoy loaded with Australian vehicles and shipping containers passes through the front gate of Camp Terendak. (Date taken: 22 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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