Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
05 June 2008
Withdrawal of the Army Training Team
As Australia prepares to withdraw its combat troops from Iraq, a small band of Diggers who’ve been conducting counterinsurgency training just outside of Baghdad have won praise for their significant contribution and the legacy they will leave behind.
Since mid-2006 four training teams - each made up of just four Australian soldiers - have collectively trained several thousand coalition and Iraqi security forces in counterinsurgency theory, techniques and practice.
The Counterinsurgency Centre of Excellence (COIN-CFE) was established in recognition of a need to educate coalition and Iraqi forces about the challenges of the contemporary battlefield. Such challenges include the adoption of terrorism by insurgents and their use of sophisticated home-made bombs that employ modern technology.
The Australian Army instructors have provided training as diverse as mentoring members of the Iraqi Army, delivering theoretical and practical training to Iraqi and American combat teams and going onto the streets in towns and cities to gather information for the development of new educational packages.
| 20080523adf8237885_077 The Australian flag is lowered for the final time in a ceremony marking the withdrawal of the Army Training Team from the Counter Insurgency Centre of Excellence at Taji in Northern Iraq. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20080523adf8237885_084 The Australian flag is lowered for the final time in a ceremony marking the withdrawal of the Army Training Team from the Counter Insurgency Centre of Excellence at Taji in Northern Iraq. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20080523adf8237885_107 Lieutenant Colonel Mark O'Neill addresses Australia's coalition partners during a service of thanksgiving marking the withdrawal of the training team he commanded at the Counter Insurgency Centre of Excellence at Taji in Northern Iraq. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20080523adf8237885_120 Australian Army Chaplain, Major Kerry Bartlett, leads a ceremony of thanksgiving marking the withdrawal of the final training team detachment to serve at the coalition's Counter Insurgency Centre of Excellence at Taji in Northern Iraq. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20080523adf8237885_129 Coalition soldiers stand to attention and salute as the Australian flag is lowered at the end of a service of thanksgiving marking the withdrawal of the Army's counter insurgency training team from Taji in Northern Iraq. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20080523adf8237885_141 Major John Papalitsas (left) formally passes the Australian flag to Training Team Detachment Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mark O'Neill after it was lowered for the final time in a ceremony at Taji in Northern Iraq. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20080524adf8237885_172 Australian soldiers guide members of the Iraqi Army through the process of effectively talking with members of the public during a simulated counter insurgency patrol at a coalition base in Northern Iraq. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20080524adf8237885_174 Australian soldiers guide members of the Iraqi Army through the process of effectively talking with members of the public during a simulated counter insurgency patrol at a coalition base in Northern Iraq. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20080524adf8237885_179 Australian Army Adviser, Major John Papalitsas (centre), guides an Iraqi soldier through an exercise designed to improve skills used when dealing with members of the public. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20080524adf8237885_188 Australian Training Team Adviser, Major John Papalitsas (centre), shares a joke with members of the Iraqi Army during a break from counter insurgency exercises. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20080524adf8237885_207 A member of the Australian Training Team de-briefs an Iraqi Army soldier following a counter insurgency exercise. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20080524adf8237885_212 A member of the Australian Training Team de-briefs Iraqi Army soldiers following a counter insurgency exercise. (Date taken: 24 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
