Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
17 June 2008
More Troops leave Tallil
Overwatch Battle Group (West) soldiers continue to leave Tallil, southern Iraq, on Royal Australian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft.
The drawdown of personnel and equipment is now approaching its final stages.
The first leg of the journey from Iraq takes the soldiers to Australia’s Force Level Logistic Asset in the Middle East where they conduct a rang of administrative checks before returning to Australia.
After more than six months away, the soldiers are keen to return home and see family and friends, but they are proud of the many achievements of the Battle Group and the Army Training Team that helped retrain Iraqi security forces.
But long after the last Digger is back home their legacy will be boosting the long-term future of local Iraqis. The Battle Group has project-managed over 180 reconstruction projects including new or renovated school buildings, sporting facilities and community parks, water and irrigation projects, rural projects to enhace crop and animal production, health clinics and power-supply initiatives.
Water purification is particularly importnat for the future as water-borne diseases can still be a major killer - especially of young children.
| 20080615adf8246638_020 A RAAF C-130 Hercules arrives at Ali Air Base, Tallil, Iraq to take soldiers on the first stage of their journey home to Australia. (Date taken: 15 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080615adf8246638_048 Soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 board the C-130 Hercules at Ali Air Base, Tallil Iraq for the first stage of their journey home to Australia. (Date taken: 15 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080615adf8246638_049 Soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 board the C-130 Hercules at Ali Air Base, Tallil Iraq for the first stage of their journey home to Australia. (Date taken: 15 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080615adf8246638_053 Warrant Officer Class Two Peter Kirkman boards the C-130 Hercules at Ali Air Base, Tallil Iraq for the first stage of their journey home to Australia. (Date taken: 15 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080615adf8246638_059 Private Melanie Cracknell boards the C-130 Hercules at Ali Air Base, Tallil Iraq for the first stage of their journey home to Australia. (Date taken: 15 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080615adf8246638_070 Trooper Alexander Brown, Craftsman Jay Fennell and soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 board the C-130 Hercules at Ali Air Base, Tallil Iraq for the first stage of their journey home to Australia. (Date taken: 15 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080615adf8246638_098 Soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 board the C-130 Hercules at Ali Air Base, Tallil Iraq for the first stage of their journey home to Australia. (Date taken: 15 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080615adf8246638_102 Soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 board the C-130 Hercules at Ali Air Base, Tallil Iraq for the first stage of their journey home to Australia. (Date taken: 15 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080615adf8246638_128 Legal Officer for the Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 Major Stephen King boards the C-130 Hercules at Ali Air Base, Tallil Iraq for the first stage of their journey home to Australia. (Date taken: 15 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080615adf8246638_132 Sergeant Shane Smith and soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 board the C-130 Hercules at Ali Air Base, Tallil Iraq for the first stage of their journey home to Australia. (Date taken: 15 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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