Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
31 July 2009
Ceremony marks the end of Operation Catalyst in Iraq
A short flag lowering ceremony, attended by Major General Mark Kelly, AO, the Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East, was held at 1600 on 28th of July to mark the end of Operation Catalyst in Iraq. The ceremony was held on top of the ‘Roundhouse’ building – which had been used as accommodation for Australian personnel – at Aussie Island in Camp Victory.
Following the ceremony, the last Australian personnel associated with Operation Catalyst departed for Baghdad International Airport, where they boarded an Royal Australian Airforce C-130 Hercules to begin their journey home.
Operation CATALYST is the ADF’s contribution to the US-led Multinational Force effort to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq and assist national recovery programs.
Defence will conclude its military commitment to the rehabilitation of Iraq on 31 July 2009 marking the end of a mission that commenced on 20 March 2003.
The cessation of Operation CATALYST does not include 80 ADF personnel providing protection for Australian diplomatic staff and the Australian embassy in Baghdad under Operation KRUGER, nor two ADF officers serving with the UN assistance Mission for Iraq under Operation RIVERBANK.
| 20090728adf8083167_100 Corporal Andrew Hebden lowers the Australian National Flag which had been flying over 'Aussie Island' at Camp Victory in Baghdad. Corporal Hebden is based at Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera, QLD. (Date taken: 28 July 2009) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20090728adf8083167_109 Corporal Don Mander (left) and Corporal Andrew Hebden (right) prepare the Australian National Flag - which had flown over 'Aussie Island' at Camp Victory - to be handed over to Major General Mark Kelly, AO, Commander of Australian Forces in Afghanistan. The ceremony marked the end of Operation Catalyst in Iraq. (Date taken: 28 July 2009) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20090728adf8083167_112 Corporal Andrew Hebden presents Major General Mark Kelly, AO, Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East, with the Australian National Flag which had flown over 'Aussie Island' at Camp Victory in Baghdad. The lowering of the flag and handing over to Major General Kelly, marked the close of Operation Catalyst in Iraq. (Date taken: 28 July 2009) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20090728adf8083167_133 Warrant Officer Wagener, one of the last Australian EMBED's serving in Iraq with Operation Catalyst, is farewelled by a United States Air Force colleague at Baghdad International Airport. In the background, baggage for the EMBED's is loaded onto an Army unimog to be taken out to a waiting Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules. (Date taken: 28 July 2009) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20090728adf8083167_154 Corporal Don Mander, the last of the Australians associated with Operation Catalyst nears an Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules at Baghdad International Airport. Corporal Mander provided a one-stop shop for support to Australian personnel serving in Baghdad including logistics and administration. Earlier in the day at a flag lowering ceremony marking the end of Operation Catalyst, he received a commendation from the Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East, Major General Mark Kelly, AO. Corporal Mander is based at Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera, QLD. (Date taken: 28 July 2009) Low Res | High Res |
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