10 March 2006
Security Task Group perform security search and lockdown

The Australian Defence Force (ADF), as part of the overall Australian Government contribution, is providing support to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

This support includes security and ceremonial personnel, as well as other general support staff. This support is being provided under the title of Operation Acolyte.

Acolyte is Latin for ‘helper’ or ‘assistant’ and was chosen to symbolise the ADF’s supporting role in the staging of the Commonwealth Games.

Operation Acolyte involves 2,600 Australian Defence Force personnel from across the three services, performing a range of specialist roles such as security, ceremonial and general support.

The troops are being accommodated at, and working from, existing Defence establishments in and around Melbourne including: Simpson Barracks, Watsonia; Maygar Barracks, Broadmeadows; RAAF Williams, Laverton and Point Cook; and Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.

The Department of Defence, through Operation Acolyte, will assist in providing world class support to ensure a safe, secure and successful staging of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

20060309adf8185016_0001 Trooper Angelo Tatsis, a member of the Operation Acolyte Security Task Group, checks an air conditioning vent at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre during the security search and lockdown of the venue prior to the commencement of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Trooper Tatsis is an Army Reserve soldier from the 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers, and has taken time off from his full-time job as a driver for Australia Post to serve with the ADF at the games. (Date taken: 09 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060309adf8185016_0043 Army Reserve soldiers Private Steve McLean (left) and Lance Corporal John Smart, members of the Operation Acolyte Security Task Group, check spectator seating at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre during the security search and lockdown of the venue prior to the commencement of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Private McLean, from the 23rd Field Regiment (a NSW-based artillery unit), can normally be found driving trucks in his civilian job, while Lance Corporal Smart, from the 5th Combat Engineer Regiment in Penrith, NSW, is a concreter. (Date taken: 09 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060309adf8185016_0029 Corporal John Hill, a member of the Operation Acolyte Security Task Group, confirms the progress of the security search and lockdown at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre prior to the commencement of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Corporal Hill is an Army Reserve soldier from the 2nd/17th Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment, and has taken time off from his full-time job as an Information Technology consultant to serve with the ADF at the games. (Date taken: 09 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060309adf8185016_0019 Private Steve McLean, a member of the Operation Acolyte Security Task Group, checks spectator seating at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre during the security search and lockdown of the venue prior to the commencement of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Private McLean is an Army Reserve soldier from the 23rd Field Regiment (a NSW-based artillery unit), and has taken time off from his full-time job as a truck driver to serve with the ADF at the games. (Date taken: 09 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res