Operation Catalyst is the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.

Working with the Iraqi Government, the ADF continues to contribute to Multi-National Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq, assist national recovery programs and facilitate the transition to Iraq self-government.

Operation Catalyst currently comprises up to 1540 Australian Defence Force personnel.

Major General Mike Hindmarsh commands all ADF units deployed in the Middle East Area of Operations including all elements assigned to Operation Catalyst and Operation Slipper.

Brigadier Damian Roche is the Deputy Commander of Australian forces in Iraq.

Though deployed on Catalyst, some units, personnel and assets are dual assigned and are also responsible to supporting Operation Slipper (the ADF's contribution to fighting global terrorism). In such cases, information appears below in Italics.

Operation Catalyst fact sheet

Australia's commitment to Operation Catalyst presently includes:

• An Australian Joint Task Force Headquarters of about 70 personnel that commands all ADF maritime, land and air elements deployed on either Operations Catalyst or Slipper. The headquarters is commanded by Major General Mike Hindmarsh. Brigadier Damian Roche also operates from this headquarters.

• Australian Security Detachment – Baghdad XII (SECDET XII) is a Combat Team (CT) of about 110 personnel. The CT comprises two infantry Platoons, one Cavalry Troop, a Military Police Detachment and a Combat Service Support Element.

As part of Joint Task Force 633, SECDET provides support to the Australian Embassy–Baghdad in order to facilitate the conduct of the Australian Diplomatic Mission. SECDET utilises ASLAVs and armoured Landcruisers to provide protected mobility for Australian Government personnel working at the Australian Embassy. The Military Police Detachment provides close personal protection for key personnel.

SECDET XII consists primarily of personnel from the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment and 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry). SECDET XII also includes personnel from the 3rd Combat Support Regiment, 1st Military Police Battalion, 7 Combat Service Support Battalion and 1st Intelligence Battalion.

• The Overwatch Battle Group-West (OBG-W) based in the southern Iraqi province of Dhi Qar comprises approximately 515 personnel and consists of a headquarters, a cavalry squadron, an infantry company, ASLAVs and Bushmaster vehicles. The Battle Group is based at Tallil Air Base and from where it undertakes a security overwatch role for Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar Provinces as part of a larger Coalition Force.

• The Australian Army Training Team - Iraq contributes to training the Iraqi Army with a team of up to 100 trainers working at various locations throughout Iraq. The training conducted by the Australian Army Training Team Iraq has yielded excellent results with approximately 16,500 Iraq Army personnel benefitting from the Australian contribution including: 11,500 Iraqi Army recruits, 400 non-commissioned officers, 330 officers and 4200 specialists.

•  A RAAF C-130 Hercules Detachment of about 155 personnel provides intra-theatre airlift and sustainment support in the Middle East, with three transport aircraft, ground crew and other support elements.

• About 95 personnel serving in the multi-national force headquarters and units.

•  A RAAF AP-3C Orion Detachment of about 170 personnel conducts maritime patrol operations, with two aircraft and associated command and support elements supporting both the rehabilitation operation in Iraq and the coalition operation against terrorism.

• HMAS ARUNTA, under the command of Commander Timothy Brown RAN, is currently deployed to the Northern Persian Gulf as part of Operation Catalyst. ARUNTA is tasked to assist in the protection of Iraq's offshore assets such as oil platforms, which allows Iraq to generate much needed funds to support reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

ARUNTA also assists with the detection, interception and deterrence of vessels suspected of undertaking illegal activity within Iraqi waters. This is ARUNTA’s second deployment to the Northern Persian Gulf and is the 17th rotation of Navy ships as part of coalition operations since 2001.

HMAS ARUNTA is the second of the Royal Australian Navy’s eight ANZAC-class frigates, and the second ship of the name. The original ARUNTA was commissioned in 1942 during World War II and served with distinction in New Guinea and the Pacific between 1942 and 1944, the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944 and Lingayen Gulf in 1945.

The name ARUNTA comes from the Arrente Aboriginal people, located in central Australia around Alice Springs. The Arrente Council presented HMAS ARUNTA with a flag displaying a Perrente lizard. The lizard is an animal from the dreamtime for the Arrente people, and is featured on HMAS ARUNTA’s Sea Hawk helicopter.

•  A small number of ADF personnel are employed with the Coalition Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Task Force, designated TF Troy. TF Troy coordinates Coalition C-IED efforts focused on intelligence collection, material solutions and training for coalition forces throughout Iraq. ADF personnel serving with TF Troy also provide information that assists the Australian Counter IED Task Force that is based in Canberra.

• A tri-service Force Level Logistic Asset, communications element and movement control group of 110 personnel are responsible for a range of logistic, training and communications activities.

Information current at 07 March 2008