Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
18 July 2006
Handover ceremony at As Samawah
The ceremony at the city's sports stadium celebrated Al Muthanna achieving PIC - the first province in Iraq to reach this milestone.
The formal transition to Iraqi control was marked with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by the govenor of Al Muthanna Province, Mohamed Al Hassani. Under the agreement, the responsibility for security in the province will now pass from Coalition forces to the Iraqi Governent.
The commanding officer of Australia's Al Muthanna Task Group, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mahy, was present at the historic signing, alongside senior coalition and Iraqi government representatives.
The Australian Army's 450-strong Task Group has played a key role to help Al Muthanna Province achieve PIC.
| 20060713adf8243116_006 Orders are issued prior to departing Camp Smitty for those attending the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony at the As Samawah Stadium. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_022 A bushmaster crew member prepares for the move to the As Samawah Stadium, where the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony was held. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_081 An Iraqi soldier waits for the start of the ceremony at As Samawah Stadium. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_107 AAn Iraqi soldier contemplates the future as the start of the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony signals the beginning of a new era for the people of Al Muthanna. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_114 Iraqi soldiers begin their march past officials at the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_119 Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony gets underway with troops and police units marching past the officials area in As Samawah stadium. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_120 Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mahy (left) speaks to Brigadier John Cantwell at the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_127 Brigadier John Cantwell, Major General Kurt Cichowski and Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mahy converse at the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_139 Locals celebrate at the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_143 Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mahy talks with Japanese Colonel Toshihiro Yamanka at the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_164 Iraqi police (left) and soldiers holding the national flag of Iraq during the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_170 Sheiks attend the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_265 Celebrations at the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_179 A soldier at the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_205 Iraqi soldiers and police attend the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_216 Iraqi soldiers march past officials at the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_246 An Iraqi soldier on parade during the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_249 Locals celebrate at the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060713adf8243116_262 Locals celebrate at the Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) handover ceremony - As Samawah. (Date taken: 28 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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