2 May
2003
ASLAVs
deploy to the Middle East as part of Australia's rehabilitation contribution.
Australian
Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment are loaded
onto a transport aircraft in Darwin for deployment to the Middle East.
The Government has decided to adjust Australia’s military commitment
in Iraq as coalition operations transition from offensive combat operations
to stabilisation and recovery operations, Defence Minister Robert Hill
announced today.
Senator Hill said the name for the Australian Defence contribution to
the rehabilitation of Iraq was Operation Catalyst.
The Government announced on 17 April that many of the ADF personnel
deployed to the Middle East as part of the coalition to disarm Iraq
would return home soon. The Government has decided this week to withdraw
further ADF elements.
The bulk of the Army Commando task group supported by CH-47 Chinook
troop-lift helicopters will start to return home in the middle of this
month. The whole group will have returned to Australia by about the
end of the month.
Operation Catalyst includes:
* A Royal Australian Air Force combat support element of about 60 air
traffic control personnel working at Baghdad International Airport.
The air traffic controllers will start operations on Saturday.
* Experienced analysts and technical experts to support the coalition
effort to locate, identify, account for and subsequently destroy Iraq’s
weapons of mass destruction and programs.
The Government has decided to send a further four specialists in addition
to the 12 Defence personnel already announced. The specialists are military
and civilian officers from the Defence Intelligence Organisation, the
Defence Science and Technology Organisation and the Australian Defence
Force, with skills relating to chemical and biological weapons, missiles
and related technologies, and Iraq’s weapons programs.
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2nd Cavalry Regiment ASLAVs (Australian Light Armoured Vehicle)
are loaded into a transport aircraft at Darwin airport.
(Date taken: 1 May 2003)
Low-Res | Hi-Res
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An
Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) from the 2nd Cavalry
Regiment is loaded onto a transport aircraft in Darwin for deployment
to the Middle East.
(Date
taken: 1 May 2003)
Low-Res | Hi-Res
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A
2nd Cavalry Regiment soldier waits with an ASLAV (Australian Light
Armoured Vehicle) for loading on a transport aircraft at Darwin
airport.
(Date taken: 1 May 2003)
Low-Res | Hi-Res
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A
2nd Cavalry Regiment ASLAV (Australian Light Armoured Vehicle)
being loaded into a transport aircraft at Darwin airport. (Date
taken: 1 May 2003)
Low-Res | Hi-Res
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