Our People in NSW
Private Anthony Coleman - KEEPING THE PEACE IN THE CRADLE OF CIVILISATION
Private Coleman recently deployed with the Overwatch Battle Group (West) 3 to Tallil Air Base, in Dhi Qar province, which is about 350 km south of Baghdad.
Private Coleman , 28 , is two months into his six month deployment, which marks his first operational deployment overseas.
He lives in Darwin , where he is posted with the Army, but comes from Mortdale in Sydney , New South Wales.
Private Coleman sees tremendous significance in walking in the footsteps of ancient warriors in a land where 6,000 years earlier the Sumerians established the first known civilisation and invented writing, reading, math and agriculture.
Private Coleman is a member of the Battle Group Reserve which serves as the Quick Response Force (QRF) and consists of a dozen Australian Light Armoured Vehicles as well as Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles.
"I am very proud of my work with the Battle Group and its contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq ," he said.
He said he is confident of doing Australia proud because of the extensive training the Battle Group did in the months before deploying to Iraq and the quality equipment they have been issued.
Private Coleman said his family and friends are proud that he has gone to Iraq with the Army to help the Iraqi people with the rehabilitation and reconstruction of their country."
"One of my enduring memories of Iraq will be how very, very hot and dusty the place is," said Private Coleman, who is based in Darwin with the 5 th Royal Australian Regiment.
He said summer in Darwin is mild compared to summer in Iraq , where the temperature will peak at about 55 degrees celsius by mid August.
Private Coleman joined the Army in March 2005, because he was looking for a challenge, adventure and an opportunity to help people less fortunate.
Although Private Coleman is enjoying his deployment, he is looking forward to returning to Darwin to be reunited with his fiancée, Vanessa.
"I'm enjoying the challenge of the deployment to Iraq but at the same time I'm also looking forward to being with Vanessa," he said.
Private Coleman said he also missed watching the footy on Sunday afternoon when he can relax with his fiancée and enjoy a cold drink.
He is also looking forward to the day when he can return to Mortdale in Sydney 's west to visit his mother Violet, aged 54.
"I'm looking forward to catching up with my mother because I know she is very proud of me for duty my duty and wants to know what I've been doing over here," he said.
Private Coleman is one of the 515-members of the Overwatch Battle Group (West)-3 that deployed to southern Iraq in late May, with the mission to provide security overwatch in Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar provinces.
The majority of troops serving in the Battle Group are drawn from the 2 nd Calvary Regiment and the 5th Battalion which are based at Robertson Barracks in Darwin.
OBG(W)-3 is part of the ADF's contribution to Operation Catalyst which is the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.
Working with the Iraqi Government, the ADF continues to contribute 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 Iraqi self-government.
Operation Catalyst currently comprises up to 1575 ADF personnel.