Our People in QLD
FORMER DOLPHIN FINISHES DESERT MISSION
The former member of the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club Philip graduated from Sunshine Beach State High School in 2002. He also served in the Air Force Cadets with 207 Squadron, and as a member of the Army Reserve's 9 th Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment.
In Iraq , Philip was one of 500 Diggers serving with Australia's Battle Group based at Tallil in Dhi Qar province. The first rotation of the battle group, including Philip, has just finished its tour which began in May. It was Philip's first overseas deployment.
The battle group job is to support the Iraqi Army and Police which are now responsible for security in the provinces of Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar - the first two provinces in Iraq to have achieved this historic milestone.
Philip was a reconnaissance scout in one of the battle group's two combat teams.
"I felt very proud to be an Australian helping the people of Iraq ," Philip said. "It's a rewarding experience."
Some 1400 Australian Defence personnel remain deployed to the Middle East to help post-Saddam Iraq get back on its feet. Known as Operation Catalyst, it is the Australian Government's contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq . Working with the Iraq Government and other coalition forces, the Australian Defence Force continues to help develop a secure and stable environment and assist national recovery programs.
As well as supporting Iraqi security forces, the Australian battle group is conducting many reconstruction projects. More than 20 Australian projects have been completed, with more under way.
These include water and irrigation projects, rural projects to enhance crop and animal production, health clinics, power supply initiatives and a new permanent bridge across the Euphrates linking both sides of the CBD in the provincial capital As Samawah, to help boost the local economy.