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 1550 Australian Defence Force personnel. This includes some personnel that are assigned to support both Operation Catalyst and Operation Slipper. The Australian Government has recently directed that the Overwatch Battle Group (West) is to be withdrawn from Iraq.  This is scheduled to occur in mid-2008. The coincident withdrawal of the Australian Army Training Team will leave less than 1000 ADF personnel in Iraq.

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.

10 Squadron's Outstanding Achievements in the Middle East

Between April 2003 and April 2008, 10 Squadron committed up to 70 personnel at any one time to the AP-3C Orion Task Group in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).

During its time in the Middle East, 10 Squadron conducted maritime surveillance of the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, and overland surveillance of Iraq. These missions supported Australian and Coalition Forces.

No 10 Squadron has successfully completed its longest period of continuous operational service since World War II.

RAAF Orions continue to perform vital work in the Middle East, through the deployment of 11 Squadron.

HERCULES C130-H ACHIEVEMENTS

• The 8th of June 2008 marks the completion of a rotational deployment for the Hercules C130 H.

• With the last of the recently deployed H models returned home for a well deserved rest, the air crew, maintainers and other staff of 37 Sqn can be justly proud of the enormous contribution made to operations within the middle east area of operations.

• The flying personnel, air crew and maintainers were from 37 Sqn with the majority of supporting elements being drawn from the Expeditionary Combat Support Squadrons and the Combat Support Group from across the Air Force.

• During their 445 mission the aircraft have moved over 7 000 000 lbs of cargo and just over 20 000 passengers.

• "I think that with over 7 million lbs of cargo moved in 445 missions over the last 10 months, the success of this Task Group has been easy to measure. What is a little harder to measure is the reason for our success and I think it has to come down to the people. Everyone, Pilot to Pay CLK and Maintainer to Medic, has put in a fantastic effort over each of the rotations that have supported the H Models and it is their individual efforts that have that have come together to achieve this success. Every one of them should be proud of what they've done here”

02 July 2008
WGCDR Pete Ward
Commander Task Group

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 – (SECDET XIII) 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 XIII consists primarily of personnel from the Brisbane-based 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment and the Darwin-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment SECDET XIII 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 550 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 60 trainers working at various locations throughout Iraq. The training conducted by the Australian Army Training Team Iraq has yielded excellent results with approximately 33,000 Iraq Army personnel benefitting from the Australian contribution
  


• A RAAF C-130 Hercules Detachment of about 160 personnel provides intra-theatre airlift and sustainment support in the Middle East, with three transport aircraft, ground crew and other support elements.
  


• About 110 personnel serving in the multi-national force headquarters and units including a military adviser to UNAMI and RAN command staff to CTF-158.
  


• Task Force 158 personnel recently returned to Australia following a successful deployment in the Northern Persian Gulf. During its deployment the CTF158 contingent has enjoyed a number of notable achievements. These include: 

• Overseeing the safe loading of over 100 tankers at the two Iraqi Oil Terminals. The value of these oil exports generated approximately USD $17 Billion for the Iraqi economy.
  


• The training and certification of the Iraqi Marine Force as being mission ready for the vital tasks of point defence of the Iraqi Oil Terminals, and boarding and inspection of oil tankers and support craft.
  


• Overseeing the transfer of responsibility for the Khawr Abd Allah waterway to the Iraqi Navy. This was a significant milestone, recognising the developing capabilities of the Iraqi forces.
  


• Establishing a new purpose built Command and Control facility on the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT). This facility will allow closer integration with Iraqi Naval and Marine forces and is a key step towards returning the responsibility for security of the critical oil infrastructure and territorial seas to Iraqi control.


• 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 STUART, under the command of Commander Nick Woodley RAN, is currently deployed to the Northern Persian Gulf as part of Operation Catalyst. STUART 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.
  
  STUART also assists with the detection, interception and deterrence of vessels suspected of undertaking illegal activity within Iraqi waters. This is STUART's second deployment to the Northern Persian Gulf and is the 18th rotation of Navy ships as part of coalition operations since 2001.
  
  HMAS STUART is the sixth of the Royal Australian Navy’s eight ANZAC-class frigates, and the third ship of the name.
  


• 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 29 May 2008