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IRAQ: OPERATION CATALYST
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Under Operation Catalyst, the Australian Defence Force iscommitted to the rehabilitation of Iraq. There are approximately1000 Defence Force members working on this operation. Thisincludes some elements that are assigned to support bothOperation Catalyst in Iraq and Operation Slipper in Afghanistan.
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 These force elements are based both in Iraq and the broaderMiddle East region.
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 The Australian Government will not comment on the specificlocation of our personnel or force elements for operationalsecurity reasons.
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In addition to security and combat related tasks, members of theAustralian Defence Force have been involved in the projectmanagement and construction of both major and minor civildevelopment projects, including school refurbishment, andconstruction of public recreation facilities.
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A senior Royal Australian Naval Officer deployed in early October2008, with approximately 34 staff, as the Australian contingentfor the role of Command Task Force 158 which is in charge of several Coalition ships from the United States, the UnitedKingdom, Singapore, Iraq and Australia.
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Australia is invited by the Coalition Forces Maritime ComponentCommander to participate in this important role which rotatesthroughout the year with the United States and the UnitedKingdom personnel.
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 The Commodore will assume command of one of the most seniorCoalition navy positions in the Northern Persian Gulf.
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On June 1, 2008 the Overwatch Battle Group (West) and theAustralian Army Training Team - Iraq were withdrawn from Iraq.
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 The two provinces within which the Overwatch Battle Group(West) operated, namely Dhi Qar and Al-Muthana provinces,have been under effective Iraqi security control for close to oneand two years, respectively.
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 This highlights the effectiveness of the Iraqi security forces andthe Australian Defence Force members that have trained andsupported them.
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It is a positive indication that the security situation has returnedto a level where Australian support is no longer required.
 
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At the invitation of the Iraqi Government, and in accordance withUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1790, the AustralianDefence Force continues to support Iraq’s reconstruction andstabilisation through non-combat contributions, including:
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a major Fleet Unit (frigate), which assists in providing long-termsecurity for Iraq’s exports while providing limited training to theIraqi Navy;
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AP-3C maritime surveillance aircraft and C-130 supply aircraft;
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staff officers embedded in Multi-National headquarters;
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the security detachment protecting the Embassy in Baghdad,enabling Australia’s ongoing diplomatic presence in Iraq, andlogistics and national headquarters elements.;
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a tri-service Force Level Logistic Asset which provides logisticsupport to all forces in Iraq; and
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an Australian National Headquarters element, commanded by atwo star officer.
 Overwatch Battle Group Withdrawal
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 The Overwatch Battle Group (West) (inclusive of the AustralianArmy Training Team – Iraq) ceased operations on 1 June 2008 andhas returned to Australia.
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Primary security responsibilities have already been transferred tothe Iraqi Security Forces who now maintain security responsibilityfor all of the Southern provinces, following the transfer of the Al -Basrah Province, to Provincial Iraqi Control in December 2008.
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 The withdrawal of Overwatch Battle Group (West) does not effectthe commitment of other ADF assets to the Middle East.
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 The ADF will continue to assist the rehabilitation of Iraq,principally through the commitment of Maritime and Air assets. The ADF will maintain its commitment to the coalition withembedded military and civilian support personnel. The numberof embedded personnel will be significantly reduced by the endof 2008 commensurate with the Australian Government'srequirements.
Current Force Commitment
Authorised personnel levels for OP CATALYST allow for comprising:
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National Headquarters Baghdad - approx 110 personnel
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Embedded staff - approx 90 personnel including the RANcommand staff to CTF-158
 
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Security Detachment Baghdad - approx 110 personnel
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RAN Major Fleet Unit (MFU) - approx 250 personnel (thenumber 250 is based on the maximum commitment of personnel associated with deployment of an Adelaide ClassFrigate)•RAAF AP-3C Orion Detachment - approx 170 personnel•RAAF C-130 Hercules Detachment - approx 160 personnel•Force Level Logistics Assets (FLLA) - approx 110 personnel.
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