| Accession Number | P04102.089 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Film original negative 120 safety base |
| Maker |
Parker, David Dare |
| Place made | Iraq, Iraq: Al Asad |
| Date made | 24 April 2003 |
| Conflict |
Iraq, 2003-2013 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
|
| Source credit to | Acquired through Australian War Memorial official commission 2003 |
An Australian soldier stands guard outside the gates of the Al Asad airbase, 200 kilometres west ...
Description
An Australian soldier stands guard outside the gates of the Al Asad airbase, 200 kilometres west of Baghdad. The soldier is probably a member of the Special Air Services Regiment (SAS) or a commando from the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR). The damage to the buildings and structures is a result of the coalition bombing campaign during the early stages of the war. The SAS, assisted by 4RAR, took control of the airbase on 11 April 2003 and discovered almost 8 million kilograms of explosive ordnance and over 50 aircraft. The aircraft were either buried in large pits or concealed under camouflage nets, with the majority having escaped detection during the Coalition bombing campaign. The SAS and 4RAR operated in the Middle East as part of the Australian commitment to the Coalition forces assembled to disarm Iraq.