Joint Rapid Airfield Construction Project
28th June 2007
A team of Australian and United States military engineers has successfully built an air strip in less than four weeks capable of taking the giant C-17 Globemaster aircraft at Bradshaw Field Training Area (BFTA) in the Northern Territory.
The Joint Rapid Airfield Construction (JRAC) project team used technologies such as remote control plant equipment, GPS location software and deployable communication systems to build the unsealed landing strip and service aprons. Construction began on 3 June.
The Australian Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd joined Commander of the US 7th Fleet, Vice Admiral Doug Crowder at BFTA for today's official opening of the airstrip, in which Australian and American C-17s gave the strip its first major test.
"The ADF is still developing Bradshaw Field Training Area, and an airstrip which can accommodate Australia's newly acquired C-17s is a major boost for the facilities here," Air Marshal Shepherd said.
"The airfield has now been certified and will be available for future training activities and exercises involving Australian personnel," Air Marshal Shepherd said.
The exercise has involved 110 Australian personnel and 105 US personnel. Another 20 civilians from US Army Corp's of Engineers Engineer Research Development Centre have also been involved in the exercise.
This airfield is an example of the type of construction that either United States or Australian engineers would need to undertake to expand a forward base for strategic or heavy lift air transport.
This design provides unloading aprons for two C-17 aircraft with a third aircraft on the runway.
Operation Outreach Begins
28th June 2007
NORFORCE soldiers in the Northern Territory are lending their support to the Australian Government's emergency indigenous initiative, with the deployment of specialist soldiers, vehicles and communications equipment into central Australia.
Named Operation Outreach, about 10 vehicles and 20 Army soldiers from the Army's Norforce unit have left Alice Springs for the start of initial assessments of five indigenous communities.
Up to 100 Norforce soldiers are expected to provide support for the next three months. Many of the soldiers are from remote aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
The Army's Norforce unit has responded at short notice to provide logistics, communications, mobility and local liaison support to site assessment teams that are led by the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FACSIA).
Red Nose Day in the Top End
27 June 2007
Around 20 soldiers from the 1st Combat Signal Regiment have been out in force in Casuarina Square and Mitchell Street raising awareness about Red Nose Day and offering locals red noses. With Red Nose Day this Friday they are working hard to increase their collection, with approximately $4,000.00 already donated.
Army vehicles are also sporting red noses after soldiers from the 1st Combat Services Support Battalion (1CSSB) passed a hat around their unit and raised $350. All the funds were used to purchase red noses for their vehicles.
"Our vehicles travel great distances and have a high profile so by displaying red noses we can raise awareness of this charity amongst the Northern Territory community. Perhaps members of the public may see a red nose on a military vehicle and be encouraged to donate to this very worthy cause," said Chaplain Andrew McNeill from 1CSSB.
"It is great to be involved and do our part in supporting this important initiative," he said. "Although I have not been involved in this situation I can imagine that our support in raising funds and awareness might be of encouragement to someone who has suffered such a loss."
V8 drivers swap supercars for supertanks
21 June 2007
Tasman Motorsport's Jason Richards and four-time Bathurst winner Greg Murphy swapped their Holden Commodore V8 Supercars for a 1500hp, gas turbine Abrams Tank on Thursday 21 June, as they geared up for the SKYCITY Triple Crown in Darwin this weekend.
While Murphy and Richards will reach speeds of 270km/h on-track at Hidden Valley Raceway, they remained awestruck by the massive tank.
C Squadron members took the drivers on a lap of Robertson Barracks before wishing them well with this weekends race!
Non-Operational Deaths Memorial Dedication Service
12 June 2007
Major General Ash Power and Brigadier Craig Orme joined soldiers, friends and families at sunset on June 12 to honour those who have died while serving with the 1st Brigade. This memorial honours those who have died under any circumstance including in training, from vehicle accidents and from suicide. Families watched as the last post played and wreaths were laid under the rising sun.
Farewell to Smokey
10 June 2007
On Sunday 10 June friends and family gathered to wish Major Ian 'Smokey' Dawson and his wife Heather well in their retirement. Twenty one years ago Smokey and Heather took the courageous and selfless leap into the Red Shield Defence Services. Since then thousands of soldiers throughout Australia have known and loved them. Smokey has always been there for the soldiers with a brew and a bickie, a warm smile and a shoulder to lean on. We will miss you!
Congratulations to Sergeant Geoffrey Cox
11 June 2007
Sergeant Geoffrey Cox received the Nursing Service Cross on the Queens Birthday this year for nursing duties in East Timor
His award stated;
'For an act of exceptional dedication in the performance of nursing duties as a member of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, Defence Cooperation Program, East Timor.
During an influx of casualties from the conflict between East Timorese Governemnt Forces and anti-government protestors on May 23, 2006, Sergeant Cox worked tirelessly to save life in a particularly harsh, fragile and foreign environment and in a role for which he was neither equipped nor tasked.
He provided lifesaving medical assistance to numerous casualties suffering from gunshot wounds, and galvanised inexperienced helpers into an effective support team. His professionalism, leadership and medical skills on that day demonstrated qualities of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps.'
8/12 Medium Regiment Family Day
26 May 2007
Families of 8th/12th Medium Regiment were given an insight to the day and life of the soldier in the field duing Exercise Predators Gallop at Mount Bundy in May. Over 130 families and friends travelled onto the range aboard Army trucks and watch a high explosives and smoke rounds booming out of the regiment's M198 Howitzers. The family day also included rides in the M113's, firing blank ammunition with a F88 rifle and peering through night vision goggles in a blackened tent.
Exercise Southern Reach 2007
February - May 2007
Exercise Southern Reach 2007
From February to May 2007 over 1100 soldiers from Darwin's 1st Brigade participated in fire, movement and demolition practices across the dusty plains of Cultana in South Australia.
Exercise Southern Reach, the largest 1st Brigade training activity for 2007, culminated in a Mission Rehearsal Exercise for around 520 5RAR soldiers from the Overwatch Battle Group, as they prepared for their deployment to Iraq.
Abrams Tanks arrive in Darwin
4 February 2007
Darwin's 41 Abrams Tanks arrived in Darwin on 4 February 2007. The Commanding Officer of the 1st Armoured Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Hayward said was pleased to oversee the Abrams arrival. "This is a significant moment in the history of the 1st Armoured Regiment. We have been using the Leopard Tank since 1977 and while the Leopard has been a superb asset, this technology will now project our Regiment into an advanced state of readiness to support the Hardened and Networked Army," LTCOL Duncan Hayward said.