More Defence news: 19 November - 25 November 2007
| Special Operations Task Group soldier killed | First aid arrives in Papua New Guinea | Herculean effort for Movember in Middle East | Army recruits go the mo' grow | ADF assists PNG in disaster relief efforts | 5 Aviation Regiment turns 20 and gets a guidon | Navy assists boat in distress | Aussies strengthen the Iraqi Army | Excellent test for Air Force personnel | Exercise Sea Eagle swoops into South Australia | Funeral of Private Ashley Baker | Reconstruction Task Force to gain Afghan faces | Deployed troops get online for election | Talented Aussies to entertain troops in Timor | |
| Special Operations Task Group soldier killed 23 November - An Australian Commando serving with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in Afghanistan was killed earlier today by Taliban extremists. Private Luke Worsley, 26 years of age from Sydney, was killed by small arms fire at about 7:30 this morning, Canberra time, while participating in a planned and deliberate attack by our forces against Taliban leaders and their supporters in Oruzgan Province. Defence is providing assistance to the family and will continue to support them through this very difficult time. “This is a tragic day for the Australian Defence Force and most especially for Private Worsley’s family and friends. I extend my deepest sympathies to them on behalf of all members of the Defence Organisation," Chief of Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said. More: Read media release | Image of Private Worsley | Valé page | Audio of press conference |
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First aid arrives in Papua New Guinea
Joint Task Force 636, led by Group Captain Tim Innes, will provide assistance to help villagers injured and displaced by floods which have already claimed the lives of more than 150 people and cut off road access to the region. A health assessment team has arrived and will report what is needed to help the victims of the disaster. They are joined by an engineering team who will assess the damage to local infrastructure including port facilities, roads and availability of water and sanitation. Working with AusAID and other agencies, the ADF has established the most effective response and has sent a small support and command element in close consultation with Papua New Guinea’s Government. More: Imagery |
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Herculean effort for Movember in Middle East
RAAF Hercules pilot FLTLT Bayliss and 44 aircrew, ground crew and support staff from the C-130H Hercules detachment in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) have sprouted moustaches for Movember, a charity event promoted by the Movember Foundation. FLTLT Bayliss, 28, kicked off the detachment’s fundraising contribution on 1 November in memory of his wife’s grandfather Peter Cassidy, who succumbed to prostate cancer in his 70s. “It’s a great charity; it doesn’t really matter if you are really good or bad at growing a mo,” FLTLT Bayliss said. Movember has run over the last three Novembers and raised more than $8.5 million. This year the MEAO Hercules detachment alone has raised nearly $4000. Money raised during Movember is used to benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Beyond Blue, which aims to increase awareness of male depression. FLLT Bayliss said there were a lot of people in the detachment who were keen to go the mo. “I was really impressed that so many have stuck with it during the month,” he said. “It was a chance for us to do something a little bit different and get some odd looks from our American counterparts.” FLTLT Bayliss, who has flown Hercules aircraft since 2001, said he was due home in early next year. The pilots, their three aircraft and much of the staff have deployed from 37 Squadron in Richmond NSW to the Middle East in support of Operation CATALYST in Iraq and Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan. More: Imagery | Movember website |
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ADF assists PNG in disaster relief efforts
Bridges providing the main road access to Popondetta, the capital of Oro Province, have been cut and the town has very limited water and power supplies. According to some reports, around 150 people have lost their lives in the flooding and many thousands are homeless. Australia received a request late yesterday to provide urgent assistance to support PNG's emergency operations. Defence has been working with AusAID and other agencies to establish the most effective response. Two Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft carrying AusAID humanitarian stores and two Caribou transport aircraft departed for PNG today. Another Caribou and three Army Black Hawk helicopters will join the effort tomorrow to aid the internal relief effort. A Navy heavy landing craft (LCH) has been placed on short notice to sail from Cairns if required by the PNG Government. A health assessment team, AusAID disaster management experts and an engineering and infrastructure reconnaissance team will also deploy. Their task will be to determine the most immediate needs for assistance and the most effective way to provide this support. A small ADF support and command element will also coordinate the deployment in close consultation with the PNG Government. More: Imagery |
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5 Aviation Regiment turns 20 and gets a guidon
The regiment - formed on November 20, 1987 - is now the first Army Aviation unit presented with a guidon. Governor-General Major-General Michael Jeffery presented the guidon and also informed the soldiers that he had approved the award of a Meritorious Unit Citation to 5 Aviation Regiment for “outstanding service, particularly in support of operations in East Timor and Afghanistan”. “Your professionalism, dedication and courage in carrying out your duties during a period of high operational tempo are in the finest traditions of the Australian Army and have been pivotal to the success of many Australian and Coalition missions,” he said. The parade was also attended by Defence Minister Brendan Nelson, Chief of Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of Army Lieutenant-General Peter Leahy and the regiment’s first commanding officer, Brigadier Bill Mellor. The current commanding officer of 5 Aviation Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Prictor, said the event was momentous. “This is a significant and traditional extension of Army Aviation’s recognition as a combat arm in 2001. Infantry battalions have their colours, aviation and cavalry units have guidons,” he said. “After finally receiving the guidon, it is a pretty special moment. The regiment’s soldiers have been working extraordinarily hard, particularly over the last eight years.” The unit’s three squadrons - consisting of one Black Hawk, one Iroquois and one Chinook squadron - have been on almost continuous operational service since 1999. More: Imagery |
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Navy assists boat in distress
The boat was overcrowded and unstable, with an unserviceable engine. It had limited provisions onboard and was taking on water as a result of a slow leak, which was being managed with a portable pump. No lifejackets were observed on the vessel. HMAS Ararat’s efforts to render assistance were complicated by the over-crowding and instability of the vessel. On attempting to commence the transfer of passengers using a rigid inflatable boat, two members of HMAS Ararat’s crew and six of the boat’s passengers fell into the water. As the boat started to sink more quickly, the remaining passengers also entered the water. All were recovered safely and a subsequent assessment revealed that no injuries were sustained. Navy crew have since been focussed on ensuring the health and wellbeing of those rescued. More: Read media release | Imagery |
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Aussies strengthen the Iraqi Army
Commander of the OBG(W)-3 Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood said the development of the Iraqi Army is an important contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq. The latest military training has prepared Iraqi soldiers of the 1st Infantry Battalion of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Division for the challenge of conducting security operations in Baghdad. Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Sa’ad Ali Aati, said the training programs conducted by the Australians are helping the Iraqi Army to stabilise the security situation within their border. The advanced infantry skills course consisted of identifying roadside bombs, dismounted patrols in an urban environment, vehicle check points, cordon and search, base security and sentries, combat first aid and weapons handling. The success of the training package can be attributed to the Iraqi soldiers’ eagerness to learn new military skills and their determination to fight the terrorists who are opposed to Prime Minister Maliki’s plan for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq. More: Imagery | Operation CATALYST |
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| Excellent test for Air Force personnel 20 November - Air Force personnel will test themselves to the limit during a unique exercise that began yesterday off the coast of New South Wales. The East Coast Air Defence Exercise (ECADEX), running from 19-30 November, will provide Air Force personnel with a chance to hone their air defence skills in a real life scenario, with the creation of ‘opposing forces’ as part of the exercise. Conducted from RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Amberley, ECADEX features a variety of aircraft, including up to four F-111C strike and Learjet aircraft, as well as Hawk and F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft. A Boeing 707T Tanker aircraft will also take part, alongside the Navy’s HMAS Parramatta and a Torpedo Recovery Vessel. Commander Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Kym Osley, said this was an important exercise. “ECADEX will enable our pilots and ground crew personnel to participate in collaborative training within the military airspace over sea,” he said. |
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| Exercise Sea Eagle swoops into South Australia 20 November - The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will show off its amphibious capabilities as elements of the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army descend upon Whyalla in South Australia for Exercise Sea Eagle 07. The two-week exercise will be conducted from 19-30 November, as a part of the ADF’s ongoing efforts to develop its amphibious capability for the defence of Australia and its interests. This is the first time Exercise Sea Eagle 07 is to be conducted at Cultana Range Training Area. Sea Eagle 07 will involve HMA Ships Manoora, Gascoyne, Yarra, Norman and Tarakan. In addition, the Army has contributed personnel from the 7th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment and 10 Force Support Battalion, as well as two landing craft and their crews. A Navy Sea King helicopter from 817 Squadron will also be embarked on HMAS Manoora. “Amphibious operations are amongst the most complex of the ADF’s joint capabilities and involve extremely detailed planning and coordination between all participants. Sea Eagle 07 is an important part of the ADF’s annual amphibious training cycle and plays a vital part in maintaining our forces at the appropriate levels of readiness,” Commander of the Australian Amphibious Task Group, Captain Peter Laver said. Sea Eagle 07 will involve a number of amphibious tasks, including beach reconnaissance, emergency scenarios, troop transportation, seamanship evolutions, flying serials, force protection situations and diving operations. The ADF will conduct Sea Eagle 07 within strict environmental, safety and risk management constraints. |
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Funeral of Private Ashley Baker
Private Baker’s family and friends were joined by members from Ashley’s unit, the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR). The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy and the Commander 1st Division Major General Richard Wilson, were on hand to pay their respects to the young soldier. “Our heartfelt sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time. The loss of Ashley will also be heavily felt throughout the Australian Army,” said Lieutenant General Peter Leahy. Captain Lachlan McKenna and Corporal Norman Donaire from 2RAR spoke about the soldier who was highly regarded by those who served with him. Private Baker was then taken by a gun carriage escorted by his mates from 2RAR and buried in a private ceremony at Calliope ceremony, with full military honors surrounded by his family and close friends. More: Imagery |
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Reconstruction Task Force to gain Afghan faces
Several Afghan soldiers are undergoing initial assessment by the RTF and by the end of the month, 10 of the best will be chosen to be ‘badged’ for service with the Aussies. The integration program is a key feature of the evolving contribution of the RTF in Afganistan. Examples range from the conduct of regular consultative Shuras (meetings) to projects that create local employment. Training coordinator Captain Pat Davison said the aim of the program is to place Afghan soldiers at the forefront of reconstruction efforts. "It's important to us that the Afghans see their own soldiers involved in a meaningful way with these projects," Captain Davison said. "So while on a personal basis the Afghan soldiers will benefit through skills acquired, at an operational level it's important that the Afghan Army rightfully shares the kudos that will come from helping their communities." More: Imagery | Operation SLIPPER |
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Deployed troops get online for election
A new secure electronic voting system is being used for the the first time as part of a trial by Defence and the Australian Electoral Commission, taking advantage of Defence's secure communication infrastructure that allows encrypted electronic voting data to be transmitted. Baghdad-based soldier Signaller Tynan Garrett said the process only took him five minutes to vote. "Being only 22-years-old, I haven't voted much before, but the online system made the process easy to follow," he said. The Defence voting trial follows from a recommendation on electronic voting by the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, by reducing the logistical overhead of managing paper-based ballots in remote overseas operational locations. |
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| Talented Aussies to entertain troops in Timor 19 November - A group of young Australian performers are volunteering their time and talent to entertain troops serving on Operation ASTUTE in Timor-Leste as part of the 11th morale-boosting “Tour de Force” concert tour. The performers for this tour are:
Some of the entertainers are already well-versed in these Tours: The McClymonts spent Christmas 2006 entertaining the troops in the Middle East, and Daniel Lissing was part of the Tour de Force in the Solomon Islands in August 2004. “They are over there working for us, taking all the risk themselves, so hopefully we can help too by giving the troops a break from work, so that they can then continue to do their job,” said Melbourne-based comedian Troy Kinne, who is doing his first Tour de Force. More: Operation ASTUTE | Forces Entertainment |
