More Defence news: 21 January - 27 January 2008
| Diggers battle extreme temperatures to improve Afghan security | Ceremony makes SAN flyers SAW in Sale | Wounded digger gets by with a little help from his friends | Army Gap Year recruits take the ultimate challenge | Decommissioning HMAS Adelaide | School donations assist Timor’s disabled | Defence refutes Chora Valley reporting | |
Diggers battle extreme temperatures to improve Afghan security
The ability to spend over a month operating in such remote areas, at sub-zero temperatures, has brought out the best in Australia’s soldiers. Lance Corporal Joseph Rears has spent most of his deployment in the field, and said that mateship is critical to the soldiers’ survival. “If we go out on a patrol, there’s a hot brew waiting when we get back,” Lance Corporal Rears said. “It was minus 12 (degrees) and hailing when some of the boys came back soaking wet from patrol, so when they were in bed, the Bushmaster drivers got the sleeping soldiers’ uniforms and dried them on the exhaust of the vehicles, so when the Diggers woke up, they had dry gear to get back into,” he said. Such support for each other helps the soldiers to get through the tougher times, according to Sergeant Justin Smith. “We’ve got a tight group who can operate for long periods in extreme weather, and with a short turn around between tasking,” Sergeant Smith said. “The ability of the boys to remain flexible and to handle the hardships with good humour amazes me,” he said. The many projects being supported by the Reconstruction Task Force are an essential part of gaining the trust of the Afghan people and helping them to build a better future for themselves. And the Australians have found that their input is welcome. “The local workers and tradespeople want to learn to improve the quality of their workmanship,” Warrant Officer Matt Daldry said. “When the locals see what they can achieve, even with small input from us, that’s a motivating factor towards progressing their own projects in the future,” he said. More: Images |
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Ceremony makes SAN flyers SAW in Sale
The dedication ceremony marked the school’s transition to its new identity as the School of Air Warfare (SAW). The change includes a brand new curriculum, which will qualify students as Air Combat Officers (ACO), rather than Navigators. ACOs will direct air missions and be responsible for directing weapons and other weapon systems onto targets. The ceremony was held at the Officers’ Mess Annex Garden and was reviewed by Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd AO. “These changes are part of Air Force’s efforts to prepare for the challenges of the future,” Air Marshal Shepherd said. “In the next decade, almost every Air Force platform will be replaced. Air Force is moving to a fully networked force. “As a result, Air Force is re-designing its workforce and training programs, so personnel can maximise the benefits of the new capabilities and technologies,” he said. The ACO course will run for 26 weeks of common training, followed by 14 weeks of specialist training at RAAF Base East Sale. More: Images |
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Wounded digger gets by with a little help from his friends
Chris was shocked when the radio report of the bomb blast came through, but stayed calm and focused on his own role as operations sergeant. He remained at his post but couldn’t help thinking about his mate and whether he’d survive the night. Michael was evacuated to a NATO hospital in Germany and preparations were made to fly his family to his bedside. Simultaneously Australian commanders dispatched Chris to Germany to support Michael’s family. “Chris was able to spend a few days in Germany with Michael and was a great help to Michael’s wife and father,” said Lieutenant Colonel Wainwright, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment. Since then Chris has been looking out for his mate, who is now back at work with the Combat Engineers in Townsville. Every few days Chris arranges for a couple of soldiers to talk to Michael over the telephone, and weekly sends flowers with chocolates or fruit to the Lyddiard family. For Christmas he sent Michael a huge package of seafood. Recently promoted to Warrant Officer Second Class, Chris Dabbs sees his dedication as an everyday part of life: “If there’s any support I can give, I’ll give it.” Lieutenant Colonel Wainwright sees this as proof that the Anzac spirit lives on: “Sergeant Dabbs embodies the true spirit of the Australian soldier – you never let your mates down.” |
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Army Gap Year recruits take the ultimate challenge
Over the next 12 weeks, these three school friends will learn basic Army recruit training at Kapooka in Wagga Wagga, NSW. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) Gap Year program is designed for students or recent school leavers who are eager to experience what life in the Navy, Army or Air Force entails. Whilst the 2008 ADF Gap Year is now full, applications for 2009 will open on 1 May 2008. For more information on the ADF Gap Year program or jobs in the Defence Force, go to- www.defencejobs.gov.au or call 13 19 01. More: Images |
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Decommissioning HMAS Adelaide
HMAS Adelaide, the oldest of the Royal Australian Navy’s Adelaide Class Frigate, has undertaken a range of roles including surface warfare, air defence and surveillance and reconnaissance. HMAS Adelaide will be gifted to the NSW Government, to be sunk off Terrigal, on the NSW Central Coast, where it will become an artificial reef and dive attraction. More: Images | Read media release |
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School donations assist Timor’s disabled
The foundation provides support to disabled men and women of Timor-Leste through education, outreach and housing. Townsville residents, families and businesses have generously provided the much-needed supplies, including exercise books, pens and pencils. The Foundation’s International Volunteer, Daniel Gilfillan said, “Those who donate perhaps never realise how valued these types of items are here in Timor-Leste.” Over the coming weeks, the remaining supplies will be airlifted and distributed throughout the district. More: Images |
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| Defence refutes Chora Valley reporting 21 January - Defence rejects claims that Australian troops were ordered not to assist Dutch and Afghanistan forces during a battle in the Chora Valley, in June 2007. The comments made by the Dutch media have appeared in the Sunday Age and the West Australian over the weekend. The Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) provided military support to their allies via the provision of a security checkpoint and through the sharing of information. Claims that the RTF operate within specific geographic limits in Afghanistan is incorrect. The Australian Defence Force values its relationship with its allies and works in partnership with them, to prevent acts of terrorism and to enhance the lives of the local people. More: Op SLIPPER |
