Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) | Meeting of minds for Defence ministers | Minister announces White Paper 2008 | Snowdon thanks troops in Solomons | Reservists return from Malaysia | Defence families recognised at War Memorial | Bill enhances military justice system | Bombing of Darwin remembered | ‘Train the Trainer’ graduation ceremony in Iraq | Defence takes Time journalist to task | Navy warm-up off the coast of North Queensland | Robertson Barracks welcomes new soldiers | Review of Australia's Air Combat Capability

Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN)

23 February - The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, and the Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, hosted the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) in Canberra on 23 February 2008. The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and the Secretary of Defence, Mr Nick Warner, also attended the talks.

United States Secretary of Defense, Dr Robert Gates, and Deputy Secretary of State, Ambassador John Negroponte, led the US delegation to AUSMIN.  The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, and Commander US Pacific Command, Admiral Timothy Keating, also took part. 

AUSMIN is the premier bilateral forum for consultations on foreign affairs, defence and strategic matters.  AUSMIN embodies the reciprocal and cooperative spirit of the 60-year Alliance, which is built on shared interests, values and sacrifice.

AUSMIN discussions will reflect the global dimensions of Australia – United States cooperation in confronting contemporary security challenges, as well as our close cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region to promote peace, security and prosperity.

More: Imagery morning | Imagery afternoon | 2008 Joint Communiqué

Meeting of minds for Defence ministers

22 February - The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, and the Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, today announced that Australia will host the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) in Canberra on 23 February 2008. 

United States Secretary of Defense, Dr Robert Gates, and Deputy Secretary of State, Ambassador John Negroponte, will lead the US delegation to AUSMIN.  The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, and Commander US Pacific Command, Admiral Timothy Keating, will also attend. 

AUSMIN is the premier bilateral forum for consultations on foreign affairs, defence and strategic matters.  AUSMIN embodies the reciprocal and cooperative spirit of the 60-year Alliance, which is built on shared interests, values and sacrifice.

AUSMIN discussions will reflect the global dimensions of Australia – United States cooperation in confronting contemporary security challenges, as well as our close cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region to promote peace, security and prosperity.

More: Read media release | Imagery

Minister announces White Paper 2008

22 February - The Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, has announced the delivery of a key election promise by commissioning a new Defence White Paper. He also announced the structure of the White Paper along with the appointment of personnel who will be responsible for the development and delivery of this key strategic document.

“The White Paper is a vital planning document that will form the foundation of our future Defence capabilities.  We owe it to the Australian people to get this planning right. The White Paper will help the government make fully-informed and cost-effective decisions about the military capabilities we need to defend Australia and to promote our interests,” said Mr Fitzgibbon.

“The White Paper process will result in comprehensive policy guidance across the entire Defence portfolio, delivering on the Labor Government’s election undertaking to re-examine Australia’s strategic environment. It will align defence strategic guidance, force structure and capability priorities, and resource strategies, by taking a comprehensive view of the Defence enterprise.”

Mr Fitzgibbon has also commissioned a series of accompanying reviews (Companion Reviews) to be conducted across a range of Defence areas to underpin the new White Paper.  These critical studies will be a key input to developing Defence business and budget priorities out to 2030.

More: Read media release | Imagery | White Paper 2008 website

Snowdon thanks troops in Solomons

22 February - The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon Warren Snowdon MP, today joined the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Stephen Smith MP, the Parliamentary Secretary for International Assistance, the Hon Bob McMullen MP, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Duncan Kerr SC, MP on a visit to the Solomon Islands.

“We currently have approximately 140 reservist men and women from Perth’s 13 Brigade doing wonderful work under the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

“And it’s my pleasure and privilege to be able to visit and formally thank them for their efforts,” said Mr Snowdon.

RAMSI’s mission is to assist the Solomon Islands Government in the restoration of security, law and order, and to help improve the machinery of government in the Solomon Islands.

More: Read media release | Operation Anode

Reservists return from Malaysia

21 February - A number of Sydney-based Army Reservists have returned home after a three-month tour of duty in Malaysia.

The soldiers had an incredible experience on active military service, which included jungle patrolling, combined arms training, survival training and an exercise with the Malaysian Army.

Eighth Brigade Commander Brigadier Iain Spence was full of praise for the Reservists.

“I am proud of these Army Reservists who served their country well for three months in often arduous conditions and pleased they are home safe with loved ones,” Brigadier Spence said.

The soldiers made up the bulk of a 120-plus contingent that were part of the Rifle Company Butterworth Rotation 80 that operated from the Royal Malaysian Air Force base at Butterworth.

Rifle Company Butterworth not only helps strengthen ties between Australia and Malaysia but also provides an excellent training opportunity for Australian soldiers.

More: Imagery

Defence families recognised at War Memorial

21 February - Members of Defence families joined Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, Vice Chief of the Defence Force Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie and Director of the Australian War Memorial Mr Steve Gower to formally recognise the contribution of families to Defence, with the unveiling of a plaque and a garden seat at the Australian War Memorial.

“In war and in peace, the men and women of our Australian Defence Force have been supported by their families. The work they do would not be possible without the love and understanding that families give,” Mr Snowdon said.

“Today provides a long overdue opportunity to recognise the families’ contribution.

“Our families face frequent relocations, they have to deal with a family member being away from home on training or deployment for weeks or even months at a time – all these factors add up to an increased level of pressure.”

More: Read media release | Imagery

21 February - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY

1918: Capture of Jerico, Palestine by 3 Australian Light Horse Regiment.

1942: In the Northern Territory, the area north of Birdum was placed under military control. Elsewhere, Japanese naval fighter pilot Seaman First Class Hajime Toyoshima became the first POW captured in Australia. Toyoshima had crashed on Melville Island after the 19 Feb 42 raid on Darwin. Taken into custody by people of the local Tiwi tribe he was escorted in a canoe to nearby Bathurst Island where Army engineer SGT Les Powell affected the official capture. Toyoshima was sent to Cowra where he became one of the POW leaders using the false name of Sergeant Majro Tadao Minami. He was killed in the mass escape attempt in the morning of 5 Aug 44.

1956: Australian and British aircraft bomb Kluang, Malaya.  The raid was staged against the jungle base of the 7th Independent Platoon, Malayan Races Liberation Army in Central Johore and was carried out by Lincolns of No1 Squadron RAAF and Canberras of No 12 Squadron RAF.  It wiped out the camp and was regarded as the most successful of the 4,000 sorties flown by the Australians in Malaya.

1969: 3 SAS Squadron embarked for South Vietnam.

Bill enhances military justice system

20 February - Defence’s military justice system has been dramatically enhanced following a bill tabled to Parliament by the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon, MP.

“The Defence Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 strikes the right balance between effective discipline and the rights of those individuals who are subject to it,” Mr Snowdon said.

Amongst the reforms is the right in all cases to appeal summary authority convictions to a Military Judge of the Australian Military Court, and the right to choose trial over summary discipline in all but a number of minor offences. Also, a maximum three-month time limit will be set between the laying of charges and the trial by a summary authority and, as with civilian practice, will allow the possible suspension of whole or a greater range of punishments.

“These initiatives, and many more incorporated in the  bill, aim to streamline and improve the ADF discipline system,” Mr Snowdon said.

More: Read media release | Military Justice website

Bombing of Darwin remembered

20 February - Australian Defence Force personnel and assets have supported moving commemorative ceremonies in Darwin and Melbourne.

On 19 February 1942, the war in the Pacific was brought to Australian shores when Japanese fighters and bombers attacked the port and shipping in the Darwin harbour, killing 252 Allied service personnel and civilians.

To mark the 66th anniversary of the bombings, at a ceremony held at the Cenotaph on the Esplanade in Darwin, an Army bugler played the Last Post, the tri-service Catafalque presented arms, followed by a minutes silence, and two F/A-Hornets conducted a flypast. 

After the ceremony, soldiers from the 8th/12th Medium Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery re-enacted the anti-aircraft fire on the first bombing raids.

At the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance the "Darwin Defenders" hosted one of the year's most significant World War II commemorations.  A highlight was a flypast by RAAF Museum aircraft - two CT4 trainers and a Winjeel trainer.

On the ground, the Royal Australian Air Force Band was joined by a Half Guard of 50 Australian Defence Force Cadets. 

More: Imagery

‘Train the Trainer’ graduation ceremony in Iraq

20 February - Soldiers from the Iraqi 10th Division have graduated as qualified training instructors in a ceremony held at Camp Mittica in southern Iraq. 

Trained by Australian military instructors from Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4, the newly-qualified soldiers will be responsible for training other members of the Iraqi Army and sustaining future capability.

The ceremony, the first graduation of Iraqi 10th Division soldiers, was attended by the Commander of the 10th Iraqi Army Division, Major General Habbib and the instructors from the ‘Train the Trainer’ course.

More: Imagery | Operation Catalyst

20 February - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY

1942: Japanese land in Portuguese Timor. The Japanese landing in Portuguese Timor heralded the beginning of a long and grueling guerilla campaign waged by elements of the Australian 2/2nd Independent Company with the support of friendly Timorese.

Defence takes Time journalist to task

19 February - Defence is critical of the actions taken by journalist Rory Callinan whilst covering the events of last week in Timor-Leste.

During the afternoon and evening of 14 February 2008 on at least two occasions Mr Callinan attempted to penetrate a military cordon via a minor foot track despite clear warnings from International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and United Nations (UN) personnel not to do so.

On the second attempt he broke curfew imposed by the Timor-Leste National Parliament.

His conduct was dangerous, reckless and endangered himself, his cameraman John Wilson, and two Timorese civilians accompanying them as interpreter / guide.

Defence has encouraged Mr Callinan to reflect more carefully on the methods he employs in covering events in Timor-Leste and the potential consequences that may result from his actions.

Navy warm-up off the coast of North Queensland

19 February - Exercise Squadex has kicked off in waters off Townsville.

The week long exercise involves a range of amphibious activities, including the planning and loading of a variety of cargo, embarkation and disembarkation procedures and amphibious formations and procedures, all aimed at training ADF personnel in amphibious operations.

“Training in exercises such as Squadex is essential to maintain proficiency and prepare forces for larger exercises elsewhere in Australia later this year,” said Commander Australian Amphibious Task Group Captain Peter Laver, RAN.

Together with HMAS Tobruk, the four Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Landing Class Heavy (LCH) ships participating are: HMA Ships Balipapan, Brunei, Labaun, and Wewak.

Squandex is a work-up exercise leading into Exercise Sea Lion 02-08, which starts next week and will involve assets from three Navies.

Robertson Barracks welcomes new soldiers

19 February

1st Brigade’s newest soldiers have been welcomed to Robertson Barracks in Darwin with an impressive display of the Army’s equipment and capabilities including an Abrams tank, a Kiowa Helicopter, Light Armoured vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers.

As part of the welcome, a Defence Community Organisation Expo introduced the soldiers and their families to local education, sporting, Government and Community organisations.    

Over 700 Australian Army Soldiers were posted to Robertson Barracks this year.   

More: Imagery

19 February - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY

1942: First Japanese raid on Darwin. Engaged by 14 AD Battery, RAA. Wing Commander AR Tindal becomes the first RAAF member to die on active service on Australian soil.

1997: Title head of Australian Army changed from "Chief of the General Staff" to "Chief of Army".

Review of Australia's Air Combat Capability

18 February - The Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today announced the structure and details of the new Government’s promised review into the adequacy of current planning for Australia’s Air Combat Capability to 2045.

“This review will provide the Government with a timely opportunity to assess the strengths of our current plans and inform consideration of our future air combat capability in the context of the new Defence White Paper”, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The review will be conducted in two stages. The first stage will assess:

• Australia’s Air Combat Capability requirements in the period 2010 to 2015;
• the feasibility of retaining the F-111 aircraft in service beyond 2010;
• a comparative analysis of aircraft available to fill any gap that may be left by the withdrawal of the F-111; and
• the status of plans to acquire the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

More: Read media release | Make a submission | Air Combat Capability Review website