More Defence news: 03 March - 09 March 2008
| Sea of white for Navy Day | Cadets take on Army challenge | Australian and New Zealand ministers meet in Sydney | Aussies see results in major Iraq province | Great North Walk Team arrive in Newcastle | Still soldiering on after 107 years | F-111s in training for New Zealand airshow | Singaporean medics head to Afghanistan | |
| Sea of white for Navy Day 07 March - Canberra will be invaded by a ‘sea of white’ on Monday, 10 March. As part of the annual Canberra Day celebrations, the Royal Australian Navy will hold ‘Navy Day’ on the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin. Local residents will be given the opportunity to experience a range of Navy activities, including the traditional ‘Colours’ ceremony, the A109E helicopter landing and Navy clearance divers at work. The community will also get to see simulated ship-borne fire fighting demonstrations and the Navy Band. Navy personnel from HMAS HARMAN will also be on hand to answer questions and share their experiences with the public. More: Navy website | Read media release |
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| Cadets take on Army challenge 07 March - While many Australians will spend the weekend relaxing, the Northern Territory Cadets will battle it out to win the Chief of Army Cadet Team Challenge. The annual event brings together Army cadets from across the nation to identify the champion region or state within the Australian Army Cadet Organisation. Cadets need to demonstrate skills in physical fitness, Army values, military knowledge, first-aid, leadership, endurance, radio telecommunications and basic engineering tasks. The Chief of Army Cadet Team Challenge allows cadets to learn valuable life skills including teamwork, leadership and mutual respect in a military-like environment. Cadets will return to their respective units on Monday, 10th March. |
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Australian and New Zealand ministers meet in Sydney
Both ministers discussed a range of issues relating to defence and security matters. The meeting was the first opportunity for both ministers to discuss the two nations’ defence commitments, particularly in our common theatres of operation – Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands and Afghanistan. Also present at the talks were the Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and Secretary of Defence Mr Nick Warner, along with their New Zealand counterparts Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae and Mr John McKinnon. More: Imagery |
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Aussies see results in major Iraq province
On January 18 2008, a religious sect commenced an attack on the Iraqi police in Nasiriyah. In an important step for the Iraqi Security Forces, order was restored order over a two-day period without the need for Australian support. The Australian patrol gave the soldiers of Overwatch Battle Group (West)–4 (OBG(W)-4) a chance to observe the state of security in the city and meet with the commander of police in Dhi Qar, Major General Hussein, to discuss increased training for police. Commanding Officer of OBG(W)-4 Lieutenant Colonel Chris Websdane said the patrol and meeting confirmed the improved security situation in the city. “The ISF have been doing a lot [of work] to bring Nasiriyah back to order,” he said. Lieutenant Colonel Websdane said the meeting had been very productive for the ongoing assistance to training the Iraqi Security Forces. “We agreed on a solid training program which will start next week, with the delivery of training to 10 Iraqi instructors,” he said. “We’ll conduct training for up to 120 police, which will commence in April.” Major General Hussein was pleased with the outcomes of the meeting. “It is necessary that there should be good relations between Iraqi Police Service and the Australian Forces,” he said. “[The Australians] are always prepared to stretch the hand of help to the Iraqi Police in general and Dhi Qar province police in particular.” During the patrol from Tallil to Nasiriyah the troops received waves and smiles from the nomadic Bedouin and local villagers. Lieutenant Colonel Websdane said the city was recovering from the recent violence. “I am impressed with the response we are getting from the local people,” he said. “I am also pleased with the amount of construction going on, which is a sign that things are improving.” The city of An Nasiriyah is the capital city of Dhi Qar and has a population of approximately 650,000. Dhi Qar province has a population of almost two million people and covers approximately 12,900 square kilometers in the southern ‘Marshes’ of Iraq. The province was the second to move to Provincial Iraqi Control in September 2006. The province holds some of Iraq’s archaeological treasures including the 4000-year-old Ziggurat of Ur. More: Imagery | Op CATALYST |
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| 07 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1913 - Central Flying School formed at Point Cook. 1942 - Japanese occupation of Java complete: Allied forces offered little resistance as the Japanese invaded Java. The former Dutch colony fell to the Japanese 16th Army on 12 March. 1951 - 7 Field Battery, 3 Field Regiment birthday. 1965 - 3rd Battalion, RAR deploys to Borneo: Along with 4th Battalion, RAR, two squadrons of the SAS, artillery batteries, engineers and RAN Ships which constituted Australia’s support for the new Federation of Malaysia against Indonesia during the four years of confrontation. |
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Great North Walk Team arrive in Newcastle
The walkers traversed the final 300 metres with students from the Hunter Orthopaedic School, who benefitted from the charity walk to the tune of a $10,000 donation from funds raised along the way. The walkers were greeted by Newcastle Lord Mayor Councillor John Tate, students from the Hunter Orthopaedic School, HMAS Newcastle's launching Lady Margaret Naughton and Newcastle Knights rugby league players Ben Cross, Mitchell Sargent, Matthew Burnham, Ryan Stig and Kevin Naigama. More: Imagery | Walkers depart Garden Island |
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| 06 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1975 - 6th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) relieved 5/7 RAR in the cleanup after Cyclone Tracey. 1976 - 48 Field Battery birthday. |
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| 05 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1945 - Battle of Waitavolo: (5-7 March 1945) On New Britain, 6 Brigade (14/32 Infantry Battalion, 16 Infantry Battalion and 19 Infantry Battalion) fought an action to secure the Waitavolo-Tol area. The operation began on 5 March 1945 with an assault crossing of the Wulwut River, supported by 4 Field Engineering Company and 2/14 Field Regiment. Despite numerous difficulties, Lone Tree Hill was taken on 7 March 1945. This marked the first stage of six weeks of fighting to secure the area. 1970 - HMAS Sydney arrives at Fremantle, en route to Sydney: On board was 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, which had completed a tour in Vietnam. HMAS Sydney made 21 voyages to Vietnam during the war. |
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| 04 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1942 – HMAS Yarra sunk south of Java: HMAS Yarra was escorting a convoy of three ships from the fighting in the Netherlands East Indies from Java to Fremantle when they were attacked by three Japanese heavy cruisers. Only 13 of Yarra’s 151 crew survived. 1942 - 75 Squadron formed at Townsville. |
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Still soldiering on after 107 years
In true ‘service rivalry tradition’, both services celebrated their birthday in distinct ways. Navy marked the occasion with flair, by providing pre-game and half-time entertainment to fans, at the CA Brumbies versus Queensland Reds Super 14 rugby match at Canberra Stadium. Army held a parade in Canberra today, remembering soldiers who fought for Australia in past conflicts, while recognising current serving personnel who continue to make a difference in Australia and overseas. While their birthday celebrations may have differed, both services continue to protect Australia and our national interests, whilst working in high operational tempo areas around the globe. More: Imagery Army | Imagery Navy | Navy website | Army website |
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| F-111s in training for New Zealand airshow 03 March - The Air Force’s F-111 aircraft will be seen in the skies over RAAF Base Amberley from March 5-12 as part of training for the ‘Warbirds over Wanaka’ Airshow, which will be held in New Zealand later this month. The practice flyovers will be conducted daily, involving low-level, high-speed flight and the use of afterburner and dump and burns. Displays will last for about 10 minutes each, with up to two practice display flights taking place each day. Commanding Officer of RAAF Base Amberley, Wing Commander Rob McKenzie thanked local residents for their understanding during the practice displays. More: F-111 fact sheet |
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| Singaporean medics head to Afghanistan 03 March - Singapore is set to deploy a medical team to Afghanistan. Singaporean medics will work closely with the Australian and Dutch staff working at the Dutch Medical Treatment Facility in Tarin Kowt. The deployment is a practical contribution to international efforts in Afghanistan and comes at a time when increased support is especially welcome. Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon said: “Singapore’s expertise in the medical and trauma field will be greatly appreciated by all who utilise the facility”. The Australian Defence Force will work closely with the Singaporean Armed Forces when they deploy later this year. More: Read media release |
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| 03 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1885: Sudan contingent departs Sydney. New South Wales’ offer to send a contingent to the Sudan was a demonstration of the depth of imperial sentiment in colonial Australia. 1942: Broome and Wyndham bombed. The Japanese air raid on Broome came when the port was crowded with refugees fleeing the Japanese invasion of the Netherlands East Indies. About 70 people, including many civilians are thought to have been killed in the raid. Japanese attacks on Wyndham focused on the town’s aerodrome. |
