More Defence news: 10 March - 16 March 2008
| Kormoran-sized clue in the hunt for HMAS SYDNEY II | Fleet proficiencies improves as Concentration Period concludes | Air Force Officers' Training school officially open | High energy food for hot weather soldiers | Top-notch technology for soldiers and athletes | New school invests in Iraq future | Armidale Class Patrol Boat Crew awarded Kelly Shield | Australians farewell Air Force Boeing 707 | Dutch Defence Minister meets Australian soldiers training for deployment to Afghanistan | Darwin soldiers clean up for charity | Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program launched for 2008 | Afghanistan security the focus of Australia-Dutch ministerial talks | Globemaster arrival completes the fleet | |
| Kormoran-sized clue in the hunt for HMAS SYDNEY II 16 March - There are high hopes that an enduring maritime mystery will soon be laid to rest, following the discovery of the HSK Kormoran off the West Australian coast. Today the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, along with the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, Chief of Navy congratulated the Finding Sydney Foundation on the discovery. The wreck of the Kormoran was located approximately 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, Western Australia lying in 2,560 metres of water. Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP said that the Federal Republic of Germany had been advised of the discovery of the HSK Kormoran, and the Minister for the Department of Environment, Water Heritage and the Arts is being consulted to ensure the wreck site is being protected. HMAS Sydney II was tragically lost in November 1941 in the Indian Ocean with its entire crew of 645, following a furious engagement with the German raider HSK Kormoran. More: Read media release | Imagery | Finding Sydney Foundation |
|
Fleet proficiencies improves as Concentration Period concludes
Task Group Commander Captain Peter Laver said hundreds of Royal Australian Navy personnel who started the exercise are now more proficient and confident in their duties. “Overall we performed a huge range of activities, both in a geographical sense and in the evolutions we are now skilled up to do,” Captain Laver said. “Some of the things we did were exceptionally complex, probably the first time many crews have conducted some of these difficult and challenging tasks. Twenty-two Australian ships, along with aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force and the New Zealand and French Navy’s were involved in the six week program to enhance mariner and warfighting skills in the fleet. The Fleet Concentration Period featured a graduated training program. The exercise started off with basic activities within ships that are relatively easy to conduct – allowing crew to practice their job the right way in a safe environment. Building on that experience, more advanced activities were attempted in Phase 2, still in an environment where each activity was conducted as a discreet mission. “The last stage was to integrate everything learned within the context of a scenario that required people to conduct tasks at short notice within a notional operational environment,” CAPT Laver said. “And to raise the stakes, different activities were conducted at the same time with emergency drills as well." CAPT Laver said the recent experience had prepared RAN ships and personnel to go onto even more complex exercises like CROIX DU SUD in Noumea and RIMPAC off Hawaii. More: Imagery |
|
Air Force Officers' Training school officially open
The new, world-class facility will play a critical role in the development of Air Force’s future leaders, and includes state-of-the-art technology to provide a world class training environment. The OTS is expecting approximately 300 permanent and active Reserve officers in 2008. The project to build the new OTS and support facilities such as the new Combined Mess cost approximately $60 million and the project was completed on time and budget. More: Read media release | Imagery |
|
| 14 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1942 - Anniversary of formation 76 Squadron. 1945 - Anniversary of commissioning for HMAS Watson. |
|
| High energy food for hot weather soldiers March 13 – The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon MP, announced that specialised ration packs are being developed, featuring beef jerky and energy bars, for Australian soldiers serving in hot climates. “We’ve found that soldiers operating in high temperatures often discard food from their ration pack because cooked, hot, meals aren’t appetizing, or they’re not hungry due to heat. This can mean soldiers don’t eat enough to meet their energy requirements,” Mr Snowdon said. This high energy diet will increase fluid intake and reduce the risk of soldiers becoming dehydrated. Keeping soldiers hydrated is essential to achieving mission effectiveness. The Army approached the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) to develop the new high energy ration pack to meet soldiers’ nutritional requirements. Research carried out by DSTO has revealed that sports drinks, fruit, trail mixes and savoury biscuits are items favoured by soldiers to be included in ration packs. More: Read media release | DSTO website |
|
| Top-notch technology for soldiers and athletes March 13 – A workshop looking at the relationship between Australian soldiers and elite athletes and how they prepare themselves for the battle field and sports field has been launched at the Australian Institute of Sport. The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon and the Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis launched the first ‘Frontiers of Human Performance’ workshop today. “Australia’s national identity is largely defined by the efforts of our soldiers and sportspeople,” said Mr Snowdon. “This collaboration will study, amongst other things, injury prevention, remote monitoring and performance in extreme environments, and will give us good science to underpin our future decision-making.” The aim of the workshop is to improve the performance of the Australian Defence Force and our elite athletes and was collaborated through the Defence Science and Technology Organisation. More: Read media release |
|
New school invests in Iraq future
The new Al Akhiar School, in the village of Al Salim, will cost $350,000 to build and will include six classrooms, an office, store rooms, toilets, a septic tank and a sealed central courtyard. Local contractors are engaged in the construction of the school, injecting hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy. More than 200 local children attend the existing school, which is a mud brick structure that has no lighting and a reed roof, which means the classroom floor turns to mud when it rains. The construction of the school has been made possible, in part, because of the improving security situation in southern Iraq. Lieutenant Thomas Green, who led the patrol to inspect the construction of the school, said the Australian soldiers’ presence in Dhi Qar province had helped to reinforce the good work being done by the Iraqi Security Forces. “In this area, people know we are here to help and we have their support,” said Lieutenant Green. “The prerequisite for these projects is a positive security environment, and the project in Al Salim demonstrates the progress being made.” The principal of the Al Akhiar School, Hassan Al Khafaji, said the modern facilities at the new school would improve the standard of education provided. “The new school will support the children’s educational processes with lights and cover from the rain and the winds,” Mr Al Khafaji said. “The new situation is much better (for the children) than the old.” During the patrol, Australian soldiers met the school’s students and presented them with donated toys. Sergeant Lee Sinn, the Civil Military Cooperation Team officer managing the project, said the school was an investment in Iraq’s future. “In replacing their existing school, we are investing in the future of these children,” Sergeant Sinn said. “This will give them a better start in life.” More: Imagery | Operation CATALYST |
|
Armidale Class Patrol Boat Crew awarded Kelly Shield
Assail 2 crew is the first Armidale Class Patrol Boat to receive the shield. It is awarded to the most operationally efficient patrol boat crew. Crew members are assessed on areas of operational efficiency and effectiveness, safety management, technical proficiency, training and personnel. “The crew were thrilled with the award, and this is a reflection of their hard work and dedication”, LCDR Graham said. More: Imagery |
|
Australians farewell Air Force Boeing 707
The aircraft operated by No. 33 Squadron based at RAAF Base Richmond will be flying at an altitude no lower than 450 meters in built-up areas. The RAAF Boeing 707 is undergoing a training trip to maintain currency of aircraft crews and permit a command upgrade of pilots at the squadron, leading up to its retirement in June 2008. The RAAF Boeing 707 has a bright blue tail scheme which features the Squadron’s call sign ‘Dragon’. More: Boeing 707 fact sheet | Imagery |
|
| 13 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1901 - General Order 10 notified the disbandment of the various colonial military forces that made up the newly-formed Australian Army. The order set up the formation of the Headquarters of the Commonwealth Military Forces in Melbourne. 1943 - Japanese reconnaissance flight over Darwin: In addition to the 64 air raids on Darwin, the Japanese made numerous reconnaissance flights over Northern Australia. |
|
Dutch Defence Minister meets Australian soldiers training for deployment to Afghanistan
Approximately, 400 ADF personnel are currently contributing to the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), working closely with Dutch forces to deliver reconstruction and community-based projects to Uruzgan Province. The RTF has a clearly defined role to work on reconstruction and improvement of provincial infrastructure (schools, hospitals, bridges, security points etc) and community-based projects to assist the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future for its people. More: Imagery |
|
| Darwin soldiers clean up for charity 12 March – Soldiers from the Darwin-based 1st Combat Engineer Regiment will help to improve the local environment today, when they help with the removal of scrap metal from a park in the Darwin suburb of Larrakeyah. And the scrap metal removed from the area will be used to help raise funds for a team of Combat Engineers to take part in the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge, a program that aims to raise money for the ‘4 Wheels for Sean’ charity. The charity helps benefit people who have disabilities as a result of bike accidents. The soldiers involved are currently undertaking a crane operator course, so the removal of the scrap metal will also help them to hone their new skills. “This is not only an opportunity to improve the environment, but also to remove potentially deadly cyclone debris,” said Lieutenant James Scott, a Troop Commander with the Combat Engineer Regiment. |
|
| Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program launched for 2008 12 March – Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Dr Mike Kelly launched the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program today. The program offers a unique opportunity for senators and Members of Parliament to experience a day in the life of a serving member of the Australian Defence Force. First-hand experience enables parliamentarians to gain greater awareness of challenges faced within the ADF, as well as a better understanding of Defence’s capabilities. This year there are 15 options on offer during Autumn and Winter recesses including deployment to RIMPAC 2008, Special Air Service Regiment Selection Course participation, patrol and training activities with NORFORCE in remote North Australia and with Air Force Combat Support Group at RAAF Base Amberley. An exchange element was introduced in 2003 where a member of the ADF attached to a parliamentarian’s office at Parliament House during a sitting week. More: Read media release | ADF Parliamentary Program |
|
| 12 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1900 - Australians arrive at Bloemfontein, South Africa: Members of the New South Wales Mounted Rifles, under Lord Roberts, reached Bloemfontein, the capital of the Orange Free State, under Roberts’ strategy of taking the war into the Boer Republics. 1951 - 3rd Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment captured Hill 703 in Korea. 1965 - GC posthumously awarded to Chief Petty Officer Coxwain J Rogers from HMAS Voyager. |
|
Afghanistan security the focus of Australia-Dutch ministerial talks
The discussions covered a range of issues surrounding the strategic and practical aspects of continued Australia-Dutch cooperation in Afghanistan. The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and the Secretary of Defence, Mr Nick Warner were also present at the talks. The Australia-Dutch partnership is a strong one based on a deep commitment to working with ISAF and the Government of Afghanistan to improve governance and security to provide better living conditions for all Afghans. More: Read media release | Imagery |
|
Globemaster arrival completes the fleet
The delivery of the Globemaster completes the RAAF’s new fleet, with the first Globemaster entering service in December 2006. The project has been finalised within its agreed timeframe and within budget. “Australia’s four C-17s have been delivered on time and on budget,” said Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd. “This success highlights the excellent cooperation between the RAAF, Defence Materiel Organisation, the Boeing Company, and US Air Force…(and) these aircraft have already made a positive impact in supporting Australian Defence Force operations,” Air Marshal Shepherd said. Globemaster aircraft have already been involved in Operation CATALYST (Iraq), Operation PNG Assist, and Operation ASTUTE (Timor-Leste), as well as several Australian Defence Force (ADF) exercises. The Globemaster carries up to four times the payload of the RAAF’s other combat airlift aircraft, the C-130 Hercules, and can carry more than 70 tonnes of cargo – for example, up to three Black Hawk or Sea Hawk helicopters, or five Light Armoured Vehicles. The Globemaster fleet will be operated by No. 36 Squadron out of RAAF Base Amberley. Full operational capability of the aircraft is scheduled for the end of 2011, with the completion of in-country training and permanent facilities for No. 36 Squadron. Upgrades of RAAF Bases Darwin, Townsville, Edinburgh and Pearce will also be carried out to support Globemaster operations. More: Read media release | C-17 fact sheet | File imagery |
|
| 11 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1942 - 36 Squadron (RAAF) formed at Laverton, Victoria. 1989 - First Australian contingent to UNTAG in Namibia. |
|
| 10 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1916 - Australian Army Postal Corps formed. 1941 - First members of Women's Australian Auxialliary Air Force appointed. |
