More Defence news: 24 March - 30 March 2008
| Defence to participate in Earth Hour 2008 | Aussie trainers with 30,000 reasons to smile | Gap Year recruits march on | Australian and Indonesian Defence ministers meet in Canberra | Small miracle opens World Youth Day procedings | Navy refutes Daily Telegraph article | |
Defence to participate in Earth Hour 2008
In March last year, 2.2 million people and 2,100 Sydney businesses, including Defence, turned off their lights for Earth Hour, collectively reducing Sydney's energy consumption by 10.2 per cent for one hour. Defence launched an Energy Efficient Pilot Project in February this year to comply with Government policy targets required by the Commonwealth Government, and forms part of Defence’s Combat Climate Change initiative. The pilot project is Canberra based and aims to reduce energy usage by 10 per cent by June 2008. Around Australia, Defence establishments will be holding events for Earth Hour:
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Aussie trainers with 30,000 reasons to smile
The 30,000th soldier is about to graduate from an Australian-mentored training course, as part of their mission to further Iraq’s ability to defend itself from insurgent forces. Sergeant Lee Vermeer is one of the Australian Army Training Team 9, working hard on the capability of the Iraqi military. “We are leading up to their transition to self reliance,” Sergeant Vermeer said, “That way when we pull out they can actually continue with the training”. The Australian effort is based at Camp Ur, a short drive from Talil. There are separate schools for officers and soldiers who train under Australian instruction. There is also a special course the Australians run for former Iraqi Army officers seeking to re-join. “The Iraqi soldiers appreciate us being here,” Sergeant Vermeer said. “They have a lot of time for us and always have smiles on their faces. The impression that we get is that they appreciate us here.” That appreciation is also being felt down the road in Talil itself, where the Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 is preparing to leave Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar provinces. OBG (W) Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Chris Websdane said he had noticed an encouraging improvement in the security situation. “In the three years since Australia’s involvement here we’ve seen quite an amazing change in the security environment,” he said. While there are still threats, Lieutenant Colonel Websdane and his battle group remains committed to ensuring insurgents do not gain the upper hand. Lieutenant Colonel Kareem Jabbar Farlih, the Commander of Al Muthanna’s Provisional Joint Operations Centre, said he is very grateful for Australia’s support. “I am very happy with the cooperation with Australian forces and I will always remain vigilant when it comes to their safety,” he said. “I wish them happiness and I wish the same for the Australian people.” More: Imagery | Operation CATALYST |
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| Gap Year recruits march on 28 March - Their brass was polished, their shoes were glossed and the creases on their uniforms pressed razor sharp as the latest group of Army Gap Year recruits lined up for their March Out Parade at the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka. It was impossible to distinguish between the Gap Year and regular recruits as the hundred-strong parade marked the finish of 12 weeks’ basic training. Commandant of Army’s Recruit Training Centre Colonel Bill Hanlon said the Gap Year participants were fully integrated and entitled to the same pay and benefits as any other member. “This is a unique opportunity for school leavers to sample Army life, as well as gain independence and skills while being paid,” Colonel Hanlon said. “It gives these young Australians space and resources to make good decisions about what they are going to do with their life,” he said. The Gap Year program is part of the Government's $3.1 billion commitment to boosting ADF recruitment and retention. Members of the program have no obligation to Defence following the agreed 12-month term of employment. The members are however entitled to a $10,000 bonus if they re-enlist into the regular Army on completion of a civilian trade or tertiary qualification. Colonel Hanlon said he was very pleased with the way the recruits had developed over the past three months. “There are some very fine young Australian men and women marching out here today and they should be justly proud of what they have achieved so far,” Colonel Hanlon said. Members of the group will now go on to be trained in a specific employment stream before being posted to a Land Command unit. More: Gap Year website | Army Recruit Training Centre |
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| 28 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1910 - Australia's first military radio transmission was made at Heathcote, NSW by LT George Taylor of the Australian Intelligence Corps. He was assisted in the exercise by CAPT H. Cox-Taylor, Australian Garrison Artillery and three civilians of the Wireless Institute. They successfully transmitted over a distance of about five kilometres. The Army was not to have radios on issue until 1913. 1918 - Victoria Cross awarded to Sergeant S.R. McDougall, 47th Battalion, originally from Recherche, Tasmania, at Dernancourt: For most conspicous bravery and devotion to duty when the enemy attacked our line and his first wave succeeded in gaining entry. Sergeant McDougall, who was at a post in a flank company, realised the situation and at once charged the enemy's second wave single-handed with rifle and bayone, killing seven and capturing a machine-gun which they had. This he turned on to them, firing from the hip, causing many casualties and routing that wave. He then turned his attention on those who had entered, until his ammunition ran out, all the time firing at close quarters, when he seized a bayonet and charged again, killing three men and an enemy officer, who was just about to kill one of our officers. He used a Lewis gun on the enemy, killing many and enabling us to capture prisoners. The prompt action of this non-commissioned officer saved the line and enabled the enemy's advance to be stopped. 1945 - Slater's Knoll: In the period 28 Mar-6 April 45, the 25th Infantry Battalion's defensive position on Slater's Knoll was subjected to repeated raids by the Japanese. Cut off for three days, 25 Battalion beat off the attacks and were eventually reinforced by tanks. The Japanese continued heavy attacks against the position for the next few days, leading to disastrous losses. It is estimated that the Japanese 13th and 23rd Regiments lost 620 killed and over 1000 wounded. The ratio of killed was one Australian to 25 Japanese. |
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| Australian and Indonesian Defence ministers meet in Canberra 27 March - Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon, met with his Indonesian counterpart, the Hon Dr Juwono Sudarsono, for the first time at Parliament House, Canberra today. 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 meeting provided an opportunity to discuss defence engagement and enhanced cooperation following the recent ratification of the Australia-Indonesia Lombok Treaty on security cooperation and reflects the strengthening relationship between our countries. Talks held focussed on matters affecting common security interests such as terrorism, regional security and piracy. Australia and Indonesia have a confident and maturing defence relationship, based on a foundation of mutual respect and trust. More: Imagery | Read media release |
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| 27 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1918 - Dernancourt action began where 12 and 13 Brigades destroyed the combat power of four German divisions. This action was fought to 5 April 1918. At St Pol, France, a troop train carrying the 58th Battalion was moving south with the 5th Division to relieve British troops on the Somme front. The shell from the great German gun known as 'Big Bertha' hit the train and 16 Australians were killed and many more wounded. 1953 - Last engagement between Meteors and MIGS in the Korean War: Meteors had been found to be inferior to MIGS in air to air combat in Korea and were transferred to ground attack duties. |
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| Small miracle opens World Youth Day procedings 26 March - In what marked a small miracle befitting of Easter Monday, a storm suddenly cleared when the World Youth Day Cross and Icon was handed over to Bishop Max Davis, Catholic Bishop of the ADF, in front of the main gates of HMAS Kuttabul. The storm that had raged for several hours suddenly dispersed to allow 100 young Catholics in the ADF and Cadets to carry the Cross and Icon on a Rosary Procession around the base to the Naval Chapel. Bishop Davis said it was good to start the day with a small miracle. At the chapel, Bishop Davis led a World Youth Day-style Catechesis session which was attended by scores of RAN, Army and Air Force personnel, as well as their families. Bishop Davis said the liturgical focus was on "The Empty Tomb", which reflects on the day after Easter Sunday when Mary Magdalene and the Disciples found Jesus' tomb empty. The Catechesis session also included the Veneration of the Cross and Icon, testimonies of faith from those who serve in the ADF, as well as music and "praise and worship" songs. Bishop Davis also celebrated an emotionally-moving Holy Mass. Commanding Officer of HMAS Kuttabul Commander Bryan Parker said the journey of the cross and icon was an international event that Kuttabul was proud to be part of. The procedings marked the beginning of Operation TESTAMENT, the name of the Australian Defence Force contribution to World Youth Day 08, which Sydney will be hosting in July this year. WYD08 is the largest youth event in the world and gathers young people from around the globe to build bridges of friendship and hope between continents, peoples and cultures. Op TESTAMENT will comprise between 400-450 ADF personnel drawn from across the services carrying out the logistics for an international ‘Military Pilgrims’ program as well as security for the entire World Youth Day 08 celebrations in support of the NSW Police Force. More: Imagery | World Youth Day website | Operation Testament |
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| Navy refutes Daily Telegraph article 26 March - Navy has not developed or submitted any document to Government proposing the acquisition of future capability as indicated in a Daily Telegraph article titled “Aircraft carrier on $4b navy wish list” (25 March 08, page 2). Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Russell Crane said the Defence White Paper process will assist Government make fully informed and cost-effective decisions about the military capabilities needed to defend Australia and its interests. "The White Paper process provides a structured and robust way for all relevant capability options to be considered against Australia’s strategic circumstances and the tasks Government expects the ADF to carry out. The Force Structure Review is part of this process and will provide Government a range of options to consider," Rear Admiral Crane said. Navy is contributing fully to the development of the White Paper. More: Navy website |
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| 26 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1917 - Victoria Cross awarded to Captain PH Cherry, 26 Battalion Australian Imperial Force, Lagnicourt, France: For most conspicuous bravery, determination and leadership when in command of a company detailed to storm and clear a village. After all the officers of his company had become casualties he carried on with care and determination, in the face of fierce opposition, and cleared the village of the enemy. He sent frequent reports of progress made and when held up by an enemy strong-point, he organised machine-gun and bomb parties and captured the position. His leadership, coolness and bravery set a wonderful example to his men. Having cleared the village, he took charge of the situation and beat off the most resolute and heavy counter-attacks made by the enemy. Wounded about 0600 hours he refused to leave his post and there remained encouraging all to hold out at all costs, until about 1630 hours, when this very gallant officer was killed by an enemy shell. 1942 - Field Marshal Sir Thomas Albert Blamey appointed Commander-in-Chief, Australian Military Forces. |
