More Defence news: 31 March - 06 April 2008
| First images of HMAS Sydney II | Australian firm wins body armour contract | Australian sailors receive tribute in Persian Gulf | Remembering the Sea King fallen | HMAS Sydney II Commission of Inquiry announced | HMAS Stuart farewelled | Army's move to RAAF base marks new era in SE QLD | |
| First images of HMAS Sydney II 04 April - The first images of the wreck of HMAS Sydney II have been released on the Finding Sydney website following investigation by a remotely operated vehicle. The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon congratulated the Finding Sydney Foundation, saying the images are incredible and bring home how fierce the battle must have been for the brave men onboard the Sydney. “Seeing these pictures for the first time will be very emotional for the relatives of the crew of HMAS Sydney II and my thoughts go out to them,” said Mr Snowdon. “The wreck-site and resting place of the crew of the Sydney continues to be treated with the respect and dignity it deserves and I can confirm that the ROV has not touched the wreck nor has anything been retrieved from HMAS Sydney II.” Further examination of the wreck of the Sydney, the battle-field site and the Kormoran is expected to continue over the coming days, subject to acceptable weather conditions and operational issues with the ROV. The search vessel is expected to return to Geraldton later this month. “I am also pleased to announce that the Navy has received 536 registrations from relatives of 236 crew members of HMAS Sydney II via the toll free number and website,” said Mr Snowdon. Planning continues for a private Navy commemorative service onboard HMAS Anzac over the site of the Sydney and Kormoran on 16 April and the national memorial service on 24 April at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney. More: Images of the HMAS Sydney II | Further information on HMAS Sydney II or by phoning 1800 005 867 |
|
| 04 April - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1918 - First action at Villers-Bretonneux: Villers-Bretonneux, overlooking the Somme and within artillery range of Amiens, was a principal objective when the Germans renewed their March offensive in early April. They were repulsed by British units of the 5th Australian Division. 1918 - Avre: The battle honour was awarded to the 9th and the 15th Brigades for their actions stemming the final German attempt to reach the town of Amiens (Battle of Ancre). This assault was defeated largely by the efforts of Australian troops especially around Dernacourt. 1957 - The Government announced a radical rethinking of Australian defence. Full scale war was thought unlikely but regional tensions led to a need to raise balanced regular force which could be deployed overseas at short notice. A brigade group plus a battalion for service in Malaysia was to be established. This plan led to the cancellation of the contemporary conscription for 'home defence only' scheme, and to the strengthening of the Regular Army. It became policy to standardise on US systems as far as possible. |
|
| Australian firm wins body armour contract 03 April - An all-Australian owned company has won the contract to supply body armour to the Australian Defence Force. Greg Combet, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, announced that a Bendigo firm, Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) Pty Ltd, won the contract after extensive evaluations of highly competitive Australian and overseas tenderers. ADA is all-Australian owned and a significant local employer – the 80 staff added by this contract will increase its Bendigo factory in regional Victoria to 250 staff. In addition another 10 staff will also be added to their headquarters in Coburg. Mr Combet made the announcement during a visit to the ADA facilities in Bendigo. “Under the contract ADF personnel will now be equipped with the latest protective technology available,” he said. They will start to receive the new Modular Combat Body Armour System from May this year. The value of the contract is $80.7m for ADA which includes ongoing support services for the next five years. Mr Combet said that the Modular Combat Body Armour System will provide advanced ballistic and fragmentation protection for our troops. He said it also has the flexibility to be tailored to specific missions that they may be undertaking. More: Imagery |
|
Australian sailors receive tribute in Persian Gulf
During his first visit to HMAS Arunta, CDRE Potts remarked on the fine reputation that the Australian Defence Force has built with its coalition partners throughout the Middle East Area of Operations. In particular, he praised the leadership role that Arunta has taken conducting Maritime Security Operations around the Khawr al-Amaya and al-Basra oil terminals, saying that he looked forward to working with the Royal Australian Navy during his six months as Task Force commander. HMAS Arunta deployed for the Middle East Area of Operations in November and will shortly be relieved by HMAS Stuart. |
|
| Remembering the Sea King fallen 02 April - The third anniversary of the Sea King helicopter accident on Nias Island, Indonesia has been marked today with memorial services in Canberra and HMAS Albatross, Nowra. Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie; Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders; and Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd joined a number of family members of those who died, for the service at the Sea King Memorial at Defence Headquarters, Canberra. “Today provides an opportunity for all Australians to reflect and remember the sacrifice of the four Sea King aircrew and five medical personnel who lost their lives serving our nation,” said Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders. “I remain committed to ensuring the families of those who died, and the survivors of this accident receive the support they deserve,” said Admiral Shalders. The subsequent Board of Inquiry made 256 recommendations as a result of their findings and 239 of these are complete. Work progresses on the remaining 17 recommendations which are expected to be complete by July this year. More: Imagery | Sea King Board of Inquiry |
|
| 02 April - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1917 - Private J.C. Jensen, 50th Battalion, originally from Loegstoer, Denmark, wins the Victoria Cross at Noreuil, France: For most conspicuous bravery and initiative when, with five comrades, he attacked a barricade behind which were about 45 of the enemy and a machine gun. One of his party shot the gunner and Private Jensen, single handed, rushed the post and threw in a bomb. He had still a bomb in one hand, but taking another from his pocket with the other hand he drew the pin with his teeth and by threatening with two bombs and by telling them that they were surrounded, he induced them to surrender, which they did. This latter party were then fired on in ignorance of their surrender by another party of our troops; whereupon Private Jensen, utterly regardless of personal danger, stood on the barricade, waved his helmet, caused fire to cease, and sent his prisoners back to our lines. Private Jensen's conduct throughout was marked by extra-ordinary bravery and determination. |
|
HMAS Sydney II Commission of Inquiry announced
The Acting Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard, and the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, today announced the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry, which will seek to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic loss of Sydney II with its entire crew in November 1941, following an engagement with the German raider HSK Kormoran. Acting Prime Minister Gillard praised the Chief of the Defence Force for establishing the Commission of Inquiry which would examine the 66 year mystery of how Sydney II was lost with all hands. “More than 600 of our nation’s finest sailors and airmen lost their lives and we still don’t know exactly how Sydney II met her end,” she said. “I hope that through this inquiry we have a better understanding of what happened on that fateful day. In particular, I know that this Inquiry will have special significance to the families of those who lost loved ones on Sydney II.” The Hon. Terence Cole, AO, RFD, QC has been appointed President of this Commission of Inquiry. Mr Cole has presided over two Royal Commissions, served as a NSW Supreme Court Judge, Judge of the NSW Court of Appeal and has held the position of Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Australian Defence Force. More: Read media release | Listen to audio |
|
HMAS Stuart farewelled
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, led the farewell in a traditional ceremony at Fleet Base East in Sydney and congratulated the ship's Commanding Officer, Commander Nick Woodley, for his ship’s crew’s comprehensive and rigorous training program in preparation for the task. “Stuart is well-prepared and mission-ready for the important job before them. I congratulate the ship’s company for their commitment in building upon the outstanding reputation of the Australian Defence Force in the Middle East,” Mr Fitzgibbon said. “I would like to thank the families and friends of the personnel deploying to the Gulf for their ongoing support and wish those deployed on Operation CATALYST continued success and ongoing safety,” he said. Stuart will be stationed in the Gulf as part of Operation CATALYST, Australia’s commitment to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq until late-2008. The frigate will contribute to the protection of Iraqi oil platforms, security boardings of all vessels proceeding to the platforms and training of the Iraqi Navy, all of which are essential to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq. This will be the second time that Stuart has been deployed to the Gulf, with the frigate’s departure marking the Navy’s 18th rotation since September 2001. HMAS Stuart will replace HMAS Arunta, due to return to Fleet Base West in April. More: Operation CATALYST |
|
| Army's move to RAAF base marks new era in SE QLD 31 March - The Army's 9th Force Support Battalion (9 FSB) has formally moved into its new location at RAAF Base Amberley, with a ceremonial parade attended by the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, The Honourable Dr Mike Kelly, AM MP, on Saturday. The 9th Force Support Battalion is the first Army unit to be based at RAAF Base Amberley. By relocating elements to RAAF Base Amberley, 9 FSB elements are closer to the units they support. It is estimated that this will save up to 1 million vehicle kilometres each year and give soldiers an extra 30 days per year with their families. In addition to supporting deployed forces, 9 FSB also supports the training activities for other Army units in Australia. Most of these units and their training areas are located in northern Queensland and the Northern Territory and the majority of support is provided by 26 Transport Squadron and 37 Force Supply Company. More: 9th Force Support Battalion |
|
| 31 March - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1921 - 87th anniversary of the formation of the Australian Air Force. (The 'Royal' prefix was later added on 13 August 1921). 1989 - RAAF Base Tindal opens. 2001 - Anniversary of commissioning for HMAS Warramunga. |
