More Defence news: 07 April - 13 April 2008
| Preparations under way for Iraq withdrawal | Red Flag alert for Air Force in Alaska | Tour de Force rocks and rolls into Afghanistan | Mission accomplished for HMAS Sydney II | Air Force's new recruit training unit opened | Protecting Iraqis who have supported Australian troops | Army training facilities upgraded | WA submarine wins Gloucester Cup | Calling all nations for Exercise Croix Du Sud | |
Preparations under way for Iraq withdrawal
Equipment has already been sent through to the Force Level Logistic Asset (FLLA), whose staff will be supplemented by a force extraction team mid year. “The staff have done a lot of work already to assist the force extraction team,” Commanding Officer of Headquarters FLLA, Lieutenant Colonel Mick King said. “We became a tight-knit unit before leaving and were well familiarised before we arrived in theatre,” Lt-Col King said. Like most ADF personnel arriving or leaving the Middle East, the Overwatch Battle Group and Australian Army Training Team will pass through the FLLA. When they do, they’ll notice a few changes from when they first went through. “The FLLA is the home to the ADF in the MEAO, so we’re always looking at how to improve,” Lt-Col King said. Some of the enhancements include additional welfare phones, music for the outside area and a wireless gaming LAN. The recreation hut has also been rearranged with a separate theatrette and games area. In addition to facilities, rotation four had refined some of the process at the FLLA. “We’ve worked on what past rotations have done,” quartermaster Corporal Brett Carmichael said. “We’ve come in and touched it up, added our spin on it, and we’ve heard nothing but great reports from all ranks.” Corporal Carmichael said working with Air Force and Navy was something he hadn’t done before, and it had opened his eyes to the bigger picture. “We’ve got a really good team, and we all work well together,” he said. More: Operation CATALYST |
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Red Flag alert for Air Force in Alaska
Exercise RED FLAG forms part of the regular cycle of Australia’s Air Combat – Air Lift exercising of assets and is an excellent opportunity for F/A-18 air and ground crews to hone their skills along with other allied nations at one of the World’s best air combat training facilities. Commander Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Neil Hart has highlighted the value of Air Force’s participation in the exercise. “Exercise RED FLAG involves a series of air combat scenarios that test operational air and ground crews to the highest level, short of actual combat. It provides the ultimate environment in which our Air Force personnel can showcase their extraordinary abilities in a deployed scenario,” Air Commodore Hart said. “Our quality Air Force people are the key to our air combat capability. They have earned international respect over the years and we expect they’ll perform brilliantly in this exercise, too.” A C-17 aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley has made a significant contribution to Exercise RED FLAG, performing the necessary task of transporting personnel and equipment to and from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. |
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Tour de Force rocks and rolls into Afghanistan
The talented billing included lead singer of rock band Rose Tattoo Angry Anderson, actor Tania Zaetta, country musicians Brielle Davis, Ami Williamson and The Wolverines, comedian Fred Lang and the Royal Australian Navy band. Performing two two-hour shows, the troupe performed a mix of classic Australian rock songs with original material to the enthusiastic crowd made up of members of Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) 3 and Task Force Uruzgan. Later the performers met with the soldiers for photo opportunities and autograph signings, before the performers packed for their next destination. Tour de Force 9 is part of an ongoing series of entertainment tours by the Forces Advisory Committee for Entertainment, bringing entertainers and media personalities to Australian operations all over the world. Offering their services for free, the performers are carrying a tradition that pre-dates the Vietnam War, maintaining morale and a familiar link with home, through music and comedy that’s distinctly Australian. Tour De Force 9 is visiting the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) to entertain defence personnel serving overseas from April 3-17. More: Imagery | Imagery: Iraq concert | Operation SLIPPER | Forces' Entertainment website |
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| Mission accomplished for HMAS Sydney II 10 April - With their mission now successfully accomplished, the efforts of the Finding Sydney Foundation have been applauded following the official conclusion of the search for HMAS Sydney II. The search vessel, SV Geosounder, returned to the port of Geraldton, Western Australia yesterday after completing final surveys of HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). “On behalf of the relatives of the HMAS Sydney II crew and all Australians, I would like to thank all involved in the search for a job well done,” Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, said. Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Shalders also congratulated all involved, saying the images returned so far have provided a fascinating insight into the circumstances in which Sydney and her crew was lost. “Certainly some questions remain but with her final resting place now known, the focus for the Navy in the immediate future is to honour the memory of HMAS Sydney II and her ship’s company,” Vice Admiral Shalders said. More: Finding Sydney Foundation website | First images of HMAS Sydney II |
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| 10 April - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1941 - 6th Division engages the Germans in Greece: The Greek campaign, involving forces from Greece, Britain, New Zealand and Australia, resulted in heavy losses to the 6th Australian Division and ultimately an evacuation of Allied forces from beaches in southern Greece. 1941 - Siege of Tobruk, Libya, begins: Tobruk was surrounded on three sides by the German Afrika Korps in April and remained besieged, but able to be re-supplied by sea, until December. Most Australians, however, left Tobruk between August and October. |
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| Air Force's new recruit training unit opened 09 April – Air Force’s new recruit training (1RTU) precinct at RAAF Wagga has been delivered on time and on budget, as part of the RAAF College relocation project. Approximately $60 million has been invested at Wagga, with the project officially opened today by by Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd. The new state-of-the-art facilities include a new headquarters building, multi-storey living-in accommodation buildings, training facilities, a physical fitness centre, medical and dental facilities, weapon and field training areas, improved mess facilities and a recruit recreation facility. More than 1500 people were involved with the construction of the facility for approximately two years, with more than 60 per cent of the contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers from the local community. 1RTU includes approximately 100 staff. All Air Force airmen and airwomen recruits (Permanent and Reserve) will begin their service life here. At any one time up to 360 recruits will be undergoing training at 1RTU. About 1200 recruits will go through 1RTU each year. The recruit course comprises nearly 11 weeks of training. The course includes RAAF values, equity and diversity, occupational health and safety and first aid. The move of 1RTU from Adelaide to Wagga streamlines the transition from recruit training to initial trade training. About three quarters of 1RTU recruit graduates will stay at RAAF Wagga to complete their initial trade training. More: 1 Recruit Training Unit fact sheet |
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| Protecting Iraqis who have supported Australian troops 09 April – Iraqi employees, who have supported Australian troops in Iraq and have been deliberately targeted by anti-Coalition forces, will be able eligible to apply for permanent resettlement in Australia. The Government will authorise humanitarian visas to specific locally engaged employees (LEEs) and their families, in recognition of the personal security situation they will face as Australia withdraws its combat forces from southern Iraq. It has been anticipated that 600 visas will be granted. Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said these Iraqis have repeatedly shown their commitment to Australia’s security and reconstruction operations in Iraq. Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans said the LEEs and their families would be granted permanent humanitarian visas after undergoing strict health, character and national security checks. More: Read media release |
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| 09 April - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1917 - Private T.J.B. Kenny, 2nd Battalion, originally from Paddington, NSW, awarded the Victoria Cross at Hermies, France: For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when his platoon was held up by an enemy strong-point, and severe casualties prevented progress. Private Kenny, under very heavy fire at close range, dashed alone towards the enemy's position and killed one man in advance of the strong point who endeavoured to bar his way. He then bombed the position, captured the gun crew, all of whom he had wounded, killed an officer who showed fight, and seized the gun. Private Kenny's gallant action enabled his platoon to occupy the position, which was of great local importance. SGT J.W. Whittle, 12th Battalion awarded the Victoria Cross at Bapaume-Cambrai Road, near Boursies, France (Apr 9 - 15): For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on two occasions. When in command of a platoon, the enemy, under cover of an intense artillery barrage, attacked the small trench he was holding. Owing to the weight of numbers the enemy succeeded in entering the trench, and it was owing to Sergeant Whittle personally collecting all available men and charging the enemy that the position was regained. On the second occasion when the enemy broke through the left of our line, Sergeant Whittle's own splendid example was the means of keeping the men well in hand. His platoon was suffering heavy casualties, and the enemy endeavoured to bring up a machine-gun to capture the position. Grasping the situation he rushed alone across the fire-swept ground and attacked the hostile gun crew with bombs before the gun could be got into action. He succeeded in killing the whole crew and in bringing back the machine-gun to our position. 1942 - HMAS Vampire sunk: The destroyer, HMAS Vampire and the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes were sunk by Japanese bombers off Colombo in the Bay of Bengal. 1968 - HMAS Sydney arrived at Vung Tau: The 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment disembarked, the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment embarked. HMAS Sydney made 21 voyages to Vietnam during the war. |
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| Army training facilities upgraded 08 April - One of the Army's main training facilities has been enhanced, with Darwin's Mt Bundy Training Range receiving an upgrade to its Armoured Fighting Vehicle Field Firing Target System. The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, has joined with the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, in launching the enhanced facilities today. “It is important our fighting men and women train in safe, secure and sustainable environments. Defence manages its training area use in an environmentally sustainable manner to enable maintenance of operational capability,” Mr Snowdon said. “The upgrades to these facilities enable our troops to focus on their key training outcomes. The enhancements included structural works on the control tower, targetry system improvement, paving the vehicle movement areas, and providing shelter for troops,” Dr Kelly said. “The impressive live firing display by 1st Armoured Regiment of Darwin’s 1st Brigade demonstrated the importance and value of upgrading and maintaining first class training facilities for our troops,” Mr Snowdon said. The unique climate and environment in the Northern Territory and Kimberley region presents challenges in providing sustainable training areas, and maximising training opportunities for Australia’s only mechanised Brigade. Defence invests in maintenance of its facilities, environmental programs, and training area management. The works commenced in 2007 and were completed in February 2008 by Norbuilt Pty Ltd, a local construction company, at a cost of $1.95 million. |
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WA submarine wins Gloucester Cup
Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates, joined the Governor-General to present the Commanding Officer of Rankin, Commander Phillip Stanford, with the award in recognition of excellence in teamwork, loyalty and dedication. To mark the occasion, Ceremonial Divisions were held at HMAS Stirling with the Royal Australian Air Force paying tribute to Rankin’s achievement with a PC9 formation fly past as the Submarine Squadron gathered on the parade ground in their ceremonial whites. Commanding Officer of Rankin, Commander Phillip Stanford said: “This is a proud day for me but especially for my crew; this award recognises everything that we hold dear and strive for in the submarine squadron and the Navy. “I would especially like to thank my crew and their families. The dedication and sacrifice of those associated with HMAS Rankin is something of which we can all be very proud.” The Gloucester Cup was instituted in 1947 by the then Governor-General, the Duke of Gloucester and acknowledges excellence against a range of performance criteria including: operational efficiency; seamanship; supply and administration; officer and sailor training; maintenance and resourcefulness. The broad scope of criteria demands consistency from every department, with each individual playing a critical role in achieving the Gloucester Cup. Every RAN ship undergoes thorough evaluation and assessment in the selection process for this distinguished award. The Cup has been won by many notable ships over the years, including Quadrant, Vampire, Sydney and Hobart. And in recent times, winners have included Arunta, ANZAC, Success and Adelaide, Kanimbla and last year HMAS Sheean. Today, HMAS Rankin joins those prestigious names for a second time, as a result of outstanding performance during the past year. More: Imagery |
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Calling all nations for Exercise Croix Du Sud
About half the total staff are participants other than the French Armed Forces of New Caledonia, who are running the six-nation military exercise from 28 March to 12 April. France, Australia, New Zealand and Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea are using Exercise Croix Du Sud to practise conducting the evacuation of foreign nationals from a threatening situation. Australia’s commitment to the exercise includes a headquarters element, HMA ships KANIMBLA and WOLLONGONG, a composite infantry company from the Army’s 1st Brigade, paratroop instructors from 3rd Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment who will operate with French paratroopers, one Sea King, and three No.38 Squadron Caribous, as well as provide technical support. Australia's acting deputy chief of staff, Joint Operations Command for CDS08 is Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Légeret, who is fluent in French and a linchpin for communications between the coalition contingent and the French. “The biggest challenge from of our perspective is one of language. We are impressed by the way the French have been able to conduct this exercise in a tongue other than their native one. They have certainly ensured that all levels of personnel throughout their HQ can speak English, to varying degrees, with their senior officers being fluent,” LtCol Légeret said. “One way the French have achieved this is that for CDS08, they have used standard NATO procedures, with which Australia is familiar,” Lt Col Légeret said. CJTF HQ is organised along the lines of an integrated staff, responsible for air, maritime and land assets. There is also a Combined Air Operations Centre to coordinate air support, both fixed and rotary wing, so that optimal use of critical assets results, in keeping with the Commander’s priority of effort. More: Imagery |
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| 07 April - TODAY IN DEFENCE HISTORY 1916 - Australians reach the Western Front: Australians were introduced to fighting on the Western Front in what was called the 'nursery sector' in the relatively quiet area around Armentieres, France. |
