Lieutenant General Peter Leahy’s final visit to Timor-Leste | ADF Investigative Service open for business | Greater regional cooperation with Pacific Patrol Boat program | Super fly experience for Air Force Cadets | First Army Honour title awarded | CDF visits Australian troops in Iraq and Afghanistan | Defence provides assistance to Burma | Parting gift from Australia to safeguard Iraq’s future | HMAS Arunta returns home for Mother's Day | Inquiry findings into 2007 incidents in Afghanistan

Lieutenant General Peter Leahy’s final visit to Timor-Leste

16 May - This week, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy made his final visit to Timor-Leste in his capacity as Chief of Army.

During his two-day visit he travelled by Black Hawk to chat with Diggers at Gleno and Same, two Forward Operating Bases in the rugged interior of Timor-Leste.  He lunched with troops at the Heliport and later on met up with the Chief of the Timor-Leste Defence Force, Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak at the Timor-Leste Memorial Hall in Dili. 

Finally, LTGEN Leahy returned to the Headquarters of the International Stabilisation Force at Camp Phoenix for a tour, briefings, dinner and an address to the Headquarters staff.  In his address he thanked staff for helping our much deserved neighbours in Timor-Leste.

More: Operation Astute

ADF Investigative Service open for business

15 May - The ADF can now add the capability to undertake complex and more serious disciplinary and criminal investigations within Australia and on military deployments overseas with the official opening of Australian Defence Force (ADF) Investigative Service headquarters in Canberra today.

The ADF Investigative Service brings together around 150 specialist policing personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force, and ensures ADF investigators are highly skilled and undertake training and secondments with a number of agencies, including the Australian Federal Police and State and Territory police forces. 

“The ADF can be assured that it has a robust investigative capability benchmarked against the Australian Government Investigations Standards,” Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP said.

The ADF Investigative Service is independent from the single-Service chains of command in that its head, Provost Marshal ADF, Colonel Tim Grützner, reports directly to the Chief of Defence Force for operational policing matters.

ADF investigators are currently deployed on operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands ready to undertake timely investigations and preserve evidence as the need arises. A Major Incident Team is also on standby to travel at short notice to augment the deployed investigative capability in the event of a serious military incident in Australia or overseas.

The establishment of the integrated ADF Investigative Service is a major outcome of the 2005 Senate inquiry into military justice.

More: Imagery

Greater regional cooperation with Pacific Patrol Boat program

15 May - Australian-donated Pacific Patrol Boats of the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia have completed another successful operation as part of Operation RAI BALANG 01/08.

With funding from the Australian Defence Cooperation Program the Pacific Patrol Boats worked with the United States Coast Guard to conduct law enforcement activities in their respective Exclusive Economic Zones.

More: Imagery

Super fly experience for Air Force Cadets

15 May - The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) 2 Wing are embarking on a flying air experience program never before undertaken by any unit of the Australian Defence Force Cadets, which includes the Australian Air Force, Army and Navy Cadets.  The Air Force Cadet Directorate and the Royal Australian Air Force have a mandate to give every AAFC cadet, a “hands on” air experience in either a light aircraft or a glider every year.

This will be accomplished in a series of Super Flying Weekends, conducted over five weekends, from May through to October 2008.

It will involve five light aircraft (Piper Tomahawks) and five gliders flying in and out of RAAF Base Amberley, with cadets getting a “hands on” experience whilst in the air.

The first Super Flying Weekend will be conducted this Saturday and Sunday (17th and 18th May), with 120 cadets getting airborne each day under the watchful eye of a qualified flying instructor. Cadets will also get the opportunity to visit Tasman Aviation, RAAF Firefighters section, look over an F-111, sit in the F-111 simulator, and watch the operation of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

This is an ambitious and achievable air exercise being undertaken by the 2 Wing School of Aviation, giving 240 AAFC cadets over the two days an experience of a lifetime, flying circuits over the home of the F-111 and the C-17 Globemaster III.

Cadets will come from squadrons as far afield as Toowoomba, Gatton, Oakey, Gympie, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Redcliffe, Ipswich, Gold and Sunshine Coasts as well as various squadrons around the greater Brisbane area. By the time the last Super Flying Weekend in October is completed, it is envisaged 1200 cadets and staff will have been given an air experience of a lifetime.

More: Australian Air Force Cadets

First Army Honour title awarded

14 May - In a moving ceremony on Mount Pleasant in Canberra, His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffrey, AC, CVO, MC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, presented Army’s 102 Field Battery with the Australian Military’s first ever Honour Title.

The Honour Title 'Coral' was awarded to 102 Field Battery, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery, in recognition of its actions during the Vietnam War. Head of Regiment, Brigadier Phil Winter CSC, welcomed the award on behalf of the Army and gave credit to the outstanding actions of the unit during the long battle.

“This is an important day for the Australian Defence Force, and brings deserved recognition to the Gunners who fought so valiantly to hold their position in Vietnam 40 years ago,” Brigadier Winter said.

“I welcome the title Coral on behalf of the Australian Army, and hope that the story of this battle provides inspiration to our current Diggers who are serving on operations today.”

Today’s ceremony forms part of a series of activities to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the battles of Coral and Balmoral, which took place in South Vietnam during May and June of 1968 and played a significant role in securing Saigon from further attack.

“The battles were the largest and most sustained engagements of the Vietnam War involving Australian troops, and were the first Australian all arms brigade-sized operation since World War II,” Brigadier Winter said.

“Approximately 2,500 Australians participated in the battles and this is an opportunity to thank them for their service, and remember those who did not return home.”

A National Commemoration Ceremony was held at the Australian War Memorial yesterday, and on Monday a reception was hosted by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd MP, at Parliament House and attended by veterans, dignitaries and guests. Group commemorations in Townsville and Canberra are planned over the coming weeks.

More: Imagery

CDF visits Australian troops in Iraq and Afghanistan

14 May - Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston has visited Australian troops based at Tallil in Southern Iraq and at Tarin Kowt in Afghanistan to meet Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) and Special Operations Task Group troops.

In Iraq, the CDF addressed the members of the Overwatch Battle Group (West) and Australian Army Training Team Iraq at a parade, joined soldiers for a barbecue breakfast and met with troops during a tour of the camp.

ACM Houston thanked the troops for their efforts during the course of their deployment, highlighting their success in training the Iraqi security forces and reducing the improvised explosive device and indirect fire threat in the region through aggressive patrolling.

He spoke to the soldiers about the success of the three-year overwatch mission and reinforced that the Australians had done the job they’d been sent to do.

The CDF asked the soldiers to remain vigilant right up to the end of the mission and wished them a safe return to Australia.

ACM Houston also thanked the families of the deployed personnel for their ongoing support.

The Australian forces at Tallil will return home by mid-June.

More: Imagery: Iraq | Imagery: Afghanistan

Defence provides assistance to Burma

13 May - The Australian Defence Force is providing a critical air lift capability to the Australian Government Aid response to the devastation in Burma caused by Cyclone Nargis.

Operation Nargis Assist is the ADF component of the whole of Australian Government response to provide aid support to the cyclone-affected areas of Burma.

The ADF has committed one of its Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III aircraft to transport the humanitarian aid supplies on behalf of the Australian Government.

The C-17 today successfully delivered 31 tonnes of emergency relief supplies from Defence and AusAID to Burma, including water purification tablets, blankets, tarpaulins and medical supplies.

More: Imagery

Parting gift from Australia to safeguard Iraq’s future

13 May - As they prepare to leave Southern Iraq, members of the Overwatch Battle Group have given locals a valuable and symbolic parting gift.

Australian soldiers have opened a new village school in Iraq’s Dhi Qar province, providing a better learning environment for more than 200 local children.

The new school replaces one built of mud and straw. When it rained, the roof leaked and the children had to endure muddy floors and walls and the central assembly area became a mud-hole.

When the Australians first arrived three years ago, the security situation in the area would not have allowed this type of project to take place.

Australian Army Civil Military Cooperation Project Officer Captain Leslie Tobin says the new school, will provide better educational opportunities for local children.

“This new school will have a positive impact on these children and the children of the future,” he said.

The new ‘Al Akhiar’ school has six modern classrooms, an office, storerooms, toilets, septic tank and a sealed all-weather courtyard.

The school opening was conduct during one of Combat Team Heeler’s patrols in Dhi Qar Province. The multi-day patrols include meetings with key leaders, training of Iraqi Security Forces.

The Overwatch Battle Group remains on track to withdraw from Dhi Qar and Al Muthanna provinces by mid year.

More: Imagery | Operation Catalyst

HMAS Arunta returns home for Mother's Day

12 May - The Royal Australian Navy Anzac Class Frigate, HMAS Arunta, returned home on Sunday following a six-month deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations as part of Operation Catalyst.

Arunta ship’s company of 183 men and women was greeted by family and friends at a wharfside ceremony attended by the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP; and the Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM, RAN.

“It is of special significance to me, coming as I do from Arrente country in Central Australia, to be able to welcome home HMAS Arunta from a successful mission,” said Mr Snowdon.

And this particular Mother’s Day was particularly sweet for the four Arunta families who welcomed newborn children during this deployment. The Commanding Officer of HMAS Arunta, Commander Timothy Brown, praised the support that the ship had received from loved ones at home

“Arunta sailed from this point six months ago on a hot and muggy November day. It was wonderful to see all the families, friends and well-wishers wave us off as we turned to the north and sailed into the distance. By comparison, words cannot describe the experience of coming home today to all of these smiling faces,” said Commander Brown.

Whilst deployed, the ship steamed more than 21,000 nautical miles, conducted 500 queries, 110 surface searches and 35 security sweeps in the Gulf.

HMAS Arunta was relieved on station by HMAS Stuart in the Middle East Area of Operations in late April, representing the 18th rotation of Royal Australian Navy ships in the Northern Gulf since September 11, 2001. Stuart will return to her homeport at Garden Island in Sydney in late 2008.

More: Imagery | HMAS Arunta fact sheet

Inquiry findings into 2007 incidents in Afghanistan

12 May – Today Defence released the findings of inquiries into the combat deaths of three Australian soldiers last year, Trooper David Pearce on 08 October 2007, Sergeant Matthew Locke on 25 October 2007, and Private Luke Worsley on 23 November 2007. A fourth inquiry investigated civilian casualties and an allegation of detainee mistreatment by Australian troops during the 23 November incident in which Private Worsley was killed.

Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Gillespie, said the investigating officers were satisfied that no further formal investigation was required into the combat deaths.

“These were very thorough investigations undertaken by officers with considerable operational and legal expertise,” LTGEN Gillespie said.

The inquiry officers looked at equipment, training, the operational situation and even the orders the soldiers were given on the day of their death to ascertain if there was any process or system that may have let them down.

The investigating officer found that two non-combatants were killed as a result of Taliban extremists engaging an Australian Special Operations force from within a compound the extremists knew to be occupied by civilians.

The investigating officer also found that at least two other non-combatants were wounded in the engagement.

All three men were killed conducting authorized combat operations and there is no evidence that the Australian troops breached their rules of engagement on 23 November, 2007.

The Chief of the Defence Force and the Minister for Defence agreed that Commissions of Inquiry into the combat deaths are not required.

Lieutenant-General Gillespie said he hoped release of this information may offer a degree of closure to the families of the three soldiers killed in combat.

More: Commission of Inquiry Report | Read media release | Audio of press conference (34.5mb MP3 file) | Read transcript