More Defence news: 26 May - 01 June 2008
| Hearings of the Commision of Inquiry into the loss of HMAS Sydney II commence | Orions notch up 40 years for RAAF | 100th birthday for former World War 2 RAAF Corporal | Work continues on site: Day Three | Disarming duty for Clearance Divers in Afghanistan | Suspected group burial site excavation begins in Fromelles | Townsville troops return from Afghanistan and Timor-Leste | |
Hearings of the Commision of Inquiry into the loss of HMAS Sydney II commence
HMAS Sydney II was lost with all 645 crew on 19 November 1941, following an engagement with the German raider, HSK Kormoran, off the Western Australian coast. The Commission has been appointed to inquire into and report upon circumstances associated with the loss of HMAS Sydney II and consequent loss of life, and related subsequent events. More: Imagery | Read media release | Visit Website |
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Orions notch up 40 years for RAAF
During the past four decades, the Orions and their crews have made an outstanding contribution to Australia’s national security. Today AP-3C Orions are deployed on a number of operations including maritime patrols off northern Australia and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the Middle East. Australian AP-3C Orions remain extremely capable in their traditional maritime patrolling role but their high-tech surveillance capabilities are now also important to overland activities in the Middle East. “I’m extremely proud of what the Air Force Orion crews have achieved. Our AP-3Cs have been making highly valued contributions to coalition operations in the Middle East since early 2003,” Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd said. Over the years, the Orion Squadrons have been involved in maritime search and rescue tasks and also supported regional security through activities such as Operation Solania, cooperative maritime patrols with Pacific Island nations. RAAF Base Edinburgh has been home to the Orion aircraft since 26 May 1978. More: Orions fact sheet |
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100th birthday for former World War 2 RAAF Corporal
Born on 30 May 1908 in South Melbourne, Ted Lewis served in the RAAF from 28 March 1942 until 5 December 1945. After initial training he was posted to Canberra and then attached to No 18 Squadron, Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEI-AF), in the Northern Territory. He was a driver in the Air Force, driving refuelling tankers and working as a staff driver for the Commanding Officer. He served in the Northern Territory throughout his Air Force career, and was present during the period when Darwin was bombed by the Japanese. After leaving the Air Force he worked for Kent Engineering and retired from there in 1974. |
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Work continues on site: Day Three
Activity on day three largely consisted of heavier excavation, removing upper layers of soil to facilitate access to a target search area within the burial pits. This prepares the way for more delicate excavation work planned, weather permitting, for day four. The excavation is expected to continue on site for a further two and a half weeks. At the site, Major General Mike O’Brien said, “It is hoped that, as the excavation proceeds, the condition and number of remains will become evident and I am aware that this information is keenly awaited by relatives of soldiers killed in the battle of Fromelles, who have no known grave.” Public inquiries: Phone 1800 019 090 or go to - http://www.defence.gov.au/fromelles/index.htm More: Imagery |
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Disarming duty for Clearance Divers in Afghanistan
Chief Petty Officer Shirley and his colleague Petty Officer Troy Eather are spearheading the Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) team supporting the 4th Reconstruction Task Force in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan. The team was dealing with an IED designed to strike at RTF 4 ASLAV and BUSHMASTER armoured vehicles on a twisting single track road, but was discovered by Combat Engineers before it could do any damage. Estimated to contain around 20 kilos of explosives, the device was blown up by the EOD team creating a massive plume of dust and smoke, the convoy then went on to reach its destination safely. “We got a handover from the guy who found it, and they had uncovered a wire. We worked out how to deal with it, using a remote control robot. We destroyed the IED using our own explosives” said CPO Shirley. “We ascertained that it was about 20kg of home made explosives so we are very happy with finding and destroying that. The whole thing was a success and everyone went home safely at the end of the day which is the main thing.” And he says that while the arid mountains of Afghanistan might be a strange place for naval divers to end up they were determined to get on the tour when the possibility arose. “We were going to get here if it was in our power. We didn’t really expect to get up here, but things are running reasonably smoothly, there are a lot of competent people around who know their jobs.” More: Imagery | Operation SLIPPER |
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Suspected group burial site excavation begins in Fromelles
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Mr Warren Snowdon MP, announced that the limited excavation project will ascertain whether the remains of fallen Australian and British soldiers from the battle of Fromelles are buried beneath the soil. “Reports prove beyond reasonable doubt that approximately 400 Australian and British soldiers were buried here during the battle on the Western Front in 1916, and now we are trying to ascertain whether the remains are still buried here or if they were disinterred at some stage during the subsequent years,” Mr Snowdon said. “I am confident that the planned process is robust, and the personnel assigned to this task will work tirelessly to determine once and for all whether Australian WWI remains lay buried at the Fromelles site.” The Army has engaged experienced battlefield excavation contractor, Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD), to carry out the works and Senior Army Representative, Major General Mike O’Brien, is overseeing the project in France. A team of specialists are also on hand to identify artefacts and assess the condition of remains, should any be discovered during the excavation. “The most important task for this team is to concentrate on a thorough and scientific process to evaluate whether remains are located in this field alongside Pheasant Wood.” “Conditions have been difficult over the past months, with the high water table causing delay to the scheduled timetable, so I am pleased that the excavation was able to begin today.” The works are being undertaken with the approval of French and British authorities and under the auspices of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It is expected that the work will take approximately two weeks to complete, depending on local conditions. “We have received excellent support from the French and British Governments as well as the residents of Fromelles, in particular the tenant and owner of the excavating site.” “I am looking forward to regular updates from the team in France and will keep the Australian public informed of any progress at the site as we proceed,” Mr Snowdon said. Public inquiries: Phone 1800 019 090 or go to - http://www.defence.gov.au/fromelles/index.htm More: Imagery |
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Townsville troops return from Afghanistan and Timor-Leste
Members of the Reconstruction Task Force – 3 (RTF-3) and the Timor Leste Battle Group – 3 (TLBG-3) marched down The Strand before stopping to enjoy a concert led by acclaimed performers Shannon Noll, Beccy Cole, Clair Clarke, comedian Gary Bradbury and the 1 RAR Band. Minister for Defence the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP said the nation could be proud of the achievements of the returned Defence personnel. “This is a chance to pause and recognise the value of the contribution by our service people, as well as that made by their families and friends who play key roles in supporting our troops while they are on deployment.” Mr Fitzgibbon said the welcome home parade and concert was an ideal way for the Government and Townsville community to thank their soldiers and show appreciation for the important tasks undertaken overseas. While in Townsville, Mr Fitzgibbon and Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Brigadier John Caligari, turned the first sod at Lavarack Barracks to mark the commencement of approximately $80 million in new facilities for the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment. More than $207 million will be invested in the Lavarack Barracks Redevelopment Stage 4 Project. More: Imagery | Read media release on Lavarack Barracks Redevelopment Project |
