More Defence news: 11 August - 17 August 2008
| DSTO Scholarships Awarded to University Students | Black Hawks to Train over Sydney | $68 Million Program for Maritime Patrol Capability | Diggers Bring Hope and Australian Football to Afghan Orphans | World War I ‘Unknown Soldier’ Identified | Australian Peacekeepers Deploy To Darfur | Operation Kiribati Assist | Chapel Dedication in East Timor | Australia and Malaysia Combined Maritime Exercise | |
| DSTO Scholarships Awarded to University Students 15 August - Today the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) warded scholarships with a total value of $47,000 to 19 university students in South Australia. The scholarships were aimed at encouraging young scientists and engineers to strive for excellence in the fields of photonics, radar and information technology. The scholarship programs are administered separately by the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia on behalf of DSTO. More: Media release |
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| Black Hawks to Train over Sydney 15 August - Army Black Hawk helicopters will be conducting exercises over Sydney on 18 and 19 August. The exercises are part of regular pilot training to ensure pilots are fully equipped to respond to any operational requirements. The exercises will be done over the Defence Plaza on Pitt Street in the CBD and Sydney Football Stadium during the day and at night. The Army will be doing its best to minimise disruption to workers and residents in central Sydney Up to four Black Hawk helicopters will be involved in the training, which will finish by 10pm. |
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$68 Million Program for Maritime Patrol Capability
Mr Fitzgibbon made the announcement while inspecting AP-3C Orions at RAAF Base Edinburgh. The AIR 5276 Capability Assurance Program 1 (CAP1) is the new upgrade that has taken place on the AP-3C Orion. More: Imagery |
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Diggers Bring Hope and Australian Football to Afghan Orphans
The impromptu game of footy coincided with the AFL’s Kick Around the World, marking the 150th anniversary of the code. Despite never having been exposed to Aussie Rules football, the Afghan kids from the orphanage on the outskirts of Kabul quickly caught on when the Australian soldiers pulled out a bag of balls donated by the Sydney Swans. With Army Physical Training Instructor (PTI) Sergeant Brad Landouw leading the way, the kids were soon handballing, kicking and marking. “It’s amazing that we can cross international boundaries and face language barriers, but kids the world over love to kick a footy,” said Sergeant Landouw. “It was a really moving experience to play with the kids here. I have kids of a similar age myself and it’s sad to know that these children don’t have parents who can kick a football around with them.” The soldiers organised the visit to the orphanage after hearing about its links to Australia through the charity Mahboba’s Promise. Mahboba Rawi fled to Australia during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and has since settled into the Australian way of life. But she has not forgotten the country where she was born and has established the non-profit organisation Mahboba’s Promise with the aim of improving the lives of the widows and orphans in Afghanistan. With assistance from donations by Australians, Mahboba’s Promise supports 150 widows and their children in Kabul, and another 100 in other parts of Afghanistan. The orphanage gives refuge to 75 children under 12 years of age. In addition to the footballs, the Australian Army soldiers also delivered clothing on behalf of a Perth Rotary club. “We’re keen to help out,” said the leader of the Australian contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hocking. “It’s not just about giving financial assistance, but also spending time with the kids and having some fun with them.” One of the orphanage staff members, Mr Omid Sultani, said the Diggers’ gesture was appreciated by the staff and the children. “The Australians have shown their humanity,” he said. “They came here, not as warriors, but as caring friends. “The children are the future of Afghanistan. They just need a chance. The generosity of the Australian soldiers and the people of Australia are helping the children to have that chance.” Sergeant Kaz Waltis is another of the Australian soldiers who has small children back home. As a mother, she found the visit to the orphanage a sad yet rewarding experience. “It was so nice to see the smiles on the faces and the excitement among the children. Giving them a better life is what we’re here for,” Sergeant Waltis said. More: Image gallery |
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| World War I ‘Unknown Soldier’ Identified 13 August - Today it was confirmed that an Australian World War I soldier recovered from a lost grave in Belgium, has been identified as Private George Richard Storey. Private Storey was part of the 5th reinforcement posted to the 51st Battalion for Europe on 20 September 1916, where he joined his unit on 19 December. After recovering from wounds he rejoined his unit for the attack on Polygon Wood, where he was later killed. Private Storey’s remains, along with those of Private John Hunter, Sergeant George Calder and two other unidentified Australian soldiers, were discovered during excavations near Westhoek, Belgium two years ago. More: Media release |
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| Australian Peacekeepers Deploy To Darfur 12 August – Today the first four Australian Defence Force Peacekeepers supporting the United Nations and African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) flew out from Sydney to commence a six-month deployment on Operation Hedgerow. The four peacekeepers, specialists in operations, logistics and movements planning, will be joined by a further five Australians over the coming weeks. The nine Australian peacekeepers will be primarily based in the UNAMID headquarters at El Fasher. More: Operation Hedgerow website | media release |
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| Operation Kiribati Assist 11 August – On Friday the Australian Defence Force deployed Joint Task Force 637 to the Small Pacific Island nation of Kiribati for Operation Kiribati Assist. The operation, which will conclude on 26 August, is in response to a request from the Government of Kiribati to assist in the disposal of World War II unexploded ordnance. Most of these unexploded ordnance are remnants from World War II when the Kiribati islands were occupied by the Japanese. The unexploded military ordnance includes artillery projectiles, aerial bombs, rockets, mortars and mines. More: Operation Kiribati Assist website | Image galleries | media release |
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| Australia and Malaysia Combined Maritime Exercise 11 August - Today the Royal Australian Navy has commenced Mastex, a combined maritime warfare exercise with the Royal Malaysian Navy in waters north of Darwin. Adelaide Class Frigate HMAS Melbourne with an embarked Seahawk helicopter and Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Maryborough, alongside Royal Malaysian Navy ship KD Jebat with a Super Lynx helicopter will be participating in the week long exercise. The Royal Australian Air Force will support the exercise with Hawks from 79 Squadron and one P-3 Orion from 92 Wing. PEL-AIR Aviation Australia will provide realistic maritime strike and air combat support – towing air targets for anti air warfare. The Mastex exercise aims to progress interoperability in areas common to both Navies and will be comprised of a wide range of security and warfare exercises and evolutions. Scheduled exercises include; Air Firings against towed targets, officer of the watch manoeuvres, boarding exercises and air warfare serials. More: Media release |
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Chapel Dedication in East Timor
A joint working bee with villagers from the Darlau community was held where ISF engineers provided assistance, building seating for the chapel. Meanwhile Australian and New Zealand members of the ISF Aviation Group painted the chapel inside and out. The Chaplain for the ISF, Anglican Priest John Sanderson, was a guest of honour at the chapel dedication. Other representatives of the ISF from Dili attended as well. The dedication was a colourful, traditional affair attended by the Bishop of Dili, Bishop Ricardo Da Silva, parish priest Father Gil and nearly 300 parishioners. More: Image gallery | Operation ASTUTE website |
