More Defence news: 25 August - 31 August 2008
| Afghanistan Inquiry Findings Publicly Released | ADF Satisfied With Aero-Medical Evacuation In Afghanistan | Review of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Cadet Scheme | Zabol Bridges | Adaptive Army - a new initiative | HMAS SYDNEY II Public Hearing | Minister For Defence Meets NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe | The Faces of NORFORCE | Governor-General Says Farewell | Jose Ramos-Horta Pays Diggers a Visit | Update on Soldiers Injured in East Timor | Combet Inspects Robertson Barracks | Military Working Dog Dies in East Timor | Soldiers Injured in East Timor | |
Afghanistan Inquiry Findings Publicly Released
The first inquiry sought to establish the facts surrounding the death of Lance Corporal Marks on 27 April 2008. Vice Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General David Hurley, said Lance Corporal Marks was an extremely well-respected commando team leader who was serving with the 4RAR (Commando) component of the Special Operations Task Group. Lance Corporal Marks was killed conducting a combat operation in an extremely demanding environment. A thorough inquiry was undertaken into his death. The Inquiry Officer looked at equipment, training, the operational situation and available support on the day of the incident to ascertain if there was anything that could have been done to prevent Lance Corporal Marks’ death. The Inquiry Officer was satisfied that no further formal inquiry was warranted and the Minister for Defence, in consultation with the Chief of Defence Force, agreed that a Chief of Defence Force Commission of Inquiry was not required. More: Operation Slipper | Image gallery | Media release | Inquiry reports | Audio |
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ADF Satisfied With Aero-Medical Evacuation In Afghanistan
To ensure that ADF personnel are provided with the best available medical support is a key consideration when planning all ADF activities. The ADF continually analyses the operational environment and plans operations to mitigate or defeat as many of the risks posed by the enemy and the environment as possible. The Australian public can be assured that ADF Commanders are trained for, and capable of, conducting operations in complex and dangerous environments like Afghanistan. The ADF will always seek to evacuate battlefield casualties to medical facilities as rapidly as possible. Our people are our priority. More: Operation Slipper │ On the Record |
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Review of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Cadet Scheme
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, announced on 6 June 2008 that an independent review of the ADFC Scheme would be undertaken. The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, announced the Review Team members on 20 August 2008. The ADF Cadet Scheme comprises the Australian Navy Cadets, Australian Army Cadets and the Australian Air Force Cadets. ADF Cadets is a youth development program run by Defence in conjunction with the community and caters for young people aged between 12½ to 20 years. The review panel’s overall charter is to identify what the objectives of the ADF Cadet scheme should be, along with community expectations around accountability and transparency in its administration. The review panel is now seeking public submissions as part of its community consultation program. Submissions addressing the review terms of reference are invited. Information about the review, the terms of reference and consultation arrangements are available on Defence’s website at www.defence.gov.au/dpe/cadetreview or by phoning 02 6127 2557. The closing date for submissions is 30 September 2008. General Information about ADF Cadets is available at: www.cadetnet.gov.au |
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Zabol Bridges
ISAF requested that RTF4 complete this important task as no other units in Afghanistan were available to carry out the dual Security and Engineering tasks required for this special operation. It was expected that the RTF4 would build each bridge in four days, but the Combat Engineers and Assault Pioneers built them in half that time. The soldiers did an excellent job working independently in this highly dangerous area far from their normal area of operations. The team was assisted by Dutch, Romanian and American forces that operate in the area. Members of the Afghanistan National Army also assisted our forces with security on the sites. The successful completion of this mission is testament to the courage, skills and tenacity of the soldiers of the RTF4. They have significantly improved the lives of the Afghan population in these areas. More: Operation Slipper | Image gallery | Audio | Video | Media Release |
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| Adaptive Army - a new initiative The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, last night announced the restructuring of the Army’s higher command and control structure. The Army will be reorganised into a structure consisting of Army Headquarters and three functional commands - Headquarters 1st Division, Special Operations Command and Forces Command. Speaking at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Lieutenant General Gillespie said that the Adaptive Army initiative ensures Army maintains its capacity to undertake a broad range of operations in a wide variety of environments. The new structure and processes allows those about to deploy to receive the lessons learnt by preceding force elements on current operations. This ensures our soldiers are well postured, and prepared, for future commitments. The implementation of the Army structures will be phased in over the next couple of years, with transition to the final structure planned for early 2011. More: Media release | Army initiative fact sheet | Chief of Army speech |
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28 August - The President of the Commission, The Honourable Terence Cole AO, RFD, QC, will convene a public hearing of the HMAS SYDNEY 11 Commission of Inquiry 1-2 September 2008 at 1000am, 55 Market St, Sydney. Evidence will be tendered and a number of retired members of the Royal Australian Navy will be called to give evidence, including surviving Australian sailors who served on HMAS Sydney II prior to the tragedy. More: HMAS SYDNEY II Website |
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28 August - The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, met with NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Bantz (‘John’) Craddock this week. The meeting offered an opportunity to discuss the current security situation and outlook in Afghanistan and to speak frankly about the need to improve progress. Australia currently provides the largest non-NATO country commitment in Afghanistan and is among the 10 largest military contributors to ISAF. Earlier this year, the Minister accompanied the Prime Minister to the NATO Summit in Bucharest, where they provided Australian input to NATO’s development of a coherent and long-term strategy for the future peace and stability of Afghanistan. A new integrated civilian and military strategy for dealing with the challenge in Afghanistan was agreed for the first time, with the NATO partners. More: Operation Slipper | Image gallery | media release |
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The Faces of NORFORCE
Darwin Squadron’s area of operation extends from Darwin 400 kilometres south to Mataranka and east from the mouth of the Victoria River on the West Australian border across half of Arnhem Land. Much of the area covers remote Aboriginal owned land. The dry season in the Northern Territory’s Top End is festival time for many remote Aboriginal communities and it’s a chance for NORFORCE to showcase the unit as part of its community engagement strategy. Open Days and festivals are becoming an important part of NORFORCE activities. Some locals have expressed interest in joining NORFORCE at the festivals and the unit will take down names and ask elders or family leaders about the potential recruit. More: Image gallery |
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| Governor-General Says Farewell 27 August - His Excellency the Governor-General of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffery was farewelled today, in a parade by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Arriving at Sir Thomas Blamey Square in Canberra, the Governor-General was met by Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Secretary, Mr Nick Warner, Vice-Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General David Hurley, Service Chiefs, the Federal Guard and the Royal Military College Band. Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston paid tribute to the outgoing Commander-in-Chief and his wife, Her Excellency Mrs Marlena Jeffery. Air Chief Marshal Houston thanked him for his courage, determination, intelligence, leadership and compassion not only over the past five years as Commander-in-Chief, but also for his service to the ADF since he graduated from the Royal Military College in 1955. His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery thanked the men and women of the ADF - both here and overseas - for their outstanding work and commitment. More: Media release | Latest images | Audio |
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Jose Ramos-Horta Pays Diggers a Visit
Jose Ramos-Horta’s visit was made at the invitation of Brigadier Mark Holmes, MVO Commander International Stabilisation Force, East Timor. The soldiers at the Gleno Forward Operating Base were pleased to see the President who thanked them for assisting East Timor in improving its security situation. More: Image gallery |
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| Update on Soldiers Injured in East Timor 27 August – On the 22 August, two Australian Soldiers sustained serious injuries after falling down a steep 15 metre slope while on patrol in East Timor. As a result, both soldiers sustained head, facial, back and shoulder injuries. The first soldier’s condition has now been downgraded from serious to satisfactory. The second soldier has been released from hospital and is currently recovering on convalescence leave. More: Operation Astute website │ media release |
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Combet Inspects Robertson Barracks
During the visit, Mr Combet was given a tour of the 1st Armoured Regiment including its Abrams Tanks which were acquired as part of the DMO’s Tank Replacement Project. Mr Combet’s tour of Robertson Barracks also included a visit of the 1st Aviation Regiment who recently received their first three ‘Tiger’ Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARHs) into their purpose built facilities. After touring Robertson Barracks, Mr Combet said he was very impressed by the personnel he had met in Darwin during his two day visit. More: Image gallery | media release |
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| Military Working Dog Dies in East Timor 27 August – A military working dog, belonging to the Royal Australian Army Security Police, died on 24 August 2008 while on operational service in Dili. The dog, a 5 year old male German shepherd called Ziggy, was part of the military working dog security detail attached to the International Stabilisation Force (ISF). Ziggy has been taken to the ASPEN medical facility mortuary pending an ongoing investigation to ascertain the cause of his sudden death. A United Nations Vetinarian inspected the remaining dogs to ensure they are healthy and well. The military working dogs are deployed to East Timor with the ADF, to support ISF operations. They provide an invaluable capability of the ISF, enhancing force protection and patrolling activities in Dili area. The passing of a military working dog is very sad for the dog handlers as they become attached to their mates, who they live and work with on a daily basis. The death of a military working dog is treated with due respect and once the cause of death is known ‘Ziggy’ will be buried in a suitable location at an ISF base, with a short service conducted by a Padre. More: Operation Astute website |
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| Soldiers Injured in East Timor 25 August – Last week two Australian Soldiers sustained serious injuries after falling down a steep 15 metre slope while on patrol in East Timor. As a result, both soldiers sustained head, facial, back and shoulder injuries. The soldiers received initial medical treatment from their patrol mates before being moved by helicopter to the Aspen Medical Centre in Dili for further treatment and assessment. The soldiers have since been moved back to Australia to ensure they continue to receive the best medical care available. The exact circumstances of the accident will be the subject of an investigation. More: Operation Astute website │ media release |
