More Defence news: 18 January 2009 - 25 January 2009

Project Single LEAP Phase 1 accommodation facilities handover

30 January - This morning, the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, officially opened the new Project Single LEAP Phase 1 at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera.

Project Single LEAP Phase 1 has developed modern, high quality, single accommodation for service men and women who live on base.   The project will contribute to enhanced military lifestyle and retention and recruitment.  The Plenary Living consortium has delivered 500 units at Enoggera, 295 units at RAAF Base Amberley and 600 units at Holsworthy Army Barracks.  Minister Fitzgibbon congratulated the Defence Project team and the Plenary consortium for the completion of the project ahead of time and within budget. 

More: media release | image gallery

Australian troops celebrate Australia Day in southern Afghanistan

For the troops of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF), based in southern Afghanistan, the chance to celebrate Australia Day came a few days early.

The soldiers took time out from the high tempo of their operations enjoy a few cherished reminders of home.

Roast vegetables, sausage rolls and meat pies were on the menu, accompanied by a couple of real beers, in true tradition of celebrating Australia Day.

All soldiers enjoyed a variety of competitions, bringing out the friendly rivalry in everyone.

Whether is was blindly throwing a football through a target or participating in a relay race to a table covered in lamingtons and non-alcoholic beer, all soldiers showed their love for a challenge and a good laugh in true Aussie spirit.

Commander of Joint Task Force 633, Major General Mike Kelly, was on hand to enjoy the festivities and to promote a number of the soldiers. Major General Kelly also congratulated the 1st MRTF on their efforts.

More: Images

Governor-General drops in on troops in Afghanistan

The Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce have completed a two day visit to Australian troops serving at Tarin Kowt Army Base in Afghanistan.

During her visit the Governor-General visited the camp hospital, met the Governor of Uruzgan Province, representatives of the Kabul Children’s Hospital and the Mahboba’s Promise charity organisation.

The Governor-General also had a tour of the joint Dutch/Australian base aboard the Australian troops’ Bushmaster vehicles.

More: Images

Change of Command in the Middle East

21 January – On 12 January 2009, the Command of Joint Task Force 633 (JTF 633) was passed from Major General Mike Hindmarsh to Major General Mark Kelly.

Major General Hindmarsh assumed command of the Joint Task Force on the 1st March 2008 after serving as the Commander Special Operations Command.
“Without question this has been one of the best commands I have experienced with an excellent team focused on supporting the troops who are deployed throughout the Middle East.”

Major General Kelly has now assumed command of the JTF 633 having most recently served as the Commander Land Command.

“I would like to acknowledge the great leadership provided by Major General Hindmarsh and congratulate him for all that has been achieved by JTF 633 during his tenure. I wish him a safe trip back home to Australia, a happy reunion with his family and a well deserved rest.” said Major General Kelly.

More: Image gallery | Major General Mark Kelly’s biography

Change of command of Australian East Timor mission

19 January – On Friday, Brigadier Bill Sowry took command of the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor.  He replaces Brigadier Mark Holmes who commanded the operation during a period of sustained improvement in East Timor’s situation.

Based in Dili, Brigadier Sowry commands the Australian and New Zealand military personnel deployed in support of the East Timor Government and the United Nations. The role of the ISF troops is to assist local authorities and the United Nations to maintain a calm and secure environment.

Brigadier Sowry has more than 27 years service commanding Australian Army engineers. He has operational experience with the UN Mine Clearance Training Team in Peshawar, Pakistan and Operation ANODE in the Solomon Islands. He also planned engineer contributions to Australian deployments around the world. Brigadier Sowry commands the ISF after a position with the Canberra-based Defence White Paper development team.

Human remains in Papua New Guinea

19 January - A Defence investigation team will travel to Papua New Guinea next month on a mission to identify possible World War II human remains stored at the Defence Section of the Port Moresby High Commission, and to excavate two alleged graves of Australian soldiers in Buna and Esologo.

A preliminary team examined the graves in November last year, following anecdotal reports from locals, and assessed them as being likely to contain the remains of Australian soldiers.

The remains are believed to have been recovered from along the Sanananda and Kokoda Track during the past 12 years and the team will conduct the difficult and detailed forensic work required to solve the mystery of their identity.

More: Media release

Aussie troops bring gifts to orphanages in East Timor

Australian Army troops from Charlie Company, Timor-Leste Battle Group 5 based in Baucau have been delivering sporting equipment and musical instruments to the Lar de Santa Teresinha Orphanage.

Over 50 boys of all ages will benefit from the equipment, enabling them to learn new skills and further their education. The soldiers fundraised for the gifts in November.

In the last four months the troops have visited the orphanage more than a dozen times, to spend time with the children, playing soccer and teaching them new skills.

More: Image Gallery