More Defence news: 23 February 2009 - 01 March 2009

Defence continues cleanup | Forces Entertainment Tour, Solomon Islands | Future upgrade for Super Hornets | Navy’s Fleet Concentration Period | World’s Greatest Shave in Darwin | Minister visits Auschwitz

28 February –Army Reserve troops from Victoria joined Victoria Police in a more detailed search for bushfire victims in Kinglake on Thursday.

About 20 troops had been drawn to form search teams, predominantly from Melbourne’s infantry battalion, 5/6 RVR.

This second, more detailed search, follows preliminary searches immediately after Black Saturday. Many of the same soldiers had been involved in the earlier searches.

The troops had been given special training, and special protective equipment, for the task. Some buildings in the area are believed to contain asbestos.

Initial search efforts focused on burnt-out houses and other buildings in an area between Toolangi and Kinglake.

More than 100 fresh troops from interstate are expected to replace the local Reservists on Sunday.

Police have estimated that approximately 30 people are still unaccounted for in the wake of the bushfires.

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27 February – Over the last week, seven performers have donated their time and talent to entertain troops from South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia based 9th and 13th Brigades as part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), Forces Entertainment Tour to Solomon Islands.

The enthusiasm and performances of the Australian entertainers and the opportunity to mingle with ADF members between shows, have been a major factor in maintaining morale of men and women who are far from home and who accept considerable hardship and danger in service to Australia.

The entertainers performed two concerts and hosted a trivia quiz for the troops while on tour, and also had the opportunity to visit Solomon Islands villages to see the work the ADF do to help local communities.

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Future upgrade for Super Hornets

27 February – On 27 February, the Rudd Government announced that it will invest an initial $35 million to boost the capability of the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets. While still on the production line, 12 of the 24 Super Hornets will have a future fit-out, providing significant savings.

The upgrades “will significantly enhance the Super Hornet’s capability, by giving electronic attack capacity and therefore the ability to nullify the systems of opposing aircraft,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“It will also provide the Super Hornets with counter-terrorism capability through the ability to shut down the ground-based communications and bomb triggering devices of terrorists.”

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Navy’s Fleet Concentration Period

26 February – During February and March, as part of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Fleet Concentration Period, 21 ships and thousands of Officers and Sailors have been participating in a comprehensive six-week training program to test mariner and war-fighting skills.

The Fleet Concentration Period provides an opportunity for RAN Ships to exercise with their Royal New Zealand Navy counterparts and improve interoperability. The exercise also provides a vital contribution to the maintenance of Australian Defence Force capability. The exercise is carefully planned and operates within strict environmental, safety and risk management constraints.

Adelaide Class guided missile frigates and ANZAC Class frigates will sharpen their fighting skills and tactics through a series of warfare activities. Collins Class submarine HMAS Farncomb will conduct anti-submarine warfare exercises. The frigates will also be tasked with asset protection and amphibious capabilities, and expert mine countermeasure skills will also be tested.

The Fleet Concentration Period will culminate in a highly realistic Warfare Exercise, in which all participating units are brought together to play out a large-scale hypothetical scenario.

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World’s Greatest Shave in Darwin

26 February – On 25 February, at HMAS Coonawarra wharf, local Darwin Defence Force personnel had their heads shaved in support of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave. They were filmed by Southern Cross TV for an infomercial to promote the charity's event.

The Australian Defence Force and Australian Defence Organisation chiefs in Darwin have enthusiastically agreed to support the Leukaemia Foundation’s fund raising campaign.

Further events are scheduled to run in Darwin from 12 to 14 March, with a range of other fundraising activities. Competitions will be held between the three main bases, Robertson Barracks, Larrakeyah Barracks and RAAF Base Darwin, to see who can raise the most money.

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Minister visits Auschwitz

23 February – The Minister for Defence, The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon has returned from a trip to Poland and Ethiopia. Whilst in Poland, Mr Fitzgibbon attended a NATO meeting of Defence Ministers in Krakow.

Mr Fitzgibbon used the NATO meeting to discuss civil, political and military efforts in Afghanistan and shared bilateral security issues.

“It is important that all nations who deploy troops to Afghanistan have the opportunity to provide input into NATO strategic plans, review progress and explore future areas of cooperation,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Mr Fitzgibbon and the Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston also took the opportunity to visit the former Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz.

The visit to Auschwitz was a reminder of the tragedy of the Holocaust.

“Auschwitz is a reminder to us all that we must be vigilant to protect our freedoms and liberties and never again allow tyranny to reap such a horrific toll,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Mr Fitzgibbon and Air Chief Marshal Houston were joined by the Australian Ambassador to Poland and paid their respects to the victims of the Holocaust by laying a wreath at ‘The Killing Wall.’ They were also taken by officials on a tour of the former concentration camp.

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