More Defence news: 23 March 2009 - 29 March 2009
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Funeral of Corporal Mathew Hopkins | Repatriation of Sergeant Brett Till | Moreton Bay containers identified | Australian soldiers wounded in Afghanistan | Hercs put to the test | Corporal Mathew Hopkins Returns Home |
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Funeral of Corporal Mathew Hopkins
Corporal Mathew Hopkins was today farewelled by his wife, son, family and friends at a funeral service at Newcastle’s Christ Church Cathedral. Also paying their respects were the Deputy Prime Minister representing the Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP; the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP; the Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel representing the Shadow Minister for Defence, the Hon. Bob Baldwin MP; the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP; Member for Shortland, Ms Jill Hall MP; and the Premier of NSW, the Hon. Nathan Rees MLA. The Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, AC, AFC; the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, AO, DSC, CSM; and Commander 1st Brigade, Brigadier Michael Krause, ADC were also present. Corporal Hopkins’ coffin was carried into the Cathedral by a Bearer Party mounted by his mates from the 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. At the conclusion of the service the bugler played the Last Post in remembrance of his sacrifice. More: Media Release | Image Gallery |
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Repatriation of Sergeant Brett Till
In an emotional ramp ceremony at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond this afternoon, Sergeant Brett Till was solemnly welcomed home by family, friends and colleagues. The ceremony was attended by the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP; the Member for Greenway representing the Shadow Minister for Defence, Mrs Louise Markus MP; the Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston; the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie; as well as the Special Operations Commander Australia, Major General Tim McOwan. Sergeant Till was tragically killed last week whilst rendering an improvised explosive device safe. More: Media Release | Image Gallery |
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Moreton Bay containers identified
The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Huon Class Mine Hunters, HMA Ships Yarra and Norman, have confirmed the location of 24 of the 31 containers lost from the MV Pacific Adventurer during Cyclone Hamish. More: Media Release | Image Gallery |
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Australian soldiers wounded in Afghanistan
25 March - Three Australian soldiers have been wounded in a contact with Taliban insurgents in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. The soldiers, along with a coalition interpreter, were conducting a patrol with the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team when they were engaged in a contact with the insurgents on Tuesday, March 24 2009. The wounded soldiers and interpreter were wounded from fragmentations from an Improvised Explosive Device used by the Taliban. Two of the soldiers sustained serious, but not life threatening injuries and are receiving medical treatment in Tarin Kowt. The third soldier sustained more serious wounds and has undergone surgery. He and the interpreter are receiving further treatment at ISAF medical facilities in Kandahar. The families of the wounded soldiers have been informed. Additional information will be released after operations have concluded. More: Media Release | Operation Slipper |
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24 March - Exercise Combined Strength 09 Exercise Combined Strength 09, hosted by NO. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond. includes members of the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Danish Air Force, and Royal Air Force.. Australia and Denmark will be participating directly in the exercise. C-130J User Group (‘JUG’) The Royal Australian Air Force is a part of the C-130J User Group (JUG), a coalition of C-130J Hercules operators who routinely meet with representatives of Lockheed Martin to discuss issues relating to the aircraft. The JUG is also a forum for operators to suggest and recommend further improvements to the C-130J. These improvements are then brought in on routine block upgrades as the aircraft continue their service. Routine exercises between JUG partners – called Exercise ‘Combined Strength’ - are conducted annually, when operational demands on available aircraft permit. The RAAF last took part in Exercise Combined Strength in May 2004. Middle East Area of Operations Approximately 155 personnel are deployed to the RAAF’s Hercules Detachment in the Middle East Area of Operations, with approximately 70 personnel contributing directly to C-130J missions. Currently, there are three C-130J Hercules deployed to the theatre. Australia and the C-130J The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was one of the first operators of the C-130J, along with the Royal Air Force (initial purchaser), Italian Air Force, and United States Air Force. The RAAF ordered 12 C-130J-30, a stretched variant of the aircraft, to replace 12 C-130E Hercules which had been in service with No. 37 Squadron since 1966. The aircraft have been based at RAAF Base Richmond with No. 37 Squadron. Since delivery, they have accumulated a strong record of service, including response to the Bali Bombings in 2002/2005, Operation PNG Assist (2007), and the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. More: Media Release | Image Gallery |
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Corporal Mathew Hopkins Returns Home
23 March - Corporal Mathew Hopkins returned to Australia this afternoon, met by family, friends and colleagues. In an emotional ceremony at Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown, soldiers from Mathew’s 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, formed a Guard and Bearer Party on the tarmac where they met the C-17 Globemaster aircraft. The private occasion allowed those close to Corporal Hopkins to pay their respects. The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP; Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, representing the Shadow Minister for Defence, the Hon. Bob Baldwin MP; the Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston; the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie and Commander 1st Brigade, Brigadier Michael Krause were all in attendance. |
