More Defence news: 06 April 2009 - 12 April 2009
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Minister for Defence visits Arlington Cemetery | Sustainable submarine workforce plan | Two soldiers wounded in Afghanistan | Names released of soldiers believed buried at Fromelles |
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Minister for Defence visits Arlington Cemetery
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, visited Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States, on Wednesday, 8 April 2009, as part of the current Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN). The Minister was accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and the Secretary for Defence, Mr Nick Warner. AUSMIN is the premier bilateral forum for the Australia – United States Alliance consultations on foreign policy, defence and strategic matters. It is scheduled annually, with the venue alternating between Australia and the United States. This year’s meeting is the first to be held with the Obama Administration, reflects the enduring strategic importance of the Alliance. The Australian delegation is headed by Mr Fitzgibbon and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Stephen Smith MP. Arlington Ceremony, situated across the Potomac River from the US capital, Washington DC, is the United States’ national cemetery. It is the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and is the burial place for more than 300,000 people. While most of the buried are military personnel, it is also the final resting place for a number of prominent civilians, including astronauts, explorers, historical figures, justices and presidents. More: AUSMIN media release | Imagery | Minister for Foreign Affairs |
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Sustainable submarine workforce plan
08 April – The Royal Australian Navy today released the findings of the Submarine Workforce Sustainability Review, which is the first phase in a plan to dramatically improve Australia’s submarine workforce. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, said Navy will implement all 29 recommendations detailed in the Review. “By improving their working conditions, we will ensure our Submarine Force remains sustainable now and into the future,” Vice Admiral Crane said. The Submarine Workforce Sustainability Program aims to get more qualified submariners to sea and to provide them with better support while on-deployment. It will ease the strain on sailors by increasing the size of the three submarine crews from 46 to 58 people, and adding a fourth submarine crew by the end of 2011. While subsequent phases of the Program will consolidate and grow Navy’s submarine workforce, three of the recommendations are already being implemented, including new crewing arrangements, local area networks onboard submarines and relocation of the Submarine Communication Centre to Fleet Base West in Western Australia by the end of 2009. “The changes will improve submariners’ conditions of service with better training systems, better respite at sea and ashore, and better incentives to remain in the submarine force,” Vice Admiral Crane said. “This program will safeguard the future capability of Australia’s submarine fleet. Our people must come first. This will be a key part of our New Generation Navy initiative.” More: Media Release | Submarine Sustainability Review report | Collins-class submarine factsheet | Defence Jobs submariner career information | Image Gallery | Audio |
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Two soldiers wounded in Afghanistan
07 April -On Saturday, 4 April 2009, two Australian soldiers serving with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in Afghanistan were wounded when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED). One soldier was seriously wounded and required immediate helicopter evacuation to a coalition medical facility, where his condition was stabilised. He will be flown to Germany for further treatment. Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said, “this brave soldier received very serious wounds to his lower limbs. He also sustained less serious wounds to other parts of his body.” The other soldier suffered minor wounds and was later evacuated to Tarin Kowt. He will be rested there before assessments are made to determine his ability to resume duties. The next of kin of both soldiers have been notified. Defence will not provide further information on this incident, or release the soldiers’ names, at this stage, as operations are ongoing. More: Media release | Operation Slipper page | NATO ISAF homepage |
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Names released of soldiers believed buried at Fromelles
06 April - The Battle of Fromelles was the first battle fought by Australians on the Western Front. It is known as Australia’s bloodiest 24 hours with 5,533 Fifth Australian Division casualties including 1,917 killed. The group burial at Pheasant Wood was confirmed during a limited excavation in May 2008. It is believed up to 400 Australian and British soldiers still lie at this site where they were buried by German forces following the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916. The names of the First Australian Imperial Force soldiers who are believed to be buried at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles, France have been released. Following intensive research and consultation, a list of 191 Australian First World War soldiers who we believe may be among those buried at Fromelles have been identified. For more information about the project, including the working list of names, or to register your details, go online at www.defence.gov.au/fromelles or call 1800 019 090. More: Media Releases | Fromelles website |
