More Defence news: 08 June 2009 - 14 June 2009
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Minister for Defence visits and thanks Australian troops in Afghanistan | Fearless Toowoomba departs for Gulf | Defence members honoured |
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Minister for Defence visits and thanks Australian troops in Afghanistan
Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, visited Australian troops in Tarin Kowt, southern Afghanistan. The Minister was accompanied by Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC AFC, Defence Secretary, Mr Nick Warner and the Commander of the Joint Task Force 633 Major General Mark Kelly, AO. In addition to briefings, Senator Faulkner took the time to sit and talk with Australian troops. When addressing the Australian forces at Tarin Kowt, Senator Faulkner thanked the men and women on the ground for their tireless work and dedication in arduous and dangerous conditions. “I did want to say to you all, how much we appreciate and respect what you are doing and thank you for the commitment you all make. The work that you do is absolutely critical and you all do your country proud.” Senator Faulkner received briefs from the Australian Headquarters in the Middle East as well as Australia’s Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force and Special Operations Task Group. This visit followed meetings between Senator Faulkner and coalition defence counterparts including the Secretary of Defence of the United States and United Kingdom and the Minister of Defence of the Netherlands, Canada and New Zealand. |
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Fearless Toowoomba departs for Gulf
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Toowoomba, which bears the motto ‘Fearless’, departed for the Gulf on Tuesday, 9 June 2009, as part of Operation SLIPPER – Australia’s contribution to security operations in the Middle East. Toowoomba’s ship’s company of 193 men and women were farewelled before a large gathering of family and friends, in a traditional ceremony at Fleet Base West at Garden Island, Western Australia. The Anzac-class warship will spend six months in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO), during which time it will promote security in the maritime environment, regional stability and global trade. Toowoomba’s operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material. This is Toowoomba’s second deployment to the MEAO, having previously served there in the first half of 2007. During this previous deployment Toowoomba conducted 62 boardings, 755 boat evaluations, 12 replenishments at sea and vertical replenishments, 212 flying hours by its embarked Seahawk helicopter and 510 investigative queries of merchant vessels. HMAS Toowoomba will replace sister ship HMAS Warramunga, due to return to Fleet Base West, south of Perth in mid-2009. More: Media release | Operation Slipper | HMAS Toowoomba | Imagery |
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Among the many deserving Australians who have been honoured for their service to the community and the nation, a number of Australian Defence Force and civilian Defence members have been recognised in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Australian Army Corporal Justin Huggett was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for conduct while deployed in Afghanistan in 2007: Under direct fire from Taliban forces, Corporal Huggett led and inspired Afghan National Army soldiers while coordinating fire support for his host unit, 1st Battalion, the Grenadier Guards – the British Army’s most senior infantry battalion. Major General Michael Hindmarsh and Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Websdane received the Distinguished Service Cross, for demonstrating exceptional leadership while commanding forces in the Middle East. A further eight received the Commendation for Distinguished Service, such as Navy Captain Timothy Brown, who commanded Task Group 663.1 and Navy frigate HMAS Arunta in the Middle East. Eighteen ADF members were awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross. 20 servicemen and women received the Conspicuous Service Medal, including Army Captain Caroline Kelly, who has worked to account for and repatriate the remains of soldiers missing-in-action. Two Defence Force members each from each of the three Services were appointed Members in the Military Division of the Order of Australia, such as Air Force C-17 Globemaster acquisition project manager Group Captain Andrew Doyle. Additionally 13 ADF members received the Medal of the Order of Australia Several civilians were also recognised, with two being awarded the Public Service Medal and another two – including military historian Professor David Horner – appointed Members in the General Division of the Order of Australia. Defence commends all those recognised for their achievements and thanks them for the contribution to the ongoing performance of the Australian Defence Force. |
