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More Defence news: 22 June 2009 - 28 June 2009

Surprise visit for Aussie troops in Iraq | Navy Divers Monitored | 7th Brigade's Exercise Diamond Dollar

Surprise visit for Aussie troops in Iraq

Private Ivan Valjan, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australia Regiment, shares a lighter moment with the Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard MP, during a visit to the Australian Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. Private Valjan is part of the Australian Security Detachment which provides security for embassy staff and VIP's.

The  Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP, visited Iraq recently and met with Australian troops before their scheduled withdrawal in late July. The Deputy Prime Minister met with Australian Defence Force personnel to thank them for their efforts.

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Navy Divers Monitored

The Hon. Greg Combet AM, MP, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane,AM, CSM, RAN, chats with Petty Officer Clearance Diver Steve Flint about the use and function of the wrist mounted computer which is used for the communication of a divers vital signs to the surface while Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver, Able Seaman Dave Wyatt, watches on in the background.

A wrist-mounted computer that monitors a diver’s vital signs from the surface is among seven technology proposals announced by Greg Combet, the Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science.

The projects are a combination of brand-new technologies and novel applications for existing technologies which will be developed under the Capability & Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program managed by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.

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7th Brigade's Exercise Diamond Dollar

Private Steven Manganaro covers the rear as soldiers from 4 Platoon, Bravo Company, 8th/9th Royal Australian Regiment (8/9RAR) move forward and pratice conducting individual urban operations skills and drills at the Urban Operations Training Facility (UOTF) at Shoal Water Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Rockhampton.

Brisbane-based 7th Brigade is conducting Exercise Diamond Dollar at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) near Rockhampton, on the central Queensland coast.

Diamond Dollar is a brigade-size combined arms activity designed to hone combat skills including three weeks of unit individual training and Brigade-led battle group training.

Around 2000 personnel from 7th Brigade and supporting elements from 1 Brigade and 3 Brigade are undertaking a series of urban combat operations, live-fire exercises, bridge building and demolition, aero-medical evacuation drills, infantry and cavalry and armour manoeuvres, and danger close artillery fire support missions as part of the exercise.

The training activities will position the Brigade in preparation for Exercise TALISMAN SABRE being conducted throughout July at SWBTA. 7th Brigade plays Blue Force (friendly force) during TALISMAN SABRE 2009.

Chief of Staff 7th Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Hardy, said that Diamond Dollar is important to 7th Brigade’s operational preparedness.

“The Brigade is well into preparations for a range of possible operational environments. Diamond Dollar is a critical phase of those preparations. It will also set the framework for a successful TALISMAN SABRE for 7th Brigade,” Lieutenant Colonel Hardy said.

Diamond Dollar is expected to inject around $750,000 to $1 million into the Rockhampton area through fresh food, fuel, and sanitary servicing purchases.

Diamond Dollar is being conducted throughout June 2009.

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