More Defence news: 07 September 2009 - 13 September 2009

Base security review | Counter Piracy First for HMAS Toowoomba | Defence wins on environment and heritage | Fromelles excavation a success | Interim arrangements for Australian Military Court | Flying Officer Herbert laid to rest | Air Force to begin operating Unmanned Aerial System

Base security review

11 September - Defence has refuted claims made in some media reports that the recent review into security at Defence bases referred to the ethnic backgrounds of taxi drivers, or of any drivers, as a security issue.

Media reports today purporting to contain details of the review had a number of inaccuracies
For example, the review certainly did not refer to the ethnic background of taxi drivers, or of any drivers, as a security issue.

The review, carried out at the Government’s direction, made a series of recommendations to enhance security that responds to the changing nature of potential threats.

The Government accepted the review’s findings and has directed Defence to implement enhanced security measures.  These enhancements are under way.

Counter Piracy First for HMAS Toowoomba

11 September - HMAS Toowoomba will become the first Royal Australian Navy ship to join the US – led Combined Task Force combating piracy off the Horn of Africa.

This is a new mission for the crew of HMAS Toowoomba who deployed to the Middle East earlier this year. They will provide a major deterrent presence, track and record any piracy situations and escort merchant shipping through the Gulf of Aden, Lieutenant General mark Evans said

“HMAS Toowoomba is looking forward to contributing to the important task of thwarting piracy and assisting Seafarers to pass safely through this hazardous area” The Commanding Officer of HMAS Toowoomba, Commander Ivan Ingham said.

The ADF’s involvement in counter-piracy will help protect Australian and international maritime trade and is a positive contribution to global maritime security supporting UNSC Resolutions 1846 and 1851, which call on states to take an active role in the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia.

More: Media release | Fact sheet | Image gallery

Defence wins on environment and heritage

11 September - The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and the Secretary of the Department of Defence, Dr Ian Watt, have presented five Awards to Defence personnel for outstanding contributions to environmental and heritage management.

“These Awards demonstrate that our men and women are achieving first-class outcomes for the environment as well as fulfilling Defence’s mission at a time when our operational tempo remains very high,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

“I congratulate this year’s winners who have demonstrated Defence’s commitment to caring for the environment, whether on the Defence estate, at sea, in the air, and wherever Defence operates in the world,” Dr Watt said.

The winners of this year’s awards are:

• RAAF HQ and Defence Publishing Audio Visual for contributions to developing environmental awareness through the RAAF Environment Awareness DVD.
• Defence Establishment Berrimah, Central and West Region, for commitment and contribution to environmental management in the detection and containment of Yellow Crazy Ants.
• Randwick Barracks, Northern NSW Region, for innovation and contributions to Water Efficiency.
• Beaked Whale Research Project, HMAS Labuan, Navy Headquarters and DSTO, for an excellent cooperative initiative to minimise the risk of naval activities on marine life in the Coral Sea.
• DSG Central and West Region, Fleet Base West and Senior Ranger Trevor Smith for innovative cooperative arrangements with the Western Australian Government for excellent stewardship and environmental management of shared Defence and public areas at Garden Island.

The annual Awards were established in 2005 to recognise the commitment of individuals and teams in Defence towards conserving Australia’s natural and cultural heritage.

More: Media release

Fromelles excavation a success

10 September - The archaeological excavation at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles, France has successfully concluded with 250 sets of remains and 1200 artefacts now ready for identification.

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, said that an early analysis of the remains and artefacts indicated that a large number of those recovered appear to be Australian.

The focus of the project will now fall upon the identification of the remains and their reinterment at the purpose-built Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military cemetery.

 “…a comprehensive analysis of DNA samples taken from the remains to assist in DNA matching against living relatives,” Mr Combet said.

“In conjunction with this process further analysis of artefacts and remains will continue throughout September and October.”

This information will be presented to the Joint Identification Board in March 2010 where the British and Australian Governments will consider the results and determine any appropriate further action that should be taken.

“While identification of the remains is an extremely complex process I remain hopeful that we will be able to identify a number of those that we have found,” Mr Combet said.

A commemorative event to open the cemetery is scheduled for the 94th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles on 19 July 2010.

More: Media release

Interim arrangements for Australian Military Court

09 September - Legislation to put in place an interim military justice system has been introduced after the Australian Military Court (AMC) was invalidated by the High Court last month.

In Lane v Morrison on 26 August 2009, the High Court ruled ona challenge to the constitutional validity of the AMC and the Director of Military Prosecutions.

The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon. John Faulkner, said the High Court declared that the provisions of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 creating the AMC were invalid. 

“The AMC was found to be exercising the judicial power of the Commonwealth but did not meet the requirements of Chapter III of the Constitution,” Senator Faulkner said.

“As an interim measure, the Government is reintroducing the former system of trials by court martial and Defence Force magistrates.  This system has a number of safeguards within it to ensure that ADF members are treated fairly.”

The interim legislation will also give effect to punishments (other than imprisonment) and orders that were imposed by the former AMC.

More: Media release

Flying Officer Herbert laid to rest

08 September - Family and friends, along with government and military representatives, have gathered for the funeral of Flying Officer Michael Herbert at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral in Adelaide.

Flying Officer Herbert was repatriated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from Vietnam to Australia on 30 August 2009, with military ceremonies in both Hanoi, Vietnam and at RAAF Base Richmond, New South Wales.

The crew of RAAF Canberra bomber A84-231 – callsign “Magpie 91”—Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver went missing in action while flying on a sortie, on 3 November 1970.

The aircraft’s wreckage was located in dense jungle in April 2009 by an Australian-led recovery team.  Human remains were then discovered at the Quang Nam Province crash site in July 2009, after a thorough archaeological investigation.

The return of Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver of Number 2 Squadron, RAAF, completes the search for all missing Australian Defence Force personnel who died while on operations during the Vietnam Conflict.

More: Image Gallery

Air Force to begin operating Unmanned Aerial System

07 September - The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has acquired Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that will provide a high-resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability for ADF forces in Afghanistan.
The Heron UAV is a one tonne aircraft that can conduct operations in excess of 24 hours, with a maximum speed of more than 100 knots (180 km/h) and at altitudes of up to 10,000 metres.

Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, said that the RAAF had acquired the UAVs in close collaboration with Canadian Defence forces.

“The Australian Government greatly appreciates the assistance of the Canadian Defence Force in this project,” Senator Faulkner said.

In July 2009 Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army personnel undertook Heron training in Canada. These personnel have now been absorbed within the Canadian Heron UAV Detachment at Kandahar airfield conducting combat operations in support of the International Security Assistance Force.  

“Air power of the future will involve a balance of manned and unmanned platforms,” Senator Faulkner said.

“In particular a long-endurance UAV can enhance force protection by providing ground commanders with real-time intelligence.”

More: Media release | Image gallery