More Defence news: 19 October 2009 - 25 October 2009

Padang water plants wind down

Two water purification plants are winding down production as the Indonesian city of Padang continues to recover from the earthquake that struck the region on 30 September.

The main water supply station, which supplied 60 per cent of the city’s water, was extensively damaged during the quake and deemed non-operational by the local works department.

Army’s reverse osmosis plants have produced more than one and a half million litres of clean water for some of the poorest regions of Padang.

Supervising the two sites, Lieutenant Tim Rowe said the work had been hard as this was the first operational deployment of the equipment.

“The plants arrived in our unit in the middle of last year but it wasn’t until February this year that we had completed the initial training and began trialing the gear,” Lieutenant Rowe said.

“They have been used on a couple of regional training tasks but this is the first time they have been deployed in an operational capacity. We had some teething problems but that’s to be expected under these circumstances.”

Now in the final phases of breaking down the plants, the teams have been able to reflect on what they have achieved.

“The local community has really embraced us, we have become a part of their everyday lives,” Lieutenant Rowe said.

“It will be hard for us to leave having made such an impact on these peoples’ lives but knowing that we have done such an important job makes it better.”

More: Image Gallery

Brigadier receives presidential award in East Timor

23 October - The President of  Timor-Leste Dr. José Ramos-Horta, has awarded Commander of the International Stabilisation Force Brigadier Bill Sowry  a prestigious medal for service to East Timor.

“Brigadier Sowry’s highly-developed interpersonal skills have nurtured constructive engagement with key Timor-Leste leaders in a healthy cooperation towards consolidating peace and national development,” President José Ramos-Horta said.

“Brigadier Sowry stands out as a leader of compassion and humility.

“The conduct, discipline and success of all soldiers under Brigadier Sowry’s command is a tribute to both his leadership and the adaptive direction of the Australian and New Zealand Armed Forces.

President José Ramos-Horta added that Brigadier Sowry had maintained a visible focus on capacity building, adapting to the needs of the East Timorese people through a grass-roots approach.

“…he has achieved a commendable level of credibility, respect and honourable standing within Timor-Leste,” President José Ramos-Horta said.

“Brigadier Sowry’s pioneering initiatives to support youth development, particularly through the International Youth Award, will surely be a great legacy for the people of Timor-Leste.

“His involvement with Timor-Leste exemplifies the values of the Australian Defence Force in being a friend and partner to the nations of this region.”
Brigadier Sowry took over as Commander of the multi-national International Stabilisation Force in East Timor on 16 January 2009.  He has had more than 29 years service in the Army, commanding engineering units at every level from troop, squadron, and regiment to group level.

Commodore Stuart Mayer from the Royal Australian Navy has now taken command of the International Stabilisation Force. Commodore Mayer is the first naval officer to command the ISF and has held several command positions at sea and at Maritime Headquarters in Australia since joining the Navy as a Seaman Specialist in 1984.

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Defence Base Security Review update

Defence is implementing a range of policy and physical security measures which reflect the findings of a recent review into Defence base security, and the subsequent security risk assessments now being conducted at each base.

The review, which followed an alleged terrorist plot to attack Holsworthy Army Barracks, examined security arrangements at Defence bases and facilities around Australia.

The Secretary of Defence, Dr Ian Watt, said he was pleased with the progress that Defence was making with implementing the recommendations.

“Actions are either complete or in progress on all recommendations,” Dr Watt said.

“These initiatives include strengthening Defence’s protective security alert system and other policy underpinning security arrangements, additional patrolling presence by the Australian Federal Police and contracted security guards, and a range of physical security measures.”

The Secretary said that in addition to these initiatives, Defence was also implementing enhanced security measures to strengthen and make more consistent existing security arrangements across all Defence bases and facilities.

The enhancements included a new alert system on bases, refined lockdown procedures, and updated emergency response plans.

“These security enhancements reflect the importance that Defence and the Government places on the safety, security and well-being of ADF members, Defence employees and contractors,” Dr Watt said.

More: Media Release

Message from family of Lance Corporal Edwards

22 October - The family of Lance Corporal Mason Edwards, who was killed in a tragic training accident on Tuesday, has released a personal message.
“As a beloved son, brother, uncle, and partner, Mason meant the world to us. He was so strong and yet the most gentle, caring, and loving man you would ever meet,” the statement says.

“He made us laugh every time we were together and his easygoing attitude was infectious. Our hearts ache for Mason, and there aren’t enough words to describe him as a person and how we felt about him.

“To Mason: we will always remember the way you showered us all in love and affection, and we will forever miss you. You will be in our hearts forever.”
Lance Corporal Mason Edwards’ dedication, selflessness and loyalty can be no better expressed than in his own words:
“I want everyone to know that I love this line of work, the unit and the guys I work alongside.”
“We do what we do for many reasons.  I need little more reason than this – anyone of us could have been born in this country (Afghanistan), but we are the lucky few who enjoy a lifestyle unsurpassed by anyone in the greatest country on Earth (Australia).
“As a final note, I tell my family, friends and my one and only Cassie that I loved them all until the day I died.  I will stay young forever, and I will love them forever.

Biography
Born in Birmingham, England on 20 February 1979, Lance Corporal Edwards spent most of his life in Queensland.  A student of Kelvin Grove State High School, he went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Queensland, St Lucia.
Lance Corporal Edwards then enlisted into the Australian Army in January 2004 as one of the first members of the Special Forces “Direct Recruiting Scheme”.
In August 2006 he deployed to East Timor with Alpha Commando Company.  In May 2007 he deployed on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan with the Special Forces Task Group.  He returned to Afghanistan in June 2008.

During his tours to Afghanistan, Lance Corporal Edwards demonstrated considerable mental toughness and physical endurance whilst deployed on combat operations.  When under fire, he attended to his duties without hesitation.  His confident demeanour and professional approach under fire provided junior members of the section with an excellent role model on which to base their own reactions to difficult circumstances.

More: Media Release | Audio | Video | Press Conference | Personal statement from family | Image of Lance Corporal Edwards

Australian soldier suffers hearing loss

22 October - An Australian soldier serving with the 2nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF2) has suffered initial hearing loss as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploding near his patrol.

This soldier was involved in one of three incidents which sadly included an Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier being killed and one other wounded on Monday, 19 October 2009.

This soldier was not identified as a battle casualty at the time of the incident. On return of the patrol to a Forward Operating Base the soldier was subsequently identified as suffering hearing loss. As a precautionary measure this soldier was aero-medically evacuated to the Coalition Medical Facility in Tarin Kowt for further observation.

The soldier is currently on restricted duties, but is expected to return to duty once his condition improves.

The soldier’s family has been notified.

The soldier suffered the hearing loss in an incident separate to the one which killed an ANA soldier. However, the soldier was part of a series of mentored patrols involving the ANA and Australian and coalition soldiers.

More: Media Release

CDF expresses condolences

21 October - The Chief of the Defence Forces has offered his condolences to the family of Lance Corporal Mason Edwards, killed in a live fire exercise at Cultana on Tuesday night.

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of the Defence Force, said he offered his deepest sympathy.

“I want to assure the family that we will support them through this incredibly difficult time. This will come as a terrible shock to them, and they will need all the care and compassion that we can provide,” Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said.
Another soldier from the Incident Response Regiment was also injured and taken to Port Augusta for treatment. His condition is serious.
“To the injured soldier, who is in a serious but stable condition, I wish him well during his recovery. I assure the Committee and his family and friends that we will take very good care of him as he recovers from his injury and the loss of his friend.”
“To the other members of the unit who are preparing to deploy, I encourage them to be there for each other as they deal with this loss. This will be a devastating blow to them.

“They are a tight-knit unit who have been working very hard to be the best they can be once deployed. This will be tough, but they will be provided with support and I am sure will draw strength from each other.”

The CDF told a Senate committee Defence was currently looking at how the incident occurred and more information would be released as details became available.

More: Media Release | Audio | Video | Press Conference | Personal statement from family

CDF expresses condolences over death of Australian Soldier at Cultana

21 October - Good Morning Chair and Members of the Committee.

To the family of the soldier that was killed, I offer my deepest sympathy and assure them we will support them through this incredibly difficult time. This will come as a terrible shock to them, and they will need all the care and compassion that we can provide.

To the injured soldier, who is in a serious but stable condition, I wish him well during his recovery. I assure the Committee and his family and friends that we will take very good care of him as he recovers from his injury and the loss of his friend.

And to the other members of the unit who are preparing to deploy, I encourage them to be there for each other as they deal with this loss. This will be a devastating blow to them. They are a tight-knit unit who have been working very hard to be the best they can be once deployed. This will be tough, but they will be provided with support and I am sure will draw strength from each other.

We are currently looking about how this incident occurred and as more information becomes available, we will release further detail.

Soldier killed, another injured in training accident

21 October - An Australian soldier was killed and another seriously injured last night during a training accident at Cultana, South Australia.

At approximately 9:30pm (Australian Central Standard Time), Special Forces soldiers were conducting a night training activity with live ammunition.  The activity was associated with mission-specific training for an upcoming Afghanistan deployment.

A soldier from Army’s 2nd Commando Regiment was seriously injured and later pronounced dead at the scene by civilian medical personnel.

Another soldier from the Incident Response Regiment was injured and taken to Port Augusta for treatment. His condition is serious. Both soldiers belong to Army’s Special Operations Command and their units are Sydney based.

The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, expressed his deepest condolences to the families, friends and unit colleagues of the soldiers involved in this tragic accident.

 “Army and the wider Defence community is doing everything we can to assist and support them through this very difficult time,” Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie said.

“The events of last evening will be the subject of full civil and military investigations. 

“The South Australian police will lead the investigation supported by the ADF Investigative Service.  It is too early to make further comment with regards to the cause of this accident.  Hopefully we can make further comment later today.”

The families of the soldiers have been advised of this tragedy. 

More: Media Release | Audio | Video | Press Conference

Army engineers get results

20 October - Australian Army engineers are helping the residents of Tandikat in West Sumatra by clearing a major landslide that covered parts of the village including the local primary school.

Commanding Officer of the field engineering element Major Michael Scott said about 400 metres of dirt on each side of the valley had been washed over the town.

“We understand there were two weddings taking place at the time and students were still in class at the local school,” Major Scott said.

Evidence of the sheer force of the landslide was obvious further upstream where a suspension bridge that crosses the river has partially collapsed.

“The main anchor on one side of the bridge has been swept out of the ground and lies approximately fifty metres away from where it used to be,” Major Scott said.

Around the town, 15 field engineers are using backhoes as well as front-end and skid-steer dozers to stabilise the area.

Engineers are also helping to clear debris from a local primary school that suffered major structural damage with many walls and large sections of the roof collapsing.

Site supervisor Lieutenant Alex Edgar said the team was keen to get stuck in and start helping the local community.

“We are all working really hard to get this site prepared for the Indonesian Army (TNI) to come in and be able to rebuild the school as soon as possible,” Lieutenant Edgar said.

“This is our job, this is what we love doing and being able to help these people is all the satisfaction we need.”

Supporting the engineers are firefighters from an Army emergency response section in Darwin and medics from the Sydney-based 1st Health Support Battalion.

TNI members have also been assisting and will be responsible for the removal of any human remains.

It is expected that the engineers will have completed their work by the end of October.

More: Operation Padang | Image Gallery

Australian soldiers destroy insurgent weapons cache

20 October - Two weapons caches have been discovered and destroyed during a daylight raid lead by Australian soldiers patrolling Uruzgan province in Afghanistan.

Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), with support from Australian Special Forces and other coalition troops, seized assault rifles, a machine gun, a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, RPGs, rocket and recoilless rifle warheads, mortar rounds and hand grenades
The soldiers also seized approximately 300kg of opium resin as well as several false and forged identity cards and nearly 1000 rounds of small arms ammunition.

Chief of Joint Operations Command Lieutenant General Mark Evans said the seizure continued the disruption of the manufacture of IEDs and use of weapon systems across the central and northern parts of Uruzgan province.

“It is a significant volume of material to be found in one area and its discovery and destruction will continue to disrupt the Taliban extremist’s networks,” Lieutenant General Evans said.

Lieutenant General Evans said that the removal of explosive material, potential IED components and munitions would make life safer for all Afghan people in Uruzgan, and for the coalition troops who are supporting the Afghan National Security Forces.

“This operation highlights the ongoing commitment of Australian forces in Uruzgan to support the ISAF mission of protecting the population,” Lieutenant General Evans said. 

More: Media Release | Image Gallery

Next phase for Operation Padang Assist

19 October - HMAS Kanimbla recently arrived in Pariaman, north of Padang, unloading military engineers and equipment as the ADF moves from providing an emergency response to medium term relief operations.

Joint Task Force Commander Colonel Mark Brewer said the Australians will work in close cooperation with Indonesia to repair essential infrastructure and develop a temporary medical facility.

“We will be working with the TNI, local Police and Indonesian authorities to complete the building projects identified by the Indonesian Government and AusAID,” Colonel Brewer said.

Last week, fresh drinking water was a priority as the local water treatment plant that supplied 60 per cent of the city’s water had been damaged.  To augment the local water supply, Australian Army Engineers produced more than 800,000 litres of water and continue to produce up to 100,000 litres a day.  Now water is beginning to return to Padang households.

In Seigerringing, the Sydney-based members of the 1st Health Support Battalion are now fully operational as a Primary Health Care Team.  They have treated more than 500 patients and have begun an outreach program in regional villages.

Recent days also saw mission success for the Army and Air Force Engineers who completed 63 rapid structural damage assessments on government buildings.

Civil engineer Captain Angus Johnson said the work of his team will enable the United Nations Development Program to now demolish or make the buildings safe.

“We have assisted the United Nations Development Program to understand whether specific government buildings are unsafe and need to be demolished or if they are structurally sound and can be reconstructed,” Captain Johnson said. 

The members of the Engineer Structural Assessment Teams will commence returning to Australia over the next few days.

The emergency response efforts of the medical and engineer teams has allowed the people of Padang and surrounding areas to begin the reconstruction phase of their recovery.

More: Media Release | Image Gallery