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Output One: Defence Operations

Capability Performance Information

Performance targets

Command of Operations

Commander Australian Theatre is responsible for the planning and conduct of ADF campaigns, operations and other activities as directed by the Chief of the Defence Force, with forces assigned under theatre command.

Planning includes maintenance of situational awareness, preparation of operational concepts and plans, assessment of ADF joint preparedness against the military response options that may be made available to the Government, and the development of other plans as directed by the Chief of the Defence Force. Conduct includes maintenance of situational awareness, and sustainment.

Effective command relies on clear command arrangements supported by timely and reliable communications and information systems.

Performance Targets Performance
Australian operational concepts are developed to support ADF planning against credible contingencies. Achieved. Ongoing development of extant and new Australian operational concepts.
The Australian Theatre operational preparedness requirement provides guidance for joint force preparedness in accordance with the Chief of the Defence Force's direction. Achieved. The Australian Theatre operational preparedness requirement was monitored and reported monthly.
Theatre command of ADF forces is effective and the Government's strategic objectives for operations are achieved. Achieved.

ADF Military Operations and Exercises

The ADF is required to undertake a range of military operations at Government direction to ensure the defence of Australia and Australia's national interests. Military operations, exercises and other ADF activities contribute to the achievement of the Government's strategic objectives, defined in the Defence White Paper as defending Australia, contributing to the security of the immediate neighbourhood and supporting wider interests. The following tables list ADF operations conducted over the year against these strategic objectives.

ADF joint and combined exercises are included in the Program of Major Service Activities. Exercise objectives include training in warfighting and related skills, confirmation of interoperability and joint capability and effective engagement with allies and regional partners.

Performance is summarised below, with additional information in the supporting tables.

Performance Targets Performance
Quality:
ADF operations meet Government direction. Achieved. 15 current and four completed operations met Government direction in 2002-03.
Forces identified in the Australian Theatre Operational Preparedness Requirement for operational tasks maintain required preparedness levels. Achieved. Preparedness levels were continuously monitored against the Australian Theatre Operational Preparedness Requirement.
ADF forces are effectively deployed, sustained and redeployed to Australia. Achieved. ADF forces continued to be effectively deployed and sustained and redeployed.
The Program of Major Service Activities is reviewed regularly and modified as required. Achieved. The Program of Major Service Activities was regularly reviewed and modified in response to changing priorities, world events and to meet identified training deficiencies.
Quantity:
Number of current ADF operations 15 current ADF operations including:
  • 3 contributing to the security of the immediate neighbourhood;
  • 7 supporting wider interests; and
  • 5 peacetime national tasks.
Number of dormant ADF operations 7 dormant peacetime national task operations.
Number of completed ADF operations 4 completed ADF operations including:
  • 1 contributing to the security of the immediate neighbourhood;
  • 2 supporting wider interests; and
  • 1 peacetime national task.
Number of conducted ADF exercises 59 exercises conducted;
  • 53 achieved all required objectives;
  • 4 partially achieved required objectives; and
  • 2 substantially achieved required objectives.
Number of cancelled ADF exercises 27 cancelled exercises.
Number of ADF exercises in progress 1 exercise in progress.
Total number of exercises programmed over 2002-03 87 ADF exercises programmed in the Program of Major Service Activities.

National Support Tasks

The ADF may be called upon to provide emergency and non-emergency assistance to the Government and the Australian community in non-combat related roles. Tasks the ADF may be requested to undertake include emergency assistance, search and rescue, disaster recovery, surveillance and security or non-emergency law enforcement roles, categorised as Defence Assistance to the Civil Community. The ADF may also be requested to undertake law enforcement related tasks where the use of force by Defence personnel may be required. These tasks are categorised as Defence Force Aid to Civilian Authorities and are authorised by the Governor-General in Council.

The ADF also contributes to the civil surveillance program, providing maritime surveillance that is tasked routinely in accordance with Government direction.

Peacetime national tasks undertaken by the ADF may include support to other Government departments/agencies in providing security of the Australian coastline from illegal immigration, smuggling, quarantine evasion and other intrusions to Australian sovereignty, counter-measures (including chemical, biological, radiological responses) and counter-terrorism responses, search and rescue and natural disaster relief.

Performance Targets Performance
Quality:
The ADF contribution to peacetime national tasks meets Government direction. Achieved. Five current ADF operations and one completed operation met Government direction for peacetime national tasks in 2002-03. There are currently seven dormant ADF peacetime national task operations, which are likely to remain dormant due to the high operational tempo. The ADF met all Government priorities for peacetime national tasks in 2002-03.
Forces identified in the Australian Theatre Operational Preparedness Requirement for Defence Assistance to the Civil Community, Defence Force Aid to Civilian Authorities and search and rescue, maintain required preparedness levels. Achieved. Preparedness levels were continuously monitored against the Australian Theatre Operational Preparedness Requirement.
ADF forces are effectively deployed, sustained and redeployed. Achieved. ADF forces continued to be effectively deployed, sustained and redeployed.
The ADF response to requests for search and rescue and emergency assistance tasks are effective. Achieved.
ADF support to the civil surveillance program, in consultation with Coastwatch, was provided at the following resource levels: Achieved. ADF support to the civil surveillance program was conducted at a lower rate of effort due to priority of effort being focused on Operation Relex II. Some patrols in support of Operation Relex II were conducted in the civil surveillance program area of operation and met both requirements. The rate of effort for these activities over 2002-03 was:
  • 250 flying hours of aerial surveillance provided by P-3C aircraft.
  • 106 P-3 flying hours in support of civil surveillance program and 2,530 P-3 flying hours in support of Operation Relex II. A total of 2,636 P-3 flying hours.
  • 1,800 Fremantle-class patrol boats days.
  • 781 Fremantle-class patrol boat days in support of civil surveillance program and 1,192 Fremantle-class patrol boat days in support of Operation Relex II. A total of 1,973 Fremantle-class patrol boat days.
These figures are similar to the rate of effort achieved in 2001-02, which was influenced by Operation Relex II.
The ADF continues to conduct minor emergency and non-emergency assistance tasks from local military resources within guidelines. Achieved.
National support tasks undertaken by the ADF as significant emergency assistance, public events of significance and non-emergency law enforcement are effectively undertaken and reported. Achieved.
National support tasks undertaken by the ADF as Defence Force Aid to Civilian Authorities are effective. Achieved. The ADF continued to provide consequence management (biological and radiological) and counter-terrorism capabilities.
Quantity:
Defence Assistance to the Civil Community: Tasks were completed under the following categories(1):
  • Local emergency assistance.
 Category 1: The ADF were actively involved in the local community and provided local emergency assistance within resources.
  • General emergency assistance.
 Category 2: 12
  • Civil emergency or disaster recovery.
 Category 3: 1
  • General non-emergency assistance.
 Category 4: The ADF supported 16 public events of significance during the year as approved by Government.
  • Minor non-emergency assistance.
Category 5: The ADF provided non-emergency assistance within local resources.
Non-emergency law enforcement related tasks. Category 6: 7
Defence Force Aid to Civilian Authorities. There were no requests for Defence Force Aid to Civilian Authorities.
Search and rescue tasks undertaken involving ADF assistance. Nine search and rescue tasks were undertaken.
Specified Army/Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Community Assistance Program (AACAP) milestones were met. The Army coordinate and manage the AACAP. AACAP 2002 was the largest project completed to date. The project consisted of $11.7m of works in seven communities, centred on the Beagle Bay and Lombadina/Djarindjin communities on the Dampier Peninsula, and Pandanas Park (South of Derby WA). The project was managed by 19 Chief Engineer Works, with a significant proportion of the scope of works constructed by 21 Construction Squadron and 23 Support Squadron of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment. More than 250 personnel were deployed to the region during 2002 for an average period of four months. Army, Navy and Air Force strategic lift assets were employed in the deployment and redeployment of the engineer units.

AACAP 2003 is currently under way on Palm Island, North Queensland, with 17 Construction Squadron and 3 Combat Engineer Regiment being the primary Army construction assets deployed. The project budget for AACAP 2003 is $8.38m, excluding Army's contribution. The scope of works includes:
  • 21 new houses (seven by 17 Construction Squadron, 14 by civil contractors);
  • upgraded island access roads (17 Construction Squadron and 3 Combat Engineer Regiment);
  • road repair and street lighting (civil contractors);
  • repairs to the effluent irrigation system and fencing;
  • renovations to the aged respite centre and general access in the community for disabled community members;
  • Certificate 1 in General Construction training for 25 Palm Island trainees, contributing to the Queensland Government's Community Renewal Program;
  • training in construction and health care, as well as education and informal training in a variety of vocational skills; and
  • medical, dental, veterinary and environmental health support.
Note
  1. Defence Assistance to the Civil Community comprises six categories:
    Counter Disaster and Emergency Assistance
    Category 1.     Emergency assistance for a specific task provided by a local commander or administrator, from within his or her own resources, in localised emergency situations when immediate action is necessary to save human life, alleviate suffering, prevent extensive loss of animal life or prevent widespread loss or damage to property.
    Category 2. Emergency assistance in a more extensive or continuing disaster where action is necessary to save human life or alleviate suffering, prevent extensive loss of animal life or prevent loss or damage to property and when state or territory resources are inadequate.
    Category 3. Assistance associated with a civil emergency or disaster recovery, which is not directly related to the saving of life or property.
    Non-emergency Assistance
    Category 4.     Non-emergency assistance provided to other government departments or authorities, to the states or territories, local government or other authorities or organisations, commercial enterprises, non-profit organisations or individuals or bodies in the general community.
    Category 5. Non-emergency assistance of a minor nature, excluding flying tasks, provided to local organisations and which is within the capacity of a local commander or administrator's resources and authority.
    Category 6. Support to civil authorities in the performance of non-emergency law enforcement related tasks where there is no likelihood that Defence personnel will be required to use force.