Defence

The official magazine

November/December 2005

|

In the know

Academy Graduates Association Chairman's luncheon

Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, recently addressed the Lend Lease Academy Graduates Association (AGA) Chairman's Lunch.

As keynote speaker, CDF outlined his priorities for his tenure as CDF, highlighting his passion and commitment to developing people within Defence. CDF emphasised the challenges Defence faces as a result of our complex and dynamic strategic environment, and stressed the importance of focussing on recruitment and retention of critical skills.

The AGA provides an alumni association for all graduates of the Australian Defence Force Academy. The AGA currently comprises over 1400 members, incorporating both graduates of the three year cadet program and post-graduates of Masters and ATSOC programs. Current members include Commanding Officers within the Australian Defence Force, as well as diverse range of members representing the commercial and business sector.

For more information on the AGA and membership see www.adfagrad.org.

'Countering insurgency' writing competition

The Combined Arms Center in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (United States) invites submissions on counter-insurgency related topics to the Commanding General's Special Topics Writing Competition.

Submissions should be well-written, carefully researched and analytically-oriented. Submissions should be between 3,500 and 5,000 words.

The competition closes on 1 April 2006. Prizes are: $1,000 for first place; $500 for second; and $250 for third. Winning entries will be published in the Combined Arms Center's Military Review. For a copy of the enrolment form, details for submitting entries and suggested topics, visit the Military Review website at: http://usacac.leavenworth.army.mil/CAC/milreview/index.asp.

|

'Find our People' program

The 'Find our People' program is an initiative to assist Defence to account for Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and Australian Public Service (APS) employees in the event of a significant natural disaster or terrorist attack anywhere in the world.

The first phase of the program will address the immediate need to account for personnel who will be travelling away from home in Australia or overseas over the Christmas and New Year period. The second phase, to be introduced later in 2006, will centralise information already held about personnel on short-term duty overseas.

To ensure that we are prepared for any incident over the Christmas and New Year period, all ADF members and APS employees travelling during this period are asked to:

• submit Form AB 644 to notify their Unit Security Officer of intended overseas travel; and/or
• ensure that their supervisor is aware of their whereabouts and holds details of where to contact them if travelling within Australia.

For further information on the Find our People program, please contact Soozie Parker on telephone (02) 6265 5379 or (mobile 0418 441 249) or LCDR Annette Nelson on telephone (02) 6265 4378 (mobile 0417 668 093).

In the news

10 November

Secretary of the Department of Defence Mr Ric Smith and Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, announced the award of two post-graduate research scholarships.

The 2006 Secretary of Defence Scholarship was awarded to Mr Peter Barger, who will undertake research on speaker verification technologies.

The 2006 Chief of the Defence Force Scholarship was awarded to Wing Commander Darcy Brooker, for his research into the impact of the human dimension in strategic decision making. See Human Resources article for further details.

11 November

An ADF Medical Team of around 140 personnel deployed to Pakistan for up to 90 days as part of Operation Pakistan Assist, to provide vital health care assistance to those affected by the recent earthquake. The contingent includes a command element, an aviation detachment of four Black Hawk helicopters, logistics and communication personnel.

On the ground, the team is establishing a central medical facility in Dhanni. It provides three separate mobile medical groups that will have the ability to travel into the neighbouring region to provide assistance.

29 November

The Acting Chief Finance Officer, Mr Ken Moore, announced his retirement from the Australian Public Service. Apart from a short secondment, Mr Moore has served his entire 36 year career with Defence.

Mr Phillip Prior, currently of the Department of Finance and Administration, has been selected for appointment to the position of Chief Finance Officer. Mr Prior will commence in the position on 3 January 2006.

30 November

Australia's Chinook helicopters are about to undergo a $25 million upgrade to fit them with electronic warfare and ballistic protection and advanced communications to ensure combat readiness for future operations.

Minister for Defence, Robert Hill, said the Government has agreed to the upgrade as part of a rapid acquisition project to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with the flexibility to be able to deploy the aircraft to cover a wide range of contingencies.

"This upgrade will ensure they are equipped with the necessary protection and latest technology to be safely deployed in any future high threat security environment," Senator Hill said.

2 December

Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, De-Anne Kelly, announced the introduction of further innovative programs, including an interactive multi media program, to help school-aged children of ADF personnel benefit positively during relocations on posting.

"The Government is mindful that ADF personnel must relocate frequently to meet Defence capability requirements and that a highly mobile lifestyle can sometimes impact on families with children, especially when they are in the later years of schooling," Mrs Kelly said.

|

How to contribute to Snapshot

Use the form provided for Feedback or call or email the Contacts.