Defence

Marshalling Point

ACM Angus Houston
Chief of the Defence Force

Marching ahead

SLG Summit

This month's Defence magazine features the outcomes of the Senior Leadership Group (SLG) Summit, which was held on 20 February. As always, this event was a good opportunity for all Defence's senior leaders to take stock of how the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) has performed over the past six months, and to prioritise and chart the way ahead for the rest of the year. This year's Summit was particularly beneficial as it gave the new Defence Minister, Dr Brendan Nelson, an opportunity to address the SLG as a whole for the first time. The Minister detailed his expectations of the SLG and shared his experience of his first month as Minister for Defence.

The Secretary, Ric Smith, and I also addressed the group. I used my time to reinforce my vision for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and update the progress made on my seven themes of intent. Additionally, Ric and I announced the new Defence structure, which sees the creation of an integrated Australian Defence Headquarters and Defence Support Group. These changes, which will take effect from July this year, will improve both service delivery and the coordination and visibility of issues for the Secretary and me. Overall, I was very pleased with the outcomes of the Recall Day. I encourage all ADO men and women to read the various speeches from the event, which are available on the Defence Intranet site, and to particularly note our new structural changes.

Special Operations Task Group

On 25 February I had great pleasure in attending the official welcome home for the first rotation of the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) at Campbell Barracks in Perth. During their time in Afghanistan, our SOTG operated in an extremely demanding environment against a very resourceful and capable adversary. Along with the Governor-General and Prime Minister, I was able to thank these soldiers for their outstanding performance, commitment and professionalism. The dangers they faced were highlighted by the presentation of two gallantry awards by the Governor-General, to a Warrant Officer Class Two and a Sergeant for their outstanding action, leadership and bravery during long and difficult engagements with anti-Coalition militia. I echo the words of the Prime Minister, who said, "Thank you for what you have done for Australia. We are immensely proud of all of you. You are a wonderful demonstration of the Australian spirit". Of course, the job in Afghanistan is not yet complete. Our second rotation of the SOTG is performing in the fine tradition set by the first rotation. We are also about to deploy an aviation element of two Chinook helicopters and 110 personnel. In addition, the Government recently announced that we will be sending a Provincial Reconstruction Team of 200 personnel; this team will be a mixed security and reconstruction task force. The situation in Afghanistan remains dangerous and the ADF continues to make an important contribution to the Coalition efforts against terrorism.

Air Traffic Controllers

Another group of people to recently return from operation were our Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) who were based at Balad in Iraq. During their time in the Radar Approach Facility and Control Tower, our ATC were responsible for controlling the terminal airspace around Balad, Baghdad and four other airfields, which amounted to about one third of Iraq's airspace. During their time in Iraq, our controllers were admired for their professionalism and high-level skills, which saw them become supervisors over the Radar and Tower Services and process about 15 000 aircraft moves per month, which is equivalent to the air traffic at Sydney Airport. I am very pleased with their effort and congratulate them for their achievements.

Australian Medical Attachment

Also based in Balad, and recently to return home, was the Australian Medical Attachment. This group, which consisted of a mixture of reserve and permanent personnel from all three services, consistently provided a high standard of medical nursing care to the Coalition and the people of Iraq. Their main stay of support was in the intensive care unit where the Australian Nursing Officers provided over 50 per cent of the intensive care nursing staff, and the Australian Medical Officers accounted for 40 per cent of the critical care doctors. This deployment, which consisted of three rotations, is now complete. I am proud to say our Medical Attachment developed a reputation for clinical excellence, commitment and tenacity in the face of adversity.

Large operational commitment

Finally, I want to highlight the large operational commitment of the ADF during March, when we will have some 5000 people deployed on overseas and domestic operations, which is our highest operational tempo since 1999–2000. In addition to the 1920 people deployed on overseas operations and the 300 deployed on security tasks in our maritime protection zone, we will contribute about 2600 personnel to Operation Acolyte, which is the ADF's support to the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Under the command of Brigadier Andrew "Boomer" Smith, our people will support the Victorian Government, particularly the Police Force and Attorney-General's Department, by providing specialised ceremonial and general support, as well as assisting in the search of venues, operating vehicle checkpoints, responding to bomb threats and clearing waterways. In fact, Operation Acolyte is named after the Greek word for helper or assistant, and is representative of this supporting role. I am very proud of the training and preparation that ADF members have undertaken for this important task. It will be a busy month, but I am confident that all Defence people will do a remarkable job in ensuring that Australia stages a safe and secure Commonwealth Games.

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