An overseas battlefield tour will be conducted between September 16 -30 this year in Turkey to study the Gallipoli campaign.

A significant part of this tour will involve a sea kayak adventurous training activity over a five day period around the Dardanelles.

Expressions of interest are now being sought for participation.

The activity is open to all Defence members regardless of service, rank, gender or previous sea kayaking experience.

The aim of the exercise in to familiarise participants with the practical aspects of sea kayaking in a foreign country which has special military significance to the ADF.

Separate from the sea kayak activity is the battlefield tour which will enhance the participants military knowledge by examining the Gallipoli campaign on the ground.

It will also develop an awareness of the courage show by both sides and the importance of the victory to the development and growth of Turkey as a nation.

All funding is to be provided by the exercise participants - an estimate of the personal costs are:

• air and ground content A$2,399;
  
  
• insurance A$80;
  
  
• departure taxes A$30;
  
  
• visa fee Turkey A$20
  

Individuals should gain approval through their respective chain of command for attendance on this activity as soon as possible.

All members are to be classified on duty for the exercise.

A depot of A$500 then needs to be paid as soon as possible to the travel agent, Mr Trevor Luke of Jetset Travel.

Contact details for Jetset are ph (02) 62571377 fax (02) 62573473.

Final payment should be made by September 1.

All deposit monies are fully refundable should you not be permitted to attend due to service reason.

For those who decode to go a copy of the instruction will be forwarded to them so they may gain unit approval to attend.

The instruction will cover in detail the administrative arrangements associated with the tour.

Detailed information regarding tour inclusions, complete itinerary and travel arrangements can be found on the DEFWEB site which can be found at: http:/defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/gallipoli200/ [Defence Network access only]

Alternatively contact tour leader MAJ John Thurgar on 0417 438912 or sea kayak trip leader WO2 Bruce Payne on 0418 217143.