Courage under fire
AS SIG Martin Wallace fought against a 1000-strong al Qa’eda force in Afghanistan earlier this year, the last thing on his mind was receiving the military’s third-highest bravery decoration – the Medal for Gallantry for courage under fire.

Drama on stage
MUSICIANS from AAB Brisbane have been credited with saving a man’s life during a concert at the Nambour Civic Centre on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast recently.

3RAR keeps the peace
In a recent parade at Kapyong Lines at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney, 3RAR Bn Gp was welcomed home after their second tour in East Timor.

2003 Census Day on March 18
THE Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Danna Vale has announced that Defence Census Day will be March 18 next year.

SASR heirs to Z Force
SASR troops who served in Afghanistan walk in the footsteps of WW2 Z Force hero Jack Wong Sue, CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove said recently.

New regulations to affect future ADF personnel
New personnel regulations to come into force will have little, if any, noticeable effect on people currently serving.

Reserves Day launch recalls the past
PRESENT-day medics, doctors and nurses and the successors of Simpson’s donkey and horses from the battlefields of WW1 assembled in Sydney recently to launch the Reserve Forces Day 2003 program.

Put it on the calendar
UNITS looking to put their activities on the Defence calendar now have the opportunity to do exactly that.

Recognition for RAEME
ARMY engineers will soon get civilian recognition, after an agreement was signed with the Institution of Engineers Australia.

Security at right level
IN LIGHT of the recent non-specific and generalised terrorist threat against Australia, the ADF has reviewed the SAFEBASE protective alert status.

Cam cream for CanTeen kids
CADETS at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) recently gave a small group of young people from CanTeen an insight into military life.

Army's hot phots on top
AMATEUR Army photographers applied their marksmanship principles to new targets and shot all the winning placings in the 2002 ADF Amateur Photo Competition, outshooting 140 other tri-service photographers.

SASR home for Christmas
AUSTRALIAN Special Forces will be home from Afghanistan before Christmas according to by Prime Minister John Howard.

103 over and out
WITH twice the reason to celebrate, 103 Sig Sqn had a birthday parade and acknowledged the last time the squadron will stand together as an independent unit.

And the band played on
MUSICAL members and former members converged on Wagga Wagga in October to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of AAB Kapooka.

March in, march out, online
SOLDIERS will find their march in/march out administration streamlined this year thanks to a new online process introduced by Information Systems Division (ISD).

On deck at all times
SALT, sun, sea and command have combined to be the ultimate job for Cpl Natalie Forster, the first female soldier to become a coxswain in the RACT.

Bandies top the jazz charts
THE release of a new jazz recording by Camouflage, the AAB Sydney big band, has launched them to the top of the Sydney jazz charts – a first for an Australian service band.

New airspace protocols now operating
ALL aircraft flying in Australia are now subject to new airspace architecture based on the proven US National Airspace System (NAS).

Good ideas from 3 Bde
SOLDIERS from around north Queensland presented their ideas and inventions recently during the North Queensland Good Ideas Expo 2002.

Frontline - your questions answered

For exemplary service
The Soldier’s Medallion for Exemplary Service was introduced to recognise outstanding service by those soldiers who would not normally gain recognition in the Australian Honours System.

Entree to New Caledonia
HAVING more than 100 soldiers in cams descending from a Qantas 767 could be a daunting sight – if they weren’t toting duty-free shopping bags.

Military education at work
FRENCH overseas territories around the world have adapted a way of training the indigenous population in useful trades and teaching them discipline required to hold valuable positions in their societies.

Commanders change for Op Slipper
Brig Maurie McNarn has taken over as as the Australian National Commander of the Australian contribution to the international coalition against terrorism.

Wrap Christmas mail for a safe passage
Experience has shown that some types of Christmas wrapping paper don’t stand up well to sending overseas.

And I'll have the pate, merci
NEW Caledonian-based Exercise Croix Du Sud gave the Australian soldiers the unique opportunity to be immersed in the French Army culture from the way they dressed, right down to the food they consumed.

Victory at great cost
AUSTRALIANS serving on Operation Mazurka in the Sinai recently participated in the 60th and last formal commemoration of the Battle of El Alamein.

ADF to build armouries in PNG
Australia will construct three new state-of-the-art armouries at a cost of more than $2 million for the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).