Car bomb
Secdet patrol ambushed in Baghdad
TWO Australian soldiers have been injured in a car-bomb attack on a Secdet patrol in Baghdad, becoming the ADF’s first battle casualties in Iraq.

In brief

Far north gathering
THE normally widely dispersed soldiers of 51FNQR recently concentrated for the battalion’s annual field exercise at Mount Stuart to develop individual skills.

For quick action
A WARRANT officer from 16 Bde has been awarded a bravery medal for rescuing a man from an upturned truck.


On the look out for disciplinary injustice
REGULAR military justice audits will begin late this month.
The audits, to be conducted by Inspector General ADF (IGADF) will include checks of disciplinary and administrative records and practices, and focus groups to elicit personnel views of the military justice system.


No holiday on leave audit
MANAGEMENT Audit Branch (MAB) will assess 495 leave records of ADF members in the coming months.


Keeping your cool
Water absorbent crystals stay cold for up to two hours
COOLING vests have been issued to troops serving in Iraq in an effort to provide relief from the intense heat during the summer months.

Recognising mil’ skills
CIVILIAN recognition of soldier’s military training can now be sought through the Civil Accreditation Cell (CAC) at HQTC-A.

SFTC needs training
SPECIAL Forces Training Command (SFTC) recently announced incorrect changes to the selection course in Army edition 1108.

Top people top job
Special ops support company raised
THE emergence of global terrorism has seen the establishment of Special Operations Command (SOCOMD), which in turn necessitated the raising of the Special Operations Combat Services Support Company (SOCSSC) to supply and support it.


Attacking malaria
Army Malaria Institute targets deadly parasite
THE front line of the war on malaria is closer than you think – it’s in Enoggera, actually.


Carved in history
It was difficult to tell through the rain that LCpl Ben Tucker was sweating profusely. The thunder from the nearby artillery boomed viciously.

Guarding Baghdad’s beat
Up close and personal with Secdet’s Individual Body Guards
THE popular image of the Secdet is undoubtedly ASLAVs and infantry patrols. What most forget, is that forming the nucleus of Secdet are eight Military Police (MPs) performing Close Personnel Protection (CPP) for Australia’s embassy staff in Iraq.


Basra embeds increase
FOR seven Australian officers recently posted to Basra in Iraq, the next six months will offer a rare opportunity to operate within the Multi National Division – South East (MND-SE) headquarters.


Keeping your head down
RWS offers under-armour protection
BAGHDAD: For LCpl Mark Watson, a crew commander in one of SECDET’s four ASLAV-PCs fitted with the Remote Weapon Station (RWS), his deployment allows him to see an acquisition he helped trial, used on operations.

ADF loggies share
ADF logisticians supporting air, land and sea operations on Op Catalyst recently conducted a two-day conference centered on developing the expertise of logisticians in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).


Exchange provides unexpected view
ONE Australian aviator is getting a birds-eye view of Iraq as part his normal day.


Urban streets to desert
New tasking allows 2 Cav Regt room to spread out its wings
NORTHERN Iraq: An ASLAV troop of from 2 Cav Regt is providing security to the Australian Army Training Team Iraq (AATTI) as it provides mentoring and advice to Iraqi Army recruits.


Forging identities
THE newest nation on earth has the newest Army on earth, but old hands are helping it to forge a lasting identity.