Blade runners
Helos’ vital Op Pakistan Assist role
5 AVN Regt Black Hawks are now in the thick of the action in the earthquake devastated region of northeast Pakistan.

Thoughts at Christmas
Christmas messages from Governor-General Maj-Gen Michael Jeffery, CDF ACM Angus Houston, CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy, RSM WO Kevin Woods and Army News.

Chook boost
ARMY’S fleet of six Chinooks will undergo a $25 million upgrade to fit them with advanced electronic warfare self-protection equipment, improved ballistic protection fittings and new communications.

Sound off to get medal
ELIGIBLE personnel who served on Operations Sumatra Assist I and II can now apply for their Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (HOSM) with Indian Ocean clasp.


Armygeddon heaven
ARMY’S street machine has officially been named during the Summernats launch at RMC Duntroon.


RAAOC to manage more supply
THE evolving face of the battlefield has been recognised with the release of the new Army Combat Badge (ACB).


New star of the show
ENEMY detection capability received a boost with the official delivery of the Australian Man Portable Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar (AMSTAR) at Enoggera on December 5.


Bonuses approved
Critical trade incentive for SNCOs
THE Defence People Committee (DPC) has endorsed an initiative to offer completion bonuses to selected corporals and sergeants in three critical trades.


Chariot of choice rolls out
THE Bushmaster officially rolled into Gallipoli Barracks on December 6, winning over an ever-increasing number of soldiers now using the “vehicle of choice” for moving on the battlefield.


In with a bang
THE first firing of the Javelin medium direct-fire guided weapon (DFGW) at the Singleton Training Area occurred during a recent Javelin Instructor training course.


Delta joins Deployable Battle Group
DELTA Coy has joined 1 Bde’s Deployable Battle Group (DBG) Leopard.


Cav’s new stables
2/14’s $4.5 million facility for ASLAV servicing
2/14 LHR (QMR) officially opened its new $4.5 million workshop facility on November 26.


Touching visit
THE mother of deceased 3RAR soldier Pte Jamie Clark visited the Solomon Islands for a three days to attend a wreath laying and memorial service at the Jamie Clark Lines at RAMSI’s headquarters in Honiara.

Soft landings
DSTO is developing high performance panels to cushion the ground impact of airdropped goods and equipment.


New M113 on track
STUDENTS on the Australian Technical Staff Officers’ Course have received a preview of the capabilities of the upgraded M113.


National recognition
ARMY engineers who braved the horrors of Banda Aceh earlier this year have been recognised with one of the nation’s highest engineering awards.


Taking steps to find cure for cancer
RAIN, hail or sticky flies, nothing was going to hinder this dedicated group of fundraisers from achieving their goal of raising $30,000 for breast cancer research.


School going for Army fun
A VISIT to the Army was enough to encourage 60 indigenous kids from isolated communities to attend school regularly.


Chief backs Federation’s contribution
CDF ACM Angus Houston has welcomed the efforts of the Armed Forces Federation of Australia (ArFFA) during his first meeting with representatives of the Federation since taking the ADF’s top job.


School friends
WHEN Elise McGinley told her teacher, Rebecca Hokanson, that her Dad, WO1 Danny McGinley, of 131 STA Bty, was going to Iraq for six months, she knew it was going to be a tough time.


Spirited contests for sigs
THE annual RA Sigs Corps Week ranged across the full spectrum of events from the serious to the wacky.


Paddle power
THE Combat Training Centre’s Battle Command Wing (BCW) has ended the year with a sea kayaking expedition of the Tasmanian Peninsula.


Armoured fury
Cavalry skills sharpened
THE conventional cavalry skills of B Sqn 2/14 LHR (QMI) have been tested and fine-tuned to the full following Exercise Damascus Fury in Townsville.


Sea change for 2RAR
SOLDIERS from 2RAR found their sea legs recently during Exercises Sea Lion and Sea Eagle.


In 9 Div’s footsteps
2RAR soldiers were well aware that they were following in the tradition of those who served before them when they got their feet wet at Cowley Beach Training Area during Exercise Sea Eagle.