Fitting farewell for APCs
AFTER 40 years of service, M113 APCs from Townsville’s 3/4 Cav Regt have been dispatched on what might be their final overseas operational deployment.

Soldiers ensure all is shipshape
EMBARKED Army logistics elements on HMA Ships Manoora and Tobruk unloaded personnel, vehicles and equipment last weekend to sustain the initial phase of Operation Astute.

We’re making a difference
CDF ACM Angus Houston has said that ADF personnel involved in Operation Astute are making a real difference.

Solomons draw down
THE decision to scale down the ADF’s presence in the Solomon Islands underlines how well soldiers deployed with CTF 635 have settled into an efficient routine of patrolling and training.

Help after Sudan ambush
TWO ADF personnel have been praised for aiding injured Sudanese near the small town of Abyei while deployed on Operation Azure with the United Nations Mission In Sudan (UNMIS).


Preview of new plane
SOME of Army’s top brass got the chance to inspect a C-17 Globemaster III – the aircraft capable of transporting Army’s newest hardware – in Canberra.

6RAR plans celebrations
ALL past and present members and families of 6RAR are invited to celebrate the battalion’s birthday at an open day from 1-6pm on June 4, at Long Tan Lines, Gallipoli Barracks.

New look, same values
A NEW-LOOK flag, a ceremonial parade of about 500 soldiers and the chance for brigade mascot Danny the Clydesdale to have an official gallop have marked a significant turning point in the history of Army’s Logistic Support Force (LSF).

Encouraging people’s best
THE importance of looking after our people – and treating each other with respect – is behind an increase in the availability of Results Through People workshops for all Defence personnel around Australia.


Student takes trifecta
A TOWNSVILLE-based tradesman recently returned from the USA to find he was the recipient of a trifecta of military and academic accolades.


Course not rigged
THE parachute riggers’ motto is “Be Sure Always” and their faith in their motto and personal skills was put to the test recently in the skies over Narrandera in central NSW.

Low risk of exposure
AN ASSESSMENT has found that personnel who used the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) facility at Holsworthy Barracks were at low level risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.

Funding for Pooh cleanup
THE Federal Government has agreed to provide funds to Brisbane City Council to remove rubbish and waste.

SOCAUST ORDER OF THE DAY
To those who served in SOTG Rotation 2 to Afghanistan,
January – May 2006.

Abrams Files
DIRECTOR General Land Manoeuvre Systems (DGLMS) Brig Grant Cavenagh recently made a visit to Fort Hood, Texas to observe the Abrams New Equipment Training.

Career high job done
IT WAS a moment tinged with sadness and anticipation for Brig Paul Symon as he handed over command of JTF 633 to Brig Mick Moon on 12 May.

Allies run just for fun
COALITION members joined forces recently in a battle against the elements that saw only sweat spilt in Iraq.

Aussie skills aid tough job
THREE Australians are in Afghanistan as part of the Canadian-led Agis multi-national task force based at Kandahar Air Field (KAF) helping to pave the way for the reconstruction task force’s deployment later in the year.

It’s jingle all the way
A GOOD vehicle can be hard to come by on operations – you want to fit in with the locals but require all the modern convenience a sturdy vehicle can offer.

Patrol hits roadside IED
A SPECIAL Forces Task Group (SFTG) patrol vehicle was badly damaged on May 21 when it ran over a roadside improvised explosive device in southern Afghanistan.

Rats in their ranks
A NEW generation of Aussie desert rats has donned a coveted emblem while on deployment in the MEAO embedded again with British forces.

Scholar takes piece of Australia home
NABAZ Al-Qadhi is home in his native Iraq but misses the time he spent at Australia’s Command and Staff College in Canberra.