Extra Lift
THE announcement of the $2 billion acquisition of 34 twin-engine MRH 90 helicopters to replace Army’s Black Hawk and Navy’s Seaking helicopters marks a new era for rotary-wing tactical transport for the ADF.

Capability boost
A 40 PER cent boost in funding for Army networking projects is part of the $51 billion major capital equipment plan flagged by the Government to roll out over the next decade.

Rwanda ASMs to be replaced
MORE than 630 ADF personnel who served in Rwanda are eligible to have their ASM replaced with the AASM with Rwanda clasp.

New Iraq mission
PRIME Minister John Howard has announced a change of focus for ADF personnel in southern Iraq with a battle group to be based at Tallil Air Base near An Nasiriah.


Artillerymen deploy to the Solomons
THEY were originally training to go to Malaysia, but 103 soldiers from 101 Mdm Bty, 8/12 Mdm Regt, now find themselves in the Solomon Islands.

Pte Kovco inquiry adjourned
THE Board of Inquiry (BOI) into the death and repatriation of Pte Jacob Kovco was adjourned on June 21.

All in a dog’s day
IT’S not just boots on the ground with Australia’s East Timor contingent – there are also paws pounding the pavement.

New radios, knee pads get soldiers’ nod
EQUIPMENT released under Project Land 125 is being given an extensive workout by deployed soldiers in East Timor.

Team work in Dili
DILI’S streets are safer with the combined effort of 3RAR Bn Gp’s Battlegroup Faithful and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Award honour
RMC has honoured the memory of a fallen comrade by awarding one of its graduates with the inaugural Captain Stevens Memorial Prize.

Hueys fly high for 9 Sqn plaque
TWO ex-Air Force members, now Army pilots, were at the controls of an Iroquois helicopter as it flew low over Canberra’s Anzac Parade in a tribute to RAAF’s No. 9 Sqn on June 3.

Hopes ride on Sydney trip
CABARLAH Defence members are riding to and from work along the Toowoomba ranges not in desperation to fight fuel prices but in preparation for Operation Hope; a gruelling 1000km charity bike-ride.

Building community spirit
ENGINEERS from 21 Const Sqn are helping to provide $7.2 million in Aboriginal community assistance in the Borroloola region in the NT.

The Abrams files
TANK crewmen from the School of Armour and
1 Armd Regt have tested their gunnery skills at the Sugarloaf Multi-user range at Ford Hood, Texas in the US.

VC leads parade
VC WINNER Keith Payne will lead one of many 2006 Reserve Forces Day (RFD) parades to be held nationwide to salute the reservists who have deployed in support of ADF operations around the globe.

Minister’s monthly newsletter
DEFENCE Minister Brendan Nelson has launched a new monthly e-newsletter.

Meritorious service
LT-COL Tony Ross, C2I, has been awarded the US Meritorious Service Medal for his work in logistics in Iraq.

Courses aim at improved riding skills
THE ADF Motorcycle Association (ADFMA) is launching a series of training courses to improve riding skills among ADF motorcyclists. It also aims to raise the organisation’s profile so that it can help more riders.

In brief