Black day
Embarked Forces and HMAS Kanimbla personnel came together for a moving service of reflection for Capt Mark Bingley, 171 Avn Sqn, and Tpr Joshua Porter, SASR, on Kanimbla on December 7, a week after the Black Hawk accident in which the two men were lost.

Sheer courage
AUSTRALIA’S first Star of Gallantry, along with Medals for Gallantry were awarded to members of the 200-strong SFTG now returned from Southern Afghanistan.

Report issued into death of Private Kovco
CDF ACM Angus Houston has accepted all 29 recommendations made by the Board of Inquiry into the death of Pte Jacob Kovco.

Deputy farewelled
Army has farewelled its Deputy Editor, Lt Simone Heyer.

Reserves take lead in Solomons
SOUTH Queensland reservists will undertake the largest independent deployment of Reserves since World War II when they deploy on Operation Anode early next year.

New Secretary takes charge
NEW Secretary of Defence Mr Nick Warner has flagged fresh initiatives to strengthen support for those parliamentarians who minister to ADF matters.

Command’s big reorg
THE two-phase restructuring of HQ JOC is “the biggest reorganisation of command and control for 100 years”, according to VCDF Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie.

Great Games noted
THE Australian Army Band – Melbourne performed for the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Olympic Games, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 22.

Soldiers of merit
Congratulations to the following personnel who have received Soldiers’ Medallions in recognition of their exemplary service to the Army in 2006.

Colours laid to rest
51FNQR laid to rest its old Colours with full pomp and ceremony at the Quetta Memorial Church on Thursday Island on November 4.

Plea to take care on the roads
ADF personnel have been urged not to risk their lives when they take to the roads over the Christmas period to visit family and friends.

Hot topic of discussion
EXPERTS from around the world met at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on November 20 to discuss the prevention and management of heat injury.

Award now recognises old combat
THE Army Combat Badge was made retrospective to 1948 following an amendment to the Defence Instruction that took effect on October 5.

Shower of tributes
NOT even rain on their parade could stop 12/16HRL from commemorating the 89th anniversary of the charge of Beersheba.

Federation winds up
IT is with much sadness that I advise all ADF members that the Armed Forces Federation of Australia – which has been in existence since 1984 – will turn out the office lights for the last time on December 28, 2006.

Full bottle on blood challenge
OUR blood’s worth bottling; how about yours?

IN BRIEF
New direction
C-17 arrives
NT memorial
Vets sought.