Navy News, February 19, 2001

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February 19, 2001

		ARUNTA strikes gold The 3,600 tonne frigate HMAS ARUNTA is the Royal Australian Navy's outstanding ship for 2000. For the next 12 months she can proudly carry a gold star on her bridge wing.

		Intimidation: CDF warning The Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral Chris Barrie, has warned against prevention or intimidation of members of the ADF making submissions to the Military Justice Audit Team..

		CN: trust, respect, survival The Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton, commenting on allegations of a culture of rough justice within the ADF, said sound leadership, mutual trust, integrity and respect were the cornerstones of the RAN's success at sea

		Rough justice not on "Rough justice" will not be tolerated in the Royal Australian Navy, senior officers have declared. "Days of counselling a sailor behind the gun are gone," Chief of Navy, RADM David Shackleton, said.

		Another medical team lands in Dili The RAN has again committed a medical team to care for military personnel serving in East Timor. Four women, a nurse and three medics, are among nearly 30 tri-service medical personnel now "in-country" after being taken by HMAS JERVIS BAY from Darwin to Dili last week.

		Spreading the PMG message The tri-service Peace Monitoring Group has spread the word of peace to the outlying Nissan Island, a remote part of Liaison Team - Buka's area of operations. The team conducted a patrol to the island, which is located off the coast of Buka Island, to the north of Bougainville Island.

		Divisions around the nation "Very successful" were the words used to describe Divisions in recent weeks around Australia. More than 1750 of the RAN's uniformed personnel took part in the Divisons, all inspected by the Maritime Commander, RADM Geoff Smith

		Queen of the Skies celebrates her 25th February 2, 2001, marked the 25th anniversary of Sea King operations in the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was on this date in 1976 that 817 Squadron was re-equipped with 10 Sea King MK50 aircraft, replacing the Wessex 31B, greatly increasing its capabilities...

		Floods keep helos, RHIBs busy Shark 20 and 22, the embarked Sea Kings in HMAS TOBRUK, along with the ship's RHIBs were kept busy during the ship's three months in the Solomon Islands. Heavy rain resulted in floods which washed out bridges and roads....

		Allowances under review A review of Seagoing Allowance (SGA) and Submarine Service Allowance (SSA) is being conducted in the first half of 2001. Navy established the Allowance Review Team to assist in the development of a case for the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) in July this year.

		Patricia takes to Navy life A Sydney schoolgirl has travelled from Albany to Sydney on board HMAS MELBOURNE to see first-hand what it means to be in the Navy.

		Positions vacant in park paradise Highly motivated couples with management and people skills and a desire to work in the hospitality industry are being sought for the positions of manager and partner at Bungalow Park, located on Burrill Lake, 250km south of Sydney.

		Graduates rewarded at CRESWELL Following the NEOC Passout Parade at HMAS CRESWELL in December, a number of special awards were presented, marking another momentous occasion for the many who also graduated on the day.

		"Behind the scenes" lady is rewarded Personal assistant to CAPT Gerry Christian,the Senior Naval Officer/ Northern Territory (SNONA), Mrs Christine Hogan has received the Australia Day Medallion for her "behind the scenes work" Up Top.

		GLADSTONE helps out The RAN's 15 patrol boats certainly do more than "navy things." They help fishing authorities keep illegal fishermen at bay as well as detecting and detaining suspected illegal immigrants.

		Flag is back The battle-scarred Australian flag which flew over Darwin when Japanese bombers struck on February 19, 1942, has returned to its former home as part of the Centenary of Federation celebrations.

		Mates farewell Daniel It was a case of "farewell PO Cadet Daniel Wendt" and "welcome MIDN Wendt" on the flight deck of HMAS NEWCASTLE.

		ARUNTA's close bond A presentation in the Anzac class frigate HMAS ARUNTA at Fleet Base West, has reinforced the close links between the current ship's company and those of HMAS ARUNTA I a tribal class destroyer.

		Change-over at 816 Squadron Shortly before Christmas, 816 Squadron farewelled CMDR Mark Campbell for the last time. CMDR Campbell, now CAPT Campbell, joined the 'Fighting Tigers' as the Commanding Officer on December 18, 1998, enjoying a prosperous two years...

		ADFA on ABC Being part of a world where the rules are different, where everything is regulated and where fitness, obedience and discipline is part of everyday life is just another day in the Australian Defence Force.

		Surveyor follows in Mawson's footsteps Royal Australian Navy hydrographic officer, LCDR Jenny Daetz, is the first RAN surveyor in 70 years to visit Mawson's Hut in the isolated Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica.

		"Happiest man" ABCK Peter Manahan is regarded by his shipmates in HMAS HAWKESBURY as the "happiest man in the Pussers." His willingness to go that extra step for his mates knows no limit.

		Australia Day 2001 The Australian Defence Force joined the people of Canberra to mark Australia Day as the nation celebrated its Centenary of Federation at the flag raising ceremony on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in front of Old Parliament House.

		Real people in real jobs A new and down-to-earth advertising campaign designed to show what a military career is really all about has been launched nationally by the Defence Force Recruiting Organisation (DFRO).

		Leaps and bounds The Navy's association with Australian football is moving in leaps and bounds with the formation of the Navy Australian Football Association (NAFA) to lessen the burden on individuals who have long been the backbone of the Navy's Australian football events.

		Take off on trek of Mt Everest Places are available for fit and adventurous people to join the program of support treks being run in conjunction with the Army Alpine Association's ascent of the North Ridge of Mt Everest in March-April.