Navy News, March 19, 2001

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Navy News is published fortnightly with its basic charter to inform and entertain our sailors wherever they are serving, in ships or on shore, at home or overseas.

March 19, 2001

Film Review | Sport

		Helicopters in flood rescue Six RAN helicopters dashed from Nowra to the north coast of NSW last week to help evacuate hundreds of residents isolated by rising flood waters.

		Ocean Protector During exercises in the East Australian Exercise Area HMAS BRISBANE, pictured, has demonstrated the power of her weapons' .systems.

		Squadron reborn A proud element of the Navy's Fleet Air Arm was officially reborn with the fourth commissioning of 805 Squadron before naval dignitaries and families at HMAS ALBATROSS on Wednesday, February 28

		First Seasprite put on display Here it is…the first Super Seasprite helicopter for the Royal Australian Navy. No 1 aircraft of 11 the Kaman Aerospace Corporation is building for the RAN, the helicopter went on public display at the Australian International Airshow 2001 conducted at Avalon Airport, in Victoria.

		Defence will plug leaks The Chief of Defence Force, ADML Chris Barrie, and the Secretary of Defence, Dr Allan Hawke, will seek, find and deal with people within Defence who "leak" information.

		REPORT CARD 2000 Navy's report card informs the Chief of Navy (CN) and the wider naval and defence community of our overall health as an organisation. CN uses the PMF assessments to identify where our performance levels are meeting agreed targets and where remedial action is required.

		Fitness figures flatter Only three per cent of 10,349 personnel who have done the RAN's Physical Performance Test have failed. The remainder of personnel in uniform (2002 people) are either on current medical waivers or have yet to participate for a variety of reasons.

		Mine hunter in vital trials Vital helicopter certification trials have been carried out between HMAS HAWKESBURY and pilots of the RAN's 823 Squadron. The trials saw an 823 Squirrel meet HAWKESBURY off Jervis Bay and carry out a number of winching exercises from the stern of the minehunter..

		Southern medic a real high flyer Leading seaman medic Michael Floyd has a hobby which is not only unusual it made him a real high flyer. . Michael, 34, a medic in the casualty ward in the HMAS CERBERUS medical centre, rides bucking bulls in rodeos.

		Environmental role commended The ABC TV's program Gardening Australia has completed two days of filming on WA's Garden Island for a segment to be shown later in the year.

		Travel and risk of DVT Media attention has identified long distance travel as a potential risk factor for developing Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT.).

		Federation message goes out to nation The RAN-supported sail training ship Young Endeavour has made an early start in taking the Federation of Australia message to all parts of the nation.

		Vital role for FIMA Sydney The Fleet Intermediate Maintenance Activity - Sydney (FIMA-S) is responsible to Commander Fleet Maintenance (CFM) for providing intermediate maintenance assistance for rectification of defects beyond the normal capacity or capabilities of ships' staff.

		Boss takes a look Director Materiel Organisation, Mr Mick Roche, is one executive who will be involved in replacing the Royal Australian Navy's aging fleet of 15 Fremantle class patrol boats.

		Snappy divisions How is this for a well turned out group of officers and sailors? Our picture from CPL Piggot of PACC/NT shows 200 permanent members of the RAN in the Top End along with cadets from T.S. DARWIN attending Divisions at the Darwin Navel Base.

		Overseas opportunities available for Reserves Nominations are now being sought for the 2001 Prince of Wales Awards from eligible ADF Reservists, enabling an opportunity to travel overseas for both military and civilian training through the Prince of Wales Award Scheme.

		Hold on to your Navy hats The origins of sailors' hats have had a long and rich history. The circular cap of today has been through many variations, as have officers' hats. A degree of uniformity amongst sailors' clothing was not noted within the British Navy of Queen Elizabeth I's time.

		Film Review - "Snatch"

		Brilliant British yarn IFirstly, this is not the sequel to the cult classic, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels as some people have claimed. However it's the same formula as Lock Stock, and as the Castrol commercial states: "if you're on a good thing, stick to it".

		Sport

		HARMAN seeks female footy players The Harman Tigers, a joint-venture this year between the Harman & Queanbeyan Australian Football Clubs, is struggling to attract sufficient female players to field a team in this year's competition and is in danger of folding.

		Touching moment at medal presentation CPOTAF Darren Hooper of 817 Squadron, HMAS ALBATROSS, recently received the Australian Sports Medal, presented by the CO of 817 Squadron for recognition of services to the sport of touch football.

		Captain's honour The Navy's LS Nick Knight received the honour of being named captain of a talented ADF cricket side that contested two matches following the ADF national titles at Richmond.