Navy News, July 23, 2000

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July 23, 2001

		Patrol tender - Fremantle replacement a step closer Replacement of the RAN's aging 15 Fremantle Class patrol boats came a step closer earlier this month. The Minister for Defence announced that in line with strategy commitments of the Defence White Paper, a "Request for Tender" for the next craft will be formally released in September.

		Minister opts for US subs fix The tender of a combat system for the Collins Class submarines has been put on hold following the Australian Government's decision that a comprehensive arrangement with the US Navy on submarine issues is in Australia's best strategic interests.

		Military pensions jumps 6 per cent More than 55,000 recipients of military superannuation pensions received a six per cent increase in their fortnightly pensions on July 1, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Mr Bruce Scott said.

		Minister announces stand down The Minister for Defence, Mr Peter Reith has announced he will not contest the next Federal election. He made the announcement on June 29. In a formal statement he said, "I have advised the Liberal Party that I will not be contesting the next election."

		The Defence Vision At the recent Senior Leadership Recall Day, the Chief of the Defence Force, ADML Chris Barrie, officially announced the Defence vision: 'A force for good - a force to be reckoned with - a force to win'.

		CN declares meet unrestricted Bouquets and brickbats at conference. Twenty-nine new ships, 96 per cent recruiting success rate, more Defence money, new Navy 'branding', the Fleet Review and a Government pledge to "fix" the submarines...

		Navy's pulse in check with release of scorecard report The success of current strategies and initiatives within the Royal Australian Navy have been assessed in the recently released Navy scorecard and supporting report.

		Defence IT&T branching out Defence is proceeding with the selective market testing of information technology and telecommunications and has established a branch to manage the process. The Information Technology Market Testing (ITMT) Branch will ensure continued cost-effective support for the provision of...

		Dechaineux ties herself to history As the thick fog lifted to reveal the splendour of the Tamar Valley, the lookout turned to the officer of the watch and casually remarked, "It's good to be here". Following a week-long passage from FBW, HMAS DECHAINEUX had indeed arrived at Launceston.

		Minister calls for a close look at leave conditions Defence Minister Peter Reith has suggested that ADF commanders could have greater flexibility in the granting of extra recreation leave. In a paper on workplace relations to which he spoke at a meeting of the Defence Women's Network, Mr Reith said he understood there were a number of...

		Navy team beats horrific injuries When ambulance officers carried a 13-year-old hit-run victim into the resuscitation room of the UN Military Hospital in Dili last month, the RAN's medical recuscitation team was stunned by the extent of her injuries.

		Malu Baizam faces explosive situation The patrol launch MALU BAIZAM and her ship's company may be arguably the smallest unit in the Royal Australian Navy but in recent weeks it has been doing some good work.

		MC calls for shore time Naval management is under an obligation to provide 'shore respite' to its officers and sailors, the Maritime Commander, RADM Geoff Smith said. The provision of 'shore respite' is one way of lessening the resignation of vital members from the RAN, he said.

		CN set to launch the greatest show on water The biggest international naval review since the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) 1988 bicentenary celebrations will be launched on Friday, July 27. The Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton, will launch the Centenary of Federation Naval Review (October 2-8) at Sydney's Fleet Base East.

		Navy divers plunge into Army course A group of 30 clearance divers have taken to the Army way of life for a two-week course on operational survivability during beach reconnaissance tasks. Called the Clearance Diver Infantry Minor Tactics Course, the 30 members of Australian Clearance Diving teams One and Four found themselves...

		Mixed results for ADF poll Change impacts on attitude. A high proportion of the Defence population has reacted negatively to change. Many say there have been lots of surveys recently but nothing ever seems to be done with the results.

		Cerberus gets full house 30 per cent lift in recruit numbers. For the first time in years the RAN's principal junior recruit training centre, HMAS CERBERUS, is filled to capacity. The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence told of the 'full house' when revealing there had been a rapid rise in Defence recruiting.

		Hawke warns of cyber war Defence against cyber warfare and other forms of attack, rather than an armed invader, must be the ADF's vision for the 21st century, Secretary of Defence, Dr Allan Hawke told the Leadership Conference in his keynote address. "You'll recall our mission was the prevention or defeat of..."

		RAN builds more bang for buck shopping list The Royal Australian Navy has a very serious 'shopping list' when it comes to future acquisitions, the Navy's primary 'shoppers' RADM Kevin Scarce and CDRE Tony Flint, told the Leadership Conference.

		Meet 'Miss Integrity'....and, well...'Miss Integrity' Our picture from NIU/East's photographer AB Phillip Hunt shows a double image of SBLT Jodie Wilkinson. Jodie, 28, features in the 'integrity' poster which now makes up part the RAN's new branding campaign.

		CN hears from the floor One person who did a lot of 'mingling' during the Leadership Conference in Sydney, was the Chief of Navy himself. When not presenting or listening to others, VADM David Shackleton was seen walking and talking to delegates to the two day conference.

		Pride is as strong as ever The Royal Australian Navy will get 29 new ships in the next 'decade and a bit', the Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton reminded delegates during his final summation to the Leadership Conference. After thanking those who had made the conference possible he reminded the 500 present that...

		ADF visionary and former Chief of Naval staff Naval personnel from Canberra, its surrounds and well beyond stopped as one to pay respects to the late ADML Sir Anthony Synnot, KBE, AO at a funeral at the ANZAC Memorial Chapel of St Paul at RMC Duntroon on July 12. Many hundreds of mourners from all three services helped provide a...

		Historical Highlights - Booze on board The consumption of alcohol on board naval ships seems to be a British Navy custom which has been inherited by its daughter navies: those of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and perhaps the Indian Navy too, as well as those of other smaller nations. The USN, by comparison, does not drink alcohol...

		And then there were three For years, Neil Roberts and Col Whitfield thought they were the only two living survivors from the depot ship Kuttabul sunk by a Japanese torpedo in Sydney Harbour on June 1, 1942. That was until a couple of weeks ago...

		Letters to the Editor Decommissioned, HMAS Sydney II coin, Island grave search, You tell us, Navy Review, Thumbs up, No web worries, Underwater brickbat...

		Weakened Warriors fall to students Ravaged by illness, the ASRU Warriors fell victim to a rampant Australian Universities XV at Bruce Stadium in Canberra in the annual battle for the Weary Dunlop Trophy. More than half of the Warriors had been or were still suffering from a virus contracted during their training camp at RMC...

		Adventure on the high sea Northsail 2001 a success. Following the excitement of the lead-up to, then participating in Northsail, sadly it is now over, at least for another year. From all accounts, Northsail 2001 was a highly successful adventurous training expedition that involved two 11-metre yachts, Lady Penryhn and Alexander.

		KART MAN - Flying by the seat of his pants Flying by the seat of your pants is one thing, but for POCSSAC Frank Graham, driving with your pants just centimetres off the tarmac is another all together. Frank, a combat systems supervisor in Canberra, has taken to the thrill of racing sprint karts and will contest the ACT and NSW titles in...

		HMAS WORT