IRAQ BOUND
With calls of “wave to Daddy and throw him a kiss”, some 400 family members and friends farewelled HMAS Manoora when she sailed for The Gulf.
The amphibious transport with 260 sailors and soldiers on board under the command of CMDR Martin Brooker, cast off from the Oil Wharf at Fleet Base East on May 12.

Navsafe 03
“Commanding Officers today have responsibility for OHS in their ships and establishments, yet in many cases have no direct control over the infrastructure and maintenance that goes into them...we are constantly seeking clearer lines of responsibility.” RADM Rowan Moffitt.


Educational multimedia package released
Following hard on the heels of the parliamentary release CDF, GEN Peter Cosgrove and HPACC Jenny McKenry launched Defence 2020 Protecting Australia’s People and Places to an appreciative audience in Canberra.


Reserves target structural stability
The reforms to Reserve employment have been moving along for some time now. The aim is to build an integrated workforce, in which the processes for Reserves employment are aligned as closely as possible to those for the Permanent Navy (PN).


Bertie scores his first century
Former RAN sailor Bert Lockwood, a veteran of both world wars, celebrated his 100th birthday on April 2nd. A party marked the occasion for 60 friends and relatives at the Surfers Paradise RSL Club, with a Guard of Honour supplied by Reserve Battery 41.


817 judged best
Maritime Commander RADM Ray-don Gates has warned the personnel of 817 Squadron that a busy year lies ahead in the wake of the conflict in Iraq.

Help in career transition
The white paper, Defence 2000, Our Future Defence Force, recognised that people are capability.
The importance of retaining skilled and experienced people as a means to maintain and improve capability was realised.


Westralia, Success rock through RAS
Late last month a quiet metamorphosis took place in the Auxiliary Afloat Support world. Originally tasked to assume Op Relex II duties on April 21 HMAS Westralia (CMDR John Alexander) was heavily committed to FAMP 17 and unlikely to be within the AO by May 2. The solution was simple and a success — HMAS Success (CMDR John Connor).


Westralia has a middy – or two
HMAS Westralia (CMDR John Alexander) recently welcomed two new additions to their Officer of the Day watchbill, with MIDNs Templeton and MacGregor receiving their Harbour Watch Keeping Certificates.

Budget 2003
The 2003/04 budget released on May13 increased defence spending, by $1.1 billion, to $15.8 billion for financial year 2003/04. The Defence White Paper Maritime Forces Goal will be met now and in the future through a number of activities.

Kanimbla’s team keeps birdies aloft
There is no doubt that HMAS Kanimbla (CMDR David McCourt) has made an impressive contribution to Gulf operations. The ship’s Aviation Department has worked tirelessly throughout Op Falconer and has notched up some mean statistics.


Wollongong hosts major hydrography conference
The Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) hosted the fifth conference of the South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission (SWPHC) at its Wollongong office in April this year.

OMAS puts Navy in predictive picture
The Department of Defence, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) are in the process of signing a memorandum of understanding to develop the Ocean Modelling and Analysis System (OMAS) on a cost-sharing basis.


Steaming home Darwin pauses to remember
May 4 was the first anniversary of the loss at sea, off Christmas Island, of LSET Cameron Gurr. As HMAS Darwin steamed slowly east, Officers and sailors paused and reflected, as they watched a wreath laid in remembrance of LSET Gurr, disappear into the setting sun’s reflection on the water.


Bali wounded maintain contact
My involvement in the Bali Bombings was reported in Navy News of October 24, 2002. My posting to HQNORCOM at that time as the Health Operations Officer required me to liaise with the RAAF in the Base Command Post at RAAF Base Darwin during this crisis.


New facility for junior rates opens
At 18 years of age and a recently rated Ordinary Seaman at his death, Teddy Sheean is one of the most famous of the Royal Australian Navy’s war heroes. When Japanese torpedo bombers sank HMAS Armidale in 1942, 40 of her crew of 83 lost their lives.
Sheean kept his gun firing even as Armidale slipped beneath the waves.


Crikey a byword for friendship
Crikey! What is the CTG up to?
Before leaving for Australia CAPT Peter Jones, the former Commander Task Group (CTG) 633.1, said farewell to USS Milius by putting on an Aussie barbecue for the 280 crew of the Arleigh Burke destroyer that had been home to the members of the CTG’s staff for the past two months.


Albert Park under attack
The launch of the 21st annual Australian Defence Force (ADF) Lake Attack tookplace around Melbourne’s Albert Park Lake last month, with some ‘huff and puff’ by the Lake Attack organisers and their major sponsor, ADI. And ADI management made sure the Lake Attack organisers had to work for their sponsorship money.


JB's sisters in service
Two Australian built warships have the Stars and Stripes streaming from their mastheads.