Shots are Safe
The Deputy Chief of Navy, RADM Rowan Moffitt, has reaffirmed that anthrax vaccinations had caused no unexpected side effects among Navy personnel deployed to The Gulf last year.

Shape of things to come
An agreement promoting cooperation between the RAN and the United States Navy in all aspects of maritime surface warfare has been signed.


Specialists to get super payment
Specialist Australian Defence Force personnel will get a bigger payment when they retire following the Government’s decision to pay superannuation on specified elements of their allowances.


Briefs


Roaring up north QLD coast
More than 500 ADF personnel have converged on Cowley Beach, north of Townsville for the first amphibious training exercise of the year, Exercise Sea Lion.


Head-to-head battle in Tasmanex
More than 2000 sailors, soldiers and airmen from two nations have been put to the test in Tasmanex 2004.

Hundreds tested under new program
Several hundred RAN personnel have been randomly tested for alcohol under the Navy’s new Safe Spirit program.


One ride worth winning
A father and son who won a charity auction prize, a ride in an Australian warship, took their prize last month spending a day in HMAS Canberra (CMDR Stuart Mayer) off the NSW coast.


From Walgett to the sea
The Royal Australian Navy played host to nine young boys who live far from the sea when a group of Walgett youths sailed aboard HMAS Canberra (CMDR Stuart Mayer) to Jervis Bay earlier this month.

Report card on Iraq conflict
The Chief of the Defence Force, GEN Peter Cosgrove, has identified the need to improve the “automation” of the supply of logistics, that is to be able to track stores, as a Defence priority.

Stuart bound for The Gulf
Australian Defence personnel deployed to The Gulf will rise from the present 850 to “just over 900”, Commander Australian Theatre, RADM Mark Bonser said.

Melbourne calls into Kuwait
HMAS Melbourne, commanded by CMDR Vern Dutschke, recently turned heads as the first Royal Australian Navy ship to visit the Kuwait Naval Base, as well as the largest warship to berth alongside in the port.

Cairns produces sea of white
Watched by civic leaders, family members and friends, more than 200 officers and sailors attached to HMAS Cairns and the ships home ported there, participated in Divisions late last month.

Top gong goes to Wollongong
Patrol boat HMAS Wollongong, the Kelly Shield winner for 2003, formed the backdrop for ceremonial Divisions at the Darwin Naval Base last month.


Safe passage in Solomons
The urgent need to re-chart a vital 100m wide narrows and a lagoon where the navigation markers had been felled, has seen a three-person team of hydrographic specialists from Wollongong, work in the Solomon Islands.

Balikpapan generates goodwill
Police escort duties, the resupply of far outposts and village visits were all part of HMAS Balikpapan’s (LCDR Neal Greene) second deployment to the Solomon Islands.

Warm welcome for Geraldton
The ship’s company of patrol boat, HMAS Geraldton, received a warm welcome home to Darwin late last month.


High drama for Bunbury
The master of an apprehended fishing boat was found semi conscious on his craft and transferred to the Australian patrol boat HMAS Bunbury (LCDR Andy Schroder) for treatment in a 3am high seas drama last month.

Bulletin Board