Reality TV sets sail
It was lights, cameras, and plenty of action for the ships company of HMAS Rankin as the Navy’s newest submarine set sail for its first major deployment last month.


Tartan Terror to the rescue
Australia’s HMAS Stuart has gone to the aid of seven sailors after a sea-borne attack on an off-shore oil terminal near Basra in the northern Persian Gulf.


Pay increase on the way under WRA
All permanent and Reserve personnel can look forward to a 2.5 per cent pay rise on May 20.


Mission over, melbourne
The RAN’s 4,100 tonne frigate HMAS Melbourne returned home safely late last month completing her fourth deployment to The Gulf.


Gulf veteran at the age of 21
Able Seaman Melissa White is definitely a Gulf veteran. Still aged just 21, she proudly wears the Australian Active Service Medal with Bar on her uniform.

BRIEFS

Medals to reach 10,000
About 10,000 ADF personnel will be eligible for new medals to be awarded for service in the Afghanistan and Iraq campaigns against terrorism.

Footy star's steely career
Any Aussie Rules football fan will tell you big Micky Martyn used to play with iron-willed determination and that famous steely glint in his eye.

Blast from the past
A member of the RAN band gained a special place in history when she played a WWI-vintage bugle during Anzac Day ceremonies at Gallipoli last month.

Anzac Day, Iraqi style
Anzac Day in Iraq saw Australian sailors, soldiers and airmen and women gather to pause and pay tribute at services around the country.

Grand farewell for CO
Special After a career in the RAN spanning 38 years, LCDR Frank Ostrowski leaves his Command at FIMA Darwin and farewells the Navy.


Sea Sparrows find a new nest
Any “bogey” putting HMAS Sydney (CMDR Peter Quinn) under threat could well see the hatches on eight silos on her foredeck open and the first of up to 32 Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles roar upwards in their direction.


Parra says hello helo
The RAN’s plan to put a Super Seasprite helicopter on each of its eight ANZAC Class frigates moved a step closer last month when HMAS Parramatta left Sydney with a Seasprite in her hangar.


Overcoming the odds
LEUT Robert Ratkovic has won the 2003 Chris Beer Award for outstanding achievements and dedication to submarine training in the face of hardship.

Bulletin Board
Notices on various Navy events.

Walkway improved after SOS
One of the most solemn yet beautiful war memorials in Australia is arguably the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway on the banks of the Parramatta River at Rhodes.

Great phot will be missed
RAN photographer, and the longest- serving Aboriginal member of the Service, PO Bill McBride died suddenly on April 14.

Ex-sailor's sad passing
Sadly, I was recently informed that ex-LSMS Jonathan “Johnny” Noel Gageler had passed away, at the age of 32, in Tokyo, Japan, whilst on a photographic assignment.