Kings still WORTHY
In a major show of support for Navy aviation, the Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson flew by Sea King Shark 22 to visit HMAS Albatross on February 23.


Name game continues
The two latest Armidale Class Patrol Boats have been named at Austal’s Henderson ship yard near Fremantle.


Tears and Cheers
A river of tears shed by emotional family and friends is carrying HMAS Ballarat (CMDR Malcolm Wise) and her ship’s company to her first deployment to the Persian Gulf where she will replace HMAS Parramatta (CMDR John Mead) as the RAN’s contribution to maritime security operations.


Dear diary on development
A new ADF Operational Deployment Diary has been produced to provide a greater level of support to deploying members and their families.

Warm wishes as service turns 105
The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Billson, together with the Chief of Navy, VADM Russ Shalders, AO, CSC, RAN congratulated all members and ex-serving members of the RAN on the occasion of the service’s 105th anniversary on March 1.

Senior Sea Change made
Sea change
The Chief of Navy, VADM Russ Shalders, AO, CSC, RAN, has recently appointed CDRE Clint Thomas as the new head of the Sea Change Implementation Team (SCIT).

Franks and fearless feedback
Sea change
The Navy has sought frank and honest feedback from sailors and officers in response to a review of ADF recruitment and retention.

Briefs

Sheean's cup fever
Navy personnel of the Silent Service are a daring breed and their professionalism and dedication to duty was recognised when a submarine was awarded the Duke of Gloucester Cup for the second consecutive year.

Arunta drifts far from port
Three personnel from HMAS Arunta have ventured to the heart of the Red Centre to win the hearts and minds of the local people who inhabit the ship’s adopted home port.

WWWII reserve heroes honoured
The Royal Australian Navy Band has saluted the daring and bravery of a group of WWII Naval Reserve special forces personnel who took part in Operation Rimau.

More leave for mums-to-be
Service women will now receive an extra two weeks maternity leave (MATL) following a decision by Defence to boost the entitlement from 12 to 14 weeks.

Rwanda service reclassified
Six hundred and thirty eight ADF personnel, who served in Rwanda in two rotations from 1994 to 1995, will have their service recognised as warlike following a review by Defence and a decision by the Government.

Tassie welcomes a taste of Navy
The arrival of HMA Ships Sydney, Stuart and Success heralded the start of Hobart’s Navy Week on February 9.

Centre given extra status
DSTO’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Defence Centre (CBRNDC) has been upgraded to the status of a division.

Young Gulf guns
HMAS Parramatta
“The strong culture, values and spirit in this ship’s company is like nothing I’ve seen in my career,” said the XO of HMAS Parramatta, LCDR Justin Jones, while on task in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Catalyst.

Talking Points