TROUBLED WATERS
In response to a request from the East Timorese Government, the Royal Australian Navy has deployed the largest amphibious task force in its history

Watson taken to hospital
The CO and members of the ship’s company of HMAS Watson recently visited the Children’s Hospital at Randwick to spend some time with the sick children and present a cheque for $1,100.


Asbestos risk rated low
An assessment has found that Navy personnel who used the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) facility at Holsworthy Barracks were at a low-level of risk exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.


Have your say on the WRA
Briefings on the next ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA) are to be held according to the schedule below.


Joining the hunt
HMAS Gascoyne had to thank a “friendly foe” in HMAS Wewak for its recent rapid and successful transformation from an MHC to a patrol boat destined to lend support to Operation Cranberry in intercepting foreign fishing vessels in our northern waters.

New division sets crews on the attack -Sea change
The first Division of the Armidale Class Patrol Boats (ACPB) Attack Division has been inaugurated and celebrated at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin. The new division’s motto is “Never Waver”.

LHDs reach new stage
The RAN’s requirement for two Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Amphibious ships has taken an important step with a request for tender issued to two Australian-led defence consortiums.

Recruits taste some sea life
Eleven potential recruits got a taste of life in the Navy when they visited Garden Island in Sydney on May 9.

Darwin visitors keep Wadeye open
Indigenous members of the NT’s remote Wadeye community enjoyed a rare experience in taking a first-hand look onboard HMA ships Mermaid and Dubbo when they visited HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin recently. .

Huons reactivated
Two Huon Class Coastal Mine Hunters, HMAS Huon and HMAS Hawkesbury, will be given new leases on life in order to bolster the fight against the armada of Foreign Fishing Vessels (FFVs) plundering Australia’s maritime resources.

Billboard

Helo to 10,000 hours
Flying in formation at night over Bass Strait in the single engine Wessex 31B on an a training mission using cyalume sticks for references is just one of the many challenges 817 SQN Sea King pilot LCDR Paul ‘Tanzi’ Lea has overcome in reaching the extraordinary milestone of 10,000 flying hours.

Top awards recognise Navy’s best
Bravery and dedication to duty takes many forms and this was evident when five RAN officers and sailors received medals and decorations from Her Excellency Professor Marie Basher AC, Governor of NSW.

Cadets get hands-on sea-ride
More than 30 ADF Cadets from the Illawarra region recently participated in a full day’s sea-ride onboard HMAS Leeuwin.

Unlocking secrets
The little known story of the important role played by an Australian Navy officer in breaking Japanese codes before and during World War II is revealed in a new book that charts the development of the Defence signals intelligence bureau.

The kindest cut of all
CUT ABOVE: Sailors from HMAS Stirling were in a charitable mood when they shaved their heads for the World’s Greatest Shave.