Coral Sea battle remembered The Battle of the Coral Sea in early May 1942 checked the relentless southern advance of Japan. Though technically a defeat, US and Australian naval forces diverted the Japanese from their strategic objective of Port Moresby. As a result the Japanese were forced to attack overland where they were held by Australian troops on the Kokoda Track and Milne Bay. One month after the Battle of the Coral Sea, US naval forces won a crushing victory over Japan in the Battle of Midway. But the Allied efforts in the Coral Sea began the turning of the tide.

US veteran honours the fallen James Grizzell Jnr was a 19-year-old “buck private” in the US Marine Corps when Japanese bombers attacked his ship, the carrier USS Lexington in what was to become known as the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Townsville wins hearts HMAS Townsville (LCDR Andrew Hawke) won the hearts of residents in their namesake city during a farewell port visit late last month.

Success lives up to its name HMAS Success (CMDR A.R. Davis, RAN) may have set another record in her loyal and faithful 21 years service to the RAN.

Ipswich says goodbye to namesake city More than 8,000 people lined the streets of Ipswich late last month to farewell “their warship”, the patrol boat HMAS Ipswich and to welcome their “new” ship.

Twenty-one years of service HMAS Success celebrated her 21st birthday on April 23 at sea.

Navy cadets win CDF challenge The Chief of Defence Force Cadet Challenge, held in Canberra in April, was always going to be a big ask.

Budget boost for ADF An extra $14 billion has been allocated over 10 years to the ADF in this year’s Budget to build a better equipped, more mobile and operationally ready Defence Force.

New life skills program launched at Albatross Even the rain couldn’t wipe the smiles from the faces of the Shoalhaven Navy cadets as they lined up at the launch an exciting and innovative program at HMAS Albatross on April 28.

Facelift for Cairns HMAS Cairns will undergo a $45 million redevelopment as a result of Budget allocations to the Navy.

Old salts keep Balik on course After a well-deserved Christmas break, the oldest girl in the fleet HMAS Balikpapan – sporting a new commanding officer and six new crew members – sailed on February 14 to conduct a number of training exercises in preparation for deployment.

Sea Change gets $87m Enhanced Fleet Support is one of the initiatives expected to be achieved under the $87 million Budget allocation to Navy Sea Change programs.

Adelaide helps stricken vessel While conducting exercises in the South China Sea with the Republic of Singapore Navy this month, HMAS Adelaide responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel, MV Padova.

Rear Admiral takes lead in SA A former RAN Rear Admiral will be South Australia’s next Governor. Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce will take up the job on August 8. He replaces Marjorie Jackson-Nelson who will retire in July.

Manoora honours 40 years at sea When CPO Bruce Dougan joined the Navy 40 years ago in March 1967, he had no idea he would travel the world and go on picnics with royalty.

Retention bonus scheme targets skills Navy has implemented a new Retention Bonus Scheme, known as Individual Retention Bonuses (IRB) targeting individuals and positions where the loss of skills, or not filling a high priority position, will have a negative impact on capability, training or operations.

Emphasis on mental health CDF ACM Angus Houston has refuted recent media criticism of the level of care Defence affords returned soldiers from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.