Defence opening statement by VADM Michael Noonan AO, RAN Good afternoon Chair and Tribunal members. I am Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, representing the Department of Defence. I would like to provide a short opening statement to the Tribunal before accepting…

The article in today’s Australian (Near-tragic boat blaze ignites urgent safety, training review, P7) does not accurately reflect the circumstances of the incident, and fails to properly acknowledge the continuous improvement process which our Navy people continually undertake to ensure the safety…

On 19 December 2018, Defence completed a cull of feral horses in the Singleton Training Area, in accordance with environmental policy and relevant codes of practice. Wild horses are considered feral animals due to the environmental damage they cause and the threat they pose to native flora and…

HMAS Choules has farewelled Port Vila, Vanuatu following four days of bilateral training and engagements. The ship was welcomed on 11 March 2019 with a guard of honour from the Vanuatu Mobile Force and the music of the Vanuatu Police Force Band.  Traditional Futuna Tribesmen also…

Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat has seized two tonnes of hashish worth approximately $100 million* in street value during a boarding operation on 28 February 2019. The boarding was conducted in international waters by the Combined Task Force 150 under the direction of the Combined…

The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO has announced that Army will host the Chief of Army’s Land Forces Seminar (CALFS) 2020 in Brisbane.  CALFS is hosted alongside the Land Forces 2020 event, which is presented in partnership with Industry Defence and Security…

[T]oday I'd like to inform you of Australia's possible involvement in a civilian casualty event that occurred in Iraq in 2017. Tomorrow, the Coalition will issue its monthly statement updating the status of its investigations into civilian casualty allegations. Today's media briefing therefore is…

One of the remaining maritime mysteries of World War II may soon be solved, thanks to a joint operation between the Royal Australian Navy and the Sri Lankan Navy. Nine sailors died when the destroyer HMAS Vampire sank after enduring an intensive Japanese air attack off the Sri Lankan coast. The…

The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Choules arrived in Honiara today for a three-day visit to train with, and deliver stores for, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in advance of the national general elections in April. Australian Defence Force personnel from all Services have deployed on…

Celebrations for the Australian Army’s 118th birthday commenced today with Australia’s Governor-General, His Excellency General the Hon Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC (Retd) and Victoria Cross recipient Corporal Dan Keighran, VC, presenting the Australian Army with a new Army Banner on behalf of the…

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has transitioned from all operations in flood-affected north-west Queensland, to ongoing support now being managed by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority in conjunction with the Queensland State Recovery Coordinator. The ADF Joint Task Force 646, comprising…

Defence is continuing to learn valuable lessons in developing spacecraft systems tailored to Australian needs. Under our current space program, an Australian miniature satellite, developed by the University of New South Wales Canberra under a research agreement with the Royal Australian Air Force,…

Response to the Daily Telegraph 23 February 19 article – Defence sex crime claims are rocketing Unacceptable behaviour is not tolerated in Defence. When it does occur, action is taken. Defence wants an organisation free from the impacts of sexual misconduct. Defence continues reforming its culture…

The Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC, today officially welcomed the Australian Defence Force Academy’s newest members during the annual Chief of the Defence Force Parade.  The Parade is an important tradition marking the successful transition from being a civilian,…

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed 16 aircraft and over 450 personnel to participate in Exercise Cope North in Guam. The exercise focuses on interoperability with Australia’s counterparts from the United States and Japan.  Exercise Cope North, held from 18 February to 8 March…

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed three-weeks of intensive training during Exercise Red Flag Nellis 19-1 in Nevada, United States. RAAF deployed with six F/A-18A Hornets, one E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, one AP-3C (Electronic Warfare) Orion aircraft, and up to 370 personnel.  The…

The Department of Defence wishes to correct the record with respect to advice given to a media outlet on 13 February 2019. The Department indicated to a media outlet that "@Fight_DAESH is the single official Australian Government social media account seeking to discredit Daesh propaganda." …

Defence has only acquired land from willing sellers as part of the Australian-Singapore Military Training Initiative. Defence will only seek to acquire land from willing sellers. Land acquisition is well advanced and Defence continues to negotiate with willing sellers in the Shoalwater Bay Area.…

Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat has seized more than 2.1 tonnes of hashish and 345 kilograms of heroin in two boarding operations in the Arabian Sea.   The narcotics seizures, worth approximately $105 million* and $103.5 million* respectively, took place on 28 and 29 January 2019…

Defence can confirm that an Australian airstrike or nearby Coalition airstrikes in the Al Shafaar neighbourhood of Mosul on 13 June 2017 may have caused civilian casualties. An Australian investigation found that it is not possible to determine the number of civilian casualties that occurred as a…

In the jungles of Malaysia, 19 Australian senior executives from private and public organisations will receive a taste of life in the Army Reserve during Exercise Boss Lift 2019. Exercise Boss Lift is a Department of Defence program designed to show employers the training, skills and experience…

The Royal Australian Air Force has deployed more than 370 personnel and eight aircraft to participate in the world’s most complex air warfare training at Exercise RED FLAG Nellis 19-1 in the United States. Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Steve Roberton said there were a number of…

Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC, travelled to Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji and Solomon Islands from 20-25 January 2019.   General Campbell was accompanied by the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, Andrew Colvin APM OAM, Commissioner of the Australian Border…

RAAF Base Williamtown Hawk Lead-In Fighter aircraft will return to the Salt Ash Air Weapons Range (SAAWR) to conduct fighter training for aircrew from Monday, 4 February, 2019. The jets from Number 76 Squadron aircraft have scheduled three weeks of operations on the range from 4-22 February, during…

More than 30 Australian Defence Force (ADF) athletes arrived in Europe ahead of the United Kingdom (UK) Armed Forces Inter-Services Snowsports Championships as part of Exercise Alpine Challenge 2019.  The Exercise will run from 12 January to 10 February 2019 and involves training and…

Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat has seized more than 3.1 tonnes of hashish worth about $155 million* during a boarding operation that took place 8-9 January 2019 in international waters in the Arabian Sea.The fishing vessel, known as a dhow, was believed to be engaged in…

Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat has seized more than 900 kilos of heroin worth approximately $279 million* during two boarding operations that took place 21–23 Dec 18 as part of Operation MANITOU. Ballarat conducted flag verification checks by boarding vessels of…

Defence has completed feral horse population control measures at the Singleton Military Training Area.  The measures were carried out by a FAAST accredited team professionally, swiftly and accurately.  Verification was undertaken throughout the day of 20th December 2018, no injured horses…

The Department of Defence has substantially completed the feral horse population control measures in the Singleton Military Training Area. Further verification will take place in the coming days before the measures are considered finalised.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has helped deliver seasonal cheer to remote Pacific communities through its participation in Operation Christmas Drop 18. The RAAF deployed a C-130J Hercules and crew to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to work alongside American and Japanese counterparts from 5…