Pte Tom Woolf Pte Tom EditionEdition 12671267 SeptemberS mber 15, 15 2011 PPRIDERIDE OOFF THETHE NNORTHORTH NT soldiers welcomed home with a parade through Darwin after a busy year of operations FULL STORY PAGE 5 Mates: LCpl Scott Tampalini pushes Cpl Eamon NNTT mmemorialsemorials Donaghue through the streets of Darwin during hhonouronour ffallenallen the welcome home parade. PPagesages 224-254-25 Photo by LS Andrew Dakin RANDOM BREATH TESTS P3 « EX GOLD EAGLE CENTRE « COMBINED ARMS TRAINING P22-23 2 NEWS Army September 15, 2011 Pte Matthew The Soldiers’ Soldiers’ Newspaper Director Lambert David Edlington: (02) 6265 4650 EDITORIAL Acting Editor farewelled John Wellfare: (02) 6266 7609 FALLEN digger Pte Matthew Lambert was Deputy Editor Sharon Palmer: (02) 6266 7615 farewelled by family and friends in a private funeral in Queensland on September 5. Chief of Staff Pte Lambert, killed by an IED while on patrol Graham McBean: (02) 6265 1161 in Afghanistan on August 22, arrived in Australia Reporters on August 29 and was returned to his family in a Sgt Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614 repatriation ceremony at RAAF Base Amberley. Cpl Zenith King: (02) 6265 2151 His flag-draped casket was carried from LCpl Mark Doran: (02) 6265 1304 a C-17 through a 2RAR honour guard dur- Cpl Melanie Schinkel: (02) 6265 2427 ing the ramp ceremony, where CA Lt-Gen Spr Nick Wiseman: (02) 6265 4140 David Morrison posthumously presented him Cfn Max Bree: Sydney (02) 9359 2498 with the Australian Active Service Medal with Sydney photographer: International Coalition Against Terrorism clasp, Bill Cunneen: 0402 155 220 the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO NOTE: The best person to contact if you Medal with International Security Assistance have a story idea is the Chief of Staff Force clasp and the Infantry Combat Badge. “As we gather here to mark the return of this CONTACT US fine young Australian soldier, we remember the Email: [email protected] courage, initiative and mateship that Pte Matthew Fax: (02) 6265 6690 Lambert displayed to all whom he met,” Lt-Gen Mail: The Editor, Army, R8-LG-044, PO Box Morrison said. 7909, Department of Defence, ACT, 2600 “Pte Lambert’s ultimate sacrifice to this Website: www.defence.gov.au/news/ country will be felt by his family, friends and his armynews Men in black: The newly approved ASM with CT/SR clasp (inset) will recognise Army family, and we will remember him as a true personnel who have served in an online TAG for at least 60 continuous days. Australian soldier.” ADVERTISING Main photo by Cpl Chris Moore Manager Tim Asher: (07) 3332 7651 or 0414 552 667 Email: [email protected] IED blast wounds SUBSCRIPTIONS digger in Uruzgan Phone: (02) 6266 7607 Recognition Email: [email protected] A HELICOPTER evacuated an MTF 3 soldier wounded when the Bushmaster he was travel- DISCLAIMER ling in struck an improvised explosive device Army is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence News. It is printed in Afghanistan on September 6. under contract by Capital Fine Print. The The Deputy Commander of Combined Team material published is selected for its inter- – Uruzgan, Col David Smith, said the soldier was for CT effort on a partnered MTF 3 and Afghan 6th Infantry est. The views expressed in published arti- cles are not necessarily those of Defence Kandak security patrol in the Char Chineh or Army. Every advertisement is subject to PRESENTATIONS of the award provided for service District in western Uruzgan province. Directorate of Defence News approval and newly struck Australian DID YOU SERVE? in an online Tactical Assault “The soldiers were coming under fire from the Directorate of Defence News may, at its Group (TAG) since its incep- insurgents when an IED detonated, with the blast discretion, refuse to accept an advertise- Service Medal (ASM) with The counter-terrorism tion in 1980 (or the Interim striking one of the patrol’s PMVs,” Col Smith ment. The Directorate accepts no respon- clasp Counter Terrorist and and special recovery capa- TAG in 1979) was to be rec- said. sibility or liability in relation to any loss due Special Recovery (CT/SR) bility was first raised in The wounded soldier was in a satisfacto- to the failure of an advertisement to appear ognised by the award of the have commenced. 1979 within the SASR. ry condition at the Role 3 Medical Facility at or if it appears in a form which is not in ASM with clasp CT/SR. More than 2000 of the new The raising of a second Kandahar. accordance with the instructions received Personnel must have clasps were struck and are Tactical Assault Group Meanwhile, two other MTF 3 personnel and by the Directorate of Defence News. The served in the online TAG for a available for people to apply (TAG East) based on 4RAR fact that an advertisement is accepted for minimum of 60 days continu- a Special Forces soldier were also wounded in where they believe they have (Cdo) in 1997 enhanced publication does not mean that the product ously. This includes members recent incidents. the capability significantly. or service has the endorsement of the an entitlement for the award. of the regimental command The Special Forces soldier suffered minor This element of the capabil- Department of Defence or Army. The medal was recom- element and other specialists wounds during a partnered cordon and search mended by the Defence ity now resides with 2 Cdo such as signallers and intel- mission targeting insurgent-laid IEDs in Tarin Regt. Honours and Awards Tribunal ligence staff. Kot on August 23. He returned to duty after Army online last year to recognise the Support from specialist receiving medical treatment. members of the ADF such Other specialist members counter terrorism and special of the ADF, such as special The two MTF 3 soldiers suffered the cumula- http://www.army.gov.au recovery capability, which as the Navy Clearance Diver trade and aviation operations aviation personnel tive effects of four separate IED strikes between was first raised in 1979 in the elements has been impor- in support of the TAG, may July 19 and August 24. They presented for treat- http://www.facebook.com/ SASR. tant for the capability. also receive the medal but ment after August 24. TheAustralianArmy The government accepted only if they meet the require- HQJOC’s Director of Health, Gp-Capt Karen the recommendations and ment to serve continuously Leshinskas, said the delay was common for sol- http://www.twitter.com/ Governor-General Quentin the ASM CT/SR was a fitting online for 60 days. diers suffering mild traumatic brain injury as a AustralianArmy Bryce endorsed the award on reward for the people who first result of multiple IED blasts. March 24. raised the capability and main- More information and the applica- An individual with mild traumatic brain injury http://www.youtube.com/ADFMedia Socomd Projects Officer tained it over many years. tion form (AD807) are available at may be dazed, confused or lose consciousness. Lt-Col David Gunning said He said criteria for the http://www.defence.gov.au/medals. Most cases recover fully within 7-10 days. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ AustralianArmy Charges against SOTG members withdrawn Face of Army THE Director of Military Prosecu- a fair trial and that the integrity of the tions formally applied to the Judge military legal process was preserved,” Advocate on August 29 to with- he said. draw charges against a third ADF “The ADF has a reputation for member involved in an incident in being a highly disciplined and pro- Afghanistan on February 12, 2009. fessional force. In order to maintain The Judge Advocate gave leave for this reputation, it is important that all the withdrawal of the charge sheet, incidents leading to a civilian casualty concluding the proceedings. are investigated thoroughly, compre- Legal processes as a result of the hensively and transparently.” charges brought by the Director of On February 12, 2009, SOTG Military Prosecutions in relation to the members conducted a compound incident involving three ADF person- clearance in Uruzgan province in nel have now concluded. which six Afghans were killed and CDF Gen David Hurley said the four wounded. legal processes adhered to were inde- The operation was the subject of an pendent of the chain of command. investigation, which led to the Director Fired up: Pte Tom Woolf, Admin Coy 1RAR, “Defence was committed to of Military Prosecutions charging supplied more than 2500 litres of fuel to the ensuring a proper legal process was three ADF personnel with alleged ser- Legal process: Three SOTG members were charged in unit’s vehicles during 3 Bde’s Combined Arms observed throughout this matter so vices offences and referred the charges relation to a civilian casualty incident in Afghanistan on Training Activity. Photo by Maj Al Green that the individuals charged received for trial by general courts martial. February 12, 2009. The charges have now been withdrawn. Army September 15, 2011 NEWS 3 Deployed troops are MPs gain top priority: Secretary OPERATIONALLY deployed person- nel must “always be front of mind” for Defence, according to new Secretary Duncan Lewis. Mr Lewis, a former Special Forces commander, took up his appointment as Secretary of Defence on September 5. breath test He identified the support of deployed members as a top priority. Other priorities included maintaining Defence’s reform agenda. “I know each of you do a tremendous job keeping our nation safe and I look for- ward to working with you,” he said. “I am entirely committed to work- capability ing in close partnership with the CDF to ensure the best outcomes for the organisa- tion and I am determined to take Defence By Sgt Andrew Hetherington forward with the reform programs A NEW Chief of Army directive announced by the government.” enables military police to conduct He is committed to the Strategic roadside random breath testing Reform Program and to implementing the (RBT) of Army personnel.