NORFORCE soldiers receive Operational Service Medals 1 Fifteen NORFORCE* soldiers have been presented the Operational Service Medal for their service on long-range patrols in northern , as part of Operation RESOLUTE. Operation RESOLUTE is the ’s (ADF) contribution to the whole-of-government effort to protect Australia’s borders and offshore maritime interests Formed in 1981, NORFORCE is one of three Regional Force Surveillance Units (RFSUs) employed in the surveillance and reconnaissance of the remote areas of northern Australia, and its coastline. In the unlikely event of the invasion of northern Australia, NORFORCE and the other RFSUs would operate in a ‘stay behind’ capacity. 2 Receiving their medal at a parade in Darwin on Sunday 7 July 2013, the soldiers are the first of 29 NORFORCE personnel, awarded the medal. The Minister for Defence, Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, joined the Unit’s Honorary Colonel and Administrator of the , the Honourable Sally Thomas AM, at the presentation ceremony which marked the 32nd anniversary of the raising of NORFORCE. 3 “Since its formation in 1981, the men and women of the North West Mobile Force have played a crucial role in Australia’s multi-agency border protection activities,” Mr Snowdon said. According to the minister, many of NORFORCE’s soldiers come from remote communities in the region, and Australia relies on their local knowledge and contacts to keep our borders secure. As many soldiers patrol the areas where they are from, a great trust has developed between this regiment and remote Aboriginal communities. ”Today we recognise and thank them for their valuable contribution to Australia’s border security, with this award providing appropriate recognition to all those officers patrolling in often difficult conditions.” he said. 4 Currently, the infantry regiment is based at Barracks in Darwin, but its area of operations covers 1.8 million square kilometres, encompassing the entire Northern Territory and Kimberley region of Western Australia; the largest of any military unit in the world today. As the primary role of the regiment is reconnaissance, observation, and collection of military intelligence, the Unit patch uses a frilled-neck lizard to identify the regiment. According to former Commanding Officer, like a frilled-neck lizard, soldiers in NORFORCE move quickly from position to position; always have their heads up looking out; but when cornered become extremely aggressive. 5 NORFORCE’s current Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Paul O’Donnell, said he was very proud that NORFORCE soldiers were among the first personnel to receive the Operational Service Medal. The Operational Service Medal was approved in 2012 and is awarded to Defence personnel who take part in operations considered worthy of special recognition. Adaptation courtesy of http://www.army.gov.au/Our-work/News-and-media/NORFORCE-soldiers-receive-Operational- Service-Medals accessed on 22 Jul 2013 * NORFORCE = The North-West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) is an infantry regiment of the ; Australian Aboriginal or indigenous soldiers make up 60% of NORFORCE

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