The Case for the 4Th Awd Hmas Melbourne (Iv) Sinking

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Case for the 4Th Awd Hmas Melbourne (Iv) Sinking APR-JUN 2013 VOL 75 No2 AUSTRALIAN NAVAL BASES RETURN BRITANNIA MARTIME TERRORISM WHO SANK 1-178? THE CASE FOR THE 4TH AWD SINKING HMAS MELBOURNE (IV) SHIPS THE LCHS - HEAVY LIFTING FOR FOUR DECADES WAR IN THE SOUTHERN LATITUDES $5.95 AUSTRALIA’s LEADING NAVAL MAGAZINE SINCE 1938 INCL. GST Pac2013 Navy mag advert 23/11/12 10:00 AM Page 1 THE COMMERCIAL MARITIME AND NAVAL DEFENCE SHOWCASE FOR THE ASIA PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL MARITIME EXPOSITION 7 - 9 OCTOBER 2013 SYDNEY CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, AUSTRALIA www.pacific2013.com.au in conjunction with 1913 - 2013 SYDNEY HARBOUR, AUSTRALIA www.navy.gov.au/ifr AUSTRALIAN SALES TEAM Bob Wouda T: +61 (0) 3 5282 0538 M: +61 (0) 418 143 290 E: [email protected] Penny Haines T: +61 (0) 3 5282 0535 M: +61 (0) 407 824 400 E: [email protected] Kay McLaglen T: +61 (0) 3 5282 0502 M: +61(0) 417 011 982 E: [email protected] Volume 75 No.2 THE MAGAZINE OF THE NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA FEDERAL COUNCIL SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION Patron in Chief: Her Excellency, Patron: His Excellency, The Governor General. The Governor of South Australia. President: Graham M Harris, RFD President: Dean Watson, RFD Senior Vice-President: Rear Admiral Hon. Secretary: Miss J E Gill 05 THE CASE FOR THE 4TH AWD DG Holthouse, AO, RAN (Rtd) PO Box 3008, Unley, SA 5061 Telephone: (08) 8272 6435 Vice-Presidents: HMAS MELBOURNE (IV) LCDR Roger Blythman, RFD, TASMANIAN DIVISION By Dr Roger Thornhill John Jeremy Patron: CDRE Malcolm Baird RAN (Rtd) Hon. Secretary: Philip Corboy President: Mr Tudor Hardy PO Box 128, Clayfield, Qld 4011 4 Illawarra Road, Perth, Tas 7300 Mob: 0421 280 481 10 SINKING SHIPS Email: [email protected] Hon. Secretary: Mrs Lorraine Cottrell, 40 Fleetwood Drive, Speyton, Tas 7310 By William Mathews NEW SOUTH WALES DIVISION State Branch: Patron: Her Excellency, Launceston: Mr Tudor Hardy, The Governor of New South Wales. 4 Illawarra Road, Perth, Tas. 7300 20 THE LCHs - HEAVY LIFTING President: R O Albert, AO, RFD, RD WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DIVISION FOR FOUR DECADES Hon. Secretary: Elizabeth Sykes Patron: His Excellency, GPO Box 1719, Sydney, NSW 2001 The Governor of Western Australia. By CMDR Greg Swinden Telephone: (02) 9232 2144 Fax: (02) 9232 8383 President: Mason Hayman 33 Keane Street VICTORIA DIVISION Peppermint Grove, WA 6011 25 WAR IN THE SOUTHERN Patron: His Excellency, Telephone: (08) 9384 5794 The Governor of Victoria. Mob: 0404 949 282 LATITUDES President: LCDR Roger Blythman, RFD Hon. Secretary: Trevor Vincent, Hon. Secretary: Ray Gill JP 3 Prosser Way, Myaree, WA 6154 By Murray Dean Telephone: (08) 9330 5129 Correspondence: Mob: 0417 933 780 PO Box 2340, Mt Waverley Vic 3149 Fax: (08) 9330 5129 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.netspace.net.au/~navyleag FEDERAL ADVISORY COUNCIL QUEENSLAND DIVISION Chairman: Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie Patron: Her Excellency, AO, RAN (Rtd) The Governor of Queensland. Members: Mr Neil Baird, Chairman, President: Harvey Greenfield. Baird Publications, Rear Admiral Simon Hon. Secretary: Mary Lacey. Harrington RAN (Rtd), Vice Admiral GPO Box 1481, Brisbane Qld 4001 David Leach AC, CBE, LVO, RAN (Rtd), Telephone: (07) 3236 9884 REGULAR FEATURES Vice Admiral Russ Shalders AO, CSC, (h); (07) 3233 4420 RAN (Rtd), Mr John Strang, Chairman, (w); 0424 729 258 (mob) 02 From the Crow’s Nest Strang International Pty Ltd Email: [email protected] 04 The President’s Page State Branches: CORPORATE MEMBERS Cairns: A Cunneen, The Australian Shipowners’ Association 14 Flash Traffic PO Box 1009, Cairns, Qld 4870 Hawker De Haviland Limited Hatch, Match, Dispatch Telephone: (07) 4054 1195 Strang International Pty Ltd 30 Townsville: I McDougall 31 Product Review PO Box 1478, Townsville, Qld 4810 Telephone: (07) 4772 4588 32 League Policy Statement Bundaberg: I Lohse, PO Box 5141 Bundaberg West, Qld 4670 Telephone: (07) 4151 2210 All letters and contributions to: The Office of The Editor THE NAVY Navy League of Australia The opinions or assertions expressed in THE NAVY are those of the authors and GPO Box 1719 not necessarily those of the Federal Council of the Navy League of Australia, the Editor of THE NAVY, the RAN or the Department of Defence. The Editor welcomes Sydney, NSW 2001 correspondence, photographs and contributions and will assume that by making E-mail to: [email protected] submissions, contributors agree that all material may be used free of charge, edited and amended at the Editor’s discretion. No part of this publication may be All Subscriptions, Membership and Advertising enquiries to: reproduced without the permission of the Editor. The Hon Secretary Front cover: The Spanish Armanda ship CANTABRIA entering Melbourne in Navy League of Australia, NSW Division the shadow of the LHD CANBERRA fitting out at Williamstown Vic. CANTABRIA GPO Box 1719, Sydney NSW 2001 is on loan to the RAN until November to take up the load from HMAS SUCCESS which will be unavailable in refit for most of the year. (RAN) Deadline for next edition 5 May 2013 FROM THE CROW’S NEST Themistocles PAPer Tiger – Don’T ADD SEA WATER Unlike the Tiger the Viper is fully functional, military off the shelf, with greater offensive capability, endurance, speed and able to electronically It’s no secret that the acquisition of the Australian Army’s Tiger Armed integrate into the ADF seamlessly. It requires no update to enter ADF Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) under project AIR 87 has been a service. It should also be noted that the AH-1Z Viper uses exactly the difficult one, to say the least. The helicopter has gone from controversy same engines as the RAN’s new Seahawk Romeo (SH-60R). Common to controversy, not a good omen for soldiers relying on it as their only engines across two fleets will aid immeasurably in reducing the cost means of organic air support during amphibious operations from Navy’s of ownership in the various areas that go together to make up the FIC new LHDs. (Fundamental Inputs to Capacity – such as training, logistics, doctrine, Most recently The Telegraph newspaper carried a story about Tiger pilots support management etc) and provide better availability rates when refusing to fly the helicopter after engine fumes were detected in the deployed to sea with the Navy’s new helicopter. So far neither the Tiger cockpit during a sortie in November, forcing the aircraft to land. This was or Seahawk Romeo fleets share common components with any other actually the third time that this had occurred during 2012. So far a ‘fix’ to helicopter in the ADF. Acquisition of Viper, rather than a mid life upgrade the problem has not been published. for the Tiger, seems a no-brainer. The ARH also suffers from a number of other intrinsic issues. Their Even more appealing is the fact that the high cost of support for the 22 engines are underpowered for Australian hot and humid conditions Tigers could actually go to supporting an even larger number of Vipers (particularly when a full weapon load is required), their range is limited for no additional cost. It should also be noted that the Viper is also fully and they are unable to electronically ‘link’ with the rest of the Australian marinised and LHD certified with the USN/USMC, an important distinction Defence Force (ADF). To be fair, this is due to their land-centric European for Army if it really is serious about jointness and amphibious operations battlefield focus where cooler weather, shorter ranges and European data from our new LHDs CANBERRA and ADELAIDE. links are the norm. To highlight this ‘duck out of water’ metaphor the German Army recently deployed its Tigers to Afghanistan. In order to do so they required a significant upgrade known as ASGARD-F (Afghanistan Stabilisation German Army Rapid Deployment - Full). Even then this hasn’t been successful. The reputable media firm Jane’s published details late last year of a pre-deployment exercise in the US with German Tigers that didn’t go well. The article said that the Tiger “encountered severe difficulties coping with the “hot, high, and dusty” conditions in New Mexico, and German exercise reports indicate the two Tigers were kept from flying on numerous occasions when temperatures exceeded ISA+30ºC.” A USMC AH-1Z Viper. Faster, deadlier, cheaper and working. (BELL) All of Army’s 22 ARH were to have been accepted into full operation service by Army in Dec 2011. However, this is still yet to occur, despite many many changes to the aircraft’s in-service date to accommodate the problems it has faced. Lately it has been rumoured that Army has plans to fund a ‘mid-life upgrade’ for the ARH in the order of over a $1billion, despite the aircraft not even being in service yet. If this is so, then this is madness. Former US President Ronald Reagan once said that “sometimes you need to take the bureaucracy by the throat and say stop what you’re doing” (the bureaucracy in this case being Army). For the $1billion plus price tag to get the Tigers into something the ADF could use one day, Army could actually use the money to buy the USMC Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter and acquire more airframes than it currently has in Tigers for the price of the upgrade. AH-1 VIPER The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the combat proven AH-1W SuperCobra, that was developed for the USMC to operate from USN LHDs. The AH-1Z features a four-blade, bearingless, composite main rotor system, uprated transmission, and a new target sighting system.
Recommended publications
  • De Eerste Dagen Met Eric in Seghe Honiara, 15 Mei
    De eerste dagen met Eric in Seghe Honiara, 15 mei Een week na het vertrek van James en Sachiko in Seghe komt Eric aan boord. Het gat in de romp is gedicht en op de dag van zijn aankomst kan ik de laatste laag primer aanbrengen. Het plan de campagne is om in vijf weken naar Honiara te zeilen maar duiken en fotograferen komt op de eerste plaats! Eric heeft een prachtige nieuwe Sony Alpha 7R2 camera in bruikleen gekregen en die moet aan de tand worden gevoeld. Geen betere plek dan dat aan boord van de 'ALK' te doen waar Eric en ik, ondanks de ruimtebeperkingen van een zeilboot, ondertussen wel weten hoe en waar we op mooie plekken kunnen komen. Het P38 vliegtuig uit WWII dat in Seghe aan het eind van de landingsbaan is gezonken in 8m diep water, is een mooi begin. Drie mijl ten oosten van Seghe, aan de zuidkant van New Georgia Island, ligt een wir war aan eilandjes waar we een speciale duik maken. We maken kennis met Aldio die hier op zijn eigen kleine eilandje woont. Een kunstenaar die zijn kunstwerken op papier drukt dat hij zelf maakt. Mooi om zijn werk te zien en Jimmy kan de verleiding niet weerstaan om een mooie print te kopen. Aldio vaart ons in zijn bootje door uitgestrekte mangroven en zoutwatermeren tot we in een kloof aankomen. Hier beginnen we aan onze duik. Onder een grote boom zakken we af naar 20m en zwemmen dan op ons gemak door een kloof naar de buitenkant van het rif.
    [Show full text]
  • Plotting Darwin Harbour's Future Course
    SPECIAL REPORT ‘Lead me to the harbour!’ Plotting Darwin Harbour’s future course Dr John Coyne and Dr Teagan Westendorf S OF AS AR PI E S July 2021 Y T Y R T A T N E E G Y W T 2 0 1 01 - 20 2 About the authors Dr John Coyne is the head of the Northern Australia Strategic Policy Centre and head of the Strategic Policing and Law Enforcement program at ASPI. Dr Teagan Westendorf is the deputy head of the Northern Australia Strategic Policy Centre and an analyst with the Strategic Policing and Law Enforcement program at ASPI. Acknowledgement ASPI would like to acknowledge the Northern Territory Government’s ongoing sponsorship of and support for the Northern Australia Strategic Policy Centre. Without that support, reports such as this would not be possible. About ASPI The Australian Strategic Policy Institute was formed in 2001 as an independent, non‑partisan think tank. Its core aim is to provide the Australian Government with fresh ideas on Australia’s defence, security and strategic policy choices. ASPI is responsible for informing the public on a range of strategic issues, generating new thinking for government and harnessing strategic thinking internationally. ASPI’s sources of funding are identified in our Annual Report, online at www.aspi.org.au and in the acknowledgements section of individual publications. ASPI remains independent in the content of the research and in all editorial judgements. It is incorporated as a company, and is governed by a Council with broad membership. ASPI’s core values are collegiality, originality & innovation, quality & excellence and independence.
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the Review of Allegations of Sexual and Other Abuse in Defence
    Report of the Review of allegations of sexual and other abuse in Defence Facing the problems of the past VOLUME 1 General findings and recommendations Dr Gary A Rumble Ms Melanie McKean Professor Dennis Pearce AO October 2011 © Commonwealth of Australia 2011 ISBN 978-0-646-56581-1 (Volume 1) 978-0-646-56582-8 (Volume 2) This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Department of Defence. Disclaimer The opinions expressed in the ‗Report of the Review of allegations of sexual and other abuse in Defence‘ (Report) are solely those of Dr Gary A Rumble, Ms Melanie McKean and Professor Dennis Pearce AO. The opinions expressed in the Report do not necessarily represent the views of other contractors to the Review, nor of DLA Piper Australia. Each member of the ADF, from the most junior cadet to the most senior officer, is a representative of Defence and our nation. The Defence leadership and the Australian community have a right to expect the highest standard of behaviour and professionalism. ——The Hon Stephen Smith MP Minister for Defence April 2011 We are willing to face openly and honestly the problems from our past, and we are committed to developing and maintaining an inclusive work environment where all personnel are treated fairly and with respect. ——Lieutenant General David Hurley ASC Vice Chief of the Defence Force May 2011 Foreword The history, traditions and international standing of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) are part of Australia‘s national identity.1 The overwhelming majority of Australians—including the members of this Review—are proud of the achievements of the men and women of the ADF in honourably, bravely and unselfishly representing and protecting the interests of the nation in war, in peacekeeping, in border protection and in emergency relief work.
    [Show full text]
  • Australia's Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise
    AUSTRALIA’S NAVAL SHIPBUILDING ENTERPRISE Preparing for the 21st Century JOHN BIRKLER JOHN F. SCHANK MARK V. ARENA EDWARD G. KEATING JOEL B. PREDD JAMES BLACK IRINA DANESCU DAN JENKINS JAMES G. KALLIMANI GORDON T. LEE ROGER LOUGH ROBERT MURPHY DAVID NICHOLLS GIACOMO PERSI PAOLI DEBORAH PEETZ BRIAN PERKINSON JERRY M. SOLLINGER SHANE TIERNEY OBAID YOUNOSSI C O R P O R A T I O N For more information on this publication, visit www.rand.org/t/RR1093 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available for this publication. ISBN: 978-0-8330-9029-4 Published by the RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif. © Copyright 2015 RAND Corporation R® is a registered trademark. Limited Print and Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited. Permission is given to duplicate this document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.html. The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. RAND’s publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. Support RAND Make a tax-deductible charitable contribution at www.rand.org/giving/contribute www.rand.org Preface The Australian government will produce a new Defence White Paper in 2015 that will outline Australia’s strategic defense objectives and how those objectives will be achieved.
    [Show full text]
  • Aanspraak September 2016 English
    AanspraakAfdeling Verzetsdeelnemers en Oorlogsgetroffenen September 2016 Suddenly we were refugees with nowhere to go Lydia and Annie Aldewereld’s flight from the Nazis took them to the Dutch East Indies Contents Page 3 Speaking for your benefit. Page 4-7 Suddenly we were refugees with nowhere to go. Lydia and Annie Aldewereld’s flight from the Nazis took them to the Dutch East Indies. Page 8-10 Caught between two cultures. John Simons: They took my homeland from me and called it Indonesia. Page 11-14 I never saw them again. Henk Kleijn survived the Battle of the Java Sea and witnessed the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Page 15 Questions and answers. No rights may be derived from this text. Translation: SVB, Amstelveen. Aanspraak - September 2016 - 2 Speaking for your benefit Increasingly, commemoration ceremonies tend It is even more to be regretted now that, after more to focus on passing stories on to the younger than 70 years, interest in the Second World War is generations. This year, for the first time during the growing among the younger generations. This is Remembrance Day Ceremony on Amsterdam’s important, not only because so many survivors and Dam Square, the young people who laid a wreath their direct descendants are still alive and deserving at the cenotaph told us who it was for and what had of respect, but also because, for the younger happened to that person during the war. At the generations, WW II is part of history and offers a National Indies Commemoration for the victims of framework for our present-day norms and values.
    [Show full text]
  • Thursday 19Th February 1942 by Dennis J Weatherall JP TM AFAITT(L) LSM – Volunteer Researcher
    OCCASIONAL PAPER 74 Call the Hands Issue No. 39 March 2020 World War 2 Arrived on the Australian Mainland: Thursday 19th February 1942 By Dennis J Weatherall JP TM AFAITT(L) LSM – Volunteer Researcher Dennis Weatherall attended the recent 78th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin, also known as the “Battle of Darwin”, by Japanese Imperial Forces on Thursday 19th February 1942. The air raid siren sounded at exactly 09:58 - war had arrived in Australia. He asks why more Australians don’t know about the continuous attacks that started on that day and continued until 12th November 1943 - some 21 months. In this paper Dennis provides and overview of the attacks and naval losses in more detail. Darwin, has changed much since my last visit some 38 years ago and it is dramatically different to the Darwin of 1942 which bore the brunt of the first ever attack by a foreign power on Australian soil. Why didn’t we know they were coming? Was our intelligence so bad or were we too complacent in 1942? The Government of the day had anticipated the Japanese would push south but “when” was the big question. Evacuations of civilians had already started by February 1942. On the morning of the fateful day there were many ships, both Naval and Merchant men, in the Port of Darwin along with a QANTAS flying boat “Camilla” and three Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats of the USN, when 188 Japanese aircraft of various types, 36 Zero fighters, 71 dive bombers and 81 medium attack bombers commenced their first raid.
    [Show full text]
  • Questions on Notice from Additional Estimates Hearing 22 February 2002
    LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL LEGISLATION COMMITTEE EXAMINATION OF ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES 2001 – 2002 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION VOLUME 3 IMMIGRATION AND MULTICULTURAL AND INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO Additional Information Relating to the Examination of Expenditure 2001 – 2002 May 2002 Attachments to Question Nos. 59, 72, 78 and 99 are not available electronically - please call the Secretariat on (02) 6277 3560 if you require copies. QUESTION TAKEN ON NOTICE ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES HEARING: 19 and 22 February 2002 IMMIGRATION AND MULTICULTURAL AND INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO (30) Output 1.3: Enforcement of Immigration Law Senator Ray (L&C 269) asked Senator Ellison to ask Mr Ruddock where he got confirmation on what he had been informed (on 7 October). Answer: Mr Ruddock’s office has advised that the Office of National Assessments (ONA) report was taken as confirmation of the Department’s advice on 7 October 2001 that children had been thrown overboard. No other advice, written or oral, was received to either confirm or refute the initial advice from the Taskforce and the subsequent ONA report. QUESTION TAKEN ON NOTICE ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES HEARING: 19 and 22 February 2002 IMMIGRATION AND MULTICULTURAL AND INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO (31) Output 1.3: Enforcement of Immigration Law Senator Cooney (L&C 230) asked, “ When these matters (28-day time limit to appeal to the Court) came on before the Court, did the Department take the bar as a defence to the action? Was the bar argued? Was the time limit argued in the court case?” Answer: Applications lodged outside the 28 day period are invalid and the Federal Court is unable to extend time by the terms of s477(2) of the Migration Act (previously s478(2)).
    [Show full text]
  • April 2008 VOL
    Registered by AUSTRALIA POST NO. PP607128/00001 THE april 2008 VOL. 31 no.2 The official journal of The ReTuRned & SeRviceS League of austraLia POSTAGE PAID SURFACE ListeningListening Branch incorporated • Po Box 3023 adelaide Tce, Perth 6832 • established 1920 PostPostAUSTRALIA MAIL ANZAC Day In recognition of the great sacrifice made by the men and women of our armed forces. 2008ANZAC DAY 2008 Trinity Church SALUTING DAIS EX-SERVICE CONTINGENTS VIP PARKING DAIS 2 JEEPS/HOSPITAL CARS JEEPS/HOSPITAL ADF CONTINGENTS GUEST PARKING ANZAC Day March Forming Up Guide Page 14-15 The Victoria Cross (VC) Page 12, 13 & 16 A Gift from Turkey Page 27 ANZAC Parade details included in this Edition of Listening Post Rick Hart - Proudly supporting your local RSL Osborne Park 9445 5000 Midland 9267 9700 Belmont 9477 4444 O’Connor 9337 7822 Claremont 9284 3699 East Vic Park Superstore 9470 4949 Joondalup 9301 4833 Perth City Mega Store 9227 4100 Mandurah 9535 1246 RSL Members receive special pricing. “We won’t be beaten on price. Just show your membership card! I put my name on it.” 2 The Listening Post april 2008 www.northsidenissan.com.au ☎ 9409 0000 14 BERRIMAN DRIVE, WANGARA ALL NEW MICRA ALL NEW DUALIS 5 DOOR IS 2 CARS IN 1! • IN 10 VIBRANT COLOURS • HATCH AGILITY • MAKE SURE YOU WASH • SUV VERSATILITY SEPARATELY • SLEEK - STYLISH DUALIS FROM FROM $ * DRIVE $ * DRIVE 14,990 AWAY 25,990 AWAY * Metallic Paint Extra. Manual Transmission. $ * DRIVE $ * DRIVE 15576 AWAY 38909 AWAY Metallic paint (as depicted) $300 extra. TIIDA ST NAVARA ST-X SEDAN OR HATCH MANUAL TURBO DIESEL MANUAL • 6 speed manual transmission • Air conditioning • CD player • 126kW of power/403nm torque • 3000kg towing capacity • Remote keyless entry • Dual SRS airbags • ABS brakes • Alloy wheels • ABS brakes • Dual airbags $ * DRIVE $ * DRIVE 43888 AWAY 44265 AWAY NOW WITH ABS BRAKES FREE BULL BAR, TOW BAR FREE & SPOTTIES $ 1000 FUEL Metallic paint (as depicted) $300 extra.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Department of Defence Annual Report 2001
    DEFENCE ANNUAL REPORT 2001-02 HEADLINE RESULTS FOR 2001-02 Operational S Defence met the Government’s highest priority tasks through: effectively contributing to the international coalition against terrorism playing a major role in assisting East Timor in its transition to independence strengthening Australia’s border security increasing the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) counter-terrorism capability providing substantial assistance to the Bougainville and Solomon Islands’ peace processes supporting civil agencies in curbing illegal fishing in Australian waters. S The ADF was at its highest level of activity since the Vietnam war. Social S 86 per cent of Australians said they were proud of the ADF – the highest figure recorded over the past 20 years. 85 per cent believed the ADF is effective and 87 per cent considered the ADF is well trained. Unacceptable behaviour in the ADF continued to be the community’s largest single concern. (Defence community attitudes tracking, April 2002) S ADF recruiting: Enlistments were up, Separations were down, Army Reserve retention rates were the highest for 40 years. S The new principles-based civilian certified agreement formally recognised a balance between employees’ work and private commitments. S Intake of 199 graduate trainees was highest ever. S Defence was awarded the Australian Public Sector Diversity Award for 2001. HEADLINE RESULTS FOR 2001-02 Financial S Defence recorded a net surplus of $4,410 million (before the Capital Use Charge of $4,634 million), when compared to the revised budget estimate of $4,772 million. S The net asset position is $45,589 million, an increase of $1,319 million or 3% over 2000-01.
    [Show full text]
  • Combat Aircraft Team; the US Air Force Air Power Yearbook Is the Ultimate Guide to the World’S Most Powerful Air Arm
    Advanced jet TRAINING ALENIA AERMACCHI M-346 • ISRAELI SKYHAWK RETIREMENT • PACER CLASSIC T-38 TALONS • GREEK BUCKEYES AND TEXAN IIS Volume 17 • Number 3 AMERICA’S BESTSELLING MILITARY AVIATION MAGAZINE combataircraft.net EAGLE FROM THE COCKPIT Pilot stories from the mighty F-15C ‘Desert Storm’ 25 years ON F-15C victories IN THE NEWS: USAF Saves the a-10 SIKORSKY CH-53K C-5 SUPER GALAXY KING STALLION AT DOVER AFB S-3 Vikings BOW OUT OF UK £4.50 SERVICE WITH VX-30 CHINESE FIGHTER BOMBER REVIEW MARCH 2016 SPECIAL united states air force air power YEARBOOK 2016 Produced by the Combat Aircraft team; the US Air Force Air Power Yearbook is the ultimate guide to the world’s most powerful air arm. Packed with features on latest aircraft capabilities, famous squadrons and the personnel that fly and maintain the various types, plus a detailed unit and aircraft air power review. This 100-page publication is a must-have for USAF aviation fans. FEATURING: F-22 on the front line A review of the Raptor’s combat debut over Syria and recent deployment to Europe. 40 Years of exercise’ Red Flag’ A review and tribute to the world’s most famous exercise. Bayou Militia A unit review of the F-15Cs of the 122nd Fighter Squadron Louisiana ANG F-35 training Behind the scenes at Eglin and Luke AFB as the F-35 training squadrons get up to full speed. B-1 today Exclusive interviews with B-1 senior officers as we detail recent combat operations and latest JUST upgrades for the B-1 Lancer.
    [Show full text]
  • Medal for Gallantry (Mg)
    MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY (MG) Australian Army Sergeant C For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a team commander, Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan. Sergeant C displayed inspirational leadership and successive acts of gallantry, undoubtedly saving lives and ensuring mission success. To protect wounded soldiers and with complete disregard for his safety, Sergeant C exposed himself to draw fire and lead assaults on insurgent positions. His selfless and courageous conduct was of the highest order, and in keeping with the finest traditions of Australian special operations forces, the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force. Sergeant Blaine Flower DIDDAMS, deceased, WA For acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a patrol commander, Special Operations Task Group Rotation XVII on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan on 2 July 2012. On 2 July 2012, Sergeant Diddams displayed inspirational leadership and selfless courage in extremely hazardous circumstances. To support his patrol and ensure mission success, he knowingly exposed himself to draw fire and lead assaults on insurgent positions. His leadership and selfless acts of gallantry, which ultimately cost his life, were of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of Australian special operations forces, the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force. 468 Any enquiries regarding the above awards should be directed to Defence Media Liaison on (02)6265 3343 COMMENDATION FOR GALLANTRY Australian Army Corporal A For acts of gallantry in action as a deputy patrol commander, Special Operations Task Group, on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan. During a prolonged and hazardous operation, Corporal A exhibited inspirational leadership, outstanding courage, and exceptional endurance.
    [Show full text]
  • 15 February 2012 Senate Additional Estimates
    Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade 15 February 2012 Senate Additional Estimates Ql - Detainee Management in Afghanistan Senator Ludlam asked on Wednesday 15 February 2012, Hansard page 32. Can you table as much information as you can on the activities ofthe Inter-agency Detainee Monitoring Team in Afghanistan? Response: As part ofits military operations in Afghanistan, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) conducts detention operations to remove insurgent and criminal elements from the battlefield when required for reasons ofsecurity or where persons are suspected of committing serious crimes. Detention operations contribute to the ongoing security of the local population and Afghanistan and provide the ADF and coalition personnel with a measure offorce protection. ADF personnel are required to treat detainees humanely and with dignity and respect in accordance with Australian values and our domestic and international legal obligations. The proper treatment ofdetainees apprehended by the ADF in Afghanistan fundamentally underpins our legitimacy in the eyes ofthe local population, as well as the international community. After detainees have undergone initial screening and questioning at the ADF screening facility in Uruzgan, they may be transferred to either Afghan custody in Tarin Kot or US custody at the Detention Facility in Parwan (DFiP), or released if there is insufficient evidence to justify their ongoing detention or to support a prosecution through the Afghan judicial system. As part ofAustralia's detainee management framework in Afghanistan, Australian officials monitor detainees transferred to both Afghan and US custody in order to assess their welfare and treatment, including the conditions in which they are detained, in accordance with the detainee transfer arrangements we have with the Afghan and US Governments.
    [Show full text]