Edition 1182 February 7, 2008 Three months after a Taliban IED badly wounded him, Sgt Michael Lyddiard is back at work. Read his remarkable tale on Page 2 FFACEACE OOFF CCOURAGEOURAGE Photo by Cpl Mike McSweeney LOOK WHAT’S FLOWN IN: FIRST MRH90s ARRIVE – SEE P7 Army February 7, 2008 2 NEWS Wounded helped by RSL Care program By Cpl Corinne Boer SOLDIERS, sailors and airmen who have been seriously wounded in action can recuperate with family thanks to an RSL program. Operation Care was initiated by the RSL and Services clubs association and provides up to one week’s rest and recuperation at sites throughout the country for selected service personnel who have been wounded in combat operation. Chief Executive Officer of the RSL and Services Clubs Association Graeme Carroll said that in a best case scenario it was hoped that Operation Care was never required. But the vagaries of operations were such Happy moment: Commander 3 Bde Brig John Caligari, Sgt Michael Lyddiard, wife Katri and Maj Roger McMurray are all smiles before Sgt that people had been wounded and needed to be repatriated to Australia, he said. Lyddiard’s first day back to work at 3CER in Townsville. Photo by Cpl Mike McSweeney “It’s designed to provide Defence per- sonnel who are wounded overseas and repatriated to Australia with leave to spend time with their family prior to them going back to active service,” Mr Carroll said. “This program provides some respite so they can reflect on what has occurred.” A member’s travel and accommodation Triumph of spirit expenses are covered by Operation Care. Eight members have benefitted from the program since its launched in October 2006. Mr Carroll said the feedback from the By Cpl Mike McSweeney then it going off,” he said. Sgt Lyddiard was later trans- participants has been positive. and Lt Bill Heck Base honour “I blacked out during the blast, ferred to a hospital in Germany, and “Beyond helping those people who are SGT Michael Lyddiard has but I awoke as soon as I landed thanked the “sensational” efforts of wounded in action we see it in a wider per- A TALIBAN IED has not daunt- on my back. I felt the sensation of the medical staff there. spective as well in building that relationship ed the spirit of Sgt Michael not been forgotten by his mates in Afghanistan – in fact blood and I heard my mates come to He paid tribute to his wife Katri, between the RSL clubs, the RSL and the Lyddiard, whose courage helped my aid.” who was by his side when he awoke Defence Department,” he said him return to work in Townsville they have named a base after him. RTF 3 soldiers built the A corporal took immediate con- in Germany. The project has been made possible by trol of the incident site. A sapper, on January 21. Afghan National Army patrol “Katri has fully supported me member clubs of the RSL & Services Clubs It has been less than three trooper and lance corporal rendered Association in NSW, which have agreed to base in Oruzgan province. all the way through my career, and months since Sgt Lyddiard lost his first aid while a sergeant coordinated provide funding for the program in keeping The Afghan troops occupy- more importantly, has ensured that right eye and forearm to an IED he security and the medical evacuation, I had love and support around me with the clubs’ objectives to support our was attempting to render safe in ing the base and their Dutch with assistance from another sapper. Anzac traditions. counterparts agreed that since the incident,” he said. Afghanistan. “These blokes went straight into Sgt Lyddiard said he would Units can nominate members through the The explosives ordnance disposal Patrol Base Khyber will now action as soon as the device went chain of command to Army referring mem- carry the local name of Camp return to Afghanistan in a heart beat, » operator said his decision to return off and saved my life,” Sgt Lyddiard but that his family might have some- ber Col Peter Daniel on (02) 9339 3496. Lyddiard. said. For further information on Operation Care to his second family – 3CER – was thing to say about it. well supported by Army. “Being mates, they encouraged visit www.rslservicesclubs.com.au and click “I’m happy with light duties they identified a possible IED and me, they talked about my wife, they Fortunately, 3CER will still ben- the Operation Care button. because I really pushed for heavy reported it over the radio. talked about my child and talked efit from his experience and spirit duties,” Sgt Lyddiard, who is a quar- The EOD sergeant explained that about me getting back to work. as the soldier takes up an operations ter of the way through rehabilitation, by rendering safe the device, it could “They controlled my bleeding, but and training position at the unit. said. be studied and exploited. more importantly they kept me “I’ve wanted nothing but to be a The 13-year veteran thanked all “If we don’t do it, we’re putting going mentally.” combat engineer,” he said. Put a cap on who had supported him since the more soldiers at risk,” he said. He later learnt that a mate had “I wanted nothing but to build incident, and praised the efforts of With his buddy in position, Sgt stayed with him for the six hours the bridges, build the roads and help his mates who saved his life. Lyddiard crawled towards the IED he was at a medical facility in the (Afghan) community when we alcohol intake on his stomach. did that task. Being an EOD is what He recalled being part of an Kandahar. THE Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs “My number two turned around I wanted to do.” RTF convoy returning to base on He also thanked a nurse called Service will conduct an Outpatient and said: ‘Lydds, you’re doing a Sgt Lyddiard also extended his November 2 last year. Anna, who made sure “the first Alcohol Treatment Program (OATP) at He said the infantry soldiers did great job, mate’. I remember clear- voice I heard was an Australian one thanks to those who sent letters and Holsworthy from February 25-28. their job “extremely well” when ing it, my buddy being there, and when I woke up”. flowers throughout his recovery. The OATP is a tri-service four-day group program which aims to educate members who are drinking alcohol at risky levels (specifically binge drinking) The Soldiers’ Newspaper on how to reduce their alcohol intake to safe levels. Program coordinator and facilitator Director Email: [email protected] Louise Hawkins said the program was Rod Horan: (02) 6265 4650 Subscriptions particularly useful for personnel who NOTE: This is not a Defence domain, so include (02) 6266 7607 Editorial “SEC=UNCLASSIFIED” in the subject line. thought that their alcohol use was start- Email: [email protected] ing to cause problems with their work Fax: (02) 6265 6690 Editor performance, relationships and health. David Edlington: (02) 6266 7609 Disclaimer Mail: The Editor, Army, R8-LG-038, Department of Army is published fortnightly by Defence Newspapers. It is “On completion of the program, fol- Deputy Editor Defence, Canberra ACT 2600 printed under contract by Capital Fine Print. The material low up support is available. Participants Lt Peter Martinelli: (02) 6266 7612 published is selected for its interest. The views expressed have access to psychologists if required, Website: www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews in published articles are not necessarily those of Defence Reporters: however, the information provided over or Army. Every advertisement is subject to the Directorate the four days is often enough for the Cpl Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614 Advertising of Defence Newspapers approval and the Directorate of Defence Newspapers may, at its discretion, refuse to members to change their drinking behav- Cpl Mike McSweeney : (02) 6266 7608 Advertising Manager Cpl Corinne Boer: (02) 6265 2427 accept an advertisement for publication. The Directorate iour without further intervention”. Geoff Howard: (02) 6266 7605; of Defence Newspapers accepts no responsibility or Cpl Jane Ashby-Cliffe: (02) 6266 7606 The program provides education on Mobile: 0405 310 074; Fax (02) 6265 6690 liability in relation to any loss due to the failure of an Hugh McKenzie: (02) 6265 2151 advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form which topics such as safe, responsible use of Email: [email protected] alcohol, goal setting, stress management, Sports Editor is not in accordance with the instructions received by Advertising Representative the Directorate of Defence Newspapers. The fact that an problem solving, communication skills Barry Rollings: (02) 6265 7219 advertisement is accepted for publication does not mean and relapse prevention. Tim Asher: (07) 3332 7651; Mobile: 0414 552 667 that the product of service has the endorsement of the Sydney Photographer: Email: [email protected] Department of Defence or Army. Inquiries to Louise Hawkins on (02) 8782 Bill Cunneen: 0413 302 669 »3033 or [email protected] Army February 7, 2008 NEWS 3 Wet doesn’t WELCOME FIREPOWER stop dry run By Cpl Mike McSweeney 5 AVN Regt was flat out preparing for two operations as severe storms lashed Townsville in January. CHINOOK loadmaster Cpl Nathan Mathews (pictured) B Sqn Black Hawks bound for recently qualified on the M134D minigun in Townsville. Timor-Leste and C Sqn Chinooks “It’s like using a big hose. I’d hate to be on the receiv- heading to Afghanistan were con- ing end,” Cpl Mathews said.