More Defence news: 30 June - 06 July 2008
| $1 million boost for Defence family support groups | Service Chiefs retire | News Chiefs for Defence | Diggers construct a patrol base and river crossing in Afghanistan | The Most Dangerous Building Site on Earth | Fort Scratchley given to people of Newcastle | WWII Aircraft ‘Lost by enemy action’ found in Papua New Guinea | Patrols give hospital a helping hand | farewell at ceremony for Vice Admiral Russ Shalders AO, CSC, RAN | |
| $1 million boost for Defence family support groups 4 July - Defence family support groups across Australia will receive a total of $1.04 million in Family Support Funding grants, recognising the contribution and sacrifices made by families who support the men and women of the Australian Defence Force. The Program provides money to develop programs and activities to suit the needs of ADF families within their local communities. It will assist groups to utilize neighbourhood houses and community centres to produce local newsletters, craft groups, playgroups and assist children with special needs. Over a million dollars will be invested this financial year in 54 Defence family support groups around Australia, as well as in Papua New Guinea and Malaysia. More: Media release |
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Service Chiefs retire
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, thanked Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy and Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd for their valued contributions made to the Forces, and commended them for their distinguished careers in the military. He thanked them for their commitment and hard work in defending and protecting our nation and wished them all the best in their retirement. More: Media release | Image gallery |
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| New Chiefs for Defence July 4 – Today the new Australian Defence Force leadership team takes command: • Lieutenant General David Hurley is the new Vice Chief of the Defence Force • Vice Admiral Russ Crane is the new Chief of Navy • Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie is the new Chief of Army; and • Air Marshal Mark Binskin is the new Chief of Air Force. The current Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston will continue to command the Australian Defence Force. Each of these appointments to Defence leadership is for a term of three years. More: Media release | Defence Leaders page |
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Diggers construct a patrol base and river crossing in Afghanistan
This is a typical morning for the Sappers of Reconstruction Task Force 4, (RTF 4) currently operating in the Afghan mountains, North of Tarin Kowt. Their work, in an area of huge strategic importance to the Taliban, is helping to extend the influence of the Afghan Government into the formerly lawless Oruzgan Province. The RTF has almost completed a patrol base on a key hill in the area, and is now building a $600,000 all weather river crossing nearby. The river crossing will allow the people of this area access to Tarin Kowt which is normally cut off by the Dorufshan Rud – the river which runs through the valley - during the winter and when the snow melts. It will give them access to business opportunities, health services and education all the year round. More: Image gallery |
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The Most Dangerous Building Site on Earth
The tradesmen work on what has to be the most dangerous building site on Earth – they have to contend with 45 degree days, air thinned by altitude and the ever present threat of rocket, sniper and machine gun attack. They are working in the shadow of the Kuran Ghar Mountains in the foothills of the Hindu Kush, rebuilding schools, mosques, and hospitals on 6 month rotations for the last 2 years. The force has since moved into a former Taliban stronghold to the north of the coalition base in Tarin Kowt to build a patrol base for the Afghan Army, working under the watchful eyes of the Infantry, Cavalry and Combat Engineers. More: Image gallery |
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| Fort Scratchley given to people of Newcastle June 30 - Fort Scratchley, a heritage listed former Defence site located near the entrance to Newcastle Harbour, has been transferred to the locals, after the government officially handed it over to the Newcastle City Council yesterday. The Fort is a standing testament to the contribution of all the men and women from the region who have served in the Australian Defence Force. Defence first considered the site in the mid to late 19th century in response to a strong fear of a Russian invasion. In 1881 construction of the fort began. A year later guns were placed in the location, and by 1886 the Barrack’s building, wall and ditch were constructed. The fort was named after Major General Peter Scratchley – a pivotal figure in Australian Defence Planning during the colonial era and somebody who had advocated the establishment of coastal fortifications to protect against naval attacks. More: Media release |
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| WWII Aircraft ‘Lost by enemy action’ found in Papua New Guinea June 30 – RAAF Hudson bomber A16-126 from WWII has been found in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The aircraft was one of three RAAF Hudson bombers that attacked Japanese shipping at Gasmata harbour in New Britain, PNG on 11 February 1942. The RAAF bombers were intercepted above the target by Japanese fighters which had scrambled from Gasmata airfield. 66 years later the plane was located in the jungle on a ridge inland from the town of Gasmata. There were four men were lost with the aircraft, Flying Officer Graham Ian Gibson, Pilot Officer Frank Leslie Oliver Thorn, Sergeant Barton Irving Coutie, and Sergeant Arthur Edward Quail. More: Media release |
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Patrols give hospital a helping hand
A patrol from a forward operating base married up with an Australian medical capacity team including an Australian midwife who was working in a Dili clinic for Rotary International, to repair an unserviceable humidicrib in a local hospital. Local nurses were provided with refresher training on how to use the donated humidicrib. The importance of having a functioning humidicrib in the region is vital, due to the high rate of infant mortality. Australian Defence Force soldiers together with their New Zealand counterparts in the ISF conduct over 100 patrols a week across Timor-Leste, by day and by night, nteracting with local villagers, towns people, Timorese and United Nations police as well as regional administrators at several levels. This fosters positive relationships to the benefit of all stakeholders. More: Imagery |
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| Farewell at ceremony for Vice Admiral Russ Shalders AO, CSC, RAN 30 June - The outgoing Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders AO, CSC, RAN, was bade farewell at ceremony at Fleet Base East, Sydney, on July 1 2008. Over 600 sailors and officers formed divisions and paraded on the wharf. Two of VADM Shalders’ previous commands, Frigates HMAS Sydney and HMAS Darwin which he headed during the first Gulf War, provided the backdrop. During the service, the platoons paraded , and the RAN band played CN’s musical salute “Bay of Biscay” before VADM Shalders inspected the honour guard comprising of crew from HMAS Kanimbla. Hallmarks of VADM Shalders 41 years career have included serving as Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Commodore Flotillas, where he was responsible for the operational efficiency of all fleet units, and seconded to the Australian Customs Service as the inaugural Director General Coastwatch. During his tenure as CN, VADM Shalders has overseen the Armidale Class Patrol Boat’s introduction into service and the decision to introduce the new class of Air Warefare Destroyer and Landing Helicopter Dock in future years. VADM Shalders will hand the ‘weight’ to VADM Russel Crane on 3 July 2008, at a Change of Command Ceremony at HMAS Harman in Canberra. |
