July 2, 2015Edition 1354

BATTLE READY

Skills tested on 3 Bde Combined

Arms Training Activity

PAGES 14-19

LCpl Michael Delapena, of 3RAR, prepares for a live-fire assault. Photo by Cpl Mark Doran

SHIP TO SHORE

Pages 4-5

COUNTER-IED COLLABORATION

Page 3

LEADING FROM THE FRONT

Pages 20-21

The Soldiers’ Newspaper

DirectorDavid Edlington (02) 6265 4650

EDITORIAL EditorAlisha Welch (02) 6265 2253ReportersWO2 Andrew Hetherington (sport coordinator) (02) 6266 7614Sgt Dave Morley (02) 6266 7613Cpl Mark Doran (02) 6265 1304Cpl Max Bree (02) 6266 7608Cpl Aaron Curran (02) 6265 1355LS Jayson Tufrey (02) 6266 7606

ADVERTISING / SUBSCRIPTIONSMarketing managerTim Asher (07) 3332 7651 or 0459 842 551Assistant marketing manager / subscriptionsTrish Dillon (02) 6266 7607Email advertising@defencenews.gov.au orsubscriptions1@defencenews.gov.au

CONTACT USEmail armynews@defencenews.gov.auFax (02) 6265 6690Mail The Editor, Army, R8-LG-044, PO Box 7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2610Website www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews

DISCLAIMERArmy is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence News and Multimedia. It is printed under con-tract by Horton Media Australia Ltd. The material pub-lished is selected for its interest. The views expressed in published articles are not necessarily those of Defence or Army. Every advertisement is subject to Directorate of Defence News and Multimedia approval and the Directorate of Defence News and Multimedia may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an advertisement. The directorate accepts no responsibility or liability in rela-tion to any loss due to the failure of an advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form not in accordance with the instructions received by the Directorate of Defence News and Multimedia. Defence does not endorse the products or services published in advertisements.

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IN BRIEF

Remembering Rwanda serviceA SEMINAR commemorating the Australian contribution to the UN Assistance Mission in Rwanda will take place at Weston Creek in Canberra on August 6. The Centre for Defence Leadership and Ethics is coordinating the seminar, which will focus on leadership and ethical issues arising from the ADF’s com-mitment to Rwanda and the long-term implications for Defence. It is 21 years since Australian forces were deployed on Operation Tamar. For more information, contact Lt-Col Bill Coates at william.coates@defence.gov.au

Correcting the recordON PAGE 18 of the June 18, 2015 edition of Army, it was incorrectly reported that WO1 Brian Heenan was awarded an OAM for service with 1 Regt RAA. His award was for meritorious service as the RSM of 1 Armd Regt and as the Career Adviser RAAC. Army apologises for this error.

Farewell, RSM-A Army’s senior soldier farewells his troops

Family health program successMORE than 40,000 ADF family mem-bers have joined the National ADF Family Health Program since it was launched in January 2014. As of May this year, almost 60 per cent of all ADF dependants had signed up for the program and now receive gap-free GP services and up for $400 per dependant for recognised allied health care services. More information regarding the program can be found at www.defence.gov.au/health/shc/DependantHealthcare

AACAP 2015 under wayA FIVE-month project to deliver infra-structure, health services and training for locals in Titjikala began in June as the first soldiers arrived in the Northern Territory for the annual Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Programme (AACAP). AACAP is a collaborative partnership between the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, which provides up to $6 million each year, and the Army, which contributes significant personnel and equipment. AACAP aims to improve environmental health and living conditions in remote Indigenous communities. The initiatives have been tailored in collaboration with the community, local Aboriginal Lands Council and relevant government agen-cies. This year, Titjikala will receive new infrastructure, including a waste water treatment system and duplex housing. Veterinary assistance, health educa-tion and clinical treatment will also be delivered.

Op Slipper merchandise available

CDF ACM Mark Binskin holds the Operation Slipper commemorative pin at Russell Offices in Canberra. The pins are now available for collection at clothing stores across the country for eligible members. Photo by Lauren Larking

CDF ACM Mark Binskin wants all members who deployed on Operation Slipper to ensure they have a commemorative pin created to mark the end of Australia’s longest wartime operation.

More than 18,000 members who deployed on Op Slipper received their pin at commemorative parades across the country in March, but a number missed out.

These members can now collect their pins from their local clothing store, providing they have evidence of their deployment record (a PMKeyS print out or screen shot) and Defence ID.

The commemorative pin is part of a special Op Slipper range of goods endorsed by CDF to mark the end of the operation and to sup-port the national marches for all who deployed.

The pin is available free to eligi-ble members – those who deployed to areas of operation – thanks to the support of Thales Australia, SAAB

Technologies, Nova Systems and Military Shop.

According to Military Shop’s Stephen Davie, who coordinated the commemorative collection, the contri-bution by industry was on behalf of all Australians as a way of saying thank you to all who deployed.

“It is a rare opportunity to be able to show a nation’s gratitude and respect to those who have stood on the front line in Defence of our country’s interests,” he said.

“We and our industry partners are humbled and proud to be a part of this and know that all Australians share our respect for the dedication, sacrifices and service of all members of the ADF.

“I also want to acknowledge Daronmont Technologies, the Australian Defence Credit Union and Sikorsky Helitech for supporting the family pin, which was created to thank the families of those who deployed.”

A small number of remaining fam-ily pins will be available through the same channels as the service pin.

Sales from the Op Slipper collec-tion, including sponsorship by indus-try, is generating funds to support Soldier On, Legacy, Keeping Watch, Army Relief Trust and the RAAF Welfare Trust.

Remaining stock can be viewed at www.defence.gov.au/events/opslipper.asp

AS I close down my 36-plus year career in Army on July 9, I would like to say good-bye to you all.

But it is not good-bye to being a soldier. The last line in our Contract with Australia is ‘I am an Australian Soldier – Always’, and I will always be an Australian soldier in my heart.

I feel a mixture of apprehension and excite-ment – much like a lot of the challenges we face and overcome in Army. There is apprehension of leaving my Army family – our way of life – and excitement at the prospects in the next phase of my life.

I will be OK, though, because all I need by my side is my wife Jenny, who has always been in the foreground when I needed help.

I ask you all never to take those who support you at home and in your family for granted. They deserve as many medals as we.

Our Army represents the very best of Australia. I admit to a bias, but can you blame me? I have had the honour of being Army’s senior soldier for more than three years.

Make our values of courage, initiative, respect and teamwork basic drill to living your life, not just your career, as an Australian sol-dier. This will always keep you right, and keep our respect and reputation for and with the Australian people. We have all earned the right to wear our badge of honour, the Rising Sun.

Our only real capability is our people. You are Army’s capability – not a tank, a weapons system or a helicopter – just you.

Thank you and good-bye.– WO Dave Ashley,

9th RSM-A

Photo by Lauren Larking

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A FULL tax exemption now applies to military personnel serv-ing on non-warlike Operations Manitou, Accordion, Okra (Zone B) and Augury in the Middle East Region.

Following the government’s approval earlier this year, ADF members serving in these locations have been formally granted a full tax exemption under section 23AD of the Income Tax Assessment Act.

Previously, the full tax exemp-tion only applied to those serving on Operation Highroad in Afghanistan and Operation Okra in Iraq.

Importantly, the tax exemp-tion will be back-dated to the start of each operation and will help to standardise tax treatment for all ADF personnel deployed in the Middle East Region.

The tax exemption will also apply to personnel who previously

Tax exemption for non-warlike ops

served on Operations Manitou, Accordion, Okra (Zone B) or Augury, but have since ceased serving on those operations.

About 5500 ADF members will be affected by these changes, which

will begin to be applied from July 2. There is no change to the existing tax exemption status for ADF personnel serving on Operations Aslan, Mazurka, Palate II or Paladin.

An Australian soldier of Task Group Taji watches Iraqi soldiers during a training scenario at the Taji Military Complex north-west of Baghdad, Iraq. Photo by Capt Bradley Richardson

CIED collaboration Defence and industry work together to counter global threat of IEDs

Maj Christian van den Bosch (right) demonstrates an Australian-made “Greengum” radio signal jammer to Afghan National Army Sgts Abdullah (centre) and Ahtram Shimwary (left), of 205 Hero Corps. Inset above, the radio signal jammers. Right, Sgt Nasradin, of 205 Hero Corps, displays his prosthetic leg. Photos by Cpl Max Bree and Lauren Larking

Cpl Max Bree

A N I E D ex p l o d e s n e a r Kandahar, killing an Afghan officer and knocking Afghan N a t i o n a l A r m y ( A N A ) Sgt Nasradin, who was six metres away, to the ground.

“My company commander made a mistake in defusing the mine and he triggered it,” Sgt Nasradin said.

“He died and I lost my feet. It took 14 months before I could walk again.”

He now walks on prosthetic limbs.

About two years after the blast, Sgt Nasradin’s unit, 205 Hero Corps, received new Australian-made jamming units to counter IEDs.

ANA corps across the country are also being issued the units by their central supply depots.

T h e d e v i c e , k n o w n a s “Greengum”, is portable and easily carried by soldiers for protection.

Maj Christian van den Bosch, the engineer and counter-IED adviser with 205 Corps Coalition Advisory Team, said IEDs operated by remote control would now be less effective against the ANA.

“It’s very simple – you just switch it on and move around the countryside,” he said.

Greengum creates a ‘jamming bubble’ around itself, protecting those within.

They are recharged by USB connectors and Maj van den Bosch envisaged Afghans would soon be using the system on operations.

“They currently have a portable system that requires replacement batteries and is not as good as the Greengum,” he said.

“Currently much of their elec-tronic counter measures is provided by vehicles, but this will give them the opportunity to move away from vehicles and be more protected dur-ing dismounted operations in urban areas.”

Maj van den Bosch and his team, with support from the Resolute Support Counter-IED Task Force, helped create a revised training package on the jammers for 205 Corps, as the units will be used by Afghan engineers, along with infantry.

“This is something that will pro-tect them out there, so they’re very keen to get this kit in.”

Sgt Nasradin said the Australian devices would protect against a number of IEDs encountered by Afghan forces.

“It’s much better for those guys working in engineering because they also do road clearances,” he said.

“If somebody wants to defuse a mine, it’s much better that they have this.”

IEDs remain a weapon favoured

by Afghan insurgents because of their low cost and remote operation.

“When I’m wearing this uni-form, I’m working for the govern-ment and the enemy is looking for any opportunity to attack us,” Sgt Nasradin said.

“One of my classmates was at Logar province and suffered an injury due to a mine explosion. He also lost his feet.”

Sgt Nasradin now walks on a

prosthetic right leg and is missing a large amount of muscle tissue in his left, though he still serves with 205 Corps.

“Right now I feel like half a per-son,” he said.

“Because when I had my leg that was good, I did a lot of jobs but right now I’m not the same.

“As long as the government wants me in the Army, I will stay.”

DEFENCE and Australian industry part-ners have collaborated to manufacture the first-of-a-kind counter-improvised explosive device (IED) equipment for Afghanistan.

Australia continues to be on the cutting edge of the development of defence science and technology need-ed to address the global threat posed by IEDs.

Micreo, Ultra Electronics Australia, Associated Electronic Services, AXIOM Precision Manufacturing and Lintek have worked in close partnership with the Defence Materiel Organisation, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and Defence’s Counter-IED Task Force to produce this poten-tially lifesaving equipment.

At the announcement in Canberra on June 15, Defence Minister Kevin Andrews said under Defence’s Redwing program, Australia had developed low-cost, robust and light-weight force pro-tection systems.

“The equipment has particular appli-cation for use in austere operating envi-ronments by military and police units as it requires minimal operator training and limited logistic support,” he said.

“Through this project, the govern-ment will invest up to $50 million in the Australian defence manufacturing industry, demonstrating Defence’s abil-ity to transfer domestically developed counter-IED technology into jobs for Australians.”

He said the project was an example of Australian industry and Defence col-laboration, entrepreneurship and inno-vation to a deliver unique solution that was able to help address a persistent threat in almost every conflict zone.

With defence industry partners supporting an accelerated production schedule, delivery of this vital equip-ment to Afghanistan began in January.

The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces are now deploying the equipment in the current fighting sea-son, their first without significant coali-tion support.

“Australia will continue working with our Afghan partners to defeat the threat of IEDs, including supporting future Afghan National Defense and Security Forces requirements for these force protection systems,” Mr Andrews said.

TEAM EFFORT

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LS Helen Frank

SOLDIERS from 2RAR have hit the high seas as the regiment embarked in the Navy’s Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) HMAS Canberra for the first time.

The ship recently completed first-of-class trials and is now working towards achieving unit readiness. The unit readi-ness evaluation will assess the ship across all her capabilities, including deploying Army personnel, vehicles and equipment via helicopter and landing craft.

The ADF has not had this level of amphibious capability before and many are excited to put the ship through her paces.

2RAR soldiers embarked the ship in Townsville in June and wasted no time familiarising themselves with the vessel.

Pte Colin Luck, of B Coy, said he was impressed with the ship, not only with the size but also with her capabilities.

“The force integration the Navy is now capable of is great,” Pte Luck said.

“Having a battle group with 2RAR and all the attachments on board is exciting.”

He said the sailors were very helpful in giving the soldiers directions around the ship when they were looking a little lost and the hospitality aboard Canberra was great.

The troops will go through a number of training serials and evolutions while they are on board, starting with learning the ship’s routine such as emergency and leav-ing ship stations.

Pte Luck said getting used to the Navy jargon was a little tricky, but the troops had been well briefed and knew where they had to be.

“We all managed to get to the right places at the right time and be accounted for so it all went well,” he said.

Canberra’s Amphibious Operations Officer Maj Mathew Singers said the ini-tial embarkation of the 26 vehicles and 156 troops went smoothly.

“In regard to vehicles, we have eve-rything from G-Wagons to ASLAVs on board,” Maj Singers said.

“The troops include engineers, infan-try, artillery, drivers, clerks, signallers and two explosive detection dogs.”

The ship will exercise assault stations where the troops and ship’s company will practise moving personnel through the troop assembly area on the light cargo deck up to the flight deck and also down to the well dock.

Maj Singers said after the initial prac-tise the troops would move through the process in full combat load, collecting the

Soldiers sail the high seas aboard ADF’s biggest ship 2RAR troops embark in HMAS Canberra for unit readiness evaluation

equipment they would take ashore and rehearsing loading into helicopters and landing craft.

He said he was excited to get to this point and the process would test the ship’s standard operating procedures for both tactical and non-tactical deployment of troops from the LHD.

“After being with this project for the last 18 months, it’s good to finally find out how the amphibious element fits in the LHD,” he said.

“We are filling the gaps in our knowl-edge by putting into practise what we had previously only seen on paper.

“We are understanding and clarifying issues we had only seen from a theoreti-cal perspective and we can now adjust the procedures to eliminate those problems.”

Later this year Canberra will return to the north-east coast to begin a series of exercises, again embarking 2RAR.

“This first exercise has focused on unit readiness and making sure the ship can deploy amphibious forces in what would generally benign environment,” Maj Singers said.

“In the second half of the year, these exercises will progressively work the ship and 2RAR up to be able to deploy amphibious forces by sea and air in a tac-tical, high-threat environment.”

A DOG’S DAYLS Helen Frank

OVER the years stories of domestic animals on board war-ships have become the stuff of legends, like Red Lead, a cat who survived the sinking of HMAS Perth in WWII. But leg-end no more, HMAS Canberra was recently home to two dogs.

Soldiers from 2RAR embarked Canberra in Townsville to assist the Landing Helicopter Dock in achieving unit readiness.

Embarking among the infantrymen, engineers and support staff were two explosive detection dog handlers from 3CER and their dogs, PJ and Skye.

PJ is a seven-year-old, stubby tail blue cattle dog and is a veteran of two deployments to the Middle East.

Her handler, Spr Sean Weston, said the dogs didn’t seem to mind the living arrangements in the ship.

“They are living in one of the bathrooms and we put down some mats and astro turf to make them comfortable,” Spr Weston said.

“We have been taking them down to the well dock where they can run around for some exercise and PJ also does PT with me.”

He said the dogs would be used when troops were deployed ashore in a hostile environment where the threat of improvised explosive devices existed.

“My dog and I can be deployed ashore via helicopter or landing craft,” Spr Weston said.

“In the helicopter the dog would wear a muz-zle for extra protection in case she got spooked and she would sit between my legs with her lead con-nected to me for safety.

“We would be embed-ded into an engineer search team and would conduct search opera-tions with them, clear-ing routes and locat-ing weapon caches.”

The sec-ond dog on board is

Skye, a three-year-old border collie trained by her handler, Cpl Mark Worthington.

Canberra’s crew enjoyed having the dogs embarked – it seemed to lift the sailors’ morale just seeing them around the ship.

AB Gabriella Hayllar said she loved seeing the dogs around dur-ing the day.

“It’s good for the soul,” she said. “I wanted to take one to breakfast so I could slip her some bacon under the table.”

Above, AB Gabriella Hayllar, of HMAS Canberra, pats explosive detection dog PJ as the dog’s handler, Spr Sean Weston, looks on.

Members of 2RAR practise weapons drills on the flight deck.

Photos by LS Helen Frank“After being with this project for the

last 18 months, it’s good to finally

find out how the amphibious

element fits in the Landing Helicopter

Dock.– Maj Mathew Singers,

Amphibious Operations Officer aboard HMAS Canberra

2RAR soldiers embark in HMAS Canberra.

Cpl Alex Howard, of HMAS Canberra, directs a vehicle from 2RAR as it embarks the ship in Townsville.

Army July 2, 2015NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews6

Sgt Daniel Bones

FOUR Australian intelligence soldiers took on the Japanese and US Army’s finest dur-ing Exercise Daring Fox, a US Army/Japan-sponsored mili -tary intelligence skills com-petition held at a military facil-ity on the outskirts of Tokyo from May 11-15.

Although this was the first time intelligence corps soldiers were invit-ed to attend a trilateral military intel-ligence skills competition, the team was able to achieve a respectable third place out of 34 teams competing.

The team comprised Sgt Daniel Bones, Sgt Adam Jaswinsky, Cpl Ben Griffin and Cpl Scott Gane.

They faced diverse high-class com-petition that included both regular and reserve US Army soldiers, Rangers and Marines, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) intelligence personnel.

Participants were tested and scored on their ability to provide tactical-lev-el intelligence support to commanders by collecting, assimilating and analys-ing a significant volume of informa-tion in a time-constrained and sleep-deprived environment.

Skills matched to current opera-tional needs were also tested.

Sgt Jaswinsky said the team was

Daring soldiers impress Soldiers head to Japan for military intelligence competition

Sgt Adam Jaswinsky (left) and Cpl Scott Gane (centre) use Secure Electronic Enrolment Kit II equipment for biometric data capture of a ‘person of interest’ during Exercise Daring Fox in Tokyo, Japan.

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required to demonstrate a working knowledge of tactical site exploitation, field interviews, tactical questioning, detainee handling and collection/ISR management.

“Each participant was tested exten-sively on these general skills and scored on the quality of their outputs,” he said.

New skills were also developed as

personnel were trained in the use of the intelligence database, Distributed Common Ground System – Army, and the biometrics collection, Secure Electronic Enrolment Kit II, before

the start of the exercise, and then test-ed on their ability to incorporate this equipment into their collection and analytical processes.

A tangible benefit Cpl Gane said he took away from the event was the opportunity to observe and learn from among the world’s best in this special-ist role.

“Intelligence professionals from the US military, ADF and JGSDF demonstrated tactical military intel-ligence skills in a competitive environ-ment,” he said.

Basic soldier skills were also con-sidered an important aspect of the exercise and participants were test-ed on their ability to employ the M4 rifle at a simulation training facility. Physical fitness, including a ‘ruck’ march and the JGSDF physical fitness test, were also included as part of the exercise.

The competition culminated in the development of a consolidated intel-ligence support package that was briefed to senior officers.

Cpl Griffin was chosen to brief the team’s final product to Brig-Gen Mark Wise, of the US Army, and Maj-Gen Tomofusa Harada, of the JGSDF.

“It was heartening to see that the Australian Intelligence Corps, and the ADF in general, is held in high regard among its allies,” he said.

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Army July 2, 2015 NEWSwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 7

Military super changes

Looking to future Australian, Japanese and US militaries meet in Townsville

SOCOMD personnel worked as a Mentoring and Training Team (MTT) in Papua New Guinea in April and May, tasked with enhancing the PNGDF Long Range Reconnaissance Unit’s (LRUU) response force capa-bilities.

CO 1 Cdo Regt Lt-Col M said the activ-ity continued a deepening engagement by Special Forces with PNG to support the preparation of security forces for national events, including the South Pacific Games being held this month, the 40th anniversary of Independence Day in September, nation-al elections and APEC 2018.

“The MTT was conducted at Goldie River Barracks just outside Port Moresby,” he said

“1 Cdo Regt is leading support for the development of the LRRU, with con-tributors drawn from across the regiment, SASR, 2 Cdo Regt, Special Operations Logistic Sqn and the Army Logistic Training Centre.”

Lt-Col M said the enduring engage-ment plan would support broader efforts to strengthen and enhance the professional skill sets of the PNGDF.

“During the MTT, training involved the enhancement of individual skills, the estab-lishment of a dedicated operations room and collective training serials in complex urban/rural fringe environments,” he said.

“Subjects included close-quarter battle, combat shooting, manual breaching, driv-ing, hostage recovery, marksmanship and other security response skills.”

A train-the-trainer approach was adopt-ed throughout the two-month engagement, whereby the Special Forces trainers inter-acted closely with the LRRU commanders who then passed on the training to their soldiers speaking in Tok Pisin.

“The train-the-trainer approach had the additional benefit of lifting the confidence of the supervisors and commanders, developing more robust training manage-ment practices and encouraging more sustainable outcomes for the capability,” Lt-Col M said.

In addition to hosting a visit by then-CA Lt-Gen David Morrison and Col Richard Parker, of the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby, the LRRU planned and delivered an urban response capability demonstration to a number of senior Australian and PNG officers.

The demonstration showcased marks-man overwatch, distractions, breaching and entry through multiple doors and windows, as well as the recovery of hostages.

The MTT engagement is one of a num-ber of Socomd activities with the PNGDF planned to occur between now and 2018.

Sharing skills in PNG

A TRILATERAL Senior Level Seminar finished on June 23 with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Coral Sea Memorial at Anzac Park in Townsville.

The solemn occasion followed two days of discussion groups and presen-tations between the Australian Army, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF), US Army and US Marine Corps.

CA Lt-Gen Angus Campbell said the seminar brought together military leaders from the Pacific for substan-tial discussion on further collaboration between our armies.

“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to host my Japanese and American counterparts for the Trilateral Senior Level Seminar,” Lt-Gen Campbell said.

“Throughout the seminar our Army, JGSDF, US Army and US Marines shared insightful and open discussions.

“We talked about how we will con-tinue to work together in humanitarian and disaster relief, as well as security operations.

“Importantly, we have discussed how we might build additional trilat-eral training effort in our region in the future.”

The seminar started in 2013, and up until now had been hosted by the US Army Pacific in Hawaii.

Lt-Gen Campbell said he looked forward to future trilateral seminars.

“The last few days in Townsville have been very productive for build-ing cooperative pathways between our militaries,” he said. “I am confident the close relationship will continue to deepen over time.”

Senior representatives included Chief of Staff JGSDF Gen Kiyofumi Iwata, Commanding General US Army Pacific Gen Vincent Brooks, Commander US Marine Corps Forces Pacific Lt-Gen John Toolan, and Commanding General US Special Operations in the Pacific RAdm Colin Kilrain.

After participating in a leader-to-leader forum, the participants toured various 3 Bde units, including 2RAR, 3RAR, 2 Cav Regt and the Combat Training Centre.

The senior representatives were joined by about 90 uniformed mem-bers from their respective militaries, who participated in group discussions on how our three nations could con-structively engage in the Indo-Pacific region.

Lt-Gen John Toolan, Commanding General of US Marine Corps Forces Pacific, chats to 3 Bde soldiers in Townsville. Photos by Maj Al Green

IN A moving ceremony at Townsville’s Coral Sea Memorial on June 23, Gen Kiyofumi Iwata (right), Gen Vincent Brooks, Lt-Gen John Toolan and Lt-Gen Angus Campbell laid wreaths in commemoration of Australian, US and Japanese fallen in WWII. The ceremony acknowledged the past, while looking to the future as friends and partners in our region.

The following is an excerpt Gen Iwata’s speech:

On this most solemn occasion, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the brave souls from Australia, the US and Japan who were lost at the Battle of the Coral Sea. These men sacrificed their lives for the sake of their nations and for their families.

I want to also express my grati-tude for the spirit of tolerance and for the friendship shown by the descendants of those Australians and Americans to Japan and to the

Japanese people who were once their enemies.

The war with Australia and the US was indeed a tragedy. Since that terrible time, however, Japan and its people have devoted them-selves to the reconstruction and growth of our nation for the past 70 years, all the while bearing in mind our feelings of remorse. At the same time, we are striving to

carry on the positive and beneficial things we inherited from the line-age of Japan.

Today, we stand here together as friends, in front of this memo-rial. It is with great satisfaction and pride that I am able to claim that Japan, Australia and the US share common bonds and values, such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and that we are dedi-cating ourselves to peace and the stability of the region.

I pledge on my honour to strive to turn the blood and tears shed by our ancestors from the Japanese, US and Australian forces into the joy and happiness of people living in not only these three nations, but also in the entire Asia-Pacific region.

I also pledge that my resolution will always be carried out with our steadfast partners, the Australian Army, the US Army and the US Marine Corps.

MUTUAL RESPECT

THE bills for the new military superannuation scheme were introduced into parliament on June 25.

The new superannuation arrangements provide more flexible and portable superannuation for Australia’s servicemen and women that recognise the unique nature of military service.

The bills include ADF Super and the associated death and invalidity scheme, ADF Cover.

The legislation proposes that ADF Super will have an employer contribution rate of 16.4 per cent.

From July 1, 2016, ADF mem-bers will be able to transfer their accumulated ADF Super benefits to a fund of their choice at any time, including if they leave the ADF.

ADF Super will be the default

superannuation fund for all new per-manent ADF members and members of the reserve on continuous full-time service from July 1, 2016.

However, members do not have

to join ADF Super as they will have a choice of funds . Current serving members in the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS) are also eligible to join ADF Super if they wish.

ADF Cover, the statutory death and invalidity scheme that will apply to ADF Super members and those who choose another fund, does not require any personal contributions.

The new military superannuation arrangements will give members the flexibility required and expected from a modern fully funded accu-mulation scheme, while the death and invalidity arrangements will remain consistent with the current scheme, MSBS.

Further information is available at www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/ADF_Super.htm

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Army July 2, 2015NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews8

Gearing up for TS15EXERCISE Talisman Sabre 2015 (TS15), the largest combined bien-nial military exercise undertaken by the ADF, will take place from July 5-21.

The exercise provides invaluable experience to about 18,000 ADF per-sonnel to improve combat training, readiness and interoperability, expos-ing participants to a wide spectrum of military capabilities and training experiences.

About 12,000 US military mem-bers will participate. A small number of personnel from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will embed with US units, while New Zealand Defence Force members will exercise at part of the Australian contingent.

The TS series of amphibious exer-cises is the principal Australian and US military training activity focused on the planning and conduct of mid-intensity high-end warfighting.

TS15 will incorporate force prepa-ration activities, Special Forces activi-ties, amphibious landings, parachuting, land force manoeuvres, urban opera-tions, air operations, maritime opera-tions and the coordinated firing of live ammunition and explosive ordnance from small arms, artillery, naval ves-sels and aircraft.

This year the exercise will take place within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland and Fog Bay/Bradshaw Field Training Area in the Northern Territory.

Cpl Max Bree

OPERATIONS in Afghanistan are back under command of JTF 633 after about 350 personnel from JTF 636 returned to their old com-mand structure on June 6.

The new force, known as Task Group Afghanistan, will continue to operate under Australia’s Operation Highroad and NATO’s Resolute Support.

Former Commander JTF 636 Maj-Gen David Mulhall told a gather-ing of Task Group Afghanistan person-nel in Kabul that he was extremely proud of the way changeovers were managed and that there had been no Australian casualties.

“That’s not a reflection on this place getting any less dangerous,” he said.

“It was a hard slog to make sure our people were kept safe.

“It was a constant effort, with con-stant vigilance and I’m very proud of the people who’ve made that happen.”

During its eight months of opera-tion, JTF 636 handled the changeover from Operation Slipper to Highroad and shifted from NATO’s ISAF mis-sion to Resolute Support.

The disbanding of JTF 636 fol-lowed a CDF determination to reset command and control relationships across the Middle East Region.

“We’re folding back into 633 and we’ll be known as 633.6,” Maj-Gen Mulhall said.

He said he didn’t foresee many

things changing on the ground for ADF personnel in Afghanistan.

“The focus will remain with our whole-of-government outlook,” he said.

“There’s a change to reporting lines by virtue of the fact that Afghanistan will report back to HQ JTF 633 rather than back to HQJOC, but life on the ground there won’t change.”

Commander JTF 633, RAdm Trevor Jones, has now assumed responsibility for operations in Afghanistan, while Col Susan Coyle will lead forces on the ground as the Acting Commander of Task Group Afghanistan.

“I tend to take a light hand in terms of command and control because I have great faith in the people charged with responsibilities in country,” RAdm Jones said.

“This has already been set-up as a well-oiled and well-running machine.”

RAdm Jones hoped the greater task force could now benefit from what JTF 636 had achieved.

“You’ve really stamped a brand on this task force in terms of what you’ve achieved independently,” he said.

“You’ve set our mission on a ped-estal here in terms of the way you’ve conducted things.

“I’m proud of the fact you’re com-ing back into JTF 633 and we can share in the legacy you’ve started to forge here.”

More than 1000 personnel served with JTF 636.

A well-oiled machine Task Group Afghanistan formed in Middle East Region

Cpl Aaron Birrell provides force protection for

Australian and coalition mentors at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy during their

deployment on Operation Highroad. Inset, Commander

JTF 636 Maj-Gen David Mulhall (left) receives a

JTF 636 flag from Sig Joshua Otte as a farewell gift during

the transition of authority ceremony in Kabul.

Photos by Cpl David Cotton

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EXERCISE Gona b rough t together reserve officer cadets from university regiments around Australia for nine days of quick attacks, recon missions and other platoon-level activities at the Murray Bridge Training Area from May 23-30.

C o n d u c t e d b y A d e l a i d e University Regt (AUR), the exercise gave 45 officer cadets the oppor-tunity to test themselves in a num-ber of high-tempo offensive platoon operations.

Although many had not seen each other since their last training block, the officer cadets bonded quickly as a cohesive unit.

OCdt Luke Griffiths, of Sydney University Regt, said the nature of the exercise allowed plenty of inter-action between trainees.

“The benefit of using a full standard infantry battalion (SIB) platoon could not be understated, with the presence of a full-strength manoeuvre support section a rare addition to officer cadet training,” he said.

“The exercise provided an unprecedented level of exposure to offensive platoon operations.”

Conducted twice a year, Exercise Gona aims to prepare senior class Army Reserve officer cadets for their final Training Block 5 (TB5) held at RMC. TB5 is the last stage of their training before graduation as lieutenants.

OC Officer Cadet Coy Maj Peter Male said some officer cadets regarded the exercise as a trial run for their assessments during TB5.

“Exercise Gona offers a neutral environment where officer cadets can make mistakes, learn from each other and have an opportunity to seek further guidance from experi-enced reserve and regular directing staff,” he said.

“Trainees are given feedback and support without the addition-al stress they’ll encounter when they’re formally assessed at RMC.”

While the exercise is open main-ly to pre-TB5 senior class officer cadets, junior class officer cadets can also attend to sharpen their field skills.

Embedded in an SIB platoon, junior class officer cadets conduct foundation warfighting training and develop leadership skills under the

Gona be great Officer cadets prepare for final assessments

command of senior class officer cadets, who rotate through com-mand roles.

For OCdt Melissa Bracs, an AUR junior class member, the exercise offered an opportunity to develop field skills before attending her TB3 and 4 modules.

“As a relatively new officer cadet with limited field experience, Exercise Gona gave me valuable insights into the field environment and the conduct of section and pla-toon-level operations,” she said.

“It was a week full of physi-cal and mental challenges, where I received invaluable mentoring from senior officer cadets and the dedi-cated team of AUR staff.”

The opportunity for junior and senior class members to operate in the field together proved to be

beneficial. A key advantage was the development of a peer cohort of people drawn from university regi-ments nationally.

OCdt Tim Grohs, of AUR, said by the final mission cycle, battle buddies were moving together, sec-tions were cohesive and morale was high.

“We strengthened friendships with peers we were previously on course with, formed new friend-ships with people we had not met before and gained valuable prepa-ration for our coming training blocks,” he said.

AUR will conduct the second Exercise Gona for the year in November. Officer cadets from around the country are encouraged to attend. For more informa-tion, contact Capt Graham Rorie, of AUR, at graham.rorie@defence.gov.au

Officer cadets conduct a simulated enemy casualty evacuation during Exercise Gona at Murray Bridge Training Area in South Australia. Inset above, Capt Duncan Jones assesses OCdt Elizabeth Lambert during the exercise. Inset below, officer cadets clear an ‘enemy’ soldier. Photos provided by 9 Bde

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SOLDIERS of 1 Bde, the Malaysian Army and US Marines have spent two weeks testing their skills and pushing their equipment to the limit during Exercise Predators Walk.

Field exercises took place in June at both the Mount Bundey Training Area in the Northern Territory and the Cultana Training Area in South Australia.

Commander 1 Bde Brig Mick Ryan said the exercise pro-vided soldiers with experience in a combined arms environ-ment, where infantry, armour and artillery were integrated into a single fighting unit.

“It is important we train from the lowest level all the way up to brigade level in a range of complex combined arms activities,” Brig Ryan said.

“The success of the exercise demonstrates our high train-ing standards, as well as the excellent equipment of the Army.”

Brig Ryan said Predators Walk was the first step in the brigade’s journey to becoming the Army’s ‘ready’ brigade in July next year.

“When we are the ready brigade we will be available at very short notice to undertake a range of different missions, depending on the requirements of the government,” he said.

Around 2000 personnel took part in Predators Walk, including Marines from the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin and a platoon of soldiers from the Malaysian Army.

“There is much we can learn from the Marines,” Brig Ryan said.

“But every now and then we think there are one or two tricks we might be able to teach them.

“We have a common professional ethic and we have com-mon values between our societies, and that makes it much, much easier to work together.”

1 Bde’s next step on its road to readiness is Exercise Hamel at Shoalwater Bay.

1 Bde predators take a walk Soldiers and Marines tested on the road to readiness 5RAR soldiers assault a

mock town during an urban operations demonstration.

Photo by LCpl Sebastian Beurich

1CSSB Bushmasters transport 5RAR soldiers to a live-fire exercise. Photo provided by 5RAR

Soldiers take notes during a safety briefing before a live-fire activity. Photo by LCpl Sebastian Beurich

A sapper from 9 Fd Sqn, 1CER, provides support to the 7RAR Battle Group during Exercise Predators Walk at Cultana. Photo provided by 7RAR

Above, a Malaysian Army soldier checks for enemy through a doorway during an urban operations demonstration.Below, a US Marine from the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin and a 5RAR soldier on patrol. Photos by LCpl Sebastian Beurich

Army July 2, 2015NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews12

Sgt Dave Morley

THE Army Museum of South Australia is a little poorer with the retirement of its long-serving curator in May

WO2 James Love, who joined the then-Citizen Military Forces’ 3/9SAMR in 1972, was posted to the Australian Army History Unit as cura-tor of the SA museum in 2009, after postings to 27RSAR, 10/27RSAR and Adelaide University Regiment.

“I saw this as a fresh challenge and this posting has been extremely rewarding,” he said.

“One of the main highlights of my career has been the outstanding success that has been achieved by the museum during my five-and-a-half years there.

“The whole museum presentation is the result of dedicated team-work by a great group of vol-unteers and I intend to return after I retire as a volunteer, so I can continue to be part of this very special organisation.”

WO2 Love’s grandfather, Lt James Love, a mission-ary, served in 1 Camel Bde and 14 Light Horse Regt during WWI.

His grand-father was

awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Cross for his service in Palestine from 1916-18. He was also wounded in action in September 1918 near Damascus.

“He died before I was born but my father had a fund of stories he used to tell about him,” he said.

WO2 Love’s father, Spr Robert Love, enlisted in the 2nd AIF in 1942 and served in 1 Topo Svy Coy.

“He served in New Guinea, vari-ous Pacific islands and finished up on Morotai where he was on parade to witness the surrender of Japanese forces to Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Military Forces Gen Thomas Blamey,” he said.

WO2 Love said his father and grandfather were major influences on him joining the Army.

“Dad is proud of my long asso-ciation with the Army,” he said.

SA museum manager Maj Chris Roe said WO2 Love’s contribution to the museum had been outstanding.“I have greatly valued his

professionalism, dedication to duty, advice and capac-

ity to complete a complex task, to a high standard, with limited or little guidance,”

he said.

Loyal service, outstanding contribution

Sleeping rough ADFA hosts homelessness charity event in CanberraAnjali Skandaraja

TO HELP ease the suffering of the 100,000 Australians who suffer cold nights in the open, and to raise awareness of the issue of homeless-ness, ADF personnel participated in the St Vincent de Paul Society CEO Sleepout at ADFA on June 18.

Eighty officer cadets and mid-shipmen joined DCA Maj-Gen Rick Burr, Commander Australian Defence College Maj-Gen Simone Wilkie, and ADFA Commandant Air-Cdre Alan Clements at the event.

“Our people, our Army, our Defence families, are all part of the community,” Maj-Gen Burr said.

“I felt that participating in the sleepout and ‘sleeping rough’ for one night was the least I could do to help draw attention to this issue in our community and to help raise funds for a good cause.”

OCdt Zachary Hucker, a third-year trainee at ADFA, organised the sleepout for officer cadets and mid-shipmen at ADFA, aiming to raise funds for homelessness.

“I volunteered to run the ADFA sleepout as I wanted to get our com-

munity involved in an event that illus-trates the positive contribution we make to the community,” he said.

This year’s sleepout was the second time Maj-Gen Wilkie has participated.

“I am a strong supporter of the CEO sleepout,” she said.

“It was great to see so many executives taking part at ADFA, rais-ing awareness and money to support Australians who are experiencing homelessness.

“I was also really proud of the ADFA personnel who slept out to support this very important cause.”

From left, OCdt Zachary Hucker, DCA Maj-Gen Rick Burr, Off-Cdt Scarlett Hay, Commander ADC Maj-Gen Simone Wilkie and Midn Maggie Twyford participate in the St Vincent de Paul Society CEO Sleepout at ADFA. Inset, students at the sleepout. Photos by John Carroll

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Army July 2, 2015 3 BDE CATAwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 15

TOWNSVILLE’S 3 Bde took training to the next level by combining Plan Beersheba initiatives with internation-

al engagement activities as part of its annual Combined Arms Training Activity (CATA).

Conducted at the Townsville Field Training Area (TFTA) from June 1-18, the exercise incorporated Battlegroup Faithful with soldiers from 3RAR, Battlegroup Eagle with soldiers from 2 Cav Regt, and Battlegroup Cannan com-prising soldiers from 11 and 13 Bdes.

Being a combined arms activity, the battlegroups were closely supported by 4 Regt RAA, 3CER, 3CSR and 3CSSB, and reinforced by members of the US Army, US Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) as part of Exercise Southern Jackaroo. The enemy party was sourced from 1RAR.

The reservists from 11 and 13 Bdes were tested in a coalition environment with an attachment of a platoon of UK soldiers as part of Exercise Morlancourt.

Commander 3 Bde Brig Roger Noble said the ability to work with regional and coalition partners was essential for the modern operating environment.

“Incorporating international engage-ment activities into our annual training activity ensures members of 3 Bde under-stand how different militaries operate,” Brig Noble said.

“CATA was an exciting opportunity for the brigade to showcase its foundation warfighting skills.

“The brigade is at the forefront of force modernisation programs that will trans-form both Army and the ADF into a far more potent, versatile and relevant military force.

“A combined arms capability is the hub of a combat brigade and this exercise brings these skills to practice and hones the capability of the brigade.”

More than 2000 3 Bde personnel par-ticipated in CATA, with close to 100 US soldiers and 50 members of the JGSDF.

CO 3RAR Lt-Col Gavin Keating said Battlegroup Faithful consisted of two main combat teams with integral specialist sup-port.

“Combat Team Alpha was mecha-nised and used APCs from 2 Cav Regt, while Combat Team Bravo was motorised with an uplift capability provided by 3CSSB using Bushmasters

and Unimogs,” Lt-Col Keating said. “We also had Combat Team Echo, which was a composite group made up of engineers and heavy weapons teams.”

The JGSDF platoon formed the Battlegroup Reserve during the training activities of CATA, while the Marines were attached to A Coy.

The platoon from the US Army worked alongside 2 Cav Regt as dismounted troops with another platoon from A Coy. Two US Air Force joint terminal attack controllers were also attached to Battlegroup Eagle.

Engineer support for Battlegroup Faithful was provided by a troop of sappers from 3CER.

Lt-Col Keating said there were two main training components for the 3 Bde CATA.

“The first half of CATA was essentially a field training exercise while the second half was the live-fire exercise,” he said.

“The field training exercise was an advance, attack and destroy mission, while the live-fire exercise consisted of a dismounted attack by Battlegroup Faithful followed by a mounted attack by Battlegroup Eagle.”

Lt-Col Keating said the Japanese sol-diers were very positive and keen to be involved in all aspects of the exercise.

“Obviously the language barrier was a challenge, but we had some excellent Australian and Japanese interpreters,” he said.

“They do things differently, but they have some good capabilities and overall we have been impressed with their expertise and commitment.

“The Marines settled into our battle-group almost seamlessly and we had a small component of US Army snipers who operated successfully with us.

“Apart from wearing a different uni-form and speaking with a different accent, they are almost invisible in terms of their integration.”

Lt-Col Keating said the arrival of 2 Cav Regt in Townsville had increased the brigade’s combat power.

“The battalion has an excellent working relationship with the cavalry regiment,” Lt-Col Keating said.

“The mechanised lift they provide is a fantastic capability for infantry.

“We are also working on sup-plementing 2 Cav Regt’s reconnais-sance capability with our dismounted infantry.”

Combined arms training takes soldiering to a new level in Townsville, Cpl Mark Doran reports.

Cpl Mark Doran

THE 3 Bde CATA was an opportu-nity for 3CSSB to further develop its operating procedures as the unit delivers the brigade’s protected and unprotected mobility capability.

Re-raised in February 2015, 6 Tpt Sqn is responsible for 3 Bde’s protected and unprotected lift with Bushmasters and Unimogs.

This model will be applied across all ready brigades as the Plan Beersheba cycle continues.

Currently, the squadron can lift a company of infantry in the protected mobility vehicles (PMV) and two companies in trucks with passenger modules.

The squadron will soon receive 17 more PMVs providing a further company-sized lift for the brigade.

OC 6 Tpt Sqn, Maj Luke Tindale, said the unit predominately provided lift for 3RAR during CATA.

“A professional rapport was quick-ly established in what was a smooth exercise without issues,” Maj Tindale said.

“We haven’t changed much of the motorised and mechanised combat doctrine, but our challenges and improvements have included incorpo-rating protected and unprotected lift into a defensive setting and providing protection while in a convoy to the unprotected vehicles.

“As we are all RACT we have good convoy discipline and former B Sqn, 3/4 Cav Regt, members have advised us on vehicle camouflage, which have helped shaped our battal-ion trials which will be refined through Exercise Hamel.

“We have been welcomed by 2 Cav Regt who have also offered us assistance, especially with weapons ranges and our shooting continuum.”

Maj Tindale said it was an exciting time to be in 3CSSB.

“B Tp is deployed in support of the Force Protection Element in Afghanistan and PMV teams are working in Iraq in support of Operation Okra,” he said.

“By early next year we hope to have two PMV troops combined with the unprotected lift and the new 3CSSB precinct at Lavarack Barracks is also developing well.

“We are also looking forward to the delivery of the new vehicle fleet in the Land 121 Phase 3B, which will include of the Rheinmetall MAN unprotected and protected variants of the medium vehicle and replace the Unimog.”

Mobility matters

Army July 2, 20153 BDE CATA www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews14

Above, Pte Aaron Ford (left) and Lt Kyle Tilse, of 3CSSB, conduct maintenance on a Bushmaster during CATA.Top, 3RAR soldiers are transported by a Unimog as part 3CSSB’s unprotected uplift capability.

Might of 3 Bde on showA 3CER soldier provides overwatch for his Bushmaster during the Combined Arms Training Activity. Inset right, 3RAR soldiers advance during a live-fire assault. Inset below, an M113 APC of 2 Cav Regt. Photos by Cpl Mark Doran

3RAR soldiers leave their position after a live-fire activity.

Army July 2, 2015 3 BDE CATAwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews16 17

New soldiers experience full effect of combined arms exercise, Cpl Mark Doran reports.

PTE Luke Murdock, of 3RAR, is similar to many of the newer soldiers of B Coy.

He has only been in the bat-talion for about four months and, along with every rifleman in the company, is fresh from the School of Infantry.

B Coy was re-raised in February and its new diggers have just completed a rotation of sub-unit training at the Jungle Training Wing in Tully.

They managed to get a weekend break before CATA, but it has been a steep learning curve for the younger sol-diers as they see and experience life in a combat brigade.

Pte Murdock said he actually enjoyed the jungle and the wet experience of Tully.

“CATA has also been a great oppor-tunity to get back into basic training and keep up the skills learned at Singleton,” Pte Murdock said.

“Some of the training we did at TFTA we have only done once before, such as the assault grenade range, so our section commanders and platoon sergeant made sure we practised the techniques.

“Coming from section-level tasks and progressing to platoon and company level operations was a challenge at first, but it’s easy to put up our hands and ask questions and our section commanders make sure we know what we are doing.

“Our corporals have been helpful by teaching us the tricks-of-the-trade and there always seems to be an easier or bet-ter way of doing tasks.

“I am also enjoying the mateship in 3RAR and if I need a hand with any-thing, I always know there will be some-one willing to help me.”

During CATA, Combat Team Bravo was motorised with an uplift capability provided by 3CSSB using Bushmasters and Unimogs as part of Battlegroup Faithful.

The final milestones for CATA, before the 29km route march, were the live-fire assaults conducted in a com-bined arms environment.

Soldiers experienced the realities of

war with the noise and chaos of a bat-tlefield, along with artillery and mortar barrages and indirect machine gun and sniper fire.

The well-planned live-fire assaults on June 12 took up most of the day, with Combat Team Bravo’s dismounted attacks covering features across nearly 6km of High Range terrain.

OC B Coy Maj Mark Johnston said his troops were clinical during their exe-cution of the complex operation.

“The guys performed well during the attacks and I am very happy with what they achieved for their current level of training,” Maj Johnston said.

“During their short time at 3RAR we have focused on individual skills and trained and qualified the soldiers on individual weapons systems, such as the HK417, 9mm pistol, shotgun and M4 Carbine.

“We refined these skills in Tully and during CATA progressed with our level of training from section to platoon level in the combined arms arena.

“As a company they were certainly tested during the two-week exercise and have definitely progressed over the per-ceived training gap.”

Combat Team Bravo’s main external support was the indirect fire provided by 109 Bty, 4 Regt RAA, and they were also in consultation with armoured assets from 2 Cav Regt.

Apart from the 3CSSB lift capabil-ity, the combat team’s integral assets included a joint fires team from 109 Bty, a troop of engineers from 3CER and an attached 3RAR pioneer section.

Maj Johnston said the Bushmasters were a great multi-purpose platform to use on exercises and operations.

“We can use them to insert our troops just short of an objective during conven-tional operations,” he said.

“If we were called for a security or peacekeeping role within the ready bat-tlegroup, we already know how to oper-ate out of these vehicles.”

Cpl Mark Doran

AS A medic with 1CHB, LCpl Courtney Armstrong (right) is dedicated to providing care for the soldiers in her company.

As a combat medic she may be required to go into battle alongside other 3 Bde soldiers in order to save lives, stabilise and evacuate.

During the 3 Bde CATA, LCpl Armstrong spent most of her time out field with B Coy, 3RAR.

She lived, ate and patrolled with the company and travelled on foot with the commander during the battlegroup assault at TFTA.

LCpl Armstrong has served in the Army for close to five years and has deployed to Papua New Guinea three times.

In 2013 she worked with 3CER troops in Lae and last year sup-ported 3RAR during two deploy-ments to Port Moresby.

She said she enjoyed working in the field with the 3 Bde soldiers.

“I always seem to be attached to 3RAR,” she said.

“I think they are getting to know me and they help me out when they can,” she said.

Developing strong relationships with supported elements is a key

focus for 1CHB, as it enhances the quality of health support.

“The best part of this job is I am part of a great team and get to help people when they need assistance.”

During the course of her duties LCpl Armstrong said she had dealt with most types of injuries, from heat exhaustion and eye inju-ries, right down to ingrown toenails or coughs and colds.

“One of my hard-est challenges is the weight I need to carry, especially when pack-marching while trying to keep up with the boys with my ammo and water, as well as my medical kit,” she said. “I am only small at 156cm.”

Army medics obtain a Diploma in Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2) and a Diploma in Paramedical Science (Ambulance) from their training.

Loving life in a combat brigade

Medic pulls her weight

FORCE TO FEAR

“Coming from section-level tasks and progressing to platoon and company

level operations was a challenge at first, but it’s easy to put up our hands and ask questions and our

section commanders make sure we know what we are doing.

– Pte Luke Murdoch, 3RAR

Pte Luke Murdoch, of 3RAR.

LCpl Karel Oosterhuizen, of 3RAR, takes cover during

the live-fire assault.

A 2 Cav Regt M113 APC manoeuvres during CATA. US Army First

Sgt Brunick, of 1 Bn, 17 Inf Regt, 2 Stryker

Bde Combat Team.

OC B Coy, 3RAR, Maj Mark Johnston, gives orders for a live-fire assault.

Sig Moira Walker (left), of 3CSR, provides support to CO 3RAR

Lt-Col Gavin Keating.

3RAR soldiers fire an 84mm M3 Carl Gustav anti-tank weapon during the combined arms training activity (CATA) at Townsville Field Training Area. Photos by Cpl Mark Doran

Army July 2, 20153 BDE CATA www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews18

Cpl Mark Doran

A PLATOON of Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) soldiers cooperated with 3 Bde troops during CATA as part of Exercise Southern Jackaroo.

Southern Jackaroo has been previ-ously held as a modest exchange fol-lowing the Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting and was first staged at Puckapunyal in May 2013.

This year the trilateral interna-tional engagement of 150 personnel also included soldiers from the US Army and the US Marine Corps and focused on platoons from each nation exercising in a combined arms environment.

The exercise consisted of eight days of field training followed by three days of live-fire activities at TFTA, where the Japanese infantry learned to live in and operate from Bushmasters and ate Australian ration packs.

JGSDF Contingent Commander Maj Yuzo Hirayama, of 32 Inf Regt, said the most impressive part of CATA was witnessing Battlegroup Faithful’s live-fire assault.

“Both our nations’ soldiers are very good, however the Australian Army con-ducts its basic training very well,” Maj Hirayama said.

“We have been impressed with the Australian soldiers as they have all been very kind and given us a lot of support.

“The ethos of the modern Japanese soldier is that he trains and lives as part of a family, which is one of the keys to maintaining our discipline during train-ing or an emergency situation.

“Although we don’t speak English, we are all still soldiers and can

communicate with the Australians heart-to-heart.”

Maj Robert Tierney, of HQ 1 Div, was one of four linguists who provided support and said his role began with the welcome and introductory briefs for the Japanese troops.

“We then translated and assisted 3RAR with the integration of the Japanese into the Australian battle rhythm during CATA,” Maj Tierney said.

“It has been a thoroughly enjoyable task and interesting to see the differ-ences in the JGSDF tactics, techniques and procedures.

“The positive strategic and coopera-tive relationship between the US, Japan and Australian is growing well.

“There were no significant cultural challenges with the JGSDF during CATA, but the language barrier also pre-vented that from occurring.”

He said the Japanese realise Australia and the US don’t fully understand their ways and vice-versa, but everyone was eager to learn what they could from each other.

The JGSDF was established after the end of WWII and in recent years has been engaged in international peace-keeping and humanitarian operations.

The JGSDF 32 Inf Regt is based in Saitama Prefecture near Tokyo and is responsible for the defence of Japan’s capital city.

Maj Hirayama said although mem-bers of his regiment had deployed to Iraq, Timor-Leste and the Golan Heights, CATA had given them the best military experience because of the size of the manoeuvre area.

“We could not do a large-scale live-fire exercise like this in Japan,” Maj Hirayama said.

Cpl Mark Doran

SNIPER teams from Australia, Japan and the US aligned their crosshairs, demonstrated their skills and shared knowledge during the 3 Bde CATA and Exercise Southern Jackaroo.

The snipers from the Australian Army, Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF), US Army and US Marines formed new friendships as they worked together.

US Army Sniper Team Leader Sgt William Beecroft, of 1-17 Inf Regt, said working with snipers from other nations was a great experience.

“It was a good opportunity for us all to learn new skills and tactics,” Sgt Beecroft said.

“The techniques used by snipers, such as camouflage and conceal-ment, seem to be mostly universal, we just use different weapons systems.

“In the US we use a different measuring system, but when working with other nations we try to work with the metric system as much as possible.

“TFTA is similar to a lot of our

training areas although there are a lot more trees and more shade, which is nice. I hope I can come back to Australia in the future.”

Pte Dylan Smith, of 3RAR, has been with the battalion since 2013 and said it was interesting to see how different armies and sniper units operated.

“We all learn from the same princi-ples of marksmanship so our doctrine is fairly similar,” Pte Smith said.

“Our diverse cultures worked well together during CATA.

“Although the Australian weap-ons systems are different, the other nations’ equipment is familiar and they have similar capabilities.”

JGSDF sniper Sgt Taro Asakawa, of 32 Inf Regt, said he enjoyed work-ing in Queensland on the trilateral exercise.

“A Japanese sniper can study the craft for 10 years, but the Australian snipers have many skills, including fitness, running and communication, and I am impressed with their shoot-ing techniques,” he said.

“I was also happy because I was able to try Aussie beef.”

Army July 2, 2015 3 BDE CATAwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 19

Capt Cam Ward

IT IS activities like 3 Bde CATA that prove how vital Army Reserve units are to Army under the modernisation push of Plan Beersheba.

Plan Beersheba is designed to “significantly enhance Army’s struc-ture”, part of which will involve better integration of full-time and part-time personnel.

The plan has aligned two reserve brigades to support each regular bri-gade. Queensland’s 11 Bde, which takes in about 2000km from Cairns to Southport, and Western Australia’s 13 Bde, which stretches from Perth out as far as Kalgoorlie, Albany and Geraldton, are aligned with the Townsville-based 3 Bde.

Some 280 soldiers from across the two reserve brigades’ 14 units came to Townsville to form Battlegroup Cannan to assist with CATA.

11 Bde Chief of Staff Lt-Col Keith Potter said CATA had been very suc-cessful for the brigade, with “a lot of really good training; a lot of good les-sons”.

Reservists provided a battlegroup HQ, one combat team, an administration company, mortars and engineers. They helped secure the eastern flank, pro-vided deception as to where the 3 Bde’s main effort was and put in a number of block positions.

This year, for the first time, the reservists were also able to participate in a live-fire component.

“Under Plan Beersheba, the bat-tlegroup has a real and relevant role,” Lt-Col Potter said.

“But for them to do that role, which is supporting 3 Bde, they need to do these training activities.

“The soldiers went away with a really good impression of this exercise and I think they’ll be keen to come back in future years.”

CO Battlegroup Cannan Lt-Col Doug Ensor said reservists faced a daunting task on CATA because Commander 3 Bde Brig Roger Noble expected the same from part-time sol-diers that he expected from his full-time battlegroups.

But Lt-Col Ensor said he had been proud of the way his soldiers had risen to the challenge during CATA.

“The dedication of these soldiers is quite phenomenal,” he said. “We only get to do this for two weeks and it’s clunky at the start. I use the analogy of the tank – trying to get a tank going takes a bit of work, but after three or four days you just try stopping it.”

An added extra for this year’s CATA

was be the injection into Battlegroup Cannan of a platoon of UK reservists from Newcastle-based 5 Bn, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, as part of Exercise Morlancourt.

Lt-Col Potter said the inclusion of Fusiliers added a lot to the exercise.

Fusilier Kieran Doherty said morale had been high among British soldiers during CATA.

“We all pick each other up and there’s always someone who makes a fool of themselves that we can laugh about together. That just keeps us going,” he said.

In a typical Newcastle winter in the UK, the temperature can drop down to -5C and as much as -20C in an extreme year. His first experience of a Queensland winter, therefore, was quite surprising.

“This is far, far better than any sum-mer we get,” Fusilier Doherty said.

“I like being outdoors and in the field and enjoying myself, but this is a bit too warm for me.”

Support also came in the form of the many Queensland and Western Australian businesses that allowed their employees time off to take part in CATA, a fact that was not lost on Commander 11 Bde Brig Bill Date.

On a visit to the TFTA by a group of local employer representatives, Brig Date said he was grateful for what the businesses did.

“I always tell people it’s a three-legged stool – you need the commitment of the reserve soldier to participate, the support of their family to come on exer-cises or go overseas on operations, or go away for a course, and then the coopera-tion of employers,” he said.

“Hopefully we provide the reservists back to you with some new skills – lead-ership, teamwork, initiative – and they come back as somewhat better people and add value to your business.”

In its association with 3 Bde, 11 Bde has participated in Talisman Sabre 2013, Hamel 2014 and CATA 2015. As 3 Bde moves into the reset phase from July 1, Lt-Col Potter said the emphasis for the coming 12 months would be on indi-vidual training and lower-level platoon skills.

However, there is an expectation that by 2017, 11 and 13 Bdes will be able to put a full battlegroup of 700-800 soldiers into the field “with all the bells and whistles they need to be a self-supporting entity”.

“Our eye is on that 2017 ‘road to ready’,” Lt-Col Potter said.

“It’s that 12 months of being ready that we are focused on.”

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Cpl Mark Doran

EXPLOSIONS were non-stop as 4 Regt RAA gunners fired close to 1500 rounds, including danger-close missions, during 3 Bde’s CATA at the TFTA.

The gun crews from Townsville’s 109 Bty supported the battlegroups from 3RAR and 2 Cav Regt during their live-fire assaults and exposed the attacking troops to realistic battlefield effects generated by artillery fires.

Nearly 450 rounds were fired in support of 3RAR and around 800 were fired in support of 2 Cav Regt during their attacks. Most of the rounds were high-explosive.

Reservists from 11 and 13 Bde’s Battlegroup Cannan also experienced danger-close action as they walked the ground only 350m from the point of impact and felt the shock and blast from the 155mm high explosive shells.

Joint fires observers from 4 Regt RAA provided coordination and con-trol of aircraft, such as the RAAF Super Hornets from 6 Sqn, as well as the fires provided by the regiment’s guns and 3RAR’s mortars

Battery Commander Maj James Casey, of 109 Bty, said the gunners of the regiment had worked hard in the lead-up to CATA to reach the level where they could reliably and quickly engage targets at danger-close distanc-es to friendly forces.

“This is an advanced practice for artillery,” Maj Casey said.

“Throughout the first six months of this year and previous exercises we have ensured all our procedures and drills are correct and our level of train-ing was to a standard that would be acceptable to expose troops to a man-ageable but increased risk of being within 350m of high explosive rounds fired from a gunline 12km away.

“We also had the opportunity to involve the APCs from 2 Cav Regt where we were able to bring the troops to within 175m because they were under armour.

“This requires accurate and timely

fire, and a well-drilled and a highly skilled gunline.

Harassment and interdiction (H&I) missions were conducted on two nights into the early hours of the morning, which meant sleep depriva-tion was experienced by most exercise participants across the TFTA.

Maj Casey said H&I fire plans were used to shape the enemy and restrict or deny their schemes of manoeuvre or avenues of approach.

“We might use a mixture of illu-mination or high explosive rounds to shape them into doing something we want them to do,” Maj Casey said.

“They can also be used as a form of deception.

“If we weight our fire in one place it could give the impression that will be our focus, but with surprise we might attack at a different time or place of our choosing.

“The timing between H&I fires can be calculated on how long it takes the enemy to stand-to and remain ready for an attack.

“After some time they are lulled into a sense of security and return to a relaxed state, only to then receive another artillery barrage.

“It contributes to undermining their morale and starts them second-guess-ing our intentions.”

LBdr Christopher Gray, of 109 Bty, said CATA became tiring over the last few days, especially with the night firing, H&I fire plans and the daytime live-fire assaults.

“The gunners didn’t get a lot of sleep,” LBdr Gray said.

“The H&I missions lasted until 3am, so we only had time to grab a couple of hours sleep before we were back into it.

“We use the work/rest ratio between the guys, ensure they are well-fed and that they get plenty of water.

“We definitely had to get a lot of rounds down range in a small amount of time.

“I think we did pretty well – we worked hard and we achieved the mission.”

Gunners take aim at CATA

Beersheba integration in action in Townsville

4 Regt RAA guns on fire in support of battlegroups

Reserves played a key role in 3 Bde’s CATA. Photos by Capt Cam Ward

Snipers align skillson Townsville ex

3RAR sniper Cpl Sean Williams (left, with chit for beard) and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force sniper Sgt Taro Asakawa, of 32 Inf Regt, prepare for a live-fire activity at Townsville. Photo by Cpl Mark Doran

Jackaroo brings nations together

A 3 Bde soldier shares a joke with his Japanese counterparts. Photo by Cpl Mark Doran

LBdr Chris Gray (above) and Gnr Brenton Hebbard (left), of 109 Bty, 4 Regt RAA, check their guns during CATA. Photos by Cpl Mark Doran

Gunners of 109 Bty, 4 Regt RAA, prepare to leave the exercise area.

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Army July 2, 2015FEATURES www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews20 Army July 2, 2015 FEATURESwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 21

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“WE EXPECT them to shoot, move and communicate at the gallop.”

Capt Thomas Johnson, an instructor at the School of Armour, says armoured officers need to be quick thinking and lead from the front.

“The commander of an ASLAV is 25 per cent of the firepower for a troop, which means they need to be at the front and fighting with the vehicle and crew,” Capt Johnson says.

“We look for soldiers who are quick to action, quickly orientate to the situa-tion on the battlefield, are quick to make the correct decisions and effectively communicate those decisions to their subordinates as they work as a team to achieve their mission.”

The Cavalry Regimental Officers’ Basic Course (ROBC) is six months of corps-focused training for lieutenants who graduate from RMC.

It teaches them to be troop lead-ers within the new Armoured Combat Regiment (ACR) structure.

The role of armour is to locate, iden-tify and destroy or capture the enemy, in combination with other arms, using fire and manoeuvre.

Cavalry also conducts independent operations for protracted periods in remote areas and under harsh condi-tions.

The 23-week course of high-qual-ity training at Puckapunyal, Victoria, encompasses communication, driving and servicing, gunnery and tactics.

The 12 students on the current ROBC, which began in January and fin-ishes later this month, are from 1 Armd Regt, 2 Cav Regt and 2/14LHR (QMI), and will train on the ASLAV before returning to their units.

Three of the students are Australian Intelligence Corps lieutenants who will complete their regimental time in an armoured unit.

Capt Johnson says students are put under a lot of stress during the train-ing to see what they are capable of and ensure they have the necessary attributes to be a cavalry officer.

“It is challenging because it is a long course and there is a lot to learn, especially in the technical wings,” Capt Johnson says.

“There is also a lot of equipment the students haven’t seen before and we expect them to learn quickly.

“It all comes together in the final 10 weeks, which are dedicated to tactics, and combine all the lessons and skills in a strenuous field training exercise, including live-fire activities.”

Armour is integral on the battlefield,

which has been proven by recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The turret of an armoured vehicle is a busy place – the commander is con-trolling the driver and the gunner while trying to navigate the vehicle.

RAAC officers need to work closely with their soldiers as part of an armoured fighting vehicle crew, which in itself can present unique challenges.

Capt Johnson says School of Armour instructors have re-focused their training on combined arms and the integration of MBTs, ASLAVs and APCs as Army moves towards the ACR structure.

“The combined arms armoured team is the best way to fight,” Capt Johnson says.

“Our students are exposed to instruc-tors who have had multiple operational deployments and an enormous amount of experience to pass on.

“Foreign instructors are also posted to the school as the international experi-ence and a different perspective is vital in showing our students that, although the Australian Army might do some-thing one way, other nations do things differently.”

Among the staff at the School of Armour is a permanent US Marine Corps rotation in Tactics Wing, as well as two instructors from the US Army and one from the Malaysian Army.

The school’s Support Squadron is an important part of the organisation and vital to Tactics Wing. They not only keep the vehicles running – they provide drivers, gunners, play enemy party and replenishments at all hours of the day.

Lt Joel Bray, of 1 Armd Regt, says he chose RAAC because it is fast-paced and quick-moving.

“Armoured Corps suits me because I can do quick and deliberate planning, but the rapid movement is what I enjoy,” he says.

“Gunnery is when the ROBC starts to pick up.

“It is academically focused, as we need to understand the theory of fire and the principles of engagement with the different weapons systems, but we also need to learn the individual technical components of these systems.”

Lt Bray says the best part of the course is the battle runs.

“This is where we get to tie together everything we have learned,” he says.

“We are moving, finding targets and getting rounds down range, all while thinking about the enemy picture and supporting other callsigns.

“I am now looking forward to return-ing to 1 Armd Regt and training hard with my troop.”

Leading from the front at PuckapunyalCavalry officers hone their leadership and corps-specific skills on the Regimental Officers’ Basic Course at the School of Armour, Cpl Mark Doran reports.

Above, from left, Lts James Bedogni, Joel Bray and Callum Fox discuss tactics. Left, from left, Lt Stefan Collins, of 1 Armd Regt, and Lt Guy Wagener, of 2/14LHR (QMI), prepare ammunition for a battle run.Below, an ASLAV conducts manoeuvres on a battle run at the School of Armour. Photos by Cpl Mark Doran

An ASLAV fires the

25mm M242 Bushmaster

Chain Gun during the

ROBC at the School of

Armour.

Tpr Nathan Fowkes, of the School of Armour Support Sqn, stows

ammunition in an ASLAV for the 25mm M242 Bushmaster Chain

Gun. Inset, Lt Joel Bray, of 1 Armd Regt, checks his ASLAV.

Army July 2, 2015HISTORY www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews22

THE first in a series of seminars titled Firepower: Lessons from the Great War, which was held at ADFA on

May 13, attracted a large audience of military professionals and history enthusiasts.

Roya l Aus t r a l i an Ar t i l l e ry Historical Company organiser Lt-Col Nick Floyd said he was happy with the quality and diversity of the presenta-tions, and how each explored a differ-ent aspect of the Anzac landing, which was the subject of the first seminar.

“It was great to have both the cal-ibre of speakers we had, as well as the special contribution provided by Maj-Gen Steve Gower (Retd) as com-pere and host,” he said.

“The presentations were candid, objective and professional in their calibre, but equally entertaining and informative.

“Having the Kiwi and Indian Army perspectives told were special treats – they and the naval gunfire support presentations ensured we all consid-ered the broader firepower problem.”

Speakers included former SASR CO Brig Chris Roberts (Retd), Pakistan Military Adviser Brig Muhammad Asghar, New Zealand Military Adviser Lt-Col Bob Moody, Sea Power Centre historian Cmdr David Stevens and Just Soldiers author Maj Darryl Kelly.

Brig Roberts outlined the role of artillery pre-1914, where infan-try commanders planned the tactics and artillery simply followed, and

communication was by means of sig-nal flags or heliograph.

He said Comd 1 Div Maj-Gen William Bridges initially didn’t want artillery ashore at Gallipoli in case the guns were captured, and actually sent some guns back to the transport ships.

“There was also some difficulty finding positions for the guns,” he said.

“Later when they came ashore they worked as one or two-gun positions and set the fuses for the shells to go off as soon as they left the barrels in order to cut down the Turks as they crossed the wheat fields.”

Maj Kelly did what he does best, telling the personal stories of individ-ual diggers.

One of h is s tor ies to ld of Gnr Harry Wilson, of 4 Bty, a motor mechanic from Melbourne.

“During a savage Turkish counter-battery bombardment, he continued to man his gun even when seriously wounded by shrapnel,” Maj Kelly said.

“For his actions he was Mentioned in Despatches and was one of the first recipients of the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field – but his bravery also cost him his left leg.”

Navy historian Cmdr David Stevens said naval gunfire support hadn’t received good press for its role at Gallipoli, but attributed this to sev-eral factors.

“Poor communications, fragile sea plans, having to fire on the move and guns and ammunition designed for an anti-shipping role didn’t help,” he said.

“Two services with a different

culture and terminology was a recipe for disaster.

“However, a 15-inch shell, contain-ing 15,000 shrapnel balls from one of HMS Queen Elizabeth’s eight guns, was credited with destroying a Turkish regiment.”

Lt-Col Moody said the New Zealand Artillery acquired 18-pounder guns and 4.5-inch howitzers in 1911.

“The NZ Army was involved in the 1914 attack on Apia in German Samoa,” he said.

“Later NZ field gunners went ashore in Egypt where they were able to train, and then to Lemnos where they trained in loading and unloading their guns and horses from transport ships.

“NZ soldiers were in action within 20 minutes of landing at Gallipoli, but ammunition was scarce.

“During the Sari Bair offensive in August 1915, the NZ Army and NZ Mounted Rifles easily repelled a Turkish attack.”

Brig Muhammad Asghar spoke on “the forgotten soldiers” of the Gallipoli campaign – the Indian gun-ners of 7 Indian Mountain Arty Bde – and their close links with Australian gunners.

“The unit comprised 21 Kohat Bty and 26 Jacob’s Bty,” he said.

“26 Jacob’s Bty landed on April 26 – the first artillery battery to land at Gallipoli – and immediately went into action. It was the last artillery unit to leave Gallipoli in December 1915.

“Af te r heavy casua l t i es an

Australian officer and 20 gunners were attached and the Australians metaphor-ically took the Indian gunners to their hearts.”

Lt-Col Floyd said he was also pleased with the diverse and distin-guished audience.

“There were retired and serving gunners and other service personnel, but also a strong showing from aca-demia and the wider community,” he said.

“ C o m m a n d a n t A D F A Air-Cdre Alan Clements and Head of Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Prof David Lovell also attended.

“This was special because both have been particularly supportive of the seminar series idea in the provision of facilities and other support.

“HASS and ADFA have offered to be ongoing partners for the series,

along with Australian Army History Unit and the United Services Institute (ACT).

“We really appreciate the support.”Lt-Col Floyd said he learnt a lot

from the seminar about aspects of gun-nery, combined arms and command and control at Anzac Cove.

“I am confident we are on track to have a great story told about how fire-power evolved during the Great War, as we proceed through the 11-seminar series,” he said.

“The lessons on what was impor-tant then and what remains important now are already evident, after this first seminar.”

The next seminar is scheduled for August 26 at ADFA.

Podcasts are available on the RAAHC website at www.artilleryhistory.org

Learning from past battlesArtillery lessons from Anzac Cove offer insight to modern firepower, Sgt Dave Morley reports.

Left, a group of Indian gunners near 1 Bn’s camp at the foot of White’s Valley on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Photos courtesy AWM

HMS Queen Elizabeth.

A 4 Fd Bty sub-gun camouflaged with sandbags and branches, a popular method of concealing field guns. This gun was the first Australian gun to go ashore at Gallipoli.

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Army July 2, 2015 HISTORYwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 23

A C O N T I N G E N T o f WWII veterans have returned to Borneo to re-live past adventures and

honour lost mates.Operation Oboe was the codename

given to the campaign to re-capture Borneo (part of modern Indonesia) in 1945. About 75,000 Australians par-ticipated in the Borneo campaign and more than 590 lost their lives in what was to be the final Australian cam-paign of the war.

Eight Oboe veterans travelled to Borneo with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Defence staff from Australia’s embassy in Jakarta and Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) members on June 6-7.

Keith Hearne, now 89, took part in the landings at Balikpapan with 2/31 Bn, part of 7 Div. His memo-ries of coming ashore that day remain fresh.

Mr Hearne said he came into the beach with Sgt George Weir.

“We bo th s tood up and a [Japanese] sniper shot him – George was right next to me,” he said.

“He was killed instantly. I have always wondered why it was him and not me. That was the day I became a man.”

Also travelling with the delega-

Soldiers of Australia’s Federation Guard join WWII veterans on their return to Borneo battle sites, Cmdr Fenn Kemp reports.

Honouring lost matesWWII veteran Geoff Chapman, who served with 2/48 Bn, explains how he landed in Borneo to Australia’s Federation Guardsman Gnr Daniel Wood during a visit to a Tarakan beach. Photo by Cmdr Fenn Kemp

tion was 91-year-old Geoff Chapman. He came ashore at Tarakan as part of 2/48 Bn, 9 Div.

“We managed to get ashore OK,” Mr Chapman recalled.

“It wasn’t until we got into the sand dunes that the Japanese opened up.”

He remembered his unit as a close-knit group. This was due to the leadership of their OC, Lt Tom

‘Diver’ Derrick VC, who was killed in action as part of an attack at Freda Hill during the Battle of Tarakan. Mr Chapman was shot in the same action.

“The unit was totally shattered by Lt Derrick’s death,” he said.

Kenneth “Brian” Winchcombe, 89, and 96-year-old Jack Olsson also made the journey.

Mr Winchcombe was a member of 2.2 Pioneer Bn’s intelligence sec-

tion – a job that brought him face-to-face with the defeated enemy in both Tarakan and Balikpapan.

Mr Olsson was with 2/8 Fd Regt, which landed at Morotai during the operation. No sooner had he given the signal for his men to disembark, his jeep became bogged. When he returned for it later, only its bonnet was visible beneath the muddy sand.

Standing on the Tarakan coastline

70 years later, the group described their Borneo experiences to Gnr Daniel Wood, who was among a con-tingent of AFG members accompany-ing the veterans on their pilgrimage.

“When they last saw this stretch of water, some of them were my age,” Gnr Wood said.

“Their stories were so detailed. It has been a rare privilege to be able to re-live these experiences with them.”

“We both stood up and a [Japanese] sniper shot him – George was

right next to me ... I have always wondered why it was him and not me. That was the day I became a

man.– Keith Hearne, WWII veteran

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Memories you can touchArmy July 2, 2015FEATURES www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews24

Former Governor-General encourages soldiers to support Boer War memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra, Sgt Dave Morley reports.

THE Boer War needs to be remembered because it was the first conflict in which Australians fought

as a federated nation, according to former Governor-General Maj-Gen Michael Jeffery (Retd).

“It also helped to cement, in the eyes of the world, the capacity of Australian soldiers, particularly our largely bushmen mounted troops, as to what good soldiers they were, and have proven to be in every conflict since,” he said.

Maj-Gen Jeffery is a patron of the National Boer War Memorial Association (NBWMA) and keen to see Australians support the creation of a memorial along Canberra’s Anzac Parade.

“I encourage Australians to support the construction of a memorial to the Boer War because virtually every other major conflict since Federation has been remembered and commemorated in that way,” he said.

“Because the Boer War was our first conflict as a nation, I think it’s quite important it gains similar status and that’s why I’m pleased to support this initiative.

“Such an historic event should be

permanently recorded in something that people can physically see and feel.”

Chairperson of the ACT NBWMA Committee Sgt Nigel Webster, of Sydney University Regiment, said while the Boer War had a nega-tive impact on South Africa, it actu-ally had a positive effect on Australia’s development.

“It played an important role in shaping what can be defined as the Australian character,” he said.

“Australian units were in action against the Boers for almost the entire duration of the war, and during the guerrilla campaign they were among the most effective of all mounted soldiers.

“Australia’s contribution was sig-nificant with casualty numbers only exceeded by those of WWI and WWII.

“About 1000 Australians lost their lives on service in South Africa during the Boer War.

“In all, more than 16,000 troops served in Australian contingents and another 7000 Australians fought in other colonial and irregular units.”

To make a donation to the NBWMA, go to www.bwm.org.au/documents/Donation_Form.pdf

Above, soldiers of 3 Tp, D Sqn, NSW Imperial Bushmen, in South Africa in 1900. The men acted as bodyguard to senior British officer, Lt-Gen Lord Methuen. Photo courtesy AWM

Left, Army reporter Sgt Dave Morley interviews former Governor-General Maj-Gen Michael Jeffery (Retd) about his role as a patron of the National Boer War Memorial Association. Photo by Roger Price

Army July 2, 2015 FEATURESwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 25

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THIRTY-three trainees have graduated from the Ind igenous Pre -R e c r u i t m e n t C o u r s e

(IPRC) in Adelaide with 10 graduates already on their way to careers in the ADF.

Eight graduates have been offered positions in the Army, one is joining the Navy and another is joining the Air Force.

The graduation parade took place at Keswick Barracks in Adelaide on June 11, combining military elements with Indigenous culture.

Trainees demonstrated drill movements before performing tradi-tional dances and were later award-ed certificates, recognising their graduation from the course.

Pa rade r ev i ewing o ff i ce r Maj-Gen Mick Fairweather, said sharing the graduates’ Indigenous culture was as important for them as it was for the nation.

“This course is your first step on a journey,” he said.

“The learning and development will stand you in good stead wheth-er you join Defence or take another path.”

The IPRC offers personal and professional development to young Indigenous men and women who are considering a career in the ADF or want to experience high-quality training in a military environment.

Hosted by 9 Bde, the most recent course was based at Hampstead Barracks with live firing and field exercises at the Murray Bridge Training Area.

Commander 9 Bde Brig Mick

New skills, new directionYoung Australians graduate from Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Course in Adelaide, Capt Sharon Mascall-Dare reports.

Burgess said he was impressed with the young graduates.

“They are an example to others in setting out to achieve their goals with commitment and determina-tion,” he said.

He said 9 Bde was proud to have contributed to the success of the course by providing support to IPRC staff and the graduates.

“We value the contribution that Indigenous men and women make to the ADF,” he said.

“We are committed to promoting cultural diversity in our workforce.”

Senior Indigenous Mentor WO1 Colin Watego is a Bundjalung and Torres Strait Islander man who has served in the ADF for 40 years.

“The IPRC changes lives,” he said.

“It offers unique personal and professional development opportu-nities to young Indigenous people.

“Every young person who comes here is on a journey. We support them on their journey into the ADF or give them skills they can use in other careers, as role models in their communities.”

The six-week course focused on five core training modules: Indigenous and military culture; academic advancement; fitness and life skills; introduction to military training; and job preparation and interview skills.

Other graduates intend to pursue their applications to join the ADF over the coming months, or take their new skills back to their com-munities. Three graduates are now planning to apply for jobs with the APS.

For further information about the IPRC, visit www.defence.gov.au/code/indigenous/career/ADF/iprc.asp

MERGING CULTURES HOPES AND DREAMSTRAINEES told their stories and mapped their journeys in the form of ‘Heartworks’ during the course.

The inspiring visual stories tell the trainees’ dreams of joining the ADF or using their skills for the benefit of their families and communities at home.

In one painting, the sun in the middle of the Aboriginal flag is replaced with an image of the Rising Sun badge.

All four paintings portray themes of hope, pride and determination, as train-ees took different paths as part of their personal and professional development.

After the IPRC graduation ceremony in Adelaide, the four canvases were pre-sented to Commander 9 Bde Brig Mick Burgess by Senior Indigenous Mentor WO1 Colin Watego in recognition of 9 Bde’s contribution to the course.

CALEB Hayward, of Woodville in South Australia, has been offered a position as a rifleman after complet-ing the IPRC.

“The course brings two cultures together, both the military and Indigenous cultures,” Caleb said.

“I’ve discovered a new family on this course. I’ve got my Defence brothers and sisters here, and I’ve got my own family back home.”

He said he did the course to improve his skills and build a future.

“It’s changed my life coming here,” he said. “I hope I’ve made my family and my community proud.”

Graduates of the Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Course dance during the graduation parade at Keswick Barracks, Adelaide.Inset, WO1 Colin Watego (left) presents Commander 9 Bde Brig Mick Burgess with ‘Heartworks’ completed by course participants. Photos by Cpl Nicci Freeman and WO2 John Prince

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Army July 2, 2015PERSONNEL www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews26

Sgt Dave Morley

PROMOTION courses could get a whole lot easier if a computer program developed by a self-proclaimed ‘geek’ from Sydney University Regt (SUR) takes off.

The program was demonstrated to training staff at HQ RMC-A on June 8.

SM Army Reserve Training WO1 Peter Goom, of HQ RMC-A, said he saw the program being used at SUR and thought it was a valuable training tool.

“I thought it would be good to bring it here and demo it,” he said. “Then we can get our heads together to find out where else in the formation, or out of the forma-tion, it could be used – or modified and used – to make training better.”

LCpl Mike Henry, of SUR, developed the program after he found the concept of drill and weapons lessons daunting dur-ing a promotion course.

“When it came time to do our weap-ons lesson we watched a demo from our DS and were given a manual, put in our groups and sent off to learn our lessons over two days before coming back and presenting,” he said.

“From a geek perspective, I was spending 40 minutes of my time practis-ing and taking up 40 minutes each of two other blokes’ time, which they could be using to practise their own lessons.”

He believed, on a time-short course, there had to be a better way.

“I thought, ‘why don’t we come up with a computer program that works off the concept of a time sheet, but makes it dynamic with the timekeeper built into it’,” he said.

“That way, when we’re not work-ing in our groups, we can go through individually and practise our lessons and time ourselves as we go, as well as cross-reference the pam.”

Sub 1 Cpl course WSM WO2 Pete Brinkworth, of SUR Training Coy, implemented the new Army Reserve training continuum and said he found there was a 20 per cent failure rate across the reserve on promotion courses.

“This is not sustainable when you think about having to send 10 soldiers home off every course,” he said.

“The reason for that was they were doing their weapons lessons while hav-ing no significant background in that area and we didn’t have the time to teach them about the weapons, so it was non-productive for everyone.

“So we came up with this time man-agement program.”

WO2 Brinkworth said they had used the program on the last six courses.

Enhance your career as a recruit instructor

Training program makes life easier

Sgt Dave Morley

LIFE as a recruit instructor (RI) at 1RTB is a rewarding experience, according to one corporal who has given it a go.

Cpl Mark Bain, of 1RTB’s staff training platoon, said while it could be an arduous and challenging job at times, the rewards were excellent.

“Seeing a recruit march in as a civilian and later march out as a competent and qualified soldier, instilled with the Army’s values and traditions, leaves you with a sense of pride and professional satisfac-tion,” he said.

“Accepting a posting to 1RTB has both financial and professional gains, which further develops you as an NCO and places your knowl-edge, skills and attributes above that of your peer group.

“The ability to work within an all-corps environment gives you the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience from other RIs from dif-ferent corps to further develop your network of professional relation-ships within Army.

“Every member will benefit professionally from a posting to 1RTB.”

Cpl Bain said the financial gain more than compensated for the early starts and late finishes that went with the job.

“While posted to 1RTB as an RI, you qualify for the Recruit Instructor Scheme, which is $13,000, pre-tax, paid at the com-pletion of each financial year,” he said.

“If you haven’t completed a full training year you will be entitled to a partial payment.

“As at July 2, a plus one pay group, capped at pay group eight, has been approved for the duration of your time at 1RTB and this will be paid in conjunction with the cur-rent scheme.”

There are a suite of courses potential RIs need to complete before being employed as an instructor.

These courses are run in August, October and November each year and include small arms coaching, RI, high wire confidence and the qualified assessor and instructor courses.

“It is beneficial to complete the courses as soon as possible before posting in, in order to be employed as an RI when you arrive,” Cpl Bain said.

“The seven-day small arms coaching course, which qualifies the member as a marksmanship coach on the F88 rifle, teaches the instructor how to further develop the recruit’s shooting ability.”

Cpl Bain said the 21-day RI

course equipped officers and NCOs to deliver instruction and adminis-ter and counsel recruits within the recruit training environment.

“During the last week of the course, members are attached to a recruit platoon in training, fulfilling the role of an RI under the guidance of already qualified staff,” he said.

“During this stage all members are required to deliver lessons to a section of recruits to be deemed competent as a RI.

“The courses cover how to read and understand current training management packages and mod-ule learning outcomes to ensure all assessments conducted meet the assessment criteria.”

RI duties include giving lessons on weapons, field and drill, counsel-ling recruits on their weekly perfor-mance, attending and conducting PT with the recruits and coaching during the live fire and WTSS range days.

Once RIs have completed six assessments for two full recruit courses and reported to a good standard, they qualify for the cov-eted RI Badge.

For more information, visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/sites/1RTB/ComWeb.asp?page=267336

Critical role at Kapooka

“On the last course we only had three people out of 43 fail their weapons les-son first up, where historically it was 15 out of 45. On the last course we only had one guy fail Mod 1 out of 43 trainees and none on Mod 2, but before that you’d be looking at between seven and 10.”

The program includes both drill and weapons lessons.

“It features an audible and non-audible alarm, so when the trainees are looking at the screen and practising their lessons, they know how long they have on each teaching point before they either need to wrap it up or move on,” WO2 Brinkworth said.

“There is also a cumulative time so the trainee knows where they are up to overall, as well as a start, restart and pause button. If the trainee is picking up the introduction, but having a prob-lem with the first teaching point, they can skip the introduction and start their rehearsal from there.”

He said this allowed trainees to prac-tise the things that were critical to them.

“Another advantage is it has a print mode, so when the trainee goes to their DS, they can show their own work leav-ing no doubts about academic miscon-duct,” he said.

He said the program could also be adapted for other uses.

“With time we can adjust and develop the program, but we’ve been working on it over the last 12 months or so and have already adjusted it as a result of feedback from trainees,” he said.

WO2 Pete Brinkworth (centre) and LCpl Michael Henry (right), of SUR, demonstrate a training program to RMC staff. Photo by Sgt Dave Morley

Sgt Glen Reid, of D Coy, 1RTB, conducts a drill lesson at Kapooka. Photo by Cpl Jake Sims

To see more from Kapooka, visit http://video.defence.gov.au/play/81eWtxdTrys3YWysr2IJ7778l1IKfOLz

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Army July 2, 2015 PERSONNELwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 27

MAY TRIAL RESULTS

All Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrate trial results are subject to command review and appeal.

The results are of trials across the ADF.

NCODefence Force Magistrate1 x Obtaining a Financial Advantage – DFDA s 61(3) and Criminal Code s 135.2(1)

1 x Falsifying a Service Document – DFDA s 55(1)

The member was accused of receiving rental allowance in circumstances where the member knew or believed that the member was not eligible to receive it. The member was also accused of making a false service document in relation to the member’s duty location. The member pleaded guilty to the charges and was found guilty of the charges. The member was reduced in rank and sen-tenced to 60 days detention.

Training team move Battle Management System experts move to CATC

Sgt Dave Morley

A RELATIVELY little-known team of quiet achievers trans-fe r red f rom AHQ to the Combined Arms Training Centre (CATC) on July 1.

The Network Implementation and Training Advisory Team (NITAT) formed at Enoggera in 2011 to support the Introduction Into Service (IIS) of Land 200 Tranche 1 and Joint Project 2072 Phase 2A.

SO2 Training/Senior Instructor Maj Cameron Leckie said NITAT had been delivering IIS training since 2011.

“This has involved delivering training at the Land 200 training facility and mobile training teams delivering training in regional areas across the country,” he said.

“NITAT staff have supported most major activities that have involved the Battle Management System (BMS) since 2011.

“This includes the Hamel and Talisman Sabre exercises, brigade combined arms training activities and several project activities, such as installing the BMS into the Tiger ARH and the new LCM1E landing craft.”

Maj Leckie said NITAT estab-lished a team in Townsville this year and a team would form in Darwin in 2016.

Eventually there will be seven personnel in Townsville and Darwin and 16 in Brisbane.

“NITAT manages about 30 train-ers and field service representatives from Harris, Raytheon and Elbit,

who are the staff from the original equipment manufacturers,” Maj Leckie said.

“NITAT has supported all of the training establishments’ introduction of the new JP2072 Phase 2A radios and is now assisting with the transi-tion of BMS training into the train-ing establishments. The team is also looking forward to delivering IIS training for Land 200 Tranche 2.”

C p l A n d r ew M o o r h o u s e , who has been in the Army for 11 years and posted to NITAT as an instructor for two, said he had been involved in a number of projects, including the current fit-out of the Tiger ARH with BMS.

“I enjoy working with NITAT because of the variety of jobs and the tight-knit community we have building the capability for Army,” he said.

“Like all instructional postings, this benefits your career by giving you the ability to pass on knowledge that is vital when moving up the ranks.

“An advantage of the transfer to CATC will be that all training estab-lishments will be on the same page when it comes to training.”

Cpl Moorhouse encouraged technically minded people from any corps to consider a posting to NITAT.

“Ask your career manager about coming to NITAT because it’s a very rewarding posting,” he said.

Maj Cameron Leckie and Cpl Andrew Moorhouse test new signals equipment during the NITAT transition to CATC.Photo by Cpl Jessica Haines-Hann

THE Campbell Barracks Redevelopment Project has been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works.

“The Campbell Barracks Redevelopment Project will provide modern, flexible, purpose-built facilities and improved infra-structure to support the requirements of the SASR,” Defence Parliamentary Secretary Darren Chester said on June 23.

“The redevelopment project will give the SASR the facilities they need to work, oper-ate, maintain and support Army’s efforts, both in wartime and peace.”

The cost of the project is estimated to be $223.6 million. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to begin in early 2016 and be completed by early 2018.

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Army July 2, 2015www.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsLIFESTYLE PEOPLE28

Soldiers from 10/27RSAR fire an 84mm Carl Gustaf during Exercise Euroa at the Cultana Training Area. The live fire training activity was conducted by 10/27RSAR with members of 3/9LH (SAMR), 3 Fd Sqn and 6/13 Lt Bty at the DFSW range. Photo by Sgt Ashley Meek

Cpl Byron Ellery-Plunkett, of Force Protection Element 4, stabilises a ‘casualty’ before their evacuation during a mission rehearsal exercise at Bulimba Barracks in Brisbane Photo by Cpl Shannon McCarthy

Legacy pedalMEMBERS of Force Support Element 2 (FSE 2) in the Middle East Region raised almost $14,000 for Legacy after moving themselves from Albany to Cairo, then Gallipoli, in the lead-up to the Centenary of Anzac commemorations.

The fundraisers aimed to com-memorate the landings at Gallipoli by running, riding and rowing more than 12,870km between April 1-25, the aggregate distance the original Anzacs travelled to Gallipoli.

FSE 2 aimed to raise $8709, the number of Australians who died at Gallipoli during the campaign, but managed to raise $13,894.

They also beat the original dis-tance and travelled 15,233km.

Donate at http://legacy.everydayhero.com/au/team-fse-gallipoli-battlefield-tour

Deputy Commander JTF 633 Brig Nagy Sorial receives a cheque on behalf of Legacy from Lt Jess Ward. Photo by Cpl Max Bree

Nursing Officer Capt Jamie Clarke, of 1CHB, at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. Photo by Cpl Ben Dempster

Pte Mitchell Edwards, of 6RAR, on patrol during Exercise Blue Dog at Shoalwater Bay. Photo by Cpl Jake Sims

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Army July 2, 2015 LIFESTYLE FUNwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 29

Thriller in the AmazonGhost FlightBy Bear Grylls Publisher: Hatchette Australia 2015RRP $30, 562ppReviewer: Sgt Dave Morley

WELL-known English adventurer Bear Grylls has taken a hard-earned break from sleeping inside dead camels to write a thriller set in the Amazon jungle.

Former Special Forces soldier Will Jaeger, whose wife and son mysteriously disappeared a few years before, is tasked to lead a team into the Amazon jungle to locate a Nazi super-plane full of wartime secrets.

Unfortunately, a corrupt US official with links back to the Nazis, and unlimited resources, thwarts his every attempt to complete the mission.

The book continues at a fast pace from start to finish amid shoot-outs, kidnappings, ambush-es, mayhem and destruction across Brazil.

Jaeger’s high-level survival skills and abil-ity to persuade a primitive tribe to come onside save the day, after many casualties along the way.

It’s obvious Grylls’ expert knowledge in the field of jungle survival has added to the reality of the book, from escaping vicious plate-sized spiders to crossing raging rivers after a rope bridge has been shot out.

Ghost Flight has more twists and turns than the Dorrigo road, and ends in such a way a sequel will be neces-sary to answer many questions left unan-swered.

If you haven’t read a Bear Grylls book yet, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this one.

If you can think of a clever caption for this picture, email captioncomp@defencenews.gov.au with “caption comp July 2” as the subject. Keep entries under 25 words and include your name, rank and unit.

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Soldiers contribute to conservation at Australia Zoo

BOOK REVIEW Earning their stripesSgt Dave Morley

THREE 105 Bty, 1 Regt RAA, members got up close and per-sonal with a Sumatran tiger called Hunter at Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, on June 12.

After the unit had its annual photo taken with two tiger cubs there in June 2014, 105 Bty devel-oped a relationship with the zoo.

According to 105 Bty clerk Cpl Leanne Heilig, this relation-ship extended to unit members selling wristbands for the Tiger 511 Foundation.

“This foundation sells wrist bands for $5, which support one tiger in the wild for one day,” she said.

“The battery emblem is a tiger and this is where the affiliation began. I think it’s important for a military organisation to support the community and their projects and this is one way that 1 Regt has been able to do so.”

Cpl Heilig said she first met Hunter when he was a cub in June last year.

“He now looks like a full-grown tiger and is well cared for,” she said.

Jo in t F i res Team Comd Capt Kevin Pamenter, Cpl Heilig and Gnr Roger Boll enjoyed the unique experience of taking part in a tiger walk during their latest visit to the zoo.

Cpl Heilig said the tiger walk was conducted before the park opened and provided an opportu-nity to get close to Hunter.

“It was a fantastic opportunity Australia Zoo provided and the senior tiger keeper, Giles Clark, was extremely accommodating and knowledgeable,” she said.

As a way to thank the staff at Australia Zoo, and the tigers them-selves, 105 Bty has raised more than $3000 for the Tiger 511

Foundation, including $2042 this year.

“The soldiers’ commitment to raising money for the foundation was seen in the success it had in only two days of actively selling wristbands,” Cpl Heilig said.

The hard work and dedica-tion towards the conservation of

Sumatran tigers in the wild has allowed 105 Bty to build a lasting relationship with Australia Zoo.

The Tiger 511 program rais-es much-needed funds for con-servation work on the ground in Sumatra, to protect tigers from poachers and other threats to their existence.

Capt Kevin Pamenter, Gnr Roger Boll and Cpl Leanne Heilig get up close to Sumatran tiger, Hunter, at Australia Zoo. Photo provided by 7 Bde

We also liked:“Boss, the helicopter repellant isn’t working. ”WO2 Darrin Neale Army School of Transport

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139 342

Army July 2, 2015www.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsHEALTH & FITNESS30

Using your smart phone and tablet at night may be reducing your sleep quality, psychologist Capt Jason Harris reports.

GETTING a good night’s sleep can be a challenge, yet you might be making falling asleep more difficult without even

realising.There has been an increase in inter-

est about the potential psychological and physiological effects of excessive expo-sure to ‘blue light’ as a result of ready access to, and reliance on, electronic devices that use LED technology.

Research has begun to look at the effect of blue light on sleep patterns.

Blue light refers to light within the short wavelength range.

It is the range of visible light to which our sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm) is maximally sensitive.

Blue light is found naturally in sun-light along with other wavelengths, which influences the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle.

Exposure to bright light suppresses melatonin, which increases alertness and attention, and is accompanied by physi-ological changes associated with wakeful-ness such as body temperature.

Darkness, on the other hand, stimu-lates melatonin production, which triggers the body’s preparation for sleep.

Excessive use of artificial LEDs rich in blue light, such as electronic screens and energy-efficient lighting, can affect the production of melatonin and the body’s ability to effectively synchronise sleep patterns.

It is estimated that up to 30 per cent of the world’s population have problems falling or staying asleep.

Exposure to blue light does not neces-sarily entail disordered sleep patterns and there is considerable variation in ‘normal’ sleep duration.

However, there is also sufficient pre-liminary evidence to suggest that exces-sive exposure to blue light, especially at night, increases the risk of sleep distur-bance. Short-term effects of sleep distur-bance include: reduced cognitive performance; poor work performance; increased risk of accidents; and increased irritability.

Long-term effects include interper-sonal, social and occupation problems, as well as psychological distress.

For ADF members, potential opera-tional effects of fatigue are varied and substantial.

CAPT Jason Harris is posted to 1 Psych Unit.

The unit has provided operational psychology and mental health support to ADF members for 52 years.

The unit can be activated to respond to short-notice critical incidents.

CO 1 Psych Unit Lt-Col Laura Sinclair said the unit also provided expertise in human performance initiatives through the application of biometrics, resilience and mental fitness training and psychological readiness strategies.

“The intellectual and emotional demands of both operations and everyday life require intellectual preparation and psychological endurance,” she said.

“It is through the development of mental resilience paralleled with physical resilience that personnel can aim to achieve their full potential.

“This is where 1 Psych Unit can provide command with the tools, expertise and guidance to build and foster the human and psychological capital of their capability – their people.”

For more information, visit http://legacy/TeamWeb2010/ARMY/forcomd/17-CSS-BDE/1PSYCHUNIT/

Shedding light on sleep

As noted in the Fatigue Management During Operations: A Commander’s Guide, operational effectiveness can suffer as a result of sleep disturbance through the impact of: reduced vigilance, concentration and

attention; decreased morale; inaccurate information due to memory

and cognitive impairment; and skill degradation.

To reduce the impact of LED devices, it is best to avoid or reduce using them in the hours leading up to sleep.

Alternative suggestions include dim-ming the brightness settings on electronic devices or using amber glasses to filter and reduce the effects of blue light.

As more information becomes avail-able on blue-light exposure, it will be included in ADF psycho-education lit-erature.

For tips on getting a good night’s sleep, visit www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au

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SPORTwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsArmy July 2, 2015 31

Sgt Dave Morley

RAAF Base Richmond was the scene of some hard-fought touch football action on May 29 with the NSW Interservice Touch Football Competition being hosted there.

Two Army teams dominated the day’s play defeating Navy and Air Force teams.

In the semi-final Army 1 defeated RAAF 9-5, while Army 2 defeated Navy 5-3.

Army 2 narrowly defeated Army 1 6-4 in the grand final.

Team organiser Cpl K said a deci-sion was made to have two teams of even strength in the competition with a view to having an Army versus Army grand final.

“Both the Army teams were unde-feated up until the grand final, howev-er we did get tries against us,” he said.

“The best player in Army 1 was Pte M, who used his previous experi-ence and showed good leadership with a positive attitude.

“Pte R used his speed and change of direction well, which was pivotal to the grand final win. He was Army 2’s best player.

“As far as doing better, I think working on our defence to eliminate any tries scored against us would be the goal for improvement.”

Cpl K said the fields at Richmond were in great condition.

“The personnel at Richmond, who organised the tournament, did a fantas-tic job once again,” he said.

THE 2015 ACT-Wagga interservice basketball competition will be held at ADFA in Canberra from August 1-2. Interested permanent and active reserve personnel who wish to participate are to gain written approval from their CO before applying to compete through their service repre-sentative. The competition will be used to select a combined ACT-Wagga interservice team for the national championships to be held at RAAF Base Laverton from November 27 to December 6. To contact Army’s representative, Lt Brendan Hill, email brendan.hill@defence.gov.au For more information on interservice basketball competitions in your state, email adba.basket ball@gmail.com

Basketball call

Can’t touch this

Pte Matt Santi, of the Army 1 team, dives to score a try against Air Force. Photo by Cpl Veronica O’HaraCricketers aim

for the stars

Squash victoryWO2 Andrew Hetherington

ARMY’s NSW and ACT squash players were victorious for the second year in a row after con-vincingly winning their region’s interservice championships at ADFA in Canberra on June 5.

Army didn’t lose a match in the competition, but drew one and the team was one point off scoring the maximum up for grabs.

The competition consisted of 25-minute matches, with play con-tinuing until time ran out.

Team captain and Army’s number one player, OCdt Zachary Evans, said his team performed above expecta-tion.

“We went into the competition focused on defending last year’s win,” OCdt Evans said.

“We were strong from the outset and had a big winning margin at the end of the competition.

“We defeated Navy 4-0 with Air Force coming in third, putting in a strong performance.”

OCdt Evans said he anticipated his toughest match would be against AB David Bolger.

“This was because I lost to him in last year’s ADF squash national ser-vice team event,” he said.

“Although, in this tournament I beat him 4-0 and was wining the fifth game when time ran out.”

Other Army members of the winning team were OCdt Eloise O’Connor, Cpl Adam Hoarder, Maj Derek White and OCdt Brenton Cathie.

Army’s squash players are now preparing for their national cham-

Army players learn from the best

From back page

“We maintained our composure and were able to level the score before the end of the half.”

The second half had both sides trying to break through the strong defence lines.

“It was even, with end-to-end play continuing for the whole half,” Cpl Taylor said.

“Both sides had opportunities to score but narrowly missed their shots and full-time sounded with scores locked at 1-1.”

Extra time was played with periods of 10 minutes, which included player drop-offs, meaning both teams lost a player after each 10-minute period until someone scored.

“We were down to seven players on each side, when finally we got a break and managed to be awarded a penalty short corner,” Cpl Taylor said.

“Leut Christie Underwood pushed the ball out from the sideline to team captain Cpl Shayne Buenaobra, who hit a cracker into the goal for victory.”

Cpl Taylor said the NSW team per-formed well above his and the team’s expectations.

“I only became coach a week before the competition as I was going to play in a men’s team, but due to medical reasons I couldn’t play,”

Cpl Taylor said. “The team hadn’t played together before but they all worked well as a group in such a short amount of time.

“Then to go on to play quality hockey, winning five out of the six games and drawing one, and then win the competition at the end of the week was an amazing effort.”

NSW women’s captain and championship-winning goal scorer Cpl Buenaobra said her team played together well from the beginning of the first match.

“They were a great bunch of play-ers and we all clicked from the start,” Cpl Buenaobra said.

“In the side we had a lot of differ-ent skill levels, but everyone put in and fought hard right to the end of the final match.”

Playing in the grand final was the stand-out moment of the competition.

“It was fiercely competitive, going into extra time and being down on players, I had nothing left in the tank,” she said.

“But then to score the winning goal, knowing we didn’t have to run anymore, felt awesome.”

The next ADF hockey commitment will be the Australian Country Championships held in Wollongong, NSW, from August 7-15.

NSW shines in hockey comp

Capt William Heck

THEY say in the advertising that a career in the ADF will take you places, but very few might imag-ine that place is to a cricket side with some of the best players in the world.

This is where the Australian Services Cricket Association (ASCA) women’s team found themselves when they played a match with the world champion Southern Stars at the Bill Albury Oval in Brisbane on June 19.

The sides, named after ASCA ambassadors and former cricket legends Belinda Clark and Greg Chappell, comprised seven ASCA players and seven Southern Stars captained by Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning.

Matthew Mott, coach of the Southern Stars, said the game was an initiative of Cricket Australia as a part of their lead up to next month’s Ashes tour to the United Kingdom.

“We sent out the invite to Defence for a friendly game and we have had a great last couple of days,” he said.

“Clearly, we have some of the best players in the world so we expected a bit of a skill gap, but we have been really pleased by the enthusiasm of the women, which has really come to the forefront.

“It’s been a great experience for the Australian players, talking with women from different backgrounds

and experience, but who all share a love for the game.

“There were even a few players who reconnected after playing crick-et together at club level some years ago.”

WO2 Shelly Chattin, of DOCM, said it was an amazing experience.

“It was a bit of a two-way thing, though, because they were asking us heaps of questions about what it was like to be in Defence and go on oper-ations,” she said.

“Most of the women playing for Australia have a full-time job and they play cricket a part-time.

“They are genuinely interested in what we do and I think some of them could give Defence a red hot go.”

For the record, the Greg Chappell XI achieved the required 119 with a ball to spare as Australian pinch hitter Grace Harris saw her side home with a quick fire 43 off 24 balls, clearing the fence twice in the last over.

pionships to be held at RAAF Base Williamtown from August 23-28.

The final scores were: Army 44 points, Navy 31 and Air Force 21.

For more information on the championships, contact LAC Stephen Gailer at stephen.gailer@defence.gov.au

OCdt Zachary Evans in action. Photo by Off-Cdt Nathan Parker

Sgt Melissa Campbell cuts powerfully while Southern Stars wicket keeper Alyssa Healy looks on.Photo by LAC Brenton Kwaterski

July 2, 2015

STICK IT TO ’EMNSW dominates combined hockey championships

WO2 Andrew Hetherington

NSW men’s and women’s ADF hockey teams dominated the 2015 combined championships held at Moorebank in Sydney from May 9-15.

The combined NSW men’s team repeated their success from last year, winning the event by defeating Qld 4-0 in a tight final.

NSW team manager and player WO Will McConnell said there was a lot of fast-paced backwards and forwards play between the two sides from the beginning of the match.

“In the first half there wasn’t much ground given by either side’s defence and at half-time we were 1-0 up,” WO McConnell said.

“It could have easily been 1-0 for Qld or 0-0, the play was so tight.

“However, we came out in the second half and scored two quickly and were a bit stronger and seemed to have a bit more life in our legs.”

Late in the half, NSW scored another goal to take the title unde-feated 4-0.

“The highlight of the match for us was our toughness, even when Qld kept coming at us,” WO McConnell said.

“Even though the score was 4-0, the match was tight, with players from both sides going after the ball at a fast and hard pace.

“We were composed in our defence and when we eventu-

ally broke theirs down, we reacted quickly to attack their goal.”

Army’s only representative in the side was WO2 Graham Symes, who played in the centre back and marking defender positions.

“I was brought into the squad the day before the competition started,” WO2 Symes said.

“I was lucky to win a gold medal and the highlight of the event for me was scoring a goal during one of the round-robin games.

“As one of the more experienced and older members of the team, I usually let the younger members run around up front and don't get many goal scoring chances.”

He said it was a great experience to be a part of the winning team.

“There was real strength and depth in our playing squad,” he said.

“I knew we had a good chance of winning the event just because of the quality of our players.

“What set us apart from the other teams was our team effort and our positive attitude towards matches.”

The NSW women’s team was coached by Cpl Daniel Taylor. He said their final, also against Qld, was a hard match.

“The first half was fast-paced and they came out and scored the first goal three-quarters into the half,” Cpl Taylor said.

Continued page 31

Cpl Shayne Buenaobra, of the NSW women’s combined services team, takes on a Qld player during the final at Moorebank.

Photo by AB Steven Thomson