PAKISTAN ASSIST P5 » DOG CUP P18-19 » ARMY REGAINS SKI

Edition 1243 September 2, 2010Edition 1243 September 2, 2010

PAKISTAN ASSIST P5 » DOG CUP P18-19 » ARMY REGAINS SKI TITLES P34

Tpr Jason Brown

SEE PAGES 2-3LCpl Jared MacKinneyPte Tomas DalePte Grant Kirby

A NATION A NATION MOURNSMOURNS

Sad loss: Soldiers farewell Pte Tomas Dale and Pte Grant Kirby at the ramp ceremony in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, on August 24. Photo by LS Paul Berry

2 NEWS Army September 2, 2010

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Wounded MTF 1 soldiers on the mendMENTORING Task Force 1 dig-gers wounded in two separate inci-dents in Afghanistan are recover-ing well and are expected to return to duty.

Four soldiers were wounded in a month of heavy fighting with Taliban insurgents and within two days of each other in Uruzgan province.

Two soldiers received minor wounds on August 20 in the same incident where Ptes Tomas Dale and Grant Kirby were killed by an IED.

Two further soldiers were seri-ously wounded on the afternoon of August 21 when their Bushmaster was struck by an IED.

Acting CDF Lt-Gen David Hurley said the soldiers wounded on August 20 were inside their Bushmaster when the explosion that

killed Ptes Dale and Kirby occurred. “The wounded soldiers received immediate care and were aeromedi-cally evacuated to the ISAF hospital in Tarin Kowt,” he said.

At the time of the incident the sol-diers were conducting a joint counter-IED patrol with Afghan soldiers.

They were moving to an observa-tion position in a Bushmaster in sup-port of the operation in the Baluchi Valley.

Lt-Gen Hurley said the soldiers would return to operational duty.

The August 21 incident occurred, again in the Baluchi Valley, when a Bushmaster-mounted MTF 1 patrol was struck by an insurgent IED.

Two soldiers were seriously wounded and their Bushmaster dam-aged in the blast.

CO MTF 1 Lt-Col Mark Jennings said the soldiers were treated by their mates at the scene before being evacuated to Tarin Kowt ISAF hos-pital.

“The team had the site secured, first aid applied and casualty evacu-ation under way in a matter of min-utes,” he said.

“The process worked extremely well with both soldiers receiving quality medical attention at Tarin Kowt less than 50 minutes after the blast occurred.”

No other Australian or Afghan soldiers were wounded in this inci-dent.

Both soldiers are returning to Australia to receive further treatment for their wounds.

By AB Melanie Schinkel

A PROUD, loyal, morale-boosting larrikin who was gifted at rugby, loved pale ale and lived his dream of becoming an elite soldier, was how Tpr Jason Thomas Brown was remembered at a poignant service held in north Sydney late last month.

More than 500 family, friends, col-leagues, fellow soldiers and communi-ty members gathered to commemorate the life of Tpr Brown, 29, at a req-uiem mass held at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Normanhurst on August 26.

In an address at the service, CO SASR Lt-Col B said Tpr Brown, affec-tionately known as ‘Browny’, wasn’t a glory seeker, but a hardened and quiet professional who lived by the warrior code.

“We lost a warrior who died doing something he truly loved and believed in as a proud Australian,” he said.

“You are respected mate – and you will forever be remembered by your SASR warrior brothers.”

An honour guard comprised per-sonnel from Sydney-based special forces, NSW Police and representa-tives of the RSL.

Father Paul Fitzpatrick, Tpr Brown’s uncle, travelled from Ireland to conduct the service.

Tpr Brown’s father and Vietnam veteran, Graham, said, “He will never grow old – he was born to be a soldier and he died serving the country he loved so well.

“He will always be remembered by the regiment. Rest in peace my son – your duty is done.”

Following the church service, Tpr Brown was buried at a private ceremony at Castlebrook Cemetery, Rouse Hill.

A third-generation digger, Tpr Brown, from the Perth-based SASR,

Loyal larrikin farewelled

was killed in action during his first tour of Afghanistan as a result of mul-tiple gunshot wounds sustained during an engagement with Taliban insurgents on August 13.

At the time of the incident, he was conducting disruption operations with the Special Operations Task Group and partnered Afghan security forces in northern Kandahar.

Graham said his son practised drill in the backyard as a child and joined the Army as soon as he finished high school.

“Jason was a career soldier who dreamed from a young age of being

nothing else,” Mr Brown said. “We will miss him dearly, as will his Army mates, who were his second family.”

Born in Sydney in 1981, Tpr Brown joined the Army in 2000 and was posted to 1RAR. Four years later, he became a 4RAR commando and in 2007 was accepted into SASR.

Between 2001 and 2006, Tpr Brown completed three tours of East Timor.

On August 16, he left his SASR comrades in the Afghan dust for the final time after a memorial service and ramp ceremony was held at the

Multinational Base, Tarin Kowt. More than 1000 Australian International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan service personnel lined the road to the airstrip as Tpr Brown’s flag-draped casket was placed in a RAAF Hercules.

Commander Joint Task Force 633 Maj-Gen John Cantwell said Tpr Brown was remembered by his mates from SASR and 2 Cdo Regt as a pro-fessional soldier who strived to excel in everything he did.

“It was a warrior’s send-off by our nation’s finest warriors – some-

thing I’m sure Jason would have been extremely humbled by, but something he truly earned with his dedicated and selfless service,” Maj-Gen Cantwell said.

Two days later, grey skies reflected the sombre mood at the repatriation of Tpr Brown held at RAAF Base Pearce, Western Australia, on August 18.

Tpr Brown was the seventh Australian soldier killed in action this year and the 18th of 21 killed in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001.

Final journey: Tpr Jason Brown is carried from the church after his funeral by his warrior brothers from the SASR (above) as Graham Brown, surrounded by family, friends and dignitaries, mourns his son’s loss (left). Photos by PO Damian Pawlenko

Painful goodbye: Two wounded soldiers farewell their mates before the memorial service for Ptes Tomas Dale and Grant Kirby. Photo by LS Paul Berry

The following is an extract from a let-ter to Tpr Jason Brown’s family written by Dave, Adam, Rich, Mick and Andy – members of Tpr Brown’s patrol in Afghanistan.

The SASR has an ethos – a list of seven qualities it looks for in candidates. Jason excelled in all of these.He could always be relied upon. His unassuming nature had a huge effect upon the morale of those around him. He was a man who held the moral high ground and his good natured personality was an inspiration to everyone.From a patrol perspective, you could not wish for a better member. He was the type of bloke that would never let you down.Graham, Ann and Stephanie – please know that Jason died doing what he loved and that 24 hours before he died, we were discussing what we would do after getting out of the Army.It was decided that Jason would not get out as he was the most enthusiastic sol-dier that any of us had ever met. Jason was quite happy with this assumption.We will endeavour to do Jason proud, follow in his footsteps and fight in the manner he showed us – with commit-ment, determination and courage.

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FALLEN infantryman LCpl Jared MacKinney, killed in action on August 24, is being remembered as a loving husband and father, and a model professional soldier.

The ADF community is mourning the death of the 28-year-old who died soon after a three-hour firefight with Taliban insurgents in the Deh Rawud region of Uruzgan province began.

He was operating as a mentor dur-ing a partnered patrol with Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers in the green zone.

LCpl MacKinney’s mates moved him out of danger and provided first aid but were unable to save his life.

He is the 21st Australian soldier

killed in action in Afghanistan and the fourth 6RAR soldier since Pte Nathan Bewes was killed on July 9.

LCpl MacKinney leaves behind his wife, Beckie, and their couple’s three-year-old daughter, Annabell.

“Jared was a very loving Dad, a doting father, and nothing meant more to him than family,” Mrs MacKinney said. “He was really the best husband and we shared the most amazing 11 years together.”

CDF ACM Angus Houston said although it was too early for any expressions of condolence to be comforting to his family, “I want to express to them how saddened we are for their loss”.

“My highest priority right now is to ensure they are receiving all the support they need,” he said.

AC M H o u s t o n s a i d L C p l MacKinney was an experienced soldier.

“He was on his fourth deployment and his second tour to Afghanistan,” he said.

“LCpl MacKinney was very popu-lar with his platoon and displayed good humour even in times of stress.

“This was a soldier devoted to duty, his mates and the Australian Army values of courage, initiative and teamwork.”

AC M H o u s t o n s a i d L C p l MacKinney was providing valuable mentoring and training to soldiers of

the ANA’s 4 Bde when the contact happened.

“He was making a real contribu-tion to the capability of the Afghan soldiers as well as providing security and protection for Afghan people.”

Minister for Defence John Faulkner said Australia had lost a fine and dedicated soldier.

“But he was also, and more importantly, a much loved young man whose death is going to leave a ter-rible, terrible gap in the lives of those around him,” he said.

LCpl MacKinney deployed to East Timor in 2004, Iraq in 2006 and Afghanistan in 2008.

BRISBANE-based 6RAR is mourning the loss of three of its soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan.

Ptes Grant Kirby and Tomas Dale were killed by an IED at 10.30am on August 21 during a joint counter-IED patrol with Afghan soldiers.

LCpl Jared MacKinney was killed on August 24 during an intense firefight with Taliban insurgents while on a part-ner patrol in the Deh Rawud region of Uruzgan province.

Families of Ptes Kirby and Dale were supported by the wider Army family when their bodies returned to Australia at RAAF Base Amberley on August 27.

Draped in Australian flags the caskets were unloaded from a C-17 and, led by a 6RAR piper, carried to the soldiers’ families.

Later, at a short service, Comd 7 Bde Brig Paul McLachlan paid tribute.

“Today we received these two war-riors – Tomas Dale and Grant Kirby – back into the arms of a grateful nation, back into the heart of their unit but, most importantly, back into the care of their family and loved ones,” he said.

“To the families and friends of Tomas and Grant, our hearts go out to you. Tomas and Grant are forever engraved in the proud history of 6RAR and their example will inspire generations of Australian soldiers to come.”

MTF 1 farewelled its fallen comrades in a moving ceremony at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt on August 24.

Commander JTF 633 Maj-Gen John Cantwell said the two soldiers were fond-ly remembered by their mates during the service – not just as highly regarded sol-diers, but as brothers to them all.

“The service highlighted just how close knit the soldiers from MTF 1 have become,” Maj-Gen Cantwell said.

“Tomas and Grant were separated by a few years and had quite naturally fallen into the role of youngest and oldest broth-ers in their section.

“Losing anyone is hard, but losing two people close enough to be considered as brothers, in every sense of that word, is especially difficult and it will be a real test for those who need to continue with this fight in their honour.”

Maj-Gen Cantwell said the diggers’ section mates were transported in from their outlying patrol base for the service.

“It is an emotional time for them, par-ticularly as they work through their grief and then refocus to get back on with the job at hand,” he said.

“We’re also thinking of Tomas’ and Grant’s families as they prepare them-selves for that awful ordeal of laying their loved ones to rest.”

The memorial service was followed by a ramp ceremony with more than 1000 Australian, ISAF and Afghan servicemen and women lining the road to the Tarin Kowt airstrip to pay their final respects.

Full coverage of the funerals for Ptes Kirby and Dale and LCpl MacKinney will appear in the next edition of Army.

Heading home: C Coy soldiers carry their fallen mates Ptes Tomas Dale and Grant Kirby to the waiting ASLAVs to start their journey home (above) as soldiers line the roads of Multinational Base Tarin Kowt during the ramp ceremony (inset).Photos by LS Paul Berry

6RAR feels the losses

Model soldier and family man

Family man: LCpl Jared MacKinney with wife Beckie and daughter Annabell.

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Sandakan memorialGOVERNOR-General Quentin Bryce joined hundreds of family members, two POWs and dignitaries on August 15 for the annual Sandakan Day Memorial Service, laying wreaths to remember Australian and British prisoners of war who fell during the infamous Sandakan to Ranau death marches between 1941 and 1945. Standing at the Sandakan Prisoner of War campsite in a quiet jungle clearing, Ms Bryce paid tribute to the Sabahans who cared for some of the POWs and said that during this time of “appalling adversity and shameful human conduct”, Sabahans and Australians dug deep to rise above it.

Accident inquiryPUBLIC hearings were held throughout August for the CDF Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the death of Pte David Smith. Pte Smith, who was posted to the School of Armour, was killed in a training accident at Puckapunyal in June 2009. He died as the result of injuries he sustained when the APC he was in rolled during an exercise. COI President Paul Willee, QC, is expected to submit his report to CDF before the end of the year. The COI was convened at the direction of CDF to gather information on the facts surrounding the incident to try to prevent similar incidents.

Health conferenceAN ADF state health conference has highlighted hearing deficit as an important issue for Defence, with many jobs across the services needing proper hearing protection. Convened by oral surgeon Col Janet Scott and attended by permanent and reserve nursing, medical and dental officers, the one-day seminar was held at South Australia’s Repatriation General Hospital at Daw Park. Defence and civilian dentists reported a surge in the instances of enamel erosion, particularly in young adults consuming huge amounts of sugar-laden sports drinks.

LONG Tan Day was com-memorated from Tarin Kowt to Enoggera on August 18 as 6RAR remembered its fallen soldiers from Australia’s most famous battle of the Vietnam War.

A replica of the cross that has come to symbolise the sacrifice of Australian servicemen in Vietnam took pride of place in a ceremony at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt.

As all Australian soldiers mourn the loss of three modern 6RAR soldiers, they also remem-bered forebears on Long Tan Day.

CO MTF 1 Lt-Col Mark Jennings addressed International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan soldiers.

He said D Coy 6RAR’s exploits in 1966 had come to symbolise Australia’s contribution to the Vietnam War.

“While we take time out to reflect and pay respects to the 18 men of 6RAR who died at Long Tan, take a moment to remember this task force,” Lt-Col Jennings said.

He said to remember the fallen from SOTG and task groups that had deployed to Afghanistan.

“The 6RAR battle group – Mentoring Task Force 1 of 2010 – carries on the tradition set by our forebears.”

MTF 1 is drawn from the Brisbane-based 6RAR – the same unit whose soldiers fought for their lives in the Phuoc Tuy rubber plan-tation 44 years ago.

RSM MTF 1 WO1 Brett Brown

said it was important to recognise the history and tradition of the bat-talion.

“It’s the young soldiers of today who are going to carry on this tradition as the battalion’s his-tory keeps growing,” WO1 Brown said.

Task Force soldiers serving in remote patrol bases throughout Uruzgan also held small services to remember the courage and ser-vice of Australia’s Vietnam vet-erans.

Closer to home, more than 300Vietnam veterans braved dismal Canberra weather to remember their mates at a Vietnam Veterans’ Day commemoration service on August 18.

Maj Robert Morrison, RMC, was master of ceremonies for the service held at the Vietnam Memorial on Anzac Parade.

Maj Morrison, himself a Vietnam veteran, said there were now only 14 Vietnam veterans left in the ARA and 56 serving in the A-Res.

The focus of this year’s com-memoration was the unveiling of Home at Last plaques for RAAF members Flg-Off Michael Herbert and Plt-Off Robert Carver.

Their remains were located with the wreck of their Canberra bomber in Vietnam and recovered late last year.

VC winner Keith Payne said in ideal circumstances, Australians did not leave their mates’ remains in the field.

Long Tan rememberedIN BRIEF

Remembered: Serving ADF personnel commemorate the service of Vietnam veterans and the Battle of Long Tan. Photo by LCpl Mark Doran

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Help hits ground in PakistanEMERGENCY assis tance from Australia has arrived in Pakistan with the first medical teams from the AusAID-led Australian Medical Task Force (AMTF) on August 24.

The ADF, with AusAID, is providing vital health care treatment and assistance to the victims of the Pakistan floods by addressing growing health concerns.

The first Australian medical teams deployed to Kot Addu last week soon after arriving in Pakistan.

Their immediate aim was to deliv-er short-term primary health care and maternal and child health care to those in need.

AusAID Emergencies Manager Thanh Le said the aim was to help flood victims get back on their feet and start rehabilitating their livelihoods.

“Australian and Pakistani officials assessed a number of sites and chose Kot Addu as the location for the health facil-ity as they felt that was where we could make the greatest impact,” Mr Le said.

Defence and civilian doctors, nurses, paramedics and support staff have been drawn from state health agencies.

The assistance team is being coor-dinated by the Australian Government through Emergency Management Australia.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Stephen Smith said the medi-cal teams would provide essential and immediate primary-health care to treat people in central Pakistan and help pre-vent the spread of disease.

“Australia is focused on the immedi-ate needs of the Pakistani people but we will also assist with the recovery and reconstruction task,” Mr Smith said.

An estimated 2000 people have so far lost their lives in the disaster.

More than 20 million people have been affected, six million are dependent on emergency food supplies and more than four million are homeless.

The deployment of about 180 person-nel to the Muzaffar Garh district builds on the $35m of assistance Australia has already provided.

The medical task force will grow to four Defence primary-health care teams, one environmental-health team and an AusAID rapid-response-team.

AMTF will provide health support including medical, midwifery, patholog-ical, pharmaceutical, radiological and environmental health capabilities.

It will be supported by specialist engineering capabilities to sustain the delivery of clean water to the task force

and for construction of accommodation and other buildings.

Defence Minister John Faulkner said the AMTF was prepared to oper-ate for an extended period in Pakistan.

But Senator Faulkner added the team would maintain close links with the Pakistan Government to ensure it was providing support only as long as required.

“Our people will be operating under challenging conditions,” Senator Faulkner said.

“The task force will apply a range of preventive and force protection measures so they can complete their mission safely.”

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Ready for take off: ADF personnel prepare for the long flight to Pakistan on a C-17 Globemaster. Photo by LAC Dan Pinhorn

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T H E AU S T R A L I A N S p e c i a l Operations Task Group (SOTG) recently delivered six Hummer up-armoured vehicles for the Afghan Provincial Police Reserve Company (PPRC) in Tarin Kowt.

The PPRC partnered with Australian Special Forces on operations and are trained and mentored in Tarin Kowt by the SOTG’s Afghan Task Force.

The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), more commonly known as Hummers, were allocated to the PPRC by the Afghan Ministry of Interior and flown from Kabul to Tarin Kowt in a C-17.

The SOTG’s Afghan Task Force was established to raise, train and sus-tain the local PPRC after the Afghan Ministry of the Interior directed the creation of 18 such companies around the country.

All 18 PPR companies are part-nered and mentored by ISAF Special Operations Forces, including an Uruzgan PPRC, who have been part-nered with Australian Special Forces from the SOTG since July 2009.

The PPRC plays a key role in all Australian Special Forces Operations and demonstrate to local nationals the ability for Afghan National Security Forces to defeat the Taliban insurgency.

Hummers gear up for service

“Excellent officer”: Brig Damian Cantwell reads the RAAC prayer (above left) for Brig Rohan Boyer (above right) at his funeral at RMC on August 20.

By Sgt Dave Morley

MORE than 350 people turned out at RMC Chapel on August 20 to fare-well a popular brigadier who died on August 13 from cancer.

Brig Rohan Boyer, 47, showed “enormous courage” in his 16-month struggle against the disease, according to his father Graeme Boyer.

“Let us hope and pray that one day mankind will find a treatment for cancer so that people don’t have to suffer as he did,” Mr Boyer said.

Maj-Gen Grant Cavenagh said in his eulogy Brig Boyer was “an excellent officer who really believed that com-mand of Australian soldiers was the greatest responsibility that could be given to anyone”.

“Rohan could light up the darkest moment, his humour was engaging, and he was generous to a fault,” he said.

Friend and former RAAC officer,

Steve McFarlane, said Brig Boyer was made for the Army. “And the Army was made for him,” he said.

Brig Boyer joined the Army in January 1981 and graduated to the RAAC in December 1984.

He served in Malaysia as a platoon commander in the mid-’80s, and later deployed on Ops Warden and Catalyst.

Brig Boyer was attached to 2 Cav and 3/4 Cav Regts serving with Interfet in 1999 conducting operational analysis as the Centre for Army Lessons’ armour subject-matter expert.

He deployed to Basra in 2008 as the Australian national representative in southern Iraq.

On his return to Australia, Brig Boyer became Director-General Land Vehicle Systems where he was responsi-ble for a $6 billion suite of projects.

Brig Boyer is survived by his wife of 23 years, Barbara, daughter Merrin and son Matthew.

Brig’s courage hailed

Ready to go: One of six newly arrived Hummers awaits use in Tarin Kowt. Photo by Flt-Lt Michael McGirr

Photo by LCpl Mark Doran

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Army Safety DayArmy Safety Day


By LCpl Mark Doran

IT’S just basic instinct.That is how Pte Alex Robben

described his actions on receiving his Commendation for Brave Conduct in Townsville on August 16.

The 3CSSB soldier received the award for his part in rescuing a fish-erman and a woman from a rip in dangerous conditions off Windang Beach near Port Kembla in 2004.

An afternoon of beach soccer turned into an hour of drama for the then 14-year-old schoolboy and his 15-year-old mate, Julian de Tourettes.

They were alerted that someone had been swept out to sea, but could not see anyone among the heavily breaking waves.

“We ran into the surf and punched through the waves in the strongest part of the rip,” Pte Robben said. “We hoped this would quickly force us out to whoever was out there.”

The boys caught a glimpse of someone’s head and realised a woman was in serious trouble.

At the same time a fisherman became a victim of the strong rip and was swept past them.

Without fear or thought for their own safety the boys decided to split up and assist one person each.

“We knew that this would be more dangerous and exhausting but the fisherman was tiring from his efforts and Julian was clos-

By Cpl Zenith King

MORE than 1400 deploying soldiers, sailors and airmen were farewelled on parade at Robertson Barracks on August 20 by friends and family.

Members of Darwin-based 1 Bde will deploy on operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and East Timor in coming months.

CO 5RAR Lt-Col Darren Huxley, who will go to Afghanistan as CO Mentoring Task Force 2, said he was proud to deploy for the first time.

“To have the good fortune to be part of such a fine organisation and serve with such courageous Aussie soldiers is both an honour and a privilege,” Lt-Col Huxley said

“And we are all touched by the show of support from families and friends at the parade.

“It was a chance for them to wish us well as a group and for Army to acknowledge the time and energy we have all dedicated to our training and preparation.”

Lt-Col Huxley said personnel deploy-ing on MTF 2 had recently completed three months of mission-specific train-ing, with lessons on explosive hazards, mentoring and legal aspects of opera-tions in Afghanistan.

“We have progressed through com-bined-arms live-fire and dry scenarios in demanding environments and are now looking forward to our MRE in September before we finalise our prepa-rations for deployment.”

He said the MTF 2 soldiers were cau-tiously excited about departing on the eight-month operation.

Bravery averts surf fatalities

� The 1400 Defence members will deploy with the following task forces:• Timor-Leste Task Group 2 (TLTG 2);• Force Communications Unit 4 (FCU 4);• Combined Team Uruzgan (CTU 1); • Mentoring Task Force 2 (MTF 2); • Provincial Reconstruction Team 1 (PRT 1);• Security Detachment 17 (Secdet 17). � CTU 1, MTF 2 and PRT 1 will all operate in Uruzgan province.

est to where the lady had been,” Pte Robben said.

“Julian retrieved the woman and started to move in to shore through the breaking waves while I went after the fisherman.”

He caught up with the fisherman beyond the breaker line. He gave his body board to the man, who needed to rest and catch his breath.

“Julian reached the beach first, breathless and near exhaustion, and carried the woman beyond the surf line and helped her recover,” Pte Robben said. “It took me another 20 minutes to make it back to the beach swimming beside the fisherman and giving him encouragement. It was the fisherman who nominated me for the award, but a ‘thank you’ would have been enough.”

Grand send-off

Global reach: Soldiers from 1 Bde parade at Robertson Barracks in Darwin ahead of their deployment overseas (above), while the occasion did not just require the soldiers to look smart (right). Photos by LS Helen Frank

UP TO THE TASK

“They realise it may be dangerous at times, but they are supremely confident in their own skills, their equipment and the task on which we are embarked,” he said.

Col Denis Malone, HQ 1 Div, has deployed to the MEAO previously and said he was looking forward to returning and undertaking a new challenge.

“This is a different role to my last deployment, so I am looking forward to going back to the Middle East in a new position with new challenges,” Col Malone said.

He will deploy to Afghanistan as Deputy Commander Combined Team Uruzgan 1 (CTU 1).

“I think it is a fantastic opportunity and I’m very happy to be deploying in this role,” he said.

“First and foremost I will be the deputy to the commander, who is a US colonel. My secondary role, as the dep-uty commander and senior Australian in Uruzgan, is to ensure issues of a national perspective are taken care of.”

Acclaimed: Pte Alex Robben.Photo by Troy Rodgers, Townsville



CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie visited the School of Inf on August 3 to discuss a range of issues with COs and gather feedback from trainees and soldiers.

Lt-Gen Gillespie said it was good to listen to the soldiers and find out if there were issues he could influ-

ence as a result. “I always walk away learning something,” Lt-Gen Gillespie said.

“I also spoke to the School of Inf’s CO and his command team about some of the exciting changes they are looking at doing in infantry training regimes.”

During the visit, he viewed weapons simulation demonstrations

including the MK19 AGL and 84mm Carl Gustav.

Lt-Gen Gillespie also saw sec-tions from 4 Pl Rifleman Wing con-ducting Steyr training as part of their 13-week regimental infantry opera-tions platoon course.

He viewed simulation systems in action and said the Army needed to get more attuned to what it could do

and eventually save money on tradi-tional training methods.

The CA also visited soldiers in rehabilitation who had been injured during training. “They are frustrated because they would rather be train-ing, but they understand they need to be fully fit before they can get back into it, otherwise the downstream effects are pretty poor,” he said.

DURING his visit to Singleton, CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie had the opportunity to present accolades to three soldiers and an officer for their outstanding contribution to the Army.

Cpl Steven Laverack and Pte Joel Richters from the Medical Corps received the Soldier’s Medallion for exemplary service to the field medical support section and School of Infantry, and Sgt Matthew Hibbs was presented with a commendation for his outstanding achievement as an instructor for the Tactics Wing School of Infantry’s reconnais-sance and sniper teams.

CA Lt-Gen Gillespie also had the pleasure of presenting American expatriate and CO Tactics Wing School of Inf Maj Robert Calhoun with his commission.

Maj Calhoun was officially appointed as an officer of the Australian Army and presented with his commission, signed by Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

RECOGNITION

AUSTRALIA’S Chief Defence Scientist Professor Robert Clark has presented the $10,000 Eureka Prize for outstanding science in support of defence or national security to a team from the University of Western Australia.

Professor Ba-Ngu Vo, his brother Professor Ba-Tuong Vo and Professor Antonio Cantoni are the first to deter-mine how to measure the margin of error inherent in systems tracking mul-tiple targets, radically simplifying the required computation and computing power.

Offering his congratulations Professor Clark said, “It’s an outstand-ing development, it has the potential to contribute significantly to Australia’s defence and national security, by mak-ing more tractable the challenges of detecting the large numbers of objects modern sensors may typically detect.

“The existing approach to tracking suffers from the problem of ‘exponential complexity’, which can rapidly exhaust the capacity of even powerful computers to handle.

“In contrast, the new approach offers the ability to handle thousands of objects using only off-the-shelf computers.

“The innovative work of Professor Vo and his team could have many benefits in the defence domain. This includes an improved identification capability at longer ranges, including in hazardous urban environments and for the protec-tion of ships, aircraft and vehicles.”

CA’s learning curveTime out: CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie chats to 3 and 4 Section from 4 Pl Rifleman Wing during their 13-week IET course at Singleton.Photo by AB Melanie Schinkel

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RUOK? Txt trial startsTXT msgs will remind fully sick soldiers at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane, and Lavarack Barracks in Townsville of specialist and physio appointments during a three-month trial.

The SMS trial, which began on September 1, attempts to reduce the number of people failing to attend appointments.

The gr8 idea has been implement-ed by Mark Stonehouse, the Health Information Systems Manager of Area Health Services South Queensland.

“People not turning up for appointments costs Defence money in having a medical provider sitting around waiting, plus it wastes an opportunity we could have used for another patient,” he said.

“Sending SMS reminders is used regularly in civilian practices, along

with other methods including Twitter and Facebook.”

Patients will receive a short message advising them of the time, date and loca-tion of the appointment, and reminding them to bring X-rays or other documen-tation.

If they are unable to keep the appointment, patients will be request-ed to call the provided number and cancel or reschedule.

“It’s a good facility because it allows us to offer a proactive ser-vice to the soldiers. Ultimately, they can be charged for failing to appear at a medical appointment,” Mr Stonehouse said.

The trial contains 10,000 messag-es, which should carry it through till November.

For further information call (07)3332 4197 or email [email protected]

Harsh conditions: A new Sunsmart policy is encouraging soldiers to heed the slip, slop, slap message and cover up when out in the sun. Photo by LS Helen Frank

By LCpl Mark Doran

ARMY’s responsibility and commit-ment to protecting its people is now enhanced with a new Sunsmart policy.

The policy’s aim is to reduce risks to soldiers of skin and eye damage from exposure to UV radiation.

RSM-A WO Stephen Ward said to implement the policy, the rules that applied in the community had been incor-porated into Defence’s sun-safe policy.

“The main changes to the policy are simple – you must wear adequate head-dress, keep your sleeves rolled down, wear sunscreen and preferably wear sun-glasses,” WO Ward said.

“Not only CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie but also the corporal on the ground will be responsible for the supervision and the application of safe work practices.

“It is now a long-sleeved approach to doing business during the high UV rating period and we advise units not to hold ceremonial activities wearing short-sleeved shirts between 9am and 4pm.

“Sun-damage can cause long-term injury. I am a victim of being exposed to

too much sun during my career and now have to have an operation on my eyes to repair the sun damage.”

Revisions in ASOD reflect the Sunsmart policy with the Army’s primary form of garrison headdress now being the slouch hat.

Berets are no longer allowed to be worn as headdress with dress of the day unless authorised by ASOD.

DCA Maj-Gen Paul Symon said when the issues that affect soldiers in the workplace were looked at, the CA could not say he had done everything he could to mitigate discretionary risk.

“CA has seen many of his generation suffer because of the Australian climate,” Maj-Gen Symon said.

“This policy is a reflection of his deter-mination to manage the competing pres-sures of our harsh climate on one hand and the traditions of Army on the other.

“No one in the Army should under-estimate the CA’s very real sense of responsibility for the duty-of-care of his people and the Sunsmart policy is anoth-er step in improving the protection of our soldiers.”

Shedding light on UV exposure

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By LCpl Mark Doran

INDIGENOUS youth were treated to a day of activities at Lavarack Barracks as part of Primary After School Sports (PASS), Australia’s Indigenous Youth Leadership and Mentoring Program.

The Directorate of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) joined with HQ 3 Bde to conduct the lifestyle day for indigenous students from Charters Towers and Townsville.

Townsville units and DFR conducted static displays, PT sessions, WTSS shooting and night-vision activities.

The day also included a display by mili-tary working dogs from 27 Sqn, RAAF Base Townsville.

CEO PASS Australia Brendan Jones said the organisation was the largest indigenous youth leadership program in Queensland, if not Australia.

“Sport is a catalyst to attract kids into the

program – we employ students on a school-based traineeship to deliver sports into pri-mary schools,” Mr Jones said.

“We start intervening or interviewing them in Year 10 with a view that they must return to school for years 11 and 12 in order to do the traineeship.”

DIA Youth Connections program project officer Maj Nerida Turner said her role was to connect with indigenous youth through community groups like PASS Australia to show what the military could offer.

“The aim of the program is to engage with indigenous youth early enough to positively influence their consideration of Defence as a real career option, or at least to develop within them a positive attitude towards Defence,” Maj Turner said.

“Alignment with community organisa-tion such as PASS Australia and the PCYC enables us to do this at minimal cost.”

By LCpl Mark Doran

GECKOS’ third birthday was celebrated as a festival for soldiers and their families at Lavarack Barracks on Sunday August 1.

Geckos is the support centre for Defence in Townsville and the event attracted more than 2500 visitors for an afternoon of rides, entertainment and competitions.

Geckos Centre Coordinator WO1 Sandie Wilson said while the event celebrated the success of the centre, it was also about raising awareness of a wide range of services offered to Defence personnel and their families.

“Geckos Centre plays a criti-cal role in supporting families especially of soldiers deployed on exercise or operations,” she said.

“Support for our single sol-diers on and off base is also a role for the centre as is the welfare of all our troops.”

A popular event at the festi-val was the inter-battery gun race won by 107 Fd Bty’s red team in a record time of 3min 18sec.

Unit commanders from 3 Bde competed in the Geckos Masterchef competition and the judges and audience were treated to culinary treats made from the creative use of ration packs.

PASSing the message

Support centre celebrations

Fast lane: WO2 Steve Gibbs with his son Kyle and Cfn Daniel Jeynes with Riley Hayes take on the giant slide.

Day of fun: Pte Matthew Bovell, 2RAR, displays weapons for children from Charters Towers at the PASS Australia visit to Lavarack Barracks. Photos by LCpl Mark Doran

WO1 Gordon Koenig and his partner in the 3CSR team Capt Peter Brown won the best main dish while the prize for best pres-entation went to the 10FSB team of Lt-Col Craig Dobson and Capt Sarah Donovan.

Karena Crawford represented Defence partners and won the best dessert award.

3CSSB defeated 3CSR in the tug-of-war competition with a dis-play of teamwork combined with impressive technique.

WO1 Wilson also said other

initiatives being developed would focus on recreational and lifestyle aspects relevant to the soldiers needs.

“There will be useful pro-grams for soldiers such as healthy cooking classes and seminars focused on life skills including planning a budget and managing a rental lease,” she said.

“Further enhancements such as the staff being qualified JPs will see Geckos continue to meet the needs of the Townsville Defence community in practical ways.”

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TWO former 3RAR soldiers have taken fundraising to new heights by aiming to complete the famed seven summits – the highest mountain on each continent.

Darren Wise and Shane Pophfer conquered the 6960m Mt Aconcagua in Argentina and Russia’s 5642m Mt Elbrus in March and now have three to go.

In doing so, they raised more than $13,000 for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney.

For their next climb, Denali (Mt McKinley) in Alaska, which they intend tackling in June next year, they have turned their focus to raising money for Legacy.

Darren said he and Shane retained the link with the military and had great respect for Australian soldiers.

“We carry the spirit of the Anzacs – endurance, cour-age, ingenuity, mateship and good humour – on every climb,” he said. “And on every summit we raise the RSL flag in memory of our fallen soldiers, and in honour of serving members of the ADF.

“We are members of the Doyalson-Wyee sub-branch and have received great support from them.

“We would like nothing more than to raise funds to ensure Legacy continues to provide a valuable service to the families of our fallen servicemen and women.”

Darren was inspired to attempt the seven summits as a tribute to his late sister, who was killed by a drunk driver when she was 12. “I carry her photo in a locket. One day I just had an idea that I wanted to climb Mt Everest and leave her photo at the summit. I asked Shane if he’d like to do it and the idea just grew from there.”

After summiting Mt Kilimanjaro in 2008 and Kosciuszko last year, they have just Denali, Vinson (Antarctica) and Everest to conquer to complete their quest.

To donate, contact Darren at [email protected] or visit www.darrenwise.com.au

Fundraising on high

Shout from top: Shane Pophfer, left, and Darren Wise pose at the top of Mt Elbrus in Russia after scaling the 5642m summit.

By Sgt Dave Morley

DARWIN’S steamy weather didn’t dampen the enthusi-asm of 1 Bde members when they celebrated RAAOC’s 108th birthday at Defence Establishment Berrimah on July 21.

1 Sup Coy JNCOs organ-ised a game of ‘yardie cricket’ against 1 Bde teams.

Cpl Duncan Kemmery, Sup Coy training corporal, said the umpires, WO2 Buck Rogers and Cpl Bryce Webster, were both very susceptible to bribes to keep the game moving.

“They drank both bribes as soon as they got them,” he said.

“Obviously Supply Company won the game.”Cpl Kemmery said his partner, Pte Sarah Cowling,

1 Avn Regt, did an excellent job of sewing together the RAAOC flag tableclothes and also helped him make the hampers for the raffle.

Cpl Kemmery decorated the cricket bats and middle stumps with RAAOC badges.

A “dirt cheap” barbecue started at half-time, with music provided by DJ Cpl Jeremy Carson.

The occasion coincided with the 33rd birthday of 1 Fd Sup Coy.

Special guests for the day were RAAOC Head of Corps Maj-Gen Grant Cavanagh, Deputy Head of Corps Lt-Col Mark Dixon and RAAOC RSM WO1 Don Waddingham.

RAAOC celebrates 108th birthday

Cake time: Pte William Young cuts the RAAOC birthday cake with Maj-Gen Grant Cavenagh. Photo by Capt Lachlan Simonds

WORLD NEWS 13 Army September 2, 2010

VILLAGERS in East Timor’s remote Oecussi enclave received life-changing medical support during a three-day multinational medical program last month.

More than 1000 villagers were treated over three days while two children with life-threatening ill-nesses were evacuated by helicopter to hospitals.

The activities were part of a Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) established to provide care for sick villagers and train local health providers operating under the East Timorese Defence Force (F-FDTL) and the East Timorese Ministry of Health.

Capt Carl Bryant, 8/9RAR, who is deployed to the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), said MEDCAPs not only improved the wellbeing of individuals, but built communities.

“We facilitate the East Timorese in transporting their medication and staff out to areas they can’t get to,

and we also help build the capac-ity of the F-FDTL to help their own people in planning and running medical support programs,” Capt Bryant said.

He said the program “ensures we are having a long-lasting impact on the people – and that really makes it worthwhile”.

The medical program was deliv-ered by the US-sponsored Pacific Partnership 2010, the ISF and the F-FDTL, with support from the Defence Cooperation Program.

The Oecussi MEDCAP was the focus for the August campaign, and villagers from Nitibe, Maquelab, Oalkaen and Baqui received critical medical treatment.

US Navy Cmdr Peter Shumaker, OIC of the MEDCAP at Baqui, said optometry, dental, dermatological, congenital and surgical conditions were assessed.

“We have seen a full range of conditions, but working with our partners has been tremendous,” Cmdr Shumaker said.

TOUR de Force 19 (TDF19) played to the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and Pacific Partnership 2010 from August 13-16.

The Forces Entertainment Tour included pop starlet Cassie Davis and her band, renowned club DJ Sean Mullins, comedian Mick Meredith and television per-sonality Gretel Killeen.

Commander ISF Col Simon Stuart said the events were

“incredibly” memorable for the soldiers.

“Everyone here has been working really hard, and it’s just great that the entertainers take the time and effort to put on a show for us,” Col Stuart said.

The TDF19 members were given an aerial tour of East Timor by Black Hawks, a small-arms range demonstration and the opportunity to meet soldiers at various bases.

Mick Meredith, deployed for the second time with the Tour de Force, said performing for the ADF was one of the highlights of his calendar.

“Three years ago I went to Sinai, which was incredible,” Mr Meredith said.

“It’s great working in front of these guys, they are all typical down-to-earth Australians. I’d do anything to keep being a part of this sort of stuff.”

Gretel Killeen, who has also visited the Middle East and Solomon Islands, said she loved meeting those who were serving the nation.

“I believe we bring something to them, so that’s important,” Ms Killeen said.

“It requires a lot of mental and emotional discipline to exist this far away from your loved ones so it’s lovely to know that they are appreciated back home.”

Medical benefits

Showtime for troops in Timor

Fan club: Cpl Jason Lee (left) and Cpl Ryan Sulcas meet entertainers Joseph Davis and Cassie Davis. Photo by AB Jo Dilorenzo

Health check: Sgt Troy Roberts, ISF, treats locals at the Medical Civic Action Program in Oecussi in East Timor.Photo by AB Jo Dilorenzo

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14 WORLD NEWS Army September 2, 2010

By Cpl Zenith King

A FORCE Installation Team (FIT) of six soldiers deployed to Solomon Islands to maintain and provide com-munication to CTF 635.

Lt Alison Heenan, 17 Sig Regt, said the team’s main role was to supply the cabling to provide connectivity to the ADF while on operations.

“When new infrastructure is built we fit out the empty offices with everything required so that people can do their job, and for infrastructure already established we check to ensure its serviceability,” Lt Heenan said.

She said the FIT was doing clean installations for the new logistic facility being built, as well as fixing up a lot of cabling already in place that did not meet accreditation standards.

Aside from computer infrastructure, the team ensured phone lines were set up to meet the task force requirements.

“This includes the office phone lines and the welfare phones,” Lt Heenan said.

LCpl Clayton Browne, 17 Sig Regt, said the most time-consuming job had been the maintenance of existing infra-structure.

“In many of the buildings there was a lot of cable and old infrastructure that wasn’t up to accreditation,” LCpl Browne said.

“We had to remove all the old stuff, but to do that we had to put up the new infrastructure, which includes PVC pipes to run the lines through first to ensure

communications were maintained at all times.

“First we ran all our cables and put up our conduit according to what was required in each work space. We then had a planned outage to transfer every-thing over to the new system and remove all the old stuff.”

The time it took for the team to complete each building varied greatly depending on how many services were required.

“It can be as simple as putting an outlet in the wall and connecting it to the current infrastructure, but when you need to put in new switches it can become time consuming,” LCpl Browne said.

He said most of the work was carried out at night.

“Everyone’s workplace is our work-place, so we just try to work out what the best time is without disturbing everyone else.”

LCpl Browne said at the Rove obser-vation post the team climbed the tower to ensure all the nuts and bolts were secure and the antennas were working correctly.

“Once the riggers are up the tower they disconnect all the cables so the techs on the ground can test the antennae and make sure they are to specification,” he said.

“If they are damaged we can replace the connectors or we can replace the whole cable.”

The FIT deployed for five weeks and returned home in mid-August.

Perfect fit for ADF on operations

High point: Sig Brian Sylvester climbs a communications tower to check everything is secure and serviceable (main photo), while Sig Ben McLennan lays new cable between CTF 635’s communications centre and its new logistic facility. Photos by Cpl Zenith King

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WORLD NEWS 15 Army September 2, 2010

By Leut Kara Wansbury

PERSONNEL on Pacific Partnership 2010 (PP10) have departed East Timor after the successful completion of a two-week humanitarian assis-tance mission as part of the annual US-led endeavour.

The 1000-strong PP10 team, including 25 ADF members, did a range of engineering, medical, dental, veterinary and commu-nity service tasks.

The crews of HMAS Labuan and Tarakan worked alongside US military and East Timorese Defence Force personnel, as well as fellow Australians assigned to the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and the Defence Co-operation Program (DCP).

ADF Contingent Commander Lt-Col David Collins said about 19,000 patients were treated at various medical and dental facili-ties during the visit.

Medical and dental personnel conducted 174 surgeries in the 11 operating theatres on board USNS Mercy.

“Engineers from 2CER based in Brisbane painted, re-tiled and re-roofed a school in Dili with their US and Timorese counter-parts,” Lt-Col Collins said.

Labuan and Tarakan provid-ed ship-to-shore logistical sup-port in the areas of Oecussi and Lautem.

Lt-Col Collins said the

involvement of the Australian ships was significant. “The par-ticipation by the Navy’s heavy landing craft really enhanced our overall Pacific Partnership foot-print in East Timor,” he said.

“We were able to send medi-cal, dental and veterinary teams to more remote areas, to service more of the community and work with more members of the Timorese Defence Force.”

In one three-day medical pro-gram, more than 1000 villagers in the Oecussi enclave received life-changing medical support.

Commander ISF Col Simon Stuart said the ISF and DCP were focused on building the East Timorese Defence Force’s capacity but the two week humanitarian effort was extreme-ly valuable.

“Our ISF and DCP personnel were able to provide specialist advice to the Pacific Partnership team,” Col Stuart said.

“Our Defence Force mem-bers work very closely with East Timorese Defence Force personnel and I have seen those relationships furthered with the introduction of the larger Pacific Partnership team.”

The final phase of PP10 is being held in PNG.

For the first time since Australia’s participation in the annual mission, an Australian ship – HMAS Tobruk – will act as a command platform.

Safe hands: Army nursing officer Capt Sharleen Lange and Navy medical officer Cmdr Michael Wilson help move a child on to a recovery bed following a surgical procedure on board US Naval Ship Mercy, anchored off Dili (above). Meanwhile, Sgt Roger Page, Defence Cooperation Program, works alongside East Timor’s Pte Anataia Abi during a Medical Civic Action Program in Oecussi (right). Photos by AB Jo Dilorenzo

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16 WORLD NEWS Army September 2, 2010


ADF personnel in the MEAO were served a dose of well-deserved Australian music and laughter at a series of Forces Entertainment concerts featuring an Australian Idol runner-up.

The Underdog Tour 2010 com-prised two performances for ADF members at the Multinational Base Tarin Kowt and one show at Camp Barker in Kandahar.

A fourth performance was conducted for members of the Australian National HQ and sup-porting elements at the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.

CO Forces Entertainment Lt-Col

Ian Robinson said the concerts were attended by more than 400 Australian, Dutch, American and Canadian soldiers.

“The entertainers were brought across to the Middle East to pro-vide a break in the diggers’ routine,” Lt-Col Robinson said.

“The entertainers all chipped in and took the experience to heart.

“The more they went around Afghanistan and met the troops, the more the diggers wanted to meet them – the interaction was really good.”

The tour featured Australian Idol runner-up Luke Dickens and his four-piece band, comedian Chris Franklin and Channel 7’s Mel Symons as the MC.

Frontman Dickens said it was a great opportunity to entertain deployed personnel and showcase the band’s new album.

“The opportunity to perform over here has been simply one of the most amazing experiences of my life,” Mr Dickens said.

The Directorate of Training Educational Services and Forces Entertainment regularly arrange entertainment for deployed ADF personnel.

If you have any activity or entertainment requests, email your ideas to CO Forces Entertainment Lt-Col Ian Robinson at [email protected] or leave your feedback at www.forcesentertainment.org.au

DIGGERS from Tarin Kowt to East Timor exercised their constitutional right to vote in the Federal election despite being miles from home.

ADF members trained and authorised as Assistant Returning Officers by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) operated polling booths across deployed locations.

For those unable to reach a deployed polling booth, voting at an Australian embassy or postal voting was also available.

Chief of Joint Operations Lt-Gen Mark Evans said the ADF made it possi-ble for ADF personnel to cast their vote.

“It is important that all Defence personnel, including those on overseas deployment, are given an equal opportu-nity to cast their vote,” Lt-Gen Evans said.

Assistant Returning Officer Flt-Lt Fiona Summerell said Defence worked closely with the AEC to ensure voting was conducted in accordance with cor-

rect electoral procedures. “We visited the headquarters, the Forward Operating Bases and flew out to the soldiers on patrol,” Flt-Lt Summerell said.

“We took the ballot boxes, the Senate papers for each state and the House of Representative papers for each division to them.

“The AEC took us through the train-ing program and supplied us with the equipment and information that we need-ed to facilitate our important task.”

Brisbane-based Pte Erik Judd deployed as part of the ISF’s Anzac Coy on the south coast of East Timor, said the deployed booths were an effective way for soldiers to cast their votes.

“I think it’s great. We are out bush ... and it’s a great surprise to have polling officials come to us and facilitate our votes,” Pte Judd said.

“It’s good to see we are still a big part of things [in Australia] even though we are far from home.”

MEAO rocks to Aussie vibe

ADF has its say on vote

Elected: First-time voter Pte Brayden Lingard, centre, casts his vote under the watchful eyes of WO1 Mike Beinke, left, and Flg-Off Greg Kilpatrick. Photo by Sgt Brent Tero

Funky: Luke Dickens performs at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt (main) while Pte Barry Le Breton, MTF 1, gets Dickens to sign his album after the concert. Photos by Sgt Mick Davis

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Notifying DHA of your relocation, so that we can commence the HomeFind process

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Your housing entitlements, including Rent Allowance or Living In Accommodation

Organising your relocation requirements Making and managing any policy which affects your housing and relocation entitlements

Arranging all your DHA housing maintenance requirements

Arranging all your uplift and delivery requirements

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Rent Band Choice Housing – this provides you with a range of housing choices to suit your lifestyle

Approving and organising any long-term or short-term storage of your possessions

Managing the contractors who provide your relocation services and housing, such as Toll Transitions and DHA

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18 CENTREPIECE Army September 2, 2010 19

PARATROOPERS soaring from a Hercules, combat teams fighting a free-playing enemy and multiple live-fire assaults formed the annu-al battalion exercise held at Singleton from July 27 to August 6.

Exercise Kapyong Warrior was conducted by 3RAR and involved a combination of soldiers and airmen from 4 Fd Regt’s A Fd Bty, 3CER, 3CSR, 176 Air Dispatch and 36 and 37 Sqns.

The exercise began with an airborne combat team (ACT) tactical parachute insertion into the 2.8km Drop Zone (DZ) Hinge on July 27.

DZ safety officer for the ACT tactical para-chute insertion WO2 Tim Taylor said he had a reconnaissance team embedded to patrol the DZ area for about 72 hours before the jump.

“Right now I have to be concerned with wind, low cloud cover and injuries,” WO2 Taylor said.

“In a real scenario, an aircraft can’t loiter in a hostile airspace – timeframes need to be met, but the conditions need to be right too.

“We want this exercise to be as close as possi-ble to how a real operation would be conducted.”

During five passes of one Hercules, about 180 3RAR paratroopers, each weighing about 159kg, descended from the sky, landed and assembled at their rally points.

Once all personnel and injuries were account-ed for, the paratroopers executed the tactical phase of the exercise by reinforcing ‘the Fort’ operating base and starting their assigned tasks.

As he landed on the DZ, CO 3RAR Lt-Col Trent Scott said, “I just came down so quick – it was definitely a speedy exit.

“The soldiers conducted their rally procedures quickly and efficiently, and maintained control at all times,” he said.

“They proved the ability to rapidly insert infantry by parachute on a DZ that is quite unfor-giving – they all did very well.”

Lt-Col Scott said 3RAR provided the only conventional parachuting capability for the ADF and it was the first tactical insertion by parachute this year, and the first conducted since Exercise Talisman Sabre last year.

Despite the fast pace of the exercise, two para-troopers could do little but hang around for a while as their parachutes became caught in tree branches during their descent to the DZ.

The first paratrooper was rescued quickly, however, the second was stuck in a large tree for about two hours because he was too high for Defence assets to reach him. The Singleton Ambulance Service was called and rescued the hapless soldier.

WO2 Taylor said he had jumped 160 times throughout his career, but it was the first time he had seen a paratrooper stuck in a tree.

Kapyong Warrior director of practice Maj Troy Antal said the exercise was designed to test and evaluate soldiers in field training and live-firing.

The aim was to set the battle group for more complex collective activities during exercises CATA and Hamel later this year.

For the first half of Kapyong Warrior, each of 3RAR’s three combat teams rotated through a three-to-four-day activity, which involved intense patrolling and fighting a free-playing enemy.

Maj Antal said this year’s exercise provided greater training opportunities for the individual combat teams.

“We have put one combat team in the area of operations at a time,” Maj Antal said.

“This provides each team with maximum

training opportunities and resources to get the best outcomes.”

The combat teams were tasked to clear a sec-tion of the exercise area that was occupied by enemy.

Lt-Col Scott said tasks involved the teams conducting ambushes, fighting patrols, company defensive battle positions, blank-fire field training and a full range of activities focused on joint-land combat.

“These are intense activities for the combat teams and they are placed under significant tacti-cal pressure,” Lt-Col Scott said.

“Medics will also be tested with simulated casualties as part of the enemy attack.”

Kapyong Warrior culminated with live-fire combat team attacks by day and night on July 30, August 2 and 5, which included the breaching of obstacles, using engineers, pioneers, artillery and direct-fire support, and all the weapons systems used by an infantry battalion.

Battery commander A Fd Bty Maj Nathan Laughton said Kapyong Warrior provided the battery with an opportunity to progress with their gunnery skills on the gunline and support 3RAR in achieving their required training levels.

“We will do our lead-up engagements to make sure everything is set-up sufficiently and then on the three live-fire attack days we will fire at danger-close distances by day and night,” Maj Laughton said.

“The closest rounds to the companies will be 300m while they are actually doing the assault.”

After the three live-fire battles, a full reorgani-sation occurred for the combat teams.

IN THE ZONEIN THE ZONE

Contact: C Coy 3RAR soldiers hit the ground during the live-fire activity of Exercise Kapyong Warrior.

Treatment time: Pte Scott Suitor is transported from the drop zone for further medical treatment on his shoulder after injuring himself when he landed awkwardly. DZ invasion: Paratroopers descend in number on the drop zone.

Evacuation: 3RAR’s medical team prepare a soldier acting as a casualty out of the field.

Adrenalin rush: 3RAR paratroopers exit a Hercules over drop zone Hinge at Singleton during Exercise Kapyong Warrior.

Ready for action: OC C Coy 3RAR Maj Daniel Harrison gets ready to lead soldiers into the live-fire during Exercise Kapyong Warrior at Singleton.

Heavy load: LCpl Dylan Purcell, B Coy 3RAR, moves toward

his rally point after a successful landing.

Close to 200 paratroopers dropped from the sky as part of Exercise Kapyong Warrior in Singleton from July 27 to August 6. Photos and report: AB Melanie Schinkel

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20 LETTERS AND VIEWPOINTS Army September 2, 2010

I AM writing in response to the remov-al of the entitlement to wear berets within the RAAC.

Like many of my peers, I feel very strongly about the black hat.

I wear my beret with pride at all times and the justification of not being able to wear one because it is not sunsmart to me seems unreasonable.

The Special Forces are still entitled to wear a beret and they are exposed to the same sun as us.

In my regiment, any time we are exposed to the sun for extended periods we wear the HKFF or bush hat. We are aware of the effects of the sun and all care is taken.

The beret is not just an integral part of our corps’ identity, it is a practical form of headdress for armoured crewmen.

We no longer wear it as headdress in the field as it has been replaced by the CVC helmet, which provides no more sun protection than a swimming cap. A majority of my peers wear full face pro-tection and goggles to prevent wind and sunburn.

As part of my duties I regularly have to go into the local shopping centre. In line with Robertson Barracks’ standing orders, I have to tell diggers from the other regiments and battalions to put on their headdress. I have never seen a mem-ber of the RAAC out in public not wear-ing the beloved black hat. Such is the pride with which we wear our beret.LCpl Rhys Minton2 Cav RegtRobertson Barracks, Palmerston

I’M SEEKING feedback on the demise of the beret to prevent environmental illness in the form of skin cancer.

I would assume there is some empiri-cal health study or data linking occur-rence of melanoma to units that wear berets? There is research, not just some-one’s hunch, to back up this change?

I’m assuming that because of the seri-ous nature of melanoma, this means that RAAF members will not wear berets or their peaked work caps, which offer no protection to the neck. Nor will Navy wear their traditional brimless caps, which offer no protection from the sun.

The demise of the beret has struck a chord with Army readers. The response from RSM-A WO Stephen Ward also includes guidance from CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie.

THANK you for your letters in regard to the change in wearing berets. I admire your verve in relation to this subject and the forceful manner in which you question the decision of the CA.

In answering your letters, I will highlight the process that led the Chief to make his decision.

It was a very emotive issue for all concerned.

The process to develop the Sunsmart policy began more than 12 months ago. The considera-tion for amending the beret policy started before this and highlight-ed the lack of our considered duty of care in this area, particularly when our children are obliged to wear headdress and protective clothing in our schools.

Many opinions on the way ahead were given from those con-sulted seeking their corps’ posi-tion on the beret.

This consultation process was wide ranging and took consider-able time. However, the Chief’s primary concern was his duty of care to soldiers.

In attending to his duty-of-care responsibilities, he had to weigh a number of competing pressures.

He sought final advice of the

Army’s generals and senior RSMs in weighing these pressures.

The Army Sunsmart policy was his highest priority in his consideration in relation to decid-ing who was to wear berets and when. All other considerations were subordinate to it.

I also point out the CA has made a point there is no certainty the exemption he has provided to Socomd will withstand the evidence he has asked for from Commander Joint Health regard-ing instances of sun damage and melanomas. It may prove neces-sary for him to withdraw their exemption at some stage in the future.

He has considered the esprit de corps and heritage of all the corps that have a direct lineage to the wearing of berets or have a special recognition tied to the beret. He has kept the ability for these corps to wear their berets on special occasions.

I remind you the CA has made his decision. Today’s climate and the increasing knowledge we have in relation to the long-term dam-age that exposure to the elements can cause and its effect on the human body obliges him to amend dress of the day provisions.

He takes his duty of care to soldiers seriously. He expects all commanders in the Army to do the same. This is an issue about moral leadership which you should implement.

You can still become seriously burnt when wearing them, so I’m assuming the iconic slouch hat will eventual-ly be replaced, or modified, to address this threat with something lighter, more breathable and more protective. Especially in high-glare environments, where as much damage occurs from reflected sun as from direct sun.

This may also prevent people faint-ing on parade when wearing a thick fur hat originating from late 19th century European armies, and not suited to the Australian environment. This is another form of environmental injury that can be dangerous and should be addressed.

So in the long term what can we expect as far as ongoing information in relation to addressing environmental injuries arising from wearing the various archaic European forms of headdress, such as fur felt slouch hats and woollen berets? Will they eventually be replaced with modern alternatives, just like battle dress and greens were in the past? Let us hope so, for both our health and comfort. Sgt F1 Cdo Regt Fort Gellibrand, Williamstown

Sore heads over beret ban

I HAD no idea that Special Forces soldiers possess extraordinary powers to combat sun exposure, powers that must be beyond the rest of the Australian Army if the CASAC is to be believed.

Presumably, Army members of the Sikh religion also possess these powers, unless a broad-brimmed tur-ban is soon to be mandated.

The minute describing the new beret policy for Army claims that CASAC was “firmly of the view that the health of Army’s personnel should not be put at risk through sun exposure as a consequence of herit-age considerations involving berets”.

What the new policy fails to do is justify why the logic for exempting Socomd soldiers does not apply to the rest of Army. If Socomd com-manders can be trusted to “conform strictly to the sunsmart principles articulated in the Army Sunsmart policy”, why can’t the rest of the commanders in the Army?

CASAC correctly identifies that berets are a “central element of the values, culture and underlying ethos” of Socomd, but that assertion applies equally to other organisations too; presumably this is why berets have been retained for limited ceremonial activities. However, the exemption for Socomd to continue to wear them as dress of the day, when the rest of the Army cannot, is provocative.

Unless the Army Sunsmart pol-icy continues the crusade to ban exposure to the sun by prohibiting t-shirts and shorts for PT, as well as short-sleeved uniforms, this decision appears to be an arbitrary and unnec-

essary assault on the proud heritage and culture of beret-wearing units and corps of the Army.Capt Matthew DoyleAAvnTCOakey, Queensland

REGARDING the withdrawal of berets from service: is this anoth-er move away from customs and traditions that will lower esprit de corps and general pride in the uniform?

I understand the necessity to tick the OH&S boxes, but where do we draw the line?

In this financially stressed time the Army finds itself in, it could be considered that this decision is more fiscally rather than safety based.

If it were a safety issue, surely it would be a CDF directive across all services rather than just the Army?

Could I point out that the current in-service helmet offers about as much sun protection as a beret.

Gone are the days of the corps stable belts and the corps shoulder titles are not far behind. Will the lanyard soon be found to be a chok-ing hazard?

I have had surgery due to the risk of cancer but I take responsibil-ity for my own actions. We are all given mandatory training at the start of the year regarding exposure, and each member should be accountable for their own actions.

We should leave the decision up to the member; the same members, who on a daily basis make more demanding decisions than “What hat will I wear today.”Cpl Jason LarkinAAvnTCOakey, Queensland

OFFICIAL RESPONSE

Proud: Members of 7RAR wear their berets as they stand in the sun during a parade at the end of their deployment to Afghanistan last year. Photo by Cpl Ricky Fuller

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LETTERS AND VIEWPOINTS 21 Army September 2, 2010

RSM-A’s FAQs

Q: What is happening with the trial of the disruptive pattern mid-point cams?A: We are experimenting with a mid-point cam, called DPMU, ‘M’ for mid-point. Our soldiers, especially in Afghanistan, are telling us that DPCU (disruptive pattern camouflage uniform) and DPDU (disruptive pattern desert uni-form) are good in their respective envi-ronments but that they are not particular-ly good when the environment changes.

They are saying they need a uni-form that maintains an effective level of camouflage and allows them to move between the open and green zones with-out the need to change cams.

The UK and US have already gone down this road and we have looked at their approach.

CA is determined to get a solution for us that will allow us to operate in a wider range of environments and remain effec-tively concealed.

He has asked DSTO to come up with a blend of DPCU and DPDU.

We are also keen to get a better infra-red protective effect and intend to build that in as the new colours and pattern are developed. A secondary consideration is the pattern should be distinct from other armies. This fact has been to our distinct advantage in the past, as many soldiers can testify.

In case you are wondering, there is no consideration that going to one uni-form might be cheaper. Having one uni-form that meets all environments will make it easier on you.

THE past few months have been a very difficult time for Army as we have tried to come to terms with a number of deaths and serious injuries from operations in Afghanistan. The family of Pte Scott Palmer recently wrote to both CDF ACM Angus Houston and CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie to highlight their appreciation for the support of the wider Army family during their period of loss and grief. The letter is reproduced here in accordance with the wishes of the family to pass on their thanks to all members of Army.

ON BEHALF of my family and friends, I wish to take this opportunity to thank you and the entire Australian Army for the treatment, respect and dignity you have afforded us during this time of grief.

Scott’s passing has been a period of great sadness and sorrow but the efforts of your staff to ease our pain have indeed given us great comfort and support. They have worked tirelessly to ensure that Scott’s funeral, repatriation and final resting was done in a dignified manner befitting an Australian soldier. We were so pleased and couldn’t have asked for more.

I do, however, have one final request – that my family’s heartfelt thanks be dis-seminated across the Australian Army, at all levels, to thank them all and to tell them how much we truly appreciate all the effort they have contributed during this very dif-ficult time.Ray and Pam PalmerKatherine, NT

Heartfelt gratitude

Point of discussion

DSTO have done some trials intended to see the colours they chose in different environments, but the test uniforms are not production uniforms so the colours will fade in about 10 washes. That obvi-ously won’t be the case when we pro-duce the real version.

We are also examining the UK and US solutions to the same problem. But of course we don’t need to trial them because we have their data due to our close relationship with them as allies and we have trialled the US uniform already.

The bottom line is we need a single cam that is effective in a wide range of environments, and we are working to find or, if necessary, develop one. Our load-carrying kit colour or cam pattern will be the next thing we need to decide on.

We are working hard to come up with a solution to the above issues as quickly as we can.

Sneak preview: CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie shows the mid-point cams to soldiers in Afghanistan earlier this year. Photo by Sgt Brent Tero

Lost son: Pte Scott Palmer.

HAVE YOUR SAY■ Preference is given to letters under 300 words.■ All letter writers must include their name, unit, location and contact number for purposes of verification.■ Letters might be rejected if they are too long, abusive or can be answered by the author’s unit.■ Email letters to [email protected]

22 TRAINING Army September 2, 2010


SHRILL cracks of rifle fire echo in the near distance as two 5RAR sol-diers take cover behind a weathered wooden construct and wait for the order to advance.

As they are directed forward by their section commander, a flash of thick yel-low smoke engulfs them.

The soldiers speedily conduct a com-pound clearance of the area and push ahead to support the rest of their platoon.

Without warning a massive boom res-onates as an explosion erupts nearby, fol-lowed by another and then another.

In the clearing upfront, the platoon scrambles and the two soldiers race to join them to help find and evacuate casu-alties.

This Afghanistan-inspired, live-fire training scenario was one of the many all seven battalions of the RAR encountered as part of the week-long 2010 Duke of Gloucester (DOG) Cup competition at Singleton range from August 1.

OC Tactics Wing School of Inf Maj Robert Calhoun said the DOG Cup, first instituted in 1947, was a gruelling com-petition of infantry skills and proficiency between the battalions of the RAR.

“Primarily this competition is a mechanism to reward excellence within the regiment, but it’s also about testing skills, knowledge and teamwork,” Maj Calhoun said.

“Not every soldier gets the opportu-nity to compete in the DOG Cup, so they get a sense of pride out of being selected to represent their battalions.

“Also, from a diagnostic perspective, DOG Cup provides excellent feedback to the battalions on the trends and various strengths and weaknesses observed.”

He said the 2010 cup was coordinat-ed by the School of Inf’s Tactics Wing and developed in line with Commander Forcomd’s focus on foundation war fight-ing and “brilliance at the basics”.

“The competition’s stands were derived from, and similar to, the conven-tional operations and counter-insurgen-cy activities currently conducted by the Army in Afghanistan.”

This year, DOG Cup was broken into three phases – phase one tested skills including reaction to an IED, communi-cations, judging distance, observation, weapons-handling, urban close-quarter-battle skills and navigation.

Phase two concentrated on two simul-taneous activities – a patrolling exercise that focused on battle procedure and con-ducting a section clearance task, and a section blank-fire ambush activity.

The final phase comprised a 7.5km forced march with stores carry, falling-plate shoot and call for live artillery dur-ing a section live-fire attack and com-pound clearance.

The last phase also included a defen-sive range by night and completion of Singleton’s arduous obstacle and bayonet fighting course.

Maj Calhoun said the competition pre-sented many challenges and tested the soldiers’ ability to perform competently when mentally and physically fatigued.

“It was particularly tough for some of the northern battalions to deal with the poor Singleton weather because they weren’t acclimatised to the cooler tem-peratures,” he said.

“But the major challenge was in the breadth of skill sets they were tasked to employ and being exposed to training they may not have practised recently.”

Even though the final competition scores were close, 3RAR was announced winner of the 2010 DOG Cup.

Section commander for 4 Sect 3RAR Cpl Adam Thomas said 3RAR was “stoked”, but the competition was diffi-cult to beat. “We’re a little shocked about how close the competition was, but are pretty proud because we worked hard and had a lot of pressure on us from our CO to do well,” Cpl Thomas said.

3RAR tops in DOG Cup

Ready for action: 5RAR soldiers wait for the right moment to push ahead and support the rest of their platoon.

Teamwork: 5RAR soldiers evacuate a simulated casualty during the DOG Cup’s live-fire attack stand at Singleton.

Uplifting: 7RAR soldiers work as a team.

Precious silverware: RAR Colonel Commandant (above) Maj-Gen Horrie Howard (retd) presents 3RAR section commander Cpl Adam Thomas with the DOG Cup.

Tunnel vision: A 7RAR soldier helps his mate get through a muddy tunnel at Singleton’s obstacle course (below).

� 1st Place: 3RAR – 415 points� 2nd Place: 1RAR – 406 Points� 3rd Place: 2RAR – 403 Points� 4th Place: 6RAR – 354 Points� 5th Place: 5RAR – 349 Points� 6th Place: 8/9RAR – 343 Points� 7th Place: 7RAR – 334 Points

Other awards presented included:Outstanding individual efforts awarded to:� Pte David Novelli from 2RAR and;� Pte Joseph Papworth from 6RAR

OSCMAR Trophy awarded for the best urban assault: 3RAR

The Royal Ulster Rifles Trophy awarded to the winner of the falling plate shoot: 8/9RAR

The Sir Arthur MacDonald Trophy awarded to the winner of the navigation and section defence live-fire activities: 1RAR

2010 CUP RESULTS

Contact: 5RAR soldiers charge ahead to conduct a live-fire section attack during the DOG Cup at Singleton. Photos by AB Melanie Schinkel

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IT’S been several years since the mountains of Papua New Guinea echoed with the combined sounds of Chinook and Black Hawk rotors.

The small PNG mountainside communities awoke as two Black Hawk and two Chinook helicopters deployed from 5 Avn Regt in Townsville.

Capt Drew Burkitt said the aircraft and crews arrived in Madang on the northern side of PNG as part of Exercise Helicon Luk 2010 (HL10).

“HL10 provided vital training opportunities for ground and air elements, with the priority being prepa-ration of aircrew for operations,” Capt Burkitt said.

“In particular, the aircrew conducted high-density altitude training, which will allow them to operate the aircraft safely in high and hot climates where the air-craft is forced to operate to its limit.”

He said PNG’s flying environment was character-ised by dynamic weather changes that could quickly catch out the inexperienced or unsuspecting pilot, forc-ing them into potentially unsafe situations.

“The crews receive a theatre qualification that pro-vides them with the skills, knowledge and attitudes to prevent or deal with such situations,” he said.

“Both high-density altitude training and theatre qualifications comprise multiple transferable skill sets that crews will draw upon to improve their proficiency as combat aviators.”

Ground elements worked hard to keep the aircraft serviceable and to improve communications with the aircraft.

Capt Burkitt said exercise participants had the opportunity to use and test communications equipment that allowed valuable fault finding and training.

He said elements of the detachment deployed to Wewak to provide aviation support to 2RAR and Exercise Olgeta Warrior 2010.

“The two Black Hawks and one Chinook provided valuable support, moving about 140 personnel on each day to multiple landing zones around Wewak.

“The crews enjoyed the opportunity to facilitate airmobile training with 2RPIR PNGDF soldiers and strengthen ties between Army Aviation and 2RAR.”

... to the jungles of PNG

Working together: A Black Hawk and a Chinook land at Madang to take part in Exercise Helicon Luk 2010 in Papua New Guinea. Photo by Sgt David Hanney

From NZ peaks ...

AVIATORS reached new heights when they deployed to New Zealand to conduct high-density altitude and mountain flying training.

Personnel, stores and Black Hawks from 171 Avn Sqn were moved to Christchurch by RAAF C-17 and C-130 aircraft. The helicopters were assembled on the tarmac in some very cold conditions by Tech Spt Tp.

There were slight delays in getting the aircraft to RNZAF Woodbourne where the local squadron was based.

Maj Paul Lewis, 6 Avn Regt, said once the aircraft arrived at Woodbourne, high-density altitude training began with “crews renewing trade skills and new pilots gain-ing experience in mountain flying and cold weather operations”.

The training was primarily conducted in the Marlborough area of the South Island.

Some crews got to conduct a navi-gational sortie and saw the spectacular sights of Mt Cook and the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.

Maj Lewis said during the stay at Woodbourne, local RNZAF personnel were treated to familiarisation flights through the mountains to thank them for their excellent support and hospitality.

“3 Sqn RNZAF (UH-1H) personnel also provided support to the squadron via local

procedure briefs, supplying maps and cold weather survival kits.

“They were also thanked with a few of the Australian aircraft stopping in at the Dipp Flat training area to show some of the Huey crews over a Black Hawk.”

The helicopters returned to Australia by C-17. Maj Lewis said Tech Spt Tp put in a tireless effort to get the Black Hawks absolutely spotless to meet Australian quarantine standards.

Photo by Sgt Jeremy Brown

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TRAINING 25Army September 2, 2010

By Sgt Andrew Hetherington

BEFORE arriving in Afghanistan more than four months ago, the 14 Australian gunners of Cutler Tp started their deployment in the UK in September last year.

The gunners completed a comprehen-sive pre-deployment package with their sponsor unit 4 Regt Royal Artillery.

“We left Australia on September 1 last year for the UK and a majority of our gunnery training was conducted at Otterburn, south of the Scottish border,” Cutler Tp SM WO2 Brett Donaldson said.

“We first attended an all-ranks brief, similar to our force preparation courses run at Randwick in Sydney.

“Then all personnel in command down to the level of gun detachment commander attended a five-day tactical commanders cadre camp.”

It consisted of lectures and theory on the current tactical situation on the ground in Afghanistan.

“In the afternoons we would go out and conduct a series of practical tutorials putting into practice what we’d learnt in the morning,” WO2 Donaldson said.

“After the course we took the infor-mation we’d learnt back to our soldiers.”

While key personnel participated in the cadre camp, soldiers took part in a team medic course.

It dealt with catastrophic bleeding, application of tourniquets and Hemcon bandages used to seal wounds and the administering of morphine.

This course and other first-aid exer-cises were a favourite aspect of the UK pre-deployment training for most of the Australian gunners.

Gnr Chris Haire said he’d learnt a lot from the UK medical training.

“The first-aid training was unbeliev-ably realistic,” Gnr Haire said.

“They brought in real amputees, made them up and put us in real situa-tions where we had to help them.”

During the training, medics watched the gunners rendering assistance and provided feedback on their performance.

“It was good to know if you saved a life – or if you stuffed something up you were told you could have killed them,” he said.

“When I made a mistake I took it on the chin and learnt from it.

“It was awesome training, as after you called in your casualty nine liner over the radio and patched them up, a

helicopter would be flown in to take them to safety.”

Gunnery training formed a large chunk of the pre-deployment program including conversion from the Australian L119 to the L118 105mm gun.

Gnr Jake Hyland said he’d enjoyed the gunnery and weapons component.

“The most valuable thing I learnt was the new gun, with the new sight the British use and everyone was talking about how good it would be to have it on our guns at home,” Gnr Hyland said.

“The sight cuts down on how long it takes to get the gun into action and to fire it.

“It was also interesting to learn how the Brits do their work too.”

During their training, the gunners did face challenges. One of them was deal-ing with the cold UK weather.

“It was ridiculously cold, getting down to more than minus 10 degrees celsius at night,” Gnr Hyland said.

“We were sleeping in tents, sleeping bags and sometimes under hootchies.

“I’ll never forget that, it gives me good memories and all we could do was laugh at how bad it was.”

Once they arrived in Afghanistan WO2 Donaldson said the gunners par-ticipated in another course lasting eight days at Camp Bastion.

“We covered counter-IED training, where we were trained to detect them with a mine detector,” he said.

“Every British soldier who is deployed here is trained to detect IEDs and we were taught to find a safe path to travel on.”

Once soldiers do come across what they think is an IED they are trained to find where its exact location is.

“You get down on your belt buckle and scratch in the dirt until you find something that is not meant to be there,” he said.

Other course subjects covered com-pound clearances, small arms range practices, a forward operating base (FOB) scenario and dismounted and mounted patrolling skill scenarios.

Gnr Haire said his pre-deployment time with the British Army was the most challenging training he’d completed in his Army career.

“I liked the fact I got to learn a differ-ent army, how their artillery works and it was good to get my hands on their dif-ferent equipment and be a part of it all.”

Gunners earn their UK stripes

Learning curve: Gnr Chris Haire, left, and Bdr Kristopher Williams, 4 Fd Regt, attend to a mock casualty during medical training at FOB Budwan, Helmand province, Afghanistan (above).

The team: Cutler Tp comprising members of 4 Regt Royal Arty, A Fd Bty, 4 Fd Regt and 107 Bty in Afghanistan (right).

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By Michael Brooke

SYDNEY-based 5 Bde recently used a combined-arms training activity (CATA) to deploy as a bri-gade for the first time in 15 years.

Conducted in and around Singleton, Exercise Morshead Renascent provided the soldiers with the opportunity to enhance their collective training alongside heli-copters, 105mm guns, light cavalry vehicles and anti-tank weapons, and to fulfil their training obligations for the HRR and RRF.

More than 450 soldiers partic-ipated in the exercise, which was designed to develop the skills neces-sary for 5 Bde reservists to deploy on peace-support and domestic-response operations.

CO 1/15RNSWL Lt-Col Chris Monsour, who commanded the bat-tle groups, said the CATA provided invaluable learning opportunities and experience for all ranks.

“For me in particular, the oppor-

tunity to command a battle group in a field environment, which presents a range of operational and logistic complexities, was a unique opportu-nity,” he said.

LCpl Matthew Daly, C Coy 4/3RNSWR, who is a member of the HRR and has deployed on Operation Anode, said he had never before been involved in a field exercise of such size and duration.

“I came here to complete my training obligations for the HRR, but what impressed me most was how the brigade brought together so many different capabilities. It was a real eye-opener to combined-arms operations,” he said.

Pte Felicia Pell, 5CSSB, said the CATA was a real learning curve as she only joined the reserves from school six months ago.

“There is no classroom or course that can teach what I learnt from this deployment. There are just so many moving parts to an exercise of this size and scale,” she said.

Comd 5 Bde Brig Paul Brereton said all levels of command in the military appreciation process, pre-paring and disseminating orders, and battle tracking in a variety of tactical situations were exercised.

“Ex Morshead Renascent allowed our reservists to practise their collec-tive tactics, techniques and procedures over a sustained period,” he said.

“Even more importantly, it ena-bled our officers and NCOs to prac-tise their skills and military art in a collective, combined-arms setting.

“Overall, the CATA has con-siderably enhanced 5 Bde’s capac-ity to support ADF operations and deployments.”

In recent years 5 Bde has deployed peacekeepers to Solomon Islands, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as on homeland security tasks such as supporting APEC in 2007, the Pope’s visit in 2008 and Operation Vic Fires Assist in 2009.

Maintaining order: Soldiers from 4/3RNSWR use their RRF skills to disperse mock protesters in the town of Broke. Photos by Michael Brooke

Moving forward: A soldier from 1/15RNSWL assaults an enemy position during Exercise Morshead Renascent.

Security check: 1/15RNSWL soldiers process an enemy soldier after a contact during Exercise Morshead Renascent.

5 Bde hones skills on CATA


Are you aware of your surroundings?

Are you familiar with the equipment?

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FEATURES 27Army September 2, 2010

EVEN mad King Ludwig wouldn’t have tried what Long Look soldier Lt-Col Steven Salvestro did on his time off.

Currently serving with the British Armed Forces in the UK, Lt-Col Salvestro competed in the 2010 Transalp Mountain Bike Race conducted from July 17-24 from Germany to Italy.

The eight-day competition started in the shadows of King Ludwig’s Castle of Neuschwanstein and descended down the famed Stelvio Pass.

“We rode along World War II smugglers’ trails and climbed the Passo Mortirolo (2100m) which is regularly used by the Giro d’ Italia.

“We knew this race was going to have a lot of climbing but I never could have imagined how much we would do.”

“We would gain 1300m over 15-20km without let up and some sections of the climbs had inclines of greater than 30 per cent.”

RAAF Wg-Cmdr Dominic Sims teamed up with Lt-Col Salvestro for the race which covered almost 600km and saw them pass through villages hugging the edges of mountains.

“We rode through mountain villages clinging to the side of ridiculously steep mountains. It was as if the houses were built and then they put the paths and roads through the vil-lage,” he said.

“I needed to change my brake pads after three days and had heat discoloration on the disc rotors.”

The event saw riders traverse the Alps from Füssen in Germany through Austria and Switzerland, before conclud-ing at Riva del Garda in Italy.

Lt-Col Salvestro said the most impressive part of the experience was the support from locals.

“Throughout the race there were locals out cheering us on. It was amazing to see the little villages supporting the race and was great motivation for us to press on.”

There were many unique elements to the race which enhanced the experience, and according to Lt-Col Salvestro, the scenery was one of them.

“The scenery was spectacular. It is hard to describe just how beautiful it was.

“There was however a price to be paid for these views, and that was the killer climbs to get to them.”

Lt-Col Salvestro said he would never forget the experi-ence. “After hours of riding it’s the unique experience you remember while you tend to forget the pain endured in get-ting there.”

This was the 13th Transalp Mountain Bike Race and had more than 1000 competitors from 34 nations.

Traversing TransalpsTwo ADF members were among more than 1000 mountain-bikers who rode close to 600km across the Alps from Germany to Italy.

We did it: Wg-Cmdr Dominic Sims, left, and Lt-Col Steven Salvestro cross the finish line of the Transalp race in Riva del Garda (main) and travelling through the Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio (inset). Photos by sportograf.de

Day 1: Started in Füssen with the course leading via Außerfern and across Marienbergjoch to Imst. Distance 84km, climbing 2100m.

Day 2: Riders continued across Venetalm and onto a super trail in Paznaun Valley towards Ischgl. Distance 77km, climbing 3200m.

Day 3: Included a long and steep climb across Idjoch toward Scuol in Switzerland. Distance 74km, climbing 2500m.

Day 4: Competitors travelled through Val Mora toward Livigno. Distance 74km, climbing 2400m.

Day 5: The longest and hardest stage saw competitors cross Passo di Verva and the renowned Passo Mortirolo to Ponte di Legno. Distance 73km, climbing 2400m.

Day 6: Included an 11km-long super trail between Forcellina di Montozzo and Passo Tonale, before the demanding downhill into Malé. Distance 73km, climbing 2400m.

Day 7: The shortest stage but far from the easiest with a major climb of Rifugio Orso Bruno en route to Madonna di Campiglio. Distance 48km, climbing 2300m.

Day 8: The last day included a technical descent overlooking Lake Garda before the finish in Riva del Garda. Distance 75km, climbing 1800m.

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28 PERSONNEL Army September 2, 2010

LAC Aaron Curran

TWO Army personnel put another notch in their CVs when they were awarded a Diploma in Public Safety (Test & Evaluation) on August 4.

Col Greg Downing, Director-General Test & Evaluation, Australian Defence Test & Evaluation Office (ADTEO), and Lt-Col Chris West, Deputy Director, ADTEO, were handed diplomas with three Air Force and Navy counterparts at Russell Offices.

Col Downing said he was pleased with the national accreditation and recog-nition within Defence.

“It is a great outcome for Defence and all T&E practitioners,” Col Downing said.

“Supervisors and managers at T&E agencies are encouraged to discuss the diploma with their people and to support them in applying for recognition of their skills.”

Lt-Col West also said it was a great outcome.

“These specialist skills acquired by ADTEO trial managers and trial direc-tors take time and experience to develop and it is great to see Defence recognising these skills through national accredita-tion,” he said.

Wg-Cdr Keith Joiner, ADTEO pre-sented the diplomas with Jim Whalley from Nova Systems who assessed the new competencies.

He said the ADF placed a high prior-ity on thorough T&E of equipment and capabilities and safety for personnel who use them.

“That commitment includes provid-ing qualified and experienced test staff in a variety of T&E agencies throughout Defence,” he said.

“Until recently there were only dedi-cated T&E qualifications for specialist courses like flight test engineering or masters in systems engineering (T&E), usually conducted only for a few indi-viduals and usually overseas.”

He said there were no formal compe-tencies recognising the general personnel serving in ADF T&E agencies or running important acquisition test programs in DMO or Defence industry.

Nova amended its scope this year as a registered training organisation (RTO) in order to assess the new T&E competen-cies.

About 43 personnel volunteered to be assessed for recognition of prior learning (RPL).

Col Downing and Lt-Col West and their three ADF colleagues on August 4 were the first to use the process.

Wg-Cdr Joiner encouraged all T&E professionals to use the new pro-cess and for future T&E professionals to gain the qualification with an RTO as soon as practical after their first T&E courses.


YEAR 11 students and teach-ers from across Australia had the opportunity to experience life in the ADF first-hand during a four-day tour of Defence trade training and recruit school establishments.

Forty recipients of the 2010 Defence technical scholarship, their parents and 10 of their teach-ers participated in the Defence experience tour.

Students were selected from about 180 applicants.

The tour involved visiting Air Force, Navy and Army trade and recruit schools including RAAF Base Wagga, Kapooka, Bandiana and HMAS Cerberus.

Ellis Scarticcini, a teacher at Hope Christian College in Western Australia, and his daughter, Jessica, 16, attended the tour.

He said he had encouraged Jessica to apply for the techni-cal scholarship and go on the tour because she was interested in becom-ing a carpenter in the Air Force.

“A student from her school won the scholarship last year and enjoyed it, so she decided to give it a go too,” Mr Scarticcini said.

The aim of the technical scholar-ship program is to provide a finan-cial incentive for year 11 and 12 students to remain in school and undertake subjects appropriate to general-entry ADF technical-trade careers.

Successful year 11 students receive $2000 and year 12 students receive $3000, which is paid over two semesters.

But they are not obliged to join the ADF once they finish school.

Preliminary research into last year’s inaugural Defence technical scholarship program revealed that about 30 per cent of the recipients had already made enquiries into joining the ADF.

A second Defence experience tour will be held later this year from September 28 to October 1.

For more information on the scholarships and Defence experience tours, visit the Defence jobs website on www.defencejobs.gov.au/DTS.

By Maj (AAC) Ben Robinson

CADETS – and the rest of us – will notice a subtle but sig-nificant change to the rank slides worn by Australian Army Cadets (AAC) from now on.

AAC has adopted distinctive rank slides for its members to distinguish them from Australian Army personnel.

The slides will also distinguish adults and cadets of the same rank and clearly identify AAC adult staff as experts in youth development in the Army family.

Head Modernisation and Strategic Planning-Army Maj-Gen John Caligari presented new slides to four cadets on July 6.

Maj-Gen Caligari said he was

keen to see the development of the AAC and proud to present the new rank slides. “It is an impor-tant initiative to clearly iden-tify the Army cadet staff as the experts in youth development in Army,” he said.

The gold and black insignia of

old remains the same as Army. However, the slides now have the AAC blue as a band across the bottom with the words “Army Cadet” in gold on the band. AAC adult officers and instructors will be identifiable by the letters “AAC” in gold on the band.

Regular and reserve personnel posted to AAC units will wear a distinctive right-side unit patch in the form of the AAC hat badge superimposed over the AAC col-our patch.

Maj-Gen John Caligari, pre-sented Cdt Cpl Stephanie Barron, Lt (AAC) Alan Caldow, Cdt WO2 Dominic Markut and CUO Ewan Brown from Trinity College Army Cadet Unit, Goulburn, with their new rank slides.

Cadet rank slides get makeover

Recognition for Defence safety

Visit hits home

Recognised: Lt-Col Chris West. Great outcome: Col Greg Downing.

Stoked: Year 11 students across Australia get a first-hand feel for ADF trade training. Photo by LAC Leigh Cameron

New look: New cadet slides impress.

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PEOPLE 29Army September 2, 2010

DIKKO By Bob Dikkenberg

All square: Spr Andrew Duncan, 2CER, measures the opening of a window in a building at the Nu Laran school, Dili, East Timor, during Pacific Partnership. Photo by AB Andrew Dakin

Clean slate: LCpl Jason Walker, 2CER, washes paint from his hands at the Hope Centre in Quy Nhon, Vietnam. Engineers worked alongside US military personnel and Vietnamese locals during Pacific Partnership. Photo by AB Andrew Dakin

Working hard: Spr Joshua Knox, 2CER, paints the exterior of a classroom at Nu Laran school, Dili, East Timor, during Pacific Partnership. Photo by AB Andrew Dakin

Kitted out: Engineering officer Capt Patrick Trainor, MTF 1, poses with some of the heavy equipment used to create his project plans at Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. Photo by LS Paul Berry

Time out: Sgt Peter Collins, 2/14LH (QMI), on the job as Warrant Officer Control at the Helicopter Point of Departure, Dili. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran

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BULLETIN BOARD

The Australian SAS: The Untold HistoryBy: Forward Scout FilmsRRP: $36

PARTS one and two of a 10-part doc-umentary on Australia’s formidable SASR have been released on DVD by Sydney-based Forward Scout Films.

Introduced by Maj-Gen Michael Jeffrey (retd), a former SAS command-er, the officially sanctioned series delves into the regiment’s major campaigns from Borneo through to Afghanistan.

Professor Bruce Horsfield, previously a member of 1 Cdo Regt, spent 14 years gathering rare archival and amateur foot-age and conducting interviews with past and current SASR members to put this series together.

Professor Horsfield said the series was made with the assistance of the University of Southern Queensland to meet a demand that had been popping up among veterans, serving members and the wider community.

“The Defence hierarchy, including Socomd, decided it was appropriate and were pleased with the results,” he said.

Maj-Gen Mike Hindmarsh, former Special Operations Commander, said the series was of unquestionable historical significance. “It is essential viewing for anyone who truly wishes to understand the Australian SAS, its evolution and what makes it tick,” he said.

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Untold history tells tales of the SAS

Each part comes with a segment of the SASR story on one DVD and a number of interviews which were not used in the documentary on a second DVD.

The full series is expected to be com-pleted later this year.

Part 1 (Heads and Hearts) and Part 2 (The Arc of Instability) are available from Professor Horsfield by calling 0402 204 356 or emailing him at [email protected]

Hole lot of funAHQ is looking for Canberra-based per-sonnel with deep pockets – golfing abil-ity optional – for its charity golf day on October 1. The Pink Tee Challenge has been co-ordinated by the ACT Army Golf team and will be held at RMC from 10am to 5pm. Entry fee is a $20 donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which includes nine holes, best- and non-golfer prizes, sausage sizzle and major raffle prize. Donations can also be made to the Army Golf Team ADCU account: BSB 802397; account name, Army Golf ACT ISS; and account number 708367S1. The event coincides with the start of breast-cancer awareness month.

Cycle for lifeSOLDIERS, sailors and airmen from the Defence Force School of Signals – Electronic Warfare Wing (DFSS-EWW) will participate in a charity fundraising activity, Exercise ‘round for Life from August 29 to September 13. Ex ‘round

for Life was organised after Sgt Ken Leggett, DFSS-EWW, was diagnosed with and treated for testicular cancer in 2009. Participants will cycle 1200km from Cabarlah to Canberra, covering approxi-mately 100km per day. The ride will finish at Parliament House on September 11.

Tribute rugby gameA TRIBUTE rugby union game between the Katherine Brahmans invitational side and University Pirates is being held on September 11 in Katherine in honour of Ptes Tim Aplin, Scott Palmer and Ben Chuck who were killed when the heli-copter they were travelling in crashed in northern Kandahar in Afghanistan on June 21. The day will include a jersey presentation to the Katherine Brahmans invitation team by Pte Palmer’s parents, Ray and Pam, a barbecue dinner and charity auction. All proceeds will go to the Colin East Trust Fund helping the families of killed or injured 2 Cdo Regt soldiers. Contributions can be made to Jo Jennings on 0419 186 746 or Jimmy King on 0438 396 170.

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ADF Financial Services Consumer CouncilADF Financial Services Consumer Council

LIFESTYLE 31 Army September 2, 2010

IN THESE articles I often say the training and discipline you receive as ADF members can be trans-ferred to your financial lives.That is especially the case when it

comes to borrowing, whether it’s your home loan, car loan, credit card or anything else where you owe money.

Getting into debt is easier than getting out of it. So, before you even think about borrowing money, work out how much you can afford to bor-row, remembering that your financial situation can change without warning.

As with anything you buy, it’s smart to know who and what you’re dealing with and always worth shop-ping around for the best deal.

1. Can you afford it?Before you borrow, use our budg-

et planner to see exactly where your

money goes now and how much you could afford in repayments. Remember to allow for interest rate rises and any-thing that might affect your income in the future (for example, starting a fam-ily or home renovations).

2. Shop aroundIf you decide to borrow, take the

time to compare interest rates, product features, fees and charges. Even a small difference in the interest rate can make a big difference to what you have to repay.

It always pays to get a number of quotes from a number of sources before you make any decisions. And make sure you understand the fine print. If you don’t understand some-thing at first, be sure to ask lots of questions until you do.

Take an interest in borrowing

3. Know who and what you’re dealing with

Check the person or organisation you’re dealing with is registered or licensed with ASIC. Make sure you know what you’re signing up for before you go ahead. Check the terms and conditions of any loan contract,

including penalties for missed repay-ments or for paying off a loan early.

4. RepaymentsKeep your repayments up-to-date

and make extra payments when you can to save on interest, subject to the conditions of your loan.

Try to pay off the entire amount

owing on your credit card each month. If you can’t pay it all off at once, come up with a plan to pay it off within a few months by setting aside money directly from your pay.

Check for fees or charges if you’re thinking of transferring your credit balance to another card, consolidating your loans or refinancing.

5. Get help with debtsIt’s important to act quickly if

you’re having trouble making repay-ments. Keep paying what you can afford. Even though it can be difficult to face the problem, ignoring it will only make things worse. Contact your credit provider without delay. There are places you can go for help.

6. ComplainTry to resolve any problem with

your credit provider or broker first. If you aren’t satisfied, take your com-plaint to a free independent dispute resolution scheme – you can contact the scheme your credit provider or broker belongs to by calling 1300 780 808. You can also complain to ASIC online at www.asic.gov.au or phone ASIC’s Infoline on 1300 300 630.

7. ASIC’s roleOn July 1 ASIC became the nation-

al regulator for consumer credit and finance broking, taking over from the states and territories.

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ASIC Chairman Tony D’Alosio advises how to get the best outcome when taking out a loan.

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32 LIFESTYLE Army September 2, 2010

HEALTH

A FUNDAMENTAL hur-dle facing anyone with an interest in fitness is the beep or multi-stage shut-

tle test.Over the past couple of years I’ve

received a lot of enquiries about pass-ing the beep test, so here is a quick and dirty guide covering what the beep test is and how to train for it.

The beep test is a type of graded exertion test. It consists of running back and forward between two lines 20m apart to a soundtrack of beeps that get closer together as the test pro-gresses.

Basically, the pace of the test starts out relatively low and increases each

minute. As the pace increases, so does the load on your legs, heart and lungs. Eventually, you reach a point where you are unable to maintain the required pace and, eventually, your score is recorded as the number of levels plus number of 20m shuttles reached.

The beep test is primarily a test of aerobic fitness although, at the end of a maximal effort, there is an element of lactate tolerance required as well.

Because the beep test is primarily a test of aerobic fitness, many people make the mistake of training for it by doing a lot of long, slow distance run-ning, such as 5km and 10km runs.

However, this is actually one of

the worst ways to train for the beep test. Running long distances at a slow pace is a good way to get good at run-ning slowly, but it doesn’t do much for your top-end speed or your ability to deal with the increasing difficulty of the test. In addition, doing a lot of long-distance work can lead to over-use injuries such as shin splints.

In order to get better at the beep test, you need to work on a combina-tion of longer, easier runs and shorter, harder interval work. The trick is to combine the two in the correct ratio to see continued improvement without over training.

When putting together a train-ing program for the beep test, I sug-

gest starting out with three sessions a week, including one short-interval session, one longer-interval session and a single long, slow distance run. However, depending on your current fitness level, terms such as ‘short’ and ‘long’ can change. Indeed, a dis-tance that constitutes a long run for a complete beginner might also qualify as a single interval for an advanced trainee.

To put it into perspective, see the programs listed at right for a couple of sample training weeks for begin-ners and intermediates.

For more information on the author, visit www.octogen.com.au

Passing the test

BEGINNERThis sort of program is suitable for a complete beginner whose goal is to reach the minimum standard for enlistment into the ADF (typically between 6.5 and 7.5).

� Monday – jog for 30 seconds, walk for 60 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

� Wednesday – jog for 60 seconds, walk for 60 seconds. Repeat eight times.

� Friday – jog 1.6km as fast as pos-sible.

Each week increase the time or pace of the running intervals and decrease the rest periods. Increase the distance of the long run by 400-800m.

INTERMEDIATEThis program is suitable for a trainee who can already pass the basic level and who is looking to achieve a higher level of fitness.

� Monday – run at max pace for 30 seconds, walk for 60 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

� Wednesday – Run 800m as fast as possible, rest for two minutes. Repeat three times.

� Friday – run 6km.Each week, increase the time or pace of the intervals and decrease the rest periods. Alternate between longer, slower runs and some shorter, harder distances on the Friday.By following these types of programs, not only will you develop a good level of aerobic fitness, but you’ll also develop the top-end speed and lactate tolerance required for a great beep-test score.

Want to score well in the beep test? With the right training, you can, writes fitness specialist Don Stevenson.

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SPORT 33 Army September 2, 2010

IN A gruelling series of six events in five days, Army biathletes shot, skied and navigated their way to vic-tory in this year’s interservice biath-lon at Mount Hotham, Victoria, from August 8-12.

Considered to be one the most ardu-ous events in the Winter Olympics, biathlon combines cross-country skiing and shooting.

The Army senior men’s team made a clean sweep of all its events.

As a lead-up to the competition, Army biathletes took part in Exercise Cool Shot, a week of team training, tri-als and selections for the ADF Biathlon Championships.

OC Ex Cool Shot Maj Chris Reeves, 22 Const Regt, said Cool Shot was about participation as well as developing fit-ness, teamwork and endurance.

“Those who attend for the first time are placed in the novice category and combine newly acquired techniques with their military skills,” Maj Reeves said.

He said the biathlon helped shooters enhance their military skills under simu-lated combat conditions.

“It’s about to trying to hit the target when you are pushing your mental and physical boundaries on skis.

“It is difficult to get a good sight pic-ture with a high heart rate and heavy breathing, so when you add in a biathlon shooting technique you learn to be a bet-ter shot,” Maj Reeves said.

The Army team lost its shooting advantage over the other two services in the men’s novice biathlon when clear visi-bility was below 100m for all competitors.

However, an outstanding skiing per-formance from first-time biathlete and team captain Lt-Col Nathan Crowley, DMO, placed the Army team second to the Navy. He also beat allcomers in the 7.5km cross-country race and took out the Army’s outstanding novice trophy.

But the ADF competition is not just

limited to the biathlon. During the sec-ond week, teams competed in sprint, relay and endurance races as well as a military patrol incorporating cross-coun-try skiing, navigation, observation, mili-tary knowledge and marksmanship. Both senior and novice men’s Army teams won the military patrol competition.

For novice biathlete Pte Robbie Adams, 16RWAR, fitness was no prob-lem as he is also an adventure racer in his recreational time.

“The greatest challenge was learning a new skill which was very technical and although I was physically fit, the stresses of altitude and weather were new experi-ences,” he said.

He also recognised the value of team-work during the exercise.

“Everyone seemed to gel really well and I would put it down to the biathlon competition being an arduous event in difficult conditions, so you have to look out for your mates,” Pte Adams said.

LCpl Travis McInnes, 22 Const Regt, was the Army men’s champion winning the 15km classic cross-country race and a third placing in the senior men’s biathlon.

Two-time biathlon winner Maj Filip Likar, HQ 1 Div, blitzed the field win-ning the senior men’s event again, and also the 10km cross-country freestyle race by nearly 3min.

Recruit instructor Cpl Emily Dutton, 1RTB, was the only Army female com-petitor during race week and held the line admirably against the other services. The four-year biathlon veteran won the 7.5km classic cross-country race and was placed third in the women’s biathlon.

She put the call out for back-up in the form of more women biathletes.

“It is a really good competition. Everyone is fit, but it doesn’t matter if you haven’t developed all your tech-nique; teamwork, fitness and military skills will get you through,” Cpl Dutton said.

Biathletes on target for title

Straight shooting: LCpl Travis McInnes, 22 Const Regt, powers to third place in the senior men’s biathlon (above) while Pte Robbie Adams, 16RWAR, sets himself up for the target during the shooting phase of the ADF Biathlon Championships (left).

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34 SPORT Army September 2, 2010

ARMY claimed champion team trophy at the 2010 Defence Alpine Snowsports Championships after one of the closest competitions in years.

The interservice alpine racing trophy was awarded to Army which also walked away with the indi-vidual ADF female ski champion and, for the seventh year running, the overall male snowboarding team title.

Held at Mt Hotham from August 2-6, four teams from each service plus the APS competed in one of four categories: male or female ski-ing and male or female boarder.

The championships provided great race conditions and perfect snow for individuals to compete in alpine and snowboard giant sla-lom (GS), slalom and boarder cross (SBX) events.

Maj Claire Baker, 108 Sig Sqn, was in top form reclaiming the women’s team trophy and the individual ADF female skier trophy, followed closely by newcomer Cpl Zoey Pepper, RMC Band, who took out the skier-cross. However, Maj Baker’s overall consistency and win in the GS gave her the trophy ahead of Cpl Pepper.

Maj Baker, who held the title in 2008, was proud to regain the tro-phy after hitting a gate and crashing in last year’s competition.

“I was a little relieved and happy to regain the title, I am very pas-sionate about skiing and always look forward to doing it,” she said.

As captain of the female team, Maj Baker said the team performed exceptionally well.

“The girls competed in the GS and slalom, and took out first, sec-ond and third overall.”

Victorious for the seventh year running, the male snowboard team, captained by Sgt Troy Radbone, DFR, faced stiff competition in all sections of the event.

“It was probably the closest we have had for a long time. The Navy always gives a nudge and they did really well this year as well,” Sgt Radbone said.

“We did beat them but not by as much as we usually do.”

More than 27 soldiers trained for a week before the competition at Mt Buller, competing against each other to determine who would make the team.

“We had two races at Mt Buller and selected a team based on their results,” Sgt Radbone said.

He has been involved with Defence alpine snowsports for about 10 years and said the compe-tition week was all about the teams.

“We took a team of good rid-ers who trained hard and performed well and we got a great result.

“Our team’s professionalism in training and their competitive spirit is what got us through at the end of the day.”

The snowboarding team com-peted in three races: GS, parallel giant slalom (PGS) and the main event, the SBX.

The overall individual Army winners were Maj Baker in wom-en’s alpine, and Lt Marty Carr who was crowned ADF male boarder champion after winning the GS, the PGS and finishing second in the SBX.

Army walked away with five awards at the end of the week-long competition including women’s ski team, individual female skier, male boarding team and individual male boarder, while Sig Tim Stoyles, 17 Sig Regt, received the award for most improved.

Army members interested in competing in the 2011 Army championships should contact Maj Murray Nelson or Sgt Radbone early next year for details.


PULSES raced as some of Army’s best squash players did battle on the courts against Defence’s finest competitors, finishing runners-up in several cat-egories at the annual national squash tournament in August.

Thirty-seven competitors from Army, RAN, RAAF and APS participated in the week-long 2010 Defence Squash National Tournament from August 1 at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Competitor and Defence Squash’s Army vice-president WO2 Kim Booth, NT AAC, said that while the atmos-phere was friendly off the courts, on the courts the rivalry was vicious and it was “game-on”.

“It was a physically gruelling week as competitors played up to five games a day, but as avid lovers of squash, they ignored the pain and fought through,” WO2 Booth said.

WO2 Booth was winner of the wom-en’s open category last year and com-peted in the mixed doubles category and as part of Army’s interservice team this year.

She said she had played squash for about 30 years and competed in Defence competitions for 10 years.

“Due to the lack of female players this year, I also competed in the men’s A-grade category which was tough,” she said.

“Unfortunately, I lost the women’s open semi-final to Julie Medway who played really well.

“I love to come here every year, com-pete against the other services and see fresh faces.

“It’s a great week of fun and squash,

and anybody can participate because it’s not a competition strictly for elite players. I encourage beginners to get involved and have a good time.”

Runner-up in the mixed masters cat-egory and participant in the Army and Victoria state cup teams, Sgt Jason Turk, ALTC, said the competitors gave it their all, played with spirit and demonstrated a high level of sportsmanship.

“This was my third national tourna-ment and the hardest part was the work-load – I played 16 matches in one week including the men’s open, state cup, interservice, doubles and mixed masters categories,” Sgt Turk said.

“It was my first year competing in the men’s open and I struggled because I only won one match out of the seven I played, but I intend to improve on that for next year’s tournament.

“At least I took home a trophy as run-ner-up in the mixed masters category.”

Although Army didn’t win any of the major categories this year, it was runner-up to Air Force in the interservice category and all competitors performed well.

Sig Benjamen Schutt, ASEME, was selected to represent the ADF on the UK squash tour in October and Cpl Rohan Little, SCMA, was runner-up in B-grade category.

For his high level of participation throughout the tournament, Cfn Mathew Beresford, ASEME, was presented with an encouragement award.

Early in the tournament, the most points scored in 20 minutes determined the winner. However, during the final matches, the traditional scoring system of the first player to 15 was used.

Army regains championship

Hitting the wall at squash tournament

In action: WO2 Kim Booth lines up a backhand at the squash championships.

Digging deep: Sig Tim Stoyles, 17 Sig Regt, competes in the snowboarding giant slalom held in Snake Gully at Mt Hotham. He took out the title for most improved. Photo by Cpl Dion Trevillion

SPORT 35 Army September 2, 2010

Game on for 3 Bde

Eye on ball: Pte Bradley Brown, 3CSSB, left, blocks Cpl Aaron Kime, 1RAR, during the 3 Bde soccer grand final (above) while Pte Tara White, left, and Tpr Renee Kuen, 5 Avn Regt, fight for possession in the netball final.

On target: Lt Adam Leechman, 2RAR, kicks a goal during the 3 Bde Australian rules grand final.

Court out: WO2 Bruce Ferguson, 11CSSB, dribbles past LCpl David Hemer, 1RAR, during the basketball finals.

Too strong: Lt Jack Bolton, 1RAR, breaks through the backline during 1RAR’s win against 4 Fd Regt in the rugby union grand final.

Photos and report: LCpl Mark Doran

BATTLELINES were drawn and the combatants pumped with adrenalin for the annual 3 Bde sports finals at Lavarack Barracks on August 5.

Townsvi l le uni ts competed in Australian rules, rugby union, touch, soc-cer, basketball and netball with the day organised to allow maximum participa-tion by all units and spectators.

Maj Gary Jiear, HQ 3 Bde, said some teams went through the competitions unbeaten which was testament to their coaching staff and the players.

“If it were not for the players, coach-ing staff and the specific-code coordina-tors the competition would not have been the success it was,” Maj Jiear said.

A t r a d i t i o n a l f e u d b e t w e e n Townsville’s infantry battalions, 1RAR and 2RAR, shook the barracks as the Australian rules teams played for the hon-our of the 3 Bde trophy.

Both teams put in a strong perfor-mance and spectators were treated to a feast of frenetic one-on-one contests with high leaps and hard body contact.

2RAR won by 29 points, 12.14 (86) to 9.3 (57).

Players from 1RAR and 4 Fd Regt clashed in a hard game of rugby with a high standard of sledging from spectators on both sides of the field.

1RAR beat 4 Fd Regt 20-5 through its strong attacks.

On the soccer pitch, it was 3CSSB’s turn to triumph in a close game against 1RAR with the 3CSSB strikers’ success-ful attacks on goal giving them a 3-1 win.

Touch players from 5 Avn Regt scored the winning tries against 1RAR and con-stant substitutions kept the momentum flowing. The game ended at 8-3 to the aviators.

The netball final between 10FSB and 5 Avn Regt was a fast-paced game with 10FSB’s speed, strategy and teamwork winning a tight match, 33-29.

Male and female soldiers competed on fair terms as the females’ greater familiar-ity with the game prevented men of supe-rior size gaining an advantage.

Man of the match for the grand final was B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt’s WO2 Duane Maggenti and 2010’s best and fairest was awarded to Lt Jarrod Anderson, 5 Avn Regt and LAC Shaun Schafferius, 27 Sqn.

Basketball was decided by a knock-out draw with 2RAR winning in the final count. It was 2RAR’s consistent shooting and offence that took out the round-robin event.

Maj Jiear said that because of unit tem-pos and field activities most sports were affected by either deferring games or ral-lying players who remained in Townsville.

“The sports competition was enjoyed by all who participated and was played in the spirit for which it was designed.”

September 2, 2010

3 Bde carnivalColleagues become rivals for a day

Page 35

WE GOT IT BACK

Army regained its title as snowsports champions at the interservice titles held at Mt Hotham from August 2-6.

September 2, 201

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See story – page 34

Hitting the slopes: Maj Claire Baker, 108 Sig Sqn, on her way to winning the women’s ADF female skier trophy title (main photo) and Lt Marty Carr competes in the snowboard championships (inset).Photos by Cpl Dion Trevillion

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