NEWSNAVYVolume 59, No. 11, June 30, 2016

– Page 2

ADELAIDE ARRIVAL

Ship reestablishes link with namesake city

and delivers troops for Exercise Hamel

MORE BIRTHDAY HONOURS

– PP 18-19

SET FOR RIMPAC

– Page 3

HMAS Adelaide arrives at Port

Adelaide in South Australia on June

22 carrying troops and equipment for

Exercise Hamel. Photo: CPL Dan PInhorn

2 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 30, 2016

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LEUT Des Paroz

HMAS Adelaide III marked her first visit to the city of Adelaide by delivering vehicles and personnel for the Australian Army’s Exercise Hamel 2016.

The exercise is designed to ensure that Navy and Army can deploy an agile and enabled com-bat brigade, ready to undertake contingency or operational com-mitments.

More than 600 personnel joined Adelaide for the transit from Brisbane to Adelaide in prepara-tion for Hamel.

The embarked forces includ-ed personnel from the Australian Army, the US Army and US M a r i n e s f r o m t h e M a r i n e Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D), along with the ADF crew.

In welcoming the forces for the transit, CO Adelaide CAPT Paul Mandziy said the newest ships in the RAN had already shown their worth.

“Canberra has already prov-en the versatility of the LHD in humanitarian assistance and dis-aster relief operations following Tropical Cyclone Winston in Fiji, and this current Exercise Hamel Sealift task will further strength-en our strategic lift capability in transporting troops wherever they are required to support operations,” CAPT Mandziy said.

“Australia and the US have a long history of working together in peace and war since WWII, and together are committed to secu-rity and stability in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

“We welcome the opportuni-ty to work, train and live in close proximity for the transit to fur-ther strengthen the interoperability between the nations.”

US Marine CAPT Christopher

First stop: AdelaideUS Marine Corps personnel disembark HMAS Adelaide at Flinders Wharf, Port Adelaide, in preparation for Exercise Hamel. Photo: ABIS Chris Beerens

Rite of passage for ship’s crew

Brock is the CO of A Company of the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D), which accounted for 180 of the embarked forces.

“In previous years the engage-ment has been predominately with the Australian Army, and this embarkation in Adelaide is the first time MRF-D forces have embarked in an Australian Navy ship,” CAPT Brock said.

“Many of our Marines have previously embarked in US Navy LHDs, so it is interesting to note the similarities and differences.”

The Director General of Training and Doctrine for Army, BRIG

Mick Ryan, said the exercise was designed to develop, confirm, and evaluate the foundation warfighting skills of an Army brigade.

“This year, the Darwin and Adelaide-based 1st Brigade will be put through their paces to ensure they are ready to support a range of operational contingencies, from humanitarian assistance through to major combat operations,” BRIG Ryan said.

“It tests not only our people but our equipment, training and systems and is the culmination of the previ-ous year’s work in the brigade and validates our soldiers as ready and

prepared for deployment, anywhere in the world.”

Exercise Hamel takes its name from a battle fought in France in 1918. This year it will involve more than 8000 members of the Australian Army, RAN, RAAF, the US Marine Corps, the US Army (Pacific) and the New Zealand Army.

This is the first year the exer-cise has been conducted in South Australia and is taking place in the Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Whyalla and the Cultana training area.

CO HMAS Adelaide CAPT Paul Mandziy leads his ship’s company in a Freedom of Entry to the City of Adelaide on June 24. Photo: LSIS James Whittle

LEUT Andrew Ragless and LEUT Ben Robinson

PROUDLY bearing the name Adelaide, more than 300 members of the crew of HMAS Adelaide marched through the City of Adelaide, exercising their Freedom of Entry on June 24.

The time-honoured tradition coincides with the first port visit to Adelaide by the Navy’s latest and largest warship, the amphibious ship HMAS Adelaide III.

CO CAPT Paul Mandziy said the march was the culmination of two year’s hard work and a great source of pride.

“To say we have been anticipating this moment is an understatement,” CAPT Mandziy said.

“As well as being one of two of the largest ships in the fleet, Adelaide is also one of the most sophisticated and capable.

“We are the third ship to carry the name Adelaide, with both our predecessors serving with great distinction in WWII and the Persian Gulf respectively.”

Joined by members of the RAN Band, the ship’s company marched down King William Street.

The parade was challenged by the Lord Mayor of Adelaide Martin Haese at the Adelaide Town Hall with the Freedom of Entry heartily granted.

“We carry the name Adelaide with a great deal of pride and respect,” CAPT Mandziy said.

“Respect for the service personnel who have gone before us and pride in the great city and community for whom we represent.

“It was very encouraging to see the community line the streets in large num-bers to show their support.”

Adelaide III, the second of two Canberra-class amphibious ships was commissioned on December 4, 2015.

3NEWSJune 30, 2016 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LSIS Helen Frank

TOWNSVILLE soldiers are once again finding their sea legs as they sail in one of the RAN’s largest ves-sels to participate in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac).

Troops and vehicles from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR), boarded HMAS Canberra on June 15 for a three-month deployment for the ship’s first international exercise.

Rimpac is a biennial exercise con-ducted off the coast of Hawaii.

Twenty-seven nations, 45 ships, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the exercise. Rimpac 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971 and the Navy has participated in every one of them.

As the world’s largest internation-al maritime exercise, Rimpac pro-vides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sus-tain cooperative relationships critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.

The participating nations and forces will exercise a wide range of capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime and amphibious forces.

These capabilities range from disaster relief and maritime secu-rity operations to sea control and complex war fighting.

HMAS Ballarat sailed from Fleet Base East on June 8 for Rimpac.

The deployment is the culmi-nation of months of hard work by the ship’s company and support-ing agencies to ensure the ship is in the best shape possible to participate in the exercise.

After departing FBE Ballarat met with HMA Ships Canberra, and Success along with HMNZS Te Kaha to conduct a Task Group Certification.

This period is designed to test and evaluate the ability of

force elements to perform cohe-sively and effectively as part of the Combined Task Group which will be a key component in the coming months as the ships par-ticipate in the Rimpac exercises.

The Task Group, includ-ing Canberra, Ballarat, HMAS Warramunga and Te Kaha is expected to arrive at Pearl Harbour in time to participate in the harbour phase before proceeding to sea with the other participating countries in early July.

CO 2RAR LTCOL Michael Bassingthwaighte said the embarked force was more than 500 personnel.

“The landing force will be integrating with the United States and other participating nations and moving through combat enhance-ment training and force integration that will then culminate in a tacti-cal exercise and beach landing,” LTCOL Bassingthwaighte said.

“We will have a significant level of integration for the exercise.

“The force will form a multi-national battalion landing team in Hawaii which will be one of two landing teams, which is a first for a Rimpac exercise.”

LTCOL Bassingthwaighte said the Australians would work with the New Zealanders, Americans and Tongans as part of a battalion-sized landing team.

“It’s really about getting that common understanding of pro-ceedings and working effectively together,” he said.

“The activities we will be involved in will include the full range of amphibious activities from pre-landing activities to air mobiles, surface assaults and tacti-cal actions ashore.

“It’s a great hit out for the embarked force and a great oppor-tunity to work with other nations to achieve those effects.”

Ballarat en route to Hawaii

Lining up for Rim of Pacific

Soldiers from 2RAR board HMAS Canberra in Townsville for a three-month deployment to Exercise Rimpac. Photo: ABIS Steven Thomson

HMA Ships Canberra, Ballarat and Success, along with HMNZS Te Kaha operate together off the

Queensland coast before Rimpac. Photo: ABIS Steven Thomson

The ship’s company of HMAS Ballarat prepares to depart Cairns for Rimpac 2016.

Personnel on the quarterdeck of HMAS Canberra as the ship sails from Townsville en route to Hawaii to participate in Rimpac. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

NEWSNAVYIf you have something newsworthy you would like to see in your paper, phone the editor on (02) 6266 7707 or email: navynews@defencenews.gov.auBE A

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4 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 30, 2016

THE CO of HMAS Gascoyne, LCDR Alan Parton, has praised his crew for their role in finding a plane which crashed off the coast of Byron Bay, NSW, nearly two months ago.

LCDR Parton said they discov-ered the wreckage relatively quickly and despite it being in 73m of water and some pieces being “as small as a coat hanger”.

“This is a good example of the ability of the ship’s sonar equipment and the dedication and professional-ism of ship’s company,” he said.

On March 21, a Cessna 172 plane, flown by off-duty Qantas pilot Paul Whyte, disappeared from radar about 11km north-east of Byron Bay.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority coordinated an extensive search but no signs of the plane were found.

A request for assistance was made to the Navy and Gascoyne, which was about to conduct training in an adjacent area, was directed to start the search on June 9.

“A grid search was established based on the last known location, tidal stream and drift, and a search scheme generated using the rough

Gascoyne crew finds lost plane

size of the aircraft’s engine block as a possible sonar target,” LCDR Parton said.

At midnight on June 10, the on-watch Mine Warfare Officer, LEUT Daniel Lindquist, called LCDR Parton to tell him a strong contact had been found.

The ship’s mine disposal vehicle revealed the plane wreckage, identi-fiable by its registration number.

Gascoyne sonar operator AB CSOMW Dion Harlacz said the

contact showed initially as a very faint sonar return.

“LEUT Lindquist decided to prosecute to eliminate the contact and get an idea of the seabed type,” AB Harlacz said.

“It was very exciting when the mine disposal vehicle camera revealed the wreckage.

“I am glad we were able to help the police and the family.”

Footage of the wreckage will assist police with their enquiries.

Photos of the Cessna 172

plane wreckage taken by the ship’s mine

disposal vehicle.LCDR Peter Croce

LEUT Tim Stroud admits overlook-ing the desert landscape of Lebanon as part of a United Nations mission is not where most people would expect to find a Navy officer.

The NPC officer is deployed as part of the 12-member contingent for Operation Paladin which contributes to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel.

He joined more than 60 other ADF personnel deployed to United Nations Operations in Afghanistan (for the Assistance Mission) as well as Operations Paladin (Israel and Lebanon) and Aslan (South Sudan) marking the United Nations International Day of Peacekeepers on May 29.

The day honours the memory of the 3400 UN personnel who have lost their lives in the cause of peace since 1948 in acts of violence, accidents or disease.

The normally Canberra-based officer said it was an interesting and challeng-ing 12-month deployment but one which he had sought for some years.

“It is an interesting environment to be deployed to especially considering the heavy contribution of Army person-nel to what is a land-based task,” he said.

“My role is to observe, monitor, report and/or investigate all incidents that are, or could lead to, a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

“I am to liaise with appropriate civil-ian authorities as well as Israeli Defence Force and Lebanese Armed Forces on the ground in order to maintain situ-ational awareness and to defuse tension.

“It is a complex operation but not dissimilar to the types of activities Navy undertakes for constabulary operations around the world as part of a combined force.”

The United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation was estab-lished in 1948 to supervise the truce agreed at the conclusion of the first Arab/Israeli War.

Since 1956, members of the Australian contingent have been employed in a variety of roles, includ-ing staff officers in the headquarters in Jerusalem and as military observers throughout the region.

Complex desert operation for NPC in Lebanon

LEUT Tim Stroud is a NPC officer deployed as part of the 12-member contingent for Operation Paladin which contributes to the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel.

A HEAT stress monitor devel-oped by the Defence Science and Technology Group (DST) and turned into a product by Ideation Design for use by Australian war fighters was awarded the 2015 Australian Good Design Award in the Medical and Scientific category.

The handheld temperature/humidity sensor allows ADF per-sonnel to monitor environmental conditions in remote locations and reduce exposure to heat stress.

The heat stress monitor was selected from hundreds of new Australian and international entries.

The award recognises innova-tion, visual appeal, quality, sustain-ability, safety and ease of use.

Chief Defence Scientist Alex Zelinsky congratulated the teams at DST and Ideation Design for their highly innovative work.

“When Defence and indus-try come together not only can we

Alison Fogarty and Mark Patterson, of the Defence Science and Technology Group with Colin Howard from Ideation Product Solutions and the award-winning heat stress monitor.

develop novel capabilities, we also find new ways in which to deliver the capability,” Dr Zelinsky said.

“Today this product is being put to good use by ADF personnel dur-ing arduous training exercises.

“We believe that this innovation technology is also suitable for other

markets such as emergency services.”The stress monitor has previ-

ously won a Defence Safety Award as the Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue and Mark Patterson won the 2015 Minister’s Award for Achievement in Defence Science.

DST Group wins good design award

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5NEWSJune 30, 2016 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

Claudia Harrison

ON JULY 14, POML-P Karen Dwyer, of Navy People Career Management Agency, will march in Paris with fellow ADF members in the oldest and largest regu-lar military parade in Europe, the French National Day Parade, otherwise known as the Bastille Day Parade.

PO Dwyer said she was looking for-ward to being involved in the parade which will pass down the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, along with other French officials and foreign guests.

The New-Zealand born petty officer who moved to Australia when she was three said she was proud to represent the RAN in the parade.

“It’s such an honour to be selected to represent Navy at this year’s parade,” PO Dwyer said.

“To be completely honest, the enormi-ty and significance of the occasion hasn’t quite sunk in yet.

“When I am asked about what it means to me, to be part of this event, and overall, what it means to be a serving member of the ADF today, I don’t think it elicits the same response each time. But I always feel a sense of pride wearing this uniform, and also realise an enormous sense of responsibility that goes with it,” she said.

The ADF will lead the French National Day Parade, with a contingent of about 160 personnel.

Also marching will be a triservice flag party consisting of the Australian national flag and the ADF ensign.

In November last year, the French Foreign Minister extended an invitation to Australian troops to be the ‘guest of hon-our’ at the parade.

The French National Day Parade ties in with the ADF’s involvement in Centenary of Anzac commemorations at Fromelles and Pozieres later in the month of July.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Australian Imperial Force in France, with the AIF joining the British and French troops in Fromelles during July 1916.

PO Dwyer said that while French

BASTILLE Day is the name given in English-speaking countries to the French National Day, celebrated on July 14 each year. It commemorates the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. The Bastille Day Military Parade has been held each year in Paris since 1880. While previously held elsewhere within or near the capital city, since 1918 it has been held on the Champs-Élysées, with the participation of the Allies as represented in the Versailles Peace Conference, and with the exception of the period of German occupation from 1940 to 1944. Bastille Day is celebrated in other countries such as Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Republic of Ireland, New Zea-land, South Africa, United Kingdom and the USA.

A CONTINGENT of 140 ADF personnel – 80 Army, 30 Navy and 30 Air Force – will lead the French National Day parade in Paris on July 14.

VCDF VADM Ray Griggs said it was an important honour for the ADF to participate in the event, to demon-strate and further strengthen the close and longstanding defence relation-ship Australia has with France.

“The ADF is proud and hon-oured to be the guest of honour in the oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe on the

Champs-Élysées,” VADM Griggs said.

“Not only is this a patriotic display of French troops and their military hardware, but it recognises current French operations and their servicemen’s sacrifice and service to their country over time.

“The ADF contribution to the French National Day parade is par-ticularly timely as we will be in France to participate in commem-orative activities during this, our Centenary of Anzac period, for the 100th anniversaries of the battles of

Fromelles and Pozieres, where we saw our country’s greatest achieve-ments and most substantial losses on the Western Front.

“The Centenary of Anzac is a very special time for all Australians and will be one of the most signifi-cant commemorations to take place in our lifetime.

“For our Australian troops to be involved in this event in France, it is a further opportunity to remem-ber and reflect upon the service and sacrifice of our past and current servicemen and women,” he said.

History in making for Bastille Day

National Day was a time for celebration, it was also a time for reflection and she would be reflecting on her family’s history and involvement in WWI.

“My experience of the Centenary of Anzac commemorations has been surpris-ing in that it has helped me connect with a few family members over some family history I had no idea about,” she said.

“I knew about my great-grandfather’s participation in WWI, but until I was selected to go to France, I had no idea that I also had family on my mother’s side that went to the war as well.

“On reflection, I guess it shouldn’t be terribly surprising as I don’t think there were many families left untouched by war in those days.”

PO Dwyer speaks French so will be looking forward to using the language during the deployment.

“Je suis déjà allée en France une fois mais c’était en hiver donc, j’ai hâte d’y retourner en été cette fois-ci,” she said, which translates to, ‘I’ve been to France once before but that was in winter so I’m looking forward to returning in summer this time’.

BASTILLE DAY

ADF to lead parade

POML-P Karen Dwyer, of Navy People Career Management Agency, places a poppy on the Wall of Remembrance at the Australian War Memorial before travelling to France for the French National Day Parade. Photo: SGT Mick Davis

IT IS with regret the ADF confirms the death of a sailor in the Middle East.

The sailor was deployed on Operation Manitou in HMAS Darwin.

The ship was in Mus-cat, Oman, on a sched-uled port visit and the sailor was on shore leave in the city when he was found unconscious.

Despite medical treat-ment, the sailor could not be revived.

Defence is providing support to the sailor’s ship-mates and family and the ADF Investigative Service is helping local authorities with investigations.

Defence extends its deepest sympathy to the sailor’s family and friends.

Sailor dies in Oman

Donors lead from front

Department of Defence blood ambassadors gear up for the Defence Blood Challenge by donating plasma in support of National Blood Donor Week. The week ran from June 12-18. From left FLTSGT Christine Williams, WO2 Joanne Davey, Adam Friederich and WOCSM Chris Boardman. Photo: CPL Bill Solomou

6 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 30, 2016

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Capability boost for LHDsDallas McMaugh

THE RAN’s amphibious capabil-ity received a boost on May 27 with 20 sailors graduating from the first Aviation Support Category Course for 2016.

The course used simulation sys-tems at HMAS Albatross to train the sailors for flight deck and hangar oper-ations specific to the new LHDs HMA Ships Canberra and Adelaide.

Manager Technical Training LCDR Mark McGuinness said increased use of simulation systems minimised delays in trainee progress and reduced reliance on at-sea training to attain qualifications.

“The procurement of the simulated aircraft and virtual reality simulator was crucial,” he said.

“The simulated aircraft are of the same scale and weight of the MRH90 Taipan and ARH Tiger helicopters, and this utilises the push, pull, nose and tail wheel steering concept for ground movements, allowing the students to practice and to be assessed on the MRH and ARH, which are the main aircraft on the LHDs.”

The simulation systems allowed four aircraft directors, a petty officer of the deck and a chief of the deck to control up to four aircraft in all types of conditions at the same time.

“All activities are catered for, including start up, spread-fold and engage-disengage rotors, in-flight refu-elling, load lifting and winch transfer. These activities can be conducted day

Deputy Commander Fleet Air Arm CAPT Shane Craig presents ABA Joshua Powell with his certificate and trophy cup for graduating dux of the 1/16 Aviation Course (above) and ABA Gabriella Hayllar with her certificate and trophy cup (left) for most improved student. Photos: LSIS Sarah Williams

or night and in any weather with the simulators,” LCDR McGuinness said.

“The training develops into high tempo concurrent flight deck opera-tions with several simulated emergen-cies, rescue extraction and decontami-nation procedures all conducted by the sailors at all rank levels, working together as a team.”

Deputy Commander Fleet Air Arm

CAPT Shane Craig presented the sail-ors with their Category Qualification Badges and Certificates during a cer-emony at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

Captain Craig said the graduates would play a critical role in ensuring the Navy’s effective and safe operation of aircraft at sea.

AB Joshua Powell was awarded Dux of the course and AB Gabriella

Hayllar was named most improved student.

The Navy introduced the Aviation Support Category in 2011.

Sailors within the category fulfil a variety of flight deck, hangar and administrative duties at sea and ashore.

The work of an Aviation Support Category sailor is demanding and haz-ardous. Multi-spot flying operations

from the deck of a large warship can be a dangerous place to work.

Sailors must be physically fit, men-tally strong and be capable of working in a small team for long hours within a stressful environment. Training is arduous for that reason and includes Specialist Aircraft Fire Fighting and Crash Rescue techniques.

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7NEWSJune 30, 2016 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT Todd Fitzgerald

MORE than 100 New Entry Officers experienced life at sea on a warship for the first time when they joined HMAS Adelaide for her journey from Sydney to Townsville late last month.

The two-week deployment was part of the junior officers’ initial entry training and exposed them to the day-to-day life of a sailor at sea by getting them to work with each department on board.

MIDN Eleanor Brownlie, who joined as a Maritime Warfare Officer (MWO) and will one day drive a major fleet unit such as Adelaide, said it was an exciting look into her future.

“We conducted machinery rounds, cooked unquantifiable amounts of bacon, fixed broken sensors, cleaned oil spills, tested fire hoses and were sent into the bilges to clean,” she said.

“I was also fortunate enough to be on the bridge to witness

Adelaide’s pilotage through the Whitsundays, which made me both excited and exceedingly nervous for my time as an MWO.”

The officers were on board while Navy’s newest and biggest warship took part in Exercise Sea Horizon.

Army, Air Force and Navy, as well as elements of the United States and British defence forces, were on board for the exercise, which trained the crew for opera-tions such as humanitarian assis-tance, disaster relief and non-com-batant evacuations.

Divis ional Officer LEUT Damon Vizl was in charge of the new entry officers.

He said the exposure to opera-tional activity was an excellent introduction to the triservice envi-ronment the ADF was moving into.

“Demonstrations of Adelaide’s capability, including multiple heli-copter operations, landing craft launchings and damage control exercises, all being conducted con-currently, provided valuable expo-

sure to the trainees,” LEUT Vizl said.

He said the officers’ first foray into life at sea was a crucial part of the initial entry training.

“It helps them to understand what they are asking of their sailors when they ask them to clean out a bilge, stand a watch as a lookout in the rain, prepare meals for 400 peo-ple and sort the garbage,” he said.

Adelaide’s crew was supportive and positively affected the develop-ment of the new officers.

LEUT Vizl said the deploy-ment “was highly successful, both in building a relationship between HMAS Creswell and Adelaide and in the development of 110 New Entry Officers in the Navy”.

MIDN Brownlie agreed.“Officers and sailors alike made

us feel, at least for a short time, like a proper part of a working ship’s company,” she said.

“It was a look into the world in which we have chosen to invest our lives and careers, and we can’t wait to get out there again.”

LEUT Simone Reid

AS THE first of her family to join the RAN, MIDN Mollie Burns is sailing through unchartered waters – with a good deal of early success.

MIDN Burns took out the CDRE Sir James Ramsey Prize for best academic performance at the graduation of the New Entry Officer Course (NEOC) at the Royal Australian Naval College on June 16.

She said the course had con-firmed her reasons for branching out and joining the Navy.

“I joined because I liked the idea of being part of a team and being able to contribute to a challenging and fulfilling service,” she said.

“The course certainly gave us a sense of that. I would go to bed each night exhausted knowing I had achieved something.”

All officers must complete the NEOC at HMAS Creswell at Jervis Bay, NSW, immediately after join-ing the Navy.

The 20-week course is held biannually and is an intense period of practical and theoretical instruc-tion designed to teach the skills and attitudes needed to be an effective junior naval officer.

Subjects include drill and cer-emonial, physical training, officer

EACH year the National Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) organises a week to ce lebra te Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.

For Defence, it is an opportunity to recognise the contributions indigenous Australians make to Defence and to demonstrate its commitment to increas-ing the participation of indigenous peo-ple in its workforce.

This year, NAIDOC Week runs from July 3-10, with the theme of ‘Songlines: The living narrative of our nation’.

The Observance Committee has selected Darwin as the focus city.

Defence will host two flagship events, one in Darwin to complement the national NAIDOC program and one in Canberra as well as a series of sup-porting events in regional locations.

Darwin’s flagship event will include an announcement and unveiling of sig-nage and flags on July 4 at Larrakeyah Barracks.

In Canberra, a traditional NAIDOC ceremony will be held at Sir Blamey Square on July 5 at 1:30pm with Elder Matilda House delivering a welcome to country and smoking ceremony.

Members of the Navy Indigenous Dance Troupe will also perform fol-lowed by an indigenous fusion after-noon tea in the R1 foyer.

The event will close with a screen-

Defence to host NAIDOC activities

ing of indigenous film The Forgotten in R1 Theatrette. There will be an oppor-tunity to watch another indigenous film on July 8 at midday, with a screening of Harry’s War also in R1 Theatrette.

An indigenous-themed Last Post Ceremony will be held on July 8 at 4:50pm at the Australian War Memorial with a military member playing the didgeridoo.

A welcome to country, smok-ing ceremony and an unveiling of an acknowledgement to country plaque will be held at the Army Museum of Western Australia, Fremantle, on July 3 at 10:30am followed by a screening of an indigenous film The Forgotten.

Further information on NAIDOC Week is available on the official NAIDOC website at: http://www.naidoc.org.au

Photo: ABIS Chris Beerens

First trip for NEOCs

New Entry Officer Course trainee MIDN

Samuel Ross takes in the view as HMAS

Adelaide arrives in Townsville.

Photo: POIS Paul McCallum

Teamwork top of agenda on course

development, oral and written communications, management and leadership, officer-of-the-day duties, defence studies, character guidance, first aid, small arms training and adventure training.

MIDN Burns, who will drive a major fleet unit as a Maritime Warfare Officer (MWO) at the end of her specialist training, said the 14-day sea training deploy-ment on board HMAS Adelaide was her favourite part of the course.

“The sea component was a standout for me because I was

able to spend time on the bridge,” she said.

“It was a small introduction to life on a warship.”

Some graduating officers continue on to specialist training either in the Fleet or at ADFA.

MIDN Burns will begin her MWO training at HMAS Watson in Sydney before attending ADFA to study a Bachelor of Business.

CDF ACM Mark Binskin, and CN VADM Tim Barrett, along with family and friends attended the graduation parade of the 105 new officers.

CDF ACM Mark Binskin presents MIDN Mollie Burns, with the CDRE Sir James Ramsey Prize for the best academic performance by an officer while on course. Photo: LSIS Sarah Williams

8 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 30, 2016

CPL Mark Doran

THE Combat Survival Training School (CSTS) at RAAF Base Townsville conducts Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) training for ADF aircrew.

Army, Navy and Air Force instruc-tors teach aircrew from all services how to survive in permissive (peacetime) and non-permissive (hostile) environ-ments during the two-week course in the Townsville area.

CSTS holds an average of eight courses each year and every second year runs cold weather survival training at Mt Hotham in Victoria.

With the current deployment of aircrew to the Middle East region on Operation Okra the school also facili-tates SERE refresher training and thea-tre-specific and platform-specific force preparation training.

POA Dave Vowell is the only Navy SERE instructor at the school.

He joined Navy in 1994, transferred to aircrew in 2001 and has been an instructor at CSTS since 2012.

PO Vowell said he loved working as an instructor at the school.

“I do miss flying, but for a non-fly-ing role this is the best job,” he said.

“CSTS is a fantastic unit because of its proactive staff who work well together.

“Because it is a triservice unit we have a lot of knowledge and operation-al experience from different military careers.”

The foundation of the training at CSTS focuses on survival, evasion, resistance and escape (SERE) principles, which are run through chronologically during the course.

At the start of the course students are taught how to survive in a permissive or no-threat environment with simple skills such as building a shelter, lighting a fire, locating and consuming water and food, all whilst working towards a plan for recovery.

They then move into a non-permis-sive environment with a combat focus,

taking into account our current overseas operations.

Instructors at the school want the course to be as operationally relevant as possible.

The evade, resist and escape compo-nents of the course teach students how to operate effectively in a combat envi-ronment and return to friendly control.

PO Vowell said the most important phase of the SERE course was the com-bat element.

“If someone can survive behind enemy lines then they can survive in peacetime,” he said.

“The skills we teach our students in peacetime survival are good bush skills, but the skillsets we teach on the combat side are what are most relevant to our current operations.”

PO Vowell said the biggest challeng-es faced by students were motivation, fatigue, being taken out of their comfort zone and not knowing what will happen next.

“Generally the soldiers on the course are more comfortable in the field envi-ronment, but it comes down to each indi-vidual,” he said.

“There are usually Chinese whispers when the students finish the course back at their units. We do change the course structure regularly, not so much for that reason, we do it to improve the course.”

CSTS has a permanent position with-in Operation Okra which provides ongo-ing SERE and Joint Personnel Recovery training for deployed aircrew.

SERE instructors rotate though the position and take the operational lessons learnt back into the school.

Liaison and training with interna-tional SERE schools help CSTS stay up-to-date and most recently some of the instructors attended the US Air Force SERE courses in Spokane in Washington and the Arctic Survival Training Course in Alaska.

They also visited the United Kingdom’s Survival School and train to NATO standards to ensure the ADF’s SERE skills are internationally recognised.

No escape from survival

Participants demonstrate a combat search and

rescue recovery during the survival, evasion,

resistance and escape course at the Townsville

Field Training AreaPhotos: CPL Mark Doran.

Combat Survival Training School instructor POA

Dave Vowell.

9NEWSJune 30, 2016 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LCDR Jason O’Gorman

OVER the course of HMAS Darwin’s deployment on Operation Manitou, the ship’s company has actively pursued a parallel mission – to raise funds for the Sir David Martin Foundation, the ship’s chosen charity.

RADM Sir David Martin was a long serving member of the RAN and past NSW Governor. His concerns for the hardships of many young Australians led to the creation of the Sir David Martin Foundation.

The Foundation’s main aim is to sup-port young Australians who are in crisis,

or at risk, and who need encouragement, guidance and hope. To achieve this, the Foundation raises funds to support suc-cessful youth programs run by Mission Australia.

Enthusiastically driving the ship’s efforts is LSCSO Joshua Scanlon.

“It has been great to get involved with such an important organisation and make a significant contribution to the Youth in Crisis program,” LSCSO Scanlon said.

The ship’s crew have staged a num-ber of fun challenges and events to gen-erate funds for the Foundation.

LSCSO James Gibson committed to

riding 10,000km on Darwin’s exercise bikes, and received pledges from donors on and off the ship.

On May 29, he achieved his impres-sive goal with the ship’s company cheer-ing him on, raising more than $2,000.

LSCSO George Garoufalis has been running a barber service and has raised $1800 so far.

In late May, an auction was held on board where items donated by a number of Australian sporting teams were up for grabs.

The most popular items were a Hawthorn jumper signed by the 2015 AFL Premiership team ($2560), a

Collingwood jumper signed by the 2010 AFL premiership team ($1500), a NSW Blues State of Origin jersey, signed by the victorious 2014 team ($3000), a Matilda’s soccer jersey signed by the 2015 Australian World Cup Team ($1020), and a 2015 Kangaroos Rugby League jersey ($1100).

Other items were donated by the West Coast Eagles, the Sydney Swans, the North Queensland Cowboys, the Parramatta Eels, the Cronulla Sharks, the Australian Wallabies, and North Bridge Golf Club.

Also in the mix were an International Fleet Review Painting, a King’s Cup

Plate and an Isle of Man motorcycle hel-met that was donated by ABCSO David Cox’s parents.

Some feverish bidding raised a total sum of $14,652.

LSCSO Scanlon was thrilled with the success of the campaign.

“I cannot give enough thanks to the sporting organisations who generously donated items for the charity auction, helping us to raise such a huge total,” he said.

“Thanks to those organisations, and the support and generosity of the Darwin crew, we have raised around $22,000 for the Foundation so far,” he said.

Operation funds a success

LSCSO James Gibson rides the final 1km of a 10,000km ride for the Sir David Martin Foundation Triple Care Farm.

A Hawthorn jersey is auctioned at sea off the coast of Africa.

Successful bidders showcase their winning items after a charity auction event held on board HMAS Darwin.

LSCSO George Garoufalis shaves a shipmate’s head

on board HMAS Darwin as part of his contribution

to the Sir David Martin Foundation.

Photos: ABIS Sarah Ebsworth

THE call to duty on Exercise Pacific Partnership took a slightly different path when members of the Australian contingent volunteered to work in the ship’s galley, mess and scullery as part of the volunteer program aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy.

The volunteer program is aimed at boosting morale and giving personnel the opportunity to work in other areas of the ship that are outside of their normal routine.

CPONPC SM Sean Goff said it was a good experience for the Australians that volunteered to work in the messing area.

“Everyone enjoyed participating but it was hard work,” CPO Goff said.

“It opened our eyes to how hard it is to feed and clean-up after 1000 people per meal sitting.”

The galley duty was an oppor-tunity for the Australian contingent to meet more personnel before the ship’s arrival in Dili, Timor Leste.

CPONPC SM Sean Goff helps serve the evening meal to United States Navy LEUT Angela Davenport aboard USNS Mercy during ‘volunteer’ night while under way across the Pacific Ocean. Photo: SGT Pete Gammie

Many hands make volunteering work

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10 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 30, 2016

LEUT Will Singer

‘WORLD Oceans Day’ on June 8 gave the RAN an opportunity to reflect on its responsibility and strong connection to the world’s oceans.

Navy’s Maritime Services Bureau Environmental Services team paused to reflect on the many ways Navy helps protect and conserve our blue planet.

Based in Garden Island, the Environmental Services team has been riding the continuous improvement wave to ensure Navy adheres to environmental law, community expectations and environmental best prac-tice.

Fleet Environmental Manager LCDR Ian Brown said

his team recently developed and published new procedures that helped Navy units conduct maritime activities in a way that protected the environment and maintained Navy’s role as a responsible caretaker of our ocean.

“These procedures are part of the Navy’s dynamic Maritime Activities Environmental Management Plan”, LCDR Brown said.

“The Plan aims to ensure good environmental practice is second nature when conduct-ing our daily business.

“The new procedures are broad in their environmental scope to reduce the risks to the ocean environment, including the species that live within it.”

Procedures deal with a wide range of activities such as managing ship waste, including sewage, grey-water, oily waste and garbage.

“We have also developed procedures to respond to stranded or injured marine animals, including alerting gov-ernment environmental authori-ties,” he said.

Navy plays a vital role in protecting the ocean, control-ling illegal fishing, enforcing biosecurity measures and con-ducting hydrographic surveys.

Early in June, HMAS Wollongong intercepted two foreign fishing vessels in waters off north Queensland for suspected illegal fishing in Australian waters.

Praise for ocean

Photo: CPOCIS Simon Bagnall

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11NEWSJune 30, 2016 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

CPL Sebastian Beurich

THE soldiers charged up the hill, their heavy armour slowing them down, but a steely determination pushed them forwards. When they got to the top, they stopped, stunned – in front of them was an enormous orange alien.

These were familiar scenes for participants of the gaming Anzac Cup on May 28 and 29, where both serving members and civilians gathered at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Brisbane to battle it out with their scale model armies.

The 110 players participated in six different game systems over the weekend.

With game systems ranging from science-fiction games about spaceships, to realistic WWII simulation games, Chairman of the ADF Wargaming Association (ADFWGA) MAJ David Hill said the competition had something for everyone.

“Some people like the simpler style of the X-Wing miniatures game, where they are just con-trolling a couple of ships and the games are over relatively quickly,” he said.

“Others prefer to immerse themselves in developing an his-torically accurate army, or explor-ing what the effect of different fac-tors would be on historical battles with the game Bolt Action.”

MAJ Hill said the ADFWGA also used their events as an oppor-tunity to raise money for charities which support current and ex-serving members of the ADF.

“In the past, we have supported Legacy and now we are support-ing Soldier On and the good work both of those organisations do.

“During the event we raised close to $5000 for Soldier On, which goes towards our total of more than $7000 raised this year.”

For ABCIS Courtney Long, of HMAS Diamantina the game he plays, Warhammer 30,000, is set in a far distant future and has geneti-cally modified super-humans bat-tling each other.

“I love the lore aspect of Warhammer 30,000 and the fact

Players compete against each other during the ADF War Gaming’s Anzac Cup 2016.

there is a whole book series to go with it,” AB Long said.

“I’m actually playing with char-acters from the books, so I guess I have an input into the story as well.

“I try to get to as many ADFWGA events as I can, I’m a part of the Association and as one of the Navy members I want to be as active as possible.

“Every time I go to one of these events, it amazes me the amount of money which is raised – almost $5000 in two days from 110 people is huge.”

MAJ Hill said the ADFWGA filled a number of purposes for its members.

“When our people move from one location to another, we can help provide them with connec-tions to other Defence gamers in

the area, so they’re not isolated,” he said.

“We have also built links with local civilian groups across Australia, which gives our members a community to get involved in.

“It also helps with our employ-ment – the hobby itself is effec-tively conducting the military appreciation process.

“The players almost need to do a centre of gravity construct to apply their armies strengths to the opponent’s weaknesses.”

The ADFWGA’s next event is Herocon, held in December this year in Townsville.

For more information, search ‘ADF Wargaming Association’ on Facebook or visit the association’s website at www.adfwga.com

Game on for serious players

Competing armies battle it out during the ADF Wargaming Association’s Anzac Cup played at Sleeman Sports Complex in Brisbane in late May.

LCDR Adam Cooper

ON PASSAGE to the Middle East for duties as part of Operation Manitou, HMAS Perth conducted a security patrol of Western Australia’s North West Shelf.

The ship departed Rockingham on June 7 to relieve HMAS Darwin, as Australia’s contribution to the maritime security operation.

CO Perth CAPT Ivan Ingham said the domestic tasking en route, part of Australia’s wider border protection plan, was an important contribution to the government’s maritime security arrangements to a strategic and eco-nomically vital region.

“The RAN’s routine and directed patrols provide a visible deterrence and surety that Defence is able to project force to respond to emerging situations

and threats,” CAPT Ingham said.Of great national importance,

the North West Shelf is key to the Australian economy, given that the region’s oil and gas platforms pro-duce 65 per cent of Western Australia’s domestic gas needs while also account-ing for more than 40 per cent of Australia’s oil and gas production.

Australia’s Liquefied Natural Gas industry is also the sixth largest in the world and, since 1989, has produced sufficient energy to power an economy the size of Japan for more than three years, while the wider Pilbara region accounts for about 20 per cent of Australia’s exports.

This particular patrol was greatly enhanced by Perth’s embarked Romeo helicopter. The MH60R provides great-ly extended surface search and surveil-lance capabilities to conduct a much wider patrol of the region.

Security patrol of north-west

HMAS Perth sails through the oil rigs located in the North West Shelf off the coast of Western Australia.Photo: ABIS Richard Cordell

12 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 30, 2016CENTRE

TESTING TIME The ship's company and embarked forces

put HMAS Adelaide through her paces on Exercise Sea Explorer, FLTLT Lauretta Webster reports.

EIGHT hundred personnel embarked in HMAS Adelaide to participate in Exercise Sea Explorer 16 held off the coast of North Queensland from May 25 to June 5.

Teamed with embarked forces from Townsville-based 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR), 5th Aviation Regiment and some RAAF elements, the ship’s company conducted a range of training exercises to test its capability in order to support the embarked elements.

The amphibious readiness element activities included combat enhancement training, force integration training and wet and dry rehearsals.

Commander of the Amphibious Task Group CAPT Brett Sonter said Adelaide was undertaking a number of concur-rent activities as part of SE16.

“As part of the exercise, the ship is being assessed against operational capability requirements,” CAPT Sonter said.

In order to do that, the ship’s company coordinated and managed myriad training activities that supported the over-arching objective of meeting operational capability.

The amphibious beach team (ABT) from 10 Force Support Battalion disembarked Adelaide via amphibious vehicles and descended onto Cowley Beach to prepare the area for the wet training component.

ABT Commander LT Monica Merlo said the ABT was the link between the ship and shore, charged with preparing the beach for personnel and equipment.

“The ABT is responsible for coordinating the movement

of all stores and vehicles from Adelaide, onto the beach and then onto the next objective,” LT Merlo said.

“We do this by using two different types of small boats, as well as LARCs to transfer cargo to the shore.

“After we have set up, around 500 military personnel and 37 vehicles will conduct their training,” she said.

Post beach set-up, soldiers from 2RAR approached the shoreline via small boats to begin their troop beach landing drills.

Platoon Commander 21, 2RAR, LT David Bannister-Tyrrell, said the rehearsals consisted of embarking the small boats, adopting tactical postures, and disembarking in a tac-tical assault formation.

“We conducted rehearsals of surface assault from Adelaide onto Cowley Beach using a multitude of different platforms, including light landing craft, zodiacs and landing craft medium 8,” LT Bannister-Tyrrell said.

“On approach to the beach, we took up security positions around the inside of the vessel and then tactically advanced onto the beach where we again adopted security positions.”

Back on Adelaide’s flight deck, Air Force personnel pro-vided air traffic control for the MRH90 helicopters, which were transporting personnel to the beach.

Soldiers from 2nd Cavalry Regiment performed driver training serials in their ASLAVs on Cowley Beach. Having been loaded onto two landing craft by the Adelaide crew, the soldiers and two ASLAVs motored to shore where the troops conducted driver rehearsals by manoeuvring the vehicles off and back onto the craft.

The final tick of approval for Adelaide in determining her operational capability was the non-combatant evacua-tion (NEO) exercise.

Exercise Cowley Assist involved 160 role players descending onto Cowley Beach in preparation for their res-cue from the region after a simulated disaster scenario.

CAPT Sonter said it was an important event for the ship.“The key output was to ensure that the crew of

Adelaide has the correct processes and procedures in place so that we can assist a DFAT-led evacuation follow-ing a disaster in our region,” CAPT Sonter said.

“The crew was responsible for bringing them safely on board the ship and processing them through an evacu-ee holding centre.

“The NEO was the culminating point for Adelaide in the assessment against operational capability. I went around and had a look at all of the elements of the evac-uation operation, including the holding centre.

“Everything I observed demonstrated to me that the crew understands what is required for that particular aspect of the evacuation operation,” CAPT Sonter said.

“It’s been very successful. We have exposed the ship to the inherent challenges of broader amphibious operations and the enthusiasm and skill set of the ship’s company has shown me they are up to the challenge.”

The sea series of exercises, culminating with Exercise Sea Raider later this year, will test and eval-uate Adelaide and HMAS Canberra’s preparedness as core enablers within Australia’s amphibious capability.

13

Full house on the flight deck of HMAS Adelaide during Exercise Sea Explorer off the coast of North Queensland.

LCDR Jaquie Kenyon observes

an MRH90 from the bridge.

LSMED Renee MacKenzie controls a team of medics including ABML-P Sahara McLellan and CPL Joseph Ferguson as they examine a simulated casualty during a resuscitation exercise on board. Photo: POIS Paul McCallum

An MRH90 takes off from the deck of HMAS Adelaide during Exercise Sea Explorer.

Photos: CPL Kyle Genner

Soldiers conduct a beach landing.

An ASLAV disembarks a landing craft onto

Cowley Beach.

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15GANGWAYJune 30, 2016 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

While visiting HMAS Stirling, Bathurst winning V8 Supercar driver and honorary LEUT Chaz Mostert challenged LSET James Beresford to a race on a simulator. Photo: LSIS Bradley Darvill

POB Tyler Thomson and ABBM Natasha Mailei conduct a use-of-force demonstration for students and staff of the Clontarf Aboriginal College during a visit to HMAS Stirling. Photos: LSIS Lee-Anne Mack

Cenotaph Party member ABML-S Faizal Juma during the indigenous veterans wreath-laying ceremony at the Flame of Remembrance in Perth.

ABMT Lachlan Mack makes parts for a bilge keel fabrication project at

FSU-West, HMAS Stirling.

Australia’s Federation Guardsman LSBM Michael Hirschausen during the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Crete Commemoration services held in the town of Stavromenos on the Island of Crete.Photo: LSIS Justin Brown

HMAS Gascoyne personnel commemorate the loss of AHS Centaur near the site the ship was lost.

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16 HISTORY www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 30, 2016

MANY sailors will tell you the Navy never operated two aircraft carriers simultaneously, but older sailors will tell you they’re wrong.

The Navy’s intended second light fleet aircraft carrier, HMAS Melbourne II, suffered delays in England in the early 1950s, while undergoing an upgrade, consequently the carrier HMS Vengeance VII was loaned to Australia from 1952-55.

The RAN’s first light fleet aircraft carrier, HMAS Sydney III, laid down as HMS Terrible, had previously been accepted into service in February 1949.

Vengeance was one of a group of 16 light fleet carriers of the colossus and majestic classes, laid down in British shipyards from 1942-43.

She commissioned as HMS Vengeance VII in January 1945, and completed her workup in the Mediterranean in March 1945, before joining the East Indies Fleet and then the British Pacific Fleet, visiting Sydney in July 1945.

After the war, Vengeance served with the Home Fleet, including a period con-ducting endurance trials in the Arctic in early 1949.

She began a refit for her Australian service in September 1952.

Vengeance commissioned into the RAN as HMAS Vengeance, at Devonport, England, on November 13, 1952, under the temporary command of CMDR Clive Hudson, with a steaming party of 550 officers and men.

CAPT Henry Burrell assumed com-mand on December 2, 1952.

The carrier steamed from England

in January 1953, arriving in Sydney in March, via Gibraltar, Malta, Port Said, the Suez Canal, and Colombo.

After a three-month refit in Sydney, Vengeance commenced seagoing service in June 1953, working up in preparation for a deployment to Korea.

In late July, Navy announced Sydney III, would deploy to Korea instead, so Vengeance remained in Australian waters until April 1954.

Between February and April Vengeance was one of several Australian warships tasked with royal escort duty during the visit to Australia of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip.

She escorted the SS Gothic with the

Royal party embarked, to the Cocos Islands, in company with HMA Ships Anzac II and Bataan, handing over escort duties to HM Ships Colombo and Newfoundland on April 5, 1954.

Later that day Bataan, a tribal-class destroyer, was damaged in a collision with Vengeance during replenishment operations near the Cocos Islands.

Vengeance went on to visit Darwin, Manus Island and Rabaul before return-ing to Sydney in May 1954.

The ship assumed the role of a fleet training ship in July, which included instruction of 18-year-old National Service trainees completing their 176-day commitment.

In October 1954, Vengeance left Sydney for Yokosuka in Japan to embark aircraft, men and equipment of No.77 Squadron RAAF, returning them to Sydney in early December.

After a three-month refit in February 1955, Vengeance resumed training duties until late April 1955.

In June, 1955, Vengeance departed Sydney for the return voyage to England carrying almost 1000 officers and sail-ors who were to commission HMAS Melbourne II.

Vengeance arrived in Devonport, via Singapore, Colombo, Aden, Suez, Port Said and Malta, in August 1955, at which time administrative control was

assumed by the Senior Officer Reserve Fleet, Plymouth.

Her commission in the RAN ended on October 25, 1955 and Melbourne II commissioned three days later.

Vengeance was sold to Brazil in December 1956, and after extensive reconstruction and modernisation in Rotterdam, was commissioned by the Brazilian Navy as Minas Gerais in December 1960.

Minas Gerais decommissioned in 2001 at which time she was the oldest active aircraft carrier in the world.

In 2004, the ship was towed to the ship breaking yards at Alang, India for dismantling.

An oldie but a goodieHMAS Vengeance on royal escort duty during Queen Elizabeth’s and Prince Phillip’s visit to Australian waters in 1954.

HMAS Vengeance became the oldest active aircraft carrier in the world, SGT Dave Morley reports.

17PERSONNELJune 30, 2016 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

OVER the last few weeks, the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) hosted family events around the country as part of National Families Week.

HMAS Cerberus families gathered at Gravity Zone in Seaford for the after-noon. More than 100 adults and children were treated to an array of trampolining, climbing and jumping activities, as well as laser tag, catering for all ages and skill levels.

In the Shoalhaven area, HMAS Albatross families enjoyed a day at Mogo Zoo as part of DCO Nowra’s cel-ebrations.

Families in Western Australia cele-brated the week with an event at Scitech

Discovery Centre, a permanent interac-tive science museum which includes a planetarium that takes visitors on a vir-tual tour of the solar system.

The National Families Week events provided an opportunity to spend time together, catch up with other Defence families and have fun. It was also a chance to meet the area’s local DCO support team, who provide programs and services to help Defence families manage the military way of life.

Visit the DCO website for more family activi-ties in your area or call the all-hours Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 for informa-tion about DCO and its range of services.

LEUT Will Singer

HMAS Stirling personnel celebrated a year of learning, tinkering, stretch-ing, creating, singing, dancing, and building community, marking the first birthday of the innovative Off-Watch Centre on the Western Australian base.

The centre was established by a passionate group of volunteers and has been a hive of activity for Navy peo-ple to meet, at what was a previously under-utilised facility, and engage in a variety of activities ranging from mar-tial arts to music.

The centre was developed to pro-vide innovative and constructive activ-ities for 600 personnel living on board Stirling, increasing a sense of commu-nity for many who had been posted far from their regular networks.

CO Stirling CAPT Brian Delamont said many Navy personnel lacked transport or the opportunity to inte-grate into community events ashore and that the centre was providing bal-ance that many people needed.

“Facilities were provided with a structure for demand-driven activities, and the skills and passion of individu-als led to a diverse range of uses,” CAPT Delamont said.

Investment by Navy and club members has been validated, with strong support and expansion to not only those who live on the base,

but those who live ashore and their families.

“With many of the original organ-isers posting out, we are working to build on their efforts through addi-

tional clubs and also in upgrading facilities,” he said

The wider Stirling community sees the benefits of individual well-being and creativity coupled with

building individual and team resil-ience.

Future activities include car main-tenance, woodworking and metal-working workshops, and yoga.

Off watch is right onADFA competitionTHE Ultimate ADFA Open Day Experience is on again, giving three winners the opportunity to enjoy an action-packed adven-ture at ADFA on August 26-27. Winners will receive return flights to Canberra, two night’s accommo-dation and will get to take part in a range of activities. The competition is for young Australians between 16 and 22. Entrants must explain, in 50 words or less, why they would make a great leader. Entries close July 15. More information is at www.defencejobs.gov.au/

Drink prices riseFrom July 1 the price of alcohol at all E&IG contractor-operated and designated Navy-managed bars across Australia will increase in line with the Consumer Price Index. The majority of drinks will increase by 10 cents.

Research symposiumThe Defence Operations Research Symposium will be held in con-junction with the 24th National Conference of the Australian Society for Operations Research at ADFA from November 15-18. Two forms of submission are avail-able for consideration as presenta-tions at the symposium: Extended Abstracts and Full-Papers. Submissions are due by July 15. Further details and instructions can be found at http://www.asor-act.net/ASORConf/index.html.

IN BRIEF

Members of the HMAS Stirling Off Watch Centre from left, POET Stuart Gouldthorp, POET Philip Andrew, CHAP Robert Graue, LSET SM Daniel O’Rouke, ABET Kacey Neindorf, LSPT Jessica Clarke and ABEW SM Brittany Alexander. Photo: LSIS Lee-Anne Mack

This image has been digitally manipulated.

THE ADF’s new military superannua-tion arrangement starts on July 1. In the new arrangement, ADF Super will become the default employer superan-nuation fund for new members joining the ADF.

For the first time, ADF members will also be able to choose their own superan-nuation fund.

In addition, ADF members in the new arrangement will no longer be required to make personal superannuation contribu-tions and can roll over their accumulated superannuation benefits to another com-plying superannuation fund on retirement or at any other time.

The new military superannuation arrangement also includes ADF Cover –

a statutory death and invalidity scheme that provides benefits consistent with the death and invalidity cover in Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS).

All ADF members who fall under the new arrangement will receive superannua-tion contributions from Defence of 16.4 per cent of ordinary time earnings and be covered under ADF Cover. This includes those members who choose a superannua-tion fund other than the default fund.

More information is available at:

• PACMAN: www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac;• ADF Consumer Centre: www.adfcon-

sumer.gov.au; • ADF Super: www.adfsuper.gov.au; • ADF Cover: www.adfcover.gov.au

Start of new super

DCO outings for families

Children play at Scitech Discovery Centre in Western Australia as part of the DCO family events held around the country during National Families Week.

James McPherson

CDRE Vince Di Pietro was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for his excep-tional service as COMFAA (2013-2016) and as Australia’s Naval Attaché to the United States (2007-2010).

The award tops off CDRE Di Pietro’s distinguished 39-year career, throughout which he served as a pilot, instructor, CO, Naval Attaché, undertook long lasting policy work and finished in charge of all Navy squadrons.

CDRE Di Pietro said he was proud of the honour and the many people who had supported him over his illustrious career.

“In my mind and heart the hon-our is a salute by our nation and its Navy to the many people I have

had the privilege to serve with,” he said.

“Their efforts made significant contributions to my good fortune to be recognised in this way.”

CDRE Di Pietro started flying when he was 18 and amassed just under 5000 hours, but his high-lights were the two postings recog-nised by the award.

“Representing Navy and Australia in Washington DC as Naval Attaché was an unbelievable privilege and incredibly reward-ing,” he says

“Through the combined efforts of everyone at the Attaché’s office and the Embassy, we continued a strong and growing relationship with the United States Navy and progressed many of the collabora-tive projects we have with them.”

In that posting he saw the early stages of the MH60 Romeo

Seahawk project, which came to fruition when he was COMFAA.

“It is a huge team effort. I am continually thankful for all in the Fleet Air Arm and the hard working agencies that support it,” he says.

“Everything unit from those providing food to aircraft spares worked hard to introduce the new Romeo aircraft, equipment and facilities, while not missing a beat keeping our current capability fly-ing during the transition,” he said.

CDRE Di Pietro has earned respect and an enviable reputation by always prioritising his people, but he insists his family deserves the praise.

“My family have been with me through all of it and for the longest time. Their ever present love and interest in what I was doing has allowed me to achieve all I have.”

18 FEATURES – QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 30, 2016

James McPherson

DESPITE facing a number of personal challenges, LCDR Dylan White was award-ed a Conspicuous Service Medal for his superior work as the Above Water Warfare Officer and Operations Officer in HMAS Perth.

LCDR White demonstrated extraor-dinary commitment and professionalism to contribute to a highly proficient opera-tions room, despite facing illness and recovering from a car accident in which his best friend was killed.

“The award means a great deal and it’s nice to be singled out, but so many people helped me along the way and I think it is a good example of how the organisation supports its people,” LCDR White said.

“CDRE Lee Goddard in particular really looked after me and my family and helped me through my illness and during the recovery from the accident.”

LCDR White’s resilience and execu-tive support enabled him to continue to achieve at a high level.

He also invested a large amount of

personal time in developing user instruc-tions and tactical procedures for the anti-ship missile defence system in the Anzac-class ships, which has laid the foundation for the future operation and employment of this new capability.

LCDR White is driven to achieve. He was dux of both his Junior Warfare Officers’ Application Course in 2008 and the Principal Warfare Officer Course in 2012, but the encouragement of his command team has kept the motivation going.

“CAPT Ivan Ingham, CMDR Chris Leece and LCDR Grant Coleman have been fantastic mentors and allowed me to apply my initiative to deliver the ASMD instructions with the help of LCDR Dave Smith,” he said.

“The whole ship’s company of HMAS Perth have been incredible in providing exceptional support and advice through-out my posting.

“Above all, my wife Fern has made it all possible. She has always been so supportive of me and is probably more proud of the medal than I am.”

LCDR Dylan White, CSMCDRE Vince Di Pietro, AM

POML-P Stacey Brotherton, CSM

‘It is a huge team effort’

Shining lights lead way

James McPherson

POML-P Stacey Brotherton was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal for her meritorious achieve-ment as the research and commu-nication coordinator for the Navy Divisional System.

PO Brotherton designed and implemented new ways for Navy members to engage with the person-nel management, administrative and human resources aspects of service life.

Her tireless work directly improved access to current and rel-evant information to ensure all Navy members are better supported in the workplace, with a greater under-standing of entitlements and avail-able support services.

“I spent a lot of time with WO Joanne Jordan looking at the exist-ing resources and realised Navy was moving rapidly away from paper-based records and resources,” PO Brotherton said.

“It was important all members be able to access the most authoritative and up-to-date information in a sin-gle location, and that it be digital.”

PO Brotherton and her small team replaced the Divisional Toolbox and the Divisional Officers’ Handbook with the highly successful ePort intranet site.

Going one step further, they navigated the ambitious territory of mobile app development to extend the divisional resources.

“I didn’t have any funding or technical skills, but LSCIS Peter Turner and I were determined to find a way to build the app,” she said.

“We discovered a practical way of preparing content with an online application management program that allowed the Navy app to exist within a third-party shell application.

“It’s highly cost effective. There was no large-scale project, or copi-ous sums of money.

“The only investment was our time, a little ingenuity, and a minimal yearly hosting fee.

“We’ve been well supported by our superiors and it’s gratifying to be part of a Navy that wants to hear voices and ideas regardless of rank.”

PO Brotherton has since trans-ferred service categories and employed flexible work arrange-ments to continue her career with the Navy while being present at home.

“As a mother of three young children, life is a constant juggling act. When I was a serving fulltime, my understanding of the reserves was limited and I didn’t believe that I would be able to contribute in a meaningful way.

“My career to date and this award proves this theory wrong. I’m proud to receive an honour at this level and look forward to rejoining full-time and returning to sea in the future

“It is enough for me when my superiors take the time to stop and say thank you in person, so this award is the biggest thank you I could imagine. I will wear it proudly.”

‘Good example of organisation support’

‘It’s gratifying to be part of a Navy that wants to hear ideas’

LCDR Dylan White, centre, with a commendation for his outstanding leadership and devotion as the Operations Officer on HMAS Perth with CDRE Lee Goddard, right, and CAPT Ivan Ingham. Photo: ABCSO Steven Thomson

POML-P Stacey Brotherton shows CDRE Michele Miller the new Navy People app she helped create. Photo: POIS Phil Cullinan

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in birthday honours19June 30, 2016 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS FEATURES – QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS

SGT Dave Morley

THE high operational tempo experienced during HMAS Tobruk’s final two years of service has resulted in the ship’s last CO being recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

CMDR Leif Maxfield was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross, “for outstand-ing devotion to duty as CO HMAS Tobruk from June 2013 to August 2015”.

During his tenure as CO, Tobruk took part in Operations Philippines Assist, Resolute, and Pacific Assist 2015, as well as Exercise Pacific Partnership 2013 and the International Fleet Review.

CMDR Maxfield said it was an extreme-ly proud moment to be recognised.

“It also reflects the efforts of so many that supported Tobruk to achieve as much as she did,” he said.

“I am extremely thankful for the unwa-vering support of my wife and family to what I do and they are extremely proud of my being recognised with this award.”

CMDR Maxfield said Tobruk ship’s company was outstanding in the enthusi-asm, resilience and determination to achieve the best.

“No matter how often we had short-notice requirements, they rose to the chal-lenge at every occasion, and the Navy and

country can be immensely proud of the men and women who served on Tobruk,” he said.

“Tobruk’s program was certainly busy, but our aim was to ensure she remained fully operational and ready for any tasking until we hauled down her ensign for the last time.

“The rate of effort across all classes of ships remains high within the Fleet, but it is worthy of note that in Tobruk’s last two years she achieved 12 per cent of the total amount of sea time for her 35 years.

“That is an outstanding demonstration of the coordinated efforts of the ship’s com-pany, Surface Group and SPO.”

CMDR Maxfield said he felt a sense of achievement rather than sorrow when Tobruk decommissioned last year.

“Tobruk has a fine history of operational achievements and to carry the tradition on to the very end was certainly satisfying.

“Having the opportunity to lead the Navy’s humanitarian support to the Philippines and Vanuatu, and working with an outstanding team to make a real differ-ence to people who were struggling with lives devastated by natural disasters, was immensely satisfying.”

CMDR Maxfield is currently posted to Navy Strategic Command at Russell Offices as the Director Navy Strategy Executive.

Navy is yet to announce Tobruk’s fate.

Immensely proud of crew of Tobruk

CMDR Leif Maxfield, CSC

Photo: LAC David Cotton

Defence Science and Technology Group opened its doors to showcase the vital research work they are doing, CPL Sebastian Beurich was there to report on the displays.

AUSTRALIA’S Collins-class submarine has been widely hailed as one of the quietest diesel-electric submarine types in the world, a lot of which is due to the work of the Defence Science and Technology Group’s (DST)

Maritime Division.Scientists working in the Maritime Division showcased some of

the methods they use to test and develop new technologies during DST’s Partnerships Week, held from June 6-10 at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne.

Inside one of the buildings at the Fishermans Bend complex is an enormous water tank. Standing 6m tall, the tank holds 600 tonnes of water when filled.

The Program Leader Submarine Capability in DST, Kevin Gaylor, says the tank is used to test acoustic signature reduction technologies.

“It’s called a reverberation chamber, which means none of the sides are parallel,” Mr Gaylor says. “When we use it for acoustic experi-ments, we can accurately measure the acoustic response of what we are testing.

“At the moment we are testing acoustic materials such as anechoic tiles. Anechoic tiles are designed to absorb active sonar pings, not reflect them back. We’re actually trying to make our submarines invis-ible to active sonar.

“The current anechoic tiles in the Collins-class submarines were developed in Australia, by DST, in conjunction with an Australian manufacturing company. The next generation of tiles, also developed by DST, are currently being tested in this facility.

Mr Gaylor says the testing and modelling capability of DST’s Maritime Division is world class.

“We work internationally on the development and validation of these models, so when we put our tests up against other nations’ mod-elling capability, we’re convinced we are up there with the best,” he said.

“We talk to other nations and share how we measure and test our materials, but not the ‘secret recipe’, or the exact materials.

“The materials we develop meet the operational requirements we already know we need. Our challenge at the moment is to extend their performance, so we can combat potential future threats.”

Sonar absorbing panels are not the only things which make a sub-marine stealthy – the exhaust can cause a number of different issues.

“A submarine breathes through its induction mast, then exhausts underwater, which creates bubbles. These bubbles can make noise, contain gas and can cause a splash on the surface. All of those things can lead to ways of detecting the submarine,” Mr Gaylor says.

“We are optimising the design of the ‘diffuser’ in the exhaust mast to address all of these issues. The size and patterns of holes in the dif-fuser will determine the size of bubbles released.

“Small bubbles are good – by the time the exhaust plume rises to the surface, smaller bubbles will have already dissolved, whereas a big-ger bubble will hit the surface and splash.”

The research and modelling Maritime Division is doing won’t just apply to the Shortfin Barracuda, it has the potential to apply to the Collins-class submarines as well.

“This is research, so it’s going to take a bit of time to develop. This technology will potentially be something where we work with our design partner – the knowledge of how to design a quiet diffuser for a submarine.”

Chief Defence Scientist Alex Zelinsky says strengthening industry partnerships helps build future capability and ensures access to the lat-est technology.

“While we have many great people working in DST, we don’t have all of the best people. The idea of partnerships is to reach out and form alliances so we can bring the best people on board and solve the dif-ficult problems as quickly as possible,” Dr Zelinsky said.

“The Defence White Paper and the Industry Policy Statement out-lined the game changing technologies – cyber operations, autonomous systems, hypersonics, undersea warfare and quantum technology – all of which are areas we are looking at building partnerships in.”

Other technologies on show during Partnership Week 2016 included the new ‘haze grey’ paint, research on multi-vessel interactions while at sea and a smartphone app for controlling unmanned undersea vehicles.

20 FEATURES www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 30, 2016

Partners unite to display research

Above: Defence Science and Technology Group’s Maritime Division showcases an optimised exhaust baffle in their water-testing tank during Partnerships Week.Right: The latest generation of combat body armour and uniform is tested for a simulated hot environment on a sweating mannequin.Below: A visitor experiences an infra-red virtual reality flyover of Sydney Harbour. Photos: CPL Sebastian Beurich

21TRAININGJune 30, 2016 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT Adam Grover

PERMANENT and Reserve Navy divers have been working together in Tasmania’s cold, clean waters to sharpen their technical skills as well as overcoming the challenges of ‘bracing’ climatic conditions.

Members of AUSCDT1 and Australian Navy Reserve Diving Team 10 spent 10 days this month training and extending their operational capac-ity in underwater damage repair.

While the primary focus of clear-ance divers is explosive ordinance dis-

posal, they frequently work with other members of the Navy’s broader diving community to strengthen their ability to undertake underwater repairs.

The Tasmanian-based Reserve Diving Team 10 provides a range of capabilities which complement the per-manent capability including mine clear-ance diving and search and recovery.

In the context of their current work, the skills and competencies of the two dive teams have contributed to some exemplary training outcomes, including the search and recovery of a Cessna fuselage in a downed aircraft

scenario, practice in underwater weld-ing, cutting and salvage.

In January, AUSCDT1 established a underwater damage repair capacity.

WOCD Simon Danson said the team was rapidly developing its capa-bility in scuba equipment and under-water tools in conducting underwater damage repair activities.

“In order to accelerate the develop-ment of underwater damage repair skills, this period of dedicated training with Reserve Diving Team 10 allowed us to draw upon their unique skillsets and training aids in a truly unique

and challenging training area,” WO Danson said.

“The junior sailors now have an appreciation of the cold and dark water with multiple obstacles.

“They used three different types of dry suits and a variety of search tech-niques to get the job done.

“Many valuable lessons have been learned.”

ABCD Nathan Brooks said the particular climatic and water condi-tions had been a real eye-opener for a number of divers.

“I’ve never experienced diving in

such challenging conditions as the water temperature was four degrees and the air temp was zero, lucky we had recently been issued with new dry suits,” he said.

Detachment commander CPOCD Shaun Elliott said the close team work between the dive teams had resulted in a successful and rewarding period of training.

“This has been the first real test for our underwater damage repair ele-ment since it was established this year and they passed the test with flying colours.”

Stirling effort for firiesLEUT Todd Fitzgerald

MEMBERS of the Baldivis Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade were at HMAS Stirling recently, not in response to a fire, but to con-duct training at the RAN School of Ship Safety and Survivability (RANSSSS).

The state-of-the-art fire and flood fighting facilities on base allowed the brigade to practise on realistic scenarios and hone their skills, according to RANSSSS Manager WOMT Mark Karslake.

“While the facility is normally used to conduct ship and sub-marine fire training, it is easily adapted for the bush fire brigade,” WO Karslake said.

“Training such as ‘helo crash on deck’ suddenly becomes a fuel truck crash with a running fuel fire, the superstructure firefighting unit becomes the defensive structural fire.

“Not only does this allow the newer volunteer firefighters to get a feel for real firefighting, it also enhances their skills in a safe and controlled environment before they face the real danger.”

Former CPO and Baldvis Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade 4th Lieutenant Neil Chaplin said the training gave the volunteers hands-on experience with structural fires.

“The facilities at Stirling give us the opportunity to train for structural fires, which we don’t get to do often,” he said.

“Our normal training is make-believe – ‘if you were going to a house fire, this is what you would do’ – this adds another level of realism.

“It’s very important we know what to do and how to do it in a proficient manner when faced with one of these situations.”

The training also gives senior brigade members a chance to practise command and control techniques.

“This invaluable training allows uniformed and non-uniformed members from the same local community to engage in a day of training that could one day potentially be a benefit to everyone,” WO Karslake said.

Mr Chaplin said the fire brigade always had a waiting list for the training.

“The team absolutely loves the training. After the first few ses-sions, they know what training they are going to get, and there are always more volunteers then we can possibly take,” he said.

Baldivis is a semi-rural residential suburb 46km south of Perth, and 11km southeast of the regional centre of Rockingham – home to Stirling.

The training was part of Stirling’s ongoing commitment to the local community.

RANSSSS staff gave up their weekend to support the bushfire brigade.

WOMT Mark Karslake reviews firefighting techniques and (inset) the four lieutenants from Baldivis, from left, Brenton Smith, Neil Chaplin, Rik Mills, Aaron Higgins

Cool teamwork adds to skills

POCD Chad Buhlmann and ABCD George Cantarakas (left) are ready to search for a downed aircraft as part of a training exercise in Tasmania and (below) members of AUSCDT1 and Reserve Diving Team 10 on the water.

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A division of

Mind your miracle moleculesAntioxidants in isolation may do more harm than good, CPL Max Bree writes

THEY’RE billed as miracle mol-ecules that reduce the risk of disease and increase your gen-eral wellbeing, but loading up

on antioxidants in the form of vitamins or extracts might not be the best idea.

Oxidants, or ‘free radicals’, are pro-duced by the body when immune cells kill pathogens and pave the way for repair mechanisms to kick in.

But an overproduction of free radi-cals can result in inflammation that dam-ages tissues. Antioxidants balance out the process.

They can be found in produce such as green tea, fruits, vegetables and some nuts. But many products are offered as antioxidant alternatives or extracts.

The co-director of the Clinical Nutrition Research Centre at the University of Newcastle, Manohar Garg, said these may not have the same effect.

“Antioxidants in purified form are chemically identical to those present in whole foods but may not be effective when consumed in isolation,” he said.

“Consumption in the form of supple-ments or extracts raises serious concerns about their bioavailability, toxicity and,

in some cases, suppressing the immune system.

‘‘Proper absorption and utilisation of antioxidants may require other fac-tors [nutrients and non-nutrients] that can only be obtained from eating whole foods.

“If extracts are to be taken to obtain antioxidants, these must be taken with meals in order to optimise their bioavail-ability and utilisation in the body.”

Prof Garg said people shouldn’t need extracts if their diet is balanced with nutrients.

Nor should they worry about seeking out products marketed as “rich in anti-oxidants”.

“Concrete evidence of the role of antioxidants in the prevention of chronic disease is lacking in the scientific litera-ture,” he said.

“In fact, ‘antioxidant’ is an outdated term unless a specific function in bio-chemical and metabolic pathways is associated with it.”

It is believed antioxidants from veg-etables, legumes and fruit must be con-sumed regularly to be most effective.

A MATTER OF BALANCESome dietary sources of antioxidants:Beta-carotene – pumpkin, mangoes, apricots, carrots, spinach and parsleyCopper – seafood, lean meat, milk and nutsPolyphenols – thyme and oreganoVitamin C – oranges, blackcurrants, kiwifruit, mangoes, broccoli, spin-ach, capsicum and strawberriesZoo chemicals – red meat, offal and fish (also derived from the plants that animals eat)Lignans – sesame seeds, bran, whole grains and vegetablesLutein – green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, and corn

22 HEALTH www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 30, 2016

Concentrated forms of antioxidants or extracts should not be needed if

you have a balanced diet.

1300 131 050www.stratton.com.au

TRANSPARENTNOVATEDLEASING

23SPORTJune 30, 2016 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT Kirsti Burtenshaw

THEY work side by side in peacetime and on operations both domestically and abroad. However, on July 1 the ADF and a national police team representing all state and territory police forces will be on opposing sides as they battle it out for rugby union supremacy.

Coming off the back of their respec-tive rugby championships, both teams will be in prime condition for an inaugu-ral game not to be missed.

The coaches of the teams are excited about their team’s prospects, but are not leaving anything to chance

ADF coach SPR Keli Fukofuka said he was expecting a tough encounter.

“Taking into account the physically demanding roles undertaken by both Defence and Australian Police members, I expect the game to be very physical,” SPR Fukofuka said.

“It will be a tightly contested match and provides a positive step in con-tinuing to build a strong relationship between services that play a vital role within the Australian community.”

APRU President Sergeant Brett Howard (NSW) said the police team was looking forward to the encounter.

“All at the APRU are excited by the opportunity to play against such a high quality side,” Sergeant Howard said.

“We expect it to be a great chal-lenge for our guys and hope it is a first step in building a strong relationship between police and our armed services colleagues.

“We have seen these guys play before and are ready for a stern test.”

Kick off is 3pm at Portsea Oval, RMC Canberra, and entry is free.

Keep up to date with both teams on Facebook /ADFRugby and /AustPoliceRugbyUnion.

SEND YOURSPORTS

STORIES TO:max.bree@

defencenews.gov.au

Law enforcers take on ADF

CPL Max Bree

HMAS Albatross took top spot at the Navy East Coast touch football championships for the second year running.

A field of 19 teams from different ships and establishments battled it out for the cov-eted Adelaide Cup at Queens Park in Sydney on June 15.

Albatross travelled up to Sydney with Young Guns and Old Boys teams but experi-ence was the deciding factor according to Old Boys’ player CPOATA Raimund Winkler.

“A few of us have played together for the best part of 20 years and, when combined with a few others, they made up half our team,” he said.

“We know how to play to each other’s strengths and managed a lunch time training run leading up to the event.”

HMAS Kuttabul beat HMAS Choules in the runners-up final 3-1 to win the Benny Hill plate before it was on to the grand final.

The Old Boys from Albatross clashed with a team from HMAS Waterhen and CPO Winkler knew it wasn’t going to be an easy run.

“They had a very good team and were cer-tainly capable of beating us as they scored first when we met during the pool games,” he said.

“We didn’t take them lightly as they had broken our defensive line earlier in the day.

“We had to be fully prepared going into the grand final.”

The Waterhen team proved to be a worthy opposition, but after some continued pres-sure, the experienced Albatross Old Boys team managed to break Waterhen’s line to win the game win 3-0.

“It was always going to be a tough game with limited scoring opportunities due to the strong defensive efforts displayed by both teams,” CPO Winkler said.

“It wasn’t about speed but more experience that got us across the line. We had a couple of moves up our sleeve that we could come out with on the day.”

CPO Winkler also won the competition’s most valuable player meaning he will finish his Navy touch football career on a high as he retires from the ADF in July.

“You don’t go up expecting to win, you go up hoping to win but it was certainly nice to finish on top,” he said.

Old Boys’ new tricks win the cup

CPL Max Bree

A RAIN-soaked and wind-swept track couldn’t stop CMDR Emma Griffiths qualifying for the world championships during the Cairns Ironman on June 12.

“There was some strong winds which meant a big swell and water choppy to swim through,” she said.

“The wind made it pretty hard on the bike leg as well.

“It was a pretty difficult race but it was the same for everyone else.”

She finished the arduous race in 15hr and qualified for the world competition to be held in Hawaii in October.

“There was only one position for over-40s women in the military division,” she said.

“I came second and a woman from New Zealand beat me but she didn’t want the spot and I thought I’m not going to miss out, so I took it.”

Unfortunately, a ticket to the world champion-ships wasn’t the only thing CMDR Griffiths came away from the race with.

“My two big toenails started coming off after the race because it was such a wet day and you’re

continually pounding the pavement,” she said.“It’s quite common but it’s not a very charm-

ing side to competing.”To prepare herself for the 3.8km swim, 180km

ride and 42km run, CMDR Griffiths trains about 23 hours outside work each week.

“I originally started in 2006 to support my husband who was into it,” she said.

“You don’t have to be an ultra-athlete because you have 17 hours to do the race in.”

CMDR Griffiths previously raced on the Hawaiian course in a half ironman when she was posted to the island.

“I’m looking forward to getting back and being stronger on the bike than I was the first time,” she said.

Though CMDR Griffiths doesn’t consider herself strong on any particular leg, she does have her favourites.

“I like the run but my knees don’t like it so much,” she said.

“I also have a new bike so I’m really enjoying that at the moment.”

LEUT David Stevenson finished the Cairns race in 54th overall in 9hr 48min while LSET SM Joel Macallister came 58th in 9.49 though neither qualified for the world championships.

Hawaii-bound after strong finish in Cairns

CMDR Emma Griffiths before the Cairns Ironman (left) and with her trophy (above) for finishing second in the over 40s women’s military division.

LSPT Darin Trudgett presents ABATV Aidan Muller, of HMAS Albatross, with the Adelaide Cup after his team won the annual touch football competition held at Queens Park, Sydney. Photo: ABIS Bonny Gassner

NEW ENEMIES FOLLOW OUR veterans HOMEMany returning veterans come home only to face new enemies – enemies they’ve never been

trained to fight. DefenceCare helps them with these battles.

To give $5, please text ‘CARE’ to 1990 1111. fightingnewenemies.com.auJames DallasAustralian VeteranClaims Manager, DefenceCare

Peter Hartung German WW2 Veteran

SPORTVolume 59, No. 11, June 30, 2016

CAN’T TOUCH THISExperience the winner as Old Boys win Adelaide Cup

– Page 23

CPOATA Benjamin Seaman, of HMAS Albatross, plays the ball to teammate CPOATA Raimund Winkler during the final of the Adelaide Cup against HMAS Waterhen. Photo: ABIS Bonny Gassner