Special feature – 2016 Defence White Paper

POTENT FORCE

2016 Defence White Paper to provide massive capability boost for Army

♦ New unmanned aircraft for troop protection

♦ New long-range rocket and artillery program

♦ Attack helicopters♦ Upgraded M1 Abrams

Main Battle Tanks

M1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks from 1 Armd Regt engage a target during a live-fire exercise. The Abrams are set to be upgraded. Photo by Cpl Oliver Carter

March 10, 2016 White Paperwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews2 3

Australian soldiers will continue to receive the world-class equipment, weapons systems and protection they need to undertake their critical roles as part of an integrated joint force in Australia and across the world.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Bases in Brisbane, Darwin, Sydney, Perth, Puckapunyal and Townsville will be upgraded, as well as weapon ranges and training areas such as Puckapunyal and Shoalwater Bay by 2025-26.

SPECIAL FORCES Australia’s Special Forces undertake complex tactical opera-tions across a range of combat environments.

Capability will be significantly enhanced with new high-end weapons, improved mission command networks and situational awareness tools, enhanced tactical mobility, spe-cialised force protection, and logistic support capabilities.

The government will also deliver a new fleet of utility heli-copters, which are rapidly deployable by the Globemaster, from the mid-2020s to enhance mobility, reconnaissance and fire support for Special Operations missions.

TROOP NUMBERS

About 700 additional ADF positions will be allocated by 2025-26 to support our strengthened land combat and amphibi-ous warfare capabilities. The permanent ADF workforce will grow to around 62,400 over the next decade.

BOLSTERING JOINT LAND FORCE

The Shoalwater Bay Training Area will be upgraded. Photo by Cpl Guy Young

Troop numbers will increase. Photo by Cpl Nunu Campos

Special Forces capability will be enhanced. Photo by Sgt Mick Davis

AIR-LIFT CAPABILITY Army’s troop movement will be enhanced through 10 CH-47F Chinook medium-lift helicopters currently being introduced into service to replace the CH-47D fleet, including three additional Chinooks above previous plans.

The Chinooks will be able to move stores, vehicles, artillery and personnel around the battlefield or from ships to the land without needing airfields.

The Chinooks will be upgraded as required to ensure they remain support-able by the US logistic system. New aeromedical evacuation equipment will be acquired for the Chinook to provide an enhanced aeromedical evacuation capa-bility for the ADF.

Army will also operate up to 41 MRH-90 troop-lift helicopters to complement its fleet of CH-47F Chinooks.

Ten CH-47F Chinooks will replace the

CH-47D fleet. Photo by LS Jayson Tufrey

VEHICLE FLEETSASLAVs and M113AS4 APCs will be replaced with new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle and Infantry Fighting Vehicle fleets. The 59 M1 Main Battle Tanks will be upgraded to maintain effectiveness against evolv-ing threats and interoperability with other ADF platforms and systems.

A convoy of Bushmasters and ASLAVs move troops around the Deh Rafshan Valley, Afghanistan. Photo by LS Jo Dilorenzo

THE capability plans in the 2016 Defence White Paper ensure that Army has the capabilities to ful-fil its commitment to contribute

the best integrated capability to the Joint force.

This includes building on the work already in progress with Navy and Air Force to further develop Defence’s amphibious capability and improved air-land integration, particularly in the Joint fires arena.

This was the message from CA Lt-Gen Angus Campbell as the White Paper was launched in Canberra on February 25.

“The government will invest around 18 per cent of Defence capital expenditure by 2025-26 in land combat and amphibious warfare capabilities,” he said.

“These enhancements will increase Australia’s capacity for both combat and non-combat operations, including secu-rity and stabilisation operations, and the provision of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”

In addition to already approved pro-jects, the White Paper lists a number of new investments to improve Army’s situ-ational awareness, firepower, protection, mobility and force sustainability.

It includes a program for continuously improving the soldier’s personal equip-ment, covering personal weapons, body armour, night-fighting equipment and pro-tective equipment to mitigate chemical, biological and radiological threats.

In addition there will be continued investment in key capabilities like the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, a cornerstone of the combined arms team, and the con-tinued expansion of Army’s digital com-munications and networks with enhanced Joint integration.

Lt-Gen Campbell said Defence would “continuously monitor, adapt and improve the personal equipment and weapon sys-tems to respond quickly to evolving opera-tional requirements”.

Another key investment will be the acquisition of a new generation of armoured vehicles to allow Army to oper-ate in the increasingly lethal battlespace.

These vehicles will have the firepower, protection and mobility to operate effec-tively over a broad range of missions. They will also be fitted with a range of inte-grated systems that will allow soldiers to harness the collective capabilities of the joint force. Armoured bridging and breach-ing platforms will be acquired to support the mobility and survivability of this capa-bility.

A new armed intelligence, surveil-lance and reconnaissance (ISR) unmanned aircraft capability is programmed for the early 2020s, to facilitate the timely deliv-ery of accurate information to commanders at all levels and provide superior situation-al awareness to inform decision making.

This capacity will enhance the ADF’s counter-terrorism support capability over-seas and could augment search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and coastal surveillance.

New small unmanned aircraft will also provide better real-time ISR support to tac-tical commanders.

A new long-range rocket system will be acquired in the mid-2020s to provide addi-tional firepower at greater distances, out to 300km, to complement Army’s existing artillery capability.

Army’s 22 Tiger ARHs, which provide a responsive reconnaissance and attack platform to support joint operations, will receive essential capability upgrades to maintain effectiveness. The Tiger fleet will be replaced from the mid-2020s with a fleet of manned or unmanned systems, or a combination of both.

Battlefield logistics support to our troops will also be enhanced, including deployable logistics information systems, and replacement of maritime transport ves-sels.

A riverine patrol capacity will be re-established through a fleet of lightly armed boats from around 2022 to allow opera-tions in estuarine environments.

There will also be increased invest-ment in training, weapons ranges and test-ing facilities, and investment in upgrad-ing facilities that enable ADF training and exercises.

WHAT IS NEW FOR THE JOINT LAND FORCE?

Head Modernisation and Strategic Plans – Army Maj-Gen Gus McLachlan outlines what’s new in the White Paper and what it means for Army:

“Throughout the Force Structure Review process, CA took a joint land force view, rather than just focusing on Army,” Maj-Gen McLachlan said.

“For example, Army will benefit from the acquisition of an armed UAS like the MQ-9 Reaper, capable of long endurance over the battlespace and precision fires in sup-port of troops in contact.

“Army is also directed to form a cyber force element capable of actively defending our increasingly digitised force.”

Maj-Gen McLachlan said Commander 6 Bde Brig Marcus Thompson – who has a PhD in Cyber Studies – had been directed by CA to lead the development of the Army cyber capability.

“In anticipation of the White Paper outcome, Army began a series of training activities for Army personnel in cyber operations in 2015. These will continue this year,” he said.

“Army will also benefit from increased numbers of intelligence personnel to bolster the capability within the Army and help Army contribute more capacity to strategic intelligence agencies, such as the Defence Intelligence Organisation.”

The White Paper also introduced Army to a new era of lethality and reach.

“Army will receive long-range surface-to-surface rockets with a range out to 300km,” Maj-Gen McLachlan said.

“These will be similar to the HIMARS rockets many of our soldiers will have seen in use by the US Marine Corps in Afghanistan.

“They are a tremendous increase in the firepower, range and accuracy of the Army.

“In a similar boost to Army capabilities available to a government in the future will be a land-based anti-ship mis-sile and a vastly improved anti-aircraft system.

“These new capabilities will allow Army to make an active contribution to our maritime strategy by defending areas and choke points with integral land systems and thus freeing air and maritime assets to be employed elsewhere.

“These will introduce new skills and new joint integration requirements to Army so they will be grown steadily over the next decade.”

Maj-Gen McLachlan said our Special Forces would also receive a new utility helicopter that would be more agile and deployable than the MRH-90.

“This will extend the reach of Special Forces for activi-ties such as special recovery operations offshore,” he said.

“Supported by additional CH-47F and continued mod-ernisation of the Tiger and MRH-90, Army will have a potent helicopter force for many years to come.”

The first firing in Australia of the US Marine Corps’ High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at Bradshaw Field Training Area, Northern Territory, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2015. Photo by WO2 Neil Ruskin

ARMED MEDIUM-ALTITUDE LONG-ENDURANCE UASRecent experience has demonstrated the benefit of deployable UAS that can provide persistent intelli-gence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, strike and dynamic mission tasking in sup-port of Special Operations and land forces.

Key to success will be enhanced air-land integration to improve speed of execution and situational awareness to enable a more agile, efficient and timely response to an intelligent, well-armed and moti-vated adversary.

This Air Force project will grow the joint force capability through acquisition of an advanced armed, medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS for an integrated and persistent ISR and attack capability (like the MQ-9 Reaper) that can be armed with air-to-ground missiles and other precision-guided munitions to sup-port joint land forces. It is programmed for the early 2020s.

The additional ISR role will augment humanitarian and disaster relief missions and coastal surveillance operations.

An MQ-9 Reaper at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.Photo by Sgt William Guthrie

March 10, 2016White Paper www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews4

SUPPORT TO OUR PEOPLESupport will continue to ADF families during postings, relocations and when a member is deployed.

Changes to the indexation of the Defence Forces Retirement Benefits and Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits superannuation schemes have been made to ensure military pensions keep pace with the cost of living.

A contemporary superannuation scheme will be intro-duced for new ADF members from July next year. The new superannuation arrangements will provide addi-tional flexibility for ADF members.

Defence will continue to support the activities of ex-service organisations that assist serving and former ADF members.

Supporting members and their families is a key priority. Photo by Cpl Mark Doran

SMALL ARMSA new program of enhancements to soldiers’ equipment will be implemented, including small arms, such as rifles and pistols, direct-fire support weapons and mortars.

New digital communications systems, body armour, helmets, night-fighting equipment, personal protective equipment and load carriage systems will also be acquired.

Soldiers’ equipment will be significantly enhanced. Photo by LS Jo Dilorenzo

Edition 1368 March 10, 2016

VITAL AIDSoldiers head to Fiji to help clean-up efforts in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston – CENTREPIECE

Local children watch as a Taipan MRH-90 lands on Koro Island, Fiji. Photo by AB Chris Beerens

KAPOOKA JOBS P7TACTICS AT TAJI P4-5

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ALL three services are set to ben-efit from the February 25 release of the 2016 Defence White Paper, with materiel procurement, intel-ligence surveillance and recon-naissance (ISR), infrastructure upgrades and recruitment of per-sonnel over the coming decades topping the list.

The government will increase Defence funding to two per cent of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product by 2020-21.

The funding plan provides $29.9 billion more to 2025-26 than previ-ously planned, including about $195 billion of investment in Defence capa-bility.

At the ADFA launch Defence Minister Marise Payne said it was an exciting day for Defence.

“The 2016 Defence White Paper will deliver a more integrated ADF, more capable of conducting inde-pendent combat operations to defend Australia and protect our interests in our immediate region, while enhancing our ability to operate with the US and contribute to global coalition opera-tions,” Ms Payne said.

“The 2016 White Paper sets out our funding commitment in real terms over the next 10 years.

“Australia’s security and prosperity are directly affected by events in our region and the wider world.

“This White Paper sets out the gov-ernment’s defence strategy to protect and promote our strategic defence interests wherever they are engaged – in our immediate neighbourhood, in our region and across the globe.”

ISR capabilities will be modernised to ensure that the ADF has comprehen-sive situational awareness, including an additional seven P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance and response aircraft, for a total of 15 aircraft in the late 2020s.

A new electronic warfare support capability based on the Gulfstream G550 airframe with additional modi-fied systems, and seven high altitude MQ-4C Triton unmanned surveillance aircraft, will also be acquired in the early 2020s. So too will an armed medium-altitude ISR unmanned air-craft system.

The White Paper focuses on invest-ment in vital enablers, including developing and maintaining critical infrastructure on Defence bases, train-ing and testing facilities, transforming Defence’s ICT system, and enhancing the skills of the men and women of the ADF.

The land force will receive world-class equipment, weapons systems and protection equipment, including new rifles and pistols, direct-fire support

White Paper for the future Defence funding to increase to two per cent of GDP

weapons, including those used against armoured vehicles, bunkers and instal-lations, as well as indirect weapons such as mortars.

New improved personal protective equipment will be acquired, such as body armour, night-fighting equip-ment, and protective equipment to mitigate chemical, biological and radiological threats.

The land force will also be enhanced with new weapons and force protection for soldiers and a new gen-eration of armoured combat reconnais-sance, infantry fighting and protected

mobility vehicles, as well as upgrades for the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank fleet, and new combat engineering equipment.

A new fleet of utility helicopters will also enhance mobility for Special Operations missions.

The government will extend the range of combat and surveillance aircraft, acquiring two additional KC-30A air-to-air refuellers before the end of this decade, for a total of seven aircraft. The government will also consider expanding the fleet to nine aircraft in the longer-term.

Sea-lift capability will also be enhanced through two new replen-ishment ships and by upgrading and extending the life of the logistics ship, HMAS Choules.

The government will also enhance the ADF’s aeromedical evacuation capability, beginning with the acquisi-tion of new aeromedical evacuation equipment for the additional Chinook helicopters by 2025-26.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also attended the launch at ADFA and said the security of Australia and its people was the most fundamental

responsibility for government.“This White Paper is a plan to

deliver a more potent, agile and engaged ADF that is ready to respond whenever our interests are threatened or our help is needed,” he said.

“It is a plan to become more pow-erful on land and in the skies, and more commanding both on the seas and beneath them.

“It is a program to be more resilient in the cyber space, to be more inno-vative with technology, and to have greater situational awareness, thanks to our advanced intelligence capabilities.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and CDF ACM Mark Binskin speak to Army officer cadets at the launch of the 2016 Defence White Paper at ADFA in Canberra. Photo by Lauren Larking

March 10, 2016 Newswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 3

White Paper for the future

“In the next two decades, half of the world’s submarines and at least half of the world’s advanced combat aircraft will be operating in the Indo-Pacific region – in our region. This complicates the outlook for our security and strategic planning.”

As part of the plan, the ADF’s maritime capabili-ties will be modernised with an increase from six-to-12 region-ally superior submarines with a high degree of interoperability with the US.

Nine new anti-submarine warfare frigates will replace the existing fleet of eight Anzac-class frigates from the late 2020s, while 12 new Australian-built offshore patrol vessels will enter service from the early 2020s, replacing the 13 Armidale-class patrol boats.

The ADF’s air combat and air strike capability will be strengthened by the introduction of the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft and F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters, and new air-to-surface, air-to-air and high-speed and long-range strike and anti-ship weapons.

Amphibious capabilities will also be enhanced, centred on the two Canberra-class amphibious ships.

The permanent ADF force will grow to around 62,400 by 2025-26, and 1200 APS positions will be cre-ated within a total APS workforce of around 18,200.

Defence will invest in skilling the workforce through innovative recruitment, train-ing, retention and re-shaping initiatives to ensure that the White Paper goals are met.

For the first time, the government’s major investments in new weapons, platforms, systems, and the enabling infrastructure, workforce, and ICT are outlined in the Integrated Investment Program, which has been published with the White Paper.

Addressing hundreds of ADFA cadets at the launch, the PM dedicated the White Paper to them and their gen-eration of Australians whose security the plan was designed to ensure.

“This will now become your responsibility to maintain,” he said.

“A stronger Australia supports a safer Australia, a safer region and a safer world.”

Visit www.defence.gov.au/WhitePaper to read the plan in full.

Leaders explain future capabilities

CDF ACM Mark Binskin conducts a media briefing on the future capabilities outlined in the 2016 Defence White Paper at Russell Offices in Canberra. Next to him are Head Navy Capability RAdm Johnathan Mead and Head Modernisation and Strategic Plans – Army Maj-Gen Gus McLachlan. Photo by Lauren Larking

LCpl Sebastian Beurich

CDF ACM Mark Binskin sat down for a round table meeting with members of the Australian media on March 1 to discuss future capabilities outlined in the 2016 Defence White Paper.

Joined by the lead of the Force Structure Review Neil Orme, Head One Defence Implementation AVM Neil Hart, Head Navy Capability RAdm Johnathan Mead and Head Modernisation and Strategic Plans – Army Maj-Gen Gus McLachlan, the 45-min-ute briefing gave the media an opportunity to ask Defence’s senior leadership questions about the White Paper.

Special Forces’ capability was among the topics discussed.

“Special Forces’ manoeuvrability in the battlespace is limited by not being able to deploy helicopters for-ward quickly,” CDF said.

“[With the new fleet of utility helicopters] we can load a number of these onto a C-17A Globemaster, which will enable us to fly our Special Forces in with them at the same time.

“It doesn’t mean we wouldn’t still rely on coalition air assets, but it does give us more autonomy in some scenarios.”

Another key topic was the possibility that a capabil-ity gap will arise between the retirement of the Collins-class and the commissioning of the future submarines.

“It’s probable two Collins’ will have to go through an additional maintenance period to be able to cover off on the capabilities we need,” he said.

“We’re not going to retire them and have no boats in the water, or reduced boats in the water.”

CDF said a review would be conducted in the late 2020s to consider if the configuration of the subma-rines remained suitable.

“What that means is boat 12 may not look like boat one. You want to have the flexibility to build in flights of three or four at a time,” he said.

“The basic hull design is the same, but we’re con-tinuing to evolve the systems as we learn and grow.”

The group was then asked what the capability pri-orities of the White Paper say about the strategic priori-ties for Australia over the next half century.

“People say ‘how would you do all of that at once?’, but that’s not the intent,” CDF said.

“The force is employable in those areas, but we can’t spread ourselves across all of them in one sce-nario.”

Mr Orme said the Force Structure Review was about synchronising the strategic intent of the govern-ment.

“The government had extensive discussions through the early stage of the White Paper about what missions it wanted the ADF to do and what resources they were prepared to invest,” he said.

“Balancing those two figures, in a simple term, spits out a force structure.”

A new fleet of utility helicopters will enhance mobility for Special Operations missions.

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Focusing on tactics at Taji

AUSTRALIAN and New Zealand Army trainers instructing Iraqi soldiers at the Taji Military Complex in

Iraq have completed a two-week tac-tics package focusing on situations the Iraqi Army will face in combat against Daesh.

The training was given to Iraqi soldiers on the NCO junior leaders course and was designed as a “train the trainer” package, which will see the soldiers share their new skills on return to their parent units.

Task Group Taji trainer Capt Matt Sebesfi said tactics training focused on improving and building on the skills the course participants had already been taught.

“It starts off with basic patrolling for-mations in open country and then evolves into complex urban scenarios,” he said.

“The urban training incorporates tasks such as clearing multi-storey build-

ings, raids by night and the integration of armoured vehicles.”

Capt Sebesfi said the Iraqi soldiers responded well during training.

“They are always open to suggestions as long as you can back it up with an explanation of why you should do the drill that way,” he said.

Australian trainer WO2 Greg Wright said the Australian and New Zealand soldiers enjoyed the training challenges, knowing the skills they taught would save lives in the future.

“Training the Iraqis has been an inter-esting experience,” he said.

“The soldiers have been receptive to the training and have been interactive. It has been very rewarding.”

Australian trainer Pte Mohamad Saleh said the deployment had been a career highlight.

“I think this is the best job I have done in my career so far,” he said.

The Iraqi Army’s junior leaders practise their infantry tactics under the watchful eyes of their Australian and New Zealand mentors, Cpl Jake Sims reports.

Pte Mohamad Saleh mentors an Iraqi soldier.

An Iraqi soldier clears a room during training on the junior leaders course. Photos by Cpl Jake Sims

Iraqi soldiers move forward behind the cover of an infantry fighting vehicle during urban assault training.

Pte Mohamad Saleh instructs Iraqi soldiers as they clear a building.

March 10, 2016 Newswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 5

Focusing on tactics at Taji

An Australian trainer instructs Iraqi soldiers during urban combat training.

An Iraqi soldier clears a room during an urban training scenario.

An Australian trainer briefs Iraqi soldiers during urban combat training.

Pte Mohamad Saleh instructs Iraqi soldiers as they clear a building.

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Sgt Dave Morley

THE ROLE of a recruit instruc-tor is more important than ever for Army, which now wants to recognise and reward service with preferen-tial posting outcomes and an annual bonus for those who start the careers of future soldiers.

D i r e c t o r S o l d i e r C a r e e r Management – Army (DSCM-A) Col Scott Winter told recruit instructors at ARTC they fulfilled a critical function on behalf of Army during a visit to Kapooka on February 25.

Col Winter said recruit instructors introduced new soldiers to Army’s val-ues, shaped their approach to soldier-ing, and laid the foundation for mili-tary careers.

“Additionally, JNCOs and SNCOs who serve at ARTC develop and refine their own leadership and instructional skills,” Col Winter said.

“As a CO, I could easily identify NCOs who had served at Kapooka – their ability to train, correct faults and mentor soldiers made them stand out from their peers.

“In this sense, ARTC fulfils another key function for Army in the develop-ment of our junior and senior enlisted leaders. This message is reinforced when I look at Army’s most senior warrant officers, all of who have served at ARTC, RMC, or both.”

Col Winter said one measure DSCM-A sought to implement was to provide preferential posting outcomes following a posting to ARTC.

“DSCM-A appreciates service as an RI is demanding on members and their families, and a posting to ARTC can be disruptive for the family unit,” he said.

“While Army’s needs and the CA’s priorities remain paramount, wherever possible, RIs will be given postings to preferred units and locations on com-pletion of their tenures.

“This consideration is, of course, contingent on good performance and maintenance of AIRN compliance.”

Col Winter said unit command teams and DSCM-A needed to rein-force the importance of service at ARTC with soldiers and JNCOs early in their careers, so members could plan and look forward to a posting to the training establishment.

“It’s important we recognise and reward service as an RI,” he said.

“Recently, Army was successful in implementing a new annual RI bonus of $13,000 before tax and this is one significant and tangible measure.

“Another we have put in place is actively weighting additional merit for good performance at ARTC dur-ing Personnel Advisory Committees (PACs) when determining competitive-ness for promotion.

“This not only rewards service as an RI, but recognises the additional skills and experience such service gives to the individual.”

Col Winter said while these meas-ures were aimed at service as an RI, DSCM-A recognised the critical role played by instructors at all training establishments.

“The fundamental importance of ensuring high-quality training and edu-cation is clear, however, so too is the place instructional appointments have in the development of professional mastery in Army’s enlisted leaders,” he said.

“Appointments at corps schools and all-corps training establishments also attract merit weighting at PAC and are recognised in the development of follow-on posting options.”

DSCM-A is also actively seeking interest from recently separated NCOs with RI experience to continue to pro-vide service to ARTC.

For more information, contact DSCM-A on (02) 6144 7746.

Rewards boost for RIs Recruit instructors who perform are set to gain appealing benefits such as preferential posting outcomes

“Giving RIs a choice

of posting when they’re finished is a pretty good

idea.– Cpl Craig Walker,

section commander, 1RTB

CHANCE TO CHOOSE NEXT POSTING APPEALSBEING able to choose your posting after serving as a recruit instructor is a big drawcard according to Cpl Craig Walker.

Cpl Walker is a section commander in E Coy, 1RTB, and said he was impressed with the plan for instructors to be able to choose where they post to from Kapooka.

“I think it’s a big drawcard for people to come here as RIs and I agree with corporals getting the posting of their preference after they do two-to-three years here,” he said.

Cpl Walker said he enjoyed having a direct impact on people who had joined the Army straight off the street.

“For 12 weeks we put them through quite a rigorous training program and it’s good to see their development as the weeks go on,” he said.

“It’s always a proud moment to see them

march out, knowing you’ve had a direct impact on not just their jobs, but changing their lives in general.

“I believe this place sets you up for success with regards to your future and that’s highlighted when RI corporals do subject one for sergeant.

“In my experience, going on subject one for sergeant from here, it was an easier course for me because of the skills I’ve developed since I’ve been here.”

Cpl Walker is in his fourth year at ARTC.“I did two years as a section commander at C

Coy and one year as the evaluations corporal in the training review cell,” he said.

“I volunteered to come here and have never doubted that decision, and while there have been a few stressful moments at times, I think all in all it has been a good experience.”

DSCM-A Col Scott Winter, centre, addresses recruit instructors at ARTC Kapooka on February 25.

ARTC OFFERS DEVELOPMENT GROWTHA POSTING at ARTC improves all your personal soldiering skills, says Sgt Adam Bent, platoon ser-geant of 45 Pl, E Coy, 1RTB.

Sgt Bent, who is into the sec-ond year of his second posting to ARTC, said what he enjoyed most was the structure and knowing what he would be doing through-out the year.

“Working here gives you the very basic soldier skills, but also

the knowledge on how to adminis-ter a large number of soldiers in a way you might not do in a normal unit,” he said.

“You can be managing up to 60 recruits here as a platoon ser-geant, which you wouldn’t do in a normal unit.

“A posting here improves your own soldiering skills and allows you to impart you own particular niche into a new recruit.”

According to Sgt Bent, being an recruitment instructor had a lot going for it. “RIs can gain new skills that they wouldn’t get at a normal unit,” he said.

“I think giving RIs a choice of posting when they’re finished here is a pretty good idea, too.

“To have that option is great, and when I finish here I’d like to go back to Brisbane and serve in a unit up there.”

Platoon sergeant E Coy 1RTB Sgt Adam Bent, left, and section commander E Coy 1RTB Cpl Craig Walker, right, chat with DSCM-A Col Scott Winter, centre, at ARTC Kapooka on February 25. Photos by Sgt David Morley

March 10, 2016News www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews8

LCpl Sebastian Beurich

DEFENCE had a bumper year for blood donations in 2015, with almost 19,000 donations recorded between the three services and the APS during the annual blood challenge.

Staff from the Australian Red Cross Blood Service recognised Defence’s significant contribution by present-ing an outstanding achievement award to CDF ACM Mark Binskin during a ceremony at Old Parliament House in Canberra on February 23.

ACM Binskin said he was happy to accept the award on behalf of Defence.

“Defence is proud to support the Red Cross Blood Service,” he said.

“I’m pleased to say we’ve increased our donations by 10 per cent over the past year, which demonstrates our com-mitment to this life-saving organisation.

“I’m told the combined Emergency Services are hot on our heels, so the challenge is on to lift our numbers in 2016.”

More than 430 new donors were recruited during the 2015 Defence Blood Challenge, which helped to save about 56,700 lives through blood and plasma transfusions and other blood products.

Army led the way in raw donations over the year with 7815, but Air Force had the highest employee participation, with 7.9 per cent of its workforce giving blood.

RED25 is the Australian Red Cross Blood Service challenge to the corpora-tions of Australia – to achieve 25 per cent of the country’s donations. Defence is the largest participant in the RED25 challenge.

Army birthday marked in Canberra

THE Defence Blood Challenge is looking for service ambassa-dors and regional coordinators, as well as anyone who is inter-ested in supporting the 2016 challenge.

A poster competition will also be held this year to pro-mote the Blood Challenge.

If you are interested in sup-porting the challenge this year, or have any ideas, email Maj Gary Schulz at gary.schulz1@defence.gov.au or join the Blood Group on ForceNet.

AMBASSADORS

Overall 2015 donations/lives saved: Army: 7815/23,445 Air Force: 5069/15,207 Navy: 3148/9444 Defence APS: 2688/8598

SAVING LIVES

CDF ACM Mark Binskin and Defence Blood Challenge manager Maj Gary Schulz hold the RED25 National Award for Outstanding Achievement. Photo by LCpl Sebastian Beurich

Army takes out 2015 blood challenge

Soldiers attend the Army birthday commemorative service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on March 1. Inset: Musn Justin Williams plays the Last Post. Photos by Cpl Janine Fabre

Celebrating 115 years

“Since 1901 the Australian Army has resolutely served our nation

at home and abroad...– Maj-Gen Rick Burr, Deputy Chief of Army

SOLDIERS from across Canberra converged on the Australian War Memorial (AWM) early on March 1 to celebrate Army’s 115 birthday.

DCA Maj-Gen Rick Burr deliv-ered the address to mark the occasion, speaking proudly of Army’s history and service to Australia and forecast-ing a bright future for all who continue to serve.

He said the birthday was a signifi-cant milestone.

“At home or on operations, wher-ever we are, we always take the time to celebrate the anniversary of the forma-tion of the Australian Army on March 1, 1901,” he said.

“Since 1901 the Australian Army has resolutely served our nation at home and abroad, promoting and protecting Australia’s interests, deter-ring and defeating threats and helping Australians and others in times of need – this is the Australian way; it is the Army way.

CDF ACM Mark Binskin joined DCA, Chief of Navy VAdm Tim

Barrett and Chief of Air Force Air-Mshl Leo Davies in laying wreaths at the base of the Afghanistan plinths in Capt Reg Saunders Courtyard at the AWM.

Although the history of the Australian Army dates back to the various state-based colonial forces, it wasn’t until two months after the Commonwealth of Australia was founded that the Australian Army was created on 1 March 1901.

On that day, as many Australian soldiers continued to fight in the Boer War in southern Africa, more than 28,000 full-time, militia and volun-teers soldiers were transferred into the fledgling Australian Army.

Today, more than 45,000 soldiers continue to provide the government with the broadest range of military options to deliver humanitarian assis-tance and disaster relief, conduct peacekeeping and stabilisation opera-tions, deter aggression, and defend Australia and its interests.

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March 10, 2016 Newswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 9

Don’t leave historical items at AWM’s doorSgt Dave Morley

A SURGE in interest in donating histori-cal items, including the occasional gun, to the Australian War Memorial (AWM) has forced it to improve the “donation experience”.

Head Collection Services Maj-Gen Brian Dawson (Retd) said a renewed inter-est in Australia’s military history meant as many as 50,000 items were being offered for donation each year.

“As a result, the AWM is selective about what it collects,” he said.

“In order to fully appraise and care for these items in a timely manner, we have introduced new procedures to manage offers of donation.”

According to Maj-Gen Dawson, people have turned up unannounced at the front doors of the AWM with all manner of goods they wished to donate including, on occasions, guns.

“We encourage people who wish to donate items to first make contact using the online offer form on the AWM’s dona-tions website,” he said.

“Once a form is submitted, a staff member will get in touch to discuss the next stage of the donation process.”

The AWM stopped meeting with pro-spective donors visiting the AWM unan-nounced with donation items late last year.

To access the donation application form, visit www.awm.gov.au/collection/donations

LCpl Sebastian Beurich

THREE members of the RAAMC were recognised for achievements in their trade by their Colonel-in-Chief Governor-General Gen Sir Peter Cosgrove at a special cer-emony at Government House on February 11.

The Governor-General jointly awarded the Harkness Memorial Medal to Lt-Col Clark Flint and Capt Peter Del Fante, and the C.F. Marks Award to Cpl John Hickey.

The Harkness Memorial Medal is awarded to officers of the RAAMC for a contribution that results in a benefit to the corps.

Lt-Col Flint was awarded the Harkness Memorial Medal for his contributions to the restructure of 2GHB.

“It’s recognition from within my corps of the work we have done through restructuring and operation-alising 2GHB,” he said.

“We created a hospital exercise to externally validate and certify a Role 2E hospital, then deployed that hospital on operations within a short timeframe.

“It’s a reward for the effort my staff and I have put in over the last three years; I’m really chuffed.”

As a former member of the British Army, Lt-Col Flint brought his operational experience with him to the Australian Army and felt it

helped him rewrite the existing doc-trine.

“I looked at what we could and couldn’t do, then ‘Australianised’ the experience I brought across with me,” he said.

Capt Del Fante was awarded the Harkness Memorial Medal for his outstanding contribution to 9CSSB.

“A lot of our activities at 9CSSB wouldn’t happen without a medical officer, so it meant making myself

Outstanding effort RAAMC members awarded for excellence

available to support them as much as possible,” he said.

He said his contribution to the Army was his way of doing his bit for his country.

The C.F. Marks award is given to a WO or NCO whose outstanding individual effort has benefited the corps.

Cpl Hickey was awarded the C.F. Marks award for his contributions to Aeromedical Evacuation (AME) Pl at 2CHC.

“I worked a lot in 2015 develop-ing SOPs for the AME Pl. I thought it was just part of the job, so I didn’t expect the award at all,” he said.

“It’s a great honour to meet the Governor-General. Receiving an award from someone with that much time and experience in the ADF is deeply humbling.”

Cpl Hickey’s eight years as a medical technician have been largely AME centric, with posting to all of the major aviation and aviation sup-port units during his career.

“I’ve worked in all of the other medic roles – integral, treatment team and Role 2E – but I like AME work the most,” he said.

Cpl Sarah Johnson was award-ed the Representative Honorary Colonel’s Certificate for outstanding effort for continued service, com-mitment and dedication to the corps, however, she was not at the ceremo-ny due to operational commitments.

Governor-General Gen Sir Peter Cosgrove presents Cpl John Hickey with the C.F. Marks Award at Government House. Photo by Sam Groves

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March 10, 2016 Newswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 11

THE warranty scheme for removal-related loss or damage to domestic household furniture and effects changed on March 1.

Defence is substituting the exist-ing “like-for-like” replacement cover with a new replacement cover for items that fall within predefined cat-egories and age limits.

Assistant Secretary People, Policy and Employment Conditions John Geering said the change was being made based on feedback received from Defence members and would provide personnel with improved cover where an item was lost or dam-aged as a result of a removal-related activity.

“Defence has sought for some time to establish a cost-effective option for updating warranty arrange-ments to more closely align with insurance coverage now more readily available,” he said.

“The existing warranty cover-

age has been a source of concern for members who decide to purchase a new replacement item following a claim for loss or damage and who feel they have incurred additional expenses during a removal through no fault of their own.”

In cases where more than minor damage to an item has occurred, Toll Transitions will assess if repair of the old item is economical. If it is not, Toll Transitions will supply ADF members with a new replacement item.

The existing like-for-like replace-ment cover or compensation will continue to apply to items that fall outside the specified age limits.

The change will apply to all consignments uplifted on and from March 1, including consignments uplifted from storage.

Further information on the changed Toll Transitions warranty scheme is available at www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

ADF personnel gathered in Canberra on February 26 to honour the sacri-fices of those who fought to liberate Kuwait in the First Gulf War.

A commemorative service held at the Navy Memorial on Anzac Parade marked the 25th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Damask.

After Saddam Hussein’s forces invaded Kuwait in August 1990, the international community responded with swift condemnation and a large multinational task force was assem-bled to counter the invasion.

Thirty countries contributed to the coalition, including Australia, and on February 28, 1991, Iraqi forces were expelled from Kuwait.

VCDF VAdm Ray Griggs said it was important to recognise all who contributed to the liberation of Kuwait and, in particular, those who lost their lives or had their lives changed by the conflict.

“While no ADF members were killed during the First Gulf War, other countries suffered significant losses and it is important we remember those sacrifices,” VAdm Griggs said.

“This ceremony is an important acknowledgement of the breadth of

military losses and civilian suffering experienced as a result of Saddam Hussein’s actions.”

VAdm Griggs said the ADF con-tribution involved all three services, including personnel who served with coalition forces.

Shortly after the invasion, and with just 72 hours notice, HMA Ships Adelaide, Darwin and Success were making their way to the region to assist with the enforcement of mari-time sanctions.

At the end of 1990, HMA Ships

Brisbane and Sydney replaced Adelaide and Darwin and operated as an integral part of the naval strike force known as Battle Force Zulu.

Army and Air Force personnel were also deployed in support of coa-lition efforts to liberate Kuwait in a variety of roles.

ADF health specialists deployed in the US Navy Hospital Ship Comfort and, after the war, more health person-nel deployed in challenging conditions to Kurdish parts of Iraq to help the many civilians living in refugee camps.

Honouring sacrifice Remembering the First Gulf War 25 years on

New removal warranty scheme

The warranty scheme for removal-related loss or damage has changed. Photo by Cpl Aaron Curran

Members of Australia’s Federation Guard on parade to commemorate the First Gulf War.Photo by PO Phil Cullinan

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March 10, 2016News www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews12

Pte Julia Whitwell

AFTER spending time in the formi-dable climes of the Malaysian jun-gle, members of Battle Group Cannan could probably teach Bear Grylls a thing or two.

One hundred and twenty soldiers from Qld’s 11 Bde and WA’s 13 Bde made up Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB) 112, which has just returned from a three-month rotation in Malaysia.

The training program for RCB included jungle survival training, foun-dation war fighting (FWF) and support-ing various exercises in South-East Asia.

During the jungle survival phase, run by the Malaysian Jungle Survival Training Wing, soldiers set up camp and lived off whatever they could find in their immediate surrounds, without being resupplied for 72 hours.

Over those three days, soldiers sourced water from vines, found edi-ble flora and even skinned and roasted pythons to eat.

OC Maj Jason Raffin said all the sol-diers were encouraged to participate in the survival training as long as it didn’t interfere with their other duties.

“We had some of our clerks and signallers out there with us, and every-one handled the experience really well,” he said.

The FWF phase offered a more traditional approach to combat train-ing, including live-fire section attacks, patrols, hand signals and fieldcraft.

The deployment provided an oppor-tunity for members to gain recognition for high performance.

Cannan can do

Tpr Aaron Goldsworthy, of 13 Bde, shows his

bush skills as he starts a fire using flint during

jungle training in Malaysia.

Photo by Lydia Kellner, Townsville Bulletin

GET YOUR LETTER IN PRINTDO YOU have an issue that needs addressing or a great idea to share with the rest of the Army?

The Army letters page is a great place for soldiers to engage with key decision makers and have their issues heard.

It’s also a chance for all Army per-sonnel to read about the issues that

matter most to their colleagues and find out what’s being done to resolve them.

Letters should be kept below 250 words when possible and include the letter writer’s full name, unit and contact details.

To get your letter in print, write to the Editor at armynews@defencenews.gov.au

Seven soldiers earned their crossed rifle badges on the deployment and another five received commendations for their performance.

Transport supervisor Cpl Jennifer Cox said her commendation came as a complete surprise.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was in a role that required a sergeant, so to be recognised for doing well in a higher duty has been a real honour, and total-ly attributable to the great team I was working with,” she said.

In the little spare time the soldiers had, they took to philanthropic pursuits and community engagement.

The soldiers of RCB 112 raised funds for orphanages in the surrounding villag-es and also facilitated a Movember fun run, raising more than $3000 and also setting the track record for the route.

RCB was originally established as a security element for RAAF air assets based in Butterworth in the 1970s, but has evolved into a training detachment as the RAAF presence receded during the 1980s.

“Everyone handled the experience

really well.– Maj Jason Raffin,

OC RCB

Survival skills in Malaysia

March 10, 2016 Newswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 13

LCpl Kyle Genner

SOLDIERS from 11 Bde are ready for the year ahead after intense indi-vidual training at Wide Bay Training Area in Queensland.

The soldiers from 25/49RQR, 9RQR, 11ER and 5/11 Lt Bty came together for a rare opportunity to com-plete 16 continuous days of individual training late last year.

The training courses included advanced patrolling, basic mortar, joint fires team module one, direct fire weapons (DFW) and a basic demoli-tions package.

WO2 Arron Caldwell, of 9RQR, supervised the advanced patrol course and said the nature of the reserves brought unique challenges to training.

“A typical reserve exercise begins on a Friday night and then you’re back on Sunday – 24 hours in the field is not ideal. The patrol course went for four days and the extra time in the field was very useful,” WO2 Caldwell said.

“For some of the soldiers it has been 18 months since they did more than 48 hours in the field, so they were very excited to get back into game and reaffirm all their infantry skills.

“We built on all the basic skills such as scouting and patrolling, sec-tion drills, observations posts and point target reconnaissance.”

For Pte Aidan Hill, of 9RQR, the

advanced patrol course was not only challenging, but very rewarding.

“We are learning things most reserve units don’t do and we are learning skills from experienced recon soldiers who have spent years in the ARA,” Pte Hill said.

“This course really made us focus on our personal discipline, such as routine and camouflage. Learning the reconnaissance skills such as how to conduct an OP has given us a new capability.”

Running concurrently alongside the patrol suite of training was the DFW course. Noisier than the patrol course, the trainees fired 26 84mm rounds and more than 22,000 7.62mm rounds out to 1800m using MAG58s on tripods.

Pte Brett Ogden, of 9RQR, was in the ARA before transferring to the reserve and said this training was no different from his time in 7RAR.

“During this particular exercise, we got introduced to manoeuvre sup-port section (MSS) tactics. The MSS is common in the ARA but new to the reserve,” Pte Ogden said.

“We learned how to use the MAG58s and 84mm Carl Gustav to apply fire support that enables other friendly elements to manoeuvre and achieve their goals.

“It’s been great and we’ve all enjoyed ourselves, much like my time in the RAR, being able to come out for more than a weekend is the only way to learn these skills.”

Honing infantry tactics 11 Bde soldiers ready for the future

TRAINEES on the mortar line made a splash firing more than 500 rounds of HE. It was also the first time female gunners dropped bombs down range.

BC 5/11 Lt Bty Maj Ben Dullroy said the battery was able make signif-icant gains in the regeneration of their joint fires team (JFT) capability.

“The transition to mortars over the past couple of years has required an immense amount of resources and focus, which has meant we haven’t always trained and sustained our JFT to the desired level,” Maj Dullroy said.

5/11 Lt Bty and its sister battery, 3 Bty in Perth, are the first units in the Army to have female gunners on the mortar line.

“We’ve had female gunners for more than 12 months and their perfor-mance is on par with the boys,” Maj Dullroy said.

“Gnr Jasmine Rayner was award-ed the prize for the best mortar line soldier for 2015.”

Gnr Rayner is a Queensland police officer and joined the reserves for the excitement.

“I was waiting for the chance to join an arms corps and when the opportunity presented itself, I jumped in,” Gnr Rayner said.

“It’s very physically and mentally demanding, but us girls hold our own and it’s a good excuse to keep fit.

“The activity has been fun and it’s increased my confidence not just on the mortar line, but also as a soldier.

“I encourage any female who wants to join an arms corps to do so. It’s hard work, but not out of reach.”

Holding their own

Gnr Jasmine Rayner, of 5/11 Lt Bty, was awarded the prize for the best mortar line soldier for 2015.Photo by LCpl Kyle Genner

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March 10, 2016 Newswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 15

Maj Felicity Hamblin

A NEW commander has taken over the reins at Robertson Barracks fol-lowing the short-notice posting of Brig Mick Ryan after 15 months in the job.

Brig Ben James was welcomed to 1 Bde last month during a transi-tion of command parade at Robertson Barracks, as outgoing commander, Brig Ryan, left Darwin to take up the role of Director General – Training in Sydney.

With four Darwin postings under his belt, Brig Ryan said it was bitter-sweet leaving behind 1 Bde, as there were many things he’d miss.

“Mostly I’ll just miss being a sol-dier in a combat unit and in a combat brigade,” he said.

“The soldiers and officers in the brigade are first rate, tremendous peo-ple, supported by great families and I’ll really miss that.”

Having never been posted to Darwin before, Brig James said he was impressed with the shape of the brigade.

“Our pathway is well laid out, and our training activities have been planned well,” he said.

“We have a few things to turn our minds to in the first instance, but it’s a challenge that I certainly relish and I have no doubt that the men and women of 1 Bde are well and truly up to the task.”

CA Lt-Gen Angus Campbell travelled to Darwin to be part of the parade, passing the 1 Bde pennant to the incoming commander.

“To Brig Ryan, I wish to express my sincere thanks for a job extremely well done as a leader, innovator, trainer and ambassador for Army,” he said.

“Your short tenure belies the impact you’ve had and the high

Maj Felicity Hamblin

MEMBERS of the ADF’s intelli-gence community came together at Robertson Barracks recently to discuss the latest in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability in support of a com-bat brigade.

Intelligence officer Maj Rui Freire said the two-day seminar was designed to align best ISR-practice, which would then be employed dur-ing coming exercises, leading to Exercise Hamel later this year.

“The seminar is not conducted as an activity in isolation – it is only the first of a number of activities, includ-ing table-top exercises and field train-ing exercises we will use to ensure that as a brigade we contribute to improving our current practices for those who will follow us,” he said.

Representatives from the ISR com-munity discussed ISR theory, doctrine and practices before delving further into the conduct, development and refinement of ISR in support of 1 Bde for 2016.

“The purpose was threefold. Firstly, I wanted to gather all of the ISR representatives in one location at the start of the year so we could begin the development of personal

and professional relationships in what will be a very dynamic period for the brigade,” Maj Freire said.

“Based on lessons from previous brigades and the Centre for Army Lessons, I wanted to develop a com-mon understanding across the com-munity of terminology and practices pertinent to our conduct of ISR this year.

“Finally, it was an opportunity for all of the capability experts to dis-cuss the latest developments in their areas that will impact on our road to Hamel.”

The seminar involved participation from intelligence and operations plan-ning staff from 1 Bde, 3 Bde, 7 Bde, 6 Bde and 16 Bde.

The wider ADF ISR enterprise, including 1 Div, Forcomd, Army HQ, the Defence Force School of Intelligence, Officer Training Wing, Air Force and the Defence Science and Technology Group also attended.

The goal was to develop a com-mon understanding of how ISR works, from the operational to the tac-tical level, and discuss the challenges posed and consideration of how to overcome those challenges.

Commander Forcomd Maj-Gen Gus Gilmore attended the second day of the seminar. He stressed the impor-

Higher intelligence Exchanging tactical and strategic ideas

tance of ISR and the practicalities of employing its use, reinforcing similar messages from Commanders 1 and 6 Bdes on the importance of sound ISR practices to inform the commanders’ decision making processes.

“ISR will only continue to become more complex in the future,” Maj Freire said.

“We are seeing collection plat-forms becoming more prevalent and multifaceted as the operational dynamics change and we need to be able to adapt, as a community, in the age of mass data.

“The seminar was very well received and we now have a common understanding and a strong founda-

tion from which to refine our process-es and drive professional discourse.

“We can’t afford to keep these dis-cussions siloed within the ADF, and we have to continue to find ways in which to involve military scholars and academics in our exchange of ideas not only strategically, but at the tacti-cal and operational level also.”

Maj Dennis Robins, of the Defence Force School of Intelligence, addresses personnel during the 1 Bde ISR seminar.Photo by Cpl Nunu Campos

Change at the top of 1 Bde

regard your efforts are held by me and Army’s senior leadership.”

Brig Ryan said he was excited to be taking on his new role, but 1 Bde would always remain in his sights.

“You do feel a little bit like you’re sitting on the sidelines, but at the end of the day my passion is all about ensuring our soldiers are trained and educated well,” he said.

His approach to social media is one of the key legacies he leaves behind.

“We need to demonstrate to the people of this country the kind of things they’re investing in, but it’s also important that the families and friends of our soldiers are able to see what they get up to on a day-to-day basis.”

Brig James said it was an honour to take command of 1 Bde as it transi-tioned through the ready cycle.

“Over the course of the next two years we’ll deploy well over 1000 soldiers to operations in various parts of the globe and those remaining in Darwin will be on some of the highest readiness notice in the Army,” he said.

Commander 1 Bde Brig Ben James talks to soldiers after the change of command parade. Photo by Cpl Nunu Campos

March 10, 2016 Centrepiecewww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews16 17

LENDING A HAND IN FIJIPERSONNEL, plant equipment,

tools, heavy vehicles and aid were just some of the assets flown off HMAS Canberra by

MRH-90 helicopters or delivered by sea on light landing craft as Australia’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission gathered momentum.

Canberra, stationed off the coast of Fiji’s Koro Island, began amphibi-ous operations in earnest, with a major muscle move of material and personnel on March 2 to help those affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston, which struck Fiji on February 20.

Commander JTF635 Capt Brett Sonter said the level of devastation on Koro Island would provide a challenge for all personnel involved in the opera-tion.

“Koro Island was directly in the path of Cyclone Winston so there is very little on the island that hasn’t been damaged in some way,” Capt Sonter said.

“Elements of the landing force pro-ceeding ashore will contain two sections of engineers from the Republic of Fiji Military Force, which we have trans-

ported from Suva at the request of the Government of Fiji.

“I am confident the support provid-ed to both the people of the island and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces will assist in the alleviation of suffering on the island and foster recovery.”

Beach clearance was conducted before landing by 2RAR soldiers, who ensured the chosen landing sites were clear for craft.

The landing points became hives of activity as all manner of breathing and mechanised capabilities came ashore.

Land Force Commander Lt-Col Michael Bassingthwaighte said the force disembarking Canberra was united in its resolve to help the people of Koro Island.

“We have an incredible depth of tal-ented and dedicated men and women involved in this operation,” Lt-Col Bassingthwaighte said.

“A significant challenge lies ahead for those on the ground, but we know we will make a difference over the coming days.”

Be sure to check out the next edition of Army for more on #OpFijiAssist.

ADF troops and equipment rush to Fiji to aid Tropical Cyclone Winston clean-up efforts.

MRH-90s provide bird’s-eye viewCapt Megan McDermott

ARMY’S Taipan MRH-90s are playing a critical role in the ADF’s mission to help Fiji in the country’s clean-up efforts following Tropical Cyclone Winston.

On February 25, an MRH-90 took flight at Nasouri International Airport to con-duct damage assessment to the north of Viti Levu island. Representatives from the Fiji Ministry of Education, Fiji Roads Authority and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces joined Deputy Commander JTF635 Lt-Col Scott Hill for the first flight.

Troop Commander Capt Jacob Merry said it was a suc-cessful mission in terms of proving the capability and giv-ing ADF and Fijian officials the opportunity to assess outlying areas through aerial reconnais-sance.

“It was an excellent opportu-nity for the local government’s road authority to get airborne and have a bird’s-eye view of the damage caused by Cyclone Winston,” Capt Merry said.

“I’m very pleased to have proven the capability. It shows we can manoeuvre an aircraft across to Fiji and have it run-ning in just over 24 hours.”

Aircrewman Cpl Joshua Byrnes said it was “all hands on deck” in getting the helicopter serviceable for flight.

“The blades and tail rotors all had to be packed up to get the helicopter shipped here by the Air Force’s C-17A Globemaster and then it all had to be put back together, so the

crew was working absolutely flat out,” he said.

During the flight Capt Merry observed extensive damage, including widespread flooding, collapsed bridges and crippled infrastructure.

The MRH-90 is perfectly suited to humanitarian aid and disaster relief tasks as one of the most advanced tactical troop transport helicopters of the 21st century.

“The MRH-90 has a very large cabin so can get a large number of stores out to remote villages quickly, which is exact-ly what the people here need,” Capt Merry said.

Information gathered from the reconnaissance flight helped the Fiji government plan relief distribution and access for medical support.

The helicopter was one of four delivered to Fiji. In order to fit into the C-17A, the Taipans were broken down in Townsville before being loaded for trans-port.

OC A Sqn 5 Avn Regt Maj Andrew Lean said he was “impressed by the efforts of the crew in preparing the MRH-90 at such short notice.”

C-17A captain Flt-Lt Andrew McKinlay, of No. 36 Sqn, said the C-17A was the best aircraft to transport the helicopter.

“The C-17A is the Air Force’s heavy airlift aircraft. It is designed to go into short fields in remote locations while carry-ing large cargo loads,” he said.

“Landing on an airfield like the one here in Suva, which is quite short, and hot is chal-lenging, but exactly what the Globemaster was built for.”

Raising spirits on Koro IslandCapt Megan McDermott

FIJIAN and Australian officials and military personnel flew into cyclone-devastated Koro Island to meet with the local community to discuss imme-diate and long-term needs on February 26.

The community of Koro Island, which received the full force of Tropical Cyclone Winston, welcomed Australian High Commissioner Margaret Twomey, Fiji’s Minister of Sport and Youth Iaisenia Tuitubou, and Deputy Commander JTF635 Lt-Col Scott Hill with a tradition-al ceremony known as “Sevu Sevu”.

Ms Twomey said the Sevu Sevu ceremony was conducted by village elders as a gesture of respect and gratitude.

“It was moving to come to a place that has lost absolutely everything and for the village to put on the most serious and traditional of ceremonies to wel-come us,” she said.

The category five cyclone that tore through the commu-nity left entire villages flattened, trees ripped out of the ground and the island’s local food sup-ply destroyed.

“We came here to talk to the locals and get a better under-standing of not just what they need, but how they feel,” Ms Twomey said. “Everyone here has lost all their crops – crops they would use for subsistence as well as income. They’re going to have to start from scratch.”

District Officer Mr Tagicakibau told Ms Twomey that the Fijian government was quick to deliver food aid for the immediate term, but sustain-ment was going to be one of the biggest challenges.

Other immediate concerns for the villages include the need for shelter, water and sanitation to prevent disease outbreak, which Ms Twomey said was common in post-disaster situ-ations.

Lt-Col Hill said the visit to Koro Island and information gathered would be provided to the Fijian government to assist in planning relief and how to best employ the ADF’s support.

“We’ll feed the information we’ve gathered here today back into Fiji’s National Disaster Management Organisation as part of their planning and preparation for the follow-on support that needs to occur,” he said.

An aircrewman from 5 Avn Regt looks out from an MRH-90 at the damage sustained on Koro Island, Fiji. Photo by LS Helen Frank

Fijian children watch as an MHR-90 lands to disembark sappers on Koro Island, Fiji.

Photo by LS Helen Frank

Vehicles from 7 Bde are embarked in HMAS Canberra before deploying on Operation Fiji Assist.Photo by LS Helen Frank

A soldier from 2CER assesses the damage on Koro Island. Photo by LS Helen Frank

An aerial view from a C-17A Globemaster

reveals widespread

floods in Fiji.Photo by AB Chris

Beerens

2CER sappers meet with locals on Koro Island. Photo by LS Helen Frank

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March 10, 2016Features www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews18

THE Australian signing of a scroll contained within the Captain General’s Baton occurred a t the Royal

Regiment of Australian Artillery (RAA) annex of the Australian War Memorial on February 15.

Members of the Royal Artillery (RA) and RAA were present to wit-ness the historic event.

On behalf of the RAA, then-Head of Regt Brig Peter Gates (Retd) signed the scroll, which is being transported to Commonwealth countries around the world by members of the RA.

“Today, we are strengthening the bonds we have with the RA and the UK,” Brig Gates said.

“The RAA formed in 1871 and has worked with or alongside the UK in every conflict since that date.

“Being able to celebrate the RA’s tercentenary is a particularly important milestone for us – it shows how close we have remained over time.”

Chairman of the RA Cricket Club Brig Jeremy Bennett represented the RA for the signing.

“We have a history with the RAA going back well over 100 years now,”

Celebrating 300 years

he said. “The opportunity to come here, play cricket and celebrate a great relationship with the RAA is excel-lent.”

The signing comes as part of Ubique 300 – the RA’s tercentenary celebration, which involves members of the RA transport a 60cm cannon barrel across the globe for one year.

At various countries along the way, the gunners engage the host country in friendly sports, such as cricket and rugby.

When the tour ends in May, the RA will hold a Royal Review where it will present the baton to Queen Elizabeth II at the traditional home of the RA, Larkhill.

“We have a history with the RAA

going back well over 100 years.

– Brig Jeremy Bennet, Royal Artillery

Australian gunners sign historic scroll in Canberra, LCpl Sebastian Beurich reports.

Then-RAA Head of Regt Brig Peter Gates (Retd), left, holds the Captain General's Baton with Chairman of the Royal Artillery Cricket Club Brig Jeremy Bennett at the RAA annex of the Australian War Memorial. Inset: The scroll. Photos by LCpl Sebastian Beurich

A GROUP of senior soldiers were taught how to be “comfortable with the uncom-fortable” when they took part in an intense RSM course late last year.

The course is the most senior in the All-Corps Officer and Soldier Training Continuum and was conducted by the Canungra Wing of the Warrant Officer and NCO Academy. It is designed to prepare trainees for the appointment of RSM at the unit level.

The soldiers undertook five weeks of intense theory and practical-based training, which focused on learning modules such as command, leadership, management and training.

They also participated in adventure training at Back Creek near Kokoda Barracks, Canungra. The 28 trainees and directing staff, which included Command SM at Forcomd WO1 Dave Galloway, completed an arduous canyoning activ-ity under the watchful eye of staff from Army’s Adventurous Training Wing.

OC Canungra Wing Maj Ben Gallacher said the activity was included on the course syllabus to expose Army’s future RSMs to initiatives that improved individual and team resilience.

Heavy rain forced trainees to rappel down a 40m waterfall.

“It was not too cold, but due to rain the trainees experienced a very wet ride to the bottom – it was certainly a picturesque way to enter the canyon,” Maj Gallacher said.

WO1 Galloway, who is an avid sup-porter of this type of training on the RSM course, said at the heart of training were junior leaders.

“If they are equipped with the right knowledge and tools they can incorporate resilience-building outcomes in everyday individual and team training,” he said.

“Having this type of activity included on the RSM course is very useful because as the senior soldier in any unit, RSMs are a role model and can help influence posi-tive outcomes in this type of training.

Senior soldiers test resilience

“It is activities like this that help us as soldiers to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.”

Course member WO2 Michael Carroll said he enjoyed the opportunity to move away from the classroom.

“It was a fantastic activity and all the trainees enjoyed doing some adventure training,” he said.

“It was also an opportunity to swap ideas and thoughts on what resilience meant to us.”

Of the 28 trainees who graduated from the course, six were from Jordan, Tonga, UAE, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

Chief Instructor’s Award: WO1 Jason Watene, 2/17RNSWR

Pace Stick Award: WO1 Barry Fawcett, 8/7RVR

Trainee of Merit: WO2 Michael Carroll, Australian Defence Staff Washington

Second place: WO1 Simon Foley, 1/19RNSWR

Third place: WO2 Peter Saintsbury, 1 MP Bn

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March 10, 2016Features www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews20

Sounds of war Thousands flocked to see this year’s commemoration of the Darwin bombing in 1942, Maj Felicity Hamblin reports.

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CEREMONIAL Army guns boomed and an Air Force aerial display brought WWII back to life for

the 74th commemoration of the Japanese bombing of Darwin on February 19.

More than 2000 spectators gath-ered at the Darwin cenotaph to be part of the re-enactment of the bombing, which killed 235 people on February 19, 1942.

A RAAF No. 92 Wing AP-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft, along with two de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth aircraft, provided an aerial display, which ‘represented’ a force of 188 Japanese aircraft.

As part of the re-enactment, three M2A2 Howitzer ceremonial guns from 8/12 Regt RAA ‘returned fire’ with blank 105mm rounds – this represent-ed the less-than two dozen Australian anti-aircraft guns protecting Darwin on the day.

Bdr Matt Downie said it was an honour to be part of the commemora-tions, particularly as his great-grand-father, who was a motorbike dispatch rider posted to a Darwin signals regi-ment, had been there on the day.

“While he was doing a dispatch ride he was struck by Japanese fighter planes, so he had to ditch his motor-

bike on the side of the road and take cover until the planes had passed,” Bdr Downie said.

The event included an ADF cata-falque party, and the Army Band – Darwin provided entertainment.

Commander 1 Bde Brig Ben James said it was an important day for the people of Darwin to remember the sac-rifices of those who had perished in the attack.

“It’s hard to imagine as we stand here in this place and tranquillity, to remember 74 years ago when we real-ly saw on Australian soil the damage and destructive power that a modern and industrialised nation can bring to our Australian shores,” Brig James said.

“February 19, 1942, was an extraordinary day for the country, an extraordinary day for Darwin and of course an extraordinary day for the men and women of the ADF, so it’s been very humbling to be here.”

During the 1942 bombing, 188 Japanese aircraft comprising high-level Kate bombers, Val dive bomb-ers, and Zero fighters attacked Darwin at 9.58am. The assault was launched from four aircraft carriers in the Timor Sea. Of the 235 deaths, 131 of them were in US service and about 400 peo-ple were wounded. Eleven ships were sunk.

“It’s been very humbling to be

here.– Brig Ben James,

Commander 1 Bde

Above: Commander 1 Bde Brig Ben James and other ADF officers pay their respects at the 74th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin.Left: Lt Sam McLean and Sgt Michael Spick, of 8/12 Regt RAA, dressed in WWII-era uniforms for the re-enactment.

Above, left, below: Soldiers from 8/12 Regt RAA re-enact the bombing of Darwin on February 19.

Photos by Cpl Nunu Campos

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March 10, 2016 Featureswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 21

FACING some of the tough-est environments on earth was just one of the challeng-es faced by Army person-

nel who took part in the Exchange Program Long Look.

Cpl Steven Court, of 3RAR, found himself in hostile places ranging from the Californian desert to the jungles of Belize late last year.

“At times Long Look has been very tough and was staged in some challenging environments, including the dreaded Dartmoor [moorlands in England], but overall it was an enjoy-able experience,” Cpl Court said.

“It provided the opportunity to par-ticipate first-hand with British Royal Marine Commandos and US Marines in all manner of warfighting training activities.

“I was slotted in as one of their own, using the weapons, equipment and tactics from the host units.”

Cpl Court said he and the other soldiers involved in Long Look had gained an important and valuable opportunity to train and make contacts with multinational forces.

“This will not only benefit our Australian units, but the wider Army,” he said.

Contingent commander Capt Simon Byth, of 2RAR, said Long Look was a partly reciprocal exchange program primarily between Army and the British Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Capt Byth said the program was designed to give NCOs and officers a

working knowledge of foreign mili-tary methods while gaining invaluable experiences to enhance Army.

He said by drawing upon the exper-tise and training of the MOD and allied partners, Long Look planned to broaden the training and military knowledge of exercise participants by embedding them into a host unit.

The 2015 exercise participants were nominated by their units and allocated to a specific MOD unit for the duration of their deployment.

Long Look 2015 personnel were

able to participate in their allo-cated unit’s activities all over the globe, building on and enhancing their knowledge base and imparting Australian SOPs and doctrine in a multinational environment.

The Long Look phase two (August to December last year) contingent comprised 10 soldiers working with the Royal Marines Commandos in var-ious unit locations around the UK.

The key effort was Exercise Cougar, which assembled military per-sonnel from the UK, France, Spain,

Bahrain and the US to train in a mul-tinational amphibious environment around the Mediterranean in multiple, smaller, combined exercises.

The subsequent effort was the mon-itoring of the European Union’s mis-sion to stem the flow of migrants from northern Africa to southern Europe.

Capt Byth said the program was an eye-opening and rewarding experience that greatly enhanced his understand-ing of the amphibious environment.

“Working closely with the Royal Marines Commandos and the Royal

Navy as an amphibious plans offic-er and J3 watch keeper on Exercise Trident Juncture set me up well for my posting to 2RAR this year,” he said.

He said the program also increased his understanding of different pres-sures and expectations of working with multiple foreign militaries and increased the trust between Army and the MOD.

“This will impact the exercise par-ticipants’ units and wider Army as they become an expert in their field, as well as the ability to impart their experi-ence and knowledge absorbed from the exchange program.”

Capt Byth said Long Look per-sonnel conducted a wide variety of military courses, training activities, military history tours before and after Exercise Cougar.

“Exercise participants conducted tactical infantry training in Twenty-nine Palms in California, amphibious planning and raids in Sardinia and Spain, gained UK weapons qualifica-tions and communications courses in Plymouth,” he said.

“All of these activities and courses ensured personnel were equipped with the knowledge and tools to make them an effective asset for their allocated UK unit.

“This in turn allows the participant to impart this knowledge and experi-ence to their Australian units.”

In 2013, Exercise Long Look changed names and mission and is now known as Exchange Program Long Look.

Absorbing knowledgeLong Look remains an important partnership with the UK.

Long Look contingent

commander Capt Simon Byth and a

British colleague participate in

amphibious operations.

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March 10, 2016Features www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews22

A MAJOR who enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) after a CO assured his father the unit wasn’t

deploying to Vietnam has clocked up 50 years’ service.

Senior project manager Maj Phil Rutherford, of AHQ, joined the CMF in 1965 but transferred to the ARA in 1967 and was deployed to Vietnam anyway, serving as a signalman in 547 Sig Tp in 1969-70.

He said like most kids of the 1960s, he had been brought up on a diet of Audie Murphy and John Wayne mov-ies, so action and adventure were in his blood.

“My first unit was C Coy, 1RWAR, in Katanning, in the Western Australian wheat belt,” he said.

“The OC, Max Watson, was the local tailor, who made bespoke suits and shirts, and the CSM was his brother.”

Maj Rutherford, who reached his 50-year milestone on December 16, had no thought of going to Vietnam when he joined the CMF.

“Very few of us in the country units knew anything about the war going on over there,” he said. “Our instructors

were all WWII or Korea veterans and we were trained on weapons and equip-ment they were familiar with but, of course, none of them were being used in Vietnam.

“In fact, when I posted to Vietnam I knew more about the Bren gun than the M60, and when the Bren was rein-troduced in the 1980s, I had no trouble familiarising myself with it.”

According to Maj Rutherford, trans-ferring to the ARA in 1967 was easy.

“It was at a time when Australia’s involvement in Vietnam was escalating and the government was r a i s i n g more battalions,” he said.

“National Service had only recently been re-instituted so all volunteers, especially those with previous military experience, were welcomed.”

One of the most significant changes he has seen in his 50 years of service is the notion of Army as a career.

“In the past, someone could look forward to 20 years in uniform at the

most, after which time they were dis-charged and had to begin a new career. Today, they can spend their entire working life in the service,” he said.

“But to do so means hav-ing a purpose for serving. Each of us has our own mission, which we must serve if this purpose is to be achieved – that means making a total commit-ment.”

Maj Rutherford said he had no plans to retire from the Army just yet.

“Not while the capability I can

bring to Army is still need-

ed ,” he said.

50 years and countingMajor celebrates half a century in green, Sgt Dave Morley reports.

Maj Phil Rutherford, of AHQ, has clocked up 50 years of service in the Army. Inset: Then-Sig Rutherford on duty in Vietnam.

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A FORMER soldier who served in Vietnam in 1971 gave closure to the family of a Viet Cong (VC) soldier

he killed in action when he visited them in October last year.

Pte Ian Williamson was a National Serviceman and forward scout in 9 Pl, C Coy, 4RAR, during Operation Overlord, when he had a one-on-one contact with a VC soldier on June 13, 1971, resulting in the VC’s death.

A few weeks after the incident back at Nui Dat, Mr Williamson’s pla-toon commander, Lt Andrew Grecian, handed him the VC’s hammock and US-pattern compass, which had been taken from the body.

Mr Williamson retained these items for 44 years and said the concept of trying to locate the relatives of the VC soldier started to form in his mind after a number of years.

“They would have had no idea what happened to him and if I was in their position, I’d want to know,” he said.

“My intention was to finally give them some solace or closure, as they no doubt would have suffered over the loss of their loved one.

“In Vietnamese culture he would have been regarded as a ‘wandering soul’.

“His status could not be put to rest until information was known as to how and where he died.”

Two things initially held Mr Williamson back from starting a search.

“Firstly, how and where do I start looking?” he said.

“Secondly, what would their reac-tion be towards me if I succeeded in locating what relatives were still alive?”

In mid-2013, Mr Williamson con-tacted Bob Hall, of the ADFA-based Operation Wandering Souls, with details of the contact.

“Through Australian Army records he confirmed the grid reference and the VC’s details as squad 2IC Sgt Nguyen Sy Huy, of C24 Coy, 274 VC Regt,” he said.

“My daughter, Lt-Col Amanda Williamson, had been following my search, as I have followed her military career.

“In early 2015, Amanda stepped in to my search for the relatives of Sgt Huy and contacted the Defence Attaché at the Australian Embassy in Hanoi, with what information I had.

Seeking war closureFormer 4RAR digger returns to Vietnam to close a sad chapter, Sgt Dave Morley reports.

March 10, 2016 Featureswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 23

“He contacted MARIN (Martyr’s Information Service) and within two weeks they had received more infor-mation about Sgt Huy and located his brother, sister and fiancée in a village 200km south of Hanoi.”

MARIN is a non-government organisation run by volunteers, dedi-cated to sourcing information on about 300,000 Vietnamese soldiers unac-counted for or missing in action.

According to Mr Williamson, MARIN was particularly helpful and actually visited Sgt Huy’s family in Vietnam to discuss his intention to meet them and return his belongings.

“Finally, after much ground work, especially by my daughter, great assistance from the Defence Attaché

and his staff, and valuable input from the people at MARIN, we set off for Vietnam in mid-October 2015,” he said.

“My daughter, my partner Gayle and my sister Valerie came with me and when the ABC heard of our intended journey, they sent their South-East Asia correspondent Samantha Hawley and a cameraman.

“Two days after we arrived in Hanoi, we made the three-and-a-half-hour drive to the village, Thieu Nguyen Commune, Thieu Hoa district.

“The Australian Embassy’s interpreter went ahead of us with an advance party to prepare for our arrival.”

Mr Williamson said the Defence

Attaché Col Darren Kerr and his wife Suzanne accompanied them and were extremely helpful in guiding him through the protocols and ensuring customs were honoured and respected.

“To Col Kerr’s knowledge, this type of trip had not been done before,” he said.

“The village committee greeted us and we were overwhelmed by the lav-ish reception in their meeting hall and speech by the village headman.

“We went to Sgt Huy’s family’s house, where we were even more overwhelmed by the sight of the whole village, some 200 people, waiting to greet us, not to mention three film crews from Hanoi TV stations.

“We were taken into the house and

sat at the table opposite the brother, sister and fiancé, where formal intro-ductions were made through our inter-preter.”

A shrine on the main wall of their house honouring Sgt Huy showed they still missed him deeply.

Col Kerr suggested Pte Williamson not to be too specific in the details of the contact as the fact that he had gone to the trouble of meeting them was sufficient, and they understood soldiers on both sides died in war.

“I was also advised to emphasise Sgt Huy had been treated with respect on the day,” he said.

“I told them he was buried with due respect as he was a warrior, fight-ing for, and had given his life for, his country.

“Through MARIN, I discovered when Sgt Huy didn’t arrive at his des-tination, his squad back-tracked his compass bearing two weeks later and found his grave, exhumed the body and reburied it in the Ho Chi Min Martyr’s Cemetery.

“The brother, sister and fiancé were understandably emotional and all of us shed a few tears.”

When Mr Williamson handed the hammock and compass to Sgt Huy’s brother they shook hands.

“My daughter and I had brought offerings and were invited to place them on the altar,” he said. “We were overwhelmed by the crowd of villag-ers, the TV crews and the sense of the occasion, and the three relatives were even more overwhelmed than us.

“Apparently, some of the villagers hadn’t seen Europeans before.”

Mr Williamson said initially Sgt Huy’s family and himself were, under-standably, just taking in the whole idea of what was happening, however, they were soon all warmly shaking hands and taking group photographs.

“We spent a few hours in the vil-lage and I left with a great sense of relief that I had actually achieved what I wanted to do,” he said.

“I was amazed we had been able to trace Sgt Huy’s relatives after so long, considering the limited records kept by the Vietnamese.

“Most importantly, I felt I had achieved my objective of giving the family some peace of mind that, hav-ing been involved in this action, I could tell them what happened.

“My personal war has some closure.”

“I felt I had achieved my objective of

giving the family some peace of

mind that, having been involved in this action, I

could personally tell them what

happened.– Ian Williamson,

former 4RAR soldier

Vietnam veteran Ian Williamson meets the brother of the Viet Cong soldier he shot in 1971. Inset: Pte Williamson in Vietnam.

Leut Andrew Ragless

MORE than 100 soldiers from Force Support Element (FSE) Three have returned to Australia following a success-ful seven-month deployment in the Middle East.

Comprising members from 23 Army units across Australia, FSE 3 provided thea-tre logistics and the reception, staging and onward movement of ADF personnel in the region.

Their efforts included combat service sup-port across eight locations in five countries, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

OC FSE 3 Maj Ash Crosby said the men and women of FSE 3 had reason to be proud of their achievements.

“Rotation Three members have trained and equipped more than 2100 ADF personnel to go forward and perform a variety of opera-tions across the Middle East,” he said.

“In addition, they provided superior reme-diation and redeployment effects to dependent

units in the region. Our standout achievement was the retrograde and closure of Camp Baker at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, after near-ly 10 years of operation.”

The camp closed on October 22 last year after the completion of the Australian-led 205 Corps Advisory Team mission.

Eight Bushmaster PMVs, two Mac trucks, one 20-tonne trailer, 68 aircraft pallets and 135 personnel were flown out of Kandahar Airfield as part of the retrograde.

FSE 3 personnel also moved more than 1200 tonnes of cargo and dispatched 5200 bags of mail.

During the transfer of authority parade, Maj Crosby thanked his FSE 3 members and their families for their contribution to opera-tions.

“Your support has enabled the execution of Australian and coalition tasks which are playing an important role in the Middle East,” he said.

OC FSE 4 Maj Christine Pope also paid her respects.

FSE 3 heads home after seven months

“FSE 3 maintained a very high tempo and provided excellent combat service support to the task groups across the Middle East,” she said.

“We are hoping to sustain and improve on what they’ve been able to deliver.”

OC FSE 4 Maj Christine Pope during the transfer of authority parade at Camp Baird.Photo by Sgt Hamish Paterson

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March 10, 2016 Featureswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 25

A TASMANIAN soldier smashed the sand dunes of the Middle East while preparing for his first marathon.

LCpl Timothy Trautwein, of the Force Support Element (FSE), is a recovery mechanic normally based in Hobart with 2FSB.

While deployed with FSE based at Camp Baird, he is working as a driver responsible for transport-ing personnel and equipment in a variety of vehi-cles across the region.

LCpl Trautwein said he took the opportunity to train for the local marathon in his spare time.

“While preparing for the desert race I ran eight-to-37km a day, three days a week,” he said.

“During the marathon I missed a negative split by just one minute, which means I went just a little bit faster in the first half of the event.

“My plan is to continue training, compete in more marathons around the world and hopefully join the Australian Defence Running and Athletic Association.”

He completed the gruelling race in 3hr 52min.In 2003 LCpl Trautwein joined the Army in

search of a trade and after his training spent time

with transport units in Puckapunyal in Victoria and Moorebank in western Sydney.

He transferred to the reserves in 2008 and deployed to Timor-Leste on Operation Astute in 2009-10.

“The FSE team is a great group of people and our morale has shone through, despite the long hours we work,” he said.

“We always try to have a good time and I am always joking around with the crew.”

When not working or boosting his fitness, LCpl Trautwein also stud-ies Indonesian with the University of Tasmania.

“When I finish my tour I plan to visit Jakarta for nine weeks to improve my language skills,” he said.

“As a civilian I normally work in security and crowd control at festivals, sporting events and the odd nightclub, and I am looking forward to returning home to enjoy a good coffee in Hobart.”

Smashing the dunesSoldier completes first marathon while deployed to the Middle East, Cpl Mark Doran reports.

LCpl Timothy Trautwein, of the

Force Support Element, completed

his first marathon while deployed to the

Middle East. Photo by Cpl Mark Doran

March 10, 2016www.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsFun26

INSTAGRAM: CODEYS_ART By Pte Codey Anderson

Pte Julia Whitwell

SOME people sell chocolate bars or rattle a tin to raise funds for charity, but soldiers from 2/14 LHR are step-ping it up a notch.

Tpr Michael Pengi l ley and Cpl Mitch Haig are setting out to conquer homelessness among veter-ans by climbing Lobuche East in the Himalayas later this month.

Planning for the expedition began in July last year, but the idea stemmed from an encounter Tpr Pengilley had years ago when he met a homeless vet-eran in Melbourne.

“It has always been in the back of my mind – I was hoping someone was looking after him,” he said.

To mentally prepare for the hike, the soldiers plan to volunteer at a Sydney shelter to meet some of the veterans who will benefit from the trip.

Cpl Haig said they had exceed-ed their original fundraising goal of $20,000 and were now setting their sights higher.

“Our new goal is $30,000 and all of the funds raised go directly to Homes for Heroes,” he said.

On their 22-day journey, the team will reach an altitude of 6120m above sea level and experience temperatures below -10°C.

The pair will be climbing with three other soldiers and three civilians on the self-funded journey to reflect on the mental, physical and emotional challenges faced by homeless veterans.

To donate, visit www.givematcher.com.au/ fundraisers/homeless-veterans-to-lobuche-east

Trekking for homeless vets Raising money on mountains

Cpl Mitch Haig, right, and Tpr Michael Pengilley prepare for their Himalayan trek to raise money for homeless veterans. Photo by LCpl Joel Honig

REVIEW

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six SiegePublisher: UbisoftSystem: Windows (reviewed), Xbox One, PlayStation 4RRP: $60.95 (Steam), $69 (Xbox One, PlayStation 4)Release Date: December 1, 2015Reviewer: LCpl Sebastian BeurichRating: 3.5/5

IF YOU’RE looking for a departure from the Call of Duty or Battlefield series of games, with-out leaving the first-person shooter genre, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege may be the game for

you.Based on the fictional counter-terrorism unit

“Rainbow”, created by Tom Clancy in his novel Rainbow Six, the game lies in the tactical end of the first-person shooter genre, valuing communications, teamwork and planning over a brute force run-and-gun approach.

A match, containing three rounds, pits two teams of five players against each other in a random scenario, such as defusing bombs, hostage rescue and area con-trol on a randomly selected map, alternating your team between attacking and defending the objective.

The attacking and defending teams both have 12 individual operators to choose from, each with their own special ability, which can be used to either help your team or hinder the enemy.

Because of the highly destructive nature of the environment in each map (windows, doors and walls can either be reinforced or destroyed), each team has to devise a plan on the fly, while using available intel-ligence, to try and counter their opposing team.

For the most part, the game is fun. It’s fresh, differ-ent and makes you think and communicate with your team about what you’re doing. However, it comes with some teething issues in its infancy.

At times the matchmaking can feel quite unbal-anced, putting a group of lower-ranked players against a team of experienced ones, which can be quite frustrat-ing for both.

There are also matchmaking and networking errors which appear frequently when players are trying to join matches, often dropping single players or entire teams out of the matchmaking queue with cryptic error codes.

Ubisoft’s work at fixing issues in a timely manner shows it cares about and is listening to its community – the development team is actively involved in the social media space.

The introduction of Siege to the Electronic Sport League (ESL), with the first tournament starting in March, gives the developers a deadline to get the game into the spotlight in a positive light.

Overall, when the bugs and errors in the game are fixed, Siege has great potential as both a casual tactical shooter and a competitive ESL game.

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March 10, 2016 Peoplewww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 27

Pte Jesse Brockway, of Task Group Taji 2’s Force Protection Company, provides overwatch at the Taji Military Complex near Baghdad, Iraq. Photo by Cpl Jake Sims

ADFA officer cadets and midshipmen march onto the parade ground during the CDF parade in Canberra on February 27. Photo by John Carroll

Pte Melissa Wise, left, and Cpl Meghean Shepherd take a break at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan. Photo by Cpl Mark Doran

Tpr Sam Woods, of A Sqn, 10 LHR, stands in front of some of Army’s

new fleet of G-Wagons at Bindoon Training Area north of Perth.

Photo by AB Chris Beerens

Musn Natalie Dajski and LCpl Ben Bonney stand in front of the RMC Band building with their instruments. Photo by LCpl Sebastian Beurich

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March 10, 2016Personnel www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews28

Jessica Richardson

DEFENCE One (D1) will deliv-er a whole-of-Defence system to provide an enterprise approach to the management of personnel information and to deliver better enabling services in the areas of pay, leave and other functions for all ADF and APS members.

Assistant Secretary Personnel Systems Modernisation Brenton Searle said while the D1 R1a Project experienced some unexpected issues with the build of the new system in 2015, the project had worked with stakeholders to resolve these.

“Together, we’ve designed work-able business solutions and delivered some very positive outcomes,” he said.

“In 2015, the project successful-ly achieved a number of key mile-stones in the extensive testing of the new system, and in the finalisation of training materials in readiness for implementation activities.

“The project has performed a large number of test scenarios to ensure members’ pay and entitlements are correctly calculated in line with

Streamlining HR services Defence One implementation on track

current policy, and within the required timeframe.

“The first rounds of testing have been invaluable in confirming the validity of the new system’s design.”

Pay and administration transactors from across the services and Defence People Group have worked tirelessly to ensure the system can handle pay-roll and leave tasks in real-world sce-narios.

“We have received positive feed-back on the new functionality in the system from many transactors who will use D1,” Mr Searle said.

“In 2016, the project will remain focused on working with key stake-holders to complete system testing and position the organisation for implementation.

“The project will also continue to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the communication and train-ing approach is practical and meets the needs of the transactors who will use D1 when it goes live.”

Keep up to date with the status of the project by visiting the ‘latest news section’ on the Defence One website at http://ciogintranet.defence.gov.au/organisation/HRDD/PSMB/DefenceOne/Pages/default.aspx

This year Defence One will work with stakeholders to complete system testing and position Defence for implementation. Photo by LS Jayson Tufrey

IN BRIEF

MEDIBANK Health Solutions (MHS) will continue to provide important health services to ADF personnel for a further two years, following the extension of its cur-rent contract.

After a competitive tender process in 2012, Defence signed a $1.3 bil-lion contract with MHS to deliver a comprehensive suite of health servic-es to ADF personnel across Australia.

This contract sees MHS provide critical services including on-base health support, pathology, imaging and radiology and a 24-hour ADF national health hotline.

The agreement with MHS was for an initial four year and four month

term ending on October 31. The agreement also contained a further two-year extension option.

Commander Joint Health AVM Tracy Smart said Defence’s highest priority was the health and wellbeing of its personnel.

“Through this extension our ser-vicemen and women will continue to receive seamless high-quality health care,” she said.

“This extension will also assist Defence to gain further efficiencies by streamlining the delivery of health services and optimising current ser-vices through further innovation and technology.”

The agreement is now scheduled to expire on October 31, 2018.

Health contract extends to 2018

Prayer dayTHE Military Christian Fellowship (MCF) of Australia is hosting a national day of prayer on March 19. For Canberra-based personnel, a prayer session will be conducted in the Duntroon chapel from 10am. A light lunch will be served. Outside Canberra, soldiers are encouraged to meet with chaplains and other Defence Christians to pray for Defence leaders, deployed service personnel and their families, and for those who are readjusting returning from operations. For

more information, contact the MCF at mcf.office@defence.gov.au or visit www.mcf-a.org.au

Earth HourDEFENCE will take part in Earth Hour on March 19. Across 18 sites studied in the 2015 Earth Hour, Defence saw an energy saving of 3.3 per cent. Members are encouraged to continue using energy efficiently by turning off computer monitors, unplugging phone chargers and turning off non-essential appliances and equipment.

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March 10, 2016 Personnelwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 29

Sgt Dave Morley

AN ARMY Reserve unit with a history going back 61 years became a sub-unit of the School of Military Engineering (SME) on February 9.

The Littoral and Riverine Survey Sqn (LRSS), which has its roots in 45 Port Maintenance Sqn raised in 1955, was handed over to SME from 5ER during a small ceremony at Holsworthy.

CO SME Lt-Col Markus Ludwig said the trans-fer to SME allowed Army to institutionalise littoral and riverine geospatial information knowledge and capability, and incorporate within a sustainable geospatial and survey training continuum.

“There will also be a requirement to undertake further analysis of the potential employment of this capability within the ADF’s developing amphibious capability,” he said.

OC LRSS Maj Gregory Spencer said the relo-cation of the unit to SME provided an excellent opportunity for the ongoing development of the specialist technical engineering capability.

“Working with other engineering specialists will generate closer collaboration and create supe-rior opportunities for capability integration,” he said.

“The bulk of LRSS members have a long asso-ciation with SME and have been warmly welcomed into this prestigious organisation.”

Over the years LRSS tasks have been under-taken by 5, 6, 7 and 8 Port Construction and Repair Teams, 11 Port Regt, 1 Terminal Gp, 1 Port Construction and Repair Gp and a reserve element of 19 CE Works.

Reservists interested in a part-time career in LRSS should email anthony.baker4@defence.gov.au for more information.

ForceNet on track

20,000 DHOAS subsidies approved

THE Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) is proving to be a popular ben-efit for service personnel with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs recently processing the 20,000th subsidy transaction.

DHOAS replaced the Defence Home Owner Scheme (DHOS) in July 2008 and has attracted a strong fol-lowing – more than $450 million in subsidies has been paid out under the scheme.

Director General Personnel – Army Brig Leigh Wilton said DHOAS pro-vided substantial assistance to regular and reserve soldiers.

“I encourage everyone to review their eligibility when they consider purchasing a home,” Brig Wilton said.

The aim of the scheme is to improve ADF retention rates by mak-ing home ownership easier for mem-bers in today’s competitive housing market.

Members are given an incentive to remain in the ADF through access to progressively higher levels of subsidy assistance the longer they serve.

Since 2008, Defence and DVA rep-resentatives have visited more than 50 bases across Australia to inform mem-bers about the scheme. These pres-entations can still be provided upon request.

The DHOAS is a substantial ben-efit for service personnel but entitle-

Sqn-Ldr Simon Paton

UNITS and thousands of users came on board with ForceNet in 2015 and are maximising their use of the plat-form.

Lt-Col David Edmonds, of the ForceNet team, said last year’s progress was on track and on target, with thou-sands of new users, dozens of jobs and information shared every day.

“For us, the ForceNet journey has been a partnership between the Defence APS and ADF,” he said.

“It has been about bringing the tech-nology and its capabilities to members at all levels over the internet and max-imising its potential.”

CO 5/6RVR Lt-Col Paul Middleton said the ability to broadcast an email or SMS to members or groups was a dis-tinct advantage.

“I immediately saw the value of this

as a command tool to communicate with unit members, particularly suited to rapid and secure dissemination of information in a reserve environment,” he said.

“As I explored the functionality further, it became obvious that the tool could enhance communication around normal unit functions, but had fur-ther potential to provide a significant enhancement to a unit level recall, such as a Defence aid to the civil community task using the SMS function.

“As a result, a unit-level directive was issued requiring all members to subscribe to ForceNet.”

This year ForceNet will continue to expand nationally as many Defence units establish their presence and improve communication with their members.

Visit www.forcenet.gov.au

New home for reserve sappers

Encouraging home ownership

ments can be affected by changing cir-cumstances. It is important that DVA is informed of any change in circum-stances as soon they occur. If chang-es are not reported in a timely man-ner, debts can accrue quite quickly. A Change of Circumstances form is available on the DHOAS website at www.dhoas.gov.au.

Further information can be accessed on the DHOAS website or by speaking with a DHOAS consultant on 1300 4 DHOAS (1300 434 627).

“I encourage everyone to review their

eligibility when they consider purchasing a

home.– Brig Leigh Wilton,

DG Pers – Army

Photo by Cpl Aaron Curran

LRSS conducts terrain analysis within the littoral environment and rapid environmental assess-ment of target locations by surveying water and beach routes, and assessing landing sites for specific landing craft.

Once the information has been collected on both land and water, the information is fused to provide a product for the littoral zone.

The unit’s equipment includes inshore hydrographic survey vessels, single-beam eco-sounders, side-scan sonars and global naviga-tion satellite system surveying equipment and software.

To make a product of a target area, the approach used is an iterative process that includes a desktop reconnaissance, visual assessment and beach gradient assessment.

A detailed survey, such as a beach landing graphic, is then compiled.

LRSS AT A GLANCE

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March 10, 2016www.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsHealth30

In the final of a two-part series, ADF Triathlon Club coach PO Michael Baruch reveals the best way to approach the run and ride legs.

Tri tips ’n tricks

� Aerobic threshold: Easiest runs, designed for building endurance.

Lactose tolerance: Hardest runs, floods muscles with ex-cess lactate, which increases body’s tolerance to lactate to prevent ‘hitting the wall’.

Fartlek: Alternate harder running efforts with easier recovery paces during longer runs – a quick way to improve fitness.

RUNNING TRAINING

An athlete prepares for the run leg of a triathlon. Inset: ADF Triathlon Club coach PO Michael Baruch. Photos by Cpl Bill Solomou and AB Kayla Hayes

CyclingCYCLING is the longest leg of a tri-athlon and should take up 50-to-60 per cent of your weekly training plan.

It is not the expensive bike that will win you the race – it is how you ride it. Because of its durability and light-weight, carbon fibre is the most popular material used on bikes. However, if you want to save on costs, a half aluminium and half carbon fibre bike will do the trick.

Road bikes are ideal for triathlon or road cycling. If you’re engaging in a enticer triathlon, a cheap mountain bike will do.

The main bike accessories I recom-mend are a helmet, front and rear lights, bicycle shoes, a good set of bike pants with gel inserts or high quality thick padding for that extra comfort, as well as a puncture kit.

Ensure your bike has at least two water bottle holders and a bike com-puter, preferably wireless, which can display distance, speed and RPMs.

At a minimum dedicate a one-hour session to speed, a one-hour session to hills, and a one-to-three-hour session to the brick. (The brick is where you run and cycle during the same workout.)

RunningThe run is the final leg in a triathlon.

It makes up about 30-to-40 per cent of the race and therefore should make up about 30-to-40 per cent of your weekly training plan.

The run component has the most impact on your body, so good, comfort-able and supportive pair of shoes will help prevent injury.

A warm-up is vital before running. It should consist of a light five-to-10 minute jog followed by about 15-to-20 minutes of dynamic stretching – a series of drills activating muscle fibres in the same way running does.

The inclusion of a dynamic warm-up will ensure your muscles are ready to accept the full benefit of the run and that you’re capable of finishing it injury free.

The time of the warm-up will vary depending on your fitness level, environ-ment and the intensity of the session.

Test whether or not your workout was sufficient by gauging the effort

required. If the first repetition was hard-er than the second, your warm-up was insufficient.

Conducting a cool-down is just as important as the warm-up. The cool-down gradually returns the body to a state of rest, making it easier for it to restore and adapt to training stresses.

Start the cool-down with a light five-to-10 minute jog, followed by a series of stretches held for around 20 seconds each. Conduct each stretch twice.

Incorporate at least two aerobic thresholds – one lactate tolerance and one fartlek session – in your weekly training plan.

A final tip: Elastic laces make your transition to the run quicker. Use your elastic laces on your aerobic threshold runs in the final six to eight weeks of your training plan.

This advice is generic and aimed at a beginner triathlete.

The ADF Triathlon Club is the offi-cial multisport club for Defence. The club offers free membership to all ADF members.

By joining you will have access to funding assistance for sanctioned events.

For more information, email michael.baruch@defence.gov.au or visit http://adftc.asn.au, bikeexchange.com.au and www.triathlon.org.au

For information and nomination forms, head to the ADFIHASharePoint page (link: http://caas/Areas/CORP/VCDF/ADSC/ADFIHA/SitePages/Home.aspx ) Or contact the ADFIHA viaemail at ADF.IceHockey@defence.gov.au.

The Australian Defence Force Ice HockeyAssociation is encouraging the participation ofwomen in Ice Hockey by conducting a developmentcamp 26 Mar – 1 Apr 2016. The camp is aimed atADF and reserve women who are interest in orcurrently play Ice Hockey, catering to all skill levels.

Held at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium inNewcastle, the camp will consist of on and office training, with guest coaching from Ms DebbieStrome (Player Development and TechnicalSkating Director for Ice Hockey Australia).

CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS

Sportwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews March 10, 2016 31

LCpl Sebastian Beurich

M E M B E R S o f t h e A D F Basketball Association (ADFBA) national team started their year off with a tour of Tasmania, coaching, mentoring and playing against local basketball teams.

Held from January 28 to February 8, the annual tour trav-elled across Tasmania from Hobart to Smithton in the far north-west.

On January 29, the men’s and women’s teams were welcomed to a clinic, run as part of a holiday camp by Basketball Tasmania, by Member for Denison Elise Archer.

Local media attended the clinic and the ADFBA involvement was publicised throughout the state.

The ADFBA teams started the

tour off at the top, playing their first game against the Hobart Chargers.

LCpl Kylie Guarino said the teams were competitive for how lit-tle training they had together.

“We had one training session before playing the Hobart Lady Chargers, so the first quarter was almost like we were settling in,” she said.

“The rest of the game we kept with them. If it wasn’t for the first quarter, we would have been in with a fighting chance.”

WO2 Lucas Tanis said the engagement with the local commu-nity set the ADFBA up for future trips.

“When we played in Penguin, the local community loved having us there to run the clinics,” he said.

“The most memorable part of the tour for me was going to the dif-ferent areas and engaging with the local communities.”

During all of the training clinics, the members of the management team wore their uniforms to pro-mote the ADF.

ADFBA Executive Member Sub-Leut Kate Alston said the clin-ics were viewed as a great success for both the ADF and basketball as a whole.

“The support we gave each other during games and the team cohe-sion we presented were looked upon favourably by the other teams we played,” she said.

“One of the other teams stated they aspired to have the camaraderie we had as a club.”

HAVE YOUR SAY

Army welcomes letters from readers. To increase the likelihood of having a letter published, please note: Preference is given

to letters under 250 words.

Letters may be edited for space and grammar.

Letters must include author’s name, unit, and location.

Letters might be rejected if they are too long, abusive or can be answered by the author’s unit.

Email letters to armynews@defencenews.gov.au

Triathletes head to Huski

Camaraderie shines through

Members of the ADF Basketball Association national team pose for a photo during a tour to Tasmania.

ADF basketballers spread message of teamwork

MORE than 25 ADF Triathlon Club members competed in the Huskisson triathlon festival at Jervis Bay in NSW from February 20-21.

The Saturday sprint events were divid-ed into women’s and men’s competitions comprising more than 600 competitors in each for the 750m triangular swim, 20km out-and-back cycle and 5km out-and-back seashore run.

The competitive field included seven potential Olympians from Australia and Canada.

In the men’s race the top ADF athlete was Lt-Col Iain Addinell, of HQ Joint Operations Command.

He won his age group and came 11th overall in a time of 1hr 6min.

“After a good swim I pushed the bike hard, not quite sure of the impact it would have on my running legs, but the gamble worked and nobody caught me before the finish,” he said.

In the women’s race, Maj Del Madge, of Australian Command and Staff College, placed third in the 45-49 age group in a time of 1hr 19min.

The Huskisson long course completion is considered a classic in Australian triath-lon races, comprising a scenic 2km swim, 83km cycle and 20km run.

A strong ADF Triathlon Club team was matched in a competitive field.

Lt-Col Addinell said the swim was a zig-zag course in Jervis Bay, followed by a three-lap bike course.

“The first 9km is a fairly steep uphill towards Nowra, while the two-lap run course follows the undulating seaside path,” he said.

Master Sgt Joshua Horsager, of the US Army on exchange at the School of Infantry, was a medal hopeful, but suffered a broken spoke during the bike leg and had to retire, leaving the top-placed Army and ADF Triathlon Club representative as WO2 Luke Woodland, of 1CHB.

WO2 Woodland placed fifth in the 30-34 age group in a time of 4hr 27min,

followed closely by Cpl Nanda Holyoak in 4hr 30min.

“I’m not sure I got my pacing right,” Cpl Holyoak said.

“After taking it easy for the first lap of the bike leg, I pushed the next two laps hard and really felt it during the latter stages of the run, but I was happy with my time.”

WO2 Woodland was using the race as a build-up for Ironman Cairns, and managed one of the fastest swims of the day outside of the professional field, covering the 2km in 28min 11sec. He placed in the top 10 per cent of the 800-strong field.

The next ADF Triathlon Club-supported event is in Mooloolaba on the Queensland Sunshine Coast on March 13.

Lt-Col Iain Addinell in action at Huskisson. Photo by J’Arne Dance

March 10, 2016

SPORT

TRI TIME

Soldiers put in strong effort at Huskisson triathlon festival

P31

ADF basketballers show true meaning of teamwork in Tassie tour

P31

Lt-Col Iain Addinell, of HQJOC, prepares to transition to the run leg. He won his age group and came 11th overall during the Huskisson triathlon festival sprint event. Photo by LS Sarah Williams