Australian Defence Force - Thread

[vor033]

Air Force AP-3C Orions have achieved an extraordinary seven years of continuous Middle East operations, providing crucial support to Australian and coalition forces.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal (AIRMSHL) Mark Binskin said the Orions had flown more than 1750 missions involving 16500 flying hours supporting Operations Bastille, Falconer, Catalyst and Slipper.

During the past 7 years the Orion crews have conducted overland intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks in Afghanistan and Iraq, maritime patrols of the Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea and more recently, counter-piracy missions in the vicinity of Somalia, working closely with the US-led Combined Maritime Force (CMF) and other international task forces. 29 January 2010

AP-3C Orion 'Lara' commences a night time mission over Iraq.

AP-3C Orion 'Lara' commences a mission over Iraq.

Pilot and aircraft captain Flight Lieutenant Marcus Watson at the helm of an AP-3C Orion during an operational patrol over Iraq.

Warrant Officer Bill Forbes of Adelaide SA mans a radar consol during a AP-3C Orion aircraft maritime patrol mission in the Middle East Area of Operations.

Pilots and the Engineering Officer in the AP-3C Orion cockpit during flight of an AP-3C Orion aircraft maritime patrol mission in the Middle East Area of Operations.

An AP-3C Orion aircraft banks hard over the Persian Gulf during a maritime patrol mission.

Warrant Officer Andrew Kassebaun of Adelaide SA photographs dhows from the cockpit of an AP-3C Orion during a maritime patrol mission in the Middle East Area of Operations.

Warrant Officer Dave Dyer (41) of Adelaide SA tracks a contact of interest from an AP-3C Orion's radar consol.

Maintenance crew work through the night preparing two RAAF C-130 Hercules and two AP-3C Orion aircraft for flight in the Middle East Area of Operations.

Leading Aircraftman Ryan Wyatt, 26, from Burton, SA marshals the RAAF AP-3C Orion safely into position after completing an operational mission within the Middle East.

Wing Commander Roger McCutcheon stands in front of an Australian P3-C Orion in the Middle East.

[vor033]

The 516 soldiers of Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 are mostly drawn from units of the Brisbane-based 7th Brigade. The Battle Group is comprised of the headquarters and cavalry squadrons of the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), operating Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs); an Infantry company from the 6th Battalion of The Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) operating Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMVs); and specialists from the 7th Combat Services Support Battalion. 29 May 2008

Private Andrew Martin, aged 25, from Fairfield, Sydney, keeps watch from an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle while on patrol in southern Iraq.

Private Trent Porter, aged 21 from Wodonga, Vic, takes a closer look at potential threats through the telescopic sight of his F88 Austeyr.

An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle patrols at speed across the Southern Iraq desert.

An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle patrols at speed across the Southern Iraq desert.

Soldiers from Combat Team Waler conduct a vehicle check point on a main supply route in Southern Iraq.

Private Ben Glover, aged 19 from Wynnum, Brisbane checks identification at a vehicle check point during a typical dust storm.

Soldiers from Combat Team Waler conduct a vehicle check point on a main supply route in Southern Iraq.

Soldiers from Combat Team Waler conduct a vehicle check point on a main supply route in Southern Iraq.

Private Nick Cronan, aged 28 from Ipswich, QLD checks inside the boot of an Iraqi vehicle.

Soldiers from Combat Team Waler conduct a vehicle check point on a main supply route in Southern Iraq.

Private Adam Mclean, aged 31 from Ipswich, QLD checks inside an Iraqi car during a security patrol in Southern Iraq.

Private Ben Glover, aged 19 from Wynnum, Brisbane, motions vehicles forward into a vehicle check point in Southern Iraq during a dust storm.

Private Beau Allen, aged 22 from Narraburra, Qld motions vehicles forward into a vehicle check point.

Private Adam Mclean, aged 31 from Ipswich, QLD checks an Iraqi's identification at a vehicle check point in southern Iraq

Soldiers from Combat Team Waler conduct a vehicle check point on a main supply route in southern Iraq.

(L-R) Private (PTE) Nick Cronan, aged 28 from Ipswich and PTE Alex Berghofer, aged 21 from Whyalla, SA check vehicles on a main supply route in Southern Iraq.

Private Nick Cronan, aged 28 from Ipswich, QLD directing vehicles through a check point in southern Iraq.

Soldiers from Combat Team Waler conduct a vehicle check point on a main supply route in southern Iraq.

Private Trent Porter, aged 21 from Wodonga, Vic keeps a watchful eye on approaching traffic.

Private Andrew Martin, aged 25 from Fairfield, Sydney observes oncoming traffic at a vehicle check point.

Australian Light Armoured Vehicle from Combat Team Waler drives across the desert near an oil refinery on the border of Basra and Dhi Qar provinces.

[grendel]

When the bomb goes off: Soldiers' harrowing ordeal

read the article:
http://www.theage.com.au/national/wh...422-1drci.html

[grendel]

about the recovery from injury of 2cdo regt diggers...

part 1
http://ten.com.au/6pm-with-george-ne...video_m=105088

part 2
http://ten.com.au/6pm-with-george-ne...video_m=105315

[Alfacentori]

Defence to cut 1,000 civilian jobs

The Federal Government has confirmed it plans to cut 1,000 civilian jobs from the Defence Department over three years.


Defence is surrendering $300 million, part of $20 billion in savings earmarked for modernising the Defence Force over the next 10 years.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith has told ABC's AM the savings would be used to help return the budget to surplus.
"We are proposing over the next three years to reduce our civilian complement by 1,000 - that will see, rule of thumb, a saving of in the order of $300 million," he said

continued
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...06/3209255.htm


And yet at the same time as we need to 'save' we get the PNG solution...

Alfa

[Elliott70]

And yet at the same time as we need to 'save' we get the PNG solution...

I suppose if they keep coming we have to put them somewhere. Why don't we throw money at the root cause? Maybe spend it on stopping the boats and breaking up the people smuggling rings? Whatever work the AFP or whoever it is currently doing that is clearly failing.

[BiZ]

Why don't we throw money at the root cause? Maybe spend it on stopping the boats and breaking up the people smuggling rings? Whatever work the AFP or whoever it is currently doing that is clearly failing.

Errr we do. It just happens that the Indos aren't as interested in stopping these things as we are...as it/they would them become "their" problem and not ours. And where's the benefit to them in that?

[Elliott70]

Errr we do. It just happens that the Indos aren't as interested in stopping these things as we are...as it/they would them become "their" problem and not ours. And where's the benefit to them in that?

You're right they're not interested but I can think of $450 million worth of aid as to why they should be giving a sh1t. Obviously (nothing new here) we are too soft.

Cut their aid and give to PNG.

[vor033]

Members of 16 Air Defence Regiment, Lieutenant Moutrage and Lance Bombardier Freeman, wait for orders to set up for the live firing of an RBS-70 missile at the live firing range in Woomera, South Australia.

Lieutenant Moutrage and Lance Bombardier Freeman, from 16 Air Defence Regiment, fire an RBS-70 missile at the live firing range in Woomera South Australia.

Lieutenant Moutrage and Lance Bombardier Freeman from 16 Air Defence Regiment, firing an RBS-70 missile at the live firing range in Woomera, South Australia.

[Alfacentori]

Afghan diggers get armoured vehicle boost

• Related Story: Defence to cut 1,000 civilian jobs
• Related Story: Defence receives boost for Uruzgan mission

The Federal Government will buy another 101 Bushmaster armoured vehicles for Australian troops in Afghanistan.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith says 31 bushmasters have been damaged beyond repair and the new purchase will provide a much-needed boost to the fleet.
He says the new vehicles will provide invaluable support to the soldiers in Afghanistan.
"The Bushmaster has proved to be a most effective combat vehicle, providing Australian troops with protection against improved explosive devices," he said.
"It has unquestionably saved lives in Afghanistan."

continued
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...section=justin

Good news defence announcement the day after ripping 2.5B from defence and cutting 1000 jobs, coincidence? I think not.

Alfa

[digrar]

Beneath the Faded Word
By Peter Thomas, Mt Martha, Vic.

It sat out in the shearing shed for 30 years or more,
With cobwebs, dust and binder twine, and sheep dung on the floor.
An old and rusted Lockwood kept its secrets from my eyes,

A cabin trunk of leather, there since 1945.
I asked my dad, who owned it and what we kept it for,
He replied, “It’s Uncle Basil’s, that he brought back from the war.
So don’t you bloody touch it, or I’ll tan your bloody hide!”
But that only made me more intrigued to see what was inside.
I wondered at its mysteries and the secrets that it hid,
Beneath the faded word “Tobruk” stencilled on the lid.

Near Wilcannia, where only hardy cattlemen will go,
Uncle Basil had a station, Baden Park, near Ivanhoe.
A strong and gentle man, who once rode the Birdsville Track
Just to prove he wasn’t hampered by the shrapnel in his back.

So I stood alone and weighed it up; which would I decide,
Should I leave the memories undisturbed, or take a look inside?
I knew I had to take a look to see what it’d hold.
Medals? Spoils from the war – silver, jewels or gold?

The old man went off fishin’ of a Sunday with Bob Gray,
Sp if I was gonna do it – that would have to be the day.
I started out determined – I was done by ten past two.
With half a broken hacksaw blade, I cut the padlock through,
But even as I opened it, the truth was plain and clear,
The old trunk held no gold or jewels, there was no treasure here .
A pile of letters tied with string, an old moth eaten flag,
A rusty metal helmet and mouldy webbing bag,
A cup made from a jam tin, an emu feathered hat,
And a newspaper clipping with the title “Desert Rat”,
Some photos of the pyramids – a rusty bayonet,
An IOU – Jack Carmody – two quid ( a two-up bet).

I folded out a faded map as the day began to wane,
Foreign places like Benghazi, Tobruk, El Alamein.
Then I came upon a satchel and a little leather book
And a photo of some young blokes – so I took a closer look.
It was 20 young recruits, their faces tanned and worn
From places like Cohuna, Moama and Bamawm.
Farmers, shearers, stockmen off to fight a noble war,
For the empire in a foreign land they’d never seen before.
And scrawled across the bottom, in writing rough and coarse,
Twenty names below the words, the Echuca Boys – Light Horse.

I turned the photo over, and there upon the back
Were words that sent a chill through me, and made my mouth go slack.
A solemn list of 20 – the fate of each the same.
Every one but Uncle Basil had a date beside their name,
Some said April ’43, some said June /July.
A record from our history, the date that each had died.
I turned back to the photo and looked in every face,
And written over each one was a month, a year, a place.
A grinning, sun-bronzed soldier’s face, each now with a name
Like November 1943 – the words El Alamein.

I wonder did they think, as they sailed across the foam,
That amongst them only one – Uncle Basil – would come home?
Recorded in that little book – I remember to this day –
A record of their actions and how each had passed away,

A mortar shell out on patrol; a sniper in the night;
A landmine took one’s legs off – he died before first light.
The death of each was brutal, the reality was stark.
Forty pages written there, I finished just on dark.

I slowly closed that record of the men who kept us free
And turned to see my father, standing silently.
He didn’t do his block as I expected that he would,
He just said, “Come on pack it up, I reckon that we should.”
So with loving care we packed away the treasures from the past,
When I came upon the photograph – it was put aside ‘till last –
And with new respect and love, I recorded there his fate.
Next to Uncle Basil I wrote April ’68.
Yeah, Dad and I we packed it up and put it back again
And wrapped it in a bit of tarp, to keep it from the rain.
We never spoke about it or discussed what I had read.
I reckon that was his way, to respect those men long dead.

There’s a statue of a digger in most every country town,
And a list of names of locals, who fought with great renown.
And now, when I go by, I remember what I read,
Sitting on the floor out there, in our old shearing shed.
And I think of Uncle Gordon, lost somewhere on Ambon,
Uncle Jack on the Kokoda and, in England, Uncle John.
I remember still that photo, with sadness and remorse,
That mob of grinning faces, the Echuca Boys – Light Horse.
In a cemetery near Ivanhoe lies a bloke who’s left his mark,
Basil Thomas, of Echuca, Tobruk and Baden park.

[vor033]

AASAM ANZACS charge into AASAM LT Levi Simington from One Recruit Training Battalion charges in, flanked by a New Zealand colleague during match 18 - the Bayonet attack. This match is a new addition to AASAM this year.

ANZACS charge into AASAM LT Levi Simington from One Recruit Training Battalion charges in, flanked by a New Zealand colleague during match 18 - the Bayonet attack. This match is a new addition to AASAM this year.

The Malaysian Pistol team competing against the US Marine team at this year's Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM).

Private Warwick Smith takes aim during the Urban Barricade Weapons Training Simulation System (WTSS) Shoot at this year's Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM)

Classification Range with all 60 firing positions in use. A first for AASAM.

A Barricade Range contest is part of this year's Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM). A soldier from 3 Bde Townsville tests his skill.

CFN Greg Hamilton from 1 Aviation Regiment in Darwin leads the Shooting team from 16 Aviation Brigade in the Obstacle course before the team snap shooting contest at this year's Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM).

The Timor Leste shooting team is put through an Obstacle course before the team snap shooting contest at this year's Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM).

Sniper Team from Brisbane’s 8/9 Royal Australian Regiment. Shooter Corporal Garth Cook and Spotter Private Nicholas Rolfe at AASAM 2011

Sniper Team from Brisbane’s 8/9 Royal Australian Regiment. Shooter Corporal Garth Cook and Spotter Private Nicholas Rolfe at AASAM 2011.

Sniper Team from 8/9 Royal Australian Regiment based in Brisbane. Shooter Corporal Garth Cook and Spotter Private Nicholas Rolfe

Sniper Team from 8/9 Royal Australian Regiment based in Brisbane. Shooter Corporal Garth Cook fires the SR98 7.62mm sniper rifle with a respirator during the Sniper match at AASAM 2011 Mid caption: AASAM 2011

Sniper Team from 8/9 Royal Australian Regiment based in Brisbane. Shooter Corporal Garth Cook and Spotter Private Nicholas Rolfe

US Marine LT COL Mark Makey tests the 7.62mm SR 98 Sniper Rifle at AASAM 2011. Mid caption: AASAM 2011

A Malaysian shooting team member fires his Light support weapon at this year's Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM).

“Inspect weapons” International teams Light support weapons are inspected before commencing the days shooting at this year's Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM)

CPL Joshua Milnes from Queensland University Regiment prepares to take aim at this year's Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM).

The Australian Army Combat shooting team change targets after a pistol match at this year's Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM).

Officer Cadet Correne Seabrook of Ballarat posted to Melbourne University Regiment (MUR) is being shown the French “Famas” weapon by ADJ (WO2) Candelier Joidan from Rima, Pacific New Caledonia at AASAM 2011

Lt. Col. Mark Mackey, Officer-in-Charge, United States Marine Corp’s Pacific Shooting Team spots for SGT Mathew Gullette on the pistol range at AASAM 2011.

[vor033]

Army base Puckapunyal has played host to some of the ADF’s most impressive capabilities during Exercise Chong Ju. The annual manoeuvre and firepower demonstration showcasing the M1A1 Abram Tank, M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier, ASLAV 25s, ASLAV PC and the Javelin missile system, all of which are available to an Australian Army Combat Team. Exercise Chong Ju is a training activity for the Combat Officer Advanced Course, which trains combat arms officers on advanced tactical and technical techniques in the employment of weapons and combat teams.

The Exercise is named after a series of offensive actions by 3RAR on 29 October 1950 against North Koreans, during which infantry company advances were supported by US Army tanks and artillery. Exercise Chong Ju is a key activity in the development of Army combat officer skills and knowledge. The exercise demonstrates the coordination of complex battle systems in time and space, and how various types of weapons are integrated to achieve success in combat.

Abrams M1A1 Tanks target enemy positions during a live fire assault during Exercise Chong Ju.

A swift assault onto the enemy position at Greens Gap by Abrams M1A1 Tanks and M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carrier during Exercise Chong Ju.

Soldiers and armoured vehicles assault an enemy position during Exercise Chong Ju at Puckapunyal, Victoria.

An Abrams M1A1 Tank fires on an enemy position at Puckapunyal Military Area during Exercise Chong Ju.

An Abrams M1A1 Tank provides intensive fire support while assaulting an enemy position during Exercise Chong Ju.

An M1A1 Abrams Tank charges toward an enemy position during Exercise Chong Ju at Puckapunyal, Victoria.

Soldiers and armoured vehicles assault an enemy position during Exercise Chong Ju at Puckapunyal, Victoria.

Soldiers and armoured vehicles assault an enemy position during Exercise Chong Ju at Puckapunyal, Victoria.

An M1A1 Abrams Tank is shrouded in the exhaust backwash of a leading tank during Exercise Chong Ju.

Abrams M1A1 Tanks move into position during an enemy attack on Exercise Chong Ju.

An Abrams M1A1 Tank moves back to high ground at Puckapunyal range during a succesful firing run on Exercise Chong Ju.

Soldiers, armoured tanks and vehicles make an assault on an enemy position during Exercise Chong Ju.

[vor033]

An ASLAV targets an enemy postion during a live fire display at Puckapunya Military Areal during Exercise Chong Ju.

Soldiers and armoured vehicles assault an enemy position during Exercise Chong Ju at Puckapunyal, Victoria.

Private Peter Broadhurst conducts a debus split out of a M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carrier with his troop during Exercise Chong Ju.

Corporal Fabio Oliveira (left) from Support Squadron Tank Troop debusses an M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carrier while rehearsing on Exercise Chong Ju.

Private Peter Broadhurst scans the horizon with the support of a M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carrier during Exercise Chong Ju.

Soldiers from Armoured Division line out prior to the briefing for a tactical asault on the enemy, during Exercise Chong Ju.

[vor033]

Lance Corporal (LCPL) Todd Drewery (front) and LCPL Adam Brown prepare to fire a Javelin Medium Defensive Fire Support Weapon at Exercise Chong Ju.

Soldiers prepare to fire a Javelin Medium Defensive Fire Support Weapon at Exercise Chong Ju.

A Javelin Missile is fired at an enemy target with precision during Exercise Chong Ju.

A Javelin Missile is fired at an enemy target with precision, during Exercise Chong Ju.