edition 1232, april 01, 2010

Edition 1232 April 1, 2010

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RACER SURVIVES 160KM/H SMASH

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3RAR TAKES TO THE SKIES

BOMBS WOUND SEVENTROOPS

Cfn Felipe Wray cleans the bubble window of a Rotary Wing Group Chinook on the flightline at Kandahar Airfield. Two Chinooks from 5 Avn Regt have resumed operations in Afghanistan.

Report: Page 3Photo by LAC Aaron Curran

ALL CLEARALL CLEAR

PAGES 20-21

2 NEWS Army April 1, 2010

DirectorRod Horan: (02) 6265 4650

EditorialEditorDavid Edlington: (02) 6266 7609Deputy EditorSharon Palmer: (02) 6266 7612Reporters:Sgt Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614Sgt Brian Hartigan: (02) 6265 2151Cpl Jane Ashby-Cliffe: (02) 6266 7606Cpl Zenith King: (02) 6266 7608Sydney photographer:Bill Cunneen: 0402 155 220

Contact usEmail: [email protected]: (02) 6265 6690Mail: The Editor, Army, R8-LG-038, Department of Defence, ACT 2600Web site: www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews

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The Soldiers’ Newspaper

Face of Army

Checklist: Sgt Haydn Penola, B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt, at Camp Holland, Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. Photo by Sgt Mick Davis

By Sgt Brian Hartigan

TAPPING into the Army’s culture of training, discipline and looking after mates, 1 Bde is tackling the problem of drink driving head on with a pre-Easter blitz and a three-pronged attack.

The three measures are:� Partnering with high-profile

Northern Territory institu-tions such as NT Police and the National Trauma Centre to develop hard-hitting education programs that will be delivered by 1 Bde COs and RSMs.

� New deterrence measures that build on existing commanders’ rights and responsibilities to pro-vide a safe working environment for everyone.

� Practical support in the form of free transport to and from Robertson Barracks.Brigade commander Brig Gus

McLachlan said he fully supported the CA’s stance on alcohol abuse and was determined to do all he

could to reduce alcohol-related issues among his soldiers.

“We are putting these three pieces in place that I think will tackle the problem head on and will hopefully assist our soldiers to make right and sensible decisions, particularly in regard to the use of motor vehicles when drinking alco-hol,” Brig McLachlan said.

“The military is not unique in that under-25-year-old males and, increasingly, females are signifi-cantly higher represented in motor vehicle accident statistics. But, in the Army, we have the abil-ity through our training and disci-pline systems to try and reduce the impact of this wider problem on our young men and women.”

He said the Army had “a very important job to do and we want these young people to be here to help us do that job”.

He said the brigade was “look-ing at ways to deter inappropriate behaviour by, for example, breath-testing individuals driving cars on base”.

SEVEN Mentoring Task Force 1 (MTF 1) soldiers have been wounded during two separate improvised explosive device attacks while on patrol in Oruzgan province in southern Afghanistan.

And in another incident, a Bushmaster had to be destroyed by an air strike after being severely damaged by an IED.

In the attack that caused the most casualties, an IED struck a Bushmaster during an MTF 1 patrol in the Chora Valley area on March 16. Six soldiers were wounded, three seriously.

Commander Joint Task Force 633 Maj-Gen John Cantwell said the wounded soldiers received immediate care from their mates before being evacuated to the Tarin Kowt International Security Assistance Force medical facility.

“The patrol moved quickly to secure the scene and provide quality first-aid treatment to their wounded mates,” Maj-Gen Cantwell said.

“They were quickly evacuated from the scene and were transport-ed to medical facilities in less than an hour after striking the IED.”

One of the wounded soldiers waited until he had completed the mission and was safely back at Tarin Kowt before seeking help.

Maj-Gen Cantwell said he was continually amazed by the determi-nation of those involved in serious incidents to stay and finish the job.

“In this case, we have a young bloke who has toughed it out for 48 hours because he didn’t want to let his mates down.

“To ensure he gets the appropri-ate rest and treatment we will move him back to our medical facility in the United Arab Emirates,” he said.

A Bushmaster also received sig-nificant damage in an IED strike on March 14.

The vehicle was not recovera-ble, and was deliberately destroyed by coalition precision air munitions to deny the insurgents access to it.

An interpreter assisting the patrol was wounded, and two Afghan soldiers suffered superficial wounds.

In a separate incident, an MTF 1 soldier patrolling in the Mirabad Valley region was seriously wound-ed in an IED blast on March 23.

The patrol was moving through

A MENTORING Task Force 1 patrol recently uncovered three improvised explosive devices in a single day on a major civilian crossing point in the Mirabad Valley region of Oruzgan province.

An explosive detection dog alerted the morning security patrol to the presence of explosives as it approached the major crossing point for a local village.

MTF 1 CO Lt-Col Jason Blain said the soldiers immediately worked to protect the nearby vil-lagers and themselves.

“Once we had secured the site, our explosive ordnance disposal specialists were brought in to pre-vent any villagers from acciden-tally triggering the device,” Lt-Col Blain said.

“The engineers safely dealt with the device and recovered the components for later analysis.”

As the patrol continued, a soldier discovered a second explo-sive device near the bridge.

The EOD specialists moved to deal with the home-made bomb, and while carefully approaching it, spotted a third device nearby.

Lt-Col Blain said the special-ists used explosives to destroy the items.

“These three devices, all found in the space of a few hours and within a couple of hundred metres of one another, posed an extreme-ly high risk to the villagers nearby who use the bridge to access their crops and a nearby bazaar,” he said.

IEDs wound seven

the area as part of a wider oper-ation to increase security in key locations. Maj-Gen Cantwell said the soldier suffered blast and frag-

mentation wounds when the device detonated.

“His mates immediately set about providing first aid and calling

for a casualty evacuation helicopter to ensure that he received high-quality care as soon as possible,” Maj-Gen Cantwell said.

“That quick reaction had him at the Tarin Kowt medical facility being prepared for surgery within 50 minutes.”

Initial surgery at the medical facility stabilised the soldier and he has been given a good prognosis for recovery.

“His body armour, helmet and ballistic eyewear have all prevented life-threatening injuries,” Maj-Gen Cantwell said.

“Good basic patrolling disci-pline such as maintaining spacing has certainly prevented what could have been a more catastrophic event for the patrol.”

The soldier will require a period of rest and rehabilitation.

The number of Australians wounded this year has risen to 15. To date, 115 personnel have been wounded during Operation Slipper.

Vigilant: LCpl Jason Matheson and his patrol survey the Mirabad Valley green zone. Photo by Sgt Mick Davis

1 Bde’s drink-driving campaign

Three bombs uncovered

“At the end of the day, as the commander, I have a responsibil-ity to make sure that our work places are safe for everybody and, by extension, I believe that also includes the roads on my base,” he said.

Brig McLachlan said because Robertson Barracks was so far out of Darwin – about a $50 taxi ride – it “clearly could be a factor when people decide to get into their own car when they really shouldn’t”.

“We have already started a trial, with 2 Cav Regt doing that for us,

using existing resources and unit guards,” he said.

“It isn’t a taxi service – there’ll be set times and so on – but, one thing I particularly like about this scheme is that it builds on the sol-diers-looking-after-soldiers theme, with the unit duty NCO there to make sure they behave and the duty driver to drive them home.”

He acknowledged similar trials had occurred in the past but the soldiers’ support for it seemed to ebb and flow.

“They are enthusiastic for a while, but then we hear it isn’t late enough for them or they want to come home at different times or whatever,” he said.

“So we are trying to massage it this time using smaller vehicles or targeting it to individual unit requirements and so on.

“At the end of the day, this is a challenging one, but we are deter-mined to give the soldiers options that don’t involve them making bad choices about using their cars.”

Number of soldiers across the Army caught drink-driving in 2010

Jan: 7 Feb: 15 Mar: 20

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NEWS 3Army April 1, 2010

THE Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has signed a contract with the US Army Security Assistance Command to acquire seven CH-47F Chinooks, two simulators and associated spares.

Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Minister Greg Combet said the aircraft would replace the existing fleet of six CH-47D Chinooks operated by C Sqn, 5 Avn Regt.

The first two aircraft are planned to enter service in 2014, with all seven in serv-ice by 2017.

“The CH-47D fleet is providing outstanding sup-port to the ADF, particularly in Afghanistan, and this acquisition of seven new CH-47Fs by the Australian government will strengthen our ability to support our soldiers in the future,” Mr Combet said.

He said the Chinooks would incorporate some minor Australian-specific enhancements including crashworthy crew and pas-senger seating, fitment of miniguns, and underfloor ballistic protection.

By LAC Aaron Curranand Flt-Lt Michael McGirr

THE Chinooks from 5 Avn Regt have resumed operations in Afghanistan while embedded with the US 101st Airborne Division.

The two Chooks are based at Kandahar Airfield and will operate for eight months over the peak of the Afghan summer to provide medium airlift support to the International Security Assistance Force.

The first CH-47 was unloaded from an RAAF 36 Sqn C-17 on March 6 and, in a big effort, RWG 5 personnel had it assembled in two days. The second Chinook arrived in theatre in mid-March.

For this rotation there have been some notable upgrades and changes.

CO RWG 5 Lt-Col David Lynch said one of the reasons for this was because of the protracted nature of our involvement in Afghanistan.

“HQ 16 Avn Bde, in accordance with Chief of Army’s direction, is seek-ing to extend the time between tours for individuals by opting for a single eight-month deployment,” he said.

“We have some aircrew and main-tenance personnel who have already been here four times. Of the members of RWG 5, about 80 per cent of those will do the whole eight months.”

Although RWG 5 is under the umbrel-la of C Sqn, this time personnel were sourced from other units in the brigade from Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin.

“Because C Sqn has constantly been providing for this operation year after year, 16 Avn Bde is trying to spread the load across the rest of the capability,” Lt-Col Lynch said.

“With that in mind we have got a very good team here.”

He said the Chinooks had undergone minor modifications.

“Over the years the self-protection system has been tuned and now it is state-of-the-art and effective against the range of threats we may face, plus we have a couple of systems onboard the aircraft that allow us to operate with the Americans.”

He said RWG 5 used the US 101st Airborne Div’s Tactical Operations Centre (TOC).

“We have systems that allow us to link in with them that allows the TOC to monitor friendly elements in theatre and tell who and what it is. Everyone who operates the system knows where every-one else is,” he said.

The current detachment is the fifth to deploy since the CH-47 first began oper-ating in Afghanistan in March 2008.

Chooks back on the job

Contract for seven Chinooks

They’re back: Rotary Wing Group personnel conduct a flight inspection on a Chinook on the flightline at Kandahar Airfield. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran

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By Michael Brooke

THE diggers of 7RAR have made the long journey from Darwin’s Robertson Barracks to Cultana Field Training Area (CFTA) in South Australia for the last time.

They have been participating in a 1 Bde exercise at Cultana since February, but after it finishes this month they will turn their attention to relocating to Edinburgh Defence Precinct in Adelaide.

CO Lt-Col Michael Garraway said 7RAR and support units, including a battery from 8/12 Mdm Regt, would begin the move to their new barracks in December.

He said by late 2012 the 7RAR Battalion Group would comprise close to 900 personnel based at Defence Establishment Edinburgh in the northern suburbs of Adelaide.

The battalion group will consist of the battalion – with about 770 person-nel – and teams of artillery, engineers and logistics of about 80 personnel each. There will also be small groups of additional personnel in supporting functions such as training, military police and medical support.

The shift will bring more imme-diate access to CFTA, which can be used for training year round, unlike the training facilities in Darwin that are limited by the wet season.

While 7RAR will move to Adelaide, its sister unit, 5RAR, will remain in Darwin.

Lt-Col Garraway said his dig-

gers were excited about the reloca-tion because “the separation of the two mechanised battalions will pro-vide officers, NCOs and soldiers with some diversity”.

“This will be the best barracks in the Australian Army,” he said.

“The accommodation, work facili-ties, hangars and the purpose-built driver training areas are first rate.”

He said lessons learnt from 5/7RAR’s move from Holsworthy to Darwin in the mid-90s would help 7RAR with its relocation to Adelaide.

“Obviously, there are many les-sons learnt from the 5/7RAR reloca-tion but there are also some differ-ences because this time we are mov-ing into a larger city with a higher population density.”

He said there were several chal-lenges involved in relocating a mech-anised battalion, but he had confi-dence in the flexibility and schedul-ing of the plan that would help the soldiers and their families get estab-lished.

“DHA has been an active partner in the planning process and has also worked well with property developers to help ensure there is ample accom-modation for soldiers and their fami-lies when they get to Adelaide.”

Lt-Col Garraway said in addition to the relocation to Horse Show Lines at Edinburgh Defence Precinct, the other milestone was the continua-tion of the rollout of the M113 AS4s, which were proving to be a highly capable vehicle with great potential.

Attention turns to move

Familiarisation: Pte Alan Jennings, Pte Heath McKenzie, LCpl Jareth Merriman and Pte Paul Taylor look on as Pte Darislav Besedin (centre) checks the oil in a 7RAR M113. Photo by Capt Lachlan Simond

By Cpl Dion Trevillion

THE location of the 2010 Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Project (AACAP) is as remote as it gets.

This year 21 Const Sqn will lead the efforts deep into Australia’s dry and dusty outback to the small community of Pukatja, 600km south west of Alice Springs on the Northern Territory and South Australian borders.

Personnel from 19 CE Wks, 22 Const Regt, 2 Div, 2HSB and 26 Tpt Sqn will be involved in AACAP from April to September.

The construction of three houses will be high priority to improve the commu-nity’s living conditions. Other work to be carried out includes integration of one new and existing bore into the communi-

ty’s water reticulation system, as well as road maintenance.

An education team from 2 Div will deliver a TAFE-recognised course focused on employability skills to local community members, while 2HSB will provide public health education and med-ical support to the AACAP contingent and the Pukatja community.

Brisbane-based 26 Tpt Sqn will move all the equipment and materials in two 12-day round trips.

Lt-Col Steven Gliddon, CO HQ 6 Eng Spt Regt, said last year a reconnaissance of the area and surrounds was conducted.

“This year is no different to any other AACAP or exercise around Australia. We will be working under challenging condi-tions and overcoming them is one of our objectives,” Lt-Col Gliddon said.

THE departments of Defence and Customs and Border Protection have welcomed the release of the Northern Territory Coroner’s report into the inci-dent involving SIEV 36 last April.

RAdm Allan du Toit , Deputy Commander Joint Operations, and RAdm Tim Barrett, Commander Border Protection Command, said both depart-ments would carefully consider the Coroner’s findings.

“We note the Coroner’s positive com-ments regarding the manner in which Defence personnel provided a timely res-cue effort,” RAdm du Toit said.

“We also welcome the Coroner’s comments on the great efforts, profes-sionalism and bravery of the ADF per-sonnel in what he has described as a timely and proactive response.

“We note the Coroner made reference to deficiencies in the search of the vessel.

It is pleasing that the Coroner acknowl-edged that Defence has already taken action to remedy these deficiencies.”

Both departments cooperated fully with the Coroner’s inquest and the earlier NT Police investigation into the deaths of five people after a fire aboard SIEV 36. The Navy had stopped the suspected illegal entry vessel near Ashmore Island on April 15, 2009.

RAdm du Toit said the inquest “has been a difficult process for some of our personnel, and the conduct of our service men and women who appeared during hearings has been commendable”.

“Since the incident, Defence has been providing ongoing support to those ADF personnel involved. We are now concentrating our effort to ensure that those involved are fully informed of the Coroner’s findings and will continue to provide them with the support they need,” he said.

Commands look at coronial report

Housing high on list

Defence Honours and Awards to visit 6 Capital Cities on Anzac Day

On Sunday 25 April, Defence Honours and Awards staff will attend Anzac Day ceremonies in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart.

You and your family are invited to visit the Defence Honours and Awards display as part of the commemorative activities for the day. You will fi nd helpful staff at the following locations:

The Australian War Memorial, CanberraAnzac Memorial, Hyde Park South, Sydney The Shrine of Remembrance, MelbourneQueens Park, BrisbaneStirling Gardens (prior to march) and Anzac House (at completion of march), St George’s Terrace, Perth The Hobart Cenotaph, Hobart

Staff from Honours and Awards welcome this opportunity to answer any questions, provide application forms and assist with general information on medals contained within the Australian honours and awards system as well as information on Imperial and foreign awards.

For more information on medals and eligibility criteria or to subscribe to automatically receive policy updates and the Defence Honours and Awards Newsletter, please visit the Defence Honours and Awards’ website at www.defence.gov.au/medals or phone the Customer Response Team toll-free on 1800 111 321 between 0900 and 1700 AEST.


By Sgt Andrew Hetherington

HITTING a concrete wall at 160km/h after spending more than $200,000 getting your ‘baby’ up to speed would break a lesser man, but not WO2 Neil Murphy, whose drag racing hobby came to a screeching halt during a run at Warwick Raceway on March 13.

“When I hit the wall the first thing I though of was my wallet,” WO2 Murphy, HQ 8 Bde, said.

It’s little wonder he reached for his wallet, as the crash caused significant damage to the oil and fuel pumps and tanks, twisted the chassis and destroyed the front end.

“It’ll cost me about $40,000 and we’ll have to rebuild the front end and engine, and do a whole new body,” he said. “I was racing on a circuit that the car was simply too powerful for – the surface just didn’t have enough grip.”

While the car burst into flames, WO2 Murphy, better known as ‘Murph’, was well protected and wasn’t injured.

“I wear a five-layer fireproof suit, gloves, a neck brace and helmet, and the car has a fire extinguisher system built into it,” he said.

“I just have a sore neck and shoulder because the car rolled twice.

“We won’t be racing for a while because I’ll have to save the money to begin the rebuild.”

Unfortunately, WO2 Murphy’s part-time passion is just that – and the chari-ties he support will be the big losers while he’s off the track.

The 8 Bde electrical mechanical engi-neer began racing and building cars at 15 and his beloved 3000hp Mustang beast is his third drag car. He tested it for the first time at Willowbank raceway in Brisbane on February 20 when his team put in a strong performance at the Supercharged Outlaw Nostalgia Drag Racing Series event.

“We entered the major meet to test the car and ended up being the top quali-fier and recorded the fastest speed of the day,” WO2 Murphy said.

His Mustang was stomach-churning fast, clocking a top speed of 344km/h over 400m. “My time over the distance was 6.6sec, which was a Nostalgia Drag Racing record.”

At this kind of speed, which would out-drag a Formula 1 car, WO2 Murphy said he doesn’t have much time to think.

“You really don’t remember much, it’s all a blur,” he said.

As he moves forward after the lights turn green he has a lot to do.

“When I’m shooting down the track, I’m punching through the gears and I then have to engage the brake and deploy the parachutes,” WO2 Murphy said.

“It’s only six seconds and in that time I have to change two gears, shut off the fuel and ignition and deploy parachutes – and then just hang on for the ride.”

At the Willowbank event a shower of rain halted the racing – but not for long as an aircraft jet engine on the back of a trailer quickly blow-dried the track.

To get his car and team to where it is now, WO2 Murphy had to spend some serious money.

“I’ve spent more than $200,000 build-ing the car and the team up and, over a good weekend of racing, if I don’t break anything, I usually spend about $3000.”

COST BREAKDOWNEngine from hat to sump $48,000Clutch and transmission $11,000 Car body $10,000Wheels and tyres $7,000Chassis $20,000Truck & trailer $70,000One meet car costs $2500-$5000Yearly maintenance $20,000

CAR SPECSThe engine is an all Australian-built Sainty, made in Sydney.Engine size: 542 cubic inches (8.9l).Fuel consumption: 68l per 60sec.Oil system: 4-stage dry sump.Transmission: 3-speed Lenco, air shift.Diff: 9 inch. Wheels: 15x3 front, 16x16 rear.Brakes: four discs, two parachutes.

Racer’s dreams hit wall

Luckily, his wife Michelle supports his passion, getting in on the action by attending races and cooking for the team.

WO2 Murphy also has two jun-ior drag cars for his two children, son Steven, 11, and eight-year-old daughter Ellie.

“The cars are junior dragsters with five horse-power lawn mower engines in them.

“But they are quicker than any pro-duction street car in Australia.

“Steven’s car has recorded 8.9sec over 200m at 75 miles-an-hour.”

WO2 Murphy does not race for tro-phies – he races for the love of it.

“We gear the racing more for the spectators. We are not out to win money or titles. We want to do it for charities and charity events,” he said.

“We get invites to many events, but can’t always attend because of either a lack of money or not being able to get leave from work.”

The future for WO2 Murphy and his team, other than deciding on a team name, is to improve the car.

“We will tune the car so we can run the 400m in 6.5sec and continue to run and display the car at charity events.”

But his racing career has hit a speed bump after the Warwick incident.

To assist WO2 Murphy’s team to rebuild the car and continue supporting charity events, email [email protected] or view his February 20, 344km/h run at Willowbank at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EtOouLKlXk

Passion: WO2 Neil Murphy works on his car. Photo by Tpr Michael Franchi

Before: WO2 Neil Murphy’s Mustang on track, right.Photo by Tpr Michael Franchi

After: WO2 Murphy and his car are a ball of flame after hitting the wall, above.

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SOLDIERS from 7 Bde, 7RAR and Special Operations Command will be the first to receive new technol-ogy that will revolutionise the way the ADF conducts exercises and fights future battles.

Defence signed a $349 million contract on March 15 for the deliv-ery of control and communications (BGC3) systems to Army from 2011.

Under the project, soldiers will be issued new digital radios, mil-spec computers, GPS and rugged displays, which will provide maps, text messaging and enhanced overlay creation.

The new technology will give commanders and soldiers much improved situational awareness and provide wide access to navigation-al information and enhanced radio coverage. The system will provide a secure network enabling mounted and dismounted elements to view location information and exchange voice and data messages in real time.

Project Manager of Land 75 Phase 3.4 Battle Management System (BMS) Lt-Col Roger Grose said the new technology would be fitted to 1052 Army vehicles.

“Thiry-seven different variants of

� Vehicle-mounted soldiers will use a small computer terminal, new radios and upgraded GPS systems. � In command-post vehicles, soldiers will use a new Harris 150 HF radio, a Harris 152 VHF radio and the UHF Extended Frequency Enhanced Position Locating Reporting System (EPLRS) radio. � Dismounted soldiers will use a small ruggedised personal data unit (PDU) con-taining a computer that a number of devices

can plug into. Also an optional eight-inch display tablet for data entry and an optional keyboard for large volumes of data entry can also be carried. � The new radio systems purchased are the most advanced of their type available in the world. The new VHF and UHF radio will replace three current radio fleets; Raven, Wagtail and Pintail with a common device the size of a Pintail, but much more capable and secure.

Revolution in technology

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE NEW BMS

Bushmasters, Macks, Unimogs, G-Wagons and M113s will be config-ured to carry the equipment,” Lt-Col Grose said.

“Fifteen hundred dismounted sol-dier-portable systems will also be delivered with a number of com-mand-post systems for use in vehi-cles and by dismounted soldiers using the portable system.”

SO1 CISEW Development in AHQ Lt-Col Steve Frankel said the first soldiers to receive and be trained in the use of the equipment would be from Gallipoli Barracks.

“A 7 Bde infantry company will be the first to receive the battle management system to be mounted in their Bushmasters, the soldier-

portable dismounted system and new radios,” Lt-Col Frankel said. “The rest of 7 Bde, less the ASLAV component of 2/14 LHR (QMI), 7RAR and a special operations task group from special operations command will be next to receive the equipment.”

In this phase of the project, train-ing will begin early next year.

Lt-Col Grose said it was estimat-ed that 3500 soldiers would receive training by the end of 2012.

“By 2020 the four phases of the project will be complete and the whole of Army will have equipment and the capability.”

Lt-Col Frankel said the exact design of the soldier-portable dis-mounted BMS was not yet finalised, but details would be published as they were agreed.

“This phase will incorporate feed-back from soldiers from 1 Bde and 7 Bde, who will test prototypes before deliveries begin next year,” he said.

Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Minister Greg Combet said the equipment would increase the ADF’s battlespace awareness, auto-mate combat messaging and assist in the successful conduct of operations.

“Importantly, this capability will significantly reduce the risk of casu-alties from friendly fire,” he said.

Upgrade: New comms technology will be fitted to 1052 vehicles.

Under microscope: This file photo of trials in 2008 shows a soldier using a battle management monocle. Soldiers will be able to see high-resolution images of maps and data, which can be manipulated using fingertip mouse-equivalent controls.

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By Cpl Dion Trevillion

ONE is a craftsman whose forebears served with the Germans during both world wars, another is a lance corpo-ral whose ambition has been to back-pack around Anzac Cove and the third is a corporal keen to educate his younger diggers about Australia’s military heritage.

The three soldiers are recipients of the 2010 CA ‘I’m an Australian Soldier’ Scholarship and will travel to Turkey on April 14 for this year’s Anzac Day commemorations. They are a craftsman from SASR, LCpl Jordan Lund, 9FSB, and Cpl Paul Waples, 9RQR.

CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie congratu-lated the trio in the presence of the Turkish ambassador, Mr Oguz Özge, at Army HQ in Canberra on March 17. A fourth recipient, LCpl Luke Rawnsley, 2HSB, received his scholarship when Lt-Gen Gillespie visited Gallipoli Barracks on February 24.

Forty-five soldiers were nominat-ed for this year’s scholarship, which recognises members who uphold the Army’s nine core values in an exem-plary manner.

“The calibre of young leaders who were put forward was outstanding,” Lt-Gen Gillespie said. “Leadership in the Army has many levels. The reality of it is our success on the battlefield is due to our junior leaders and this

scholarship is another way – to recog-nise that.”

Cfn Gerald, a vehicle mechanic, was “blown away” to be a winner.

“I have been so busy, until I was told I’d won I’d forgotten all about being nominated,” he said.

Although he has never been to Gallipoli, he has travelled to Europe to visit war memorials and see where his ancestors – including both grandfa-thers – served with the German forces during World Wars I and II.

LCpl Lund, a petroleum operator, has had plans for a backpacking holi-day to Gallipoli on the back burner for some time, so was “pretty happy about it” when informed he was among the scholarship winners.

He said he appreciated the opportu-nity to explore Gallipoli, the birthplace of the Anzac legend.

“The boys at work have given me a bit of grief as they’re dirty that I get to go,” he said.

Cpl Waples, a reservist who is also a police officer, was knocked off his feet when he found out he was one of the Gallipoli scholarship recipients.

“Many young fellows don’t have that much knowledge about the Gallipoli campaign, so this will give me more knowledge to pass on to the younger blokes in my unit,” he said.

His wife and father will be there to support him during the Anzac Day activities.

Leaders a key to success


THE names of 75 of the 250 Australian soldiers, whose remains were uncov-ered at the World War I mass burial site at Fromelles in France were issued on March 17.

They were released by the Fromelles Management Board after an identifica-tion board had considered the results of extensive DNA testing of the 250 men. Identification also included considera-tion of all anthropological, historical and artefact evidence.

Australian Fromelles Project Group Manager Lt-Col James Brownlie said every family member who had registered with Army and was confirmed as a rela-tive was notified on March 16.

“A team of 12 people made up of sol-diers from Australia’s Federation Guard and the Fromelles project team made 550 phone calls within a 14-hour period,” Lt-Col Brownlie said.

The reactions from the notified rela-tives were varied.

“Some were in disbelief and some were over the moon, thankful for the efforts of the team over the past couple of years,” he said.

A second identification board will sit in May and release any further names of the missing Fromelles soldiers.

“Based on the amount of DNA evi-

dence we have outstanding, I think we may have another handful of names to release,” Lt-Col Brownlie said.

“The next large number of names to be released may be in March next year when another joint identification board sits. That figure is fully dependant on relatives registering with us and provid-ing DNA samples.”

Every March from 2011 through to 2014, a joint identification board will sit and subsequently release further names if possible.

Every confirmed family member has been offered a seat at the July 19 dedica-tion of the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery.

“Due to the limited space at the event, family members will have to register their intent to attend on the website,” Lt-Col Brownlie said.

“In due course a ticketing system will be developed, where people will be able to apply for tickets.”

The reinterment of 249 of the soldiers was completed on February 19, with the final unknown soldier to be buried at the dedication service on July 19.

If you believe you are related to one of the miss-ing soldiers found at Fromelles or would like to register your interest in attending the service in July, visit the Fromelles project website http://www.army.gov.au/fromelles

DNA testing names 75 Fromelles dead

Firing party: The first of the Australians discovered at Fromelles are reinterred with full military honours. Photo by Alastair Miller

Honoured: Cpl Paul Waples and LCpl Jordan Lund collect their ‘I’m an Australian Soldier’ Scholarships from CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie. Photo by Sgt Andrew Hetherington

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The joint TNI/ADF contingent flew to Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan and drove six hours overland to Entikong. They met with the local government officials of Sangau district and local TNI team. The contingent split into two teams to investigate two possible sites. At both sites, the entire area was fully excavated and the spoil wet-sieved revealing fragments of bone and clothing.

Lt Ken HudsonThe possible site where Lt Hudson was buried was in the Sekunyit area. Witnesses indicated a European who had drowned had been dis-covered and was buried at the TNI military cemetery allocated for non-Muslim soldiers at the end of March or in the first days of April 1966. An eye-witness led the team to the burial site.

Pte Robert MoncrieffAt the same time excavation of the Entikong site where it was believed Robert Moncrieff was buried, began 1.5km downstream from Entikong. The site had changed significantly over time because of river flooding. After speaking to other witnesses, the lead investigator identified a second site, 5m away. The team was advised that a big tree marked the head of the grave but had been washed away. PTE ROBERT CHARLES

MONCRIEFF, 1944-1966Robert Moncrieff was born in Hamilton, NSW on December 17, 1944. He enlisted in the Army on April 21, 1964 and was assigned to the RAInf. He under-went SAS selection in 1965 and was posted to SASR on April 21, 1965. In October 1965, he deployed to Papua New Guinea to complete preparation training with 2 SAS Sqn before deploy-ing to Borneo in January 1966. He was presumed drowned while attempting to cross the flooding Sekayan River in Sarawak, Borneo on March 21, 1966. His next of kin at the time of his death was his father, William.

LT KENNETH AMBROSE HUDSON, 1936-1966Ken Hudson was born in Qld on January 7, 1936. He enlisted in the Army on April 30, 1956 and was allocated to the RAInf. He served in 1RAR and 2RAR and the Airborne Pl and pro-gressed to the rank of sergeant before being commissioned. He was appointed an officer on September 9, 1964. He was posted to SASR on February 24, 1965 and was assigned to 2 SAS Sqn as troop com-mander E Tp. He was presumed drowned while trying to cross the flooding Sekayan River in Sarawak Borneo on March 21, 1966. He was survived by his wife Dawn and son John.

By Cpl Corinne Boer

IT WAS the Sekayam River that claimed the lives of Lt Ken Hudson and Pte Bob Moncrieff in 1966 and the same river that led to the discov-ery of their remains 44 years later.

The two SASR soldiers were part of a four-man patrol that established an observation post at Entabang on March 19. They left the position and during a river crossing in the early hours of March 21, the patrol was separated. Lt Hudson and Pte Moncrieff regrouped and re-entered the river tethered together and were swept off their feet and disappeared under the surface.

The bodies of the two soldiers were discovered by local citizens and buried in 1966.

In January last year the search began in the remote border region of West Kalimantan to locate the remains of the two soldiers. A joint Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) and ADF team travelled down the river in canoes to speak with the indigenous Dayak tribesmen.

Lead investigator Maj Jack Thurgar said the river was the lifeblood for the Dayak tribe as there were no roads in the district that reached the village.

“The people live their whole lives on the river, so my reasoning was the information to the whereabouts of the soldiers would still be on the river,” Maj Thurgar said.

The TNI worked with the ADF linguists to liaise with the tribesmen for information. Maj Thurgar said the Dayak tribe had an oral history and the linguists spoke with the elders who were the keepers of the historical and cultural information.

“By talking with the elders all the way along the river, we located all the people who knew something about the incident,” he said.

Late last year the remains of the two soldiers were recovered and the WA state coroner confirmed the find-ings of the Army expert identification panel.

A simple service of remembrance was conducted for both men at both sites in accordance with Christian, Dayak and Muslim rituals.

Maj Thurgar said the discoveries would not have been possible without the full cooperation of all parties.

“Special thanks must be given to the Dayak people of Sangau District, West Kalimantan, for without their unfettered willingness to provide assistance, advice, and genuine friend-ship to the Joint Team, success would not have been possible,” he said.

“These fantastic and highly interest-ing people with a unique culture, were driven to help as an act of compassion for the grieving families.”

Defence Personnel, Material and Science Minister Greg Combet praised

River leads to discovery

the efforts of the Army investigation team and ex-serving and serving SAS personnel.

“I would like to recognise the efforts of the official Australian Army investigation team, and express grati-tude for the support of the TNI during the investigation,” Mr Combet said.

“The perseverance and determined efforts of the ex-serving and serving SAS community have contributed to this success in locating and recover-ing the remains of the two missing soldiers.”

Mr Combet said planning to repat-riate the remains of Lt Hudson and Pte Moncrieff to Australia was underway and the date for repatriation would be advised when known.

DISCOVERY OF REMAINS

Grim task: Excavation takes place at the site believed to be the grave of Pte Charles Moncrieff.

On the ground: Maj Jack Thurgar from the Army’s recovery team with Pak Osman, the son of Haji Mistar, the keeper of the Dayak burial site, during the investigation into the whereabouts of the remains of Lt Kenneth Hudson and Pte Robert Moncrieff (above). The Sekayam River (below).


BRITISH Beefeaters who kept an Australian trophy for “safekeeping” in the Tower of London have returned the object to its rightful home.

The trophy, a small wooden replica of a Napoleonic-era naval muzzle-loading cannon, was donated to the Anglesea Barracks Sergeants’ Mess in 1956 by HMAS Wagga. It has since travelled the world after being regularly liberated from the mess by members of ships, squadrons and units from Australia and other nations.

Yeoman Warder Jimmy James spied the trophy dur-ing a visit on board HMAS Sydney in 2009 and relo-cated the cannon to the Yeoman Warder’s mess in the Tower of London.

He and fellow Yeoman Warder Crawford Butler marched the cannon into Anglesea Barracks on February 26 and presented it to WO1 John Stonebridge, RSM 12/40 Royal Tasmanian Regt.

In keeping with tradition, the Yeoman Warders also paid a fine of $400 to Legacy.

WO1 Stonebridge said the cannon had been missing for almost a decade so “it was nice to see it had made its way home”.

In the past 54 years, the cannon has travelled on the USS Missouri and USS Carl Vinson, been on opera-tions in the Middle East and East Timor, been passed between US nuclear submarines under the Arctic ice and been on many Australian, UK, US, Canadian and NZ ships.

The cannon and its base are covered with small plaques detailing its travels.

Blowing lid on cannon

Missing in action: Ywo Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London, Jimmy James and Crawford Butler, return the Anglesea Barracks cannon, presenting it to RSM 12/40RTR WO1 John Stonebridge in front of assembled mess members. Photo by Phil Pyke

DEFENCE Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the US Air Force Research Laboratory have suc-cessfully completed a second hyperson-ic flight at the Woomera test range.

Reaching speeds above Mach 5.5, hypersonic flight has the potential to revolutionise global air travel and give Australia the opportunity to launch communication satellites.

The flight on March 22 was the second in a series of up to 10 planned flight experiments under a joint DSTO and the US Air Force research pro-gram. Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Minister Greg Combet said the flight enabled scientists to collect fundamental data critical to the design and development of an engine capable of sustained hypersonic flight.

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A NEW project to improve ethical education within the ADF will focus on operations.

Director of the Centre for Defence Leadership and Ethics Jamie Cullens said as part of Project Achilles, a joint service team would look at existing national and international material and visit training establishments to examine the level of ethics education.

“The Project Achilles team will address how we can best educate our people to understand the complexity of ethical decisions in the military, how we can be con-fident military personnel will make good ethical deci-sions at all levels, and how we can better prepare mili-tary personnel to make ethical decisions at short notice in volatile, complex situations,” Mr Cullens said.

“Through a series of focused courses we will be able to educate personnel from recruit to star-rank levels and raise awareness of the ethical dilemmas they are likely to encounter in base locations in Australia and on operations.”

The recently established Military Ethics Advisory Board, chaired by RAdm James Goldrick, will oversee the project to develop pilot military ethics programs for inclusion in the ADF education system.

For more information on Project Achilles, or to contribute ideas to the project, contact Lt-Col Ian Campbell at email [email protected].

MELBOURNE University Regiment (MUR) celebrat-ed its 100th birthday with a freedom of entry parade in the university’s grounds on March 14.

Melbourne’s Deputy Mayor Susan Riley inspected the regi-ment and presented a Freedom of the City of Melbourne Scroll to CO MUR Lt-Col Michelle Ager.

The previous evening, 240 past and present members celebrated 100 years of serv-ice to the nation in the dining hall at the university’s Ormond College.

Organised by the Melbourne University Rifles Association,

the evening was hosted by the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment , Maj-Gen Greg Garde.

Lt-Col Ager told the audi-ence that MUR was “a flexible and integrated regiment that strives to deliver excellence in training”.

It also had a strong opera-tional and capability focus.

“Last year we deployed two captains on operations to the Middle East. We also had 57 people deploy on Op Vic Fires Assist,” she said.

“Importantly, while posted to MUR, our staff continue their own professional development through attendance of career, trade and promotion courses,

external studies, and transition seminars.”

She said the regiment’s 82 personnel were “energised and motivated” despite tight resources.

MUR has trained many notable Australians throughout its long history, including Lt-Gen Sir John Monash, Lt-Gen Sir Edmund Herring, Sir Robert Menzies, two Governors-General and three Victorian pre-miers.

With its current expanded training role, MUR seems set to make its mark well into the 21st century by continuing to provide skilled military lead-ers in the tradition of its proud history.

Combat socksAN ISSUE has been identified through the RODUM process that some Bellview brand combat socks have shrunk and become brittle after washing. This has been identified as a manufacturing defect, resulting in all Bellview socks being withdrawn from clothing stores. New stocks are scheduled to be available from the sec-ond week of April. If you purchased a pair of Bellview socks that have shrunk, contact your clothing store to organise a time to conduct a ‘one-for-one’ replacement.

Dog tagsTHERE is an entitlement for an extra set of dog tags for personnel deploying on operations.

NecktiesTHE necktie olive drab 150cm long is on order with deliveries expected in May.

Combat jacketTHE new Army combat jacket is available at point-of-entry units (Kapooka, ADFA and RMC) only.

Your questionsCONTACT the Army Clothing Hotline on (03) 9282 6602 or email [email protected].

� Melbourne University Rifles, as it was originally called, was formed on March 5, 1910.

� The original role of MUR was to give university students military training and produce officers for the militia.

� During WWI the regiment provided 23 officers and 771 other ranks for the 1st AIF, of which 180 gained commissions on active service.

� In WWII, 1162 of the regiment’s officers and soldiers joined the 2nd AIF.

� The Rifles were re-established in 1948 as the MUR.

� As a result of Project Pozieres, MUR is now pivotal to the ‘raise, train and sustain’ role of 4 Bde.

PROUD HISTORY

Celebration: A member of a re-enactment troop dressed as an infantry sergeant from the late 1800’s stands to attention as the regiment members march past. Photo by Maj Ian Toohill

Regt makes century

Education to include ethics

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12 WORLD NEWS Army April 1, 2010

By Lt Aaron Oldaker

SPECIAL Forces reservists from 1 Cdo Regt have successfully completed their mission to pro-tect residents of Oruzgan province during the Afghan winter.

Thanks to their efforts, Taliban insurgents have less access to the Oruzgan population and local Afghan police have a stronger presence.

The Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) commandos con-ducted “population-centric opera-tions”, which involved heading to remote and dangerous parts of Oruzgan that were at risk of insur-gent influence.

They built the support of local communities by listening to com-munity leaders, conducting medical clinics, providing humanitarian help and conducting community-based security assessments.

They did this in conjunction with Oruzgan’s Provincial Police Reserve, whom they supported and trained.

OC Maj B said that in addition to their skills as fully trained com-

Reservists keep residents safe

Many wheels: A commando returns an ATV to Tarin Kowt after a mission.

At the ready: An explosive detection dog waits before an operation. Dust and distance: Soldiers from 1 Cdo Regt return to Tarin Kowt in a long-range patrol vehicle after a successful mission in southern

Afghanistan, which saw them travel more than 600km in 17 days. Photos Lt Aaron Oldaker

mandos, the reservists value-added to SOTG’s strategy.

“The reservists’ wide variety of skills and life experience came to the fore when dealing with the civilian population, something we must continue to do if we are to be successful in helping the people of Afghanistan,” he said.

The dedicated efforts of the 1 Cdo Regt personnel built on the

successes of previous rotations in helping to weaken the Taliban insurgency.

SOTG and their Afghan part-ners provided protection for local civilians targeted by insurgents – offering a good test of commando core skills. The mission over winter involved patrolling deep into remote and dangerous parts of Oruzgan and neighbouring provinces.

Discussion: A commando and a member of the Provincial Police Reserve discuss the finer points of the plan before an operation.

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WORLD NEWS 13Army April 1, 2010

By Lt Aaron Oldaker

A BUSHMASTER Protected Mobility Vehicle was transported inside one of the world’s largest helicopters in Afghanistan after a mechanical breakdown.

Despite its imposing size, the Bushmaster was driven easily out of the belly of a contracted Russian Mi26 heavy transport helicopter at Tarin Kowt after a short flight from a forward oper-ating base.

The Combat Service Support Team (CSST) coordinated the lift. The team’s commander, Captain M, said the Bushmaster had ruptured an oil hose during a gruelling 19-day mission with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) and it was deemed safer, from a mechanical point of view, to transport the vehicle back to Tarin Kowt by air rather than to risk driving it.

“Personnel working with the SOTG are expected to find solutions out of left field where necessary, and that goes for CSST personnel as well,” Capt M said.

“Arranging for the Russian pilots and their giant helicopter to transport our Bushmaster is one example of how the SOTG support staff have earned a reputation for resourcefulness and the ability to come up with alternative and sometimes unusual solutions.”

It was the first time a Bushmaster had been transported by the Russian behe-moth, which has a 32m rotor diameter.

A KEY Taliban insurgent commander was captured in a recent operation led by Afghan Nat ional Secur i ty Forces (ANSF) and the Australian Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in mid March.

The combined operation detained IED coordinator Mullah Janan Andewahl in the Mirabad Val ley reg ion of Oruzgan province.

Two other bomb makers were detained in follow-up raids, along with a large cache of munitions and IED components, which were destroyed.

Chief of Joint Operations Lt-Gen Mark Evans said the insurgent commander had been responsible for directing attacks and roadside bombings against Afghan civilians, and ANSF and International Security Assistance Force personnel.

“Mullah Janan Andewahl posed a very serious threat to the

safety and prosperity of people living in Oruzgan province and he has been a person of interest for some time,” Lt-Gen Evans said.

“We believe he was also behind a number of organised attacks and executions against the locals in the Mirabad district.”

There is some evidence that the insurgent commander trav-elled extensively across southern Afghanistan in an effort to avoid capture by security forces.

He is in the custody of Afghan authorities.

Lt-Gen Evans said ensuring that Mullah Janan Andewahl, and those like him, enter the justice system for prosecution under the laws of Afghanistan reinforces to the local population, who have been terrorised by these extrem-ists, that their government is intent on restoring security.

The SOTG is continuing its operations to disrupt the Taliban insurgent command and control network in Oruzgan province.

Russians provide big fixInsurgent captured

Upwardly mobile: A Bushmaster fits easily aboard an Mi26.Photo by Lt Aaron Oldaker

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By Capt Al McPherson

KEY Mentoring Task Force 1 (MTF 1) personnel got a clearer understanding of local perspectives at a recent Community Development Council (CDC) meeting in Sajawul, north of Tarin Kowt.

The CDC meetings, locally known as shuras, are opportunities for the people to discuss issues relevant to their community.

“Shuras are one of the ways we inter-act with the community. They are also an opportunity for Australian and Afghan leadership to get a better understanding of community sentiment towards the ISAF presence in the area,” said CO MTF 1 Lt-Col Jason Blain said. ‘

More than 30 Sajawul residents attend-ed the meeting and voiced a desire for a safer environment where children have a secure place to attend school and receive basic health care.

During the meeting, Lt-Col Blain announced that funding had been made available to complete the local school, which was very well received by commu-nity representatives.

Afterwards, he and his staff conducted a reconnaissance of Sajawul and Khuajem Ahmad village to gain an understanding of the on-the-ground situation.

MTF 1 operations officer Maj Damien Green said the reconnaissance provided a sense of the subtle differences between the villages and was an important follow-up to the shura.

“We headed out with some of the Afghan soldiers to Sajawul and met with key locals over a chai tea to continue the shura discussions about security and devel-opment in the area,” Maj Green said.

“The discussions were amicable and we obtained a clearer understanding of the development projects that could be under-taken by the local population with appro-priate funding and equipment.”

Previous Australian contingents in the Sajawul area set a solid framework for ongoing community support and participa-tion with local tribal elders demonstrating a high level of trust and faith in the MTF, Afghan National Army and ISAF.

Security tops shura talk

Get together: CO MTF 1 Lt-Col Jason Blain meets with Afghan elders in Sajawul. Inset: MTF 1 personnel and their Afghan counterparts engage with local elders at the shura in Sajawul. Photos by Sgt Mick Davis

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By Capt Alistair McPherson

ENGINEERS from the first Mentoring Task Force (MTF 1) are going the extra mile to ensure Afghan National Army (ANA) engineers are equipped with the techni-cal know-how to counter IED threats.

The engineers are con-ducting training programs that test their counterparts’ knowledge and practical skills.

Part of this training is in the use of mine detectors, recognising and exploiting IED emplacements, and identification of IED com-ponents.

The training program provides for knowledge sharing and ensures ANA engineers work to their full potential.

The ANA and MTF 1 engineers are developing a strong relationship with a better understanding of each others’ equipment and capabilities.

Cpl Damien Flanagan said the training program had been successful and the ANA engineers proved to have well-rounded skills.

“The ANA engineers demonstrated throughout this program their training under previous Australian contingents in cache and IED finds was of a very high standard and very thorough,” Cpl Flanagan said.

Countering IED threats

CDF ACM Angus Houston has thanked soldiers and their fami-lies for their commit-ment to restoring stabil-ity in East Timor.

Concluding a visit to Dili on March 18-19, ACM Houston highlight-ed the evolving role of Australia’s military pres-ence in ensuring a lasting peace.

“There has been ongo-ing improvement in the security situation that has enabled the ADF to expand its defence coop-eration efforts in East Timor,” he said.

ACM Houston said Australia’s capacity-building programs cov-ered a range of activities that included professional military advice and gov-ernment training.

“The day I arrived in East Timor, an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) team returned from a remote village in the Ainaro district where they worked with the East Timorese Defence Force and Health Department to deliver a medical capac-ity-building program,” he said.

“This team of Australian and East Timorese medical staff treated 269 patients with a range of conditions.

“They also delivered important healthcare, nutrition and hygiene education to the village residents that will have a lasting positive effect in the area.”

The visit gave ACM Houston the opportunity to meet ADF personnel stationed at ISF forward operating bases.

“There are many sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen serving overseas who continue to make sacrifices in the service of our nation,” he said to ADF members in Dili.

“I thank you all for your commitment to the job you are doing in East Timor and I ask you to pass this message on to your families at home.”

During the visit, ACM Houston held discus-sions with Vice Prime Minister Jose Guterres and East Timorese Chief of Defence Maj-Gen Taur Matan Ruak to reinforce Australia’s commitment to providing security and development assist-ance in East Timor. He also met with Special Representative of the Secretary General to East Timor, Ameerah Haq.

CDF thanks ADF family

IED lessons: Afghan army engineers at Patrol Base Wali practise using a detector. Inset: Cpl Damien Flanagan, MTF 1, shows the engineers the mine and IED detection gear up close. Photos by Sgt Mick Davis



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The Editor, David EdlingtonPhone (02) 6266 7609 or email [email protected]

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WORLD NEWS 17Army April 1, 2010

By Sqn-Ldr Jason Burstow

BUSHFIRES, swollen rivers, vehicle breakdowns and poor roads were the obstacles an Australian captain negoti-ated in leading a UN convoy to a remote area in Sudan.

The 16-vehicle convoy was the first UN convoy to use the roads to the isolated out-post Raja in more than two years.

The episode occurred early in Capt Adam Crockett’s deployment on Operation Azure and remains a highlight of his time in the war-ravaged north African country.

Capt Crockett and the other members of the Australian contingent – made up of eight Army, five Air Force and two Navy personnel – will return home this month.

Contingent commander Lt-Col Glenn Taylor said the deployment had been chal-lenging and rewarding.

“Our integration within the UN and the Sudanese community has been very good considering the diverse mix of cultures and languages,” he said.

Lt-Col Taylor, based at the UN Force HQ in Khartoum, is responsible for the manage-ment of the UN Mission in Sudan military force, comprising some 10,000 troops from more than 30 countries deployed over an area the size of Western Australia.

The ADF members are working as UN military observers and staff officers.

Military observers are based in remote locations in the south of Sudan from which they conduct short- and long-range patrols to monitor troop redeployments to ensure they comply with the terms of the peace agreement between the government

and rebels. UN staff officers are located throughout Sudan and are employed in key positions involved in logistics support, aviation safety, air operations and move-ment control.

“Australians are highly regarded within the mission, and are sought after in a vari-ety of roles, often outside the scope of their nominated position,” Lt-Col Taylor said.

All contingent members work with a combination of personnel from the troop contributing countries, including Japan, Pakistan, India, Rwanda, UK and New Zealand, as well as UN civilian staff.

Lt-Col Taylor was impressed with the meaningful contribution the UN had made to the peace in Sudan and the real dif-ference the UN and ADF’s presence was making to the lives of the local Sudanese.

He said the first elections in more than 20 years would be held in April, which was a significant time in Sudan’s history.

“The personal highlight of the mis-sion has been the opportunity to command highly professional Australian troops on operations in a multinational environment and at a critical point in Sudan’s history,” he said.

“There is always an overwhelming pos-itive reaction from the Sudanese people when they learn that we are from Australia.

“Many people stop us and ask how they can come to Australia to live. Having said that, they are also glad and thankful that the peace process, supported by the UN, is progressing and stabilising the country in preparation for the upcoming elections.”

The next rotation of personnel will deploy on Operation Azure this month.

Op Azure improves Sudan life

King of the kids: Capt Adam Crockett, UN military observer, gives the thumbs-up surrounded by south Sudanese children during a village visit.

THE ADF has provided emergency relief sup-plies to people in the cyclone-affected nation of Fiji

An RAAF C-130 delivered eight tonnes of tarpaulins, water purifi-cation tablets, tents and water containers to Fiji on March 17.

The Hercules also undertook aerial sur-veys to give the Fijian government greater visibility of the extent of the damage caused by Cyclone Tomas, espe-cially in the Lomaiviti and Lau groups of islands.

The cyclone hit the Pacific island nation on March 16.

Defence Minister John Faulkner said the Australian government responded quickly to the Fijian government’s request for assistance. “When natural disasters strike in the region, Australia considers it a top priority to assist our affected neighbours.”

Fiji gets supplies airlifted

Location, location: WO2 Mark Testi checks his navigation in Khartoum.

Way to go: ADF contingent commander Lt-Col Glenn Taylor conducts a briefing.



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SOLDIERS serving in Solomon Islands paid their respects to Pte Jamie Clark in a touching memo-rial service on the fifth anniversary of his death, on March 10.

Members of Combined Task Force 635 and spe-cial guests from the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, the Australian High Commission, Participating Police Force and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force assembled to remember the 21-year-old infantryman.

“Every year, we carry out a memorial service for him, in remembrance of his duty and service to your country. It should always be remembered by the rest of the community and especially the Australian soldiers,” CTF 635 Commander Lt-Col David Thompson said.

Pte Clark was on patrol searching for possible weap-on caches east of Honiara on Mount Austen on March 10, 2005, when he fell into a sinkhole and died.

A month before the tragic accident, the Australian Federal Police had highly commended him for pacify-ing a knife-wielding woman without any undue force.

“I think it’s a tragic loss, especially when you see Jamie’s service history – which is exemplary, every report he received was outstanding – and his close mateship with the rest of the section,” Lt-Col Thompson said.

Pte Clark’s mother, Avril, often visits the area to fos-ter her relationship with the Australian troops and local villagers, especially in the Gifu community.

“She has raised a huge amount of money ... to help the local community where he died and establish a kin-dergarten, and the locals have adopted Jamie as one of their children,” Lt-Col Thompson said.

The service also recognised AFP officer Adam Dunning, who was shot and killed six years ago, as well as three local police officers.

VOLUNTEERS from Combined Task Force 635 took action to protect and improve the Solomon Islands’ environment on March 6 by participating in the global environmental cam-paign Clean Up the World.

Fifty volunteers from CTF 635 Rotation 20 took time out to

clean up rubbish from the bush and beach outside their base in Honiara.

RSM WO1 Patrick McGarry said while the soldiers were there to support the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, they also understood the need to help protect the local environment.

“Together we are addressing

the problem of inappropriate dis-posal of waste in the natural envi-ronment,” WO1 McGarry said.

“CTF 635 volunteers picked up 30 garbage bags of rubbish just from around the outside perimeter of our base. The main types of litter collected were cans, plastic bottles and polystyrene.”

The event was part of one of

the world’s most successful com-munity-led global environment campaigns.

Clean Up the World founder and chairman Ian Kiernan thanked the soldiers for their outstand-ing efforts. “From Australia to Solomon Islands, together we are creating a healthier world for our children,” he said.

Service marks Jamie’s life

Volunteers create healthier worldGlobal campaign: Members of the PNGDF, NZDF and ADF clean up around their HQ in Honiara. Photo by Cpl Michael Wood

Remembrance: Members of CTF635, RAMSI, the High Commission, and local and international police converge at a service for Pte Jamie Clarke. Photo by LAC Leigh Cameron

TWO politicians swapped their suits for cams in Solomon Islands from March 1-4 as part of the ADF Parliamentary Exchange Program.

Damian Hale, Member for Solomon (NT), and Jon Sullivan, Member for Longman (Qld), worked alongside soldiers deployed on Operation Anode. They experienced weapon handling, kit demon-strations and tours of the Rove prison, the US war memorial and local schools.

MPs deploy on Op Anode

Engaged: MP Jon Sullivan talks with locals at the Honiara wharf. Photo by LAC Leigh Cameron

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Ready for take-off: Soldiers march towards a plane, left, during their parachute course.

First cab off rank: Cpl Ray Johnson prepares some streamers before a jump, below left.

All in: Pte Brodie Naughtin and Pte Sarah Lastavec, 176 AD Sqn, prepare their chutes, below. Photo by Cpl Zenith King

UP, UP UP, UP AND AND AWAYAWAYLook before you leap was no doubt sound advice for soldiers who have just taken part in parachute continuation training

No going back: After the preparations and waiting, it’s jump time.

All aboard: The last of the jumpers head for the plane.

Hitting the ground: 3RAR soldiers get their final safety briefing before a parachute jump at RAAF Base Richmond.

Final checks: LBdr Cleary, A Bty, gets his back checked by Capt Sam Thackray, SUR.

Hanging about: Paratroopers prepare to jump as aircrew on board a Hercules check all is in readiness.

Report: Capt Nathan Woods and Cpl Zenith King Photos: Cpl Dion Trevillion

THE sky above RAAF Base Richmond was dotted with parachutes as soldiers jumped from a C-130 just 1000ft

above the Rickaby’s Creek Drop Zone from February 22-26.

The activity was part of 3RAR’s regular program of parachute continu-ation training designed to ensure para-troopers hone their skills and gain more experience.

Three hundred soldiers – drawn from 3RAR, 4 Fd Regt and 3CER – jumped using the standard T10B-D parachute and the more manoeuvrable MC1-1B parachute. Both chutes are designed to open automatically as paratroopers exit the aircraft, allowing jumps to be con-ducted at low levels.

3RAR will move to Townsville in early 2012 but will maintain the air-borne role it took on in 1983. The unit

provides the ADF’s only conventional airborne capability, in the form of the Airborne Combat Team.

Sgt Joel McMahon, a parachute jump instructor and part of the battal-ion’s operations cell, has been para-chuting since he enlisted in 1998. He believes maintaining the parachute role is a real win for the battalion and the ADF.

“A parachute capability is something that all modern armies look to main-tain,” Sgt McMahon said.

The veteran of almost 1000 descents said he looked forward to every jump.

“The more jumps you do, the less the nerves take hold,” he said.

The paratroopers who did the train-ing at Richmond showed a high level of discipline in their drills, exits and landings.

They were all volunteers, as is the

case with all soldiers who undergo para-chute training.

The parachuting skills confirmed during February’s drop will be tested later in the training year when the Airborne Combat Team – which com-prises paratroopers from 3RAR and nine other units – will conduct tactical parachute assaults on battalion and bri-gade exercises. During Exercise Hamel in October, there will be a full Airborne Combat Team tactical insertion.

To become parachute qualified, soldiers attend a two and a half-week course at the Parachute Training School at Nowra. All aspiring paratroopers are expected to conduct seven gruelling days of ground training before undergo-ing five days of parachute descents. Six jumps in total are required to qualify, and after that, two parachute descents a year are required to maintain currency.

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Q: Where can we go to get advice on our compensation entitlements?A: There are multiple agencies that provide advice to soldiers on compen-sation for work-related injuries, regard-less of whether these are operational or in barracks. All soldiers should seek advice from people who are compe-tently trained to deliver that advice.

The best advice is normally deliv-ered by a trained advocate who will hear the issues, give advice, give assistance to the soldier to gather the evidence and paperwork required to lodge a claim and then represent the soldier at any hearing that may occur.

There are trained providers available through the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Services and trained advocates from the Vietnam Veterans Peacemakers’ and Peacekeepers’ Association of Australia. There are branches in each state.

You should seek advice in regards to any injury as early as you possibly can.

Q: What is happening with the MI and RI bonuses? A: Any posting to a training establish-ment is considered as a high-profile posting that requires high quality and sound-performing instructors.

Instructional staff should take great pride and get considerable personal and professional satisfaction from train-ing recruits, IETs and future NCOs who are highly capable and can effectively contribute to the Army’s mission.

The current conditions associated with the RI bonus cease on June 30, 2012. To be eligible for the bonus, RIs must have commenced their duties on or before June 30, 2011. If you com-mence your posting to Kapooka in January 2011 you will qualify for this bonus.

This bonus is presently under review against other competing initia-tives. It has not been decided whether it will continue past June 2012.

When a decision is made it will be

AS THE AFL season gets under way (thank goodness, no more Lara and Fev), I have just realised that my unit’s colour patch is remark-ably similar to that of the Melbourne Demons’ colours.

Which is bad enough I guess, however, this has raised a new concern for me – what if I were to be posted to any of the Army career manage-ment positions, whose UCP resembles that of the Magpies? In that case, I’d be thinking of offering restricted service.WO1 Wally MeurantLWDCBandiana South, Victoria

I AM writing in the hope that the appropriate persons are made aware of the poor performance, in my opinion, of Army recruiting.

My wife, Jody, is a highly quali-fied registered nurse with four years of ICU/HDU training. She has seen most trauma, gunshot wounds, extensive burns and many other ill-nesses and injuries.

After following me around the countryside for 20 years she decided she would like to join the ADF as an SSO nursing officer.

After enquiring in July 2008 she was told that ARes would be the best option. In September 2008 she was finally booked in and passed the aptitude testing but was told there were no ARes positions in Albury/Wodonga for nursing officers.

In May 2009 Jody received a phone call asking her if she still wanted to join as she had a current application, which was a surprise as recruiting had not bothered to pro-vide feedback in the previous eight months.

In June 2009, after exhausting the ARes option, she felt strongly enough to apply for ARA. But in August 2009 she received a call from recruiting asking if she still wanted to join the ARes. Basically the caller was trying to get her to change her mind about joining the ARA.

In October 2009 she successfully passed her psyche and med and was told she would be accepted into the ARA pending an Officer Selection Board. After waiting for nearly a fortnight she went in to recruiting and was told informally that the next OSB wasn’t until March 2010. She has never received any formal noti-fication of her progression through the recruiting process.

During this entire process she has become quite disillusioned with recruiting. The main issues are the

RSM-A’s FAQs

Where to get compo advice

22 LETTERS AND VIEWPOINTS Army April 1, 2010

distributed through the chain of com-mand and Army.

At this point the MI bonus will cease in June this year. The eligibility for the bonus ceased in July 2009. There is no plan to replace this bonus.

Q: What is happening with the health services in the brigade areas?A: Delivery of health services to sol-diers is changing.

As there is a lack of qualified doc-tors to fill all the positions that are in Army, something had to be done to provide more effective support to sol-diers in this area.

Doctors, some medics and other support staff will be centralised. Support requests for medical support for field exercises and other spe-cific activities will need to be made in advance.

There should be no reduction to the amount or quality of the health care delivered to soldiers.

In fact the model is similar to what your family is used to when going to any hospital – one doctor treating many patients from different backgrounds.

– RSM-A WO Stephen Ward

WO2 Grollmus is very much mistaken when he says that there is discrimination in the ADF over uniforms (Army, March 18).

Over the years, I have worked out it isn’t discrimina-tion at all – it is that the three services are exposed to the rays of different suns! How else would this explain that my follicly challenged head is now protected by a slouch hat with my DPCU sleeves down to protect my delicate arms from a fierce sun while my Navy and RAAF coun-terparts are wandering around with their sleeves up and basball caps on the same base at the same time?WO2 David HarveyDirectorate of Logistic Processes and ProceduresRAAF Base Williams, Laverton

Sick performance

total lack of feedback, the confu-sion created by being passed from case manager to case manager, each wanting to start again with the proc-ess, and the bizarre way the ARes recruiter tried to poach someone joining the ARA. Is the ADF that flush with nursing officers they can afford to mess around for nearly two years to recruit a highly skilled, physically fit, trained, motivated person? Why should somebody who doesn’t need employment bother with the Army?Capt Nige BelletteALTCLatchford Barracks, Victoria

Col David Johnson, Director Military Recruiting, responds:I APPRECIATE the time you have taken to raise your concerns regarding the ADF recruiting process.

Defence Force Recruiting (DFR) values feedback, both positive and negative, as it provides scope for us

to improve our processes and pro-cedures.

The issues you raised about your wife’s experiences during the proc-ess of her application are under-standably frustrating. The recruit-ment of candidates with Jody’s expe-rience in nursing is vital in ensuring ADF members continue to have the best possible health care.

Over the past 12 months, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of candidate appli-cations across the services. This increase has unfortunately resulted in some disruptions in communica-tion and feedback between candi-dates and their candidate managers. DFR has been actively addressing this issue and significant improve-ments have been and will continue to be made.

Jody is welcome to contact me directly to discuss the concerns you have raised. I wish her every success at her upcoming Officer Selection Board.

Touch of the sun Colour concerns

Vital signs: The health of the recruiting process questioned.

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LETTERS AND VIEWPOINTS 23Army April 1, 2010

A REPORT on the inaugural Paralympic Sports Program (PSP) in our March 18 issue highlights a welcome and sensi-ble development on the Army ethos of old – looking after our own.

Before the efficiency reviews of the 1990s, when it became official policy to discharge any member who was not front-line fit, there were many old soldiers who could not be deployed, but could still contribute to the team.

It was always a comfort to know that if you did a knee or your ankles were shot or you put your back out, you could always “count blankets” in a rear-ech warehouse somewhere – but still have a job.

Then came AIRN and MEC and, if you didn’t meet the grade, you were out. It didn’t matter that your job didn’t require you to deploy to the front lines – but if you weren’t deployable you couldn’t be kept.

Soldiers who have been around for a while know plenty of otherwise capable soldiers who were forced to leave before their time. It wasn’t in the individual’s best interests and it cost the Army years of experience and corpo-rate knowledge.

Today we have soldiers maimed in action or missing limbs because of an after-hours vehicle accident who are being retrained to ensure they can still fill a role within the ADF. And it makes perfect sense.

These soldiers not only have full function in every other area – especially their brains – but they have valuable

knowledge, skills and experience. It would be silly to cast all that skill and experience aside simply because some bureaucratic, inflexible rule stipulates it.

CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie visited par-ticipants on the inaugural PSP and sat cross-legged with them for a consider-able time on a mat at the RMC gym in Canberra. In an informal two-way chat, he admitted that the new approach to looking after wounded and injured dig-gers did have its teething problems.

One example of this was highlighted during the PSP when participants raised concerns about their pros-thetic legs, while AHQ and Joint Health Command were sure they were sourc-ing the best prosthetics. As it turned out, the prosthetic legs were the best available – but were then fitted with regular shoes.

As the CA admitted, it was a good example of how important information could become less clear as it travelled from the soldier on the ground, up the chain of command, to his desk – and it was frustrating for him that bureaucracy could sometimes get in the way of sim-ple fixes.

Being a witness to the conversation, you couldn’t help but feel the CA’s gen-uine concern for “his family”. Indeed, he even described feeling like a grandfa-ther to all his soldiers.

If it is the way of the future that the Army will continue to look after wound-ed and injured soldiers who in the past would have been discharged, we are genuinely glad to be a part of it.

Support for our own

Genuine interest: CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie talks with one of the participants in the inaugural Paralympic Sports Program.

Photo by Sgt Brian Hartigan

I THINK it is a great shame that the whole of the Australian Army pipes and drums have been dis-banded just on the excuse of expenditure.

After all, which would be the most costly to send on deployment – the pipes and drums (who are all infantry) or the massed brass bands from the Defence Force School of Music, Melbourne, plus their tonnes of equipment?J.G. FergusonYorkshire, England

IN 1983 I was fortunate enough to be part of a rifle company trip to Hawaii where the company acted as enemy for an American brigade exercising on one of the many islands, composed of lava rock and mountainous terrain.

On the morning of our planned attack (on the battalion defending the vital ground), the sun was just begin-ning to rise with an eerie mist mov-ing across the lava rock when the OC had the company form extended line.

Then we received the command to fix bayonets. With the soldiers carrying SLRs at the “on guard” position and pipers positioned on our flanks we advanced.

Oddly enough, even though we were firing blanks, the stories relayed to us from the Americans of the trepidation and awe at the sight of 120 soldiers with bayonets fixed and pipes playing would never be forgotten.

I fully understand the rationale of removing pipes and drums from their position within infantry battalions, however, I feel for the modern sol-dier who will never understand what it is like to “swagger” as opposed to march, to have the blood rush at the playing of “Back in Black” or “Black Bear” and the sight of the sil-houette of a lone piper playing with the tune emulating the spirit and sole of an Australian soldier.

I hope the Australian Army Band Corps doesn’t let a fine soldier tradi-tion disappear.WO1 Joe McIvorRSM 7 BdeGallipoli Barracks, Enoggera

Maj Craig Johnson, Deputy Director of Music – Army, responds:THE strong historical and emotion-al attachment to pipes and drums in the ARA is acknowledged.

The Directorate of Music – Army was raised in January 2009 to com-mand and control Army bands and

Army’s musical capability in all its forms, including pipes and drums.

Pipes and drums have not been disbanded on the “excuse of expend-iture”, but are part of a current review of Army’s musical capability.

Although pipes and drums are no longer operating within the RAR, the review is analysing the feasibility of creating a role for ARA pipers and drummers in the wider Army.

AABC deployments to current areas of operations include the pro-vision of small technical support teams to Forces Entertainment tours, and deploying smaller entertainment groups where and when appropriate.

The successful deployment to Afghanistan over the Christmas/New Year period by 1RAR Band is a case in point. Fifteen members of the band deployed, playing for troops in the field and in barracks, and positively contributing to activities of coalition partners.

These smaller groups are now recognised as being the optimum capability to deploy to support troops, and provide targeted force-multiplying options for commanders.

The AABC does not have “massed brass bands” of the type mentioned in your letter at the Defence Force School of Music or anywhere else.

Pipes and drums stir the passions

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24 TRAINING Army April 1, 2010

By Cpl Zenith King

ENDURANCE and mental strength has been tested for 3RAR members on the Reconnaissance Basic Course at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney.

The course, held from February 22 to March 31, involved a one-week pre-course, followed by six weeks of intense training covering patrol formations, information gathering and back briefing among other specialist skill sets.

LCpl Phil English, Recon Pl, 3RAR, said the course incorporated a five-day pre-training package first implemented last year.

“It’s a way of gauging the level sol-diers are at,” LCpl English said.

“It aims at getting their body and mind back into course mode. Also, instructors use it to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their sol-diers.”

Recon Pl soldiers form the forward element of the battalion and need to have a high level of fitness.

During PT sessions on the Basic Reconnaissance Course, platoon mem-bers participated with the trainees.

“We expect a high level of fitness in the platoon and we are not going to stand off to the side,” LCpl English said.

“We want to show them we are moti-vated and we are not your average sol-dier sitting in a rifle company.

“We are here to teach a skill set and pass on knowledge to raise individual soldier skills.”

Pte Benjamin Tickner, A Coy, 3RAR, enjoyed the challenges of the course.

“They are the fittest platoon in the battalion and by completing the course I hope to improve my skills and become more of a professional soldier,” Pte Tickner said.

“You don’t know what you are doing day to day so you can’t really plan any-thing. If I get the opportunity I hope to make it to the recon platoon.”

Lt Damon Hietbrink, OC Recon Pl, said the first recon course of the year went well.

“We saw good progress and quick assimilation of information by the train-ees,” Lt Hietbrink said.

“The workload was solid, with robust PT sessions each day physically testing the students and developing their fitness while integrating recon lessons, allowing the students to learn during these ses-sions.”

The majority of trainees were pri-vates, but the course attracted a spread of soldiers from across the battalion.

Testing body and mind

Work out: Pte Benjamin Tickner pushes himself to the limit.

Taking the strain: A soldier works out with the heavy stuff.

Just hanging out: Members of 3RAR warm up with PT before starting the Reconnaissance Basic Course. Photos by Cpl Dion Trevillion

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26 FEATURES Army April 1, 2010

FROM live shooting in a state-of-the-art desert range to bleeding screaming man-nequins and explosives,

from live intelligence and opera-tional updates to body armour and weapons, MEAO Induction Training (MOT) is now the pinnacle of opera-tional preparation.

Previously known as RSO&I, the more aptly named MIT is the gate-way induction course for the major-ity of Defence personnel and civilians deployed to the MEAO. The Force Support Unit (FSU) runs the course.

Soldiers, sailors, airmen and civil-ians are greeted on arrival to an expan-sive desert air base in the United Arab Emirates by a small contingent of ADF personnel who, in conjunction with the desert sun, provide a warm reception.

MIT team leader Flt-Lt Carl Lorrigan said the team worked with the Combat Support Unit, the Joint Movement Coordination Centre and other FSU personnel to receive and begin processing arriving personnel.

He said the course was the last chance to ensure new arrivals were prepared and acclimatised before going to their final location in the MEAO.

“We’ve broken it into three areas with three distinct objectives – to enhance survivability, enhance situ-ational awareness and ensure that each person’s operational administration is up to scratch,” he said.

When the new arrivals enter the Australian compound they are gen-erally greeted by a hive of activity. Home to nearly 500 people, the com-pound hosts a number of units includ-ing the Joint Task Force HQ and the Australian air component.

The ADF runs two different MIT courses: a two-day Gulf States course and a four-day Iraq and Afghanistan course.

Flt-Lt Lorrigan said the two courses were run concurrently, with the two-day course interwoven into the four-day course.

“The Gulf States’ course is focused primarily on operational adminis-tration, some situational awareness, updates and some advanced medical training,” Flt-Lt Lorrigan said.

Intelligence and current operational briefs by SMEs, along with full equip-ment issue of the modular combat body armour system and more detail on areas such as how IEDs work, advanced medical training and weap-on practice and practical training make up the core of the course.

MIT course manager and key infan-try figure WO2 Robbie Boyle is large-ly responsible for the soldier-skills training. This is conducted in a new purpose-built training facility, which includes a range, a counter-IED lane and a casualty care area.

With 22 years’ infantry experience, it’s no surprise WO2 Boyle favours the new Australian range.

“The best way to describe the new range is to think of an indoor rifle range without a roof,” he said.

“Over here we’ve got problems with weather and we’re about to come into 50-degree days, so we’ll more than likely end up doing night shoots. But with floodlights, we can turn night into day, and that’s outstanding.”

Wearing their full suite of body armour, groups are invited onto the range to conduct final weapons train-ing and a live shoot.

Next door to the range is a counter-

IED lane where a separate group is shown a substantial display of com-mon components used to make differ-ent types of IEDs and how they are used by insurgents.

Counter-IED awareness training instructor Sgt Michael Brown said the purpose of the lane was to have troops identify vulnerable points and likely IED emplacement areas.

“The counter-IED lane is essen-tially a road that’s been designed with built-in vulnerable points,” Sgt Brown said. “I get them to stop at various points and identify what they are, the indicators for those vulnerable points and also to identify the IEDs dug into the ground if they can spot them.”

“This is an IED war, not neces-sarily a shooting war, and this is the major threat they’ll face.”

Next in the “bull ring” is tactical combat casualty care. Using several scenarios and mannequins, a combina-tion of military and contracted medical specialists rotate a third group through a gauntlet of practical scenarios.

Participants are required to extract lifelike mannequins from a simulated IED-struck vehicle and treat casual-ties in a darkened room while under intense fire.

For WO2 Boyle, the MIT course is still important for personnel unlikely to be in direct combat situations.

“This is our last step to get things right before we move someone for-ward and that’s operationally focusing someone who might not even go out-side the wire.

“The big thing is, be a sponge, suck it up, and when you practise the hard skills, do everything in your power to get things right because that is what’s going to save your life.”

MIT training is the pinnacle of operational preparation for personnel deployed in the MEAO, writes Flt-Lt Michael McGirr.

� DAY ONE is relaxed with briefings on what to expect.

� DAY TWO is all about situational awareness and making sure eve-ryone is briefed on operations. Equipment is issued and partici-pants are taught the correct way to set up and wear modular combat body armour.

� DAY THREE is all about enhanced survivability and starts to focus in more detail on areas such as understanding how IEDs operate, advanced medical training and fur-ther weapon practice.

� DAY FOUR is devoted to practical training.

Fighting fit for MEAO

MIT AT A GLANCE

Quick response: ADF personnel attend to a mannequin in the advanced medical component of MIT training. Photos by WO2 Mark Dowling

Target practice: MIT participants fire at the new range facility on base in the United Arab Emirates.

High alert: Sgt Mick Brown demonstrates the power of IEDs on his lane.

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By Lt Darlene Lavett

WHILE many of Australia’s youth were online gaming or playing on their Wii consoles, 80 cadets went head-to-head in demanding activities as part of the CA Cadet Team Challenge.

Held at the Kokoda Barracks in Canungra from March 4-6, the event fea-tured quick-decision exercises, ceremo-nial drill, field craft, navigation, first aid, radio telephone procedures, engineering tasks, leadership and teamwork.

This was the first year the CA Cadet Team Challenge was held in Queensland and, after the recent deluge of rain, the wet and muddy conditions only added to the challenge.

After a hotly contested competition, Australian Army Cadets Commander Brig John Withers announced the cham-pion team as South Queensland, closely followed by South Australia in second place. North Queensland won the RSM-A ceremonial drill trophy.

Cadet Under Officer Andrew Scott-

Mackenzie, from the winning South Queensland team, said, “Winning the challenge has been a relief and it feels fantastic. We trained very hard as a team to achieve this result.”

CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie was impressed with the cadets’ enthusiasm, saying the future of Australia was in good hands.

“The Army cadets are performing really well and they are delivering what will be Australia’s next generation of leaders, whether that’s in uniform or in other walks of life,” he said.

Cadet Under Officer Cody Preston said he had looked forward to the event after four years of developing his skills in his unit.

“It’s great to represent NSW and I am hoping to take away good experiences, such as the ability to make quick deci-sions and participate in a team,” Cadet Under Officer Preston said.

For more information on the AAC visit:www.cadetnet.gov.au/aac

28 FEATURES Army April 1, 2010

Cadets meet CA’s challenge

Challenges: Cdt Sgt Taylor Regan and Cdt David Valant, above, check their navigation.Left: CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie and RSM-A WO Stephen Ward check radio skills. Below left: wringing wet and tired, the cadets manage to smile. Below: the South Queensland winning team.Right: Cdt Cpl Ryan Churchward out from under the net.Photos by Tpr Michael Franchi

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30 PERSONNEL Army April 1, 2010

THE online roll-out of the logistic officer job analy-sis survey to regular and reserve officers began on March 22.

Data collected will be used to build a task inventory for Logistic Corps majors and, with the data collected from the recent Army officer occupational analysis, it will become an input into the design and development of the Logistic Officer Advanced Course (LOAC).

Survey sponsor Col Andrew Adams, Commandant Army Logistic Training Centre, said the revised LOAC was scheduled to be piloted in June 2011. “Success of the survey now relies on all Logistic Corps majors com-pleting the questionnaire,” Col Adams said.

While the survey concentrates on the duties and tasks of the officers’ present appointments, it also seeks to gather information on the skills and knowledge gained throughout their careers.

The project officer for the survey, Maj Karen Turner, can be con-tacted at [email protected]

ARMY members from a culturally- or linguistically-diverse background are being encouraged to be involved in the ADF Multicultural Recruitment Strategy alumni program.

The Defence Force Recruiting initia-tive aims to boost the numbers of people from culturally diverse backgrounds in the ADF.

Volunteers for the alumni program will speak at schools, universities and community events about their experi-ences in the ADF.

The campaign to attract more people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds will feature in culturally-specific print, radio, online and televi-sion advertisements.

Email [email protected] for more info or contact Isaac Jeffrey on (02) 6127 2112.

Diversity campaign

Roll-out of survey

Speaking out: OCdt Jahan Barr will share his story as part of the recruiting initiative.

Trades under reviewBy Cpl Jane Ashby-Cliffe

AN EMPLOYMENT category review is under way for the operator administrative and clerk finance trades to ensure their sustainability.

Since a previous review in 2003 both trades have undergone countless changes with their roles and responsibilities, while adapting to military activities and operations.

The Development Group of the Army Logistic Training Centre has raised a team of RAAOC and RAAPC personnel to review the training, employment tasks and operational capability of the trades.

WO1 Phil Dyke, Employment Category Adviser RAAOC/RAAPC, said the review team hoped to better position the trades while meeting the changing capa-bility of Army’s needs.

“With continued support to operations and ensuing changes to Defence policy and PMKeyS, our trades have continued to evolve, resulting in new challenges and, in some cases, increased job requirements,” WO1 Dyke said.

“Defence is com-mitted to ensuring staff receive appropri-ate training and job exposure to ensure personnel are ready and able to effectively carry out their work role both on opera-tions and back in Australia,”

All ARA and ARes operator administrative and clerk finance members are requested to complete a category review survey which will be distributed in early April.

A roadshow scheduled for April-May will provide an opportunity for all personnel to exchange informa-tion in an open forum and through briefing sessions. Command groups will also be approached for input.

WO1 Dyke said the survey would cover the indi-vidual’s position and role within his or her unit, opera-tional involvement and the opportunity to discuss any concerns or recommendations for the future of the trade.

“Results of the survey will identify key discussion points and the roadshow will present these points for soldiers to provide input, which will inform the pro-posed direction of the trades.”

Surveys will be distributed via email and are also available on request from WO1 Dyke.

For further information contact WO1 Phil Dyke on (02) 6055 4471 or [email protected] or Capt Grant Radziwill on (02) 6055 2042 or [email protected]

The key questions in the survey for operator administrative and clerk finance personnel are:� What are you doing now?� What should you be doing?� What do you think we should

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By Lt Aaron Oldaker

COMBAT Service Support Teams (CSST) are keeping Australia’s Special Forces fed, armed and on the road in Afghanistan.

About one-quarter of the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) belongs to the CSST or to sub-unit logistic elements. These members come from a variety of military trades across Army, and are drawn from units across Special Operations Command (Socomd).

Many CSST personnel deploy with the SOTG into the field, regularly gain-ing the opportunity to hone their core soldier skills outside the wire by filling a number of vital special operations support roles. And when circumstances require it, CSST members are expect-ed to respond appropriately in combat situations.

To prepare them for the extra dan-ger and demands of working with the Special Forces, CSST members undertake a Special Operations Forces Induction Course (SOFIC), which raises their standard of basic infantry skills and qualifies some for Special Forces-specific weapons such as the M4 carbine.

The SOTG CSST’s OC, Capt M, said that working in support of the Special Forces on operations was a vital and rewarding job.

“We are the logistic heart and soul of the operation. We are the behind-the-scenes personnel; conducting all the maintenance, all the stores require-ments, supplying all the food, water, medical support, administration, and basically all the grease to make the wheels go around.”

To be part of Socomd, CSST per-sonnel must be volunteers, and must undertake extra training beyond what is normally required for their respective trade employment within Army.

“To work for Special Forces you have to undergo extra psychological screening, security clearance vetting, and a variety of special operations and trade courses to develop more qualifi-cations and skills,” Capt M said.

“If logistics personnel are interested in service within Socomd, they should indicate their interest to their career manager and go from there. People that have a generally higher standard of performance are selected for post-ings within the different units within Socomd.

“With support staff, the biggest thing is attitude – a ‘can-do’ attitude – to show that you’re willing to go that extra mile and push forward to support the guys. I would strongly recommend people from logistics trades to come to Socomd, because you are working to support the front-line troops with higher activity and intensity.”

PERSONNEL 31Army April 1, 2010

Greasing the wheels

Running repairs: A member does some welding as part of the CSST’s mission to keep Australia’s Special Forces in Afghanistan fully operational. Inset: A long-range patrol vehicle gets a service.Photos by Lt Aaron Oldaker

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Sharing skills: Tpr Tanoa Bitu, of the Security Detachment in Baghdad, instructs a US Army member of the International Zone Quick Reaction Force in the use of the Minimi. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran

Foreign talks: Dutch Chief of Army Lt-Gen Robert Bertholee talks to soldiers during a visit to 6RAR at Gallipoli Barracks for a display of the unit’s motorised capabilities. The 6RAR soldiers are, from left, Cpl Daniel Barnett, Pte Evan Booth, Pte Kevin Bertram and Pte Stephen Arndell. Photo by Pte Steven Harris

Boss talk: Maj-Gen Hori Howard (retd), Colonel Commandant of the RAR, enjoys a joke with LCpl Manu Johari, 1RAR, during a visit to Lavarack Barracks. Photo by LCpl Mark Doran

Fired up: Under the watchful eyes of Gnrs Brian Crute, left, and Matthew Carter, 48 Fd Bty, Harry Lukasz loads a training round into an F2 81mm mortar tube at the Clipsal 500 car race. The recruiting cell for 9 Bde set up camp in the city’s parklands from March 10-14. Photo by LCpl Glenn Power

Winners: Cpl Tim Asher, Sgt Ben Hampton, Cpl James Miller, Cpl Robina Peterkin-Joyce, Sgt Jay Leach and Cpl Grayson Poon relax after winning the Brevington Shield, part of their RAAOC Subject 2 for sergeants’ course. Photo by WO1 Richard Jones

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DIKKO By Bob Dikkenberg BULLETIN BOARD Veterans wanted VETERANS of the 1944-45 Aitape Wewak Campaign are being sought for a documentary being filmed by a Japanese national broadcasting company. For more details contact Noriko Miyake on 0438 648 782 or email [email protected]

Over sexed marinesAn exhibition showcasing the impact US Marines had on the Melbourne community during World War II is running at the City Gallery, Melbourne Town Hall, February 17 to April, 30. For information contact (03) 9658 9658 or www.thatsmel-bourne.com.au/citygallery

WRAAC requestWRAACReunited is looking for ar ticles, images and film about the closing of the WRAAC school for its website. WRAAC disband-ed in late 1984 with a flag-lower-ing ceremony at Georges Heights. WRAACReunited aims to keep in touch with ex-serving members and provides a discrete on-line commu-nity hub for its members. If you have any WRAAC items you would like to donate to the membership please email the website administrator at [email protected] and/or check out the website at www.wraacreunited.org

The March 18 winner is ...

We also liked ...

If you can think of a clever, witty caption for this picture, email [email protected] with “caption competition April 1” in the sub-ject line. Keep entries under 25 words. Entries MUST include sender’s name, rank and unit.

“I know it’s hot, but wait till they start the fan.”Pte Daryl Arnold11/28RWAR

“Drop two 500 pounders, as well as two SASR operatives on the way home – that’s spreading the Defence dollar.”Capt Rod WicksC Coy, 2/17 RNSWR

“You know Bob, I’m starting to realise this job really sucks ...”Capt Rowan HaighHQ 7 Bde

“Surely your jaffle must be done by now.”Capt Michael Eyb7CSSB

“Individual experiences may vary when it comes to accommodation in the MEAO.”Sgt Rob TaylorElectronic and Weapon Systems Div

HEALTH

More than the basicsThe military fitness assessments

are used to ensure a basic level of fit-ness. A level which some members see as the maximum fitness needed or, alternatively, base all their physical training on.

Rather than consider the key activi-ties of basic military fitness assess-ments (push ups, sit ups and a run/walk) as the only means of assessing your fitness, add a few more.

The Army Physical Conditioning Assessment System, (DI(A) Pers 148-2, Annex E) for example, includes some great challenges including a 1.6km walk, bench press and 40m and 300m sprints.

Trying different assessments will highlight weakness, weakness that you didn’t know you had but can now turn into strengths.

New exercise or sportTry a totally new exercise or sport

and give your coordination a chal-lenge. Many people continually cycle through the same training programs and exercises or continue to play the same sport endlessly, safe in their com-fort zones.

Get out and challenge your body to learn new movement patterns. Be

No musicTry training for a few weeks with-

out any music, especially on longer cardio sessions. No music means no distraction.

When your lungs start to burn or your legs start to shake after the first few squat sets, your brain will begin to talk to you.

Hard training needn’t mean heavier or faster. Lt Rob Orr says there are safer ways to do it and poses three challenges.

THERE are effective ways of hardening up your training sessions without increasing training intensity.

While these challenges are not designed to be nose-bleed or lung-bust-ing sessions, they will increase your physical resilience.

CHALLENGE

1

This conversation may take the for-mat of reminding you how much every step hurts or try to persuade you to stop or give in. ‘Come on, it’s only the last 500m’ your brain might say.

This is where your mental tough-ness will have to take up the challenge and you will have to find a way to mentally manage your physical fatigue and motivation.

In October 2009 the winner of the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon was disqualified for accepting a drink from a friend and the next winner was then disqualified for listening to her iPod while running the race.

Runners competing for US track and field championships are not allowed to use electronic devices.

CHALLENGE

2

aware that muscle soreness may ensue as muscles get used in new and excit-ing ways.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnston, a collegiate American football player and professional wrestler can attest to this following his ballet training for the movie The Game Plan.

CHALLENGE

3

Hardening up in safety

Resilience: Pain and gain don’t go together. Photo by Cpl Melina Mancuso

LIFESTYLE 35Army April 1, 2010

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36 SPORT Army April 1, 2010


AUSTRALIA’s premier bushwalking teams’ event – where teams of four trek a 96km course through the Gold Coast hinterland with a 39-hour time limit – will be well supported by Defence teams come July.

Two teams from 20 STA Regt, plus one each from DFR Coolangatta, 2HSB and 41 Bty, will be augmented by a collection of ‘Fat, Old and Broken Soldiers’ mainly from Canungra.

Another, non-Defence team headed by a former MP, going under the name ‘Commando Knights’ is also worth mentioning thanks to their “insane” intent to finish the course carrying a loaded stretcher – a feat they hope will get them a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

And, while the event may be months away, Team Defence Force Recruiting Coolangatta are also hard at work preparing for the gruelling 96km cross-country trek.

What started out as good natured banter around the office finished with Capt Clarke Brown and Cpl Terry Toon teaming with PO Doug Thomas and RAAF Cpl James Lavery to take up the challenge.

“There had been a fair bit of effort in the office to improve our fitness, which resulted in some friendly rib-bing between the services,” PO Thomas said.

“When we heard about the Kokoda Challenge, we thought this would be a great goal to aim for as a team, as well as a chance to raise some money for charity and another way to promote Defence recruiting.”

Commando Knights leader Brett Tanton said his team was really getting into the spirit of the Kokoda Challenge and would carry a World War II stretcher complete with a period-uniformed mannequin named Frank in honour of Z Force and Kokoda-veteran legend Frank Holland.

“Frank was an extraordinary man and I’m sure his spirit will egg us on to go the distance,” Mr Tanton said.

“This will be a full-on challenge – an insane challenge to be honest – but it will be worth it for the kids.”

The Kokoda Challenge was designed to reflect the key elements of the spirit of Kokoda with 96km represent-ing the actual distance of the Kokoda Track and the 39 hours symbolising the 39th Militia, who were the first Australian troops to arrive at Kokoda on 15 July 1942.

Participants will also cope with more than 5000m of ascents and 5000m of descents during the course of the event.

Organisers said there was no doubt participants would need to call on the spirit of the Anzacs – endurance, sacri-fice, courage and mateship – to finish the challenge.

Funds raised through sponsorship of teams will go mainly to supporting the Kokoda community and the descendants of the fuzzy wuzzy angels.

The sixth annual Kokoda Challenge will be held on July 17-18 in the Gold Coast hinterland.

With a full quota of 300 teams already registered – and a possible Guinness World Record on the line – it is set to be a huge event.

To learn more about the Kokoda Challenge or to sponsor your favourite team, visit www.kokodachallenge.com

Up for a challenge

Record haul: The Tanton family and friend (above). Former MP Brett Tanton, back left, and Stuart Holmes hold up the rear of the stretcher they intend to carry for the duration of the 96km trek while Blake Tanton, 13, and Saeran Tanton, 14, make up the rest of the team.

Surf’s up: Cpl Terry Toon and Capt Clarke Brown (left) won’t be needing the board when they take on the Kokoda Challenge through the Gold Coast hinterland.

CAPT Gary Kristensen, RAEME, has his sights set on the Australian Masters Track championships in Melbourne from April 15-18 after being crowned champion in the 3000m individual pursuit for the second successive year at the Queensland Masters Track Championships in Brisbane from February 19-21.

He also took out silver in the 666m time trial. In the 3000m individual pursuit, cyclists

race in a time trial to set the four fastest times and then the top four cyclists ride off for the top places.

After qualifying in 3min 49.62sec and set-ting a state record, Capt Kristensen had his work cut out for him in the qualifying round when he faced Scott Robinson, UCC.

“I usually go out soft in the first kilometre,” he said. “In doing that, I had to overturn a four-bike-length deficit that Scott had built up in those first four laps.”

His opponent dug deep and produced an excellent 3:50.52 to set up a rematch in the ride-off for gold and silver.

“In the final, I decided to reverse my strategy and go out slightly harder from the start.

“Fortunately, this worked perfectly and I was able to put inroads into my opponent and take the race in 3:50.84 with Scott finishing in 3:53.50.”

The current ADF criterium and time trial champion, Capt Kristensen completed the 666m time trial in 48.96sec.

“This event involves an all-out effort for just two laps and is really difficult,” he said.

“It is akin to the effort required for a straight 400m on the athletics track.”

Capt Kristensen is planning to compete in the 750m time trial and 3000m individual pursuit at the Australian championships.

After that he intends to compete in the Queensland Masters Criterium Championships after missing the 2009 titles through injury.

“I competed in 2008 and won a silver medal and hope to go one better this year.”

Master of the 3000m

Pedal power: Capt Gary Kristensen puts in the hard yards in the 666m time trial.

SPORT 37Army April 1, 2010

New ground: Members of CTF 635 and Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) have partnered with the AFL to promote the sport and its benefits in Solomon Islands. Here Capt David Haskins contests the ruck with Freddy Una from Namoliki Community in a game. AFL has had success in surrounding areas of the Pacific and is expecting a similar result in Solomon Islands. Every weekend, CTF members and RAMSI conduct AFL games and training with local communities. Photo by LAC Leigh Cameron

Footy comes to town


A FAMILY tragedy and “a com-plete 180” in her luck will see an extremely flexible Canberra-based reservist compete in two world championships later this month.

Lt Rianna Coughlan, SO3 Training and Preparedness at Ministerial Services and Public Affairs, is a competitive cheerleader and has had to drop everything to engage in intensive catch-up train-ing to fulfil her dream.

“I am very, very lucky to be on this team because for four months over Christmas I was pregnant, but I lost baby Jack at 18 weeks and, while that is very sad, my luck also did a complete 180 when an oppor-tunity to join Team Australia came up,” she said.

“So I’m training very hard at the moment to get my fitness back after being out for four months.”

But Lt Coughlan’s world-cham-pionships campaign is actually a full year ahead of schedule, adding to the pressure of her return to com-petitive fitness.

“I was very lucky to get on the Australian Outlaws team based in Melbourne and my plan was to train with them and go to the worlds next year.

“They are still going, but I had actually decided not to go so I could try for another baby instead.

“It broke my heart to make that decision – but then in the same week when my dreams were shat-tered, an opportunity to join Team Australia came up at short notice, and to get the opportunity to go a year earlier is just incredible.”

She said that while most of her teammates were training for about 10 hours a week, she was training up to 22 hours.

“Basically, I’ve dropped every-thing to do this – and my boss has been very supportive.

“I’m training full- t ime in Melbourne in the lead up, focusing on cardio, plyometrics and jump-ing in the mornings and then in the evening I have cheerleading training where we work jumps again, dance, stunts and tumbling in gymnastics classes.

“Before we go we’ll also have four days of intensive training together as a team in Newcastle, then another three days together for training right before we perform.”

She said learning so much cho-reography in a short time was pretty intense and usually kept her awake at night.

“For a couple of weeks before a competition, I have trouble sleeping

MALE soldiers make the best cheer-leaders, according to Lt Rianna Coughlan, and that’s mainly due to their strength and lack of fear when trying new routines. When she raised the first Army cheerleading stunt team in Townsville in 2008, more men than women signed up. “I have so much respect for the men who broke away from the mainstream to give cheerleading a try,” she said. “Defence Force Recruiting saw some merit in what we did but, because of deployments and exercises, it was just too hard to keep a team togeth-er.” Lt Coughlan intends putting an all-girl civilian team together in Canberra after her commitment at the worlds – and said she’d love to get another Army team together.

For information contact [email protected]

with cheerleading routines going through my head – and the music. In practice you hear the same music track over and over and over for hours.

“What I’m talking about is an awful lot of training going into one 2.5min routine.

“And there’s a lot of pressure on individual athletes to perform.

Three cheers for the worlds

Reflection: Lt Rianna Coughlan contemplates her hectic schedule ahead of the world championships. Photo by Cpl Dion Trevillon

“Every stunt must go off right. For example, in a pyramid where you’ve got three layers of people and you’re throwing someone 5m in the air, if one person makes a mistake or an accident happens, you could lose your routine – or break a limb or something.”

She said the world champion-ships were a big deal, with about 19,000 athletes participating at the ESPN Wide World of Sports com-plex in Florida.

“When I say ‘the worlds’ there’s actually two competitions.

“The traditional International Allstar Federation worlds where any team that has qualified at national level can compete and, two days before that, the International Cheerleading Union worlds with just one representative national team from each country.

“Basically, for each of those competitions, there’s a prelim round and a final.

“So, conceivably, we could be doing our routine four times in com-petition – plus the zillions of times we will have to do it in training.”

Lt Coughlan will compete with Team Australia from April 22-26 in Orlando, Florida.

G – O – A – U – S – T – R – A – L – I – A.

ONE FOR THE MEN

No tears as SAD spikes Navy in final

Sandstorm: Pte Cameron Smith hits the deck for SAD II.

ARMY lads from a Navy ship won the annual Eastern Australian Area Volleyball Championship at Manly Beach recently when Tobruk’s Ship’s Army Detachment (SAD II) beat No Remorse Desert Rats 2-0 in the final.

The SAD success was built around the match-winning perform-ances of Cpl Michael Hammet and Ptes Cameron Smith and Craig Roy.

Tobruk entered five teams in the competition, with three of them qualifying for the semi-finals.

Although the final was an all-

Tobruk affair, the match developed into an Army-Navy grudge match.

SAD II fought hard to win the first set, with Pte Smith serving magnificently while Pte Craig Roy ended up face first in the sand after making several remarkable saves.

The sailors fought back in the second set but Cpl Hammett pro-duced a spectacular block and point-scoring feat to give SAD II the momentum.

Cpl Hammet said it was “Like training, I just did what I had to do, without thinking about it,” he said, tongue-in-cheek.



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38 SPORT Army April 1, 2010

All in a day’s work By Sharon Palmer

A QUICK change of ends took on a whole new meaning at the Kapooka Sports Series held on March 13 when one ground doubled as both an AFL oval and rugby union field.

Coordinator of the series Capt Ian Marston, S31 Ops ARTC, said because of water restrictions one of the ovals was unplayable, but it was not a big deal in the end.

“ We m a n a g e d t o c ove r t a n Auss ie ru les oval in to a rugby field in about 10 minutes,” he said. “The only hitch was the rugby games got reduced from 10-minute halves to eight-minute halves and that didn’t go down well with all the players.”

Some 700 competitors turned out for the series this year held on the one day, March 13.

The series comprises three sports, AFL 12s, rugby union 10s and netball 7s.

The AFL is played on a full field with 12 players and six on the interchange bench. Fifteen rugby teams (made of mainly Army), 14 AFL teams which included three women’s teams and 12 netball teams fought it out all on the one day for overall honours.

6RAR took out the rugby honours, RAAF won the men’s AFL, Army the women’s AFL, ADFA won the women’s netball and a combined services team from the ACT took out the mixed netball title.

Capt Marston said while holding the series all on one day had its challenges, overall it proved to be successful.

“Everything worked fairly well,” he said.

“We got positive feedback from the majority of competitors and hope the event continues to grow.”

Capt Marston said the series also gave local umpires the opportunity to get some pre-season training in.

“The Australian Services Rugby Union brought their own referees but we relied on the Riverina Umpires Association for the other two sports and they said they enjoyed the hit out and also said it gave them a chance to coach some of the younger umpires before the winter season starts.”

Planning for next year’s series, to be held on the one day again, March 12, is well underway.

“It’s getting so popular that many teams have already booked their accom-modation for next year,” he said.

By LS Paul McCallum

THE Army women’s football team sent an ominous warning ahead of the Australian rules champion-ships later in the month by com-prehensively beating the reigning Kapooka champions 2.6.18–0 to win the shield.

In a hard fought battle at Blamey Barracks on March 13, the final resembled the round two clash ear-lier in the day with Army stamping its authority over Navy.

Recovering from recent sur-gery, team stalwart Sgt Jorja Jones, Air Movements Training and Development Unit, took the oppor-tunity to coach the team in its only warm-up game before the ADF championships in Melbourne from April 14-18.

“We weren’t able to field a team at Kapooka last year because many of our players were deployed, and it showed in our performance at the nationals last year,” Sgt Jones said.

“This is a great start to our prep-arations this time around and I think Navy will be worried this year. We are a much stronger team.”

Despite only coming together the night before, the new Army team showed pure heart, determination and teamwork to win the match.

“We really worked hard to get the team playing together and not relying on a few key players,” Sgt Jones said.

“For a team that had just a handful of players who had played together before, it was great to see everyone play for each other.”

One of the new players Cpl Sarah Webb, JMCO, played a key

role throughout the competition. “She is a strong player with the skills of an experienced player and can read the game really well,” Sgt Jones said.

Pte Alison Smith was a consist-ent contributor both on and off the field and team captain Cpl Sandi Rixon was awarded Army player of the series.

The men’s shield was won by RAAF 4.2.26 over HMAS Cerberus 4.0.24. ARTC Kapooka played off for the cup (third) but was narrowly beaten by HMAS Albatross.

Two ADFA teams, teams from SME Moorebank, 6 Avn Regt, ARTC Kapooka, two teams from HMAS Cerberus, HMAS Albatross, Navy combined and two RAAF teams made up the 14 teams in the men’s competition.

Alarm bells ring as Army dominates

Teamwork: Lt Alexandra Smith, 2 HSB, lays on a shepherd as Pte Allison Smith, 8/9RAR, clears the ballin the final of the women’s AFL game against Navy. Photo by LS Paul McCallum

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SPORT 39Army April 1, 2010

at Kapooka series Pirates steal show

By LS Paul McCallum

THE women of ADFA successfully defended their Kapooka 7s title against the local favourites 11-8 at this year’s Kapooka Sports Series.

ADFA established an early lead in the first half and managed to hold off a late challenge by the Kapooka team in hot conditions.

Team captain OCdt Amy Brewster said this was the first hit out for the team this year and she was happy with their performance.

“We play in a local competition in Canberra but this is the first time we have played other ADF teams,” OCdt Brewster said.

“Our first game was a bit rusty but we soon gelled and we’re really pleased to successfully defend out title from last year.”

ADFA wing attack Midn Eleanor Snelling was strong through the centre and combined well with centre OCdt Kirstie Prothero to provide quick feeds into the goal attack OCdt Varley and shooter Midn Clare White.

Goal defenders OCdt Kathryn Koslowicz and OCdt Brewster kept the attacking Kapooka players to just eight goals while wing defence OCdt Kaitlin Gilbert slowed down the feed to their shooters.

With renovations closing the main netball courts, a temporary solution meant some games were played on the indoor basketball court while the rest were played on a court set up in a car park.

The round robin event saw each team play each other once and then the semi finals brought the top four sides to battle it out for the final.

The mixed competition title was won by the Purple Monkeys team, an ACT-based tri-service team.

ADFA stands tall to defend title

Too strong: Pte Joshua Townsend, 6RAR, attempts to break a tackle at the Kapooka rugby union 10s. Photo by LS Paul McCallum

By LS Paul McCallum

FIFTEEN teams fought it out to claim the Kapooka 10s Cup with RMC-A Pirates proving too strong for RARC in a high-scoring final.

The Pirates took the match 36-19 with strong performances from Tpr Isaac Harris, Capt Nathan Pierpoint and Pte Isikeil Fukofuka.

Team skipper Sgt Matt Hines said it was a great team effort, which saw them beat a strong oppo-nent like RARC.

“Our forwards were tough up front and committed the defence leaving our backs to put on a good show of running rugby,” he said.

“It was a great result for us in our first year of contesting Kapooka 10s. We did not have any training before our first game against RAAF Base Edinburgh, and that was evi-dent; but we only got better as the day went on.”

The Pirates took the lead early but RARC fought back towards half-time and challenged the Pirates line repeatedly.

The Pirates back-line held its nerve and the challenge was defeat-ed before the attack could begin again and the tries kept coming.

The battle for the minor titles saw 1 Bde take home the Kapooka 10s Plate while 6RAR won the Kapooka Bowl.

Too strong: ADFA goal shooter Midn Clare White wins the ball over Kapooka goal keeper Capt Sarah Mooney.

Photo by LS Paul McCallum

700 AT KAPOOKA

Women make mark

PP38-39

April 1, 2010

CHEERSGive me a W-O-R-L-D champ Page 37

Flexible: Lt Rianna Coughlan limbers up ahead of the world cheerleading championships. Photo by Sgt Brian Hartigan

edition 1232, april 01, 2010

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