SEA RAIDS

Special forces assault a ship and offshore platform in counter terrorism exercise

PAGES 3-5

Edition 1316 October 24, 2013

Moving onFull details revealed on the range

of protected trucks and trailers to roll out under Land 121

SPECIAL LIFTOUTPAGE 7

Fighting fitAbout 500 ADF personnel will trial a new uniform designed

to better fit women

Ship shape: Special forces

operators clear bulk iron ore

carrier Double Providence

during Ex Iron Moon off

Australia’s north-west

coast.Photo by Cpl

Christopher Dickson

Army October 24, 2013NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews2

The Soldiers’ Newspaper

DirectorDavid Edlington: (02) 6265 4650Deputy DirectorSimone Liebelt: (02) 6265 2253EDITORIALEditorJohn Wellfare: (02) 6266 7609Deputy EditorAurora Daniels: (02) 6265 3119SportJohn Martin: (02) 6265 7219ReportersWO2 Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614Sgt Dave Morley: (02) 6266 7613Cpl Max Bree: (02) 6266 7608Cpl Nick Wiseman: (02) 6265 4140 LS Helen Frank: (02) 6266 7606

CONTACT US

Email: armynews@defencenews.gov.au

Fax: (02) 6266 7701

Mail: The Editor, Army, R8-LG-044, PO Box 7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600

Website: www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews

ADVERTISING / SUBSCRIPTIONS

Advertising managerTim Asher: (07) 3332 7651 or 0459 842 551Email: advertising@defencenews.gov.au

Assistant manager advertising / subscriptionsTrish Dillon: (02) 6266 7607Email: tdillon@defencenews.gov.au

DISCLAIMERArmy is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence News. It is printed under contract by Horton Media Australia Ltd. The material published is selected for its interest. The views expressed in published articles are not necessar-ily those of Defence or Army. Every advertisement is subject to Directorate of Defence News approv-al and the Directorate of Defence News may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an advertisement. The directorate accepts no responsibility or liabil-ity in relation to any loss due to the failure of an advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form not in accordance with the instructions received by the Directorate of Defence News. The fact that an advertisement is accepted for publication does not mean that the product or service is endorsed by the Department of Defence or Army.

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Soldier saves child Infantryman leaps into a stormwater drain to grab a boy being swept under

Helping hand: Pte Kale Morrissey, of 5RAR, sprung into action to save the life of a 12-year-old who was being dragged into a storm-water drain in Darwin. Photo by Justin Sanson/NT News

Aurora Daniels

WHEN Pte Kale Morrissey, of 5RAR, took his dogs for a walk on October 14 he didn’t imagine the leisurely stroll would end with him in a stormwater drain searching frantically for a young boy who had disappeared under the murky water.

“I grabbed him just in time, as he went under,” he said.

The infantry soldier said Darwin had received a downpour of 13mm of rain that day.

He was the only person on the golf course when he spotted a boy, about the age of 12, screaming at him and waving hysterically to try to attract his attention.

“I saw someone in the water,” Pte Morrissey recalls.

“The water was up to his chin and flowing really fast so he was being sucked under a little bridge on the course. But by the time I ran over I could hardly see him.

“The water was right up to the underside of the bridge so if he’d gone through he’d have been entirely under water and looking at it later there was another deep drain under there so he could have then been pulled down through that.”

Pte Morrissey jumped in and felt under the water for the boy.

He grabbed him under the arms and hauled him up on to the grassy bank to safety.

“He was coughing up water and was really dazed so he was incoherent. He started dry retching and gasping for breath,” he said.

“He would have been so scared. He didn’t know I was coming and wouldn’t have known he was safe until I grabbed him.”

Pte Morrissey made sure both kids were okay and then told the boy’s friend they shouldn’t play in the drains when it had been raining.

“The kid said sorry and thanked me and promised they wouldn’t do it again,”. Pte Morrissey said.

“The poor kid that was in the water though, if it wasn’t enough nearly drowning, the force of the water was so strong it had ripped his clothes.”

The gushing torrent had been up to Pte Morrissey’s hips and although he didn’t fear for his own life, it did stir up some painful memories from his past when he served on Op Resolute.

“Obviously the Christmas Island incident was 100,000 times worse, what with the 10m waves and the cliffs, but it sort of brings it all back up,” he said.

“It does just come back to me at times anyway though.”

Pte Morrissey said his Mum made sure he never played in drains after rain and he desperately hoped these kids had learnt their lesson.

Although it was embarrassing to share his story, as he didn’t think he had been courageous in helping the two boys, he said it would all be worth the ribbing he’d get from his mates if his story saved just one kid’s life.

“I just hope they stop to think before jumping in to play in a drain,” he said.

“The water was up to his chin and flowing really fast so he was being sucked under

a little bridge on the course. But by

the time I ran over I could hardly see him.

– Pte Kale Morrissey, 5RAR

LS Helen Frank

LESSONS learnt will be the theme of the ninth Military Health Symposium to be held at HMAS Waterhen in Sydney on November 9.

The theme is based on the premise that those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it. The symposium will focus on ways to ensure that lessons from deployments and exercises are not restricted or forgotten.

Topics will include challenges Defence is facing now, challenges that need to be prepared for, cut-ting-edge medicine, cutting-edge research and geopolitical situational updates.

Chairman Military Health Symposium Organising Committee Lt-Col David Phillips said the keynote speaker would be Jenny Hayward-Jones, Director of the Myer Foundation Melanesia Program at the Lowy Institute, speaking on China in the Pacific.

“As the ADF moves back from Afghanistan we need to refresh our knowledge and look at the lessons learnt of the major power in our region – China,” Lt-Col Phillips said.

He said up to 150 personnel were expected to attend the symposium.

The day will run from 8am to 4.30pm. Registration closes on October 28.

For more information on the symposium, contact David Talakovski on (02) 8335 5269 or email david.talakovski@defence.gov.au

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THE Australian Defence Cycle Club 2013 Cycling Carnival was can-celled after the tragic death of CPO Kane Vandenberg on October 11. CPO Vandenberg died of chest inju-ries after a cycling accident during the event at Mt Stromlo in Canberra.

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Army October 24, 2013 NEWSwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 3

SPECIAL forces soldiers stormed a ship and offshore platform off Australia’s north-west coast dur-ing two weeks of intense maritime counter-terrorism training last month.

The Socomd-led Exercise Iron Moon was held in the Exmouth, Karratha and Dampier regions from September 15-29. Participating were personnel from SASR, 6 Avn Regt, 176 Air Dispatch Sqn and SOLS: Air Force C-17, C-130, AP-3C Orion and B350 aircraft; and state and federal government agency personnel.

The first week of the exercise was spent assaulting a ship under-way at sea, a contracted bulk iron ore carrier named Double Providence, notionally controlled by a group of terrorists with the crew as hostages.

Lt-Col G said the counter-terror-ism exercise was an annual activity and north-west Australia was chosen this year due to the large concentra-tion of vital resource infrastructure in the area.

“The economic and strategic importance of this part of Australia cannot be understated,” he said.

“It’s in the national interest to protect these industries.”

Other government organisa-tions such as the Federal Police, WA Police and Border Protection Command were also involved in the exercise, contributing to the whole-of-government maritime security mission.

Lt-Col G said the exercise went according to plan.

“Everyone performed their roles exceptionally well under the diffi-cult conditions,” he said.

“This shows we’re capable of deploying at short notice to deal with complex threats to Australia’s national security.”

More than 400 personnel deployed to the area over the exer-cise period, testing the abilities of

ADF bases in the north west such as RAAF Learmonth at Exmouth and Taylor Barracks at Karratha to support a concentration of forces in response to an incident such as off-shore terrorism.

With the support of soldiers from SOLS, both bases enabled the task force to successfully conduct its mission.

Air Force Orions played an important role throughout the exer-cise, providing maritime surveil-lance, search and rescue functions and real time situational awareness to the special forces operators as they approached and gained access to the target vessels

As well as conducting the tacti-cal air drop, Air Force C-17s trans-ported 6 Avn Regt’s Black Hawk helicopters, forward repair teams, support personnel and equipment to the west coast.

The unique 6 Avn Regt capa-bilities were used by day and night to project the special forces to the target vessel, provide aerial fire support, command and control, and aeromedical evacuation.

Assault at sea SASR counter-terrorism exercise to recapture a commercial ship and offshore platform off north-west coast

Using air-droppable rigid-hulled inflatable boats (ADRHIBs) and Black Hawks, the special forces recovery element assaulted the tar-get vessel simultaneously by sea and air.

Fast-roping down from the heli-copters and climbing up from the RHIBS, the special forces conducted an assault to gain control of the ves-sel and recover hostages in the simu-lated terrorist incident.

During the full mission profile – the final assault on the target ship for week one – ADRHIBs were deployed with the recovery force from an Air Force C-17 in a scenario setting too far offshore to be sup-ported by land-based assets.

With RAAF surveillance aircraft monitoring the situation, the recov-ery force moved from the drop zone to the ship interdiction location to conduct its assault.

During week two of the exer-cise the maritime counter-terrorism task force deployed to Karratha to recover an offshore energy installa-tion hijacked by terrorists.

The Dampier Spirit, a fuel stor-age and off-loading facility 60km off the Dampier coast, was the tar-get.

CO SASR Lt-Col G said the exercise provided a better under-standing of inter-agency roles and responsibilities for a response to maritime terrorism threats.

“The regular conduct of mari-time counter-terrorism training is essential for developing and retain-ing ADF capabilities to respond to a threat under the Defence Force Aid to the Civilian Authority,” he said.

“The approach we took with Ex Iron Moon aimed to create more real-istic training environments, ensur-ing Australian government agencies are able to work together to respond to and deter threats to Australian national security interests while con-tributing to regional stability.”

This shows we’re capable of

deploying at short notice to deal with

complex threats to Australia’s

national security. – Lt-Col G, CO SASR

All hands on deck: SASR operators fast rope onto the bulk carrier Double Providence during maritime counter-terrorism training as part of Exercise Iron Moon, held off Australia’s north-west coast. Inset, troopers clear the ship deck by deck. Photo by Cpl Christopher Dickson

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Army October 24, 2013NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews4

Health support up in the air Soldiers from 1CHB Aviation Primary Health Care Team provide aeromedical evacuation as sharks swim below

Medical response: Lt Laura Shane (right) and Pte Katrina Mahoney on duty as the primary health care team at RAAF Learmonth during Exercise Iron Moon. Inset, soldiers conduct search and rescue helicopter winch training for air-lifting patients on stretchers. Photos by Cpl Christopher Dickson

Cpl Nick Wiseman

EX IRON Moon gave two medi-cal personnel from Holsworthy a new perspective when they joined Socomd in north Western Australia to be lowered from a helicopter onto a boat with clear views of sharks and other marine creatures swimming only metres below.

Although not in danger, the sight under the waves made the already chal-lenging activity a little more nerve-racking, according to nursing officer Lt Laura Shane.

“It makes you more wary of what is going on,” she said.

“I’m not sure what type of sharks we saw but we also got to see whales, dolphins and manta rays.”

Lt Shane and medical technician Pte Katrina Mahoney had the task through-out the exercise of providing primary healthcare and sick parade capabilities at RAAF Learmonth while also provid-ing specialist aeromedical evacuation capability.

The two specialists both went through their drills providing medical support in scenarios using a basket-like stretcher called a 406 Litter.

This equipment allowed them to evacuate the simulated patients safely and get them back to specialist medical facilities if needed.

Lt Shane said their part of the exer-cise went well.

“I’d never been lowered from a heli-copter onto a small boat before so I was keen to see how it would go with down-

draft and getting in the right position,” she said.

“This activity can be challenging and we need to ensure we do everything in sequence.”

Pte Mahoney said after spending

some time on the safety boat she soon realised she much preferred to be in the air.

“I definitely don’t have my sea legs,” she said.

“It was great to be part of the exer-

cise compared to only providing the primary healthcare.

“It was also good to work with the 406 Litter and mannequin. It certain-ly gave us a more realistic scenario to practise our skills.”

Both medical specialists are posted to the 1CHB Aviation Primary Health Care Team and are part of a larger group providing specialist aeromedical evacuation skills to aviation units as well as exercises.

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Army October 24, 2013 NEWSwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 5

Aurora Daniels

TROOPS from 6 Avn Regt were on duty 24 hours a day for three weeks, ensur-ing Black Hawks were ready to take off in support of Exercise Iron Moon on Australia’s north-west coastline.

The 75 personnel spent the first week supporting an assault on bulk iron ore carrier Double Providence at sea, gaining control of the vessel during a series of simulated hos-tage scenarios. Aircrew provided rotor-wing support and aeromedical evacuation through-out the exercise.

An element also supported the Pilbara Regt at Tom Price, conducting air-mobile operations during a field exercise. Soldiers were extracted during day and night activi-ties, according to 6 Avn Regt Technical Support Troop Commander Capt Tim Byrne.

“It was an excellent opportunity for them. A once-in-a-career experience for some of the reservists,” he said.

Choppers’ vital offshore role Black Hawks support special forces training

The exercise helped the maintainers streamline their procedures. Capt Byrne said the opportunity to deploy with C-17s was the regiment’s main test from a technical perspective, as personnel wanted to practise forward deploying.

“We used two C-17s to transport the five Black Hawks and another C-17 for equipment. It took us over a day each way to fold up the main rotors and tail to fit them on board and then reassemble at the destination,” Capt Byrne said.

“It was a good exercise in being self-suf-ficient for us. We are used to operating on the eastern seaboard where we have ready access to parts and external support but this time we had to ensure we took everything we could possibly need with us. We now know the best methods to fold and pack into the C-17s and the mission for us was a great success.”

The hot and dry conditions around Exmouth in Western Australia made the maintainers’ jobs more complicated than usual.

“There was very fine dust which wreaked havoc on our electrical and avionics systems. The airframes have four radios and multiple navigation systems so it was not catastrophic if any issue arises in one of them. When the airframes were returned to us we had to spend hours trouble shooting to try to locate the problem and then fix it,” Capt Byrne said.

“We spend a lot of time on ground test-ing. There is also scheduled maintenance we have to carry out before and after every flight so we were kept very busy.

“We also spent a significant amount of the trip conducting role configuration changes, such as the extended range fuel tanks (two for each airframe) and special operations configurations for fast roping and rappelling. All that takes a good number of hours.”

Capt Byrne said Ex Iron Moon was an annual exercise providing 6 Avn Regt per-sonnel with the opportunity to travel around Australia and was unique in bringing togeth-er many ADF assets such as P3 Orions, water elements, SASR, aviation and special logistics personnel.

... this time we had to ensure we

took everything we could possibly need

with us.– Capt Tim Byrne,Technical

Support Tp Commander, 6 Avn Regt

Air support: Special forces troops climb aboard a 6 Avn Regt Black Hawk as it hovers over bulk carrier Double Providence during Ex Iron Moon. Inset left, a 6 Avn Regt aircrewman prepares for take off. Inset top, personnel from the Pilbara Regt conduct training with the helicopters in Tom Price. Photos by Cpl Christopher Dickson

“Permanent, Course and Transit

Living In AccommodationFrom 1 September 2013, DHA started managing bookings for Living In Accommodation (LIA) at the following bases in South Queensland:

> RAAF Base Amberley > Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera > Borneo Barracks, Cabarlah > Swartz Barracks, Oakey, and > Kokoda Barracks, Canungra.

Whether you are looking to book LIA for an exercise, a course, a cadet camp, reserve duty, permanent accommodation or individual transit, contact DHA.

North Queensland is next to transition to the DHA LIA Booking and Allocation Service, and includes the following bases: > HMAS Cairns > Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, and > RAAF Base Townsville. The rest of the country will progressively transition to the DHA LIA Booking and Allocation system by 2014 ahead of the commencement of the new Base Services Contracts.

Army October 24, 2013NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews6

PLANNERS from Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) nations have been fine tuning region-al disaster response during Exercise Suman Warrior in Townsville.

Hosted by 17 CSS Bde, the exercise has run throughout October to improve interoperability with the armed forces of the FPDA nations: Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK.

Exercise com-mander Col Ed Smeaton said Ex Suman Warrior was important preparation for future operations.

“The scenario is based on a military response to a cyclone that has caused destruction to the Australian mainland and is representative of a natural disaster in the region,” he said.

“Military officers from each FPDA nation will plan support to a relief operation as part of a combined joint interagency task force.”

Townsville local government authorities have also been getting involved in cooperation with local and district disaster management agencies providing additional support to the

exercise. “These agencies

are engaged in response planning and provide expert support through disaster recovery experience briefs, which demonstrate their capabilities,” Col Smeaton said.

He said the FPDA remained a crucial forum to promote dialogue and interop-erability between the members.

“Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore share a common interest in the security and stability of the region,” he said.

“Exercises such as Suman Warrior prepare us to work together to keep the region safe.”

The exercise was expected to run until October 25.

Regional warriors work together Five regional powers gather for disaster response exercise

Exercises such as Suman Warrior prepare us to work together

to keep the region safe.

– Col Ed Smeaton, exercise commander

Plans under way: Personnel from FPDA nations begin planning discussions after arriving in Townsville (inset) for Ex Suman Warrior. Photos by Cpl Matthew Bickerton

ADELAIDE-based members of 1 Bde, including troops from 7RAR, were among the first ADF members to be fitted with the new R.M.Williams parade boot.

R.M.Williams staff conducted indi-vidual fittings at RAAF Base Edinburgh for 600 soldiers over two days.

The new boots have stitched elastic-sides with a full-grain leather design that replaces the current lace-up patent leather boot.

The boots didn’t have to travel far for the fitting, having been manufactured at the R.M.Williams factory in Salisbury, South Australia.

Deputy Commander 1 Bde in Adelaide Lt-Col Jack Gregg said it was exciting to have the legendary R.M.Williams Boots as part of the uni-form.

“R.M.Williams has a strong repu-tation for providing high-quality foot-wear and, more importantly, this is a South Australian product which is man-ufactured only a short distance from

Horseshoe Barracks here in Edinburgh,” he said.

Cpl Louis Cleaver, of Spt Coy 7RAR, said the boots were a very comfortable fit and the fact that they were slip-on was a bonus.

“They will take a little more work to look after and maintain compared to the high-shine boots, however, the wearer will really reap the benefits during long hours on the parade ground.”

Pte Corey Bidart, of A Coy 7RAR, said he recently wore the new boots on guard duty and found them to be very comfortable.

“They are a lot better than the old boots; they are easy to clean, look good and you just pull them on,” he said.

“The guys I have spoken to prefer them to the old boots.”

The selection of the boot was the cul-mination of an extensive trial and evalu-ation process undertaken by the DMO’s Clothing Systems Program Office in cooperation with the ADF.

Troops from 7RAR the first to be fitted

Sized up: DMO National Fleet Manager for accoutrements and footwear Frans Buissink helps Pte Blake Andrews-Johnson find the right fit for his new R.M.Williams parade boots. Photo by Cpl Colin Dadd

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Army October 24, 2013 NEWSwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 7

Uniform fit for females Widespread trials begin for new DPCU designed to better fit female soldiersWOMEN in the ADF wi l l soon have access to a uniform specifically designed to better fit the female figure.

The new uniforms are being developed by DMO in response to requests by female members of the ADF to have a uniform that is appro-priately suited to their body shape, with a better fit and higher comfort level.

DMO’s Land Systems Division Combat Clothing Technical Manager Kit Cassidy led the redesign of the standard DPCU.

“This is about improving func-tion and fit to cater specifically to women,” she said.

Duntroon 2IC Maj Cherisa Bellis was among those trialling the uni-forms.

“ I l ove wea r ing the new improved-fit DPCUs,” she said.

“The shirt fits so much better and it looks and feels like it was made specifically for me.”

The female-fit DPCU will be evaluated by up to 500 Army and Air Force women across Australia start-

ing from this month until the end of May next year.

If the trial is successful and the alternate female fit uniform is intro-duced into service, it will be con-sidered as an alternative to the cur-rent DPCU design and will not be the compulsory dress of the day.

Members will have the opportu-nity to wear either design depending on their preference.

“The new uniforms have adjust-ments in areas that will provide female members with a uniform based on the female body shape and will serve as an alternative to the standard unisex DPCU.”

In order to achieve a better fit for women, AHQ and DMO coordinated a series of user evaluations.

RSM-A WO Dave Ash ley said it was important to acknowl-edge female soldiers had different uniform requirements to males.

“Women have a right to be able to access uniforms that are fit for pur-pose and fit for wear,” he said.

“The proper fit of our uniforms for all of our people fosters pride in our service.

“Our people will feel good in uni-forms that fit them properly.”

From September to December last year, about 40 Army and Air Force women in Canberra and Melbourne participated in a scoping trial on an improved-fit DPCU combat uniform.

Based on feedback from the trial, further design enhancements have been implemented.

DMO has already received some positive feedback on the new uniform fit from participants.

The shirt fits so much better and

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made specifically for me.

– Maj Cherisa Bellis, female-fit uniform trial participant

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Army October 24, 2013NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews8

Cpl Max Bree

A PAIR of snipers put their marks-manship skills to the test during an international sniper concentration in Canada from September 19-26.

The shooters from 2RAR, Cpl Michael Oram and LCpl Kar l Fabreschi, along with their coach, WO2 Clint Vecchio, came up against sharpshooters from the Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, UK, New Zealand and France.

The Canadian International Sniper Concentration (CISC) aimed to cover the full spectrum of sniper engage-ments including unknown distance, snaps, moving targets out to 700m, stalking, multi-threat, communication and pistol shooting.

“There is a yearly debate as to whether CISC is a competition or con-centration – it aims to achieve both,” LCpl Fabreschi said.

“Any shooting based around a series of competitive scored events are of course going to bring out the best per-formances from people.

“However, it is not set up to be so ruthlessly competitive that peo-ple are unwilling to share informa-tion or throw out the odd pro-tip for young players.”

The 2RAR soldiers had good results in the snaps and movers serial, along with the night multi-threat shoot.

They were disappointed they didn’t seal a ranking position in the overall competition as Canadian teams took out the top three spots and the Kiwis finished fourth.

“The standard of competition and shooters at the event demonstrated to us that this is certainly not a competi-tion you can rock-up and ‘cuff’,” LCpl Fabreschi said.

“Many of the local teams had been training heavily all summer.”

He suggested using the top-ranking Australian pair at the annual SASR Sniper concentration or AASAM at the next competition in Canada.

When the team arrived for the first day of competition, LCpl Fabreschi realised the event would run differently to those in Australia.

“This was where the first culture shock occurred as we discovered that every address or safety brief was stat-ed twice, first in English followed by French,” he said.

Before being driven to the range and passing the occasional brown bear, LCpl Fabreschi said things got interest-ing at the armoury.

“Most mornings kicked off with the comical rock show that was 64 snipers attempting to sign-out the gratuitous amount of weapons, optics and equip-ment required for the day’s event from a shoe box-sized armoury,” he said.

Between serials the boys chat-ted with other snipers about their kit. Though LCpl Fabreschi it was encour-aging to see the interest in the weapons.

“Every team bar us was issued a Leupold MK4 Mil-dot spotting scope,” he said.

“We are still issued no-reticule Nikons as we are await the arrival of the excellent Leupold system in our battalions.

“But the Blaser tactical 2 we uti-lised as our primary weapon was a big hit; with other teams often admiring the magic of the straight-pull bolt sys-tem, which is always handy for rapid follow-up shots.

“It was pleasantly surprising to see we were ahead of the curve in terms of some of the weapon systems we have available to us in the ARA sniper cells.”

Snipers fire up Shooters from 2RAR take on world’s top shots

Keen eye: LCpl Karl Fabreschi, of 2RAR, drags a mock casualty in an international sniper concentration in Canada, before taking on the pistol shoot, inset.

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Army October 24, 2013 NEWSwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 9

Correcting the record

Honouring Maryang San Soldiers from 3RAR commemorate anniversary of the battalion’s major battle of the Korean War in 1951

THE story Riding High (Army, October 10, Page 5) contained two major factual errors.

The story incorrectly referred to Spr Justin Teunissen, one of the par-ticipants in the tall ships sailing activity, as Russell.

The story also said Spr Teunissen was suffering from cancer, which is also incorrect.

The errors have been attributed to a miscommu-nication between newspa-per staff and the exercise organisers.

Army apologises to Spr Teunissen for the error and to any readers who were misinformed by the story.

Pte Ben Humbler and Aurora Daniels

AS THE sun rose over Townsville’s Mount Stuart, the lingering notes of the Last Post was the only sound as members of 3RAR stood in silence to commemorate the 62nd anniver-sary of the battle of Maryang San on October 7.

It was the first time 3RAR had commemorated the Battle of Maryang San in Townsville, a service that will now remain a significant event for the battalion each year.

The soldiers reflected on the events from October 2-8 in 1951 in which Lt-Col Frank Hassett commanded 3RAR in Operation Commando, a clas-sic battalion assault to capture Hill 317 in Maryang San, Korea.

Using a ridge running tactic, which was first developed against the Japanese in New Guinea during WWII, 3RAR gained the advantage by rapidly assaulting the Chinese positions.

The battalion, known as Old Faithful, repelled repeated Chinese counterattacks, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.

A month later, the Chinese re-cap-tured Maryang San from the British. It was not regained.

It has been described as the greatest single feat of the Australian Army in

the Korean War. Of the Australians who served in the Battle of Maryang San, 20 died and 104 were wounded, according to CO 3RAR Lt-Col Gavin Keating.

“Some idea of the ferocity of the battle can be gauged by these statistics: the Battalion expended over 900,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, 5000 grenades and 7000 mortars,” he said.

Pte Brittany Watt, of 3RAR, read out a prayer for peace on the anniversary of the Regimental Battle Honour.

“It is important for the unit to remember events like this as 3RAR sol-

diers were killed there and we should honour them,” she said.

“As 3RAR, we are the same today as those soldiers would have been before they went to war.”

Colonel Commandant of the Royal Australian Regiment Maj-Gen Mark Kelly (retd) and two Maryang San vet-erans laid wreaths along with Lt-Col Keating who was joined by the bat-talion’s youngest soldier, Pte Blake Sammut.

Pte Phillip Holley also read a prayer for the troops.

“I read the Royal Australian Regiment Prayer, which we say to pro-tect us and to encourage us to keep going in tough times,” Pte Holley said.

“It is significant for us to hold memorial ceremonies like this one as it was a major battle for the battalion and we should always remember our fallen.

“This unit was heavily involved and, along with Kapyong, we should recall the events each year in their honour.”

After the service, 3RAR conduct-ed the Five Peaks Run through the Lavarack Barracks Close Training Area

to pay homage to the soldiers ridge run-ning to victory in Maryang San.

“The Battle of Maryang San was fought around a series of high points,” Lt-Col Keating said.

“The ridge line directly behind the new Kapyong Lines at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville looks a lot like some of the ridges in the Maryang San area.

“The soldiers came away with a slightly better appreciation of what their forebears at Maryang San went through in 1951.”

In memory: Pte Lenahan presents arms as a member of the Catafalque Party during the memorial service. Inset, Colonel Commandant Maj-Gen Mark Kelly salutes in respect to the fallen as he lays his wreath. Photos by Pte Jared Lacey

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Army October 24, 2013NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews10

A Royal visit Soldiers meet Prince Harry on his first trip here in 10 years

Sgt Dave Morley

WALKING 300km along Thailand’s infamous Death Railway over a 12-day period is how a group of former offic-ers and NCOs plan to raise money for Soldier On.

The team of 16 will step off from Ban Pong, Thailand, next Anzac Day, follow-ing in the footsteps of WWII diggers in a project titled The Walk Home 2014.

Project OIC Bryan Ramsbottom said the team consisted of former members of 8/12 Mdm Regt, 103 Mdm Bty, 4RAR (Cdo) and Norforce.

“In addition to the former Army mem-bers, we are being joined by some state and federal law enforcement officers and civilians who support the ADF,” he said.

“Over our careers we have seen deployments to Cambodia , I raq , Afghanistan, Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands and South Sudan and we still feel a strong connection to the Australian Army and our former units.”

Mr Ramsbottom said he and his mates had been fortunate enough to return home from their deployments in relatively good condition.

“But there are younger diggers out there now who haven’t been as lucky as us and we wanted to be able to contribute something back,” he said.

“Soldier On is doing great work and our ultimate goal is raising awareness and finances for its current and future projects.

“In a sign that shows that mateship is still a core value of the ADF, 8/12 Regt has come on board.”

Mr Ramsbottom said the idea for the walk came from a trip he made with his wife to the cemetery and museum at Kanchanaburi and the bridge over the River Kwai.

“While there I thought it would be a good idea to walk the railway one day. I didn’t think much of it until I returned to my AO and got an email from my wife who had seen a segment on TV about Soldier On,” he said.

“She suggested I walk the railway for a charity.”

Mr Ramsbottom put the idea to his mates from 8/12 Regt on Anzac Day.

“They said if I got it off the ground, they would be in and about two weeks later The Walk Home 2014 had begun,” he said.

“Between now and the start of the walk 8/12 Regt will be raising money during weekly sports activities.”

Currently, the team has raised more than $13,000 for Soldier On.

To help the project visit the Facebook page and website at www.thewalkhome.com.au and www.facebook.com/thewalkhome2014

VIP visitors: An SASR soldier chats with Prince Harry at Campbell Barracks in Perth this month.

Following the memory of fallen WWII diggers

Heave-ho: Former soldiers keep up their fitness in preparation for their long Walk Home 2014 trek taking in 300km of the Death Railway in Thailand.

PRINCE Harry visited the SASR when he was in Australia earlier this month for the International Fleet Review (IFR).

During the visit to Campbell Barracks in Perth, the Prince met past and present SASR members, toured the base and honoured fallen members at the Garden of Reflection.

In Perth, accompanied by the CO and RSM SASR, Prince Harry joined the families of SASR members killed on operations and training.

CO SASR Lt-Col G said the visit from Prince Harry was an honour and a privilege.

“It has been 10 years since Prince Harry last visited Australia and we are humbled and grateful that he has made the time to join us,” Lt-Col G said.

“Prince Harry knows what it means to serve his nation on opera-tions and, most importantly, what it means to the families of those serving.

“Today’s visit represents a unique

opportunity to recognise the broader SASR family that provides the back up and support at home.”

The prince also met with 2 Cdo Regt’s Pte Heath Jamieson and Cpl Seamus Donaghue, of Soldier Recovery Centre Brisbane, in Sydney during a reception for young Australians at IFR.

Pte Jamieson and Cpl Donaghue said they felt lucky to meet the prince again, after spending time with him at a training camp last month in the UK.

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Army October 24, 2013 NEWSwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 11

Row to health Wounded, injured and ill soldiers are rowing to recovery

Sgt Dave Morley

FROM their first days in the ADF members learn to “never volunteer for anything”.

But Graeme Hickingbotham, Gallipoli Program Manager for Conservation Volunteers, reckons it’s now time to make an exception.

He’s looking for volunteer guides to assist at Gallipoli for Anzac Day 2014.

Conservation Volunteers, under the supervision of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, recruits and manages a group of 30 volunteers each year to form the Gallipoli volunteer team.

The volunteers are involved in wel-coming and registering visitors to the commemorative services, assisting in the transition between services and generally caring for the wellbeing of visitors.

Mr Hickingbotham said Anzac Day at Gallipoli was unique and memorable.

“Three commemorative services take place – the Dawn Service, combined Australia and New Zealand, Lone Pine Service for Australia, and Chunuk Bair Service for New Zealand,” he said.

“The Gallipoli Volunteer Program also includes extensive battlefield interpreta-tions across the Gallipoli peninsula, a crossing of the Dardanelles, a cruise on the Aegean Sea and time in Istanbul.”

Lt Cristy Ellem, a nursing officer at 2GHB, took part in the program in 2013.

She said a highlight of the trip for her was walking the Rhododendron Ridge.

“It enabled us to see the land the way the soldiers would have so many years ago

and yet again, all too depressing, to see the formidable landscape in which they were fighting,” she said.

“The purpose was to assist the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in the running of the Anzac Day service.

“This involved a 31-hour shift assist-ing in bus registration, arm-banding visi-tors, providing information kits and ongo-ing assistance to the elderly or those with medical conditions, a key role for nurses.

“The variety of work and eagerness of the visitors made the hours go quickly and it was encouraging to see so many young Australians travel so far to be part of the ceremony.”

Lt Ellem said Conservation Volunteers was a fantastic organisation that coordi-nated various programs within Australia and New Zealand.

“The program put together for the Gallipoli volunteers was enriching, inspir-ing and very rewarding,” she said.

“I believe it would be difficult to gain such a comprehensive understanding and appreciation for the area without the input from our guide and companions.

“Anzac Day 2013 for me was an amaz-ing experience that has given me a greater appreciation not only of the conflict at Gallipoli, but the history of the Nursing Corps and the hardship nurses faced in those times.”

Cost to participants is about $5880 and applications close on November 15.

To obtain more information and to make an application for the Gallipoli Volunteer Program go to www.gallipolivolunteer.org.au

Helping hand: ADF members are encouraged to apply to be a Conservation Volunteer in Gallipoli.

Making Anzac Day special in Gallipoli

TWELVE Townsville-based sol-diers took to the water as part of 3 Bde’s Soldier Recovery Centre-sponsored Learn to Row course.

The training consisted of three sessions a week over three weeks, finishing in September, with sol-diers starting in quad sculls and graduating to singles.

The course was supported by the local Riverway Rowing Club, which provided various boats and coaches.

Course coach Stephen Muhlenberg said many of the par-ticipants in the pilot course were reluctant to try the sport but after a couple of sessions on the water gained enough confidence to enjoy the mental and physical workout.

“It’s the quickest I have seen adults pick up rowing,” he said.

“I am amazed at their natural ability as well as their determination and willingness to learn.”

Sgt McQuilty Quirke, of 1RAR, said some soldiers weren’t keen on the idea but quickly got into it.

“There are guys that refused to get in the boats on the first day and they are now out in single sculls rowing up and down the river like they have been doing it for 10 years,” he said.

Sgt Quirke was also quick to recognise the mental benefits of the sport.

Determination: Cpl Robert Dean, of 1RAR, enjoys a day on the water as part of the Soldier Recovery Centre’s Learn to Row course.

“Coming down here just gives you something else to focus on; it just clears your mind,” he said.

Plans are under way to run more courses in Townsville next year.

The 7 Bde SRC is planning to run a similar introduction to rowing program this year and it is expected other regions may look to adopt similar programs for soldiers looking to get involved in local community rowing programs.

Defence Rowing Association patron Brig Alison Creagh invited Learn to Row participants to attend a training camp in Canberra in early December in preparation for the Australian Master’s Championships in May next year.

More information on the Defence Rowing Association can be found on the DRN at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/vcdf/sites/AustralianDefenceRowingAssocia/

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Army October 24, 2013 WORLDwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 13

Op Anode wrapped upLeut Peter Croce and Peter Bounty

THE redeployment of all per-sonnel and equipment from the ADF involvement in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been completed on schedule.

Chief of Joint Operations Lt-Gen Ash Power said Op Anode formal-ly ceased on September 30, after the wind down from July. Just like the operational efforts over the previ-ous 10 years, the redeployment was achieved with a high-level of profes-sionalism.

“This operation has strengthened our joint defence abilities with New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga and demonstrated that we can work together very well to effect posi-tive outcomes in our region,” Lt-Gen Ash Power.

“Those outcomes on this occasion have empowered the Solomon Islands authorities to ensure security and sta-bility after 10 years of ADF assistance to RAMSI.

“This is a very good result for the people of Solomon Islands and we look forward to continued friendship and strong Defence ties with them into the future.

“I wish RAMSI all the best for their ongoing mission to assist the people of Solomon Islands.”

Lt-Gen Power said the ADF’s pri-

All done: Public affairs officer Lt Aaron Oldaker, of 1JPAU, walks with locals before returning home from Solomon Islands. Top, a pallet load of equipment from CTF 635 is packed and ready to be loaded on to a C-17 Globemaster in Honiara for return to Melbourne. Inset, troops are strapped in and ready to return home on completion of their deployment. Photos by Cpls Amanda Campbell and Guy Young

mary role on Op Anode was to provide military, security, and logistic support to the participating police forces to assist RAMSI as required.

The ADF-led Combined Task Force 635 (CTF 635) had an immediate and lasting impact on the restoration

of law and order. Working with the participating police force to implement an amnesty on illegally-held weapons, the CTF assisted in removing some 3700 weapons from the community in the first year of operations.

“Our full-time and reserve per-

sonnel have done an outstanding job in assisting the people of Solomon Islands and can be proud of their efforts,” Lt-Gen Power said.

“This operation was not without its sombre moments and as a result our thoughts remain with the family of Pte

Jamie Clark who tragically lost his life while on patrol on March 10, 2005.”

Lt-Gen Power said about 7270 per-sonnel from Navy, Army and Air Force had deployed to Op Anode, including 2112 Army reservists, since the start of Op Helpem Fren in July 2003.

All equipment and personnel are now home from deployment to Solomon Islands as part of RAMSI

Army October 24, 2013WORLD www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews14

US Navy PO Chris Fahey

ENGINEERS jo ined US Navy Construction Battalion “Seabees” and Timor-Leste Defence Force (FDTL) personnel to complete several construction projects to improve conditions in Timor-Leste’s Metinaro district.

The multinational team built a three-classroom school building, an eight-stall community bathroom, an outdoor kitchen facility, a playground, a basket-ball court and several hundred metres of fencing during the 28-day Exercise Sapper 13 in September and October.

Exercise OIC WO2 Bill Fry, a 19-year RAE veteran, said the activity was not just about building infrastructure for the people of Timor-Leste, but also an opportunity for personnel from the three participating military forces to gain some experience working together.

“To have a tri-nation exercise where the people of Timor-Leste receive the benefits and to see other nations work-ing and learning from each other is what mission success is about,” WO2 Fry said.

Planning for the exercise started a year ago. It was believed to be the first time the three countries had come together to perform civic construction in Timor-Leste.

WO2 Fry said the construction would allow the Metinaro community to pro-vide formal education to more than 300

additional children thanks to the new school house.

The completed projects will also pro-vide accommodation for FDTL soldiers and their families stationed in the small community, 45 minutes east of Dili.

According to US Navy Equipment Operator Constructionman Joseph Madley, the multinational cross training and ability to provide a lasting, positive impact satisfied a dream he had fostered since boot camp.

“This is what I envisioned when I joined the Seabees,” he said. “Working side-by-side with other militaries to improve the lives of people around the world – it’s a dream come true for me and this is only my first deployment.”

During a natural disaster, US Navy Seabees in the Pacific are among the first responders to provide humanitarian assistance to affected nations.

WO2 Fry said exercises such as Sapper 13 and Pacific Partnership helped troops from the participating countries cooperate smoothly when they were called upon to provide assistance, saving more lives, rebuilding infrastructure in less time and relieving suffering faster than otherwise possible.

Seabees are deployed to Timor-Leste to execute engineering civic assistance projects, conduct formal training with the FDTL and perform community rela-tions events to help enhance shared capabilities and improve the country’s social welfare.

Engineers join forces to build Nations unite for Timor-Leste project

Framework for cooperation: Australian, US and Timor-Leste engineers construct a school house at Metinaro in Timor-Leste during Ex Sapper 13. Photos by Calvin Johnson

Solid foundation: An FDTL engineer welds framework for a construction task in Timor-Leste.

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Army October 24, 2013 WORLDwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 15

AUSTRALIAN personnel deployed with the third Shadow 200 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) rotation in Afghanistan cel-ebrated 10,000 operational hours on September 22.

The Shadow 200 UAS has been launched more than 2300 times by 20 STA Regt personnel in Uruzgan province and achieved the historic operational milestone in just over 18 months.

Gunners from 131 Bty RAA along with Navy maintainers and image analysts from the Air Force’s 1 Topographical Survey Sqn deployed to Tarin Kot in April.

Shadow has been used to conduct intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance mis-sions to support Australian and coali-tion troops.

Battery Commander Maj Dave Klomp said 10,000 operational hours was not just an achievement for those who had operated Shadow in Afghanistan but was celebrated as an achievement by the whole unit.

“The regiment has been deployed here since 2007, which represents a huge commitment by 20 STA,” he said.

“For many of those who have served with the regiment it has been a challenging six years maintaining the training and developing the UAS capability, and for many of us there have been multiple deployments.”

The Shadow 200 UAS carries a suite of sensors, including high reso-lution cameras, communications and laser systems, operating high above patrolling troops to provide detailed intelligence about ground activity.

Ground troops are able to view footage and data from the aircraft in real-time on ground terminals.

WO2 Melvyn Wood said Shadow would soon complete its mission as the Afghan National Security Forces continued to plan and conduct inde-pendent operations across Uruzgan.

“As we are the last rotation to deploy, we will have the honour of bringing this equipment home,” he said.

“For 20 STA Regt so much has changed and the employment of the UAS has matured.

“We expect a great deal from our personnel, which they are most certainly delivering.”

Before their deployment, the ADF operators and maintainers attended

A long time in the shadows Shadow 200 team celebrates a major operational flying milestone in Afghanistan

five months of training con-ducted by the US Army's 2 Bn, 13 Avn Regt, at Fort Huachuca in Arizona.

Bdr Carly McAllister, of 20 STA Regt, has been with the regiment since 2008 and was the mission commander as Shadow’s 10,000th hour ticked over.

“Having previously deployed as an air vehicle operator with Scan Eagle in 2009, I felt very

proud to be a part of this mile-stone in UAS operations in Afghanistan,” she said.

“It is an honour to work with this team of operators, imagery analysts and maintainers.

“It has been a new and excit-ing experience to work with Navy personnel.

“I am looking forward to safely bringing this kit home to Australia by the end of the year.”

Prepare for liftoff: A Shadow 200 UAS is primed to launch on the cusp of the Australian contingent’s 10,000th hour of operational flying. Inset, Maj Dave Klomp heads the Shadow battery in Uruzgan province. Photos by Bdr Carly McAllister

Home safe: The Shadow 200 is brought in to land after successfully completing the battery’s 2300th flight in Afghanistan.

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Army October 24, 2013 WORLDwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 17

Finding the right wordsCpl Mark Doran

AN AFGHANISTAN deployment has stirred a soldier to write passionate poetry about the painful realities of war.

LCpl Brendan Vardy, on the eighth rotation of FSU, began writing poetry when he was young.

He wrote his first poem in grade five. It is the significant moments in his

life which seem to spark his creative writing talents.

LCpl Vardy’s favourite poems from his deployment include ‘Words of a Soldier’ and ‘Civilian Soldier’ because of his personal connection to them.

“I was inspired to write ‘Words of a Soldier’ when I first walked into the base at Tarin Kot in early June and saw the memorial wall inscribed with my mate’s name, LCpl Andrew Jones, who was killed in May 2011,” LCpl Vardy said.

“A few lines in the poem reflect upon Andrew in some way, but also on all the troops we have lost in the past 12 years.

“The poem also reveals the Afghan security forces’ side of the conflict and their enduring battle to secure a brighter future for their country.”

LCpl Vardy said ‘Civilian Soldier’ was written about the DMO personnel who work with FSUs in Uruzgan.

“The DMO staff have become good friends with the Defence personnel on the base and I have even mentioned some of them by name.

“They volunteer to work with us in Afghanistan and I thought the poem would be a fitting tribute to them.”

LCpl Vardy plans to continue writing poetry, wherever the future takes him.

“I find my mind explodes into thoughts when I decide to write a poem,

A soldier has been inspired to put pen to paper in Afghanistan for the memory of mates serving and lost

so I don’t have to think about the words, they just flow,” he said.

“My friends enjoy my poetry and my wife Kelly loves my romantic work.

“I have been encouraged to write more and by listening to the experiences of the many people I have met in Tarin Kot there is a lot more to write about.”

WORDS OF A SOLDIERThrough the dust we tread in the footprints of the past, we are not the first and we won’t be the last.

We walk the roads like so many before, attempting to find peace when surrounded by war.

We work and we fight to help continue their legacy, bringing a modern age to the pages of history.

The future of this land continues on uncertain, the struggle between religion and tradition still veiled in a curtain.

Of past and future that collide each year, as the people progress but maintain their culture held dear.

The views of the West will not change the East, but what we strive for is a better life driven by peace.

To hopefully bring a resolve to the conflict and fighting, that persists through the days and fills the night with lightning.

Rounds and rockets still litter the air of the night, as the drama continues and we carry on the fight.

With their family and friends threatened with a gun, we forge a legacy of democracy under a foreign sun.

Soon we will be gone, commended to the archives, and this land will endure as it has done through time.

We only hope our efforts will have started a change, for the better for the people of every age.

As we raise our flag for the very last time, we salute the land where so many have died.

Upon this land ravaged by strife and war, we have seen and lost on history’s wall.

Icons to the fallen inscribed in stone, they hold the memories of those who now lay at home.

Soon we will be with you our brothers and sisters in war, to share a drink from where you will fight no more.

In memory of your service to the land you love, and for the future of the country where you gave your last.

When we return to the soil of our green and gold land, when the boots no longer walk on the dust and the sand.

Our shouts and guns will fall silent again, but as always the memories will forever remain.

BLOOD IN THE SANDBlood in the sand it runs in the dust, it settles from the fighting the colour of rust.

It fades into the ground like water to sand, covering the tracks of the tragedy at hand.

The blood on the dunes is seen by the few, by the ones that shed it and the ones that knew.

The bold and the brave that see the flash of a gun that feel the burn of the shells but don’t think to run.

These shadows against the sun stand strong and don’t fade, in the fires of battle on the anvil of war they are made.

As they cry with the rage of a battle

commenced, they draw knives and guns to their own defence.

To end the lives of an enemy now real, they must use all their courage and a resolve of steel.

The fighters clash in a barren valley below, the shadow of a mountain soon covered in snow.

A blur of green, brown, white and red, battle is an ugly affair but a necessary end.

War is a horrific and brutal scene, for those that see the truth the dirt may never come clean.

As we think of the soldiers that fight with guns in their hands, may we pray we never see our blood in the sand.

War of words: LCpl Brendan Vardy, of FSU, seeks inspiration for his next work of poetry while looking out over the Afghan landscape.Photo by Cpl Mark Doran

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Army October 24, 2013WORLD www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews18

A self-sufficient ANA ANA soldiers gain skills in air conditioning, reticulation and electrical maintenance to safely sustain bases

AN Australian-led explosive ord-nance disposal operation will begin in Solomon Islands in October 29.Operation Render Safe 2013 is a stand-ing ADF operation to help remove the explosive remnants of war from the South West Pacific. This year Solomon Islands is the focus. The task is to con-tinue removing ordnance left behind 68 years ago.

Cmdr Doug Griffiths, Commander Australian Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Task Force, will lead the mission.

He said community engagement dur-ing a recent site survey was vital to the success of the program.

“Historically, the locals know where the ordnance is located and in many cases they have lived with the threat in

their villages for years,” Cmdr Griffiths said.

“The Solomon Islands Government has identified the locations we’ll work in, and we rely on residents to narrow down the ordnance sites.

Cmdr Griffiths said this year 200 personnel from all three services would be joined by clearance divers from the Royal New Zealand Navy, US Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy.

The mission will be supported by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force explosive ordnance disposal team.

The Op Render Safe 2013 team will work closely with the RAMSI Participating Police Force and lend capacity to AusAID assisting in com-munity engagement in the health and educations sectors.

Increasing safety in Solomon Islands

Cpl Mark Doran

AFGHAN National Army (ANA) 4 Bde 205 Hero Corps soldiers received training to sustain the facilities and equipment at Multinational Base Tarin Kot in early October.

The training by Australian soldiers was provided in preparation for the handover of the base to the ANA by the end of 2013.

The ADF Force Extraction Unit provided the training for the ANA soldiers, teaching skills in air conditioning, reticulation and electrical maintenance.

Capt Gareth Humphreys, of 2 Cav Regt Task Group’s Security Force Assistance Advisory Team, advises the Hero Corps on garrison support and life sustainment services and the integration of those activities to enhance their warfighting effort.

“The ANA tradesmen had previously been taught skills in plumbing, electrical repairs and carpentry over a 16-week training course coordinated by the Infrastructure Transition Advisory Team (ITAT) at the beginning of the year,” he said.

“The installations on the base are relatively complex compared to what they have previously been exposed to.

“We identified we needed to provide continuation training to enable them to assume maintenance responsibility

for when the base transitions to their control.

“Currently, the Afghan engineers are proficient at sustaining the brigade’s facilities and these new skill-sets will make them an extremely good capability for the commander of 4 Bde.”

US Army engineer 1Lt Ross Soares, of ITAT, said the skills of the Afghan engineers had greatly progressed since the beginning of the year.

“They already have a base knowledge on the skills the personnel from the ADF are teaching them,” he said.

“The Afghans could sit in a classroom for hours, but nothing can beat this hands-on training to gain an understanding of the equipment they will be maintaining.

“With this additional training 205 Corps will be absolutely ready to take control of the base.”

ANA engineer Lt Amid Hamad, of 205 Corps, said the sustainment training was very important.

“It gave the tradesmen the skills to do their jobs properly,” he said.

“The Hero Corps is now capable of solving its own problems, which is good for our future development.”

Base support: Cpl Joel McKewen (right), of the Force Extraction Unit, provides sustainment training to Afghan National Army engineer Lt Amid Hamad. Inset, Spr Nathan Sherwan (bottom left) and Cpl Joel McKewen (bottom right) work with ANA soldiers. Photos by Cpl Mark Doran

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Army October 24, 2013FEATURES www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews20

A transport officer set sail with the Japanese Navy during a major gathering of international ships, Sgt Dave Morley reports.

IT WAS a case of two rising suns coming together when a transport officer found himself dispatched aboard a Japanese warship during

the Navy’s International Fleet Review (IFR).

Japanese-speaking Maj John Howlett, of the Land Warfare Development Centre, Puckapunyal, spent almost a month in guided-missile destroyer JS Makinami as the ship’s interpreter.

Maj Howlett said his name was offered up when it was found Navy had a lack of male linguists.

“I attended the ADF School of Languages in 2012 and did an advanced training serial in Japan for six months earlier this year,” he said.

“I have had a long-standing interest in Japanese culture that started as a university student when my then girlfriend worked in a Japanese restaurant and I would receive free Japanese food and watch the sumo on the TV.”

Maj Howlett joined Makinami on September 23 in Brisbane and was expected to disembarked on October 21, again in Brisbane, after cruising down the coast to Jervis Bay and back up to Sydney for the IFR.

He said this was not his first experience at sea.

“I completed my logistic officer’s amphibious course in 2004, which involved some time with LCM8s, and was embarked in USS Boxer (a Wasp-Class amphibious assault ship) during Talisman Sabre 2005,” he said.

Maj Howlett said the Japanese officers and crew had shown him typical Japanese hospitality.

“They really do bend over backwards to make you feel welcome,” he said.

“At first this was merely politeness but as we continued to work together this obligation has given way to true

regard for each other and the way we operate.

“They laugh at my sea sickness and keep telling me to change my uniform but they are thankful to have somebody who can help them with their English.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to speak as much Japanese as possible and increase my breadth of experience within the ADF.”

Maj Howlett’s task on board was to assist the RAN liaison officer.

“He has no experience with the Japanese culture, so getting used to the food and having a bath was an interesting experience for him,” he said.

“The Japanese military are used to working with American forces so they are very accepting of differences and have conducted themselves in a very appropriate manner.”

Makinami’s Battle Honours are marked on a map in the wardroom, showing the eastern side of Australia and the islands directly to Australia’s north where the first Makinami was sunk in WWII.

Maj Howlett said there had been well-considered, mature, detailed and factual discussions about both sides’ participation in the war.

“I have found the Japanese to be well informed and accepting of their role and they are more than willing to discuss the war and debate facts and understanding of each other’s role,” he said.

Maj Howlett said overall his trip had been a fantastic opportunity.

“I have had direct exposure at the tactical level to Japanese operations, which will enhance my effectiveness as a linguist in the future,” he said.

“I have participated in high-level naval operations that I would not have otherwise had an opportunity to view and had a once-in-a-lifetime view of the most spectacular fireworks in the middle of Sydney Harbour from the Makinami.”

Making the cultural connection

Sea talk: Maj John Howlett, of the Land Warfare Development Centre, sails into Sydney Harbour on board JS Makinami (pictured inset) while acting as an interpreter during the International Fleet Review. Photos by LS Helen Frank and LS Yuri Ramsey

“Keeps you switched on

Army October 24, 2013 FEATURESwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 21

The big stores pack up

DESPITE the uncertainty of war, one thing throughout his-tory remains a constant and that is a military’s reliance on

vast amounts of stores.The ADF’s

operations in Afghanistan are certainly no exception.

With Australia’s mission in Uruzgan drawing to a close, large quantities of equipment are being sent home.

Charged with ensuring this mas-sive undertaking runs smoothly is the Force Support Unit (FSU), based at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.

Lt Harriet Pembroke leads the FSU’s Distribution Platoon, which runs the force-level warehouse providing sus-tainment and distribution support to all force elements in the MEAO.

“Our main effort at the moment is to prepare equipment that has been remediated from Tarin Kot, for return to Australia,” she said.

This is new territory for the 50-mem-ber team. Generally, the focus is on sus-tainment but now the team’s main effort is remediation and redeployment on top of sustainment.

“The remediation and redeployment of personnel and equipment has never occurred on such a scale in our recent military history,” Lt Pembroke said.

“Many of the obstacles we face are a result of testing new procedures,

understanding the requirements of the host nation and maintaining productivity and positivity in the face of sometimes challenging circumstances.”

Many items transiting through Al Minhad to be returned to Australia are of historical signifi-cance to the ADF, which lends even

more weight to the vital work being conducted by the FSU.

“The Afghan Cross and many other items that are destined for the Australian War Memorial, and the Star of David to be handed to the family of Pte Greg Sher, have been processed by the Distribution Platoon,” Lt Pembroke said.

“Our job is to clean, pack and return items in accordance with a specific treatment plan.

“Every item within the MEAO has its own plan which dictates specific transport procedures.”

Force Support Unit personnel are breaking new ground with the fast-approaching Australian draw down from operations in Uruzgan province, Capt Chris Rickey reports.

The remediation and redeployment of personnel and

equipment has never occurred on such a scale in our recent

military history.– Lt Harriet Pembroke, Distribution

Platoon Commander, FSU

Clean up: Pte Robert Capecchi, of FSU, checks work with the locally employed contractors during the deep clean of machinery being prepared for transport back to Australia from Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE. Photos by PO Phil Cullinan

Equipment check: Cpl Heath Norton, of FSU, (top) checks equipment that has been returned from Tarin Kot and is due to be shipped back to Australia. Above, Pte Douglas Start checks batch numbers at Al Minhad Air Base.

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Patrolmen build skillsTroops conduct weapons training, surveillance, navigation and signalling at Kangaroo Flats, Capt James Hook reports.

TWO dozen reservists have completed Norforce’s demand-ing Patrolman’s Course, conducted over two weeks

in September at the Kangaroo Flats Training Area south of Darwin.

The troops practised surveillance and patrolling techniques by day and night, weapons handling, navigation, signalling and sign interpretation.

Norforce patrolmen conduct recon-naissance, surveillance, community engagement and training activities in the unit’s area of operations, across the Northern Territory and Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Pte Harley Kennedy, a carpenter from Derby in WA and the course student of merit, said he enjoyed learning new skills and meeting new people.

“Thanks to the Army, I’ve got mates all over the country,” he said.

Pte Amy Thomson, who works on a cattle station near Kununurra in WA, became the first woman in more than a decade to complete the course, and is eligible to become the first female patrol-man as the ADF removes gender restric-tions from combat roles.

“I’m used to working outdoors in the heat and humidity, so the conditions didn’t bother me,” Pte Thomson said. “The course was heaps of fun.”

She impressed the other soldiers with her marksmanship, including a five-round F88 grouping of 23mm, perfectly hung mosquito net, and good humour.

Eleven of the new patrolmen had just completed the five-month Defence

Indigenous Development Program (DIDP), which aims to provide young indigenous adults with the life skills and the confidence to secure continuous employment of their choice.

Among them were Pte Ernie Boona, of Kalumburu in the Kimberly region of WA, and Pte Ethan Southwell (the DIDP student of merit) of Brisbane, both of whom are now considering joining the ARA.

The trainees endured tough physical challenges, including early morning runs with rifle, pack, webbing and 10 litres of water.

A welcome distraction was watching the moon set each morning behind the magnetic termite mounds by the demoli-tion range.

Pte Jeffrey Tamate and Pte Jimmy Jackonia joined the course from Norforce’s sister regional force surveil-lance unit 51FNQR.

Soldiers came from a mix of back-grounds for the course, which supports troops to join one of the three RFSUs that protect Australia’s remote northern regions.

Pte Keith Maag was a pilot from Nhulunbuy, Pte Phill Katopau was a police officer from Alice Springs, Pte Darryl Williams was a fisherman from Kununurra and Pte Keith Dhamarrandji was a hunter from Gapuwiyak.

All are now looking forward to mak-ing use of their new skills when they take part in long-range patrols, operating hun-dreds of kilometres from base for up to two weeks at a time.

Overwatch: Ptes Brayden Stokes and Phill Katopau establish an observation post at sunset. Photos by Capt James Hook

Keen eye: Pte Keith Dhamarrandji, of Gapuwiak, conducts fire and movement drills by a billabong.

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Army October 24, 2013LETTERS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews24

Contractor can decide entitlement Should Toll make Pacman decisions?

Policy in practice: Toll Transitions is able to review and make determinations on some member entitlements under Pacman, such as storage of excess furniture at Commonwealth expense. Photo by Cpl Aaron Curran

I WAS recently force-issued fur-niture and effects that had previ-ously been approved for storage at Commonwealth expense under the entitlements provided by Pacman 6.6.45.

What disturbed me during this pro-cess was that Toll Transitions now appears to be the sole delegate for deter-mining a serving member’s entitlement under this provision of Pacman.

The Directorate of Relocation and Housing’s advice was that, while they were also a delegate, they were not a hierarchical delegate with the authority to override Toll Transition’s decision.

Indeed, it would appear that no one in Defence, other than the CDF, has the authority to over-ride a decision made by Toll Transitions regarding a serving member’s entitle-ments under Pacman.

It would appear we have “contracted that out”.

It does not make sense that Defence has lost its ability to arbitrate appeals on decisions made by the contractor under those arrangements.

Toll Transitions i s a commerc ia l entity which does not understand the underlying intent of Defence policy and whose deci -sions would argu-ably be commercially motivated.

They will apply a very narrow interpretation of policy, often to the detriment of the serving member.

Furthermore, if a serving member wishes to appeal a decision made by Toll Transitions, the authority to consider that appeal is Toll Transitions itself.

In effect, the staff there get to mark their own homework.

The alternative is a redress of grievance to the CDF, a cumbersome process that imposes a significant administrative burden on the chain of command.

Unfortunately, within this unit there are a number of examples where Toll Transitions has exercised its Pacman delegations to the detriment of serving members.

Why is a commercially motivated contractor authorised to make decisions affecting serving member’s entitlements without recourse?

Surely we can do better than this. Lt-Col Les RobinsonHQ Forcomd

Housing and Removals – Policy Assistant Director Bob Jones responds.LT-COL Robinson has raised a number of interesting points in his letter.

In relation to the specific concerns regarding his storage entitlements, the Pacman sets out the storage provisions for items of furniture and effects that cannot be reasonably housed, taking into account the member’s housing entitlement.

Pacman clause 6.6.44.2 advises a member’s storage entitlement will be

reviewed under clause 6.6.53A on the earliest of the following dates: The date of the member’s next

removal at Commonwealth expense. Three years from the date the items

were first put into storage. In keeping with Pacman 6.6.53A,

Toll is required to undertake a review of storage of furniture and effects, taking into account the reasons provided by the member for continued storage and that only those items of furniture and effects that cannot be reasonably and genuinely housed in the member’s residence should be approved for storage at Commonwealth (taxpayer) expense.

In this regard, the approving authority must provide a “statement of

reasons” in support of its decision.

Each of the authorised decision makers who can make a decision on behalf of the CDF (the appointments named in purple writing at the bottom of certain Pacman provisions) have equal authority and one cannot override a proper decision made by another.

Only the CDF can replace a decision with a new decision.

This does not, however, mean that Defence has lost control of the process by outsourcing removals administration.

Relocations administration services have been outsourced since July 1, 2001, first to DHA and currently to Toll Transitions.

The Director of Relocations and Housing, as the Defence Contract Manager, is satisfied with the performance of Toll Transitions as the Defence Contracted Relocations Administrator.

This includes the discharging of their responsibility as the duly authorised decision maker to make a decision on behalf of the CDF in relation to removal and storage entitlements in accordance with the Pacman.

Extensive training was carried out with Toll case managers and senior relocation administration managers during the implementation phase of the new contract arrangements for the provision of relocation administration and removal services with Toll Transitions.

These managers are involved in the exercising of Pacman authorisations and in particular the 10-step decision-making process in accordance with Section 6 of the Decision Maker’s Handbook.

Refresher training is undertaken annually and reviewed to ensure Toll officers remain conversant with the Pacman provisions.

Where a member is dissatisfied with the decision made by the Toll authorised person, members can escalate the matter within Toll’s dispute resolution process.

Extensive training was carried out with Toll case managers and

senior relocation administration

managers during the

implementation phase of the new

contract ...– Bob Jones, Assistant Director

Housing and Removals Policy

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Army October 24, 2013 PERSONNELwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 25

THE shift to Next Generation Desktop (NGD) will affect every ADF member when it is rolled out across Defence from next year, according to Chief Information Officer Dr Peter Lawrence.

“We will be effectively upgrading to the Windows 7 environment and all the associated infrastructure,” Dr Lawrence said.

“Also, as part of the Telstra terrestrial communications contract, we are going to refresh all the network connections so we have a higher capacity, more resilient network to enable NGD to run more effectively.”

Rollout of the new system is sched-uled to start early next year, with the Defence Secret Network the first to be upgraded, followed by the Defence Restricted Network.

Dr Lawrence said all the groundwork

had been laid for the transition, which will continue into 2015.

“About 1200 people are currently on NGD as part of a pilot program which began late last year,” he said.

“We are currently installing the infra-structure for the Defence Secret Network and the plan is to start that rollout early next year using Chief Information Officer Group as the first group.

“We will then work our way around the country in a geographical rollout so we can take the teams through all the areas at the same time.”

Dr Lawrence said there would be support provided along the way.

“We will have ‘shift’ agents, who will help make the shift to NGD, in all the areas and the bases to help people through that process – no-one will be left alone to work it out for themselves.”

Defence computer system upgrade starts next year

Allowance mistakes costly Personnel receiving rental allowance should keep DHA informed of changes or they risk expensive penaltiesWO2 Andrew Hetherington

NOT all ADF personnel are eligible for rent allowance (RA) at all times.

Assistant Director Military Conditions and Housing Policy Bruce Jackson said personnel were sometimes confused about their eligibility.

“For members without dependants and those who are categorised as members with dependants (unaccompanied), RA is automatically offered to them if they are not required to live on base and they don’t own a suitable home in their posting location,” Mr Jackson said.

“In the past these members had to apply through their chain of command to live off base.

“For members with dependants (MWD), RA is approved where the member does not own a suitable home in their posting location and Defence Housing Australia (DHA) is unable to provide a suitable service residence.”

Mr Jackson said Defence did not meet 100 per cent of the MWD housing need through service residences because it would not allow people different housing choices if they had specific requirements for their living arrangements, such as if they had a large family or identified special needs.

“Defence aims to provide up to 85 per cent of ADF families with a service residence, thus allowing people with specific requirements to find accommodation to suit their circumstances.”

Personnel receive RA into their bank account at the same time as their pay. The amount of RA is listed on a member’s salary variation advice.

Rent ceilings are set for each locality and are based on a yearly revaluation of service residences in each posting locality.

A member’s rent ceiling can also be increased based on the number of bedrooms a member requires, or where a member can clearly demonstrate that a suitable residence is not available to rent at the specified ceiling.

“Defence sets the dollar range for each rent band based on the rental value of each property in each rent band in every posting location, which is then aligned to each of the ADF rank groups,” Mr Jackson said.

ADF personnel need to be aware it is their responsibility to inform their chain of command and DHA of any changes that may affect their eligibility to receive RA.

“Recently we have received an increased number of policy-related enquiries that have potential to be fraud cases,” Mr Jackson said.

“As these cases can have an impact on a member’s career and personal financial situation, we advise members to be vigilant of their situation.

“Members must report any change in circumstance, no matter how minor the change may seem.”

For more information on RA read chapter 7, part 6 of the Pay and Conditions Manual at the website http://intranet.defence.gov.au/pac

Home sweet home: Families with special circumstances may be entitled to receive RA instead of a service residence, but changes in living arrangements should be passed on to Defence and DHA.

Army October 24, 2013JUSTICE www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews26

Other rankDefence Force MagistrateOne charge of Obtaining a Financial Advantage – DFDA s 61(3) and Criminal Code Act 1995 s 135.2(1)

The member was accused of knowingly obtaining a rental allow-ance that the member was not entitled to receive, by failing to advise of a change in circumstances.

The member pleaded guilty and was found guilty.

The member was sentenced to 60 days detention and ordered to pay $4704.06, to be paid in instalments of $100 a fortnight during the period of detention and thereafter at the rate of $200 a fortnight.

Capt Scott Ritchie Director Military Discipline Law

WHEN a member is convicted of an offence under the Defence Force Discipline Act (DFDA), he or she becomes subject to a punishment. Some punishments under the DFDA are similar to those in the civilian world.

The punishments which can be imposed under the DFDA range in severity from a reprimand up to life in imprisonment. Some of the uniquely military punishments include being dismissed from the ADF, sentenced to detention or reduced in rank.

Members may also be convicted without a punishment being imposed and by agreeing to be of good behaviour.

The punishment able to be imposed is limited by the offence, the relevant authority hearing the matter and the rank of the defendant. The scale of punishment at the summary authority level is also subject to whether the convicted member had previously been offered the option to have the matter heard by a court martial or Defence Force magistrate.

When deciding on the appropriateness of a particular punishment, the relevant authority must consider a variety of factors. These factors focus on both civilian sentencing principles, such as the nature of the offence, the defendant’s actions after arrest, and the defendant’s personal circumstances, along with the

SEPTEMBER TRIAL

RESULTSFitting punishmentNote: All court martial and Defence Force magistrate

trial results are subject to command review and

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A lot to lose: Fines and reduction in rank are two possible punishments if convicted of an offence under the Defence Force Discipline Act. Photo by LS Helen Frank

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A summary authority also must give reasons for the punishment it imposes. The majority of punishments commence

immediately, but some require approval by a reviewing authority before taking effect.

Punishments such as detention or fines may be suspended by the

relevant authority. Regardless of which punishment is imposed, the punishment must be appropriate in all the circumstances and be consistent with the provisions of the DFDA.

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Ready to sail: Pte Andrena Berran, of CTF 635 Force Extraction Team, secures vehicles returning to Australia from Op Anode on the cargo deck of HMNZS Canterbury. Photo by LS Andrew Dakin

Over watch: Sgt Daniel Halsall in a prototype Hawkei vehicle during trials at the Townsville Field Training Area. Photo by Cpl Max Bree

On the move: From left, Pte Amanda Gray, Sgt Charmaine Hass, Cpl David Van Heldon and Cpl Luke Adamson prepare a 6x6 Interim Infantry Mobility Vehicle for return to Australia at the completion of Op Anode from Honiara in Solomon Islands. Photo by LS Andrew Dakin

Over and out: Cpl David Anderson uses the radio on board a LCM-8 after being secured alongside HMAS Choules. Photo by LAC Oliver Carter

In tune Army Band singer Musn Tanya Christensen rehearses for a concert at Llewellyn Hall, Canberra. Photo by AB Lee-Anne Mack

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Army October 24, 2013 LIFESTYLE PEOPLEwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 29

RIFLEMAN Pte Scott Bailes, of 5RAR, completes a buddy-squat exercise with Cpl Oziel Esquivel, of 3 Marine Regt Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, during a corporals course physical training session.

The course, held at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, provides corporals with the education and skills necessary to lead troops.

Some Australian soldiers have taken part in the courses to further their Marine Corps knowledge.

Throughout the 12-day course, service members participate in

physical exercise, leadership classes, land navigation, sword and guidon manual training, and complete testing on each.

Every member who attends the course is a leader by rank, but the course teaches them how to perform at their best in the role.

The instructors teach young NCOs to be comfortable speaking in front of large groups of subordinates by making them teach a class in front of their peers on something they know well.

Photo by USMC Sgt Sarah Fiocco

Leaders join forces

Camouflage: Cpl Mitchell Conner assembles a mock booby trap during an assault pioneer course. Photo by Cpl Max Bree

Fancy footwear: Rifleman Pte Corey Bidart, of 7RAR, is fitted with his new R.M.Williams boots. Photo by Cpl Colin Dadd

In honour: Spr Brad Wex, of 2CER, rests on arms. Below, Gnr Sean McKeller cleans weapons as part of his deployment duties on Op Anode in the Solomon Islands before the final troops depart for home. Photos by Cpls Glen McCarthy and Guy Young

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Army October 24, 2013 LIFESTYLE FUNwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 31

DIKKO By Bob DikkenbergSAY AGAIN, OVER

If you can think of a clever caption for the picture at left, email captioncomp@defencenews.gov.au with “caption comp October 24” as the subject. Keep entries under 25 words and include your name, rank and unit.

Last edition’s winning entry

“I’ve had a word with the boys, boss, and they don’t want to form up.”LCpl Eamon HaleSchool of Armour

“You’re about to roo the day you took my photo, buddy.”Sgt Royce Allen4CSSB

The PreyBy Tony ParkPublisher: MacmillanRRP: $30Reviewer: Sgt Dave Morley

FORMER Army public affairs officer Tony Park has just released his 10th novel, a gritty blood-and-guts saga based around illegal miners ripping off gold from an Australian-owned mine in South Africa.

When the illegal miners take

a white engineer hostage, mine manager Cameron McMurtrie, a former recce commando, wants to go in guns blazing and rescue him.

Dr Kylie Hamilton, an ambitious high-flying Australian executive, arrives from the mine’s Sydney office to tell McMurtrie how she wants the situation handled.

McMurtrie tries to convince her that Australian ways of doing business won’t work in Africa and, after a bloody underground shoot-out, Kylie starts to see things his way.

The book continues at a fast pace from start to finish amid more shoot outs, corrupt police, kidnappings, staged car accidents, ambushes, mayhem and destruction across southern Africa.

It has more twists and turns than the road out of Nundle, NSW.

If you haven’t read a Tony Park book yet, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this one.

If you have read other Tony Park books, you’ll still enjoy it, but might not think it’s his best work.

A deep look at mining in Africa Australian adventure author digs up the dirt on dodgy mining operations in his latest novel

Maj John McPherson and US Marine Sgt Sarah Fiocco

DARWIN rugby union followers are well aware of a team of veteran players who help promote and support junior players in the local league.

“The team is known as the Stray Cats Rugby Union Club and is made up of a mix of ages and occupations, from 20 to 60 years of age and from labourers to an NT Government minister, who are broadly representative of the Darwin community, including a number of serving ADF members,” said Commander 1 Bde Brig John Frewen, a playing member of the team.

As a tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the US, the Stray Cats agreed to play a commemorative match against the visiting US Marine Corps Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) in late September at Rugby Park in Marrara.

“The 9/11 attacks were a sig-nificant event for both our nations,” Brig Frewen said.

“The US experienced an appall-ing attack on their home soil and, as a result, Australia immediately invoked the ANZUS treaty.

“The MRF-D is here to rein-force the alliance between our two nations. They’re also now part of the Darwin community for the indefinite future.

“By playing an annual 9/11 commemorative game between the Stray cats and the MRF-D, we hope to reinforce the close links between the US Marines and Darwin, and enhance the close and enduring rela-tionship between our two countries.”

Another member of the Stray Cats, local Darwin Rugby Union identity Bruce Kennon, was playing rugby against a visiting team of US Marines on the day of the attack.

“We’d only just finished playing the game and were having a few

Marines and rugby players clash for commemoration

beers when news came through of the terrible attack in America,” he said.

“Now, 12 years later, it’s nice to be able to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on that terrible day

by playing a commemorative match against the current MRF-D.”

Brig Frewen said the inaugural 9/11 commemorative match was played in good spirit, which resulted in an emphatic nine-all draw.

Play on: Commander 1 Bde Brig John Frewen (top) is lifted to catch the ball during a rugby match between Darwin team the Stray Cats and players from the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin. Above, players observe a moment’s silence before the commemorative match, to remember those killed in the September 11, 2001, attacks in the US. Photos by US Marine Sgt Sarah Fiocco

Army October 24, 2013www.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsLIFESTYLE FINANCE32

Fringe Benefits

Tax

Understanding

VOLUME SEVEN

gg g

VOLUME SEVEN

Fringe Benefits

Tax

Understanding

Find out why. Watch this.Watch the video or order the DVD on the websitewww.adfconsumer.gov.au

ADF Financial Services Consumer CouncilADF Financial Services Consumer Council

(more so if you’re in the ADF )

FBTnot as easy as

ABC

BUYING a property to rent out is a popular form of investment but you do have to make yourself aware of some

issues.Houses and units are easier to

understand than many other forms of investment and can be less volatile than some other investments.

On the plus side, if you take out a loan to buy an investment property, the interest on the loan is tax deductible.

You can also earn rental income and benefit from capital growth (if your property increases in value over time).

But there are pitfalls:���rental income does not usually cover

your mortgage payments and all other expenses,

��any jump in interest rates will affect your return if you have a variable rate loan,

��you need a tenant to ensure regular income,

��you cannot sell part of your invest-ment to get some cash in a hurry, and

��there are high entry and exit costs, including costs such as insurance and property management.If you invest exclusively in one

property, you will have a lot of money riding on one small market.

If you also own your home, you will have all your wealth concentrated

in the residential property market. This is poor diversification and increases your risk.

Think about other investments such as managed funds which allow you to invest in shares and properties across several markets.

Where and what you buy will affect your return on investment. Look to buy in a high-growth area where there is potential for capital gains.

Find properties that appeal to ten-ants and ideally attract more than one segment of the rental market such as singles, couples, young families or retirees.

Consider low-maintenance proper-ties to reduce your costs.

In recent years many people have realised that the myth about property always increasing in value is just that, a myth. For example, the value of Gold Coast units, which are regularly recommended by property developers, fell by 17.9 per cent between February 2008 and March 2013, according to the RP Data-Rismark Home Value Index.

You should also think twice before using the services of related groups of advisers such as property developers, accountants, lawyers and mortgage brokers who work together and recom-mend each other’s services.

Do your own research and work with your own advisers.

Many people borrow to invest in property.

Remember, the more you borrow, the more you stand to gain or lose and the more you will have to pay in interest.

That’s why you have to be sure that your property will earn a positive return over time.

Investing in property is a good way to grow your assets.

But before you enter the property market, do your research and make sure this type of long-term investment is for you.

For more information about investing in property go to MoneySmart.gov.au.

There are things you need to know before investing in property, says Australian Securities and Investment Commission chairman Greg Medcraft.

Safe as houses?

... think again

Army October 24, 2013 LIFESTYLE HEALTHwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 33

I have received a posting order, what do I do next?

You should access and complete all your relocation paperwork online at Toll Transitions’ website www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence If you have any questions, or require assistance completing your paperwork online call Toll Transitions on 1800 819 167.

I have moved with Toll Transitions before, do I need to complete a new Inventory?

No, you can access and update the inventory from your last move online at Toll Transitions’ website www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

What is the Whole of Relocation Cost (WORC) model and how does it affect me?

From August 2013, all ADF members having a removal within Australia will have their goods uplifted on any day within the week of their preferred uplift date. This new approach does not involve a change to your removal entitlements. Members submit their AFR as usual nominating a preferred uplift date. Toll then determines the best value for money uplift day within the week of your preferred date and confirms the date with you.

How long does it take for Toll to confirm the actual uplift date?

Once you have submitted a completed AFR, and your removal has been approved, in most cases you will receive confirmation of the actual uplift date from your case manager witihin 10 working days. This timeframe is dependent on you being available for Toll to complete a Pre-Removal Visit.

What is a Pre-Removal Visit (PRV)?

A Toll Transitions Consultant will attend your home to confirm your removal details. They will assess the volume of your household furniture and effects and note any special packing requirements. The Toll Consultant will also advise of your responsibilities and the removalist’s responsibilities during your relocation.

What if I have an operational or extenuating personal reason that dictates I have to move on my preferred uplift date?

You need to obtain CO/OC or delegate (MAJ(E) or above) approval. This authorisation must be provided to your case manager at the time you submit your AFR. Your case manager can provide you with the applicable form or you can download it from our website.

For more information Freecall: 1800 819 167 www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

Are you relocating soon?

Don’t come under attackIf you’re struggling to do daily tasks without feeling overwhelmed, it may be time to get help for anxiety, reports Cpl Nick Wiseman.

Finding it hard to cope?: Symptoms of anxiety include fatigue, restlessness, difficulty concentrating and panic attacks so it is important to recognise the signs early and get help. Photo by Cpl Max Bree

ANXIETY can be a nor-mal part of life but when symptoms start to cause distress and change the quality of daily life it

may be time to seek assistance.Anxiety affects many Defence

members just as it does in the general community, according to Director Strategic and Operational Mental Health within Joint Health Command, Col Nicole Sadler.

“There can be many signs and symptoms of anxiety, such as dis-turbed sleep, restlessness, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irri-tability, muscle tension, panic attacks, excessive worry about what other people think about you and unrealistic fear that bad things will happen to you or your loved ones,” Col Sadler said.

“It is normal to feel anxious, par-ticularly when we face threatening or dangerous situations. These feelings tend to pass when the situation is over.

“It is not unusual for all of us to have a period of our life when we feel overwhelmed and the anxiety starts to take over, affecting everyday activities and relationships.”

She said in recognition of the high workloads and dangerous situations

that were part of military service, the ADF had developed the BattleSMART program to help build resilience and reduce the risk of anxiety and other mental health disorders.

“BattleSMART is designed to help people with their reactions to chal-lenging events and can be as simple as slowing down your breathing or talk-ing to someone,” Col Sadler said.

Because anxiety in everyday life is so common, it is important to under-stand the difference between normal anxiety and the warning signs for an anxiety disorder.

“We are generally well protected against developing anxiety and other mental health disorders because our military training prepares us for chal-lenging situations,” Col Sadler said.

“Sometimes, however, we are faced with situations that we are unprepared to deal with or we face several adverse events without having the time to recover.

“It is in these circumstances that we are all at risk of developing a men-tal health problem such as anxiety.

“Also, some symptoms of anxiety can be similar to the signs and symp-toms of other mental health disorders so it is important not to self-diagnose, and to seek help if needed.”

Eat a well-balanced diet Moderate the consumption of

alcohol and caffeine Get a good night’s sleep Do things you enjoy doing with

people you like Take part in physical activities Undertake regular relaxation

exercises to “switch off”

SIMPLE TIPS

She said there were very effective psychological treatments for anxiety disorders and medications to support recovery.

If you believe you need further help, you should talk to a medical

officer at an ADF health centre or a Defence mental health professional.

For more information on Battlesmart, visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/sites/1PSYCH/

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SPORTwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsArmy October 24, 2013 35

Players head off to Tonga Australian Services Rugby Union team takes on Victoria and ACT ahead of its South Pacific challengeFIFTEEN Army players have been chosen in an Australian Services Rugby Union (ASRU) team playing a series of games at home to prepare for a trip to Tonga in November.

Thirty-three players – 15 from Army, 15 from Navy and three from Air Force – were chosen in the squad after the Australian Services Carnival in May.

A lead-up game against Melbourne Mana in Melbourne was played on October 23.

There will be games against ACT Brumbies Provincial XV at Kapyong Oval, RMC (opposite Portsea Oval) in Canberra on October 27 and then against the Australian Barbarians at Sydney University on November 1.

The team will then travel to Tonga on November 2 to play two matches against Tonga Defence Service on November 6 and 9.

ASRU coach Navy WO Tony “Doc” Doherty expects Tonga to be a pretty tough opponent, but says it

won’t just be the team that will be challenging.

“This will be the first time in recent history that ASRU has travelled to Tonga,” WO Doherty said.

“The heat and humidity might be a telling factor.

“But then again we will not be look-ing for any excuses when we get there.”

ASRU beat Tonga in the International Defence Rugby Championships in Canberra in November 2011, but that’s no reason for

the team to be over confident, according to WO Doherty.

“With ASRU travelling to Tonga it definitely gives the home team the advantage this time, but we are definitely up for the challenge.”

Army representatives on the team are Cfn Adam Nixon, OCdt Jack Hall, OCdt Douglas Hynes, Maj Chris Marr, Lt Lewis Crothers (Melbourne match only), Cfn Logan Chin, Spr Isikeli Fukofuka, Lt Tony Luxford, OCdt Jared Lewthwaite (domestic leg of tour only),

Cpl Joven Clarke, Cfn Jeremy Nelson, Cpl Craig Rogerson (Tonga leg of tour only), Pte John Tanuvasa (Melbourne match only), Cfn Aaron Resch, and Tpr Jared Nicholas. The assistant coach is Maj Stan Carnes.

As part of its 50th year celebra-tions, ASRU is holding a dinner in the John Eales room at the Sydney Cricket Ground on November 1.

For more information and tickets go to the ASRU website www.servicesrugby.asn.au

Athletes take fast track to successMaj John McPherson and Aurora Daniels

THE fastest, strongest and most competitive soldiers from 1 Bde bat-tled at the 2013 athletics carnival late last month.

Representatives from all units qualified in lead-up trials and com-peted at Marrara Sporting Complex in Darwin across 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m and 5000m as well as 4x100m relays. There was shot put, high jump and long jump as well.

Cfn Matthew Turner, of 1CSSB, was crowned best overall and said he was always interested in athletics.

“I did middle distance in school but this time I competed in sprinting, jumping and throwing,” Cfn Turner said.

“I had a pretty good day and I placed third in the 100m, second in the 200m, first in long jump, first in triple jump, first in javelin and fifth in discus. I also ran in both relays.

“I didn’t do any training for the events but I play a lot of touch foot-ball so everything sort of converts across.

“It was pretty close in long jump – I only won by 1cm – and javelin was also close. It was pretty cool to get a trophy and I will probably give it to Mum as she is very proud of my sporting achievements.”

Pte Mahn Darley, of 1CSSB, took out the titles in the 100m, 200m, 400m in times of 11.32s, 22.45s and 51.25s respectively. In addition, his finishing burst in the 4x100m mixed relay to make up 20m in the home

straight to win had to be seen to be believed.

While he plays for the Army and ADF rugby teams he says he hasn’t trained for athletics since his school days more than six years ago.

“I did run in the 3 Bde carnival last year when I was at 3RAR and I did well there, too, which was great,” he said.

“I wasn’t sure how I’d go this time around as I didn’t know what the other runners were like but I have been told the 100m was close although the others were blow outs.”

Pte Darley attributes his fitness to daily PT sessions as well as his two lots of footy training each week as well as a game with the local Palmerston team.

Track day: Pte Mahn Darley, of 1CSSB, blazes ahead on the track during the 1 Bde athletics carnival. Inset, Cfn Matthew Turner, of 1CSSB, soars above the competition to be crowned best overall after competing in a range of events. Photos by WO2 Neil Ruskin

October 24, 2013

FAST AND FURIOUSAthletes battle for 1 Bde titles

ARMY SOARS TO GLORY

Soldiers take out gold and silver over the South CoastSarah Coleman

ADF skydiving made a clean sweep at the NSW State Championships, winning gold and silver medals in two events.

The 2013 Australian Parachute Federation NSW State Championships were held on the South Coast at Moruya from October 5-7.

Seventy-five competitors from around the country formed 21 teams to contest the NSW state titles in six skydiving disciplines.

This year’s NSW State Championship featured a large contingent of Defence personnel in five Australian Defence Parachute Association (ADPA) teams.

ADPA teams participated in three of the six events and included two-way vertical

formation skydiving teams made up of Army personnel, two two-way canopy formation sequential teams consisting of Air Force members and one four-way formation skydiving team made up of both Army and RAAF personnel.

The ADPA four-way formation skydiving team represented the ADF in Indonesia last year and at the Australian National competition earlier this year. They finished third in both events.

The Taipan Defence team finished a narrow second to a very experienced team of skydivers at the State Championships.

Two teams from the Army made a clean sweep of the two-way vertical formation skydiving event by taking out gold and silver.

Vertical formation skydiving is an expansion of traditional belly-to-earth skydiving, extending skills into vertical flight. Team members fly close to each other at 250km/h; in an upright position falling feet first or inverted falling head first. To score points, one team member must grip the feet or hands of the other in predetermined configurations.

Cpls Kyle Chick and Nathan Smith won the six-round event. They started their winning run with a score of seven points in the first round and scored a personal best of eight points in round three.

At the Australian National competition earlier in the year, the team averaged three points a round and were, therefore, delighted with their results.

The team has aspirations

to compete at the Australian National Competition in York in WA in 2014.

The members of Taipan Defence conducted a charity drive for Soldier On over the weekend.

This worthwhile cause was well received by both military and civilian competitors with more than $220 collected during the event.

The donation drive helped raise Soldier On’s profile and highlighted awareness of service men and women of the ADF injured either physically or mentally in the service of their country.

If you would like to join the ADPA or seek information about sports parachuting, email sky.diving@defence.gov.au

ADF RESULTSTwo-way vertical formation skydiving intermediates

Gold – Falcon Defence team Cpls Kyle Chick and Nathan Smith.

Silver – Dingo Defence team Lt Josie Symons, Pte Simon Fox and Capt Francisca Molnar.

Four-way formation skydiving open category

Silver – Taipan Defence team Maj Greg Jack, Sqn-Ldr Sean Walsh, Sgt Shane Pieschel, Cpl Kieran Tomlinson, Woff Shaunn Segon.

Canopy formation two-way sequential open category

Gold – Hawk Defence team Flg-Off Brendan Buell, OCdt Sarah Budd, Sarah Coleman

Silver – Eagle Defence team OCdt Jordan Smith, OCdt Simon Kube, Woff Shaunn Segon.

SPECIAL LIFTOUT

TRANSPORTED TO THE FUTUREFull details released on the new range of trucks to roll out across the Army under Land 121 Phase 3B

Army October 24, 2013 LAND 121-3Bwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews2 3

HIGH-TECH TRANSPORTERS

Rheinmetall MAN 40M Mediumweight vehicleVariants: Tipper, tray, tray with crane

Engine: D08 six cylinder 240kW/1250Nm

Drive: 4x4

Suspension: Leaf (front and rear)

Cabin options: RMMV unprotected, protected

Payload: 5.5-6 tonnes (unprotected), 4.35-5 tonnes (protected)

Module options: Stores, combat engineer section stores and maintenance modules. Personnel cargo restraint segregation modules under development.

Trailer options: Mediumweight cargo trailer

Rheinmetall MAN HX77 Heavy vehicleVariants: Integrated load-handling, tipper and tanker

Engine: D20 six cylinder 324kW/2100Nm

Drive: 8x8

Suspension: Leaf (front and rear)

Cabin options: RMMV unprotected, protected

Payload: 15 tonnes (unprotected and protected), or 12,000 litres

Module options: Flatrack, stores, bulk fuel storage, bulk water storage, bulk fuel pump and storage, bulk water pump and storage and floating support bridge/bridge erection propulsion boat interface. Module options for load-handling variant only.

Trailer options: Heavy integrated load-handling system

Rheinmetall MAN HX81L Heavy tractorEngine: D28 V8 500kW/2700Nm

Drive: 8x8

Suspension: Leaf (front), air (rear)

Cabin options: RMMV unprotected, KMW protected

Payload: 130 tonnes train weight

Trailer options: Medium equipment transporter, heavy cargo, heavy equipment transporter, bulk fuel and bulk water.

Rheinmetall MAN HX58 Medium recovery vehicleEngine: D20 six cylinder 324kW/2100Nm

Drive: 6x6

Suspension: Leaf (front and rear)

Cabin options: RMMV unprotected, protected

Payload: 6 tonnes underlift, 58.5 tonnes gross combination mass

Trailer options: Heavy equipment trailer

No module options

Rheinmetall MAN SX45 Heavy recovery vehicle (above)Engine: D20 six cylinder 324kW/2100Nm

Drive: 8x8

Suspension: Coil (front), hydroplex (rear)

Cabin options: RMMV unprotected, KMW protected

Payload: 15 tonnes underlift, 70 tonnes gross combination mass

Trailer options: Heavy equipment trailer

No module options

The new trucks to enter service under Land 121 Phase 3B offer state-of-the-art protection and load-carrying capacity. These are the variants that will roll out to units from 2017

Recovery replacement Unimog replacement

Mack replacement

S-liner replacement

Heavy trailersHeavy integrated load-handling systemTray length: 6.1m width: 2.5m height: 1.4m

Payload: 16 tonnes*

Fording depth: 1.2m

Heavy equipment trailerTray length: 8.5m width: 2.485m height: 1.375m

Payload: 23 tonnes*

Fording depth: 1.2m

Semi-trailersMedium equipment transporterTray length: 13.45m width: 2.8-3.2m height: 1.125m

Payload: 29 tonnes* (44 tonnes with Dolly*)

Fording depth: 0.6m

Heavy equipment transporterTray length: 14.6m width: 3.685m height: 1.15m

Payload: 74 tonnes*

Fording depth: 0.6m

Heavy cargo semi-trailerTray length: 13.7m width: 2.485m height: 1.635m

Payload: 32 tonnes*

Fording depth: 0.6m

Mediumweight trailersMediumweight cargo trailerTray length: 4.8m width: 2.485m height: 1.375m

Payload: 8 tonnes*

Fording depth: 1.2m

*Nominal payload given, trailers have yet to be designed

Vehicle photos are representational only

Sgt Dave Morley

AUTOMATED manual gearbox-es, air conditioning, load-assist cameras and additional lighting are all benefits diggers will enjoy with the new range of medium and heavy vehicles coming on-line through Land 121 Phase 3B.

The Rheinmetall MAN family of vehicles, both protected and unpro-tected, will replace the ageing Unimog, Mack and S-Liner truck fleets.

Drew McMeekin, Project Director Land 121 Phase 3B, said the new vehicles would be 30 years younger than the vehicles diggers are driving now.

“The 4x4, or mediumweight vehicle, which will replace the Mogs, comes in three variants,” he said.

“There’s a tray variant, a tray with crane variant and a tipper.

“They’ll also be fitted for com-mand and control; communications with the actual equipment being acquired under part of the Land 200 project.”

Mr McMeekin said the 8x8,

or heavy vehicle, would come in several different variants.

“The main one, and greatest in number, will be the Integrated Load Handling (ILH) vehicles,” he said.

“These vehicles have hydrau-lics on the back which allow them to self-load and will potentially change the way the Army does its operational logistics.

“They will have the capacity to pick up a flatrack, which is a NATO standard pallet designed to be picked up with a hook.

“There is also a safety warning system fitted to the ILH vehicles that ensures the container is cor-rectly loaded and balanced. This will be a key function when loading in the field.

“They will also have the capac-ity to carry 20ft containers, loading them in the same way as a flatrack.”

Mr McMeekin said this was a new capability that would give a flexible approach to the vehicles.

“It will enable them to handle a multitude of different modules which are in the footprint of a con-tainer,” he said.

“The containers are basic stores containers but we also have storage and pumping capacity for both fuel and water.

“We’ll reduce the reliance on mechanical handling equipment at the end destination and we’ll reduce the ability of the vehicle to be limited to just one task.

“There are going to be three fla-tracks per vehicle so they can then go and do other tasks with another flatrack.”

The only variant without protec-tion is the 8x8 heavy fuel tanker.

Mr McMeekin said the vehi-cle was intended only for use in Australia where it would source fuel from a civilian facility.

“It’s got a lot of safety features built into it which we didn’t need to build into the other vehicles,” he said.

Mr McMeekin said the new trucks were only one part of the new capability.

“The new vehicle and mod-ule fleet will be complemented by the acquisition of eight new trailer types from local company Haulmark Trailers,” he said.

New trucks a big step up Vehicles come with latest driver aids and protection options

Moving on: The new range of Rheinmetall MAN trucks being procured under Project Land 121 Phase 3B offer the latest advances in heavy vehicle technology.

Mediumweight modulesMediumweight stores modulePayload: 2-3 tonnes

Carriage vehicles: Mediumweight tray

Mediumweight combat engineer section storesPayload: 2-3 tonnes

Carriage vehicles: Mediumweight tray, Mediumweight tray with crane

Mediumweight maintenance modulePayload: 2-3 tonnes

Carriage vehicles: Mediumweight tray

Heavy modulesHeavy flatrack modulePayload: 13.1 tonnes

Carriage vehicles: Heavy integrated load-handling

Heavy stores modulePayload: 12 tonnes

Carriage vehicles: Heavy integrated load-handling

Heavy bulk fuel and bulk waterPayload: 12,000 litres (fuel), 10,000 litres (water)

Carriage vehicles: Heavy integrated load-handling

Heavy bulk fuel and bulk water pump and storagePayload: 9000 litres (fuel), 10,000 litres (water)

Carriage vehicles: Heavy integrated load-handling

Heavy floating support bridge and bridge erection propulsion boat interfaceCarriage vehicles: Heavy integrated load-handling

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWEREDWhere will drivers be trained?

Driver training will be carried out at the purpose-built Land 121 driver training facility at RAAF Base Amberley and the Greenbank difficult terrain driving area.

What about operator servicing?

Drivers will still be able to carry out operator servicing as they do now on the current range of vehicles. Both major and minor servicing will be carried out at RAEME workshops.

Where will RAEME personnel be trained?

Vehicle mechanics and technicians electrical will be trained at the purpose-built Land 121 Maintainer Training Facility at North Bandiana.

Army October 24, 2013LAND 121-3B www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews4