1. No category

Pte Zac Robinson
Edition 1185
March 20, 2008
AFGHAN
ROLE FOR
GUNNERS
The Taliban will be in the sights of 15 gunners from 8/12 Mdm Regt who will
deploy to Afghanistan with the British task force. It will be the first time since
1971 that artillerymen have manned a gun line on operations. Report Page 3
Boot change
Soldiers will have more choice
on how they march into combat
with the CA issuing an interim
combat boot policy. The policy
authorises soldiers to purchase
and wear four types of nonissue boots. Of the boots shown
here, the soldier on the left is
wearing the standard issue boot
while the soldier on the right
is lacing on a pair of Altama
Desert Boots.
Photo by Cpl Michael Davis
P2
Army March 20, 2008
2 NEWS
Fresh boot policy
By Cpl Mike McSweeney
SOLDIERS will have more
choice on how they march into
combat with the CA issuing an
interim combat boot policy.
The policy authorises soldiers
to purchase and wear four types
of non-issue boots.
“The CA has released this
policy to provide soldiers with
a greater range of choice when
on exercise or operations. In barracks we’ll continue to wear the
Terra boot,” Col Andrew Bottrell,
Director Logistics – Army, said.
The four endorsed boots
are the Altama 4158 3LC Hot
Weather; Belleville M590 Hot
Weather; Bates 30501 Durashock
Desert; and Crossfire Peacekeeper
Plus.
Col Bottrell said Land
Engineering Agency was assessing non-issue boots against a wide
range of criteria, ensuring they at
least met the same specifications
as the current in-service boot, and
that more boots could be added to
the initial list.
From June 2, only issued boots
or endorsed boots will be authorised for wear.
If non-issued boots need
replacing in the field, they will
be replaced with the current inservice boot.
The interim policy will be in
place until the next generation of
combat footwear is introduced,
which is unlikely to be known
before mid to late 2009.
CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy said
the majority of soldiers were satisfied with the in-service boot,
which has seen five versions
developed from user feedback
and advances in technology since
it was introduced in 1999.
He said Army was operating in
a wide variety of geographic and
climatic conditions which were
THE CHOICES
Soldiers can wear the in-service boot or choose to buy
one of the following non-issue boots:
Altama 4158 3LC Hot Weather;
Belleville M590 Hot Weather;
Bates 30501 Durashock Desert; and
Crossfire Peacekeeper Plus.
THE POLICY
Stepping out: The Australian standard issue combat boot and the Altama Desert Boot.
Photo by Cpl Michael Davis
not envisaged when the requirements for the current in-service
boot were stated.
It is clear that one boot cannot meet the requirements of all
soldiers or be suitable for desert,
tropical, temperate and cold
weather wear.
The CA said the Zamberlan
extreme cold weather boot was
performing well.
To ensure the proper fitting of
the in-service boot, he had directed that a boot fitting specialist
be permanently posted to Army
point-of-entry Q-stores.
Col Bottrell said in addition
to an independent Combat Boot
New Deputy Chief
of Army appointed
MAJ-GEN David Morrison has taken up the
role of Deputy Chief of Army.
His predecessor, Maj-Gen John Cantwell, has
been appointed as the senior military member of
the Defence White Paper team and will head the
force structure and engagement elements of the
project. Maj-Gen Cantwell had held tenure as
DCA since January 2007.
Maj-Gen Morrison most recently was Head
of Military Strategic Commitments.
Review, soldiers’ feedback to the
CA had influenced the interim
policy.
“The views of soldiers have
played a role in shaping the policy
and they’ll continue to shape the
views for the new boot as well,”
Col Bottrell said.
“AHQ will develop the user
requirements for the replacement
boot in the later part of this year.”
He said it would take into consideration the variety of environments Australian soldiers operated in now and could be expected
to operate in the future.
It was yet to be determined
whether the recommendations to
the Defence Materiel Organisation
would be for one boot or a range
of boots.
Lt-Gen Leahy said COs were
to ensure that those personnel
who elected to purchase their own
combat footwear completed a
questionnaire on the Speak to the
Chief website. The feedback from
this questionnaire would be used
to inform development of the next
generation combat footwear.
»
Soldiers or commanders who
wish to have additional boots
added to the list of endorsed
boots should contact the
SO2 Clothing, AHQ, on (02)
6265 2051.
Soldiers who choose to wear non-issue boots must
buy them themselves.
Boots must be from the endorsed list. More boots
can be nominated by phoning (02) 6265 2051.
Boot must be similar colour to in-service boot. No
black-coloured boots unless serving on TAG duties.
Non-issue boots for exercises and operations only.
Soldiers are to wear the in-service boot in barracks
or when directed by their CO when wearing Dress
Order Numbers 4A, 5B and MP5.
If non-issued boots need replacing in the field,
they will be replaced with the issue boot.
Members are still entitled to be issued medically
indicated non-standard footwear.
All footwear relating to trades and personnel in
Army Aviation will need to comply with safety
guidelines in relation to foreign object damage and
possible flammability issues. Comd 16 Bde (Avn)
will play a role in determining suitable boots for
flying duties that might be added to the authorised
list of boots.
THE IN-SERVICE BOOT
The Terra Combat Boot was introduced into service in 1999 as the replacement for the General
Purpose boot. Since that time, five versions have
been issued, taking advantage of advancements
in technology and user feedback. Army is now
involved in a wide variety of geographic and climatic conditions which were not envisaged when
the requirement for the in-service boot was stated.
A recent, independent Combat Boot Review identified the need for a new generation combat boot, or
range of boots, to meet the demands of Australian
soldiers. While the Defence Materiel Organisation
develops this new range, the interim policy will
allow soldiers to wear non-issue boots.
Ration pack trials a hot issue
A PROTOTYPE hot weather
ration pack is set to undergo trials in the field at Tully in Far
North Queensland.
The results of the trial will be
used to further refine the contents
of the new ration pack that is
expected to enter into service later
this year.
The Defence Science and
Technology Organisation (DSTO)
is developing the ration pack that
is intended to make it easier for
soldiers to maintain their nutritional levels.
Beef jerky and energy bars
are set to revolutionise the ration
pack for soldiers serving in hot
climates, according to Defence
Science and Personnel Minister
Warren Snowdon.
“We’ve found that soldiers
operating in high temperatures
often discard food from their
ration packs because cooked, hot,
meals aren’t appetising, or they’re
not hungry due to the heat,” Mr
Snowdon said.
“This can mean soldiers don’t
eat enough to meet their energy
requirements.
“While the current ration packs
serve the Army extremely well,
Face of Army
The Soldiers’ Newspaper
Director
Rod Horan: (02) 6265 4650
Editorial
Editor
David Edlington: (02) 6266 7609
Deputy Editor
Lt Peter Martinelli: (02) 6266 7612
Reporters:
Cpl Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614
Cpl Mike McSweeney : (02) 6266 7608
Cpl Corinne Boer: (02) 6265 2427
Cpl Jane Ashby-Cliffe: (02) 6266 7606
Hugh McKenzie: (02) 6265 2151
Sports Editor
Barry Rollings: (02) 6265 7219
Sydney Photographer:
Bill Cunneen: 0413 302 669
Email: armynews@defencenews.gov.au
NOTE: This is not a Defence domain, so include
“SEC=UNCLASSIFIED” in the subject line.
Fax: (02) 6265 6690
Mail: The Editor, Army, R8-LG-038, Department of
Defence, Canberra ACT 2600
Website: www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews
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Advertising Manager
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Email: advertising@defencenews.gov.au
Advertising Representative
Tim Asher: (07) 3332 7651; Mobile: 0414 552 667
Email: timothy.asher@defence.gov.au
a specialised ration pack that is
even more effective in hot environments will help our soldiers
undertake strenuous activity in
harsh environments.”
DSTO’s research has shown
that sports drinks, fruit, trail
mixes and savoury biscuits are
some of the most popular items
soldiers would like included in
hot weather rations.
Subscriptions
(02) 6266 7607
Email: tdillon@defencenews.gov.au
Disclaimer
Army is published fortnightly by Defence Newspapers.
It is printed under contract by Capital Fine Print. The
material published is selected for its interest. The views
expressed in published articles are not necessarily those
of Defence or Army. Every advertisement is subject to
the Directorate of Defence Newspapers approval and the
Directorate of Defence Newspapers may, at its discretion,
refuse to accept an advertisement for publication.
The Directorate of Defence Newspapers accepts no
responsibility or liability in relation to any loss due to the
failure of an advertisement to appear or if it appears in
a form which is not in accordance with the instructions
received by the Directorate of Defence Newspapers. The
fact that an advertisement is accepted for publication
does not mean that the product or service has the
endorsement of the Department of Defence or Army.
Timor task: Pte Zac Robinson, 2RAR,
is serving in Timor-Leste. “It’s awesome
to have been deployed so soon after
finishing my training. It’s a dream come
true,” he says.
Photo by Cpl Rachel Ingram
Army March 20, 2008
NEWS 3
Gunners
target
Taliban
GUNNERS will deploy to Afghanistan in
the first use of Australian artillerymen in
their primary role since the Vietnam War.
Fifteen soldiers from Darwin’s 8/12
Mdm Regt will deploy to Afghanistan as
part of the UK’s Task Force Helmand to
man and operate L118 Light Guns from
forward operating bases within Helmand
province.
Australians have not manned a gun
line on operations since the last batteries were withdrawn from Vietnam in
November 1971.
“This deployment into a complex
operational environment in support of one
of our longest-standing military partners
is an excellent opportunity for the Royal
Australian Artillery, the Australian Army
and the ADF,” CA Lt-Gen Leahy said.
The gunners will deploy with 7 Para
Regt Royal Horse Artillery and have finished a six-month intensive work-up and
training phase in the UK.
“These soldiers have worked extremely hard in the preceding months and
have formed a key component of Task
Force Helmand’s fire support capability,”
Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said.
The gunners will provide fire in support of task force troops in contact with
the Taliban.
But it is unlikely that the L118s would
be used to support Australians of the RTF,
as the vast majority of Oruzgan province
is out of reach of Task Force Helmand’s
forward operating bases.
Australian rules of engagement (ROE)
will be followed in accordance with the
bilateral agreement between the UK
Ministry of Defence and the ADF, and are
consistent with UK ROE being followed
in Afghanistan.
7 Para Regt RHA traces its history
back 200 years and is the only airborne
light gun regiment in the British Army. It
is based at Merville Barracks, Colchester,
and provides artillery support for 16 Air
Assault Bde.
The deployment of the 8/12 Mdm Regt
personnel will be followed by a similar
embedding of gunners from Townsville’s
4 Fd Regt late in 2008.
L118 LIGHT GUN
Ammunition: 105mm
HE with different fuses,
smoke, illum.
Range: Approx 17km,
very accurate but no
guided weapon capability.
Background: Used by UK
and similar to ADF’s L119
Hamel Gun. Differences
include length of barrel, sighting system and
make of ammunition.
Training team to help Afghans
the skills of the Afghan security
forces to enable them to do the job
that is currently being undertaken
by coalition forces.”
The Australian training team
will
begin operations later this year
The Operational Mentor and
in Oruzgan province. It will mentor
Liaison Team (OMLT) program
aims to develop the Afghan National and advise key commanders within
an Afghan battalion, known as a
Army.
Kandak, in training and operations.
“The introduction of this trainThe OMLTs will include highly
ing team will be an important step
skilled officers and senior NCOs
in assisting the development of the
with experience in light infantry
Afghan security forces,” Defence
operations, and specialists to assist
Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said.
the Kandak headquarters in other
“The training team will develop
AUSTRALIAN soldiers in
Afghanistan will be training their
Afghan counterparts under a
new program announced by the
Defence Minister in parliament.
areas, such as “logistics and personnel management, force protection
planning and coordinating combined operations”.
The OMLT will also include a
small force-protection element and
protected mobility for the Australian
advisers.
Mr Fitzgibbon said while the
OMLT commitment would not
increase overall Australian troop
numbers in Afghanistan, it would not
detract from the missions of the RTF,
SOTG, Rotary Wing Group and the
Control and Reporting Centre.
Gun drill: Gunners from 8/12 Mdm Regt move a 155mm howitzer into position
for a fire mission during a training activity at the Mount Bundy Training Area.
Fifteen gunners from the regiment have completed six months’ training with the
British and will deploy to Afghanistan, where they will operate L118 Light Guns,
which are similar to the ADF’s L119 Hamel Gun.
Photo by AB Bradley Darvill
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Army March 20, 2008
4 NEWS
107 years: Celebrating the birthdays of Army and the Navy in
Baghdad are (from left) Maj-Gen Mark Evans, Sig Cory Dryden,
Maj-Gen Mike Hindmarsh and LS Shane Perry.
Celebration: Capt Geoff Quinn and Sig
Brett Cunnington cut the cake at an EWW
DFSS all ranks morning tea.
Photo by Capt Cameron Jamieson
Photo by AC Grant Macey
Special day: Tpr Clint Gordon presents arms during the Army’s 107th
birthday parade in Blamey Square in Canberra on March 3.
Photo by Cpl Andrew Hetherington
History, tradition mould Army
By Cpl Andrew
Hetherington
ARMY celebrated its 107th
birthday in style with a
parade, a service, a barbecue and a birthday cake.
The service was led by
Principal Chaplain Russell
M u t z e l bu rg , a t B l a m ey
Square, Russell, on March 3.
He received the Army
Banner from the Federation
Guard and said prayers for
those who made the ultimate
sacrifice for their country.
In his address, CA LtGen Peter Leahy asked those
present to reflect on the service and sacrifice of soldiers
who moulded Army into what
it is today.
“History and tradition are
the glue that holds our organisation together. We honour
our past and seek to learn
from it,” Lt-Gen Leahy said.
“However, today is not a
day for analysis or lessons
learned in the tactical sense. It
is more an occasion of modest celebration and sombre
reflection.
“There is no such thing
as a safe operational deployment, but in the case of our
men and women deployed in
the global war on terrorism
and in the Middle East, the
nature of the threat to them is
grave. They face an implacable enemy.”
He also reminded the
gathering of the significance of the Army uniform
and the place of the Army in
Australian society.
“None of us should ever
permit routine and habit to
dull the pride and sense of
privilege that accompanies
wearing our uniform,” he
said.
“Furthermore, through our
fidelity to the core values of
the Army – courage, teamwork and initiative – we must
demonstrate that we are worthy of such public esteem.
“Every one of us is a role
model. Ours is not merely a
job or even a career; it is a
way of life.”
Pte Mitchell Doorey,
Federation Guard, participated in the parade and said he
looked forward to the remainder of 2008 in his new job.
“The Federation Guard is
a new start for me this year …
I enjoy the Army, so my year
is always going to be good,”
Pte Doorey said.
“We have a few parades
coming up and I’m also looking forward to doing some
adventure training.”
He has served 5½ years
in the Army and was positive about what it had to offer
him. “I love the PT and the
mateship; you can’t really
beat that. I like the Army life- Youngest digger: Pte Nick Reed, the youngest member of the Federation Guard, cuts the Army birthday cake with CA Lt-Gen
style,” he said.
Peter Leahy at the Army’s 107th Birthday Parade in Canberra on March 3.
Photo by Cpl Andrew Hetherington
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Army March 20, 2008
NEWS 5
13th team sets off Duty’s done
By Cpl Jane Ashby-Cliffe
in Baghdad
FAMILIES farewelled
loved ones from Secdet
13 at Darwin airport on
March 7.
Two platoons and a
headquarters element from
7RAR, a troop from 2 Cav
Regt and an MP detachment set off for a six-month
deployment in Baghdad.
Commander 1 Bde Brig
Michael Krause said their
main role was to protect our
diplomats so they could help
to reconstruct Iraq.
“It is a dangerous mission and that is why we
are sending soldiers,” Brig
Krause said.
“The soldiers have been
very well trained for this,
they have very good equipment including the ASLAVs
over there, which are a
magnificent vehicle and so
I think they are very well
prepared.”
Section commander 3 Pl,
7RAR, Cpl Brent Thomson
has served in the ARA for
seven years and looked forward to his fourth deployment.
“I feel that Secdet 13
will be the better deployment out of all deployments
in the ADF at the moment,”
Cpl Thomson said.
Pre-deployment training
started on January 4, allowing the soldiers to build on
their skills and work together on combined-arms training.
“We have had a good
lead up period the predeployment training was not
too long as some of them
can be, everyone is well prepared for the deployment,”
Cpl Thomson said.
The 7RAR diggers are
By Capt Cameron Jamieson
THE 110 diggers of Secdet 12, the
security detachment that protects the
Australian Embassy and its staff in
Baghdad, are coming home.
Farewell: Cpl Brent Thomson, 7RAR, spends a moment with his girlfriend,
Photo by Capt Lachlan Simond
Lisa Maree Stratulatos, before leaving for Iraq.
a mixture of old hands
and soldiers on their first
deployment.
“Some senior guys
come from 2 Cav Regt
and the MP element, so
there is quite a mixture
of experience, which is
good,” Cpl Thomson
said.
“Everyone is happy
and all are keen to get
over there and hit the
ground running – that is
what we train to do and
we are just looking forward to it and to getting
home after a successful
mission.”
His girlfriend, Lisa
Maree Stratulatos, said it
was not something that
she wished, “but I know
that this is what he wants
to do so I support him
and stick by him and just
pray for him to come
home safe and sound”.
Land Engineers
ATTAIN CHARTERED STATUS
THROUGH PARTICIPATION ON THE LAND ENGINEER
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (LEPDP)
The LEPDP has been developed as part of the wider
implementation of Army’s revised technical regulatory framework
and encourages land engineers to enhance their professional
development through participation on the professional
development program delivered through Engineers Australia (EA).
The LEPDP is open to all full time practicing four-year engineering
degree qualified professional land based engineers in Army or the
Army program.
Professional engineers wishing to take part in the LEPDP should
complete an application form, which can be downloaded from
the HQTC-A website and fax or mail the application to the contact
address below for approval.
HQTC-A LEPDP intranet address:
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/Sites/TCA/
LEPDP.
Go to Training Operations
For further information on the Land Engineer Professional
Development Program contact:
Phillip Nelson
LEPDP Manager
HQTC-A
Victoria Barracks
Paddington NSW 2021
Tel: 02 9339 2446; Fax: 02 9339 2462
Mobile: 0416 030 844
Email: phillip.nelson@defence.gov.au
With over 500 close personal protection tasks within Baghdad’s International
Zone, about 100 runs outside the
International Zone into the “Red Zone”
and upward of 300 armed escort tasks
under their collective belts, the soldiers
are looking forward to some time off
after a job well done.
Secdet 12’s infantry were regularly
rotated through the Embassy protection
task, a job that platoon commander Lt
Nathaniel Gerhardt said required a modified approach for the soldiers.
“It’s a different job for an infantryman,” he said. “It’s not your typical seek
out and close with the enemy task ...
however the soldiers adapted well.”
Cavalry Troop commander Lt Craig
Malcolm said he would look back on his
deployment as a privileged time.
“The experiences I’ve had with the
guys, the leadership development opportunities and dealing with the various
things that happen on operations were all
enjoyable,” he said. “The Cavalry Troop
successfully completed all missions
Queensland
Propert
roperty
y
es
Salales
assigned and maintained a good public
image for the Iraqi people.”
Back at Secdet 12’s main base, a key
morale-boosting function was provided
by two cooks, who worked tirelessly to
bring a taste of home and a taste of the
exotic to their busy co-workers.
Caterer WO2 Shane Michelle said
food was a great way to help keep up the
spirits of soldiers who were away from
home for many special occasions.
“A birthday cake and a bit of cheer
from the rest of Secdet help a lot,” he
said. “We also swap rations with our coalition partners, so we can provide a wide
range of food to sustain our people and
maintain good relations with our allies at
the same time.”
OC Secdet 12 Maj Mark Neich said
he was proud of his soldiers’ achievements.
“Throughout their time the soldiers
have been agile and robust enough to
deal with any situation that confronted
them,” he said. “They have also enhanced
the coalition’s opinion of the ADF.
They are well regarded, and when they
go home they will know that they have
done an excellent job of providing the
Ambassador and his staff the freedom to
move around Baghdad to conduct their
diplomatic operations.”
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Army March 20, 2008
6 NEWS
History updated
in second edition
By Cpl Mike McSweeney
CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy launched the
second edition of Duty First: A History
of the Royal Australian Regiment at
RMC on March 5.
The second edition was launched in
the year of the RAR’s 60th birthday, and
borrows its title from the regiment’s selfless motto.
Edited by David Horner and Jean
Bou, the book includes two new chapters to bring the regiment’s history up
to 2006.
“It’s a great update on a great book,”
Lt-Gen Leahy said.
Duty First details the history of the
Regiment from its birth in 1948.
The CA said it covered “the wide
spectrum of operations from peacekeeping to war fighting in various locations around the world from Africa, the
Middle East, southeast Asia, to Timor
and the Solomon Islands.”
Lt-Gen Leahy said the new version
indicated just how busy Australian infantry had been over the past few years.
As an indication of how active the land
force had been, 65 per cent of its members were preparing for, on, or returning
from deployment, he said.
“During 2006, every commanding
officer of the then six battalions of the
regiment served on an operation somewhere overseas with at least part of his
battalion,” Lt-Gen Leahy said.
“When you read the book, I ask you
to think of the many young men of the
regiment who are currently in harm’s
way in several theatres around the world.
“Think of those who have paid the
supreme sacrifice and think also of those
who are about to deploy. All of those
men carry on a proud heritage.”
»
Duty First: A History of the Royal
Australian Regiment is on sale at book
stores and corps shops. A review is on
Page 28.
Best wishes: B Coy, 5RAR, parades at the birthday and farewell for those deploying to Timor-Leste.
Photo by Gnr Shannon Joyce
5RAR celebrates
By Cpl Jane Ashby-Cliffe
5RAR had two reasons to celebrate on March 6 when soldiers
and their families farewelled those
deploying to Timor-Leste and
marked the unit’s second birthday
since delinking from 7RAR.
Platoon commander 4 Pl Lt
Nicholas Andrew will lead his soldiers when the platoon deploys with
3RAR as part of Timor-Leste Battle
Group 4. The platoon is the first
element of B Coy 5RAR to deploy
since delinking from 7RAR in 2006
and the only element to represent
the battalion and the brigade in
Timor-Leste.
Lt Andrews said they would take
Second edition: CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy with Jean Bou who co-edited Duty
First with David Horner.
Photo by LAC Aaron Curran
a mixed group of soldiers from new
march-ins right through to veterans
who had done two or three operations.
“We will be the battle group
QRF, and we will also be involved
in patrolling and other key leadership engagements,” Lt Andrew said
“During the operation we will
continue to train and build our focus
on our operation with the M113.”
CO 5RAR Lt-Col Jake Ellwood
said as a commander of people
about to go on operations “you are
always watching, knowing that they
will do their best because they are
well trained”.
Celebrations began as LtCol Ellwood assisted the battal-
Bronze reward for efforts
By Cpl Andrew Hetherington
Smart Soldier
Smart Soldier is a Restricted publication
that comes out three times a year. It is
produced by the Centre for Army Lessons
and is sent free to your unit. Smart
Soldier is full of operational, training
and general lessons, observations and
tips.
All soldiers should read Smart Soldier.
If you’re not getting it, ask your chainof-command for a copy or call
03 5735 7102 to see if it is being
delivered to your unit.
Inside your latest issue of Smart Soldier
Training on Deployment
Safe Sandbagging
Provides considerations and examples
of training that can occur on
deployment.
This article covers a wide variety of tips
on how to sandbag.
Load Carriage
DSTO and Land 125 research
contribute load carriage thoughts.
A summary of the most frequently
recorded observations from CTC staff,
on topics such as weapons and combat.
Ballistic Eyewear
Convoy Lessons
Win your own pair of protective
sunglasses. Check this article to see
how.
Firing from a Vehicle
CTC - Training Trends
Coalition lessons are provided in this
article. It also includes convoy planning
considerations in a vue tue style format.
a team of 20
Americans,
A CAPTAIN who was embedwhere our daily
ded with US forces in Iraq has
responsibilities
been awarded a Bronze Star for were analysing
his contribution to fighting the
IED threats
threat of IEDs.
and providing
Capt Daniel Graham, HQJOC, advice to units,”
served with Task Force Troy, the
Capt Graham
multi-national counter-IED task
said.
Awarded: Capt
force based at Camp Victory in
“Personally Daniel Graham.
Baghdad.
and profession“I was a part of their counally I achieved a lot, as I hadn’t
ter-IED effort and worked with
worked in this area before and it
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Good Idea Expo
See details on the winning entry, from
Coalition information has been sourced
the Nth Qld Good Idea Expo 2007.
to provide tips for firing from a vehicle.
Dat Do Minefield
was very rewarding for me to be
able to apply my skills.”
Capt Graham said he felt
privileged to work with a highly
professional group of soldiers
deployed in such a vital role.
“It was humbling to receive the
award because I was very lucky
to work with some of the best
soldiers I have worked with in my
career so far,” he said. “They all
put in a lot of hard work and they
were very committed to helping
the units on the ground.”
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ion’s youngest soldier, Pte James
Oakford, 17, to cut the battalion
birthday cake.
“No matter how old or new, your
best unit is the one you are in and
you certainly get the feeling that
everyone is proud to be a part of the
battalion,” Lt-Col Ellwood said.
“Every day is a source of pride
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To recognise its high tempo, the
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Army March 20, 2008
NEWS 7
Drivers achieve first
By Cpl Mike McSweeney
NSW-based 12/16 Hunter River
Lancers held the first Protected
Mobility Vehicle drivers course
outside of the Mounted Combat
Wing, Puckapunyal, in February.
Mudlark: A Bushmaster negotiates difficult terrain in the Singleton training area.
XO Maj Dean Simmons said
12/16HRL – the first 2 Div unit to
receive Bushmasters – conducted
training with a long term view to
deploy members with B Sqn, 3/4
Cav Regt.
“Anyone who’s been qualified
and available has gone overseas on
ops,” Maj Simmons said.
“By running this drivers course
we’ve been able to get another
pool of people who are ready to go
if required.”
Last year 12/16HRL had 20
members deployed on operations,
included Iraq, Afghanistan and
Timor-Leste.
“The ones in the Middle East
were PMV trained,” Maj Simmons
said.
“We had 11 go for 12 months
with B Sqn and then we’ve had
other members go with the training team as crew commanders and
drivers on the PMV.”
About half of the reservists who deployed to Iraq joined
the ARA. Those that returned to
12/16HRL were offered CFTS for
an MEAO trip later this year.
Maj Simmons said the PMV
course was in high demand at
Mounted Combat Wing, so it was
necessary for 12/16HRL to hold
their own courses while they transitioned from M113s to PMV.
“Our focus is to get the capability up and running in this unit
and supplement the ARA when
required for ops,” Maj Simmons
said.
“It’s taken a fair bit of work
to get all of our Trade Testing
Officers qualified.
“Being a 2 Div unit we don’t
have priority on the courses, so
we’ve just been sending guys at
short notice if a position hasn’t
been filled.”
The XO said it was a challenge
to get reservists with full-time jobs
away for 11 weeks to qualify as
TTOs.
“We’ve been very fortunate
with the level of commitment these
guys have shown in order to get
this capability up and running.”
Being the first course run outside of Puckapunyal, there were a
few teething problems, some associated with the muddy conditions.
“We had to change the order
we did things based on environmental concerns and a lack of
range space,” Maj Simmons said.
“But we just had to work through
that.”
A combination of ARA and
GRes TTOs qualified 21 students at the end of February. Maj
Simmons said 12/16HRL would
likely run other courses in May
and September.
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Army March 20, 2008
8 NEWS
Memories
will help
author
Vets joined
by 8/9RAR
By SCdt Timothy Thomas
REFLECTION and rejuvenation
marked the 38th anniversary of the
Battle of Long Hai when veterans of
the engagement were joined by 8/9RAR
soldiers in Brisbane.
The anniversary took on a more significant meaning this year as a catafalque
party from 8/9RAR, the custodians of the
colours and traditions of 8RAR, participated in the commemorations on February
28. A large number of former serving
members of 8, 9 and 8/9RAR attended
the service.
RSM 8/9RAR WO1 Wayne Lampard
said that the soldiers and officers enjoyed
the opportunity to meet the veterans.
“It was really good for the diggers to
hear about the previous generation and
their stories,” WO1 Lampard said.
The composition of the catafalque
party struck a special cord with a number
of the veterans at the memorial.
“The catafalque party was comprised
entirely of members from 1 Pl, Alpha
Company,” WO1 Lampard said. “This is
significant because it was 1 Pl, 8RAR that
was involved in a mine incident.”
On February 28, 1970 a patrol from
8RAR was caught in a minefield, resulting in eight deaths in one day. To com-
memorate this, the anniversary of Long
Hai was set on this date.
8/9RAR CO Lt-Col Simon Stuart said
the commemorations were “important in
connecting the shared history”.
“It is one thing to read about an event,
but to actually meet the people involved,
it’s quiet different” Lt-Col Stuart said.
After 10 years off the Army’s Order of
Battle, 8/9RAR was re-raised in October
2007, and has started a new chapter in the
RAR’s history.
The establishment of 8/9RAR is a
major component of the Enhanced Land
Force plan and provides Army with
another motorised battalion, bringing the
RAR to its higher level of manning since
the Vietnam War.
“The re-raising of 8/9RAR is a major
part of the ELF plan, and along with
growth in C2, engineers and logistics,
will really put 7 Bde back on the map,”
Lt-Col Stuart said.
The battle of Long Hai comprised a
number of actions in early 1970 in the
Minh Dam Secret Zone of South Vietnam.
The battle saw 8RAR engaging the enemy
on numerous occasions and inflicting a
number of casualties. For their actions,
8RAR was awarded the Republic of
Vietnam’s Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Advice: 8/9RAR RSM WO1 Wayne Lampard receives some words of wisdom
with Palm on October 29, 1970.
Photo by Sgt Adam McGuire
from Vietnam veteran Graham Fox.
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THE search is on for
those people who were
at the forefront of the
recruiting line-ups
throughout the land
for the Citizen Military
Forces (CMF Army)
and Citizen Air Force
(RAAF) in 1948 and the
RAN Reserve in 1950.
The Reserve Forces
Day Council is preparing
to publish a colour booklet commemorating that
momentous occasion 60
years ago when the parttime Army, Navy and Air
Force came into being
after the mass reduction
in forces size at the end
of World War II.
These men and
women – the originals
of 1948 and 1950 – will
be specially recognised
at this year’s Reserve
Forces Day Parades and
ceremonies scheduled for
early July.
Author David Cooper
already has some invaluable material in the form
of photographs and
memories of those nostalgic times but he needs
more. He can be contacted on (02) 9144 2867.
Army March 20, 2008
NEWS 9
A satisfying 40 years
By Cpl Andrew Hetherington
MANY soldiers serve 20 years in the
Army but fewer double that – Maj-Gen
Jim Molan is one of the few.
Over the past 40 years, Maj-Gen
Molan has served as a platoon commander with the Pacific Island Regt,
flown Kiowas and fought bushfires from
the air.
He joined the Army on January 26,
1968. “Service life and the attitude in the
’60s was so security oriented, for some
reason military life attracted me. In retrospect my personality and military life
have been perfectly matched,” he said.
“The Army offered me an environment
in which values such as trust, duty and
service are real.”
While he was in training at Duntroon,
Maj-Gen Molan and his class mates
expected to be deployed to Vietnam.
“I was absolutely disappointed at not
being sent to Vietnam,” he said.
His first posting after Duntroon was
in the unusual position as a platoon commander in the Pacific Island Regt in
Papua New Guinea.
“I was there three years and spent
eight months of each year in the jungle,
rarely speaking a word of English,” MajGen Molan said.
“We made maps, built wells, provided medical assistance, local administration and frequently came across people
who had never seen a white man. For a
young guy ... it was a fascinating posting. PNG is an extraordinary country
and the Kokoda Track was literally our
close training area.”
This experience with nation building
was to be repeated in Indonesia, Timor,
the Solomons and Iraq.
Maj-Gen Molan lived for five years
in Indonesia where Bahasa was the daily
fare. “In our dealings with our neighbours, language is the key,” he said.
The most significant influence on his
professional outlook was attending the
US Warfighter Battle Command Training
Program in Washington State.
“It taught me what we call operational art,” he said. “I learnt for the first
time how to really manoeuvre troops on
the battlefield and that generalship can
be created.”
For many years he has flown fixedwing aircraft and helicopters, which he
learnt to fly during a posting to 1 Avn
Regt. “I flew Kiowas for three years
and I’ve flown civil helicopters in my
spare time ever since,” he said. “Each
Christmas I work for helicopter firms,
the SES or bushfire brigades. Recently I
indulged myself by buying an aeroplane
– a Cessna 310 – but to afford it I have
had to mortgage my children.”
In his 40 years of service he has seen
significant changes in the Army and its
culture.
“Almost every worthwhile change
I think that has occurred in Army has
taken place since Timor, since 1999.
These changes have been extraordinary;
the equipment, the attitudes created by
an operational focus and after each operation our level of confidence goes up.
“The ADF is far from perfect but is in
the best state it has been in since the end
of the Vietnam War. When the equipment
that has been promised over the next
10 years is delivered, it will then be the
ADF I wanted to join in 1968.”
He believes he could never have
found a better and more satisfying career
than the Army.
“It’s a career that can develop you,
can allow you to serve the nation and it
rewards you,” he said.
Now in charge of Joint Warfighting
Lessons and Concepts, he still has two
main passions; how to create “generalship” and how to create a truly joint
force at the operational level in the ADF.
“In my view these are the two things
that will most challenge the ADF in the
future,” he said.
Maj-Gen Molan has written a book
about his experience running operations
in Iraq. The book, sponsored by the
Army History Committee, is expected to
be available in August or September.
— The choice of Service Personnel —
Links with the ADF for more than 25 years
Making history: Maj-Gen Jim Molan (centre) with an Australian security detail during his deployment with
the Multi-National Force – Iraq. His book on his experiences in Iraq will be published this year.
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Army March 20, 2008
10 NEWS
Tetum taps new skills
“I got the opportunity to go to
THE focus will soon switch from the country last December. Visit
baby talk to Tetum for a 3RAR coordinator Lt-Cmdr Tamara Sloper the language school and I’m hoping
appealed to her Army contacts to to continue my studies in greater
interpreter.
Pte Richard Neal is looking forward to the birth of his first child in
the near future, after which he will
deploy to Timor-Leste with other
3RAR members.
Pte Neal recently had the
chance to exercise his Tetum language skills when he translated for
four Timor-Leste orphans who visited Australia but could not speak
English.
Father Chris Riley, of Youth Off
the Streets, brought the youths to
provide a translator for the Tetumspeaking teens, aged between 15
and 17.
“3RAR came to the party,” Lt
Cmdr Sloper said.
Pte Neal, a graduate of the
School of Languages, joined the
orphans for their visit, which
included a Sydney Harbour Bridge
climb and a stop at Maria Regina
Pre-School, Avalon Beach, NSW.
He turned to languages after he
suffered parachute-related injuries.
depth,” he said.
He said 3RAR had “a number
of people doing training in Tetum
in Melbourne prior to our deployment”.
The visit by the orphans was
arranged in conjunction with the
Alola Foundation, which works to
improve the lives of women and
children.
»
Information on the Alola
Foundation can be found at www.
alolafoundation.org
Linguistics: Pte Richard Neal, 3RAR, with some of his Timor-Leste charges and
pupils of the Maria Regina Pre-School at Avalon.
Photo by Bill Cunneen
IN BRIEF
Defcom scheme ends
DEFENCE has ceased involvement with the
Defcom card System. The end of Defence’s participation in the scheme took effect on February 21.
ADF members and their spouses who have membership with Defcom will need to pay to maintain
their membership and privileges. Defcom Pty Ltd
will still continue to operate as a private scheme.
Due to the proliferation of similar schemes throughout the country Defence has no current plan to
introduce a replacement system.
Graduation honours
SCDT Catherine Quinn, UNSWR, was awarded the
Sword of Honour and the Field Marshal Sir Thomas
Blamey Memorial prize for exemplary conduct and
performance at the graduation of the Part-Time
First Appointment Course at RMC on February
23. Other award winners were: SCdt Tyson Brock,
QUR, received the scholarship for the most effective
leadership qualities; SCdt William Lodder, WAUR,
the prize for exemplary field skills and tactical
knowledge; and SCdt Noel Woollard, WAUR, the
award for best physical fitness standard.
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Army March 20, 2008
WORLD NEWS 11
Mountain
manhunt
By Cpl Corinne Boer
AN airmobile operation was launched
in Same and areas south-west of Dili
this month to catch rebels linked with
attacks on the Timorese President and
Prime Minister.
Timor-Leste Battle Group 3 mounted
the operation to clear areas around Same.
The self-declared rebel leader, former
soldier Alfredo Reinado, was shot dead
on February 11 during the shooting
attack on President Jose Ramos-Horta
and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.
OC A Coy, 3RAR, Maj Andrew Barge
said in the operation to find the remaining rebels, TLBG 3 had conducted vehicle checkpoints (VCPs) and foot patrols.
“We were undertaking key leadership
engagement which involves speaking
with the local chiefs, local police and
school teachers,” Maj Barge said.
Same is a small village nestled among
hills near some of Timor-Leste’s highest
mountains. Vegetation made movement
by foot difficult.
“The biggest challenge we face is the
terrain and the effects of terrain on military operations,” Maj Barge said.
“Foot movement is extremely hard,
covering short distances of even a couple
of kilometres can take hours. The rugged
terrain also makes communicating a continuous challenge.”
The mountainous terrain, dense vegetation and poor roads also made logistics an issue.
“We can only move supply by helicopter as it often can’t get there by road,”
Maj Barge said.
Despite the increased presence of
troops in the area, the reception from the
locals to the International Stabilisation
Force (ISF) has been positive.
TIMELINE
Feb 25: Composite 2RAR-3RAR
company deploys.
Feb 25-28: VCPs, key leadership
engagement and township patrols
conducted.
Feb 28: Transition to a clearance
operation.
Feb 29-Mar 2: Previous operation
resumes with focus on new areas.
“This region of Timor-Leste is
extremely isolated,” Maj Barge said.
“In many places the locals weren’t
even aware that something had gone on
in Dili and we were the first to tell them
the news.”
In some areas the reception was a
little cold, however. Maj Barge said the
reaction arose from the villagers’ fears
of what the ISF was there to do.
“They thought we came to take their
single television away,” he said. “Once
we engage with them and tell them what
we’re actually here for they’re all right.”
Most of the patrols were accompanied by an interpreter. Some have served
with the ADF since 2002, and some
members of the ISF also had a good
command of Tetum.
Section commander Cpl John
Hockley was based in Alas to conduct
VCPs to control movement.
“It’s been pretty quiet. For a few days
we were running VCPs with only a section,” Cpl Hockley said.
“The troops have been going well
out here and morale is still high but
it’ll be good to get back to the Forward
Operating Base to have a break and a
shower.”
Hearts and minds: Pte David Novelli poses with kids in Alas at the end of the operation to clear the area
around Same in Timor-Leste.
Photo by Cpl Corinne Boer
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Army March 20, 2008
12 WORLD NEWS
Kick the
bucket to
stay well
By Cpl Corinne Boer
tracting the virus when they are in towns
communities not out bush or in the
ADF personnel serving in tropical and
field,” he said.
countries should kick the bucket to
“They breed in containers like buckets
reduce the risk of dengue fever.
and tyres and are active during the day
Environmental Health Officer in
Timor-Leste Capt Tim Hayden recommends bringing back unit dry days, a
practice that was common during the
Vietnam era.
“It involves soldiers walking around
the unit and kicking over the containers
with water where the mosquito breeds
and breaking it’s life cycle,” he said.
Dengue fever is endemic throughout
Timor-Leste and is a real threat to ADF
personnel serving in tropical countries
including the Solomon Islands and Papua
New Guinea.
Symptoms include fever, headaches
with pain behind the eyes, joint and muscular pain, and a sunburn-like rash.
“The virus is spread through a specific
mosquito called the Aedes aegypti more
commonly known as the Dengue mosquito,” Capt Hayden said.
“Acedes albopictus is another mosquito which can carry the virus but is not
as common”.
Capt Hayden said the dengue mosquito had different habits to other mosquitoes.
“It likes to live around humans and it’s
found in urban areas so people are con-
not at night.”
Dengue fever is not like malaria where
medication like Doxycycline is available
as a preventive measure. The disease is
viral, so the only way to prevent it is to
apply personal protective measures like
insect repellent and wearing cams dipped
in peregin.
“Soldiers should also try the Army
repellent – it’s effective and it’s free,”
Capt Hayden said.
The Army repellent contains 35 per
cent DEET, just enough to keep mosquitoes away. The issue repellent is an
oily gel designed to stay on the skin.
The repellent is not toxic.
Cams should be dipped in peregin
solution once a month or every four
cold washes. Australia is not the only
country to dip uniforms. It is common practice in America and many
European nations.
Cams dipped in peregin do not smell
when dry and do not cause rashes.
FUGLIES
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Mozzie alert:
Cpl Megan Lavis
checks mosquito
larvae samples
at Camp Phoenix
(above) while Sgt
Ian Myles analyses
mosquito larvae
found at bases
around Dili. (left).
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Each soldier must ensure that cams
are fully dried before they are worn. If
the solvent has not evaporated the skin
can react.
Cover up even during the day. Soldiers
wearing PT gear must ensure repellent
is applied to exposed skin.
Commanders must ensure their soldiers know about the disease and how
it is spread.
Photos by Cpl Corinne Boer
Doxycycline tablets do not stop dengue fever.
Projects build ties
By Capt Christopher Linden
month, amid crowds of interested
local people.
AUSTRALIAN soldiers have paid
Lt-Col Websdane said the
for a park in an Iraqi city where
positive reception during this visit
smiles have replaced grenades as
indicated the province’s improving
greetings.
security situation.
Local contractors built the
“These projects have been pospark and a school building in Ash
sible because the Mayor and the
Shatrah, the second largest city in
people of Ash Shatrah have worked
Dhi Qar province.
with the Iraqi Security Forces to
Ash Shatrah was not always so
make the community safe,” Lt-Col
receptive to the coalition. When
Websdane said.
Australians visited the town in mid“There was construction
2007, insurgents attacked them with throughout the city, which indicates
small-arms and rocket propelled
a growing economy and better prosgrenades.
pects for these people.”
CO OBG (W) 4 Lt-Col Chris
The construction was completed
Websdane and Ash Shatrah’s Mayor, with coalition forces and Australian
Mr Hussain Aziz Chalab, officially
Civil Military Cooperation money.
opened the park and the new buildThe project injected about
$375,000 into the local economy.
ing in the Al Lathiqah school last
Mr Hussain thanked the
Australian forces of OBG (W) 3 and
4 for their ongoing support.
“[The Australians] have provided
the Ash Shatrah community with
three schools and a playground,” he
said.
Al Lathiqah and a girl’s school
have been completed, and a third is
half finished.
“The people of Ash Shatrah consider the Australian forces as friends
whose main purpose is [to assist]
construction,” Mr Hussain said.
Diggers from the battlegroup’s
Combat Team Heeler provided security during the visit, alongside members of the Iraqi Security Forces.
Ash Shatrah in northern Dhi Qar
has about 400,000 residents.
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Army March 20, 2008
WORLD NEWS 13
Hopeful in Honiara
Progress: Lt Stuart Nicholls and Cpl Luke Bentley (above left) move forward during a perimeter patrol
around the palm-oil plantation at Mbalisuna, while Pte Jim Morrison greets some local children (above).
Cpl Mike McSweeney
tracks the progress
of West Australian,
Tasmanian and South
Australian reservists
deployed with the
multinational Op Anode
task force in the Solomon
Islands. Photos by LAC
Guy Young.
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Portable skills
Watchful: Pte Eamonn McGarry keeps a close eye on the
Rove Prison from his observation post in Honiara.
and tents for accommodation. The
signallers enter the barbwire compound and say a quick g’day to their
New buildings are now popping infantry mates.
Their recently qualified “geek”,
up everywhere since rioters razed
Sig Kim Tyler, gets straight to work
parts of the capital city, a sign that
the Regional Assistance Mission to on the FOB’s laptops. As he taps
away, a vehicle-mounted patrol is
the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is
preparing to leave.
working.
Patrol commander Cpl Matthew
With 140 soldiers providing support to an international police force, Daulby says they’ll be out for about
three days, gathering “atmospherthere is still work to be done.
The monsoonal downpours slow ics”.
“We patrol to each of our sectors
to a drip overnight and give way to
to gather information about the vila brilliant blue day.
lages and pass on information about
Army signallers are making
their way from their headquarters at the role of RAMSI,” Cpl Daulby
says.
Guadalcanal Beach Resort to three
“We find out what the villagers
Forward Operating Bases.
think of us, what they think of the
Troop Sgt Rod Parry, 109 Sig
police, if there’s any issues stewing
Sqn, explains it’s a regular occurand generally how they’re living.”
rence to ensure there are no probThe soldiers say the locals are
lems with the vital connection
very receptive and often invite them
between the bases.
The first stop is Mbalisuna (pro- to stay in the village overnight.
“We’ll get into a village in the
nounced Bala-soon-a), about 40km
to the east of Honiara. It is the heart afternoon, establish that rapport and
that night we’ll take some music
of the Solomon Islands’ growing
export industry – palm oil and plan- along and the kids will get up and
tations line the road for most of the dance – they really love it.”
The soldiers enjoy interacting
trip.
with and helping the locals, and
The soldiers use the shell of a
small building for their headquarters although the vast majority of the
AT the foot of Guadalcanal’s rugged, jungle-covered mountains
sits Honiara.
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Solomon Islanders are friendly, the
task force cannot let its guard down.
“While the threat level is low, it
certainly is there and we need to be
prepared to respond accordingly,”
task force CO Lt-Col Stephen
Coggin says.
Lt-Col Coggin commands
the multi-national CTF 635,
which includes soldiers from
New Zealand, PNG and Western
Australians from 13 Bde. A handful of South Australians and
Tasmanians from 9 Bde reinforce
the WA reservists.
“When we came in early
December it was the highest tempo
this operation’s had in 18 months,”
Lt-Col Coggin said of the change of
government in the country.
The important role the reservists
play in regional stability has been
noted in Canberra.
“They are providing excellent
capability, not only in the professional and technical skills, and their
ability to work with the police over
there, but they’ve also got their
civil skills,” says CA Lt-Gen Peter
Leahy.
“In that sort of environment it’s
something which is making quite a
bit of difference.”
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Army March 20, 2008
14 WORLD NEWS
Country
icon wins
new fans
By Cpl Mike McSweeney
HIS guitar was a portal to country
Australia.
Aussie music legend John
Williamson brought a touch of home
to soldiers and police serving in the
Solomon Islands during a whirlwind
tour in late February.
The two-time ARIA winner, touring with singer/songwriter daughter
Ami, Jed Zarb and WA country singer Nicki Gillis, were part of a Forces
Entertainment group for Operation
Anode.
Unassuming off stage, Mr
Williamson brought a vibrancy to the
concerts that moved even the younger, mostly West Australian soldiers.
“It was excellent,” Mr Williamson
said. “It was a fantastic vibe.”
The crowd at the final concert
True blue: John Williamson (above) cranks out the classics in the Solomons was treated to the soon-to-be-recordPhotos by LAC Guy Young ed Sidey, but it was True Blue and
with entertainer Jed Zarb (right).
Waltzing Matilda that had them all
singing along.
“Tonight was just awesome,”
driver Pte Dale Walker, 13CSSB,
said.
“I love his passion and I loved the
concert.”
Pte Walker said his mother used
to play John Williamson’s music
when he was growing up.
“He’s a legend and it was good to
meet him.”
The entertainers met more than
100 soldiers from 13 Bde and 9 Bde,
and stayed at their headquarters near
Honiara.
Ami Williamson said she didn’t
know much about the Army before
the tour but felt lucky to experience
Army life first hand, including trying
on protective equipment.
“It’s been a great opportunity
to meet the soldiers and find out
what they are doing over here,” Ms
Williamson said.
“We’re really appreciative of what
they do and they’re really appreciative of us being here.”
The final concert was played on a
flatbed truck with Guadalcanal beach
as a backdrop.
Ms Williamson showed her versatility with some opera, but had the
crowd helping out with the chorus
when she sang a folk version of The
Angles’ Am I Ever Going To See
Your Face Again.
Australian country music rising
star Nicki Gillis, who also entertained troops in Iraq, struck a cord
with her fellow West Aussies.
Each of the entertainers thanked
the troops, and said they enjoyed the
brief look into their world.
“All Aussies should be proud of
them,” Mr Williamson said.
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THEY might have been left smelling like a seal colony, but a team of
soldiers savoured victory in a Friday
Night Live contest in the Solomon
Islands.
They devoured scores of sardines as
part of a series of zany challenges in the
special edition of the game show that Big
Brother’s Mike Goldman hosted for the
soldiers and police.
Following two elimination races,
Army’s Team Karmen – named after
medic and coach Pte Karmen Sampson
– narrowly won the team event with a
peg-off, placing more pegs on their faces
than police team O-R-G.
“I’ve been running corporate events
all over Australia, but these guys really
got into it and it was probably one of
the most neck-and-neck challenges that
we’ve ever seen,” Mike Goldman said.
The television host visited the
Solomon Islands as part of a Forces
Entertainment group.
Mr Goldman’s fiancée, Tanya Arlidge,
co-hosted the event, organising the teams
to fumble with coconuts and race with
mouths full of biscuits.
“It was all good fun tonight, it went
Pegged: Pte Andrew Wright imitates
a clothesline during the games.
Photo by Cpl Mike McSweeney
really well,” Ms Arlidge said. “Everyone
had a great time, I think except for the
people that ate the sardines.”
Cpl Michael Peachey, 10/27RSAR,
said, “I’m not a huge fan of sardines but I
had to do it for the ADF.”
Individual runner-up Pte Andrew
Wright, 11/28RWAR, said he didn’t
mind sardines, and came back to help out
his mate, Pte Matthew Watters. He then
won the next elimination, stuffing more
marshmallows into his mouth than should
be legal. “It was hard and there was some
gag reflex going on but I pushed through
and got there in the end,” he said.
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Army March 20, 2008
16 CENTREPIECE
17
Teamwork: 3RAR soldiers man a machine-gun during a platoon live-fire exercise.
Watchful: Soldiers conduct dismounted vehicle drills.
At his post: An engineer helps build a mock police outpost.
Let’s go, let’s go: A 3RAR soldier commands his troops during an assault as part of the live-fire activity.
Boom time: RTF 4 diggers fire the 84mm Carl Gustav rocket launcher during training for Afghanistan.
WE’RE
READY
READ
Y
Soldiers from RTF 4 honed
their skills during a
mission rehearsal exercise
at Queensland’s Wide
Bay before their coming
deployment to Afghanistan.
Photographer Cpl Neil
Ruskin was there to
capture the action.
Double protection: Troops in Bushmasters provide security at Wide Bay Training Area during the pre-deployment training.
Tuned in: Cpl James Hintz mans the radio.
On target: An RTF 4 mortar crew practises drills in wet conditions at Wide Bay Training Area.
Army March 20, 2008
18 HISTORY
OUTLINE OF OP
PINNAROO
Hills are alive: Soldiers from D Coy, 3RAR, move towards the Long Hai hills with APCs and Centurion tanks during Operation Pinnaroo. They are
wearing flak jackets and steel helmets as protection in the heavily mined country.
Photo AWM Neg. No. BRN/68/0261/VN
Savage hills
of Long Hai
HONOUR ROLL
Two Vietnam War veterans tell Cpl Andrew
Hetherington their recollections of a major
operation that began in February 1968.
F
ORTY years ago Pte Brian
McKenzie and 2Lt Norm Bell
risked their lives patrolling
around the Long Hai hills in
Phuoc Tuy province South Vietnam.
The operation lasted six weeks and
was named Operation Pinnaroo.
In the area below the Long Hai
hills Pte Brian McKenzie, a rifleman
and member of 6 Pl, B Coy, 3RAR,
was frequently patrolling from his
base at Fire Support Base Herring.
“We were situated a little distance
away from the Long Hai hills and our
role was purely to patrol the area to
protect the base, where 161 Fd RNZ
Bty was providing fire support for the
operation,” Mr McKenzie said.
The hills and the surrounding area
contained a large underground Viet
Cong base, which concealed elements
of D445 Battalion, numbering 2000
soldiers.
“Operation Pinnaroo was very
nerve-wracking because of the mines
and the enemy minefields were placed
indiscriminately,” Mr McKenzie said.
“They used our mines after they
had lifted and redistributed them from
our minefields.”
To counter the threat, platoons
called on Army engineering specialists to clear lanes for safe travel. “I
had tremendous respect for the engineers,” Mr McKenzie said.
Mines were not the only threat. On
March 20, 1968, Mr McKenzie and
his platoon lost one of their mates to
enemy fire.
“We were on a fighting patrol
when our scout, Pte John ‘Dusty’
Rapp, came across a barb-wire fence
obstacle,” Mr McKenzie said.
“The country consisted of low but
rather thick scrub, which made our
vision difficult beyond a few metres.
“About 1030hr Pte Rapp made
a decision to cross the fence and
immediately the platoon came under
machine-gun fire and there was a loud
explosion.”
Pte Rapp died after being wounded
in the neck and chest.
“The fence became quite an obstacle as it prevented any movement forward and we were unable to recover
our mate’s body despite attempts
by our section commander and 2Lt
David Morgan attempting to do so,”
Mr McKenzie said.
“It was at this time that 2Lt
Morgan was wounded and the enemy
was throwing grenades and making
our recovery efforts impossible.
“Also our artillery was impacting on the enemy camp’s surrounds,
which was so close that shrapnel was
cutting through the trees above and
around us. The enemy tried to encircle
or outflank us but were driven back.”
The platoon called on APCs
from 3 Cav Regt for assistance, but
the M113s initially mistook Pte
McKenzie and another soldier, Ken
Mooney, as the enemy.
“The .50-cal rounds impacted
around us ... miraculously no harm
was done. I still remember the face of
As they were: 2Lt Norm Bell (above left) just before being posted
to South Vietnam in 1967, and Pte Brian McKenzie holding his SLR
a day before departing for Operation Pinnaroo.
the very apologetic crew commander
once he recognised that we were on
his side,” Mr McKenzie said.
Other elements of B Coy went
back to the location with tanks and
APCs the next day and destroyed
what was a sizable enemy camp.
In the Long Hai hills, 2Lt Norm
Bell, commander of 1 Pl, A Coy,
3RAR, performed a different role,
hunting enemy around and deep
inside the underground caves.
“We were there for six weeks
between February and March of 1968
and most of the time my platoon provided protection to the engineers and
pioneers who were clearing safe lanes
to enable us to get at the entrances to
the large limestone caves,” Mr Bell
said. “Our aim was to get access to
the caves to try to flush the enemy
out, destroy their facilities and deny
them future access.”
The engineers and pioneers often
had to enter the caves in search of
the enemy. On one occasion, Mr Bell
entered an extensive tunnel system
concealing Viet Cong emplacements.
“I went into the tunnels to see
what our soldiers were dealing with
and it was pretty scary,” he said. “It
was claustrophobic, hot, requiring that
Operation Pinnaroo was conducted in the Long Hai hills in Phuoc
Tuy province of South Vietnam
between February 27 and April
15, 1968. It was planned as a
reconnaissance-in-force operation intending to isolate the Long
Hai hills to deny the enemy use
of the area. The operation also
was the first time Centurion tanks
from 1 Armd Regt were used on
Australian task force operations
in Vietnam. What the Australian
soldiers did find during their
dangerous task was a significant
number of minefields and boobytrapped tracks. Overall Australian
casualties during the six-week
operation were 36 wounded and
10 dead. Operation Pinnaroo was
seen as a success at the time of
the Australian pull-out of the area,
clearing the Long Hai hills of the
large Viet Cong presence. Later,
after the Vietnamese regional
forces were withdrawn, Viet Cong
forces returned to the area.
you crawl on your hands and knees
and you always had the danger you
could be confronted by the enemy or
a snake.
He was surprised by what the pioneers had found.
“One contained a workshop where
the Viet Cong were sewing uniforms
and they had a number of sewing
machines set up,” he said.
“Another had large numbers of
fairly old Russian and Japanese weapons taken during the end of World War
II, large numbers of explosive devices
and unexploded bombs, which they
would re-use to make booby-traps or
roadside bombs.”
He said the Viet Cong cunningly
modified the tunnels so they could
escape from Australian soldiers by
going up or down to another level.
“The tunnels then opened out into
a cavern about the size of a medium
size lounge room; where we found
living quarters, store houses and
meeting rooms.
“It gave me a great appreciation of
how determined and innovative our
enemy was. The Vietnamese on their
own soil were absolutely dedicated
and prepared to fight and, in many
cases, were well trained to do so.”
Australians who lost their lives
on service in Vietnam between
February 6-April 13, 1968:
Feb 8: Pte G.R. Godden, 3RAR;
2Lt L.A. Taylor, 3RAR
Feb 9: Pte G.F. Mathews, 3RAR
Feb 10: T/Cpl T.J. Grose, 2RAR;
Pte J. Rogers, 2RAR
Feb 13: Sgt G.T. Baines, 1 SAS
Sqn
Feb 16: Pte K.R. Wilson, 2RAR
Feb 18: Pte T.J. De Vries Van
Leeuwen, 3RAR; Pte J.A.
Doherty, 3RAR; Spr J.E. Garrett, 1
Fd Sqn; Sgt C.W. McLachlan, 1 Fd
Sqn; LBdr J.L. Menz, Det 131 Loc
Bty; Spr A.G. Pattison, 1 Fd Sqn;
Spr D.J. Steen, 1 Fd Sqn.
Mar 1: Pte D.B. Plain, HQ 1ATF
Mar 2: Pte P.J. Lyons, 2RAR
Mar 20: Pte J.R. Rapp, 3RAR
Mar 22: Pte K.G. Coles, 3RAR;
Spr G.J. Coombs, 1 Fd Sqn; Spr
V.J. Tobin, 1 Fd Sqn
Mar 24: 2Lt J. Fraser, 3RAR
Apr 5: S/Sgt P.J Gollagher, 1 Fd
Sqn
Apr 12: Spr K.R. Nicholson, 1 Fd
Sqn RAE
Apr 13: Pte G.R. Polglase, 3RAR
The Honour Roll follows on from that published in the February 7 edition of Army.
The above information has been sourced
from On the Offensive: The Australian
Army in the Vietnam War 1967-1968
by Ian McNeill and Ashley Ekins – the
eighth volume in The Official History
of Australia’s Involvement in Southeast
Asian Conflicts 1948-1975 (Allen & Unwin
in association with the Australian War
Memorial, 2003)
DIARY ACCOUNTS
To view and download Australian
Army commanders diaries from
the Vietnam War go to http://www.
awm.gov.au/diaries/seasia/index.
asp. To view the commanders’
diary which recorded the incident
(at left) that Brian McKenzie was
involved in on March 20, 1968,
go to http://www.awm.gov.au/
cms_images/AWM95/7/AWM95-73-59.pdf and scroll down to pages
89-92 in the document.
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Army March 20, 2008
20 TRAINING
Reserves tested trans-Tasman
By 2Lt Robert Bradley
MONTHS of training paid
off for about 120 southeast
Queensland Army reservists
from 11 Bde who participated in the annual exercise
Tasman Reserve 2008 on
New Zealand’s North Island
during February.
Open spaces: A 9RQR soldier
patrols through the New Zealand
Army’s Waiouru Training Area.
Photo by 2Lt Robert Bradley
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The exercise, which fosters military links between
Australia and New Zealand,
was highlighted by a military
skills competition.
Working in platoons, the
soldiers completed various
stands around the training
area.
The competition placed
emphasis on skills that both
Australian and New Zealand
soldiers will use on deployments overseas.
Following the platoon
competition a march and
shoot was held, and the three
Australian platoons performed
admirably. One platoon took
first place in the platoon competition and another was first
in the march and shoot competition.
The contingent was led by
OC Maj Kardean Pittard and
CSM WO2 Guy Kesby.
CO 11 Bde Brig Bruce
Scott visited the contingent,
escorted by 9RQR RSM WO1
Ian D’Arcy.
“This was a great opportunity for the Australian Army
Reserve to work with NZ
forces in their environment
and to learn about the similarities and differences of our
NZ equivalent, the Territorial
Forces,” Brig Scott said.
As part of the reciprocal
exchange, 120 New Zealand
Territorial Force soldiers
deployed to Canungra Field
Training Area.
They experienced the
close country training areas
of Canungra in an exercise
designed to prepare them for
future deployments to the
Solomon Islands.
Hosted by 9RQR, the
Kiwis progressed through a
series of stands which tested
their Infantry Minor Tactics.
The exercise culminated
with the Kiwis conducting a
sub-unit cordon and search
and using the extensive ranges
in Canungra.
Peak fitness, sharp
tactics: 3RAR ready
SOLDIERS from 3RAR
h ave r e a c h e d t h e i r
peak fitness levels and
sharpened tactical skills
through demanding
training at Holsworthy.
On February 6 the soldiers began what proved
to be a vigorous training
schedule, which continued
until February 27.
C Coy’s CSM, WO2
Pete Richards, said the
training was designed to
make the battalion’s soldiers robust and able to
handle difficult situations.
“They are not triathletes, but we ensure they
maintain their battle fitness and the soldiers have
a good level of aerobic
fitness,” WO2 Richards
said.
The training scenarios
were primarily focused
on urban operations and
were run as a bull-ring
with each of the companies rotating through each
activity.
The activities consisted of a week at the range,
a week of force prep training and a week on intelligence gathering.
WO2 Richards said the
activities taught soldiers
how to deal with confrontations and gave them
experience in assessing
different situations.
“The soldiers have
been reacting to incidents which occur during
patrolling, ranging from
detainee handling through
to searching and cordoning off a building,” he
said.
Intruder: Pte Chris Forte is secured and removed by (from left) Pte Lachlan
Messner and Pte Matt Stephenson during a training scenario.
Photo by Bill Cunneen
Army March 20, 2008
TRAINING 21
French test
for soldiers
By Cpl Jane Ashby-Cliffe
SOLDIERS from 1 Bde will take part in a
multi-national exercise in New Caledonia from
March 28-April 12.
Forces from Australia, France, New Zealand,
Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu will participate in the combined joint Non-Combatant
Evacuation Operation (NEO), known as Croix Du
Sud 2008.
Maj Paul Carson, 1 Armd Regt 2IC, said a
squadron from 1 Armd Regt and a platoon from
7RAR would be engaged in the exercise.
“This will be a good chance for us to work
with different nations,” Maj Carson said. “We are
hoping to establish a very good working relationship with the French and later this year they will
come across to Darwin to see what we do.”
The scenario for Croix Du Sud 2008 involves
an intervention in an unstable environment
caused by opposing ethnic groups.
The four-phase operation will test the French
procedures to rescue, extract and withdraw the
forces involving helicopter and beach assaults.
ADF equipment and personnel will assist 120
French paratroopers to conduct the required
training to qualify for the Australian Paratrooper
Badge.
On completion of the exercise, the participants
will unwind with a friendly sports competition.
Close observation: Lt-Col Collin Fortier, Senior Observer Trainer at CTC,
joins staff in monitoring a mission rehearsal excercise from the Exercise
Control Centre.
Photo by Sgt Katrina Johnson
CTC rates
among
the best
By Capt Joe Nyhan
AUSTRALIA’S Combat Training
Centre (CTC) is world class and as
good or better than any in the US,
according to an American exchange
officer.
Lt-Col Collin Fortier will soon return
to the US after an 18-month posting to
the Townsville-based unit. He came to
Australia soon after completing two
years on operations in Iraq with the
101st Airborne Division and took on
the role of Senior Observer Trainer on
CTC’s battle staff.
Lt-Col Fortier said one of the things
that impressed him most about the CTC
was its recognition that the ordinary soldier was the key to success on operations
and in battle.
“It’s all about ... making the diggers
even better at what they do,” he said.
“The staff are always working to ensure
the battle groups and their diggers are
equipped to carry out their mission to
the utmost.”
Lt-Col Fortier has been through
combat training centres throughout the
US and Europe, but believes Australia’s
CTC is at the cutting edge of preparing
soldiers for operations.
“We have four CTCs in the US. The
Australian CTC provides world-class
training and is in the top two of all CTCs
I’ve seen,” he said.
Lt-Col Fortier said the exchange of
personnel between nations was vital to
successful joint operations and the development of future leaders.
“Exchanges such as this keep us connected as armies on a personal level as
well as on doctrinal and training levels
and I think I’ll be a better leader after
working with some of the leaders here,”
he said.
In March, during the MRE at Wide
Bay Training Area in Queensland for
the fourth rotation of the Reconstruction
Task Force, Lt-Col Fortier was honoured with a Land Commander’s
Commendation.
He expressed his admiration for
Australian soldiers.
“They’re open and honest and I
haven’t seen one who hasn’t given it 100
per cent,” he said.
Lt-Col Fortier hopes to take some
“digger spirit” with him when he takes
command of his own battalion later in
the year.
“Even in adverse situations, most
Australian diggers handle things with a
smile. It would be nice to inject some of
that spirit back home.”
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Army March 20, 2008
22 FEATURES
Easy does it: Cdt Cpl Nicholas Winters, 47 ACU Loud and clear: Two NT Cadets keep the lines
SA, climbs up the ropes to the top of the obstacle of communication open supervised by LCpl Jamie
at the Holsworthy course
Photo by Tpr Michael Franchi Akers (centre) at Robertson Barracks, in preparation
for CA’s Challenge.
Photo by Gnr Shannon Joyce
True grit: Cdt Cpl Katilin Champion, 72 ACU NT, crawls out of the barbed wire
on the obstacle course at Holsworthy Barracks.
Photo by Tpr Michael Franchi
Where to from here: CUO Richard Cherry, 308 ACU Vic, gives his orders to his team at the beginning
of CA’s Challenge.
Photo by Tpr Michael Franchi
Cadets rise to
CA’s challenge
By Capt Ben Robinson (AAC)
NOT mud, water, obstacle courses,
night insertion and navigation, not
weariness and fatigue nor rations
on the run could stop 80 Cadets
from accepting CA’s Challenge.
They came from all over
Australia to Holsworthy, forming
up in teams of 10, each representing
one of the eight Australian Army
Cadet regions across the country.
The only thing on their minds
was winning the CA’s Challenge for
their unit and their state.
“It’s a prestigious award,” Cdt
WO2 Travis Grundell said before
the contest. “I’m expecting to be
really challenged but I want to have
some fun along the way.”
The Cadets were required to
assist in a UN Mission, beginning
on March 8, conducting surveillance
operations starting with a night
insertion. Each section was to night
navigate to an AO and from there
begin operations.
In the early hours of the morning
the sections had to find cached rebel
stores. They were then directed to a
range fire activity.
“It was a great opportunity to
fire under the supervision of professional soldiers,” said Cdt LCpl
Laura Bailey. “I really enjoyed the
range activity.”
Assessment of the Cadets had
begun at the moment of their insertion into the challenge and they
Ultimate winners: CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy with the West Australian
team which was lead by CUO Hayden Wolfgram.
Photo by Tpr Michael Franchi
were watched closely as they reconnoitred a ransacked food distribution centre and were given instructions that brought them, through the
night, to the Holsworthy Obstacle
Course. According to CUO Craig
Stephens, the Obstacle Course was
a highlight of the weekend.
“It both pushed each of the individuals to test their limits, and also
brought them together as a team as
they had to understand each other’s
strengths and weaknesses to achieve
their goals,” he said.
Winners of the CA Challenge
were the Western Australian team.
South Queensland won the RSM-A
Trophy for Drill.
Presenting the awards, CA Lt-
Gen Peter Leahy said he was particularly interested to see that the
activity could readily fit both its
military context through its realistic portrayal of Army training and
wider community values in providing cadets with a valuable experience in teamwork, persistence and
goal achievement.
“It was impressive to see the
dedication of the Cadets and the
determination put in by all of the
teams,” he said.
“It’s important for the Army to
continue to support Army Cadets
as these young people are the future
leaders of Australia; not only in the
ADF but also in the wider community.”
Army March 20, 2008
LETTERS 23
Give us more
incentives
HERE are some retention ideas
for those government sections
responsible for keeping the green
greener.
1. Make a tax-free incentive for
continuing service rather than tax
the all-goodness out of it.
2. Push to get dependant family members to access free medical
through the 1800 IMSICK resource.
3. Allow members to opt for living in or renting out their investment
property when being posted into the
same location as the house.
4. Introduce a national vehicle
registration (maintenance standard
and one fixed price) and licence
scheme for members and their vehicles to stop the constant transfer
from one state to another on posting. (Model it on the most stringent state requirements.) This will
allow current state transport agencies to administer the scheme but
the revenue will go to the Federal
Government and members will have
less stress because their vehicles and
licences are good to go.
5. Give Defence families free
child care or at a minimum 75 per
cent rebate on childcare fees. (My
wife and I are both serving members.)
These are just some ideas that
come to mind. I know that the official responses will have the doctrinal
answer, but when does the discharge
rate outweigh the financial expenditure to keep quality soldiers in?
I believe there are sections within the system that could look at and
implement these ideas, because they
are the ones who keep shooting letters like this down, saying that it
can’t be done for whatever reason.
Help us so we can do our job without worrying about what the pay
will go towards this time.
Cpl Rick Turner
ATW - AAvnTC
Oakey, Queensland
Pip Taylor, Recruitment and Retention
Implementation Staff, responds:
THANKS for your ideas on retention – it’s great to see some constructive suggestions, and in a
lot of ways you’ve been thinking
along the same lines as the people
at this end. On the other hand,
a couple of the suggestions just
won’t fly. Here are the responses
to your ideas from the relevant
areas, in the order you listed
them:
1. Defence does its best to minimise imposts on ADF members when
introducing bonuses and allowances, and about 85 per cent of allowances paid by Defence that attract
FBT are excluded from FBT reporting on members’ payment summaries. Defence pays the FBT liability in all cases, so public money is
already being spent supporting ADF
members. But there is an expectation that the personal income tax
burden will be shared evenly, and in
the end the Treasury decides which
allowances will be excluded from
taxation and which will not.
Daddy’s back: A writer suggests that free child care might help
members’ retention.
Photo by Gnr Shannon Joyce
2. The current Government
brought with it a commitment to
extend free basic medical and dental care to spouses and children of
ADF members. Right now Defence
is working on options to meet this
commitment, with the initial focus
being on families in remote and
regional areas.
3. The purpose of housing assistance is to facilitate the mobility of
the ADF by providing accommodation to ADF members and their
dependants in posting locations
where they do not own a suitable
home. Defence supports this goal
by providing a range of subsidies
and entitlements, and from July
the new Defence Home Ownership
Assistance Scheme will provide even
greater benefits for many members.
But where a member owns a suitable home in the posting location, it
would not normally be considered
reasonable for the Commonwealth
to spend extra money, in effect, subsidising their personal investment
strategy. To do so could jeopardise
the concessional tax treatment the
loan scheme and housing assistance
currently attract.
4. Vehicle registrations and drivers’ licences are a state/territory
responsibility. Defence has been discussing national standards with the
relevant authorities in each state,
but depends on the states and territories reaching their own agreement
– and they haven’t yet achieved this.
However, there has been progress in
recent years over the cost of transferring registration and licences
between states, which the states/territories have made cost-neutral for
people relocating.
5. If Defence were to provide
free child care it would attract
FBT, affect members’ eligibility for
some government family assistance
benefits, and impact on members
who pay child support (as it would
be included in their payment summary). As a result it may be more
beneficial to higher income earners than to those on lower incomes
– not quite the equitable outcome
you’d expect on the face of it. The
current Defence Child Care program assists mobile ADF families in
many ways such as offering priority
of placements, and FBT-exempt salary sacrificing is available in some
circumstances.
The government already subsidises the cost of child care through
the Child Care Benefit and Child
Care Rebate, which will both
increase on July 1. The rebate will
increase to 50 per cent of out-ofpocket expenses up to $7500 per
child in approved care. This is a significant subsidy for most families,
particularly those on lower incomes,
and many ADF families find that
they are financially better off than
with the Defence provisions.
Naturally, Defence is always
looking into new ideas to make it
easier for members to make that
all-important decision to stay Army.
Other schemes that are being developed or improved at the moment
include help for kids changing
schools, assistance for spouses looking for a job in their new location,
and continuing to reform the OR
pay structure. If you’re interested
in keeping up to date with what’s
going on, the Stay Army website is
an excellent first port of call.
6%()#,%3!,!290!#+!').'!4 No way to live
I AM preparing to deploy overseas with
my unit and have become concerned
with our conditions of service with
respect to living-in members deploying
for periods of six months or longer.
As a living-in member, and as a section commander with a number of my soldiers being living-in members, I believe
that the current policy of soldiers not
being entitled to maintain their accommodation while deployed is simplistic
and outdated.
I fully understand that while I am
deployed overseas, the Army believes I
am not entitled to accommodation within
barracks in Australia as my equipment
and I are accommodated elsewhere.
When this condition of service was
set, I have no doubt that it was merely
commonsense, however, the days of a
rifleman packing all his worldly goods
into a trunk, an echelon bag and a pack
and deploying overseas are gone.
Young, single living-in members
own just as many possessions as their
living-out counterparts, and storage at
Commonwealth expense must surely be
an expensive option for the ADF in the
case of a company, battalion or larger
sized deployment.
Having said that, I am sure most people would agree with me when I say that
the single best part about returning home
from operations is just that: returning to
a home. When soldiers have had their
possessions stored during a deployment,
and have no accommodation to call their
own, all they have to look forward to is
transit lines until suitable accommodation
is made available to them. They do not
even really have access to their possessions until a removal to their new livingin accommodation.
In the current climate of post-deployment retention, surely this is an issue
worth addressing. Simply having somewhere to hang your hat and call home is
possibly of more value to our soldiers
than financial retention incentives and
service medals ever will be.
Cpl Charles Allan
Spt Coy, 3RAR
Holsworthy Barracks
Robert McKellar, Director Housing and
Removals Policy, responds:
THE policy on the requirement for members without dependants to vacate their
living-in accommodation or rent allowance accommodation when deployed for
more than six months has recently been
reviewed. However, the implementation
of any changes to this policy is contingent upon the decisions of Defence senior
committees and the allocation of necessary funds.
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Army March 20, 2008
24 PEOPLE
Milestone: Lt-Col Jennifer Cotton, CO QUR, Sgt Elona Drain and Brig
Bruce Scott, Comd 11 Bde, in front of the ‘Golden Typewriter’ awarded to Sgt
Drain for 30 years’ service to the ADF. Sgt Drain joined the Women’s Royal
Australian Army Corps in 1978 and was originally a member of the Corps of
Transport before being converted to the RAAOC.
Cold comfort: Sun slowly setting in the background, OC Combat Team Waler Maj Chris McKay (left) and
Lt Sam Hattar (right) set up stretchers in the cold evening air after a day patrolling in the southern desert
of Al Muthanna.
Photo by Cpl Rob Nyffenegger
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At the ready: WO2 Tania Harmer begins the day at the Medical Civil Action
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Like this: Spr Buddy Usher, 3CER, explains power drill techniques to a
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Army March 20, 2008
PERSONNEL 25
Views on Appointment a first
retention
sought
By Capt Dale Hopcraft
HISTORY has been made
with the appointment of the
Army’s first female combat
engineer sergeant.
SOLDIERS, their families
and civilians working in Army
have been invited to brainstorm
about retention.
T h e D e f e n c e S t r a t eg i c
Retention Framework (DSRF)
project team recently conducted focus groups to gain service
members’ insight into retention.
“Defence needs its people more than its people need
Defence,” one member said.
All permanent and reserve
personnel, public servants working in Army and their families,
can make submissions to the
project team.
“While much has been done
to improve retention, we need
to ensure that the most suitable, cost effective approaches
are identified, implemented and
maintained across Defence,”
project leader, Air-Cdre Ken
Birrer said.
He said while the Defence
Home Ownership Assistance
Scheme and Military
Superannuation were important, other factors including pay,
career management, housing and
HAVE YOUR SAY
All submissions to the
DSRF will be confidential,
and will only be used in the
project. Submissions can be
sent by email to michaele.
jones@defence.gov.au or
by mail to: DSRF Project;
BP33-4-029; Brindabella Park,
Piallago ACT 2600. Inquiries
should be directed to WgCmdr Bryan Teisseire on (02)
6127 2184.
the work-life balance, should be
harmonised to maximise the benefit to the member and Army.
The DSRF was commissioned within People Strategies
and Policy, previously known as
the Personnel Executive, to identify an enduring, cost-effective
policy framework to improve
retention.
The project aimed to align
retention activities to retain the
skills, knowledge, expertise
and experience needed to meet
Defence’s current and future
capability needs.
3
Case Study 3
Bank interest
$42,500
Weekly amount
$817/wk
to ensure that the regiment
continues to maintain the skills
necessary to sustain the corps’
heavy crushing capability.
Sgt Ince said she had
always been of the belief that
hard work always paid off and
her advice to other females
within the CE stream who
wished to rise up through the
ranks was “if you want to do
it, go for it”.
income for life... that’s financial fitness.
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In her new role as troop
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Imagine having enough assets to create
Phil is considering buying a property.
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Well done: Recently promoted Sgt Fiona Ince is congratulted by 22 Const Regt CO LtCol John Raike.
Photo by Cpl David Chapman
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At 22 Const Regt’s last
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Sgt Fiona Ince.
What paved the way for
Sgt Ince’s promotion was
last year’s review of the RAE
trades streams that resulted
in several amendments to the
manual of employment.
These changes now allow
combat engineer servicewomen to be employed in all RAE
ECN, but they are precluded
from serving in ARA squadrons of combat engineer regiments.
Sgt Ince enlisted in the
Army Reserve in 1997 and
from the start had her sights
set on working her way up
the ranks. She has always
been posted to 22 Const
Regt, but her service has
included an 18-month stint on
CFTS as an instructor at the
Watermanship and Bridging
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Engineering, Moorebank, and
she also completed the ARA
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In her civilian career, Sgt
Ince recently gained the position of a chief engineer within
Defence Materiel Organisation
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Rent to pay to live
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Total outlay
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$125/wk
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Army March 20, 2008
26 LIFESTYLE
DIKKO
By Bob Dikkenberg
CROSSWORD
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
1. In the solar system, what is the fifth planet from the sun?
2. Who painted the Mona Lisa?
3. What is date of St Patrick’s Day?
Answers
1. Jupiter 2. Leonardo da Vinci 3. March 17 4. New York 5. Jens Stoltenberg 6.
Barcelona, Spain 7. Abu Dhabi 8. 238 9. 17 10. Four from: Graham Chapman,
John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.
4. In what state was the
Australian-United States
actor Mel Gibson born?
5. Who is the prime minister of
Norway?
6. Which city and country played
host to the 1992 summer
Olympic Games?
7. What is the capital of the
United Arab Emirates?
8. What’s 14 x 17?
9. How many sides does a
heptadecagon have?
10. Name four of the creators of
the Monty Python’s Flying
Circus TV show.
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5 Japan’s Capital
6 Anger
7 Underwater navigational
aid
9 Sweat profusely
10 Mafia boss
11 Unity
12 Prefix, distant
17 Talk
19 Fled
21 Begone
23 Vanquish
25 Revel noisily
26 Encore
27 Overjoy
29 Mosquito
30 An anaesthetic
32 Road surfacing
34 Cloth measure
36 Atomic particle
37 Teach
38 Pain
39 Destiny
40 Eyelid hair
41 Green porcelain
45 Firmament
46 Rub out
47 Artist’s stand
48 Apex
49 Hindu garment
50 Press clothes
52 Towards the centre
53 Back of neck
56 Expire
Solution
If you can think of a
clever, witty caption
to this picture, email
captioncomp@
defencenews.gov.au
with “caption competition
March 20” in the subject
line. Keep entries under
25 words. Entries must
include the sender’s
name, rank, unit and
postal address. The
winner will be published
on April 17.
% p.a.*
for 6 months
www.defcredit.com.au
*This rate is only available on funds that are not currently deposited with Defcredit. Rates are
based upon minimum deposit of $50,000, are correct at the time of printing and are subject to
change. Conditions apply, please refer to the Products and Services Conditions of Use. Fees
and charges may also apply, please refer to the Fees and Charges Schedule for details.
Defence Force Credit Union Limited
ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL 234582
58 Origin
59 Willow
60 Halt
61 Interior
62 Conger
63 Telephone
Say again, over
Term Deposit
To invest in a Defcredit Term Deposit,
call 1800 033 139 or visit your local branch.
DEF1225_AANN
ACROSS
1 Slops
5 It is
8 English race course
3 An age
14 Idiot
15 Diminish
16 Hurl
18 Knowledge
19 Repulse
20 Bliss
22 Sea ear
24 Detestable
26 Prayer ending
28 Relax
31 Creamy, iced confection
33 Money charged on
loans
35 Act on each other
39 Wool
42 Require
43 Belgian river
44 Cinema employee
49 Adhesive decal
51 Windborne
54 Series
55 Commercials
57 Black and white
Chinese animal
And the winner from February 21 is ...
No-one knew how
many months the
ostrich egg had
lain in the sun, so
they thought it
best to take precautions.
LCdr Annete Nelson
Campbell Park
Congratulations, you’ll
receive a copy of
Battle Order 204 by
Christopher Mattingley
We also liked ...
“Now watch carefully
what happens when it
hits the fan guys!”
Capt Gavin Murphy
Enoggera
“No, I’m not convinced.
I still think it’s easier to
wear deodorant when
playing sport.
PO David Vowell
RAAF Pearce
Jeeeeze cobber, them
Kiwis could do with a
shower.
WO1 Wayne Small
HQJOC
Army March 20, 2008
LIFESTYLE 27
SWEATY PALMS
Got a poker face?
World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for
the Bracelets
Activision
Xbox 360/PS3/PS2/PC PG
By Sean Roberts
3.5
ONSIDERING how easy it is to download
free card games, you have to question
spending top dollar on a next-gen edition
of Poker. So what is it that will give you your
money’s worth once you’ve dished out your
hard-earned cash? I’ll hedge my bet on two
things: novelty and online competition.
The novelty factor becomes evident quite
quickly. The tournaments in Vegas are presented just as the televised series with commentators and camera work which emulates the
show. Rather than simply displaying your cards
on screen, the player has to hold a button to
covertly peek at what they’re holding, which is
pointless but entertaining.
It gets deeper once you plug in an Xbox Live
Vision Camera which can be used to photograph your face and digitally map yourself to put
you at the table for real.
The AI is decent but online is where the real
action is. You can’t play with real money but
this doesn’t affect the fun that can be had with
human players. The graphics might be on the
poor side and the voice acting pretty terrible but
it’s doubtful you’ll pick this title up with either of
these factors in mind.
C
Bug problem: It’s vital you kill the Akrid for their thermal energy.
Hunting for energy
Lost Planet
Capcom
PS3/Xbox 360/PC M
3.5
By LS Yuri Ramsey
I
T’S the future and humanity
has finally reached the stars.
We have colonised a planet
called E.D.N III.
However, it’s far from a
Garden of Eden. In reality it’s a
bitterly cold, freezing wasteland
of snow and ice.
You need to hike across
E.D.N III, taking on Akrid
(big bugs) and pirates with
the help of giant robots called
Vital Suits. Throw in the odd
epic boss-battle now and again
and you have the elements for a
rather standard shooter.
To be a bit different, instead
of ‘life’, your character relies
on T-ENG or thermal energy
needed to stay alive in the cold
environments. Your T-ENG is
consumed rapidly and constantly so it serves to give each level
a sense of urgency, keeping you
moving on the hunt for more
T-ENG. Fortunately it’s not that
hard to find as all enemies leave
behind pools of T-ENG after
you destroy them.
The Vital Suits are great fun
to use. They are very powerful, being equipped with miniguns, rocket launchers and rail
guns. They come in different
configurations that allow you to
fly for short periods, transform
into a snow-mobile or perform
higher jumps.
The downside is it doesn’t
take much to destroy them, so
most of your time is spend slogging through knee-deep snow
on foot.
Lost Planet is a good game
but considering it came out
more than a year ago on the
Xbox 360 it has kind of lost its
appeal. If you’re interested in
an arcady shooter for your PS3
that can give you a few hours of
light entertainment, Lost Planet
is probably worth a look.
Get into the action: Online mode is
where Battle for the Bracelets shines.
Quirky: Disgaea is a fine strategy romp.
Dark, funny tale
Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
4
Koei
PSP PG
By Sean Roberts
HIS is a port of an older PS2 game that
has been improved and funnelled onto the
PSP platform. Don’t let this dissuade you;
Disgaea is a deep, quirky, addicting turn-based
strategy romp.
As the Prince of the Netherworld you are
woken from deep sleep to discover your father
has died and you have missed your chance at the
throne. What follows is a darkly funny tale with a
sharp “anime” visual style that features art with
so much character it doesn’t require a manga
enthusiast to appreciate it.
The gameplay is made up of moving yourself and assorted minions in turns on isometric
grids that make up the games levels. From here
it would seem the usual tactical fare but the game
throws curveballs at you in the form of proximity based combo attacks, geo symbols that apply
effects to certain areas of the grid, and the ability
to pick up and even toss other units.
Should this be your cup of tea, Disgaea for
PSP is enormous value given the newly added
multiplayer mode and ability to keep playing
almost indefinitely. And who could dislike a game
that features psychotic knife wielding penguin
minions that can be chucked like grenades.
T
Exclusive benefit program for ADF and Police Association Members
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Join now & enjoy a 20% saving on accommodation at over 120 Accor hotels and resorts throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands.
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Representing a technological
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These hotels and apartments
offer spacious comfort and
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their locations.
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Each hotel is unique in style
offering a warm friendly
welcome reflecting their
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For further information call 61 2 9280 9536 or join online at
All Seasons Hotels offer distinctive
personalities, friendly service and
flawless attention to detail in
holiday, country and city locations.
Friendly helpful staff, comfortable
rooms, services and amenities that
make your stay more enjoyable.
Hotels the way you like them.
Army March 20, 2008
28 LIFESTYLE
OFF THE SHELF
REV UP
Quality uncompromised
Duty First: A History of
the Royal Australian
Regiment
Edited by David Horner
and Jean Bou
Allen and Unwin $50
By Cliff Curran
T
HIS book tells the
story of the RAR
in an easy-to-read,
informal style, even though
it is laden with facts which
would usually bog down
the reader.
I read Duty First in just
over two days and, as an
ex-1RAR (Vietnam) veteran, I found it a riveting
and informative read.
Written by various
authors and edited by historians David Horner and
Jean Bou, Duty First highlights the importance the
government must put on
the training, equipment and
money needed by the RAR
to achieve its missions.
Duty First tells how
from Korea onwards, the
RAR overcame the lack of
equipment and funding to
set the standard on jungle
warfare, which included
stealth, patience and units
which supported each other
to an exceptional degree.
The book successfully
argues that present and
future governments must
ensure adequate funding
and equipment to ensure
the RAR can do its job,
adapt to changing roles,
and further its education
and training to a high
standard.
Its analysis of the
RAR’s history and its role
in world affairs is better
than other books on the
subject.
This is the second edition of the book, which
was first released in 1990,
and has two extra chapters
that cover from that date
to the present. To incorporate the extra text, the
editors cut out parts of the
first edition to fit within
the page limits, yet this
has not compromised the
book’s quality.
SLIPPED DISC
By Cpl Andrew Hetherington
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone
Complex the Laughing Man
4
By LS Yuri Ramsey
T
aking place in a future, people have
replaced parts or even their entire
bodies with cybernetic systems.
The internet is now accessed directly
by people’s cyber-brains, which allows
skilled hackers, i.e. the Laughing Man,
to hack people’s cybernetic systems
to make them see and do what he/she
wants.
It’s up to our main characters (all
cybernetic to some degree) to capture the
elusive cyber-criminal.
Animation and storytelling is top
notch. This DVD actually compresses
nine hours of the acclaimed Anime
series of the same name into a seamless
2½-hour film.
It’s a great introduction to the series.
ANNUAL RA REVIEW
Defence Housing Australia (DHA) wish to advise you that the
annual Rent Allowance review will commence in April 2008.
Price: $39,990 + on-road costs.
Power: 169kW of power @
5200rpm and 320Nm of torque
@ 2800rpm from a 2.5-litre
DOHC turbo boxer engine.
0/100km/h: 5.8 seconds.
Fuel consumption and
type: Premium Unleaded 95
10.7L/100km (combined).
CO2 emissions: 252 grams/km.
Safety: All wheel drive, anti-lock
brakes with electronic brake
force distribution, brake assist,
vehicle dynamics control, six
airbags and a five-star ANCAP
occupant protection rating.
For: Marvellous acceleration for
a car in this price range, great
handling, extensive standard
equipment list, looks great and
instant street cred.
Against: Materials used on the
dash look a little cheap and luggage space is a little small.
Best suit: Anyone who wants
a bargain hot hatch needing to
carve through the city traffic and
can still comfortably cruise the
highway with passengers and
luggage with power to spare.
Insurance: $2921 for 12-month
comprehensive insurance for
a 25-year-old male living in
Sydney.
My rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.
F
or WRX fans, me included,
the release of the latest incarnation of Subaru’s iconic
bargain performance hot hatch was
eagerly anticipated.
Various body shapes and engines
have made the WRX one of the
most sought-after performance cars
on Australian streets for 15 years.
Externally, Subaru has subdued
the aggressiveness of its styling
a little, making it more appealing
for more potential buyers outside
the typical WRX-buyer age group.
The whole car has had a facelift,
creating a body shape with minimal sharp edges, which works well
– creating a sleek hatch with modern curves. It’s shod with 17-inch
alloy wheels and low-profile rubber, offering ridiculous grip levels,
inducing huge grins and mad scientist-like laughs.
Internally, the driver and front
seat passenger are restrained on
sports seats, covered in a hard-wearing black fabric, which have just
enough side bolstering to hug you
as you turn into and accelerate out
of every tight corner you can find.
In-dash instruments are dominated
by a large rev counter, which constantly reminds you of the huge
amount of torque at your disposal
from a very low, useable 2800rpm.
The driver is given feedback from
the road through a leather-clad
wheel, featuring well thought-out
stereo and cruise-control buttons.
The review is to establish if there have been any changes
to your domestic circumstances that would affect your Rent
Allowance.
If you are currently in receipt of Rent Allowance, you might
receive a statement, letter and reply paid envelope. If you
receive a letter from DHA you will need to respond by the
advised cut-off date.
CV Writing
$250
Professionally written by ex Army human
resource managers
You will need to complete the statement and provide details
about your current rental situation.
Specialists in creating CV’s for ex military
people interested in humanitarian (UN
and NGO’s) and commercial work
overseas
It is important you respond to this review. If you do not
respond, then, after establishing a non-operational situation
with your unit, with the support of Defence, your Rent
Allowance will be ceased until a response is received.
Further assistance available
Phone: 1300 733 613
Email: hrm@professionalservicesolutions.net
Web: www.professionalservicesolutions.net
hmaC079608
Photo by Cpl Andrew Hetherington
Rex pleases
Subaru WRX 5door hatchback
Great introduction to series
Madman Entertainment
160 min $34.95 M
Iconic: Instant street cred, this is more than just a facelift.
The remainder of the dash is
a new and simple design, similar
to the company’s Tribeca and new
Forrester range, accommodating an
MP3-compatible in-dash six-CD
player and climate control air-conditioning. All switches are easy
to read, reach and use. At night,
in-cabin lighting is provided by
roof-mounted map lights. Exterior
lighting features fog lights and selflevelling xenon headlamps with
washers, instilling a level of nightdriving confidence I had not experienced before. Cabin leg room is
above average for this class of car.
Luggage room in the back is a little
small, but can be increased by folding down the 60-40 split rear seats.
From the time of getting behind
the wheel, you will want to exploit
every one of the 169 kilowatts
and 320 newton metres of torque
you have access to through the
accelerator pedal and slick-shifting
five-speed gear box. The 2.5-litre
boxer loves to be revved and kept
above 3000rpm, is never disappointing and provides eye-bulging
acceleration and composed cruising.
Handling is surefooted and body
roll through corners is a little more
than I expected, but is not unnerving. You can still throw the car into
wet corners, knowing you will exit
the other side much faster than other
non-AWD cars without losing grip.
The 2008 WRX is another great
evolution of a great cult car, sold
at a bargain price and created to
impress a wider buying audience.
Army March 20, 2008
LIFESTYLE 29
PHYSICAL FACTORS
Pushing yourself
Lt Rob Orr examines the muscles involved, and the
correct technique, when doing push-ups.
P
erhaps the most well-known
exercise in the ADF is the
push-up; it can be performed at
home, is part of the BFA and is
a PTI’s favourite reward.
Muscles used: There are a range
of muscles we develop every time we do
push-ups. These are:
Prime movers: Pectoralis major
(chest), anterior deltoid (front of the
shoulder), serratus anterior (fingerlike muscles along your ribs below
your chest) and triceps brachii (back
of your upper arm).
Stabilisers: Abdominals, erector
spinae (lower back).
Technique: The basis of an effective, safe push-up is body alignment.
With this in mind we will break down
the alignment areas into segments:
The head: The head should be held
in a neutral position – in the fully lowered position the nose touches the floor
first. If the head is tilted back (looking
up) excess strain is placed across the
neck and breathing can become more
difficult. Many people tend to look
under themselves at their feet. This again
places stress across your neck and causes
you to round your shoulders, adding
stress to your upper back. More importantly, for those being tested, a lowered
head causes a false sense of upper arm
depth.
The hips: Almost all shoulder and
lower back pains felt during or after
push up training is caused by hip alignment. The hips provide a pivot point
between your upper back and heels. For
correct alignment your hips should be
in a straight line between your heels and
shoulders and slightly curled inwards.
Holding this position requires abdominal
endurance. It is the lack of this abdominal endurance that leads to lower back
injury – the hips sag, thereby increasing
the lumbar (lower back) curve which in
turn shifts the central pivot point from
hips to lower back.
Alternately, by raising your hips you
place greater shearing forces across your
shoulders in the lowered position. The
correct lowered position has your body
in a horizontal position. If, however,
your hips are raised your upper body is
no longer horizontal but diagonal. This
changes the body weight distribution
more to the upper body and causes your
humerus (bone of the upper arm) to
grind against the front of your shoulder
capsule as your body weight, combined
with gravity, forces the bone into the
capsule.
Breathing: You should breathe each
repetition out on the up (main exertion)
and in on the way down.
Range of motion: As with all
resistance training exercises, the push up
should be performed throughout the full
range of motion, that is up until the arms
are just short of locked out and down
until the nose touches the floor.
Push-ups on the knees: The
technique for this version of push-up is
the same except that alignment is now
from shoulders through hips to knees and
the weight moved is slightly less.
Next edition we will look at the variations in hand and foot placement.
Practice does not make perfect …
Perfect practice makes perfect.
You’ll hurt yourself: Cpl Jason Akarana, RAAF
PTI, displays the wrong push-up position (above).
Proper technique: Cpl Akarana demonstrates
the correct position for the perfect push-up (right).
Photo by LAC Aaron Curran
Victorian Military Health
Conference 2008 >>
Future Military Medicine —
the Role of Defence Health Services
in Future War
WHEN
Saturday 3 May 2008
WHERE
Victoria Barracks, St Kilda Road, Melbourne
WHO
Tri-Service Health Personnel of all ranks
are welcome
REGISTRATION
FREE Registration
Registration closes 18 April 2008
ENQUIRIES
Telephone: 03 9827 0960
Email: admin@platformpersonnel.com
Speakers in attendance:
RADM Graeme Shirtley RFD — Surgeon General ADF
AVM Tony Austin AM — Head Defence Health Services Division
The Victorian Military Health Conference 2008 is proudly
sponsored by Defence Reserves Support.
For further information:
Call 1800 803485 or visit www.defence.gov.au/reserves
Australia’s Reserve Forces
Army March 20, 2008
30 SPORT
Finale
on at
Ainslie
By Barry Rollings
CANBERRA’s Ainslie
Oval will be the venue
again for the Australian
Services Australian
Fo o t b a l l A s s o c i a t i o n
Championships in April
before the titles move to
Melbourne’s Whitten Oval
next year.
Team mates: Sgt Adam Spry, 1 CSR, (left) and Pte Gary Robertson, 1 Avn Regt, in Canberra during the Australian Hockey League tournament.
Photo by LAC Aaron Curran
Sticking together
By Barry Rollings
ARMY’S hockey brothers-in-arms Sgt
Adam Spry and Cfn Gary Robertson
took their camaraderie to the next
level when they represented the NT
Stingers in the Australian Hockey
League (AHL) tournament.
Sgt Spry, 1CSR, captained the
Stingers, while Cfn Robertson, 1 Avn
Regt, was making his AHL debut. Both
play for East Darwin in club competition.
The tournament was played in
Canberra from February 25 to March 8.
For 26-year hockey veteran Sgt
HOCKEY RESULTS
Victoria 6 b NT 0, WA 3 b NT 0,
Queensland 8 b NT 0, SA 3 b NT 2,
Tasmania 4 b NT 1, ACT 4 b NT 2,
NSW 7 b NT 0.
Spry – who toured Fiji in 2006 with the
Australian Country representative side
– it was his third year playing in the
AHL but the first as captain.
He described the NT performance at
this year’s event as “fair”; pointing out
that the team was not blessed with the
opportunity for a great deal of preparation or the playing depth.
“Our best result at AHL level was
our sixth last year,” Sgt Spry said.
“This year we began slowly but
improved with every game.
“This has definitely been the toughest AHL tournament I have contested,
being a two-week tournament instead of
being held over eight weeks.
“When you include the fact that it
is an Olympic year and all the younger,
elite players are here vying for selection,
that makes it just a little bit harder.”
Cfn Robertson described his hockey
background as short.
He played for two years in Cessnock
but had two years off when first joined
the Army. Since then he has played for
four years in Darwin. Twice he has represented the ADF in hockey and three
times for the NT ADF team.
Cfn Robertson, an inside-forward at
club level, played as a forward for the
AHL event.
“I found it slick and fast; the best
hockey I have seen,” he said.
“I expected it would be quick and
knew I would be nervous but it was
faster than I expected.”
His aspirations are “to go as far as I
can in the sport and keep enjoying it”.
The championships will
be held from April 18-22
with Army defending both
the Jim Smail Trophy for
men and the Grant Ledger
Cup for women.
Organisers will be well
pleased if the event proves
as successful as last year
when all three Services
recorded wins and the title
was decided in Army’s
favour on percentages.
After an opening ceremony at 11am on April 18,
Army and Air Force women
and men will face off in the
opening games at noon and
2.15pm respectively.
On April 20, the loser of
the opening women’s game
will face Navy at noon, with
the men’s loser also facing
Navy at 2.15pm.
N av y w i l l t a ke t h e
field again on April 22 at
noon and 2.15pm when its
women will play the winner
of the opening game and the
men also play the fir-game
winner.
The post carnival presentation function will be held
at Ainslie Football Club on
April 22.
A pre-carnival briefing
at 4pm on Thursday, April
17 at a venue to be advised
will focus on the umpires’
interpretation of rules.
T h e A S A FA a n n u a l
meeting will be held during
the carnival, on April 20 at
about 8.30am.
ASAFA officials are
pursuing other options for
a representative game this
year because the annual
match against the National
Emergency services team
has been cancelled.
Army March 20, 2008
SPORT 31
Gymnastics on
a motorbike
From Page 32
Cpl Apps has finished second
and third in numerous competitions
and is seeking a win in 2008.
His skills have been harnessed
through his instruction on drivers’
courses offered by the ADF and his
current posting to 7 Sig Regt.
“Being in the ADF has helped
my motorcycling, especially
because I’m in RACT,” he said.
“I really enjoy getting out on the
bikes and teaching others how to
ride on drivers’ courses and things
like that.”
The ADF Motorcycle
Association is open to any member,
regardless of experience, and has
assisted Cpl Apps’ involvement in
the sport.
“Join the ADFMA and make
sure you’re aware on ADF policy on
sport,” Cpl Apps said.
“Just because you do something
extreme like ride bikes, don’t automatically think you can’t do it.”
OFFICIAL POLICY
Freestyle motocross not an
approved ADF sport. Participation
in non-approved sports requires
chain of command concurrence.
Recognition as an elite sports
participant may entitle ADF personnel to be eligible for additional
support such as special posting
considerations, additional leave,
provisions for attending training
and special rationing.
ADF personnel participating
in other than approved ADF or
single-Service sports may not be
eligible for compensation, public
liability or income protection.
ADF policy recognises the value
of participation in elite sports at
the national and international
level.
The ADF policy on sport can be
found in DI(G) Pers 14-2.
SPORTS SHORTS
Road races in April
Flat out: Capt Kirstan Hoppitt, AFSU, (left) and WO2 Gavin Wickham starred in the inaugural long course
triathlon championship held at Huskisson on the South Coast.
Photos by Capt Brendan Robinson
Wickham wows ‘em
ARMY’s WO2 Gavin Wickham
was the standout performer at the
Australian Defence Sports Triathlon
Association’s recent inaugural long
course triathlon championship at
Huskisson on the NSW south coast.
The titles were run in conjunction
with the 2008 Australian Long Course
Triathlon Championships, with 11 personnel from the ADF and APS vying
for the Defence crowns.
The event comprised a 2km swim,
83km bike ride and a 20km run.
WO2 Wickham, ALTC, won in 3hr
59min and 4sec (27:58 swim, 2:10:48
bike ride and 1:17:42 run), more than
25min ahead of second placegetter, Pte
Stuart Borwickm, 39 ADE, in 4:24:21
(35:43, 2:22:02, 1:26:35).
WO2 Wickham finished an impressive 19th overall in the Australian
championship, which boasted a hot
field of elite competitors including
former Australian long course champion and runner-up in the Hawaiian
Ironman Championship Craig
Alexander.
Navy finsihed third with Leut Troy
Watson finishing in 4:28:48 (29:27,
2:27:54, 1:31:27).
Army again dominated in the wom-
en’s event, with Capt Kirstan Hoppitt,
Army Financial Services Unit, leading from the first leg. Capt Hoppitt
exited the swim with a 10sec lead, and
extended this margin to win in 4:52:47
(35:40, 2:32:48, 1:44:18) from APS
member Ms Christina Thorne 4:56:44
(35:50, 2:38:06, 1:42:47).
Navy claimed its second bronze
medal for the day with LS Samantha
Morley taking third place in 6:21:38
(42:27, 3:05:09, 2:34:02).
»
For full results of the titles, visit the
ADSTA website at: http://intranet.
defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/adsta/
comweb.asp?page=Home
THEY will all be in it for the long haul
when the Australian Defence Running
and Athletics Association stages the
Defence 10km Road Championship
on April 2. Race director Capt Frank
Kresse (RAN) said the event would
start at 2pm at Westerfolds Park in
Templestowe, Melbourne. The championship is open to all Defence personnel. Event details can be found on
the association’s website at www.adf.
coolrunning.com.au. Further inquires
can be directed to Capt Kresse
on 0424 148319 or email frank.
kresse1@defence.gov.au
Hockey call to arms
THE ACT section of the Australian
Defence Hockey Association has
issued a call to arms for all interested
hockey players from the ACT and
Wagga region to nominate and attend
the 2008 ACT inter-Service competition on April 16. The event, between
1pm and 4.30pm at Lyneham Hockey
Centre, will help select ACT Combined
Services teams for the ADF Hockey
Championships at Albury Hockey
Centre in NSW from May 31 to June 6.
For further information contact WOFF
Chapman on (02) 6128 7049 or email
Vicki.Chapman1@defence.gov.au.
Diggers’ bowls
ALL DEFENCE Force current and
former Service personnel are invited
to contest the National Diggers’ Bowls
Carnival in Dubbo from September
16-18. The Diggers’ section of Dubbo
Railway Bowling Club is promoting
the carnival, which will carry $10,000
prizemoney and will be staged jointly
with West Dubbo Bowling Club. The
event has been restricted to current
Defence Force Service and all exService personnel. Nomination forms
and inquiries should be registered
through www.dubborailwaybowlingclub.com.au or Eric Chamberlain on
0447 139 737.
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Page 30
March 20, 2008
HIGH-FLYER
Gymnastics
on a bike
By Lt Yvette Pavlis
FREESTYLE motocross rider Cpl Ryan Apps has
gone from traction to tricks with the some “crusty”
dirt bike pros.
Dirt demon:
Cpl Ryan Apps,
ranked in the
top 10 freestyle
motocross riders
in Australia, gets
some air.
Photo by Chris McCallum
Cpl Apps was asked to ride with the Crusty Demons of
Dirt 2008 Australian tour – five years after he broke both
legs in a motocross race.
He was approached to perform after he manned a
Defence Recruiting stand at the Demons’ Brisbane show
last year.
“They took my bike and all my gear and had me as the
main attraction for recruiting,” Cpl Apps said.
Defence Recruiting asked him to man their stand thanks
to his involvement with the ADF Motorcycle Association.
“The experience and exposure was absolutely awesome,” he said.
After recovering from his accident, followed by a posting
to Timor-Leste, Cpl Apps decided with some mates to build
a ramp and practise their skills.
“We built a ramp and began playing around on that. I
found I was better at jumps and tricks than racing,” Cpl
Apps said.
He described freestyle motocross as “gymnastics on
a motorcycle”. Competition consists of a timed run over a
course and airborne tricks. Crowd reaction counts to the
final score.
Cpl Apps is ranked in the top 10 in Australia and he will
compete in his first international event in May.
Continued Page 31