Edition 5223, December 10, 2009

Transcription

VOLUME 52, NO. 23, DECEMBER 10, 2009
NAVY – SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRIDE
A new aviation
capability will hit Navy
in 2010 as the MRH90s
come into service.
World-first maritime
trials were held in
HMAS Manoora off
the coast of Tasmania
last month before
the MRH90 swooped
into Canberra to
give capital-based
personnel a first-hand
look at the chopper
that will revolutionise
the way Navy does
business.
Photo: LAC
Christopher
Dickson
See PAGE 4
NEW DAWN
TAKE A LOOK BACK AT 2009 IN OUR SPECIAL FOUR-PAGE LIFTOUT
CENTRE
02
CHRISTMAS MESSAGES
Chief of Navy VADM Russ Crane, AM, CSM, RAN
Director
Rod Horan
(02) 6265 4650
[email protected]
Editor
Alisha Welch
(02) 6266 7707
Mob: 0434 622 850
[email protected]
Deputy Editor
Hugh McKenzie
(02) 6266 7613
[email protected]
Senior Reporter
Michael Brooke
(02) 9359 2494
[email protected]
Photographer/Reporter
LSIS Paul McCallum
(02) 6266 7615
[email protected]
Reserves Correspondent
LCDR Antony Underwood
(02) 6265 2700
[email protected]
Sports Coordinator
John Martin
(02) 6265 7219
[email protected]
Advertising
Tim Asher
(07) 3332 7651
Mob: 0414 552 667
[email protected]
Manager Navy Internal
Communications
LEUT Kate Mathews
(02) 6265 7985
[email protected]
Subscriptions
Trish Dillon
(02) 6266 7607
[email protected]
Postal Address
R8-LG-041, Russell Offices, Canberra
ACT 2600
Navy News Editorial Board
➤ Rod Horan, Director Defence
Newspapers
➤ Alisha Welch, Editor Navy News
➤ LCDR Wendy Hughes,
A/Director Navy Reputation
Management
➤ LEUT Kate Mathews, Manager
Navy Internal Communications
➤ WON Mark Tandy, Warrant
Officer of the Navy
➤ CMDR Dina Kinsman, Director of
Reserves (Navy)
➤ LCDR Tony Underwood, Reserves
Correspondent
Editor’s note
This is the final edition of Navy
News for 2009.
Thank you to everyone who
has contributed to the newspaper this year – and please continue to send me your stories in
2010. It’s your paper after all!
The first edition next year is
February 4, and submissions
are required by January 20.
Have a great Christmas and
New Year.
– Alisha Welch, Editor
Disclaimer: Navy News is published fortnightly by the Directorate
of Defence Newspapers.
It is printed by Capital Fine Print.
The publisher reserves the right to
refuse advertising if it is deemed
inappropriate and to change the
size of the advertisement, print type
or other specifications if material is
not compatible with our system.
The fact an advertisement is
accepted for publication does not
mean that the product or service
has the endorsement of Defence or
Navy News.
NAVY NEWS
A
nother busy year is fast
approaching. As a team
and with the support of
our families and friends,
we have succeeded in operations
and exercises in the Middle East,
Asia Pacific, Southern Ocean,
Caribbean, across the northern hemisphere and at home in
Australian waters.
As we finished our longstanding
commitment to the rehabilitation
and reconstruction of Iraq through
Operation Catalyst, we refocussed
our commitment to anti-piracy and
maritime security efforts through
Operation Slipper, while maintaining our contribution to other
areas, including Timor Leste. We
have participated in a vast array of
humanitarian assistance operations
throughout our region to bring help
to those in urgent need, and we
have devoted enormous effort to the
ongoing Operation Resolute in our
own area.
All this has taken dedication and
hard work. It has highlighted our
devotion to the Navy Values and
Signature Behaviours, and it has
tested our leadership – a key element of the New Generation Navy
(NGN) program.
Leadership is not about rank and
positional power. It is a matter of
integrity. Leadership is the privilege
and obligation shared equally by
every person serving Australia’s
Navy. Navy must develop as a
principles-based organisation that
identifies, grows and supports leaders of integrity, moral courage and
loyalty.
“Making the Change” workshops are now well and truly underway. Their aim is to embed NGN’s
Signature Behaviours into our
culture. Navy personnel of all ranks
have been trained as facilitators for
the “Making the Change” program,
Warrant Officer
of the Navy
Mark Tandy
S WE enter the festive
season, I would like to
A
take this opportunity to thank
you and your families for your
ongoing support and commitment to our Navy.
HANDS ON LEADER: CN
chats to SMNBM Taylor
Bradshaw on board HMAS
Darwin in August this year.
Photo: ABIS Evan Murphy
so that they may take this knowledge
of the Signature Behaviours and how
they relate to People, Performance
and Professionalism back to their
work areas.
NGN’s ultimate aim is to educate
all Navy people on the Navy Values
and Signature Behaviours. A process is now in place for individual
conduct to be assessed against these
Behaviours, and this information will
be used as part of the promotions
process.
I am committed to using the
Signature Behaviours in guiding our
decision making and conduct. I will
always attempt to lead by example,
and ensure that support is in place
for Navy’s leaders of all ranks to do
the same.
Change of this nature takes
time and much of it depends on the
examples set by Navy’s leaders.
For this reason, the Leadership and
Ethics Program is well underway.
Leadership development workshops
and modules for all ranks are currently being conducted, with a focus
on Navy’s Leadership Framework.
This framework is centred on the
Navy Values and includes the
Signature Behaviours and other ethical leadership principles. All Navy
people should get the same, consistent message about the culture Navy
aspires to have. They must be able to
look to their leaders for support and
reinforcement of that message.
From time to time, the conduct of
a few individuals can reflect poorly
on us all. However, I know from the
dealings I’ve had with Navy’s people
that the vast majority are a dedicated
group of individuals committed to
the defence of Australia. One year
after NGN began, I believe we are
in sound shape, but this is a long
term plan to safeguard Navy’s future.
To assist in this reform process, all
the NGN tools needed by serving
members and their families have now
been placed on the Navy’s external
website at the NGN tab at www.
navy.gov.au/organisation
The Reduced Activity Period
gives us a much-needed moment
to relax and enjoy a break with our
families. However, Navy is still on
watch and many of our people will
be away from home during the holidays. They, and their families and
friends at home, are in our thoughts
and prayers.
I wish you all a safe and happy
holiday and I look forward to further
contact with you in 2010.
For those who are on
operations or working over the
Christmas period, I thank you
on behalf of the sailor community for your dedication and commitment. I hope you will have
the opportunity to catch up with
your family and friends soon.
Merry Christmas and have a
safe, happy and successful New
Year in 2010.
SENIOR SAILOR: WO-N Mark
Tandy is proud of his sailors.
Photo: LSIS Phillip Cullinan
Chief of the Defence Force
ACM Angus Houston
Governor General of Australia
Quentin Bryce
S THE Chief of the Defence
A
Force, I want to thank all
Defence men and women, and
S COMMANDER-in-Chief
A
of the Australian Defence
Force I extend the warmest sea-
their families, for their hard work
and dedication this year.
2009 has been eventful and
demanding with many unexpected
tasks in addition to the anticipated
requirements of our various deployments, exercises and training.
I would like to particularly acknowledge our efforts in
Afghanistan training and mentoring
the Afghan National Army; our success in our offshore maritime area
with numerous boardings and interdictions; and our very fast response
to assistance requests from our
neighbours in Indonesia, Samoa,
Tonga and Papua New Guinea.
The ADF’s performance both
overseas and here at home has
once again been very impressive. I
couldn’t be prouder of you all and
the great work you’ve done, and
continue to do, on behalf of our
nation.
While we ask a lot of you, we
also ask a lot of your families. It is
your families who provide the love
and support that enables you all to
perform so well.
My wife, Liz, and I know the life
of a Service family can be complicated and challenging and particularly so at this time of year.
THANKFUL: LCDR Elizabeth
Mulder and AB Sally Reiffel with
CDF ACM Angus Houston at
Parliament House.
Photo: Bryan Doherty
Some of you will not have your
loved ones at home this Christmas.
Our thoughts will be with your families and all those Defence men and
women deployed on operations over
the festive season. We look forward
to their safe return and I hope you
are able to celebrate together at a
later date.
Many of you will also be packing
up and moving to a new location. I
wish you well as you settle in a new
place and make new friends.
To you and your families, thank
you for your strength, courage and
sacrifice. Liz and I wish you all a
very Merry Christmas and a happy,
healthy and prosperous New Year.
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews
the opportunity to enjoy the festive
season and celebrate with colleagues
and friends. We as a nation are
proud of the contribution you are
son’s greetings and congratulations to all Royal Australian Navy making and our thoughts are with
you.
personnel on a job well done in
During the year I attended the
2009.
Fleet Review in Sydney and visited
This year, both at home and
HQNORCOM and an Armidale
abroad, the Navy has consistently
class patrol boat in Darwin. I met
demonstrated the highest levels of
bright, motivated sailors and officers
dedication, compassion and profeswho are unwavering in service to
sionalism in challenging roles in a
our country.
high operational tempo. The Navy
Michael and I want to extend our
continues to move forward with
deep appreciation for your service
new initiatives for personnel as well and commitment, and also to your
as the exciting acquisition of new
families and friends who support
platforms.
your invaluable contribution.
I know many Navy personnel
Keep up the good work. Have
will spend Christmas on duty around a joyous Christmas and New Year
Australia and deployed across the
and a safe return home for those
world. I hope those absent will have overseas.
COMMANDERIN-CHIEF:
Governor General
Quentin Bryce
on a visit to the
Northern Territory
earlier this year.
Photo: LSIS Helen
Frank
December 10, 2009
03
NEWS
Toowoomba home
from Op Slipper
HMAS Stuart begins Slipper ops
SAFE ARRIVAL: HMAS Stuart conducts a RAS with USNS Bridge in
the MEAO. The Tartan Terror has now
begun counter-piracy operations as
part of Task Force 151.
Photo: LSA Nick Lowe
By LEUT Kelli Lunt
HMAS Toowoomba (CMDR Ivan
Ingham) is home after a successful
deployment on Operation Slipper, arriving at Fleet Base West on December 7.
Tartan Terror
touches down
By SBLT Peter Shirley
The broad range of capabilities and
the inherent flexibility of Australian warships was demonstrated admirably during
the deployment to a greatly expanded
area of operations.
Most notably, Toowoomba disrupted
Somali pirates off the Horn of Africa as
part of a Coalition, NATO and European
naval operation to protect merchant shipping. One such incident was caught on
camera during a dramatic confrontation
between suspected pirates and the RAN
crew on September 20.
Toowoomba also made an important
contribution to maritime security and
counter-terrorist operations in the Gulf
of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Australian
boarding parties searched suspect vessels
for illegal cargo, including drugs and
weapons.
Toowoomba’s CO CMDR Ivan
Ingham said it had been an eventful trip.
“Australians can be very proud of
what their Navy’s people have achieved
here,” he said.
During her deployment, Toowoomba
conducted 17 approach assist visit boardings while assigned to CTF151 and four
flag verification visits while assigned
to CTF150. Toowoomba also queried a
total of 118 vessels. The embarked S70B
helicopter completed 150 sorties equating to more than 250 flying hours of
surveillance.
CJTF633 MAJGEN Mark Kelly congratulated Toowoomba’s successful mission to enforce maritime security.
“You should be very proud of the contribution you have made toward maritime
security and counter-terrorism operations
in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea,
as well as being the first Australian ship
to participate in counter-piracy operations
as part of TF151,” MAJGEN Kelly said.
Continued Page 9
FULL STEAM
AHEAD: HMAS
Toowoomba sails
home to Fleet
Base West.
Photo: LEUT Kelli Lunt
assigned patrol area in the Gulf of command team were treated to an
excellent lunch prepared by the
Supply Department. The Admiral
spent time in each of the messes
engaging in conversation with
nd
starting the RAN’s 22 operation- personnel about the ship’s role in
al rotation in the Middle East and CTF151.
Stuart’s third deployment to the area.
RADM Sanders said one of the
On arrival in the Gulf the com- positive outcomes of counter-piracy operations was the high level
of cooperation and goodwill being
On November 13 Stuart
shown by the participating navies.
formally assumed CTG
The visit also provided an opportu633.1, starting the RAN’s
nity for several of Stuart’s crew to
22nd operational rotation
visit the Ticonderoga class cruiser
in the Middle East and
and experience life in the USN for
Stuart’s third deployment an afternoon.
Stuart’s CO CMDR Andrew
to the area.
Masters said Stuart’s contribution was an integral part of the
mander of CTF151, RADM Scott Government’s commitment to counSanders, USN, and a number of his tering piracy in the Gulf of Aden
staff, were flown to Stuart to conduct and maritime security abroad.
a series of briefings.
“Stuart is looking forward to the
The Admiral and his staff were challenges involved with CTF151
transferred from USS Chosin by and I am confident that we will
Stuart’s Seahawk ‘Mongrel’.
acquit ourselves well as part of the
RADM Sanders and the Stuart Coalition Task Force,” he said.
HMAS Stuart (CMDR Andrew Aden as part of Task Force 151,
Masters) has begun her first patrol Counter-Piracy. On November 13
Stuart formally assumed CTG 633.1,
in support of Operation Slipper.
The Anzac class frigate is conducting operations as part of
Australia’s contribution to coalition
efforts against terrorism and to promote maritime security in the Gulf of
Aden, Somali Basin and the Arabian
Sea.
Stuart left Fleet Base East on
October 26 after several intense
months of training preparations.
With heavy sea states initially,
she transited first to Fleet Base West
to complete mission rehearsal training, and then on to the MEAO with
port visits at Diego Garcia and Jebel
Ali in the United Arab Emirates.
For many of the ship’s company,
this was the first time that they had
left Australian shores. Both ports
provided a welcome opportunity for
some respite and cultural interaction.
Following the port visit to Jebel
Ali, Stuart made her way to the
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December 10, 2009
04
NEWS
CDF slams
“baseless story”
IMPRESSIVE: A stormy day in the nation’s capital didn’t stop the MRH90 landing at Russell
Offices on November 27, giving ADF, APS and
members of the public the opportunity to check
out the chopper first-hand.
Photo: SGT Andrew Hetherington
By WO2 Graham McBean
undergoing difficulties to enable Defence
CDF ACM Angus Houston has slammed assistance to be provided as its fundamental duty of care.
media reports of widespread illicit drug
To date, Mr Jarrett has refused to
use by ADF personnel deployed to assist Defence.
Afghanistan as baseless.
More than 35,000 tests have been
The reports claimed soldiers were conducted on ADF members under the
“returning home as addicts” despite prohibitive drug testing program between
Defence information provided that no June 16, 2005 and August 31, 2009 in
ADF member had tested positive to Australia and overseas on operations.
drugs in Afghanistan since tests began
A recent review increased the ADF
in 2005.
testing rate from 10 per cent to 25 per
The ADF has a no-drug policy and cent and 100 per cent of initial trainees, similar to other
has discharged 373 ADF
Western armed forces.
members under its pro- The ADF has a nohibited drug testing pro- drug policy and has
The average rate
gram since testing began discharged 373 ADF
of positive results has
in 2005 and through members under its
been 1.54 per cent.
other means where drug prohibited drug testing That rate has dropped
use was found.
program since testing to 0.98 per cent during
A Defence statement
the current fiscal year
began in 2005.
said a detailed response
(July to August 2009).
In a formal response to newspawas provided to the journalists responsible and “deplores the fact that they chose pers that published the article, Director
to omit much of the information provid- General Public Affairs BRIG Brian
Dawson said Defence had forwarded the
ed to them in search of a headline”.
“On the basis of these results the journalist the correct and up-to-date stastory is completely baseless,” ACM tistics requested on November 20.
He said no evidence suggested multiHouston said.
Young Diggers president John Jarrett ple deployments may contribute to drug
was quoted widely throughout the article use on Australian bases and preventive
measures were in place to reduce the
syndicated in News Limited papers.
The ADF has invited Mr Jarrett to likelihood of an ADF member using illicprovide details of soldiers allegedly it drugs.
TIME FOR A NEW CAR?
Salary Packaging that really does
Revolutionary chopper
By SGT Andrew Hetherington
“WHAT we have in the MRH90
are the latest and best operating
systems we can get for military
aviation.”
MAJ Richard Garvey, pilot
and senior instructor of MRH90
pilot training, used these words to
describe the aircraft after his flying visit to Russell Offices on
November 27.
The visit gave ADF, APS and the
public a closer look at the aircraft
that will revolutionise Navy and
Army aviation from 2010.
A new standout feature of the
aircraft is the TopOwl Helmet
Mounted Sight Display (HMSD),
which allows pilots to fully utilise
night vision, a pilotage forward
looking infra red (FLIR) camera and
a heads-up display.
Use of this technology incorporated into the clear visor of the
helmet allows pilots to minimise
head-down time to view cockpit
instruments.
The aircraft also has a weather
radar that, used in conjunction with
the FLIR camera, night vision and a
digital map generator, allows crews
to operate in more reduced weather conditions than what they could
with the Sea King and Black Hawk.
Successful maritime trials were
conducted in HMAS Manoora
off the coast of Tasmania during
October and November where it
was found to be much more stable
and easier to handle than some inservice choppers.
The first of the 46 aircraft are
expected to enter service with Navy
in mid-2010 and with Army later in
the year.
Another busy day in paradise
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NAVY NEWS
WHEN LCDR Scott Mason
arrived in Honiara in 2007
he thought he would be in the
Solomon Islands for a single
year.
As he enters his fourth year
(which he expects to be his last) in
2010, the Maritime Surveillance
Adviser says he liked the job so
much he decided to stay on.
Together with his Technical
Advisor CPO Daniel Dingle, the
two Australians provide assistance to the Royal Solomon
Islands Police Force (RSIPF)
Maritime Unit.
LCDR Mason said that, while
a lot of people consider it to be
a cushy job in paradise, it was
a busy billet – but one that also
was immensely satisfying.
“No day is the same and it is a
pleasure working with the RSIPF
Maritime Unit,” LCDR Mason
said.
“They are a great bunch of
people and we enjoy coming to
work every day.”
The Australian sailors’ main
role is to advise and assist where
necessary in the capability development of the RSIPF Maritime
Unit’s two patrol boats, RSIPV
Auki and Lata.
Under the Defence
Cooperation Program, 22 Pacific
Patrol Boats were built and gifted to 12 Pacific nations between
1987 and 1997.
LCDR Mason said the capability in Solomon Islands had
developed steadily over the last
three years.
He cited an upgrade of the
GREAT JOB: CPO Damien Dingle, left, Royal Solomon Islands
Police Maritime Unit officer Fatima Aoraunisaka and LCDR Scott
Mason tend to business while the RSIPF Patrol Boat Auki is alongside at Honiara police wharf, Solomon Islands.
Photo: WO2 Graham McBean
operations room and communications technology completed last
year as a prime example.
2009 was also a milestone for
the RSIPF Maritime Unit’s first
female to join the Maritime Unit
(in 2008). She became the first
woman from the Solomon Islands
to attend the Australian Maritime
College in Launceston.
It was the first time Police
Constable Fatima Aoraunisaka
had been outside of Solomon
Islands. She attended the college
for her Basic Engineering and
Level 1 Engineering courses.
Apart from being too cold, she
said it was a great professional
opportunity and the Tasmanian
people had welcomed her.
“I have wanted to do engineering since I was child,” Fatima said.
“The college and the lecturers
were very professional and it has
assisted me greatly with my job.”
The Maritime Unit’s next
big project is to return Auki to
Australia next year for its sixmonth life extension program,
which will extend her life out
to another 10 years patrolling
Solomon Islands waters.
December 10, 2009
05
NEWS
Desert Christmas in MEAO
By LTCOL Rob Barnes
IT WILL be Christmas with a
difference for three ‘Old Salts’
serving in the Middle East this
year as they swap the more
familiar battleship grey for
desert yellow.
NEW FRIENDS: Getting into the spirit of Christmas at Forward Operating
Base Ripley in southern Afghanistan are (L-R) FSGT Philip Barnes, LSCD
Jeremy Thomas and PTE Gary Drennan.
Photo: SGT Christopher Rohweder
Sailor looks forward to feast in Oruzgan
All the trappings
By LT Madeline Denholm
THERE will be all the traditional trappings of Christmas when Australia’s
Servicemen and women deployed
to Oruzgan Province in southern
Afghanistan celebrate the special day.
There is even the chance there could
be snow on the ground at Tarin Kowt and
in surrounding areas.
In keeping with tradition, senior officers will serve enlisted personnel their
Christmas lunch at Forward Operating
Base Ripley.
LSCD Jeremy Thomas is looking forward to the big day.
“I think the roast dinner is going to go
down an absolute treat,” he said.
“Good food is definitely what we
want and we always enjoy having a few
beers as well.”
LSCD Thomas is a member of
Sydney-based AUSCDT One. In the 10
years he has been in the Navy, he has
spent three Christmases away from his
family.
“It’s definitely the hardest day of the
year,” he said.
“I’m used to missing birthdays and
other family celebrations, but Christmas
is definitely difficult. But we’re all here
together and we’re all missing our families, so we make the most of it and I’m
sure there’ll be games and a whole heap
of celebrations going on here.”
With almost a century of
service between them, CPOs
Dave Wheeler, Jack Onaca
and Rocky Stone are currently
deployed with JTF633. CPOs
Onaca and Stone are posted to
the HQ, while CPO Wheeler
is the only sailor posted to the
Force Communications Unit.
“It’ll certainly be a different
Christmas in more ways than
one,” CPO Wheeler said.
An ardent fan of Patrol Boat
while at school in the early
1980s, CPO Wheeler joined the
Navy in 1986 to go to sea.
“Over the years I’ve certainly been to sea, but this is my
first land-based deployment,”
he said.
“While it’s been great, it’s
also been a long time away
from family, so it will be good
to enjoy the company of my fellow chiefs this Christmas,” he
said.
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: L-R CPOs Rocky Stone, Jack Onaca and Dave
Wheeler will celebrate Christmas in the MEAO this year.
Photo: SGT Rob Nyffenegger
For CPO Onaca, who joined the
Navy 10 years earlier in 1976, this is
his second Christmas in the MEAO.
“I spent Christmas 2007 on the
Iraqi oil rigs, which was a unique
experience,” CPO Onaca said.
“This time around the living conditions are a little more comfortable.”
Meanwhile, for CPO Stone who
last served in the region in HMAS
Brisbane in 1981, it will be his first
Christmas on operations since joining
the Navy as a Junior Recruit in 1967.
“I’ve been at sea and on duty at
home at Christmas before, but this will
be the first time while deployed on
operations,” CPO Stone said.
“It will be great to enjoy Christmas
with my colleagues from all the
Services.”
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December 10, 2009
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NAVY
http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 20 , 2007
07
NEWS
Safeguarding sailors
against asbestos
By Hugh McKenzie
CURRENT and former Navy personnel who believe they have
been exposed to airborne asbestos fibres are being encouraged
to register for a medical evaluation.
Making dreams
come true
By Michael Brooke
RAN sailors have helped to make the
Christmas wishes of more than 500
disabled and disadvantaged children
come true.
More than 50 sailors joined hands
with the wider community to throw a
very memorable Christmas party for
children with special needs at Rosehill
Gardens Race Course on December 2.
The sailors from HMAS Kuttabul
and HMAS Creswell’s Rogers Division
helped make the Christmas party a huge
success by pushing children in their
wheelchairs around the show ground,
which featured scores of exhibitions,
rides and amusements.
The happy expressions and smiles on
the faces of the special children spoke
volumes of how much they enjoyed having the Navy and santa at their party.
The sailors wowed hundreds of on-
lookers with a samba dance on stage during a bongo concert, which also had the
children dancing and clapping with joy.
Many of the children had watched
Sea Patrol on TV and they chatted excitedly with the sailors about the adventure
of serving in the RAN and defending the
country.
Rogers Division Coordinator CPO
Kennith O’Connor said this was the second time that the Navy had joined hands
with the wider community to support the
Special Children’s Christmas Party.
“We love being here to join hands
with the local community and to contribute to such a worthwhile cause as helping
disabled children celebrate Christmas in
grand style,” he said.
Kuttabul’s sailors were among hundreds of Navy personnel nationwide who
volunteered their time this festive season
to make the Christmas wishes of disadvantaged children come true.
ASBESTOS AWARE: Centre for Occupational Health Director John
Heggart is encouraging people who think they have been exposed to
asbestos to register to have a health assessment conducted.
Photo: LSIS Paul McCallum
Mr Heggart said registration was
a simple procedure.
“My team can make sure that,
if there is a health problem, it can
be addressed as quickly as possible
through our arrangement with Health
Services Australia.”
Current and retired ADF members and APS employees who
think they may have been exposed
to asbestos and would like to have
their asbestos-related medical status
evaluated, are encouraged to contact
1800 Defence (1800 333 3623) and
register with the Defence Asbestos
Exposure Evaluation Scheme.
More information can be found at www.
defence.gov.au/dpe/ohsc/programs/
asbestos/ or http://ohsc.defence.gov.au/
Programs/Asbestos/default.htm
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CHRISTMAS WISH: ABCIS Jessica Dalgleish of Defence Communications
Station Sydney makes a Christmas wish come true for three year old Akira
Daly while her brother Cameron Daly offers support.
Photo: ABIS Sarah Williams
Defence Centre for
Occupational Health Director John
Heggart said his team were concerned that the registration scheme
may have slipped below the radar.
“Based on the number of people
currently registering there doesn’t
appear to be a lot of concern,” Mr
Heggart said.
“In past years when asbestos
was initially identified, concern
was significant and a lot of people registered and went through a
medical examination process.
“Defence is committed to the
eradication of all asbestos and
asbestos products.”
Indeed, the Asbestos Inventory
Tiger Team is working to identify
any asbestos remaining in inventory and Defence is actively implementing programs and strategies
to safeguard its people against any
potential exposure.
defcredit.com.au
NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
08
NEWS
Sailors turn out for Op Catalyst march
By SGT Andrew Hetherington
MORE than 300 current and exServing ADF personnel who deployed
on Operation Catalyst celebrated the
end of the operation by participating in a welcome home parade on
November 21.
Led by Australia’s Federation Guard
(AFG), the tri-Service formed body
made its way along Anzac Parade to
the Australian War Memorial (AWM)
parade ground.
Waiting for them were applauding
family and friends who thanked them
for their service.
Dignitaries in attendance included
the Governor General Quentin Bryce,
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Chief
of the Defence Force ACM Angus
Houston and the three Service Chiefs.
More than 17,300 personnel deployed on Operation Catalyst
between July 16, 2003 and July 31,
2009.
In his speech Prime Minister
Rudd commended ADF personnel for
their service to the operation and to
Australia.
“Wherever you serve, my experience is that other nations always want
more of you,” Mr Rudd said.
“Whether in headquarters functions
or in the field you are professional,
superbly trained, know your craft, are
practical, adaptable, approachable and
sensitive to the cultures of the local
people. You are, in short, great ambassadors for Australia.”
ACM Houston paid tribute to the
three men who died during their service in Iraq.
“Very sadly, three Australians never
came home from their military service
in Iraq,” ACM Houston said.
“Today I honour the service of
WO2 David Nary from the Special
Air Service Regiment and PTE Jacob
Kovco from the 3 rd Batallion of the
Royal Australian Regiment.
“I also wish to mention FLTLT Paul
Pardoel, a graduate of the Australian
WELCOME HOME: More
than 300 current and former
ADF veterans took part in a
parade at the Australian War
Memorial in Canberra to mark
the end of Op Catalyst.
Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
Defence Force Academy, who was
killed in Iraq while serving with the
Royal Air Force.”
ACM Houston also said we should
remember the ADF personnel who
were wounded during their service.
“There were 27 ADF men and
women who were wounded during this
operation. Some made full recoveries.
Others will never fully recover,” he
said.
LS Michaela Brown, who participated in the parade, served in HMAS
Parramatta as an AB Steward between
October 2005 and April 2006.
As part of her duties she was bowman for ship boarding teams and participated in general ship evolutions.
“We did more than 1000 boat operations, meals on keels (food transfers
to Americans on the oil platforms),
aided medical assistance to locals and
worked alongside other boarding teams
from Britain and the US,” LS Brown
said.
She reflected fondly on her time
serving in Parramatta during the operation.
“Looking back on it now I realise
it was the chance of a lifetime to be
part of something of the enormity of
Operation Catalyst,” she said.
“I was part of an awesome crew;
the camaraderie and friendships were
something I have never experienced
before and to this day still exist.”
Her time serving on Operation
Catalyst also showed her how lucky
she was to live in Australia.
“I was shocked to see how basic
things like the common cold affected
people, as well as some of the conditions they lived in – it made me grateful for the conditions we have here in
Australia.”
She said she felt a great sense of
pride to march in the parade.
“It was nice to be part of it as I
have been home for almost two and
a half years; I guess you could say it
brought back some memories as well
as some familiar faces.”
After the parade participants and
their families were treated to an afternoon tea provided by the AWM and
entertainment provided by the AFG’s
Precision Drill Team.
PROUD: LS Michaela Brown
served in HMAS Parramatta
on Op Catalyst and marched
in the recent parade at the
Australian War Memorial.
Photo: SGT Andrew Hetherington
Inspector General
Australian Defence Force
P R O M O T I N G M I L I TA RY J U S T I C E
PPB
refits on
track
AN OPENING prayer
and blessing of the
ship, a parade by
the ship’s company
and the signing of an
official Certificate of
Completion marked
the finished refit of
FSS Micronesia on
November 6.
If you’ve had a first hand experience with the DFDA or
complaints process, here’s your chance to tell us about it.
Our aim is to make sure you have confidence that the military justice system will deliver
unbiased, timely and fair outcomes and to improve any areas where necessary.
Personal experience with the system is the only requirement. You can have your say by
visiting www.defence.gov.au/mjs.
Your comments will be non-attributable.
NAVY NEWS
The certificate is the
latest issued in a series
of Australian-sponsored
Pacific Patrol Boat
(PPB) refits.
Twenty two of the
31.5 metre PPBs, sponsored and funded by
Defence’s International
Policy Division, were
built to commercial
standard and gifted
to 12 Pacific nations
between 1987 and 1997.
Each PPB will
undergo a six-month life
extension refit that will
see the repair and refurbishment of key systems
to allow a further 15
years operation, bringing the total operational
life of the boats to 30
years.
December 10, 2009
09
NEWS
Toowoomba home
from successful
Slipper deployment
From Page 3
“The tasking to counter-piracy was
exciting because it was a role that was
new to everyone,” LSCSO Barnard
said.
“It actually felt like we were making a difference, especially when we
received messages from merchant vessels commenting on how much safer
they felt as a result of our escort.
“It was a high energy environment,
with action always going on around
us. The chance to work with ships
from other navies was challenging but
also very fulfilling. Professionally, it
was a fantastic learning experience.”
One of Toowoomba’s cooks,
ABCK Thomas Hood, echoed LSCSO
Barnard’s views.
“Completing my sea time on
this deployment and being involved
in this type of operational work has
been an experience and something I
will remember for the rest of my life,”
ABCK Hood said.
Toowoomba returned to her home
port at Fleet Base West on December
7 where they reunited with their families and friends for a well earned
Christmas holiday.
“Your ingenuity and adaptive
approach to surveillance, vessel monitoring and the conduct of boardings
was first rate given the new operational environment in which the RAN
is now a part. Through your individual
and collective achievements you have
most emphatically demonstrated that
Toowoomba is ‘Fearless’.”
After providing support to CTF50,
the USN aircraft carrier USS Nimitz
replenished Toowoomba with fuel and
supplies before her homeward journey.
Toowoomba’s assistance earned
them well-deserved praise by the USN
commander of the Fifth Fleet VADM
William Gortney, who said the flexibility demonstrated by Toowoomba’s
crew to meet the challenges of hitempo carrier operations was exceptional.
“The professionalism, motivation
and mission readiness of the entire
Toowoomba crew was clearly evident
during this mission,” VADM Gortney
said.
LSCSO Reece Barnard, one
of Toowoomba’s Operations Room
members, said the deployment was a
great experience and provided a good For more stories and photos from
opportunity to work with coalition Toowoomba’s deployment, turn to this
edition’s centrespread.
navies.
No crew, no sea-time,
but mightily important
By CPL Corinne Boer
THERE is a ship at Ross Island
Barracks in Townsville that has
never been to sea, does not have a
crew and is only half a vessel, but
it’s just as important as any other
ship in the Fleet.
Maritime Wing is the only training
facility in Australia with a land ship.
The impressive structure simulates a
ship’s hull, which is 12m wide, 24m
long and stands about 5-6m high. It
has a large hatch on the upper deck
that simulates the opening to a ship’s
hold.
The land ship has two cranes – a
three-tonne Favco crane that is used
on most cargo ships and a Derrick
crane, which consists of a number of
single sheaved blocks set at different positions to change the direction
of the cargo runner that is used even
today on older-style coastal vessels.
The Cargo Specialist Training
Section (CSTS) has begun a Navy
familiarisation course that provides
Landing Craft Heavy crew with an
understanding on how to load their
landing craft, how to safely manoeuvre around suspended loads, the types
of signals to use and how to reverse
vehicles onto the craft during sterndoor marriages.
Section Head CSTS, WO2 Michael
Giampino, said the emphasis on safety
was very high.
“We have this facility to reduce the
danger and allow trainees to appreciate
what is involved with loading a ship,”
WO2 Giampino said.
IMPRESSIVE: Maritime Wing’s
land ship provides ADF personnel
with the skills required to safely
load landing craft, manoeuvre
around suspended loads and
reverse vehicles onto craft during
stern-door marriages.
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NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
10
IN BRIEF
RAN supply community
awarded
THE RAN supply community took out
the national award for ‘Excellence in
People Development’ at the Chartered
Institute of Logistics and Transport
Australia (CILTA) annual awards ceremony in Newcastle on October 23.
CAPT Steve O’Keefe and LEUT Jodie
Wilkinson accepted the award on behalf
of the Navy supply community, which was
nominated because of its investment in
aligning its members with professional
institutions, increasing professional knowledge and preparing members to perform
effectively in the contemporary logistics
environment.
2010 Sydney Military
Tattoo
MEMBERS of the Navy/Army Band will step
off on the nights of February 4-7 next year
as a part of the more than 1500 musicians
and other entertainers coming from around
the world for the 2010 Sydney Military
Tattoo.
The star-studded spectacular will be
held at the Sydney Football Stadium and
members will be part of a special ADF
Band formed for the event.
For further information, including cost
of tickets and packages, log on to www.
edinburghtattooinaustralia.com.au or
www.ticketek.com.au
George Bass Surfboat
race
NAVY families holidaying on the NSW
South Coast over the New Year break will
have the chance to witness one of the
toughest surf boat challenges in Australia.
In 1797, CMDR George Bass charted
the coast from Sydney to Westernport in an
old whale boat. He and his crew of just six
made the trip in less than two months.
Today, the George Bass Surfboat race
brings together male and female crews
from around the country.
STS Young Endeavour will also be there
during the final days in a show of support
for Navy’s involvement in the event.
The event begins in Batemans Bay on
January 3, 2010 and finishes seven days
later in Eden.
Images, video and articles on the event
will be placed on www.defencejobs.gov.
au daily. The site can also be accessed at
www.navy.gov.au
Review of compensation
arrangements
THE Department of Veterans’ Affairs is
reviewing military rehabilitation and
compensation arrangements to ensure
they meet the current and future needs
of today’s Service personnel.
The review is an opportunity for sailors
to voice their concerns about rehabilitation and compensation issues and will
recommend improvements to the Military
Rehabilitation and Compensation Act
2004. This Act provides compensation and
benefits for injured or deceased Service
personnel who have served after July 1,
2004 and their families.
Meetings are being held on selected
bases in the coming months. There will
also be public meetings off-base around
the same time for ex-Serving members and
families to provide their views as well.
For more information on the review follow the links at www.dva.gov.au
NEWS
RAN chaplain makes
his mark in MEAO
CTF150 on
its way to
Middle East
DRE Richard
Menhinick will hold
C
one of the most senior
FOR the first time in history Navy
has provided a Chaplain to work at
the headquarters of JTF633 in the
Middle East Area of Operations as
the J08 Theatre Chaplain.
Coalition naval positions in
the MEAO when he assumes
command of CTF150 on
December 16.
CDRE Menhinick and his
command group left Australia
on December 8 after a formal
farewell at Fleet Base East.
As CTF150, CDRE
Menhinick will be in tactical control of Coalition ships
and aircraft from many
nations including the US, UK,
Singapore, Pakistan, Germany
and Australia and, during
peak operational periods,
about 1600 personnel.
CDRE Menhinick is the
first RAN officer to hold this
important Coalition position.
CTF150 is an international task force that conducts
Maritime Security Operations
southeast of the Strait of
Hormuz, in the Gulf of Aden,
Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea,
Red Sea and parts of the
Indian Ocean.
Since 2001, 24 nations
have operated as part of this
Coalition task force.
CTF150 will command
assigned Coalition forces in
order to develop security,
promote stability and global
prosperity in the maritime
environment, and complement
counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.
CHAP Paddy Sykes was posted
from HMAS Manoora in June for six
months.
The headquarters moved from
Baghdad to its current Middle East
location late in 2008, and the position
of Theatre Chaplain went from being
an Army position to a tri-Service position.
CHAP Sykes said his main responsibility was to provide religious and
spiritual advice and support to the
Commander JTF633, MAJGEN Mark
Kelly, and other headquarters staff.
“I am also responsible for the
other chaplains posted to the MEAO
in ships and with various deployed
groups from the Army and Air Force,”
CHAP Sykes said.
In the course of his duties, CHAP
Sykes has forged close working relationships with other Coalition chaplains from Canada, US and UK.
Since CHAP Sykes has worked
mostly in Navy establishments and
ships, it has been a steep learning
curve as he has been exposed to the
cultures of the other two Services.
“Working in the headquarters has
also exposed me to the world of joint
operations for the first time,” he said.
“The position has been very
rewarding because I’ve been able to
travel to many parts of the theatre and REWARDING: CHAP Paddy Sykes is working in the MEAO as the
see first-hand how our ADF people JTF633 Theatre Chaplain, which has been a steep learning curve and
very rewarding at the same time.
are deployed.”
Rejoining Navy
easier than ever
By LEUT Todd Austin
AFTER six months of frustration with the re-entry process to
the permanent Navy, CPO Arthur
Mitcherson is now back in uniform
full-time thanks to the efforts of
Rejoin Case Management Team
(RCMT).
“After successive sea deployments,
I needed a break,” CPO Mitcherson
said.
“I wanted to spend some time with
my family to ensure they were okay.”
Ironically, it was actually his family who suggested he rejoin.
“I always wanted to come back
– after 20 years in the Navy it’s a part
of you and I missed it.”
CPO Mitcherson acknowledged
that, if it wasn’t for the support and
efforts of the RCMT, he probably
wouldn’t be in the Navy in a full-time
capacity.
“The correspondence I received
from the RCMT was the reason I persisted in my attempts to rejoin,” he
said.
“It showed me that the Chief of
Navy’s initiatives in putting people
first were actually working; there was
a way forward.”
Tw o o f N a v y ’s S i g n a t u r e
Behaviours, “Challenge and Innovate”
and “Fix Problems and Take Action”,
were at the forefront of CPO
Mitcherson’s actions when he wrote
to CN advising him of his situation.
Head of the RCMT CMDR Greg
Glancy said CPO Mitcherson was the
catalyst for future re-joiner developments and initiatives.
WELCOME BACK: CPOMT Arthur
Mitcherson at HMAS Waterhen wharf.
Photo: ABIS Hayley Clarke
“His efforts were at the centre of
CN’s directive to assist, ease and expedite the re-entry to the permanent Navy
of ex-members,” CMDR Glancy said.
“CPO Mitcherson had the qualifications and experience that Navy needed
to allow us to expedite his return to
full-time service within two days.”
Navy is short of numbers in certain
specialist categories and ex-members
who have the skills and experience
in these critical areas can have their
rejoining process reduced to allow easier re-entry.
RCMT has been able to drastically
shorten the process, with some applications being completed within 36 hours.
The RCMT is located in Canberra and Fleet
Base West. Each member is dedicated to
smoothing the way for re-joiners. For more
information email [email protected].
au
Do the things you really want to do
with a Personal Loan from ADCU
For more information visit www.adcu.com.au,
call 1300 13 23 28 or
visit your local ADCU branch.
Fees and charges apply. Full terms & conditions available on request. Australian Defence Credit Union Ltd ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL No. 237 988
NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
11
NEWS
NOYOs ready for ADFA
By LEUT Maneckji Gazdar
THE TEAM WORKS: Course
members take time out to enjoy
the scenery at Point Nepean
National Park.
Day out at
Cerberus
THE Defence Force School of
Signals’ Maritime Communications
Information Systems section
recently organised a team-building
day in Point Nepean National Park.
Lodged within HMAS Cerberus
(CAPT Sheldon Williams), Class
CIS265 are undergoing initial
employment training under the guidance of POCIS Peter Thorne and
LSCIS Anthea Hiras.
Upon arrival members of the
group were paired off and tasked with
finding out at least three things about
their partner that the group didn’t
know. The journey included exploration of the old six-inch gun positions
and machine gunners pill boxes that
are part of the national park.
During the wash up PO Thorne
lead the group in discussing what they
had learned and how that knowledge
could be applied to enhance the vision
of: Navy – the team works.
We work with
Defence Personnel
Australia Wide and
can help you:
Work begins on National
Service memorial
WORK has begun on the National
Service memorial in Canberra.
ELEVEN Naval Officer Year One
(NOYO) engineering students have
completed their five-month long
engineering course and are about
to begin their degree studies at the
Australian Defence Force Academy
(ADFA).
The NOYO-EN is a bridging
program for engineering midshipmen between the completion of the
New Entry Officers Course at HMAS
Creswell and the beginning of degree
studies the following year at ADFA.
This year there were 11 NOYO
engineers comprising four Weapons
Electrical Engineering Officers and
seven Marine Engineering Officers.
One of the students, MIDN James
Stahlhut, said it was a fantastic program and provided huge benefits to
his career.
“The biggest benefit I have taken
away from the NOYO program is the
opportunity to work with junior sailors and gain an appreciation of their
roles and work conditions,” he said.
The NOYOs spent the first two
months at Fleet Support Unit (FSU)
– Sydney, as well as the systems programming offices that support the various ship classes in maintenance and
design changes.
Time at sea was arranged in various ships, which included HMA Ships
Ballarat, Leeuwin, Manoora, Norman,
Success and Tobruk.
This was followed with a threeweek period at HMAS Albatross
where the midshipmen experienced
IN BRIEF
The National Service memorial will
commemorate more than 290,000 young
men who were called up for National
Service between 1951 and 1972.
The memorial is part of the Australian
War Memorial’s development of its
Eastern Precinct, which is due to be completed by Anzac Day 2010.
The National Service memorial will
be unveiled and dedicated in September
2010.
Sailors must complete
new security course
READY FOR STUDY: Eleven midshipmen have spent the last five
months learning about Navy engineering and are about to begin their
degrees at ADFA.
time with the Fleet Air Arm’s different
squadrons and support facilities.
A few of the highlights included
flights in the AS350B Squirrel and the
Augusta A109E, viewing the deeper
maintenance of the S-70B-2 Seahawk
and AS350B Squirrel, as well as participating in the preparation of sea trials for the MRH90 on board Manoora.
The NOYO midshipmen then
spent three weeks at HMAS Stirling,
mainly with FSU – Perth. During
their time at Stirling the midshipmen visited the Helicopter Support
Facility, Thales Explosive Ordnance
Facility and Ammunitioning Wharf,
Submarine Escape Training Facility
and Submarine School, Collins SPO,
Anzac SPO and Training Unit – Anzac
Ship Support Centre. Tours were also
arranged in HMA Ships Farncomb and
Waller for those interested in a submarine career.
After Stirling the midshipmen went
to HMAS Cerberus to complete the
final phase of the year – a five-week
mathematics refresher program to
ensure that they were not disadvantaged at ADFA after a year away from
formal education.
MIDN Rebecca Holmes said the
course had opened her eyes to the
many components that make up Navy.
“We have really enjoyed ourselves
over the past five months,” she said.
“Getting to travel around the country and experience such a broad cross
section of the Navy will spur us on
during our time in Canberra completing our degrees.”
THE Defence Security Authority (DSA)
has introduced a new online course
titled “Introduction to Security” that all
Defence personnel must complete.
A DSA spokesman said awareness
of security issues was a vital aspect of
Defence’s security regime and helped
to protect our people, capabilities and
resources.
“By completing an awareness program that incorporates the Introduction
to Security course, Defence personnel and
external service providers will be aware of
their security responsibilities,” the spokesman said.
“They will be able to contribute to a
sound security culture within Defence.”
The course is available on Campus or,
for those without Campus access, on the
DSA website under “training”.
Further information about DSA courses, including “Introduction to Security”,
can be found on the DSA website at
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dsa/training
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NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
12
NEWS
816 Sqn’s home
away from home
By SBLT Matthew Shipton
TWO thousand residents of the
City of Caloundra turned out to
watch more than 100 members of
816 Squadron exercise the right of
Freedom of Entry to their city on
October 31.
ONE HELL OF A MO! ABET Mustafa Ehsan is
crowned “Movember” winner at HMAS Kuttabul.
Sailors shave down
for Movember
By Michael Brooke
SCORES of sailors posted to shore
establishments around the country and
in ships on deployment around the
globe dispensed with shaving for a
month to participate in “Movember”
2009.
Many sailors, including ABET
Mustapha Eshan from Fleet Support
Unit – Sydney, grew a mo and beard last
month to raise money for men’s prostate
cancer research.
ABET Eshan was crowned the winner
of the Kuttabul Movember competition at
the indoor sports centre on November 27.
ABET Eshan edged out 19 other competitors with his creative mo and beard
to collect the prestigious title and Navy
memorabilia worth $100.
“Winning today definitely makes up
for the disappointment of coming second
last year,” he said.
In 2008 ABET Eshan was runnerup to LCDR Rod Cooper, OIC Combat
System Management School, who raised
$1100 in sponsorship, which saw him
crowned a ‘Platinum MO-BRO’.
Movember has become a very popular and worthwhile cause for the thousands of sailors, soldiers and airmen in
Australia or deployed on operations who
were sponsored to grow a mo.
The RAN Movember volunteers
were saluted by the Prostate Cancer
Foundation of Australia (PCFA) at an
official function in the officers’ mess at
Victoria Barracks in Sydney recently.
CEO PCFA Andrew Giles said important milestones into the treatment of
prostate cancer that had been developed
over the past 12 months would not have
been possible without the funds raised by
Movember.
Mr Giles said the milestones include
the development of drugs for the treatment of prostate cancer to inhibit the
growth of tumours.
Latest figures show that each year
nearly 19,000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostrate cancer and, tragically, more than 3000 die each year from
this disease.
The Squadron was first linked
with the City of Caloundra in 1996
and, after a change of borders
and redistribution, a ‘Friendship
Agreement’ was formed to formally recognise the adoption of 816
Squadron by the Sunshine Coast
Regional Council.
Two days before the beginning
of the late October parade, two
Seahawks flew north to begin a
round of school visits while other
personnel covered the 1400km journey by coach.
Sunshine Christian College and
Sunshine Beach State High School
were visited by one Seahawk while
Sunshine Coast Grammar School
and Maleny State High School were
visited by the other.
On the day of the march one
Seahawk landed in King’s Park to
act as a static display while the other,
flown by LEUTs Andrew Rohrsheim
and Marcelo Lagos and crewed by
WOA Brian Pashley, provided a flying and winching demonstration.
Led by CO CMDR Chris
Smallhorn, the Squadron marched
around King’s Park to be met with
the traditional challenge, “Identify
yourselves and state by what right
you enter and use the township of
Caloundra,” which was delivered
by local Police Inspector Mark
Henderson.
After CMDR Smallhorn replied,
PROUD: 816 SQN CO, CMDR Chris Smallhorn, with WO Sean
Campbell holding the Freedom of Entry scroll.
“816 Squadron exercising its right
and privilege to pass through the
township of Caloundra with swords
drawn, drums beating, band playing and colours flying,” Inspector
Henderson was satisfied that the
scroll was in order and allowed the
parade to proceed.
CMDR Smallhorn said the FOE
was a great honour and an exciting
time for his Squadron.
“An FOE is recognised as the
single greatest honour a town or city
can bestow upon a military unit and,
coupled with the experience of a
centuries old tradition, it is hard not
to become wrapped up in the event,”
he said.
CMDR Smallhorn said members of 816 Squadron visted the area
at least once a year, but especially on Anzac Day where personnel
marched and the CO was the keynote speaker.
“Each time we visit we also
use the flight hours to and from
Caloundra as Seahawk conversion
and currency training for our aircrew.”
With the parade and festivities
finished, CMDR Smallhorn summed
up events.
“This is our home away from
home,” he said.
Submariners awarded for
exemplary service in the west
By Michael Brooke
TWO submariners were recently
awarded with Fleet Commander’s
Commendations for their tireless
and exemplary performance in
HMAS Farncomb (CMDR Tom
Phillips).
Acoustic Warfare Supervisor and
Training Officer PO Greg Thomms
was presented with a the commendation by former COMAUSFLT,
RADM Nigel Coates, for being an
exceptional mentor who excelled in
training management and supervisory roles.
RADM Coates said PO Thomms
played a crucial role in ensuring
that the junior members of the AWA
department received the training
and leadership they required to get
Farncomb squared away after completion of her mid-cycle docking.
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NAVY NEWS
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“PO Thomms’ sheer determination and self sacrifice enabled the
AWA department to demonstrate
above standard achievements during both the workup and demanding
2009 Fleet Concentration Period,”
RADM Coates said.
“PO Thomms’ strong leadership
and training acumen directly contributed to the awarding of numerous Submarine Sea Qualifications
to trainees in Farncomb ,
thereby greatly assisting
the Australian Submarine
Squadron in increasing the
number of qualified submariners.”
LCDR Josh Wilkinson
was presented with the
commendation in recognition of his outstanding
service as the Weapons
Electrical Engineering
Officer in Farncomb.
The commendation says
LCDR Wilkinson’s leadership in personnel management and implementation
of the latest directives on
submarine manning greatly assisted in the retention
of submariners and that his
ability to inspire those he
served with would have
long lasting benefits to
Navy and the ADF.
December 10, 2009
13
NEWS
Lady Luck shines
on HMAS Kuttabul
WELCOME ABOARD: ABCIS Gerard Kyan (left) and MIDN
Simone McIntosh help visitors board HMAS Manoora.
Photo: ABIS James Whittle
By Michael Brooke
Community engagement
triumph in Sydney
By Michael Brooke
NAVY Open Day saw HMAS
Kuttabul (CMDR Christine Clarke)
and other stone frigates in Victoria
and South Australia open their gangways to the public in another triumph for the RAN’s community
engagement program.
Not even the inclement weather
could dampen the jovial spirits of
more than 3000 people who flocked
to Kuttabul on October 25, where
they toured HMA Ships Manoora,
Newcastle and Melbourne and a dozen
Navy-themed display booths.
Kuttabul’s sailors relished the
opportunity to tell curious visitors
about the Navy lifestyle and a range
of other topics including recruiting
opportunities and sea deployments.
LSCSO Steve Harvey greeted
several hundred fascinated visitors to
Newcastle and answered their questions about how the FFGUP contributes to Fleet operations and the security of Australia.
“A lot of young people expressed
interest in the Navy lifestyle with a
view to joining the RAN,” he said.
Manoora’s sailors were also kept
busy answering questions about the
new MRH90s that were embarked
for sea trials, with CPO James Bond
saying many people were fascinated
to learn of the Navy’s new maritime
capability.
“It’s something they haven’t seen
before so they were very interested,”
he said.
CHRISTMAS has come early for
WO Mark Duncan who, thanks to
the inaugural “Win With Navy” raffle, is $5000 richer.
“I was in shock when they called
out my name as the winner,” he said.
WO Duncan said negotiations with
his wife were underway to determine
how the money would be best spent
this festive season. His Christmas
wish is to buy a 1961 Holden he saw
advertised for $5000 in the newspaper
on the morning of the raffle draw.
“But I’ll see what the wife says,”
he laughed.
WO Duncan, of FHQ Engineering
Division, said he never expected to
win the cash prize and only bought
tickets in the RAN Central Canteens
Board (CCB) raffle because it was a
good fundraiser for the Navy.
WO Duncan, who has never won
anything before in his 23 years in the
RAN, beat the odds to have one of
his five $2 tickets drawn from among
more than 13,000 entries nationwide.
He owes his good fortune to the
random selection software tool operated by Fleet Commander RADM
Steve Gilmore that drew ticket
number ‘3454’.
WINNER! WO Mark Duncan won the inaugural “Win With Navy” competition, drawn by Fleet Commander RADM Steve Gilmore on November
26.
RADM Gilmore said it was fantastic odds that the raffle winner was
among the 100 sailors gathered at FHQ
for the special draw on November 26.
“I didn’t buy a ticket this time
because I couldn’t risk winning the
money myself,” he joked.
“Win with Navy” is a raffle run by
the RAN CCB that offers $5000 every
payday.
The raffle is a great initiative that
provides a stable funding mechanism
for the provision of amenities to serv-
ing members above and beyond that
which could be made available through
the public purse.
The money raised by the raffle will
allow the RAN CCB to provide funding for Navy sports, the RAN Relief
Trust Fund, Navy Ticketing, and loans
and grants to messes.
Tickets can be acquired by completing the
application form on www.winwithnavy.
com.au
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NAVY NEWS
LR7046
December 10, 2009
14
FEATURES
CO owes his life to HMAS Melbourne
C
By LSIS Paul McCallum
who was 12, were rescued from the
stricken ship Helen B. Stirling by
HMAS Melbourne I.
“From a very young age I was
aware of the rescue by Melbourne.
My grandfather was increadibly
lucky the ship was able to respond
in the way it did. Of all the memorabilia that my grandfather had
Having served in Melbourne as from the rescue, I treasured the
an OOW in 1994, CMDR Harris Melbourne tallyband he was given.
has returned to the warship 15
“I wrote a short story on the
years later as her new CO.
rescue in primary school and have
While returning to a previ- always believed that, if it wasn’t for
ous ship isn’t unusual, the history Melbourne rescuing the members
shared between
of the Helen B , I
C M D R H a r r i s “If it wasn’t for HMAS
wouldn’t have been
a n d t h e n a m e Melbourne I rescuing
born.”
M e l b o u r n e i s the members of Helen
CMDR Harris
truly special.
hopes to get the
B Stirling, I wouldn’t
“I joined the
opportunity to have
have been born.”
Navy to be the
his father at sea
– CMDR Michael Harris with him for a night
CO of a major
fleet unit and ever
or two, along with
since the FFG Melbourne was wife Angela, two children James
built, I hoped that I would com- and Olivia, and his mother, to show
mand her,” CMDR Harris said.
them what they have helped him
“Since I was awarded my achieve.
bridge watching certificate as an
“They are all incredibly proud,
OOW in Melbourne, it firmly none more so than my father. All
became the ship I set my sights on
of what I know of the rescue and of
commanding.”
There is good reason for my great grandfather is because of
CMDR Harris to be so keen on him,” he said.
“I know he wishes that my
the one ship and that reason dates
grandparents were still alive
back to 1922.
In 1922, CMDR Harris’ great to see me assume command of
grandparents and grandfather, Melbourne.”
MDR Michael Harris
has a unique affiliation with HMAS
Melbourne – it could
be said that he owes his life and
livelihood to RAN warships that
carry that name.
ARTIST’S IMPRESSION: CMDR Michael Harris commissioned this painting depicting the rescue of his great grandparents and his grandfather by HMAS Melbourne in 1922. CMDR Harris’ grandfather was just 12 years old when he
was rescued.
Image courtesy CMDR Michael Harris
web: www.salt.asn.au
e-mail: [email protected]
ph: 02 6123 2929
For Christmas Gifts
Lots of great ideas on special!
Specials valid to 31 December 2009
Flame Design Cap
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World Time Clock
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Beer Mug
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NAVY NEWS
GOAL ACHIEVED: CMDR Michael Harris has taken command of HMAS
Melbourne – achieving a life-long goal.
Photo: ABIS Andrew Dakin
Rescue in the
middle of the night
I
N 1922 HMAS Melbourne (I) was transiting to New Zealand for a good will
visit when she intercepted a distress
call from a stricken schooner, the Helen
B. Stirling, 340km away.
The four-masted sloop had left
Newcastle bound for the Society Islands
and San Francisco when she was struck
by a cyclone off the north coast of NSW.
With main mast smashed and the rigging
torn to shreds, the radio operator managed to send an SOS, despite the ship
taking on water and the sea breaking
over the vessel.
With little knowledge of the sloop’s
actual position and with coal fuel near
empty, Melbourne’s Commanding Officer
CAPT Henry Feakes responded to the
desperate call for help and sailed into
the cyclone.
Melbourne’s coal fuel had almost
reached a critical level but, less than
an hour before the ship would have to
abandon the search, a faint radio message was received stating “we can see
your lights”.
Violent seas prevented Melbourne
from coming alongside Helen B. Stirling
so the ship was positioned up swell of
the sloop and Melbourne’s cutter was
despatched to rescue the stricken crew.
The cutter approached the wallowing sloop but did not proceed alongside
for fear of being battered against the
larger ship. A line was passed to the crew
of Helen B. Stirling and the crew were
hoisted across to the cutter.
Leslie Harris, CMDR Michael Harris’
grandfather, was the 13th person out of
22, plus the ship’s cat, who was rescued
from the sloop and transferred to the
cruiser Melbourne.
December 10, 2009
15
PERSONNEL
Not so senior in
Senior Service
SHOW OF SUPPORT: Members
of HMAS Warramunga’s ship’s
company form the shape of a
white ribbon in support of White
Ribbon Day.
Photo: ABIS Morgana Salabert
Defence Census reveals interesting results for Navy
YOUNG GUNS:
ABSNs Salulnelanei
Gray (left) and
Jonathan Magri
enjoy lunch and the
hospitality of the
Rural Development
Unit of the Tongan
Defence Service
while deployed on
Operation Samoa
Assist. Navy has the
youngest members
on average according to the 2007
Defence Census.
Photo: ABIS Lincoln
Commane
By Annie Casey
NAVY has a younger age profile
than the other Services with the
lowest median age of 27.3 years.
➤ Navy people experienced being
away from home for longer with
an average of 18.8 weeks per
year.
➤ Navy has the highest number of
“Service” partnerships at 20 per
cent, compared to Army’s 14 per
cent and RAAF’s 17 per cent.
➤ Navy has almost double the representation of members with
dependents unaccompanied at 13
per cent compared to Army’s 7
per cent and RAAF’s 5 per cent.
➤ Navy has the lowest percentage
of dependents at 42 per cent compared to Army’s 52 per cent and
RAAF’s 59 per cent.
➤ Navy members have the highest
average rent at $205, compared to
Army’s $195 and RAAF’s $186.
CDRE Letts said that, when it
came to family support, 45 per cent
of ADF members with dependent
children living at home received
some form of Commonwealth benefit.
“Navy and Army are the same
in terms of awareness of accessing
Commonwealth child care benefits,
with 25 per cent being unaware of
their entitlement,” he said.
“This was given as a reason for
not receiving child care benefits.”
CDRE Letts said the information gained from the Census was
important because it informed future
policy and provided information to
members about themselves and the
Navy profile.
Posted? Let DCO welcome
you and your family
DURING the key post-in cycle of
January, February and March many
Defence Community Organisation
(DCO) offices will host welcome
day events for Defence families
who have recently moved.
These events give families an
opportunity to meet with other families, as well as learn about their new
community, including support services and local organisations.
The events listed are current as
of late November 2009. Go to the
DCO Events website for up-to-date
information on events held by DCO
offices in your location, or contact
your local DCO Office.
Check out www.defence.gov.au/dco/
community_events.htm
FAMILY SUPPORT: ABBM
Robert Parmley hugs his nephew Craig. DCO supports Navy
families.
NAVY NEWS
Sailors join to support
the rights of women
MEMBERS of the RAN have come and be treated with dignity and respect,”
together on both sides of the country in he said.
“This view underpins our equity and
a symbolic show of support for women
diversity policies and is fundamental to
on White Ribbon Day.
In eastern Australia, crew members
from HMAS Kanimbla joined to form a
human white ribbon alongside at Fleet
Base East but, not to be outdone in the
west, HMAS Warramunga’s ship’s company did the same.
Head of Navy People and Reputation
CDRE David Letts said Navy was proud
to be a supporter of White Ribbon Day
and an advocate of women’s rights.
“All women have the right to feel safe
our culture.”
Sailors took part in other smaller
White Ribbon Day events across the
country.
The White Ribbon Foundation of
Australia aims to eliminate violence
against women by promoting culturechange around the issue.
For further information visist www.whiteribbonday.org.au
'HIHQFH)RUFH'LVFRXQW3ODQ
DCO welcome events 2010
Canberra
WHERE? Kambah Adventure
Playground.
WHEN? 0900 – 1200 on February
27, 2010.
WHAT? Come to Kambah for a
pancake breakfast. In addition to
the play equipment at the adventure
playground, there will be balloon
modelling, face painting, a patting
paddock and Dance Central will be
performing. A number of local organisations will also be there to show
what Canberra has to offer.
RSVP? February 17, 2010.
CONTACT? DCO Canberra on
(02) 6265 8777 or email dco.
[email protected]
CONTACT? DCO Nowra on
(02) 4421 3855.
Jervis Bay
WHERE? HMAS Creswell – Banksia
House.
10, 2010.
WHAT? Morning tea will be provided
with information available from local
community groups.
CONTACT? DCO Nowra on
(02) 4421 3855.
Sydney
WHERE? Randwick Barracks, Avoca
St, Randwick.
2, 2010.
Nowra
WHAT? A morning tea for newly
posted families to Sydney to connect
WHERE? HMAS Albatross
with other families, gain information
– Kookaburra Flats.
WHEN? 1000 – 1200 on February 9, on local DCO and community support
services.
2010.
WHAT? Morning tea will be provided RSVP? January 27, 2010.
with information available from local CONTACT? Family Liaison Officer or
Military Support Officer on
community groups.
(02) 9393 3314.
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For eastern states members
For West Australian members
To find your nearest store visit: www.clivepeeters.com.au
To find your nearest store visit: www.rickhart.com.au
Clive Peeters Ltd trading as Rick Hart in WA
CP_DF_25_11_09
This is just one of the observations
drawn from the fifth Defence Census
of May 2007.
Although the overall Defence
participation was lower than in
2003, Navy’s support for the Census
increased because of the efforts
of staff working in Navy People
Branch (formerly Navy Personnel
and Training) and the support of
Commanding Officers.
Head of Navy People and
Reputation CDRE David Letts said
Census feedback was one of the vital
sources of information that could be
used for assisting and directing policy that supports Navy’s people.
“It helps tease out the variations and differences between the
Services and influence future policy
and guidelines,” CDRE Letts said.
In October 2009 the Defence
Attitudinal Survey also produced
a noteworthy comparison with
Navy having a higher percentage of
females at 18 per cent, compared to
Army’s 10 per cent and Air Force’s
17 per cent.
Other interesting findings arising from the Defence Census 2007
include:
➤ Most Navy people – 38 per cent –
work in the Sydney area (including FBE ships).
➤ Navy members spend the longest
getting to work with an average
travel time of 29 minutes.
Supported by the Chiefs of Navy, Army and Air Force, and endorsed by Frontline Defence Services and the RANCCF.
December 10, 2009
16
17
CENTRESPREAD
STUNNING: HMAS Toowoomba’s ship’s company
recently visited the ancient city of Petra, Jordan.
Photo: LCDR Stan Buckham
Experience of a lifetime
A nuclear-powered
cross deck for lucky
Toowoomba sailors
By ABET Samantha Whitfield
T IS not every day that a RAN sailor gets the opportunity to
cross-deck to a USN aircraft carrier. But that’s exactly what
Ihappened
to me during HMAS Toowoomba’s tasking in CTF50.
From LEUT Kelli Lunt in Aqaba
T
O BE the first RAN ship to berth in Aqaba, Jordan
in more than 15 years was an amazing experience
and a deployment highlight for the ship’s company
of HMAS Toowoomba (CMDR Ivan Ingham).
As the location for a six-day port visit for rest and relaxation, Aqaba was the gateway to visit spectacular scenery,
ancient wonders and a fascinating culture in a very hospitable
country.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is home to about 6.3
million people. Geographically, the nation lies in the centre of
the Levant, an area of great interest and significant strategic
importance. This is because Jordan shares its borders with
Syria in the north, Iraq to the north east, Saudi Arabia to the
south east, the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea to the south west,
and Israel and the West Bank to the west.
In the Gulf of Aqaba, just 12 nautical miles separates the
coasts of Egypt and Israel to the west and Saudi Arabia and
Jordan in the east. This was the backdrop as Toowoomba berthed at the Royal Jordanian Naval Base, Aqaba. The impressive scenery comprised towering escarpments and a rugged
coastline with beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear blue
seas. The climate was perfect.
Twenty-four hours before arriving in Aqaba, Toowoomba
hosted two special guests: Commander Joint Task Force 633
MAJGEN Mark Kelly and the Australian Ambassador to
Jordan Glenn White. Both arrived by helo and spent a rare
night at sea.
The arrival in Aqaba coincided with Toowoomba’s fourth
birthday. Built in Williamstown, Victoria and Commissioned
on October 8, 2005 in Brisbane, Toowoomba has travelled
more than 135,000 nautical miles during 12,551 hours underway.
A magnificent birthday cake, prepared by ABCK Thomas
Hood, was cut by the youngest sailor ABCK Barton and the
CO. Toowoomba’s birthday was also celebrated at an official
reception held on board the same night.
Guests attending the reception included the Australian
Ambassador, Deputy Chief of the Jordanian Navy, BRIG GEN
Al Karim Al Fdoul, the Defence Attache to Jordan GPCAPT
Murray Gordon, as well as a large contingent of Embassy staff
and members from the Royal Jordanian Navy.
After the official duties were completed, the ship’s company embraced the opportunity to explore Aqaba and surrounding areas including Petra, the Dead Sea, Wadi Rum and
Bethany Beyond Jordan.
The most popular destination was the ancient city of Petra,
probably best known for a scene in the film Indiana Jones and
the Last Crusade when Indiana enters a monstrous columnclad building carved into the rock-face in search of the chalice
of immortality. More stunning visually in real life than on
screen, Petra did not disappoint Toowoomba’s sailors.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and proclaimed
in 2007 to be one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”,
Petra boasts phenomenal architecture and statues that were cut
into the side of sheer rock faces some 2000 years ago. The area
was originally built by the Nabataeans, but came under the rule
of the Romans, the Byzantines and the Umayyads before disappearing from western civilisation until rediscovered in 1816.
Two of the more significant sites were the Treasury
(Khazneh), where the Nabataean empire kept its wealth and
riches, mainly food and grain, and the Monastery (Deir) which
sits 50 metres wide and 40 metres long at the top of 800 steps.
While some took the opportunity to ride by camel or
donkey through the Siq, the creviced entrance to the ancient
Nabataean city, most were happy to wander along on foot, listening to the insights of the tour guide.
Visiting the Dead Sea was a unique experience for those
who chose to travel the four hours drive north of Aqaba. At
422 metres below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest place
on the Earth’s surface. Its salinity is 10 times that of an ocean
and therefore enables swimmers to easily float.
Visitors relished the opportunity to cover themselves in
thick black mud, which is highly regarded and sought after
globally for its beauty and health enriching properties.
NAVY NEWS
HMAS Toowoomba has returned
to Australia after HMAS Stuart
took over operational duties in the
Middle East. Before leaving though,
Toowoomba’s ship’s company
visited Jordan and, by all reports,
had the time of their lives.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP (L-R):
➤ LSMT Ratislav Zamencik is taught how to tie a ‘keffiyeh’ by a local
Bedouin at Wadi Rum, Jordan.
➤ The coastline along Aqaba, Jordan boasts spectacular coral and sea
life including this Petrois species lion fish.
Photo: LS Jarrod Vowell
➤ HMAS Toowoomba steams towards the Port of Aqaba, Jordan.
Photo: LCDR Stan Buckham
➤ L-R: CMDR Ivan Ingham, LCDR Carroll, LCDR Stan Buckham and
XO Simon Howard stand in front of the treasury building in the lost city
of Petra, Jordan.
➤ L-R: LSCIS Glenn Willats, ABCD Jackson, ABET Cristy Hazelman
and LSMT Rastislav Zamecnik smear themselves in black mud before
swimming in the salty water in the Dead Sea, Jordan.
LSCIS Glenn Willats said swimming in the Dead Sea was a
remarkable sensation.
“I was quite sceptical of the Dead Sea ‘experience’, though
I now firmly believe that it should not be missed,” LSCIS
Willats said.
“The chance to cover head to toe in mud and then to float
so effortlessly on the ocean was awesome.”
Tours to the Dead Sea also included the chance to visit
Bethany, the historically significant biblical site where Jesus
was believed to have been baptised by John the Baptist in the
Jordan River.
The site featured five church ruins at differing stages of
excavation and indicates the geographical separation of two
countries – just three metres between the countries of Jordan
and Israel at some points.
Another area that displayed an almost mythical beauty was
the area of Wadi Rum, a desert area known as the “Valley of
the Moon” located in the southern part of Jordan. It gets its
name from Wadi (one of the dry valleys) and Jebel Rum (the
highest mountain in Jordan) and is home to local Bedouin
people.
What makes this geographical wonder so special are the
unusual rock forms of granite and sandstone, and the vast
desert which casts an array of colours at different times of the
day. There are also more than 4000 ancient inscriptions to be
found on the rock faces throughout the area.
Wadi Rum is perhaps best known in the modern era for its
connection with T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) and his
role during the Arab Revolt. It was also the site for filming of
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in 2008.
The ship’s company enjoyed their time in Aqaba, making
the most of the coastline by swimming and snorkelling.
ABCD Leigh Wetton said the snorkelling and diving was
some of the best he had ever seen.
“After years of civilian and military diving, I rate the vis-
ibility of the sea in Jordan as absolutely perfect,” ABCD
Wetton said.
“In conditions of visibility exceeding 25 metres and with
the perfect water temperature, Jordan was easily one of the
highlights of my diving career. As well as unbelievable diving
conditions the abundance of beautiful fish and coral made for
spectacular snorkelling.”
Aqaba also offered an excellent range of local market
places offering local handcrafts including silver, semi-precious
jewellery and Dead Sea salts and beauty products.
The visit to Jordan was enjoyed so much that many of
Toowoomba’s crew hope they will get the opportunity to
return again either with work or on holidays.
Toowoomba left Jordan to continue patrols in the Middle
East Area of Operations, contributing to maritime security
operations, counter-piracy and counter-terrorist activities in
the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa.
Job well done
A
S HMAS Toowoomba conducted her final patrol
in the MEAO, Commander JTF633 MAJGEN Mark
Kelly joined her to congratulate the ship’s company
on a successful deployment and to recognise some of
their exceptional achievements.
“I congratulate you on the completion of a most
successful mission in enforcing maritime security
across the MEAO and while tasked to TF50 and CTFs
150 and 151,” MAJGEN Kelly said.
“You should be extremely proud of the important
contribution you have all made toward maritime security in the Gulf, as well as being the first RAN warship
to participate in counter-terrorism operations in the
Arabian Sea and counter-piracy operations in the Gulf
of Aden.”
Silver CJTF633 commendations were awarded to
RANLO Bahrain LCDR Michael Slattery, Toowoomba’s
Navigator LEUT Jonathon Beatty, LSPT Nicole
Gunthorpe, POMT Dane Field and LSCK Darrin Eslick,
for their outstanding performance.
Individual Bronze CJTF633 commendations were
awarded to CPOMT Andrew Bowering and POMT
Raymond White, while a group Bronze CJTF633
commendation recognised the exceptional efforts of
Toowoomba’s (Flight 3) aviation maintainers.
“Through a combination of sheer hard work and
technical excellence, you delivered a near-perfect
and truly exceptional record of aviation capability,”
MAJGEN Kelly said.
CO group commendations were also presented
to Toowoomba’s cookery sub-department, the level
four boarding team and TF633 1.1 Logistics Support
Element, which is based in Bahrain.
I was one of the lucky ones chosen to cross-deck to the nuclearpowered carrier USS Nimitz. Flown over by our Seahawk Pegasus,
together with five other members of the ship’s company, I spent the
day being shown around the impressive ship.
My guide was Operations Specialist E7 Maritza Chavez, the
equivalent rank to leading seaman. We got along well right from the
start and I enjoyed hearing her talk about the ship. Her tour included
places such as the hangar, flight deck, fo’c’sle and the bridge.
I learnt about the different coloured jerseys worn by the sailors
who work on the flight deck and how the aircraft are lowered from
the flight deck to the hangar for maintenance. Maintenance is conducted 24 hours a day!
We also toured the various gyms. The ship had a dedicated
treadmill room complete with 30 treadmills and 15 spin bikes.
Toowoomba has just one treadmill and two bikes so you can imagine my expression when I walked into this gym! Up another deck,
however, there was a compartment the size of a mainstream gym full
of weights.
On the bridge I got to take the helm and steer the ship. What a
thrill to claim that I have steered an aircraft carrier!
Of course one of the most impressive aspects of Nimitz was the
number of aircraft on board. We spent time on ‘Vultures Row’ adjacent to the air tower to see the jets take off – it was a great view
of the whole operation. With the engines winding up, the roar of
the engines were so loud we both had ear plugs and ear muffs on.
Following all the noise came the vibration through my body and the
entire ship. In just seconds the jet took off and left us with the smell
of burnt rubber and rising steam from the catapult on the deck.
Accommodation on Nimitz was quite different to Toowoomba
– Maritza lived in a berthing area with 80 girls that were all from
her department. They share three showers! She said there was never
a long queue because they all had different watches. Their rack size
is a lot smaller than ours; although wider, the height from one to
another is much smaller. They also have coffin lockers where their
belongings are stored under their rack.
There were a number of rumours about aircraft carriers I was
keen to dispel with Maritza. She told me there was no McDonald’s
restaurant, no bowling alley, no swimming pool, no one person to
change all the light bulbs and, despite a company of close to 4800,
there was no one person to fill the goffa machines. However, they
did have a church and USS Ronald Reagan has a Starbucks!
After lunch in their giant sailors’ mess, I had a quick tour and
explanation of the brig on board and visited the convenience store
for souvenirs. Maritza and I exchanged hats, coffee mugs and of
course our email addresses.
It was likely that the next chance I would have to see Maritza
would be if the ship came to Australia. But fate had a different plan
and, two days later, Maritza visited Toowoomba as part of the personnel exchange program. Maritza arrived shortly after our RAS with
Nimitz and I happily showed her how we live on board an Anzac
class frigate.
Where I had exclaimed “Wow, it’s so big” when on board Nimitz,
her comments were quite the opposite – especially when we visited
our weights and cardio room. Maritza said she had a warm feeling
from our ship and liked how everybody knew one another.
This was one of the most amazing opportunities of my Navy
career to date and, hopefully, fate will once again step in and I will
get to see Maritza in Perth next year.
MAMMOTH: Operations E7 Maritza Chavez (left) gives
ABET Sam Whitfield a tour of USS
Nimitz.
December 10, 2009
18
RESERVES
DG’s HEADS UP DG’s HEADS UP DG’s HEADS UP DG’s HEADS UP DG’s HEADS UP DG’s
Don’t fear change – embrace it
By CDRE
Ranford Elsey
DGRES-N
T
HIS year has witnessed the
start of possibly the most significant change program across
Defence beginning with the release
of the Government’s White Paper
2009.
For Navy, it presents a significant
challenge to introduce into service
highly sophisticated new platforms
and technologies – a quantum leap
from where we are today.
This is not something to fear, but
rather embrace, for Australia will have
a highly capable Navy in Force 2030.
It also means that reservists must
also be expected at times to under-
take appropriate training and develop
expertise if they are to be effectively
utilised in tomorrow’s Navy.
New Generation Navy (NGN) has
really picked up pace since July 1.
Its three pillars, Culture, Leadership
and Ethics, and Structure are aimed at
transforming Navy over the next five
years. It’s a program that belongs to
every member of Navy – permanent,
reserve and public service.
In the most visible change to the
organisation, Navy Systems Command
functions were predominantly amalgamated with Navy Headquarters to form
the new Navy Strategic Command.
Individual training was placed
with collective training under Fleet
Command.
Navy’s Signature Behaviours were
introduced along with a number of
‘Bow Wave Projects’ aimed at reforming processes and culture within
Navy. Members attended ‘Leading
the Change’ workshops and these are
being followed up with a series of four
engagements under the ‘Making the
Change’ activities to end in June 2010.
All active reserves are directed to
attend ‘Making the Change’ engagements over the next seven months.
This can be arranged through your
supervisor and chain of command.
Your attendance will be recorded as a
proficiency in PMKeyS.
Navy is also embarking on a whole
of Navy Capability Workforce Review
and the Navy Reserve (NR) is very
much a part of that program. Over the
next couple of months, the offices of
Directors General, Navy Capability
Transformation and Sustainment, Navy
Personnel and Reserves will review all
funded reserve commitment (FRC) and
project positions with a view to prioritising these according to Navy capability requirements. More information
on the review will be provided in the
months ahead.
Australia has fared reasonably well
and come out of the global financial
crisis in better shape than expected.
As for all organisations, the crisis
has put a lot of pressure on leadership and employees. However, the NR
has remained committed to providing
Navy capability and outputs.
I would like to pay tribute to the
outstanding contribution NR members
make to Defence. Over the past four
years, the number of continuous fulltime service (CFTS) contracts written
has increased steadily by over 30 each
year and, in this FY, there were 543
reservists on CFTS (as at October 31).
This is 50 more than the last FY.
Likewise, the contribution of
part-time members has steadily
increased, notably in filling permanent
Navy vacancies. The NR Capability
Enhancement Program is now considered business as usual with reservists
continually filling operational positions; the Patrol Boat Group leading
the charts and reaping the benefits.
CFTS and FRC (including NRCEP)
and project contributions are up significantly on figures for the same period
last year. In FY06-07 the NR contribution to the Navy’s trained force was
7.60 per cent. In FY07-08, that figure
rose to 9.65 per cent; and for FY0809, the contribution reached 10.47 per
cent – an outstanding effort by any
measure.
Without that level of NR support,
doing business in some critical areas
would be extremely difficult. Reserves
are contributing increasingly in either
a full- or part-time capacities.
My sincere thanks go not only to
members, but also to employers and
family members who make this possible.
I take this opportunity to wish
you and your loved ones a blessed
Christmas, a safe and enjoyable holiday, and a 2010 that brings both challenges and rewards.
May I encourage you to continue
to serve Navy as a reservist either in
full- or part-time service, or to consider whether you may wish to make
a permanent commitment to full-time
service? Either way, Navy appreciates
your contribution.
Reservist’s perfect job and
lifestyle at Jervis Bay
By SBLT Carolyn Docking
CPO Richard Timms found his
perfect job as an instructor at the
Royal Australian Naval College
(RANC) at HMAS Creswell and
the perfect lifestyle in nearby
Vincentia.
PERFECTION: CPO Richard Timms enjoys seeing everybody complete their courses at HMAS
Creswell.
Photo: SBLT Carolyn Docking
His days are filled with a mix
of reserve time and spending time
with his wife and their five grandchildren aged from four to 14.
“I fill them full of fairy floss
and send them back to their mother,” he joked.
CPO Timms said his active lifestyle kept him fit for the demands
of being an instructor.
His time away from RANC is
spent bushwalking, landscaping,
sailing and diving.
“You need a pretty good level
of fitness for this job, particularly
during exercises,” he said.
CPO Timms has instructed 10
Reserve Entry Officer Courses
(REOC) and four New Entry
Officer Courses (NEOC) and
received a CO’s commendation
earlier this year for his service and
dedication to the training environment, along with his enthusiasm
for performing his tasks.
He said his favourite part of the
job was seeing everyone complete
their courses.
Getting posted?
Got something to sell?
Something to buy?
He went straight into the
reserves but there were gaps in his
reserve service because of his varied and interesting civilian employment.
CPO Timms previously drove
a 6400 tonne bulker carrier in
the Gulf of Carpentaria, worked
at TAFE as a maritime studies
lecturer and was a tug driver in
Western Australia. His move to the
RANC came after asking around
for reserve time.
He was offered the position in
March 2005.
CPO Timms plans to continue working at Creswell until his
retirement.
Paying tribute
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By Graham Davis
THE group gathered beneath the fluttering Australian White Ensign (AWE)
was small in number – just 10 – but big
in remembrance and reverence.
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“We go from taking people that
can’t halt and are terrified, through
to them saying ‘I can do this’,” he
said.
“It’s interesting watching the
NEOC students as well because
their course is so much longer.
“It’s very different dynamics
teaching NEOC to REOC.
“Some of the challenges of the
job are staffing the leadership exercises of Sunda Strait, Matapan and
Coral Sea.
“We all help out where we
can.”
CPO Timms first joined the
permanent Navy in 1967 and left
after 26 years.
MOVING: The small ceremony
was held at Moreton Bay.
Photo: Graham Davis
They had come to remember the 645
men who had given their lives for their
country when their ship, HMAS Sydney,
was sunk by the German raider HSK
Kormoran.
The group, brought together by the
Redcliffe (Qld) sub-branch of the Naval
Association, paid its tribute at a simple ceremony held on the foreshore of
Moreton Bay.
Among the group was LS Peter Craig,
a staunch member of the HMAS Sydney
Association. He helped commission the
aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney.
AB Mick Rudkins was there too … he
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served from March 1941 aboard HMA
Ships Colac, Bendigo and Norman.
Ron Kirkwood, the president of the
local Naval Association branch was a petty
officer musician in the RAN for 12 years
and served a further 12 years as a sergeant in the Naval Police.
Ron can still blow a trumpet as he
showed when he sounded The Last Post as
Mick Rudkins lowered the AWE.
Joining the veterans were others who
had served the RAN including a number
of WRANS.
The group heard from Ron how the
ship was lost on that fateful night but how
she had recently been found off the coast
of Western Australia.
The HMAS Sydney remembrance ceremony has been conducted annually at
Redcliffe for many decades.
“And it will continue,” declared those
in attendance this year.
1300 738 601
NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
19
RESERVES
Rationalising reserve requirement
Navy command looking to the future
(aligned with Navy Strategic Plan 2009Responses are required by December
THE Head of Navy Capability has called
2010).
for input from Navy Reserve position 11.
“The aim of the review is to align the ➤ The appropriateness of the rank and
managers to rationalise capability with
NR construct to prioritised capability outspending.
PQ/category to achieve the capability
puts in accordance with the Navy Strategic
Plan 2009-2010 and to ensure a sustainable workforce to meet future capability
requirements,” DCN said.
“It is key that we use this opportunity
to design a NR that delivers maximum
capability to Navy while acknowledging
the unique requirements and skills of our
reserve workforce.”
In the minute to NR position managers, CDRE Lockwood said the Reserve
Reform Stream of the Strategic Reform
Program aimed to save about $380 million over the next decade through better
integration of part- and full-time reserve
capabilities.
CDRE Lockwood said completion and
submission of spreadsheets by December
11 would allow completion of the analysis
phase of the review by March 10.
The aim is to determine:
➤ The capability output of the position
Team six celebrates
historic milestone
MARKING an historic milestone, 50
former and serving members of Diving
Team 6 joined in celebrating the 50th
anniversary of the establishment of the
team at the St Kilda RSL on November
21.
While the members present mourned
the recent loss at sea of former PO Geoff
‘Megga’ Bascombe, an iconic stalwart
of the team, their camaraderie came to
the fore on the night celebrating with
icons like Danny Dorman, Chief ‘Buster’
Brown, Chief Glenn ‘Shark’ Delaland
and Chief Lee ‘Schmoo’ Smith.
Buster reminded all who would listen:
“I came here from England to teach you
buggers how to dive and speak English.
Now you’re the best damn divers in the
world and I can’t speak English!”
Former OICs CAPT Paul Willee,
LCDRs Wayne Sleeth, Raf Fabris and
Rohan Scheid, and LEUT Ray Smith,
were also present.
Paul told of several memories with
the following accounts of just two: while
searching for the possible bodies of a
couple at Eildon Dam, DT6 members
faced the additional hazard of their
demand valves freezing in the icy depths
of the lake.
In 1970 the Royal Yacht Britannia
visited Melbourne with Princess Anne
on board. While providing security,
the team was called upon to assist the
Commonwealth in a priority tasking –
recovering jewellery lost overboard by a
guest of the princess.
Rising to the task, the team quickly
recovered the lost item from the muddy
bottom of Port Melbourne. Princess
Anne was so delighted she suggested
other guests abandon their jewellery to
the depths for recovery by the team. Paul
politely suggested that this was not a
good idea.
The lower decks were ably represented by team members, several of whom
have been on continuous full-time service for many years. Third generation
output.
➤ The adequacy of both position manag-
ers’ and position supervisors’ understanding of the relative importance
of the position in ensuring capability
delivery.
➤ The implication of removing positions
as evidenced by the assessments in sections of the spreadsheet.
➤ The extent to which the position has
been filled over the past five years.
➤ Any new NR position bids with identified offsets (any project position that is
enduring in nature should be considered
and submitted as a new position bid, if
justified and appropriate).
CDRE Lockwood also warned position
managers: “For planning purposes, you
should expect that there will be no excess STICKING TO BUDGET: DCN RADM Davyd Thomas will apply
financial resources available to supplement a whole of capability workforce review to reserves.
Photo: ABIS Jo Dilorenzo
the NR budget in FY10/11 and beyond.”
With insurance
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PARTY TIME: Ex-CPO Buster Brown,
LCDR Doc Silver and Des O’Meara
with a Diving Team 6 banner.
reservist and ‘Queen’s AB’ Diver Brent
Stafford said it was a great honour to help
organise the event to bring together the
old and bolds and the younger serving
members to celebrate the team’s characters and rich history.
Long serving team member and
Secretary/Trustee of the Melbourne Naval
Centre, PO Carmel Tom, also assisted in
organising the event and was delighted to
see old friendships renewed.
Friendships founded as far back as
1959, through events such as the extensive but fruitless search in enormous seas
at Cheviot Beach for then-Prime Minister
Harold Holt, were also renewed.
Younger team members were barraged
with many colourful ‘warries’ proving
that the team’s oral history is alive and
well.
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In an all-ship-all-shore signal on
November 17, Deputy Chief of Navy
(DCN) RADM Davyd Thomas said spending on the reserves was forecast to exceed
budget this fiscal year by nearly 40 per
cent.
“It is imperative that Navy rationalises
its reserve requirement to fit within the
approved budget,” he said.
“In order to deliver the approved level
of capability within the budget, a wholeof-capability workforce review to the NR
capability will begin in November.”
RADM Thomas said the review was
being conducted under the direction of
the Director General Navy Capability
Transition and Sustainment, CDRE Peter
Lockwood.
“The input of each NR position manager is vital to the review process,” he said.
“NR position managers will shortly
receive a minute detailing positions under
their control that require input.”
1300 738 601
NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
20
RESERVES
A special day to remember
THE filming of the Nine Network Navy drama series, Sea Patrol, has taken a high level of cooperation between the Service and producers in HMAS Cairns,
homeport for Armidale class patrol boat HMAS Launceston, alias HMAS Hammersley (as she appears in the series). It’s all a matter of geography and, in
terms of proximity, Cairns-based TS Endeavour has a distinct advantage … as two separate incidents involving the vessels and cast of Sea Patrol show.
By CDTABs Brett Cope and
Jessica O’Donnell
IN LATE October we were lucky
enough to visit HMAS Hammersley,
the fictional patrol boat that appears
in the TV drama Sea Patrol.
We travelled from Cairns to
Mission Beach where we were met by
PO Tony Leslie, the real coxswain of
the patrol boat and also an instructor
at our unit, and driven to Hammersley
(HMAS Launceston) by RHIB.
Once on board we were given a
safety brief and split into two groups
for a tour of the ship.
After our tour we witnessed a firefighting demonstration and then were
lucky enough to try on all the firefighting gear and practice with the hoses
off the back of the ship. The crew also
showed us the bridge and all the latest
electrical equipment, including navigational and surveillance gear.
The crew gave us an insight into
their everyday life in the Navy but the
most exciting part of the trip was going
on the RHIB as the boarding party,
where everyone enjoyed the fast ride
on the ocean.
After that evolution we were famished so we headed to the galley to
check out what was on for lunch – the
food ranged from hamburgers to tomato fettuccini.
After lunch we were thrilled to
DAZZLED: Crew members of TS Endeavour meet
watch some of the filming of the show.
Hammersley’s new Buffer. Inset, ABCK Rebecca
Sadly, before long it was time to head
‘Bomber’ Brown, played by Kirsty Lee Allan, smiles
ashore. On the bright side, we were
for the camera with TS Endeavour’s CDTSMN Josh
met at Mourilyan Wharf by some
Cummins.
of the Sea Patrol cast and crew who
signed autographs for us and had their
Those who joined us from TS Josh Cummins, Layla Cutter and
could share our wonderful experience
photo taken with us.
Although we were sorry to leave, and adventure on HMAS Hammersley Endeavour were PO Dominique Letitia Field, and our XO LEUT Mark
Taylor, LS Adam Kregenbrink, SMNs Anderson ANC.
we were happy to be going home so we with our families and friends.
Star struck
cadets’ claim to
fame in Cairns
By CDTAB Alex Taifalos
FIFTEEN cadets from TS Endeavour
had the opportunity to witness
the filming of an episode of the
hit Channel Nine drama Sea Patrol
on November 10.
We arrived at our unit at 1600
to prepare to take part in this
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
But, when we marched to the
HMAS Cairns wharf we had little
idea that we had made a great
first impression.
After CDTLS Adam Kregenbrink
dismissed us, we were moved
over to the other side of the set
where we watched the filming.
Imagine our disbelief when
our CO, LCDR Christine Wootton,
told us that the director was so
impressed with us he wanted to
include us in the scene that was
being filmed.
We were asked to form a
squad and march down the wharf.
After half a dozen takes of the
30-second scene, the stars of the
series took time out of their busy
day to have photos taken with us.
What can we say but WOW!
We enjoyed ourselves and had the
best time being ‘stars’ and meeting the real ones.
Season four of Sea Patrol is
scheduled to air in mid-2010.
CN praises outstanding cadets
TS ANZAC was a hive of activity and a blaze of colour on
November 14 as the unit eagerly
awaited the arrival of the Chief
of Navy to present the awards
recognising the premier unit in
Australia for 2009.
National Commander CAPT
Eliot Fisher, ANC, and TS Anzac
CO SBLT Ray Cron, ANC, greeted VADM Russ Crane, AM, CSM,
RAN, as he arrived and, following
the salute, accompanied him on
the inspection of a well-presented
unit with a guard and drum corps.
SPECIAL UNIT: CN VADM Russ Crane inspects
the parade during a ceremony at TS Anzac.
Photo: LSIS Nadia Monteith
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that the ANC was very proud to
have a former cadet as the Chief
of Navy. A framed presentation
of ANC badges and accoutrements was then presented to CN
in appreciation of his support to
the ANC.
Later the first of the Cadet
Readiness badges (Staff) were
presented to LCDR Peter Martin,
LEUT Lance Spice and SBLT
Cron, followed by presentations of
Cadet Readiness badges (Cadet)
to Cadets CPO Perham, LS Lewis
Ascough and LS Bradshaw.
Condamine reactivated
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VADM Crane praised the outstanding efforts of the unit saying they had realised their motto,
Second to None.
After the march past VADM
Crane presented his Premier Unit
Flag, signifying the best unit in
Australia. The hoist was conducted
with great pride by the signal hand
and the flag will be flown for 12
months. This was followed by the
presentation of the NLA Trophy to
SBLT Cron.
Following the presentation,
CAPT Fisher told VADM Crane
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Although based inside a school, Condamine
remains a community unit.
Condamine began life as TS Perth in 1946
at the Manly ferry wharf. The unit became
Condamine in 1956 but closed in 2005 because of
issues with its building (then at Manly Vale).
Since reopening in June the strength of the unit
has grown to 20 cadets.
The ceremony saw the presentation of an official colour and was attended by Fleet Commander
RADM Steve Gilmore.
CO LCDR Wayne Gobert said the reactivation
was a great turning point.
“The cadets performed very well,” he said.
“The unit looks forward to growing its seniority base and recruiting more female cadets.”
VALUED GUEST: Fleet Commander RADM Steve
Gilmore and CDTSMN Toys Fiefia cut the official
cake.
December 10, 2009
21
RESERVES
From statehood
to the present
By CMDR Jim Huggett
QUEENSLAND reservists joined other
Government authorities and Queensland
Police in late October to provide the
public and Defence Reserve employers
with a glimpse of Defence and police
from statehood to the present.
TIRED TEAM: (Front row L-R) SA Governor RADM Kevin Scarce with the oldest surviving “Fuzzy Wuzzy
Angel”, Ovuru Ndiki, ADC Carolyn Sladden and LCDR Trish Matthews. Back row (L-R) CAPT Sam
Benveniste, Peter Jeffery, FLTLT Guy Bowering, CAPT Robyn Sluyters and MAJ Peter Reynolds.
Governor’s team
toughs out trek
By CMDR Steve Dunning
mountain walk (Mt Lofty in SA),”
she said.
“As the weeks passed this
increased to daily walks of one hour
at top speed to the terrain available,
and a weekly mountain walk of five
hours.”
According to LCDR Matthews
and her colleagues, RADM Scarce
was a driving factor in motivating
the HADCs who had volunteered
to meet for the longer team treks
and included participating in the
As with many adventures it all 12km City to Bay Walk for charity
started after a couple of glasses of in September.
wine. The honorary aides de-camp
(HADC) to the Governor (and sen- “It was a humbling
ior Navy reservist), RADM Kevin experience to read the
Scarce, were gathered with their
partners for a Christmas celebration four black polished
in 2008 when the challenge was set. monuments at the
Why Kokoda? RADM Scarce Isurava battle site,
explained that he had always wanted
inscribed Endurance,
to walk the track since studying the
history of the Kokoda campaign as a Mateship, Sacrifice and
midshipman and his later interaction Courage.”
with senior Australian and American
– LCDR Trish Matthews
Army colleagues had intensified that
aspiration.
“We flew out to Port Moresby
With the seed planted RADM on October 18 before flying to
Scarce got the ball rolling and a Popondetta the next day,” she said.
trekking company was identified.
“But an unscheduled overnight
LCDR Matthews said that, of the stopover in Popondetta was fortuiinitial 11 individuals who volun- tous because it allowed the group
teered, the numbers dwindled due to be taken to the beach at Gona,
to health, family and employment where Japanese soldiers first landed
commitments. The final group of in 1942, and the scene of significant
seven keen individuals including the battles when they withdrew.
Governor, his civilian ADC and five
“We then travelled by road to
Reserve HADC participants, includ- Kokoda and walked the 96km to
ing LCDR Trish Matthews, then set Owers Corner over eight days. In
about preparing for the trek.
this time, the team gained considerLCDR Matthews said that, indi- able insight into the difficult terrain
vidual physical training regimes the Australian soldiers encountered
started at various times throughout and paid tribute to their bravery at
early 2009 but, at the 12-week pre- various memorials.
trek mark, they focussed on a sched“It was a humbling experience
ule recommended by the trekking to read the four black polished
company.
monuments at the Isurava battle
“This began with short daily site, inscribed Endurance, Mateship,
walks at top speed and a weekly Sacrifice and Courage.”
DEPUTY Director Naval Reserve
Support-SA LCDR Trish Matthews
achieved a significant career milestone recently when she tackled
“the world’s third toughest trek”,
by completing the 96km Kokoda
Track in the company of the South
Australian Governor, his full-time
aide de-camp and a number of fellow reservists from the Army and
Air Force.
LCDR Matthews said the highlight of the trek was the honour of
meeting Ovuru Ndiki, one of the last
Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, in the village
of Naduri. LCDR Matthews also
acknowledged the help provided by
the indigenous support crew, which
she said was invaluable.
“A porter was always within arms
reach at creek crossings and other
sections of difficult terrain to ensure
the safety of trekkers and to offer a
gentle hand or words of encouragement when individuals in our party
were struggling.”
She said the group were fortunate
to have mild weather during the trek
with only a little rain.
“I can appreciate how a few
extra degrees in temperature, higher
humidity or more rain could make
the terrain and each day’s slog far
more difficult.
“I also learnt something about
myself and the importance of being
prepared and focussed,” she said.
“Of course being part of a team
meant there was extra support and
encouragement when someone was
struggling. By the end of the trek
I was pretty exhausted but it was
worth it and it’s something that will
stay with me forever.”
The Defence Reserves Support
Council sponsored an open day pageant
at Victoria Barracks on October 25 to
mark the 150th anniversary of the state
of Queensland, one of a number of celebration events throughout the year.
The day was a great success with more
than 1000 people recognising Defence’s
historic association with the citizens of
Queensland.
The pageant offered entertainment
throughout the day, with participating
bodies including the ADF, Queensland
Police, Queensland Mounted Infantry
Historical Troop, Queensland Scottish
Vo l u n t e e r R e - e n a c t m e n t G r o u p ,
Queensland Anzac Day Commemorative
Committee, Victoria Barracks Museum,
and the Queensland Maritime Museum.
The naval contingent I headed established a maritime and Navy display featuring historical period uniforms, ship
models and memorabilia.
When Queen Victoria signed the official proclamation document on June 6,
1859 Queensland became a state in its
own right.
Victoria Barracks was officially
opened on October 27, 1864 (some five
years younger than Queensland) and has,
at various stages, hosted the ADF and the
Queensland Police Service. The ADF and
police have worked closely together over
the years and enjoy a strong relationship.
The Queensland Naval Brigade
(Militia) was formed in 1883, eight years
before the RAN. Because no ships were
available, they were used as naval infantry to garrison and to defend ports along
the Queensland coast.
The maritime display included a
scale model of the Lucinda donated by
Maritime Safety Queensland (my civilian
employer). The Queensland Government
steamship Lucinda has special historical significance through its association
with the first draft of the Australian
Constitution.
In 1891 Sir Samuel Griffith, then
Queensland Premier, sailed to Sydney
in the Lucinda and the Australian
Constitution was drafted on board.
CELEBRATION OF STATEHOOD: LCDR Mark Jarrett and CMDR Jim
Huggett join Queensland Police Commisioner Bob Atkinson at the 150th
anniversary display.
Special mark
NAVAL Reserve news
items will take their
place in Navy
News alongside items
on the
permanent Navy
next year.
Items about
reservists will
be identified by a blue
NR dinkus.
1300 738 601
NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
NAVY
September 20 , 2007
23
HEALTH
Give fat the heave-ho ho ho
Without wanting to spoil the fun and fare
of Christmas, LT Rob Orr has some tips
for giving your body the best start to the
new year.
T
HE festive season is not usually
a good time for girths, as physical activity takes a back seat
to eating, drinking and being
merry. To salvage your hard-won fitness, a plan of action is needed.
in moderation and avoid the accompanying salty, fatty snacks.
E
xperience life: Try something new every week. What about
waterskiing, bushwalking, hiking,
mountain-bike riding or archery?
Christmas works on two fronts in shift- Maybe you can learn to surf, play
ing the balance of energy intake versus golf or skate?
output. Apart from having to store a caloctivate: Go for family walks after
rie surplus, the body, in the absence of
exercise, can lose about one per cent of lunch, rather than loosen the belt and
take an afternoon nap. Take your kids,
fitness a day over a month.
If your New Year resolution is to get pets and/or mates to the park. Walk to
fitter/faster/stronger, you may find it takes the shop for the paper. Walk along the
several weeks, if not months, to regain beach rather than sunbake (with your
sunblock on, of course).
pre-Christmas fitness levels.
It is unrealistic to expect you to
arget plans: Place a chart on
increase your training regime over the
your
fridge
with achievable targets.
stand-down period, but the SWEAT prinFor example: “I will walk for at least
ciple might help you keep healthy.
200 minutes a week and count any walk
witch off: Set aside 30 minutes a of more than five minutes” or “Family
day for no-electronics playtime. That is, activities – 15 minutes of backyard cricket
turn off the TV and video games and play three times a week”.
Have a happy, healthy
physical games.
Christmas and
atch the intake: Wait at least 20 remember to
minutes before having second helpings. SWEAT.
Don’t keep junk food around (if you
really want it, you’ll have to walk to the
shops). Drink water before and with your
meals. Alternate a glass of water for every
glass of alcohol or tea and coffee. Drink
A
T
S
W
FAMILY FITNESS You’re never
too young to learn about staying healthy at Christmas, even if
Santa has other ideas.
Photo: CPL Corinne Boer
RESERVISTS - Know your rights and obligations
This card has been designed to help
you understand your rights and
obligations as a Defence Reservist.
It gives you tips about the protection
that is available to you, as well as how
you should discuss Reserve service
issues with your civilian employer.
You can pick up a card at your local
Reserve Regional Pool. Alternatively,
call one of our Defence Reserves
Support specialists and they will
send you one.
We’re here to
help Reservists
and their Employers.
Remember to collect an Employer Handbook
and
for your boss. It contains everything they need
to know about employing a Reservist.
1800 803 485
www.defence.gov.au/reserves
Australia’s Reserve Forces
NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
24
GANGWAY
STAYING INSIDE THE LINES:
ABET Amber Roomes working in
the graphics workshop at FBE.
Photo: LSIS Yuri Ramsey
ALL SECURE: LSBM Gle
nn
Phillips returns an F88 Aus
teyr
rifle to the rack in HMAS
Darwin’s
armoury.
gia
GAINING EXPERIENCE: SMNGE sailors Geor S
HMA
in
time
d
spen
lls
Nicho
e
Patterson and Kirsti
Darwin.
NUMBERS GAME: LSSN Joseph
Elliott checks stores items on board
HMAS Darwin. Photo: ABIS Evan Murphy
KISS OF LIFE:
SMNMED Sara Sullivan
works on a simulated patient in HMAS
Darwin’s sickbay.
NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
25
GANGWAY
TAKING A DIP: ABMT
Ashley Jackson checks
engine oil during rounds in
the main machinery room in
HMAS Anzac.
Photo: ABIS Peter Thompson
ON COMMS: LSET Paul Bird during
in.
action stations on board HMAS Darw
hy
Murp
Evan
Photo: ABIS
tastes
TASTY: ABBM Chris Bradshaw
his
the chicken kebabs while getting o:
Phot
ruk.
Tob
AS
HM
rd
boa
on
er
dinn
ABIS Lincoln Commane
WE’RE HERE: LEUT Stephen Blume
is serving in East Timor as the Liaison
Officer to the ISF commander.
Photo: ABIS Jo Dilorenzo
ean Naidu
THE POINTY END: ABET Daim
rd HMAS
boa
on
room
trol
in the missile con
Darwin.
NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
26
GANGWAY
CLOSE WATCH:
SMNCSO Alexander
Zourkas on the air picture supervisor console
in the operations room
aboard HMAS Stuar t.
Photo: ABIS James Whittle
BIG RED: AB
Morrow takes so CSO Glen
me
on board HMAS time out
Dar
Photo: ABIS Evan win.
Murphy
IT ALL ADDS
U
Jope completes P: ABSN Rober t
paperwork on
board HMAS
D
Photo: ABIS Evan arwin.
Murphy
SHOULDER TO THE GRINDSTONE:
SMNMT Matthew Kane in the Marine
Technicians workshop on board HMAS
Darwin.
B Leanne
LIFE AT SEA: PO nimbla’s
Ka
Hinton in HMAS wnsville.
t of To
RHIB off the coas IS Andrew Dakin
Photo: AB
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28
HISTORY
A Christmas to remember
C
YCLONE Tracy hit the city of
Darwin at 3am on Christmas
day 1974 with such ferocity
that 70 per cent of housing
was damaged or destroyed and 65 people lost their lives.
At the time, Navy had a staff of 351
serving at Darwin Navy Headquarters,
the communications station HMAS
Coonawarra, and on the four Attack class
patrol boats based in Darwin.
All four of the patrol boats suffered
damage, however, HMAS Arrow was
damaged beyond repair and was found
sunk under Stokes Hill Wharf. Two sailors lost their lives on board.
The cyclone forced HMAS Attack
ashore at Doctor’s Gully while HMA
Ships Advance and Assail suffered less
damage.
Darwin Navy Headquarters was
destroyed along with 80 per cent of the
patrol boat base and 90 per cent of the
married quarters. HMAS Coonawarra
was extensively damaged as well.
As the gravity of the disaster became
apparent, a naval task force under the
command of the Flag Officer commanding the Australian Fleet (FOCAF), RADM
D.C. Wells, was assembled to render aid
to Darwin.
The first RAN asset to arrive in the
city was a HS748 aircraft from 851
Squadron, carrying blood transfusion
equipment and a team of Red Cross workers. They arrived on Boxing Day.
Members of ACDT One arrived shortly after in another HS748, while Fleet
units in Sydney were recalled to sail north
and render aid.
HMAS Flinders and Brisbane arrived
in Darwin on December 31 with Flinders
surveying the approaches to Darwin to
ensure safe passage and anchorage of the
task group, while Brisbane landed working parties.
Over the next two weeks, HMA Ships
Melbourne, Stuart, Stalwart, Supply,
Vendetta, Balikpapan, Betano, Brunei,
Tarakan and Wewak arrived with 3000
naval personnel.
The arrival of Melbourne precipitated
the establishment of a Shore Command
Headquarters to coordinate the working
parties, which were tasked by the Natural
Disasters Organisation.
With the arrival of the task group, the
primary focus for ACDT One turned to
the extraction of Arrow from Stokes Hill
Wharf, a task achieved on January 13
after much work.
Unfortunately Arrow was damaged
beyond repair and was subsequently
decommissioned and scrapped.
During January, naval personnel spent
17,979 man days ashore, with up to 1200
ashore at the peak of the operation.
Working parties cleared 1593 blocks
and cleaned up schools, government and
commercial buildings and recreational
facilities.
They installed generators, rewired
houses, repaired electrical and air-conditioning systems, re-roofed or weatherproofed buildings, and maintained and
repaired vehicles. Some parties worked to
save rare plants in the Botanical Gardens.
Hygiene parties disposed of spoiled
foodstuffs from houses, supermarkets and
warehouses.
Wessex helicopters transported 7832
passengers, 110,912kg of freight and
made 2505 landings.
The HS748 aircraft completed 14
return flights to Darwin and carried 485
passengers and 22,680kg of freight.
In May and June 1975 the mine hunters HMA Ships Curlew, Ibis and Snipe
surveyed the approaches to Darwin and
the harbour itself, locating ships sunk
during Cyclone Tracy and other navigational hazards.
Darwin steadily rebuilt over the following years and Navy maintained their
presence in the top end. More than 450
members are currently based in one of the
Navy’s most important establishments.
As Navy personnel around Australia and the world
prepare for Santa’s visit, LSIS Paul McCallum
looks back at Christmas in Australia 35 years ago.
HIGH AND DRY: HMAS Attack was forced onto the shore at Doctors Gully, just east of the current
HMAS Coonawarra.
SCRAP METAL: (Below and inset) HMAS Arrow was re-floated after being recoverd from Stokes
Hill Wharf. All equipment that could be recovered was removed and the ship was decommissioned
and sold into scrap.
Photos courtesy Naval Historical Society of Australia
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NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
29
SPORT
‘Minney dynasty’
rocks Penguin
in gate to gate
By Michael Brooke
Santa races for the kids
By Michael Brooke
FOR the third year in succession
LSPT Alex Minney of HMAS
Kuttabul has cantered to victory in the Gate to Gate 5km fun
run and power walk at HMAS
Penguin.
The fleet-footed LSPT Minney
won the 2009 event in a time of
17:08 – 40 seconds faster than his
other two triumphs in the annual
race.
The former Navy cook is the
first sailor to win this race three
times, with his triumphs from
2007 to 2009 recognised by the
Navy PT fraternity as a ‘Minney
dynasty’.
“I was determined to make it
three in a row and it was probably
lucky that the second runner-up
had run a marathon just a few
days earlier,” LSPT Minney said.
For his winning effort this year
LSPT Minney received gift vouchers worth $200, which he called an
early Christmas present.
This milestone victory follows
LSPT Minney’s triumph in the
2009 Ship to Shore 5km fun run at
HMAS Kuttabul in October, when
he dethroned the reigning champion from Thales.
LSPT Minney also claimed
victory in the Santa Fun Run on
November 29, which saw him run
2km in a Santa suit through the
Sydney CBD.
In the women’s open Army
CPL Stephanie Knight held off a
game challenge from LSPT Trish
Muller to win the title just 18 seconds shy of the race record.
The gate to gate fun run saw a
record number of 167 competitors
contest the course, which incorporated panoramic views and an
undulating route around Penguin
and the Middle Head area.
HO, HO: LSPT
Alex Minney
dresses up as
santa to raise
money for the
Variety Children’s
Charity at Fleet
Base East, with
SMNBM Matthew
Magill from HMAS
Newcastle kindly
donating.
Photo: ABIS Andrew
Dakin
LSPT Alex Minney has won the 2km
Santa Fun Run as well as the admiration of scores of disabled and sick
children who will benefit from the
$1700 he has raised for Children’s
Variety Bash.
In what marks a fairy-tale ending to
a Christmas wish, LSPT Minney outpaced 2000 other santa-suited runners
in the Sydney CBD on November 29,
also raising the most money out of any
competitor.
LSPT Minney virtually sprinted the
entire 2km down George Street to win
the annual charity race in a time of 4:27.
“The stampede by 2000 santas at the
start was a little surreal but I was able to
kick ahead over the last 500 metres,” LS
Minney said.
Gold medal Olympian Libby Trickett
greeted LSPT Minney at the finish line
where he was interviewed by Channel
Nine News about his role in the Navy
and his motive for competing in the race,
which was to help answer the Christmas
wishes of sick and disadvantaged children.
LSPT Minney said he was also
inspired to run the race of his life by the
overwhelming sponsorship he received
from Navy personnel, who gave generously to the santa-clad sailor during
two days of fundraising at the Kuttabul
gangway.
Victory in the Santa Fun Run marks
LSPT Minney’s third significant triumph
for the year, following his success in
the gate to gate 5km fun run at HMAS
Penguin and the ship to shore 5km fun
run at Kuttabul.
Masters of the helm win gold
By CMDR Martin Linsley
MEMBERS of the Navy sailing team
won gold and bronze at the recent
World Masters Games in Sydney.
LEADER OF THE
PACK: (Above)
LSPT Alex Minney
led from start to finish.
Photo: ABIS Peter
Thompson
CHARGING UP
THE HILL: (Left)
PO Benjamin White
and Kate Huff participate in the HMAS
Penguin gate to
gate fun run.
Photo: ABIS Lee-Anne
Mack
In a 97-strong Tasar fleet CDRE Rick
Longbottom and CMDR Henry NordThomson won the 35-45 division, beating not only 2000 Olympic gold medallist Tom King, but Crown Prince Frederik
of Denmark.
I sailed with Phil Hextell and we won
bronze in the 55-65 division.
The standard of competition in the
Tasar fleet was of the highest level. Three
past Olympic representatives and three
ex-Tasar world champions – including
CDRE Longbottom – competed. In the
spirit of Masters Games, however, the
sailors’ competitiveness was mixed with
goodwill and camaraderie.
Sailing conditions were tough during
the games. Racing on the first two days
of competition was cancelled because of
gusty westerly winds funnelling down
Sydney Harbour.
STREAKING AHEAD: Tasars at the
World Masters Games start a race
on a choppy Sydney Harbour.
A 35 knot squall decimated the fleet
on one day, causing most boats to capsize. As a result, just five of the programmed eight races were completed,
with every race counting towards the
overall result.
MAD DASH: Competitors in the gate to gate fun run jostle for their positions at the start of the race.
Photo: ABIS Peter Thompson
NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
30
SPORT
RAN all out in IDCC semi
By LEUT Ben Churcher and
LSIS Paul McCallum
NAVY has won the Stan Sismey Plate
against the RNZAF despite beeing bundled out of the International Defence
Cricket Challenge in Canberra, losing to the Army in the semi-final on
November 24.
A team of 17 players was selected
from a two-day trial squad to compete
in the challenge, which comprised 20/20
and 50 over games.
Team coach LEUT Marty Karow said
the 35+ temperatures in Canberra during
the competition and the intensity of the
games played were a great challenge to
players and coaching staff.
“Navy went into every game as if it
was a grand final,” LEUT Karow said.
“There was no doubting the dedication and commitment to the cause by the
guys as they finished every game well
spent.”
The championship started with two
20/20 matches on November 18 for Navy
with a win against the RAAF first up.
LEUT Ben Churcher’s 62 runs placed
Navy in a strong position, the team getting a total of 114. WO Gary Fuss added
a quick 20 and continued his strong performance while bowling, taking three
wickets for just 17 runs.
Just one hour after finishing the game
against RAAF, Navy was up against
a fresh Royal Malaysian Air Force
(RMAF) side.
Batting first again, Navy managed
110 after a slow start. LEUT Churcher
led the batting again with a solid 41,
while SBLT Shane Wallace added another 20.
Missing some key opportunities,
Navy were outclassed by the Malaysian
side who reached the target with an over
to spare. WO Fuss again led the bowling
attack with two for 21.
The next day saw Navy take on the
RNZN and the NZ Army in another two
20/20 matches.
The Navy side put pressure on the
Kiwi batting, restricting them to 128
despite a late batting surge with the off
spin of SBLT Wallace proving too much
for the batsmen, taking three for 11 off
just four overs.
Despite early wickets, the Navy
answered the challenge with SBLT
Wallace and team captain PO Luke
Grimmond scoring 62 and 52 respectively. Both men saw out the innings and
finished undefeated.
With their confidence up, the team
demolished the NZ Army with SBLT
Wallace again devastating the batsmen,
this time taking five for 14, keeping the
batsmen to just 115 runs. The total was
reached with the loss of just two wickets
for Navy, SBLT Wallace capping off a
fantastic day with 49 not out while LS
Chris Berry contributed 34 runs.
The following day saw the tournament switch to 50 over mode, and the big
game of Navy v Aus Army was the key
match. Unfortunately the RAN failed to
rise to the occasion, and only managed
109, being bowled out in the 37th over.
LS Joe Rule top scored with 20, but the
RAN innings never got going.
The Army blasted their way to the
total in only 10.4 overs, ensuring the
RAN didn’t have to dwell on their batting performance for too long.
The RNZAF was the next opponent
and won the toss and batted. At zero for
75 it looked as though Navy was going
to have a hard day. However, a remarkable comeback from our bowlers turned
the game on its head, with the Kiwis dismissed for only 127. LCDR Nigel Rowan
was the pick, with an outstanding five for
45 with the ball, while LS Grant Malouf
supported him well with an economical
2-17 before WO Fuss cleaned up the tail
with 3-20.
After AB Nick Magafas and LEUT
Churcher saw off the opening bowlers,
SBLT Wallace came to the crease and he
and LEUT Churcher put on a partnership
of 68, taking the side to within reach of
the small target. LEUT Churcher was
eventually dismissed for 54, while SBLT
Wallace fell just before the goal was
reached for 45. The RAN won the match
by seven wickets, and their place in the
semi-finals was secured.
A show-down with the Aus Army
was what awaited the Navy side in the
semi, with the prospect of gaining some
revenge for the heavy defeat only days
before prominent in everyone’s mind.
From the outset, this looked likely,
with WO Fuss and LS Geoff Crossman
outstanding with the ball in the opening
overs. The Army batsman were totally
outclassed, and after LS Malouf backed
up the opening bowlers with an equally
restrictive and dangerous spell, the Army
were struggling at five for 57 after 26
overs.
All looked good for Navy before
things began to go awry. Wicketkeeper
LEUT Churcher went down with what
appeared to be a serious back injury, and
was ruled out of the game from that point
on.
PO Grimmond had to take the gloves
and the Navy batting card would be
one batsman short. From this point on
the Army fought back and managed to
get to 171 before being bowled out. LS
Crossman was the standout with a brilliant five for 30, while LS Malouf and
LCDR Rowan both contributed two
wickets.
It was not a big total but the Navy
batsman crumbled again, not helped this
time by some bad luck and questionable
umpiring decisions. Despite some fighting batting from SBLT Wallace and PO
Grimmond, the side could not gain any
momentum and was dismissed in the 28th
over for only 68.
With the loss to Army, the team faced
a third place play-off against the RNZAF
and secured the Stan Sismey Plate.
The final saw Army take on the
RMAF with the Malaysian side winning
by 149 runs.
Both SBLT Wallace and LCDR
Rowan were selected in the World XI at
the grand final dinner, and there were
several other players from the side in
contention. LEUT Churcher was awarded the Knight/Fuss trophy for RAN
Players’ Player, while LS Crossman, PO
Grimmond and WO Fuss all had fine
tournaments.
All players were accommodated at
HMAS Harman, which proved an excellent venue for the team.
“The IDCC could not have been as
successful if it weren’t for the support of
Harman and the ship’s company,” LEUT
Karow said.
“With all teams staying in the same
place, good friendships were formed that
we hope to carry over to future cricketing
events.”
ON THE ATTACK: LS Geoff Crossman fires in an off-cutter against his RAAF opponent while, below, LEUT Ben
Churcher drives a delivery off his leg side against the
RAAF team. LEUT Churcher was the best batsman for
Navy with 62 runs from just 58 balls faced.
Photos: LAC Aaron Curran
Crackerjack day for Navy bowls
By POIS Phillip Hunt
THE Victoria Barracks Bowling
Club hosted a Remembrance Day
service in Sydney recently where
local bowling clubs contested the
Diggers’ Day Shield.
Victoria Barrack’s club president
CAPT Adel Amin hosted the event,
while club treasurer Roger Stemp
took on the role of MC for the day.
Army Padre Phil Anderson conducted the service as CAPT Amin laid
the wreath and CPL Ian Stenning
played The Last Post.
A fine game of bowls took place
after the service, which was won
by the Navy Bowls team comprising skipper CPO Wade Vidulich, 2nd
CPO Scott McNally and lead AB
Mark Wallace.
Full membership to the Victoria
Barracks Bowling Club is open
to all Defence members, past and
NAVY NEWS
present, and costs $35. It is also rec- CHAMPIONS: Vaughan King
ognised by the Royal NSW Bowling presents the Diggers’ Day Trophy
to the Navy Bowls Team. (L-R)
Association.
CPO Scott McNally, CPO Wade
Vidulich, AB Mark Wallace and
The point of contact is PO ‘Rex’ Hunt
on (02) 9359 3039 or email phillip.hunt Stan Rugless looks on.
Photo: POIS Phillip Hunt
@defence.gov.au
December 10, 2009
31
SPORT
Masters lead Navy
volleyball resurgence
ON GUARD: LEUT David
Kingdom conducts a self
defence class at the HMAS
Albatross gym.
Photo: ABIS Justin Brown
FOLLOWING a lean period for national inter-Service competitions, consolation being the selections for
Navy volleyball over the past few which were held in Townsville in the ADVA national teams.
A highlight of the year was the
years, interest in the sport has seen late October.
Navy volleyball president LCDR opportunity for the Navy Masters
a recent resurrection.
The Navy Volleyball Player
Development database now has the
names of more than 60 Navy members who are either active in volleyball or are interested in participating.
As well, the Navy Sports Council
is actively supporting and funding
development of the sport.
The Red Anchor competition,
held at the Sydney Olympic Park
sports hall on July 29, saw 12 teams
enter and, under the direction of the
FBE PT staff and the nationally recognised referees, there was some
excellent volleyball from all teams.
In this competition the youth and
vitality of HMAS Kanimbla was
narrowly edged out by the experience of the HMAS Waterhen team.
Navy players from Victoria
were also active on that day in the
Victoria inter-Service competition,
with a number of players making the
Victorian Combined Service squad.
The employment of a civilian
coach and regular coaching sessions
paid off at the NSW inter-Service
competition held at HMAS Albatross
in August, where Navy prevailed
over the RAAF and Army taking the
men’s and mixed trophies, as well as
the male and female most valuable
player awards and most improved
player award.
All 12 Navy representatives were
selected for training with the NSW
Combined Service squad in preparation for the ADVA nationals and
Les Crawford said he was confident
that a significant number of Navy
players would go on to be selected
for the ADVA squad to tour the USA
in 2010.
That confidence was reflected with five members selected
on completion of the National
“Navy volleyball is
keen to hear from
members of any
age and skill level
who would like to
get involved in the
sport.”
– LCDR Les Crawford,
Navy Volleyball President
Combined Service competition.
Congratulations to: SMN Rebecca
Kuenster, LEUT Bianca Letuzzi,
LEUT Helen Anderson, AB Simon
Scarlett and LEUT Tracy Berllerby
(Team Manager).
Despite this, results in the national inter-Service competition did not
go Navy’s way. The team finished
third behind RAAF and Army with
the APS team trailing in fourth – the
+35 squad to mix with some of the
28,000 participants in the World
Masters Games held in Sydney in
October.
Despite some last minute withdrawals from sea-going players, a
small squad of seven players met for
the first time only two days before
the competition at a training session
in Sydney.
Following five pool and crossover games, Navy was well placed
to enter the medal play offs. A 2-0
win against Hills Dragons and a narrow 2-1 loss to Canadian team – The
Piranha Brothers – set the team up
for a gold medal play off against the
more youthful Canadian visitors.
In a hard-fought and spirited
match Navy went down 3-0 but
could hold their heads high as they
collected their silver medals. The
team has resolved to fit in more
training before the next Masters
Games in Torino in 2013.
Navy volleyball is keen to hear
from members of any age and skill
level who would like to get involved
in the sport.
For further information contact LCDR
les Crawford (leslie.crawford1@defence.
gov.au), LEUT Tracy Bellerby (tracy.
[email protected]) or POET
M i c h a e l M a c ke n z i e ( m i c h a e l .
[email protected]).
Protect Australia and yourself
By LEUT David Kingdom
RECOGNISING the importance of
sailors’ personal safety, Navy physical
trainers will now have to pass a military self defence (MSD) component of
training at HMAS Cerberus.
All Army physical trainers have been
directed to become MSD instructors and
the Navy and RAAF are following the
same path.
MSD is now a component of the ADF
physical training curriculum and all physical trainers will be certified instructors.
Graduates of the MSD course become
MSD exponents with selected personnel
going on to gain instructor accreditation.
A MSD exponent is an expert in a
variety of techniques including kicking,
striking, restraining and pain compliance
techniques, ground fighting, handling and
escorting of prisoners, and weapon reten-
tion and weapon disarming techniques
(knife, pistol and rifle).
Exponents who complete MSD training will not only gain physical fitness
and confidence, but will gain skills that
may prevent injury in the event of a confrontational situation or serious assault.
Those personnel who are trained in MSD
can also be utilised in a variety of operational situations.
All ADF personnel can apply to be
trained in MSD, as long as they are physically fit and free from any serious injuries or medical conditions that could be
aggravated by the training. (If you have
any concerns, you should consult your
doctor before starting the training).
For more information and to nominate for a
course, contact the PTs at your local gym or
contact the MSD cell at the Army Logistics
Training Centre, North Bandiana, on (02)
6055 4753.
All Defence Force orders over $300*
will receive a VIP pack valued at
$75 for FREE.
Orders over $500 will also automatically
receive a 5% bulk buy discount.
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MASTERS OF THE GAME: The Navy masters volleyball team played well at the recent Masters
Games in Sydney, gaining a silver medal. Back row from L-R: CPO Graeme Cruikshank, CPOPT Ray
Bell, LCDR Richard Bean and SBLT Rhys Cowling. Front row from L-R: LCDR Les Crawford, CPOET
Michael Mackenzie, CPOPT Gary Ward and CMDR Danny Durward.
NAVY NEWS
WWWTHESUPPLEMENTDENCOMAUPHONE1800 111 445
December 10, 2009
Volume 52, No. 23, December 10, 2009
Sport
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P3
0
Navy bows out
of hard-fought
cricket challenge
GALLANT EFFORT: LEUT Ben
Churcher played a solid innings
against a RAAF team to help
Navy to a 69 run win during the
IDCC. Unfortunately the team
didn’t make the final.
Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
ORDER ONLINE
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Post
NAVY
PO Box 8259
Warnbro WA 6169
September 20 , 2007
01
YEAR IN REVIEW
The year that was...
2009
nce again
the Navy has
displayed its
dedication to duty
after ploughing
through another
busy year that has
seen sailors respond
with tenacity to
events ranging from
natural disasters and
piracy attacks, to pay
reform and cultural
change.
Alisha Welch reports.
O
n arguably one of the busiest
years in the history of the Royal
Australian Navy, New Generation
Navy (NGN) took on full swing early
with the Chief of Navy, VADM Russ
Crane, AM, CSM, RAN announcing
Navy’s culture change program and,
in particular, Plan TRAIN – a scheme
under which two Anzac frigates are
dedicated to training in order to
unclog training pipelines in the Fleet.
I
One ship now remains alongside
to conduct training while the other
undertakes daily running to further
progress competency training. HMA
Ships Arunta and Anzac began this
new scheme back in February, and
HMA Ships Ballarat and Toowoomba
will greet 2010 as the Plan TRAIN
ships playing one of the most important roles in the Fleet. Feedback so
far has been very positive, with sailors
gaining competencies far more quickly
than in previous years and seeing sea
service earlier than ever before.
When bushfires devastated lives
and communities across Victoria on
February 7, sailors mourned alongside
all Australians. Four hundred and
sixty ADF personnel were involved in
containment and recovery efforts as
the bushfires raged, including CHAP
Jason Wright from HMAS Cerberus,
who said his main goal was to support the ADF personnel in the field.
In all, 173 Australians lost their lives,
5000 people were injured and 2029
homes burnt to the ground as fires
sped through more than 4500 square
kilometres of land.
March sailed in and so did 15
proud ships into Sydney Harbour for
the Fleet Entry and Review on March
13. Led by HMAS Sydney, HMA Ships
Darwin, Newcastle, Anzac, Ballarat,
Stuart, Manoora, Kanimbla, Success,
Sirius, Diamantina, Hawkesbury, Yarra,
Norman, Gascoyne, Farncomb and
HMNZS Canterbury steamed through
Sydney Heads as part of an historic
Fleet Divisions Ceremony. The next day,
4600 sailors created a sea of white
during an impressive Freedom of Entry
parade through the city.
➤
Special
Liftout
FINE SHOW: Officers
and sailors begin their
Freedom of Entry
Parade down George
Street, Sydney on
March 14.
Photo: ABCSO Steven
Thomson
NAVY NEWS
December 10, 2009
02
YEAR IN REVIEW
FULL STEAM AHEAD: The Fleet
passes through Sydney Heads during the Fleet Entry and Review on
March 13. Thousands turned out
around Sydney Harbour to watch the
impressive spectacle unfold.
Photo: ABIS Andrew Black
➤
On April 16 sailors finally saw the results
of almost six years of remuneration reform
as the Graded Other Ranks Pay Structure
(GORPS) was implemented. GORPS provides
a structure that rewards increases in skill and
acceptance of responsibility.
Also in April, CN rolled out Navy’s NGN
challenge, saying the reforms were essential
to safeguard Navy’s future. But structural
reform in the way of creating Navy Strategic
Command and abolishing Navy Systems
Command were only the surface of the
changes planned – cultural change was, and
remains, the most pressing NGN priority.
As the 10 Signature Behaviours were
announced under NGN, HMA Ships Sydney
and Ballarat departed for Northern Trident –
the exciting six-month deployment that saw
the ships’ companies travel 33,000 nautical
miles around the world. Highlights included
twice transiting the Suez Canal, visiting ports
in France and Spain and, of course, seeing
the bright lights of New York City where
Aussie sailors not only flooded the streets
in a sea of white, but featured in a short
promotional video on the big screen in Times
Square. Before they got there, though, the
ships displayed their strength by responding
to distress signals from two merchant vessels
in the Gulf of Aden. On the night of May 17,
Sydney and Ballarat came to the aid of merchant vessels Dubai Princess and MSC Stella,
successfully thwarting pirate attacks.
Back at home, submariners in the west
were making history as HMAS Waller hosted
the first transmission of an email from a
RAN submarine. Before then, they had
been unable to access the internet at sea or
alongside but, thanks to this web revolution,
submariners can now surf the net and send
emails while alongside.
On June 15 one of the RAN’s legends
crossed the bar. LCDR Max Shean DSO and
BAR, RANR (Rtd) was one of the most active
and colourful officers in Navy history – he
was 90. Farewelled at a funeral with full
Service honours in Perth on June 22, CN
said LCDR Shean was a remarkable hero
who served Australia with distinction during World War II and remained part of the
submarine community and Navy family until
the end.
On July 1 Navy Systems Command disbanded, with all of its functions taken over
by Fleet Command and Navy Headquarters.
Navy Headquarters was also renamed Navy
Strategic Command. July also saw the unveiling of the Defence Capability Plan – the
$60 billion plan including new or expanded
programs in several key areas like the initial
phases for a future submarine and the acquisition of 24 naval combat helicopters with
advanced ASW.
Operation Catalyst ceased on July 31,
ending the ADF contribution to the stabilisation and rehabilitation of Iraq. During the
operation, Australian personnel trained about
36,000 members of the Iraqi Army, Navy and
Marines, including the conduct of specialist
training in logistics support, counter-insurgency operations and maritime interception
and interdiction operations in protecting
Iraq’s vital off-shore resources.
Exercise Talisman Saber 2009 involved
more than 24,000 Australian and US personnel and, during July and August, saw sailors
work hard to improve their combat training,
readiness and interoperability across the full
spectrum of military operations.
Also in August the Navy’s culture of readiness was again illustrated when it responded to two urgent requests for assistance
from regional neighbours. Operation Ashika
Assist saw clearance divers from AUSCDT
One deploy at short notice to Tonga following the sinking of the ferry, MV Princess
Ashika, while Operation Kokoda Assist saw
HMAS Success deploy to PNG to assist with
the search and recovery of the people who
died when an Airline PNG aircraft crashed en
route to Kokoda village on August 11.
NAVY NEWS
03
NEW YORK, NEW YORK!: (Left) HMAS Ballarat transits
the Hudson River as part of her goodwill visit to New
York City during Northern Trident 2009, the six-month
round-the-world voyage that saw the ships’ companies of
HMA Ships Sydney and Ballarat showcase the RAN to
thousands of people around the globe. Countries visited
included Spain, France, UK, Canada and US.
Photo: LSIS Brenton Freind
HIGHLY SKILLED: (Above) HMAS Ballarat’s boarding
team approaches HMAS Sydney during a training exercise on Northern Trident 2009. On the night of May 17,
Sydney and Ballarat came to the aid of merchant vessels
Dubai Princess and MSC Stella, successfully thwarting
pirate attacks.
Photo: LSIS Nadia Monteith
In August, HMAS Toowoomba, deployed
on Operation Slipper, became the first HMA
Ship to begin anti-piracy operations off the
Horn of Africa, in the Gulf of Aden and Gulf
of Oman in support of Counter-Piracy Task
Force 151. HMA Ships Betano and Wewak
enabled the delivery of vital medical, dental,
engineering and veterinary aid to Tonga
and Solomon Islands as part of Pacific
Partnership 2009, while the Australian
Bravery Decorations Council awarded CPO
Rohan Pugh, PO Greg Langshaw and LS
Steven Rowell for their efforts to rescue
shipmates after they were washed over-
board at night in heavy weather and high
seas in 2007.
Later that month our military justice system faced its biggest challenge yet when the
High Court found that the provisions of the
DFDA establishing the Australian Military
Court were invalid.
It found that the military court was
exercising the judicial power of the
Commonwealth but did not meet the
requirement of chapter three of the
Constitution. In September, interim legislation was introduced that reintroduced the
system of trial by courts martial and Defence
Force magistrates.
Also in September the MRH90 swooped
into HMAS Albatross after a successful test
flight to Nowra from Townsville via Oakey.
The first MRH90 is expected to enter service
next year and represents an exciting new
chapter in naval aviation.
On September 20, HMAS Toowoomba’s
role in counter-piracy operations in the Gulf
of Aden revved up as she responded to an
emergency radio call from the Merchant
Vessel BBC Portugal, which reported
sighting a boat carrying a group of armed
people closing at high speed. Toowoomba
immediately responded, moving to the scene
at high speed and launching her boarding
team to investigate, search, disarm and
seize. The search of the vessel revealed a
cache of weapons and a large amount of
ammunition. There were no causalities.
As the end of the year approached,
October came and went, but not before an
earthquake shattered parts of Indonesia and
a tsunami rolled over parts of Samoa and
Tonga.
HMAS Kanimbla played a major role
in Sumatran recovery efforts after the
earthquake, embarking two Sea Kings, an
Army engineering team, LCM8 landing craft
and LARCs in Townsville before reaching
their destination on October 16 as part of
Operation Padang Assist.
➤
IMPRESSIVE: (Far left) The MRH90
lands on runway 03 at HMAS
Albatross after a successful test
flight to Nowra from Townsville via
Oakey. The first MRH90 is expected
to enter service next year and represents an exciting new chapter in
naval aviation.
Photo: LSIS Kelvin Hockey
DETER AND DISARM: (Left) HMAS
Toowoomba’s role in counter-piracy
operations revved up on September
20 when her boarding party
searched a suspect vessel revealing
a cache of weapons including an
RPG, six AK47 assault rifles, a G3
assault rifle and ammunition.
December 10, 2009
04
YEAR IN REVIEW
➤
In all, 1.3 million litres of water were
produced and distributed, 1300 patients
were treated in a purpose-built medical
facility in the village of Seigerringing, 63
buildings were assessed for structural
integrity and more than 532.4 metric
tonnes of humanitarian aid was flown into
the region. Kanimbla stayed for a month,
returning to Australia in early November.
Meanwhile, HMAS Darwin was sailing
through South East Asia on a deployment that saw her and HMAS Success
join their Malaysian counterparts for
Exercise Mastex, a combined maritime
warfare exercise that was conducted in the
Malacca Straits, Malaysia. As well, Darwin
joined the Royal Thai Navy in the Gulf of
Thailand to practice war games with HTMS
Rattanakosin and HTMS Kririrat, as well
as participate in Exercise Bersama Lima
before visiting Vietnam and Cambodia.
In November the RAN paused to
commemorate the anniversary of its first
sea battle between HMAS Sydney and
the German light cruiser SMS Emden in
a confrontation that changed the way
Australians thought of themselves as a
maritime nation. Sailors and officers also
welcomed a 3.5 per cent pay increase
on November 26, with the Defence Force
Remuneration Tribunal approving a new
two-year ADF workplace remuneration
arrangement.
Back to operations and HMAS Tobruk
arrived in Samoa and Tonga delivering vital
tsunami relief aid in mid-November, while
HMAS Toowoomba, in its last Operation
Slipper tasking, provided important air
defence to the nuclear-powered aircraft
carrier USS Nimitz.
As the end of the year approached,
HMAS Toowoomba returned home to Fleet
Base West and HMAS Stuart took over the
RAN’s contribution to combating international piracy as part of Task Force 151.
It’s been a busy year – no doubt 2010
will pose the same unique challenges
as the year just past. But, thanks to the
strength of character of the people who
proudly wear the uniform of the Senior
Service, these challenges will be tackled
head on to ensure Navy continues to live
up to its values of honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty.
NAVY NEWS
MULTI-SKILLED: (Above) A small contingent from HMAS Darwin’s
boarding team speed away from the ship during Exercise Bersama
Lima 2009. L-R: LSBM Glenn Phillips, ABBM Jarrdyn Pittman and
SMNBM Taylor Bradshaw.
PRECIOUS: (Right) ABMED Melissa Mosmondor, from HMAS
Kanimbla’s Primary Casualty Reception Facility, greets a newborn
baby while conducting medical observations on Indonesians affected
by the earthquakes in Sumatra during Operation Padang Assist.
Photo: ABIS Andrew Dakin
THE TEAM WORKS: (Below) Sailors from HMAS Tobruk work with
members of the Rural Development Unit, Tongan Defence Service,
to transport much-needed tsunami relief aid and equipment from the
LCM8 to the wharf on the island of Niuatoputapu during Operation
Samoa Assist.
Photo: LEUT Todd Austin
December 10, 2009

Edition 5223, December 10, 2009

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