Edition 1285, July 05, 2012 - Department of Defence

Edition 1285 

July 5, 2012 

ROLLING 

INTO 

BATTLE 

PREDATOR’S STRIKE 

Heavy armour arm rolls across 

Shoalwater Shoalwate Bay for 1 Bde’s 

annual warfighting warf exercise 

SPECIAL SPE LIFTOUT 

On the move: A 

Bushmaster for the 

enemy force heads 

into the Shoalwater 

Bay Training Area for 

Ex Hamel. 

Photo by AB Lee-Anne Mack 

The troops of 

1 Bde form 

the core of a 

9000-strong 

force battling 

it out over the 

Shoalwater 

Bay Training 

Area in 

Ex Hamel 2012 

Page 3

2 

NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 

Take care with 

this year’s tax 

� Tax office will pay close attention to returns from NCOs 

TAX time is here and the ATO 

advises Defence members’ 

personal tax returns may come 

under closer scrutiny this year. 

Tax Commissioner Michael 

D’Ascenzo said the ATO would 

pay close attention to deductions 

claimed by plumbers, information 

technology managers and ADF 

NCOs. 

“We have found people in 

these groups are at higher risk 

of making mistakes with their 

work-related expenses because of 

the types of deductions they are 

entitled to claim,” Mr D’Ascenzo 

said. 

“We will write to around 

90,000 people employed in these 

occupations about assistance we 

can provide. 

“This includes new guides 

developed specifically for these 

occupations to help people maintain 

accurate records throughout 

the year so that they can get their 

claims right this tax time.” 

The ATO says the most common 

mistakes made by Defence 

members are: 

� Insufficient documentation to 

Director 

David Edlington: (02) 6265 4650 

EDITORIAL 

Editor 

John Wellfare: (02) 6266 7609 

Production Editor 

Sharon Palmer: (02) 6266 7612 

Reporters 

Sgt Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614 

Cpl Max Bree: (02) 6266 7608 

Cpl Nick Wiseman: (02) 6265 4140 

LS Paul Berry: (02) 6266 7606 

Cpl Mark Doran: (02) 6265 1304 

LAC Bill Solomou: (02) 6265 1355 

Andrew Stackpool: (02) 6266 7611 

Michael Brooke: (02) 9359 2494 

support car expenses. If you 

use the ‘cents per km’ method, 

you must be able to show how 

you worked out your estimate 

for work travel by keeping a 

diary of work-related travel and 

basing your costs on a regular 

pattern of travel. 

� Incorrectly claiming motorvehicle 

expenses on the basis 

that you are carrying bulky 

tools and equipment. If your 

employer provides secure storage 

for your tools or equipment 

or you transport your tools and 

equipment to and from work as 

a matter of convenience, then 

transport costs are private and a 

deduction is not allowed. 

� Incorrectly claiming homeoffice, 

mobile-phone and 

internet expenses. Claims need 

to be supported by evidence 

and you can only claim the 

work-related portion. This is 

best achieved by maintaining 

a diary for four weeks, which 

must establish the actual work 

percentage of the computer, 

phone or internet costs. 

The Soldiers’ Newspaper 

CONTACT US 

Email: armynews@defencenews.gov.au 

Fax: (02) 6266 7701 

� Incorrectly claiming physical 

fitness expenses. Fitness is 

considered a private expense 

and is not generally deductable. 

However, members who 

are required to maintain a very 

high level of fitness and derive 

their income by performing 

a range of duties designed to 

keep them physically and mentally 

prepared, may be able to 

make a case. Generally, this 

would only apply to physical 

training instructors and Special 

Forces. 

� Claiming for mess fees. You 

cannot claim a deduction for 

costs incurred in attending 

mess functions, even compulsory 

ones. However, you can 

claim a deduction for the part 

of compulsory mess subscriptions 

that are related to work 

activities. 

The ATO web site has more details on 

these and other claim types. For more 

information find the “ADF members” 

page through the Advanced Topics links 

at www.ato.gov.au/occupations 

Afghanistan inquiries released 

A HIGHER force protection posture 

would probably not have prevented 

the shooting death of LCpl 

Andrew Jones at the hands of a 

rogue Afghan soldier last year, 

according to an inquiry officer 

report released on June 29. 

The report’s release was 

announced alongside the finalisation 

of inquiries into the deaths of 

commandos Sgt Brett Wood and 

Sgt Todd Langley, both killed in 

action in Afghanistan last year. 

The inquiry officer into LCpl 

Jones’ death found he was shot 

on May 30 last year in a so-called 

“green-on-blue” incident by a rogue 

Afghan soldier, Shafied Ullah, who 

had been recently posted to Patrol 

Base Mashal. 

Releasing the report, VCDF Air- 

Mshl Mark Binskin said there was 

no intelligence to suggest Shafied 

Ullah was a threat or warn of a possible 

attack. 

“The Australian personnel at the 

base responded in a calm and meas- 

LCpl Andrew Jones Sgt Todd Langley Sgt Brett Wood 

ured way in coordinating medical 

support for LCpl Jones and isolating 

evidence at the shooting scene,” 

Air-Mshl Binskin said. 

“LCpl Andrew Jones was a popular 

member of his unit, a dedicated 

soldier who died tragically while 

serving his country.” 

The inquiries into the deaths of 

Sgts Wood and Langley commended 

the efforts of SOTG personnel in 

both incidents. 

Sgt Wood was killed and two 

other commandos were wounded 

by an insurgent IED during opera- 

tions in southern Afghanistan on 

May 23 last year. 

The inquiry officer noted that 

the initial treatment the patrol 

medics provided to Sgt Wood was 

exceptional, especially considering 

the medics were also wounded in 

the explosion. 

The inquiry officer into Sgt 

Langley’s death commended 

members of the SOTG for their 

actions in the highly stressful mission 

during which Sgt Langley was 

killed by insurgent small-arms fire 

while coordinating support for a 

Mail: The Editor, Army, R8-LG-044, PO Box 

7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600 

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

ADVERTISING / SUBSCRIPTIONS 

Advertising manager 

Tim Asher: (07) 3332 7651 or 0459 842 551 

Email: advertising@defencenews.gov.au 

Assistant manager advertising / subscriptions 

Trish Dillon: (02) 6266 7607 

Email: tdillon@defencenews.gov.au 

DISCLAIMER 

Army is published fortnightly by the Directorate 

of Defence News. It is printed under contract 

by Capital Fine Print. The material published is 

selected for its interest. The views expressed in 

published articles are not necessarily those of 

Defence or Army. Every advertisement is subject 

to Directorate of Defence News approval and the 

Directorate of Defence News may, at its discretion, 

refuse to accept an advertisement. The 

directorate accepts no responsibility or liability 

in relation to any loss due to the failure of an 

advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form 

not in accordance with the instructions received 

by the Directorate of Defence News. The fact 

that an advertisement is accepted for publication 

does not mean that the product or service is 

endorsed by the Department of Defence or Army. 

ARMY ONLINE 

http://www.army.gov.au 

http://www.facebook.com/ 

TheAustralianArmy 

http://www.twitter.com/ 

AustralianArmy 

Army July 5, 2012 

Handle with care: The Australian Tax Office will be paying close attention to ADF 

NCOs this year and is offering advice on deductions for Defence members. 

Photo by LAC Bill Solomou 

fellow soldier who was seriously 

wounded. 

Defence Minister Stephen Smith 

weighed the wishes of the Wood 

and Langley families and any public 

interest in the release of those 

two inquiry reports and decided not 

to publicly release them. 

All three inquiries recommended 

that Commissions of Inquiry 

were not warranted. 

The inquiry officer’s report into LCpl Jones’ 

death is available online at 

www.defence.gov.au/COI/ 

New provider for 

on-base health 

MEDIBANK Health Solutions will provide a range 

of health services for ADF personnel from November 

after winning the $1.3 billion Defence health services 

contract. 

Services covered under the contract include onbase 

health support, pathology, imaging and radiology, 

as well as maintaining the 24-hour ADF national 

health hotline. 

Announcing the contract, Defence Science and 

Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon said the contract 

was about ensuring ADF personnel received a high 

standard of health care. 

“The agreement will support Defence’s goal of 

seamless health care from point of injury to recovery,” 

he said. 

“This contract with Medibank Health Solutions 

will also assist Defence to gain further efficiencies by 

streamlining delivery of health services and optimising 

current services through innovation and technology.” 

Current health services contracts have been 

extended to November to allow for a smooth transition 

to the new contract and ensure no disruption of 

services. 

Health care on deployments will continue to be 

provided by military doctors, nurses and medics. 

http://www.youtube.com/ADFMedia 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ 

AustralianArmy

Army July 5, 2012 NEWS 

www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 3 

Pushing forward: Two enemy force ASLAVs move into position for the first day of Ex Hamel 2012. Photo by AB Lee-Anne Mack 

The war begins 

� Ex Hamel 2012 has started with 9000 troops battling it out at Shoalwater Bay 

THE troops of 1 Bde are fighting 

a conventional war across 

Shoalwater Bay Training Area, 

having rolled into Exercise Hamel 

after laying the groundwork with 

Exercises Predator’s Run and 

Predator’s Strike. 

More than 9000 ADF personnel 

are participating in Ex Hamel 

alongside about 150 US Marines 

and 25 New Zealand Army medics. 

The annual foundation war 

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fighting exercise runs from June 21 

to July 18 and certifies participants 

for operational deployment. 

Elements of 3 Bde have also 

deployed to Shoalwater Bay to act 

as enemy. 

Exercise director Brig Shane 

Caughey said Ex Hamel was about 

ensuring the Army could deliver 

a “ready, relevant and agile land 

force”. 

“It allows participating forces 

to hone their fundamental war 

fighting skills and allows us to 

certify a brigade’s progression to 

the phase of the Force Generation 

Cycle where troops are ready for 

future operations if required,” he 

said. 

“While there are set objectives 

against which forces are tested, the 

exercise is designed to reflect the 

complexities and challenges of real 

warfare and, as such, allows a lot 

of freedom on how those set objectives 

are achieved.” 

The 1 Bde troops headed to 

Shoalwater Bay early for their 

annual Exercises Predator’s Run 

and Predator’s Strike, which allow 

the brigade to unleash the full force 

of its armoured and mechanised 

capability in a warlike scenario. 

Look out for more detailed coverage of 

Ex Hamel next edition. 

HISTORY OF HAMEL 

THE Battle of Hamel was a successful attack 

launched by the Australian Imperial Force 

and several American units on July 4, 1918, 

against German positions in and around the 

town of Hamel in northern France. 

The battle was commanded by Lt-Gen 

John Monash, who employed new combined 

arms tactics to successfully complete the 

battle in 93 minutes. Previous battles using 

conventional tactics lasted for weeks or 

months with high casualty rates.

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Air power: New heavy-lift Chinooks have been delivered to 5 Avn Regt in Townsville. 

File photo by Cpl Mark Doran 

Two new chooks 

� Heavy-lift choppers handed over in Townsville 

Cpl Max Bree 

TWO extra Chinooks have been 

added to the Army’s chopper fleet 

with a handover ceremony in 

Townsville on June 8. 

The 1990s-era CH-47D aircraft 

were acquired from the US Army. 

The purchase may prove timely, 

with engineers currently investigating 

whether a Chinook can be 

repaired after suffering heavy land- 

ing in Afghanistan on June 22 (see 

page 13 for more details). 

Commander of the Cargo 

Helicopter Management Unit, 

Lt-Col Tyron De Boer, said the two 

older Chinooks were purchased 

as an interim measure before the 

scheduled arrival of new CH-47F 

models in 2014 and 2016. 

“The whole project from start 

to initial operational capability was 

just over 12 months,” he said. 

During January, the Chinooks 

were taken from a US Army base in 

Germany and loaded onto C-17s for 

the trip to Australia. 

The choppers spent the next few 

months in heavy maintenance and 

being upgraded with Australian 

modifications to be ready for 

domestic flying. 

They will receive additional 

upgrades and be available for 

deployment around mid-2013. 

Call or email Tory Thurgood to find out more 

1800 248 881 

tory@rmapropertygroup.com.au 

www.rmapropertygroup.com.au 

Capt Jillian Gaze 

TOWNSVILLE radio hosts CK and 

Blake faced physical challenges as they 

experienced life as soldiers and broadcast 

their popular morning show live from 

Lavarack Barracks. 

The two self-confessed “metrosexuals” 

swapped moisturiser and hair gel for 

cam cream and bush hats as they were 

put through their paces in the Boys to 

Men Challenge by the soldiers of B Coy, 

2RAR, on June 13. 

Without time to relax or admire their 

new looks, the two radio personalities 

were sent straight into platoon bayonet 

training where they were urged to get 

aggressive and do it like they meant it. 

Thinking the physical part was over, 

they were shocked to be sent on a 2.8km 

run kitted out in body armour and webbing 

before firing Steyrs and pistols at 

the 25m range. 

Cliff “CK” Kern said the experience 

was great. 

“We drive past the barracks all the 

time and it’s great to get an opportunity 

to see and show our listeners what goes 

on here,” he said. 

“We got to live every kid’s dream – 

firing a gun in the Army.” 

CK was quickly corrected he was 

in fact firing a rifle and proceeded to 

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Disc jocks shocked 

into military life 

earn himself the nickname “Hairstyles” 

because of his manicured mane. 

Co-host Blake Pottenden did not 

miss out in the nickname stakes and was 

appointed with the title of “Princess” 

because of his interesting battle cries 

during bayonet training. 

Blake said Lavarack Barracks and 

those who worked there were an important 

part of the local community. 

“It’s great to learn so much about the 

day-to-day activities,” he said. 

LCpl Andrew Alce, of 2RAR, was the 

personalities’ host for the day and said 

Blake did really well. 

“He ran the whole way and didn’t 

look too bad by the end,” he said. 

“CK on the other hand, well, he got 

there with some help from the vehicle.” 

The radio hosts returned to Lavarack 

Barracks on June 15 to complete their 

experience and, while broadcasting live, 

they were visited by members of units in 

3 Bde, who gave them an insight into the 

brigade’s capabilities. 

While the boys did not have the hair 

cuts and a little too much designer stubble 

to be considered for Army life, their 

week with 3 Bde certainly toughened 

them up and gave them a new respect for 

the men and women serving their nation. 

Soldier stories: Townsville radio hosts Cliff Kern and Blake Pottenden 

interview a 3/4 Cav Regt trooper at Lavarack Barracks while broadcasting their 

radio show from the base. 

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All ideas welcome 

� Good Ideas Expo to tour bases seeking innovations for the soldier combat system 

IT’S time to break out your best combat 

kit concepts – Diggerworks is revitalising 

the Good Ideas Expo concept 

across Australia in the second half of 

the year. 

Director Col Jason Blain said the 

expo would identify equipment innovations 

and inventions from soldiers. 

“We know there are many good ideas 

out there and we want to identify those 

that should be considered by Army and 

DMO to be progressed further,” he said. 

Initial planning is under way with 

briefs being provided to all brigade headquarters. 

Regional expos will be conducted in 

Darwin, Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney 

... we have not 

limited the scope of 

the expos in order 

to give participants 

as much flexibility 

as possible. 

– Maj Stan Carnes, Diggerworks 

and Adelaide at a time agreed to at the 

brigade level. 

Winners from these events will progress 

to a final, which will be conducted 

alongside the Land Warfare Conference 

in Melbourne in late October. 

The successful applicants will provide 

a 15-minute presentation on their 

idea to two panels of judges. 

Judges will be provided by each brigade, 

and also technical experts from 

a number of organisations, including 

Army Headquarters, the Defence 

Science and Technology Organisation, 

Defence Material Organisation and the 

Land Engineering Agency. 

The Diggerworks Lead Planner, Maj 

Stan Carnes, said the expos were open 

to any ideas soldiers had. 

“For that reason we have not limited 

the scope of the expos in order to give 

participants as much flexibility as possible,” 

he said. 

The first expo will be conducted in 

Townsville on August 3 at the Lachlan 

Wilson Centre. 

It is open to all Army personnel 

from the north Queensland region, not 

just 3 Bde. 

Interested personnel should go through their 

chain of command in the first instance or email 

diggerworks@defence.gov.au 

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Finding innovative solutions: Much of the equipment in use by soldiers in Afghanistan today was developed or tested through Diggerworks. 

File photo by Sgt Mick Davis 

HOW TO INVENT 

DIGGERWORKS aims to continually 

improve the soldier combat system 

with solutions that enhance soldier 

performance. 

Every solution must be integrated 

into the system as a whole, not simply 

added to the equipment list. 

The Diggerworks process for solving 

combat equipment problems provides 

a model for the budding soldierinventor 

to follow in the search for the 

next big innovation. 

Identify the problem or requirement 

� From field experience. 

� From predicted future needs. 

Analyse options 

� Evaluate available technology or 

equipment. 

� Engage with the relevant industry. 

Develop or identify a solution 

� Develop the technology. 

� Design and engineer the solution. 

� Test and evaluate. 

CANBERRA 

Never Stand Still Business Services Unit 

UNSW Canberra is a campus of the University of New South Wales located at the Australian 

Defence Force Academy in Canberra. UNSW Canberra offers a range of postgraduate programs 

and Professional Education courses for the general community and Defence personnel. These 

courses provide stimulating learning and networking opportunities within a supportive 

environment. 

Courses offered in July - December 2012: 

Professional Education 

Courses 

Communications & Information Systems 

Basic Communications Principles, 10-12 Sept 

Modern Communication Systems, 13-14 Sept 

Satellite Communications 

Satellite Communications - Overview, 19 Nov 

Satellite Communications - Intermediate, 19-21 Nov 

Satellite Communications - Advanced, 19-23 Nov 

Management 

Strategic Human Resource Management, 2 Nov 

Military Systems 

Introduction to Radar Systems, 15-17 Aug 

Battlefield Digitisation, 21-23 Aug 

Naval Architecture 

Introduction to Naval & Maritime Strategy, 20 Jul 

Occupational Health and Safety/Laser Safety 

Laser Safety 1 Day (Adelaide) & 4 Days, 16-19 Jul 

Laser Safety 1 Day (Canberra), 17 Sept 

Laser Safety 1 Day (Sydney) & 4 Days, 1-4 Oct 

Project Management 

PRINCE 2 Foundation, 25-27 Jul, 24-26 Oct & 5-7 Dec 

PRINCE 2 Practitioner, 30-31 Jul, 29-30 Oct & 10-11 Dec 

Introduction to Project Management, 6-8 Aug 

Agile Project Management, 9-10 Aug 

Software Project Management, 26-28 Sept 

Risk Management 

All-Hazard Response Preparedness-Minimising the Risk 

through Exercise Management, 1-2 Aug 

Risk & Resilience Management, 21-22 Aug 

Introduction to Risk Management, 6-7 Sept 

Risk and Contract Management, 18-19 Oct 

Systems Engineering 

Introduction to Systems Engineering (Canberra), 13-15 Aug 

Systems Engineering Practice (Canberra), 16-17 Aug 

Requirements Engineering, 3-5 Sept 

Geographic Information Analysis 

Principles of Geographic Information Analysis and 

Remote Sensing Overview, 5 - 9 Nov 

Expressions of Interest: 

Enterprise Architecture 

Introduction to Enterprise Architecture (2 day course) 

Systems Planning (2 day course) 

Management 

Organisational Problem Solving for Managers 

(2 day course) 

Project Management 

Complex IT Project Management (3 day course) 

Managing Integration Projects (2 day course) 

Systems Thinking 

Systems Thinking and Modelling (3 day course) 

System Dynamics Modelling Practicum (3 day course) 

Introduction to Problem Solving (2 day course) 

Most of these courses can be tailored for in-house delivery. 

A number of our courses can also be used towards credit 

for eligible postgraduate programs. 

For further information and details of over 70 courses contact: 

E: bsu@adfa.edu.au 

T: (02) 6268 8421 

or go to http://bsu.unsw.adfa.edu.au/courses 

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Stargazing: School of Arty’s WO2 Brent Major and his daughter, Abigail, check out the transit of Venus 

in a display for students at Puckapunyal Primary School. 

Gunners aim high 

� School of Arty helps Pucka students watch transit of Venus 

SOLDIERS from the School 

or Arty’s Surveillance and 

Target Acquisition (STA) Wing 

helped children and teachers at 

Puckapunyal Primary School a 

view the transit of Venus across 

the sun on June 6. 

The rare astronomical occurrence 

was viewed by about 100 students 

courtesy of the School of Arty 

at Puckapunyal, which provided 

survey optical equipment capable 

of viewing the sun through special 

filters. 

STA Wing Senior Instructor Maj 

Colin Smith said if a then-littleknown 

Leut James Cook had not 

been tasked with measuring the 

transit of Venus in 1769 at Tahiti, 

he might never have gone on to discover 

Australia for England. 

“So this means it is a pretty significant 

event on the lunar calendar 

for all Australians,” he said. 

“The instruments, similar to the- 

odolites used by civil engineers, 

have been used for decades to orient 

artillery guns on the battlefield 

by using the sun as a reference and 

are able to do this over a number of 

kilometres.” 

At the completion of the children’s 

display, WO2 Brent Major, 

whose daughters Abigail and 

Gabrielle were in attendance at the 

school, moved the display on to 

the main oval for the benefit of the 

entire Puckapunyal community. 

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Never 

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Duntroon golf club 

open to families 

Cpl Mark Doran 

ONE of Canberra’s best kept secrets, 

the RMC Golf Club, is celebrating its 

50th anniversary with a family day on 

August 12. 

Officially opened in 1962, the original 

course dates back to 1919 when military 

members based at Duntroon shaped a 

nine-hole course complete with sand 

greens for their own recreation. 

The first hole on the course was originally 

the RMC charger area where cadets 

practised their sword and lance drills on 

horseback. 

Although the club maintains strong 

links to the military it is also welcomes 

members of the public to its challenging 

course layout of 11 greens and 18 tees. 

Club captain Terrick Smith has been 

with the club for four years. He said Col 

John Purser (retd) had taken on the task 

to research and write a book covering the 

history of the RMC Golf Club. 

“We are trying to gather stories and 

photographs from the beginning of the 

course to the present day and hope to 

catch up with some previous members at 

the family day,” Mr Smith said. 

“Fifty years for a golf course is a long 

time and we would like to compile its 

rich history. 

“This is one of the few courses to survive 

in a military area and today it is still 

a place where ADF members can forget 

their rank and enjoy the game. 

“Even if someone can remember a 

funny story, we want to hear it so we can 

include it in the book.” 

The family day is open to the public 

and invitations have been sent to senior 

Defence leaders. 

Events will include chipping and putting 

competitions to give all visitors the 

opportunity to experience the course and 

its facilities. 

On course: RMC Golf Club captain 

Terrick Smith warms up the putting 

green ahead of a family day. 

Photo by Cpl Mark Doran 

Mr Smith said the course was very 

tight. 

“It’s almost like it has been planned 

as an assault course,” he said. 

“You have to think before you play 

your shot and the trees lining the fairways 

are called the sentinels because of 

the way they protect the course. 

“If your ball is played into those 

trees, you are cactus.” 

For more information for the RMC Golf Club, 

the family day or the history project go to www. 

rmcgc.com.au or call (02) 6265 9620. 

Get your best recipe ready 

THE Army’s best professional and amateur 

chefs are invited to submit their most toothfriendly 

recipe for Dental Health Week. 

The recipes will be put into a draw 

alongside Navy and Air Force submissions 

to find the winner for each service. 

Recipes that promote good teeth are 

likely to be low in carbohydrates, include 

a low-fat dairy component, as well as vitamins 

C and D. Good nutrition and eating 

habits have been linked to preventing dental 

erosion. 

Submit recipes by July 27 to Cpl Ryan Cowgill at 

ryan.cowgill@defence.gov.au 

For information on Dental Health Week go to 

www.dentalhealthweek.com.au 

Good eating: Army cooks can 

submit their best dental-friendly 

recipes for Dental Health Week. 

Photo by LAC Chris Hall 

Faculty 

of Science 

School 

of Aviation

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www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews NEWS 7 

Cpl Nick Wiseman 

V8 SUPERCAR racing duo Rick and 

Todd Kelly took a pit stop from tearing 

up the track to visit soldiers at the Lone 

Pine Soldier Recovery Centre in Darwin 

on June 14. 

Todd Kelly said the initiative the 

Army had set up was awesome. 

“It’s certainly not what Rick and I 

expected to see,” he said. 

During the visit they got the chance to 

talk with the soldiers and partake in rehabilitation 

activities. 

5RAR rifleman Pte Bob Innes said it 

was great insight into what the drivers do. 

“The thing that struck me most was 

how they were normal blokes. Sure 

they’re famous and clearly have a lot of 

money but they’re just like us.” 

The next day the soldiers were given 

special access behind the scenes at the 

Hidden Valley raceway, where they took 

an exclusive tour of the pits before enjoying 

the race. 

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Fast 

friends: 

Racing 

driver 

Todd Kelly 

meets 

soldiers at 

the Darwin 

Soldier 

Recovery 

Centre. 

Photo by AB 

James Whittle 

Drivers stop in on 

recovering soldiers 

cars, 5RAR rifleman Pte Jordan Davis 

said the amount of things drivers had to 

focus on while flying around the track 

was mind blowing. 

“It gave us a good appreciation of 

what they go through.” 

He said most people wouldn’t realise 

how much fitness was also required for 

the job. 

“They scored more than 13 on the 

beep test and one could do a prone hold 

for 14 minutes,” he said. 

“They said core strength was important 

as when they braked around corners 

they estimated about 75kg of pressure 

was forcing against their bodies.” 

Enjoying the break from their recovery 

schedules, the soldiers spent the rest 

of the day at the raceway watching time 

trials and other events. 

A tough qualifying put the Kelly 

brothers down in the field for the race on 

June 17 and despite posting some of the 

fastest lap times of the day, Todd finished 

in 14th place and Rick came 23rd. 

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V8 race-off 

� Three services compete for pole position among supercars 

Cutting laps: Pte Marshall Fowle, of 5RAR, 

participates in the triservice “race off” against V8 

Supercar driver Chaz Mostert in Team Navy’s V8 

Supercar Simulator. Photo by LAC David Cotton 

Leut Andrew Ragless 

AMID the haze and roar of supercharged V8 

engines, three unlikely competitors emerged to face 

off against V8 Supercar young gun Chaz Mostert. 

An Air Force fighter pilot, an infantry soldier and a 

naval communicator took the challenge on the legendary 

Australian Mount Panorama track at Bathurst. 

The Team Navy V8 Supercar simulator revved 

to life on the first day of racing at the V8 Supercar 

Championship at Darwin’s Hidden Valley track. 

The simulator’s owner, Alan Fish, said after a few 

seconds behind the wheel it was clear who would win. 

“Of course Chaz Mostert has a lot of skill with 

this sort of thing but the other guys aren’t doing too 

badly,” he said. 

In hot pursuit of the V8 young gun was Hornet 

pilot Flt-Lt Thomas Quin, of RAAF Base Tindal’s 75 

Sqn. 

“I reckon this might be a bit slow for him,” said 

one enthusiastic onlooker as Flt-Lt Quin shot down 

the track at a virtual 280km/h. 

The full high-definition screens in the simulator 

are linked to the driver’s seat, which is mounted on an 

actuator and provides 490 movements a second. 

“The drivers will feel the engine’s vibrations, the 

push of the ripple strip, and the squirm of the tyres on 

the road when they take the corner – absolutely everything,” 

Mr Fish said. 

Pte Marshall Fowle, of 5RAR, said the feeling 

was incredible. 

“We had the roar of the V8s from our simulator 

but also from the real ones on the track behind us; it 

was quite realistic.” 

When asked by a budding V8 fan if his seat moved 

much, Pte Fowle’s mate replied, “It does when you hit 

the wall as much as he did.” 

“That’s why I’m going to stick to my Kia Rio,” 

Pte Fowle said. 

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In memory: Spr Darren Smith’s father, Graham, and his wife, Shelley, in front of the memorial dedicated 

to the dog handler and other military and service working dog teams killed on duty. Photo by Cpl Peter Borys 

Memorial to close partnership 

THE first memorial for military 

and service working dog teams 

killed on duty was opened in 

Brisbane on June 7. 

The memorial was unveiled two 

years to the day Spr Darren Smith, 

his explosive detection dog Herbie, 

and Spr Jacob Moerland died from 

wounds received from an IED 

blast in Afghanistan. 

About 300 people turned out 

to see Queensland Governor 

Penelope Wesley open the memorial 

at the RSPCA in Wacol. 

The memorial is also open to 

state and federal police services, 

corrective services, Australian 

Quarantine and Inspection Service 

and border security. 

The former commander of the 

Explosive Detection Dog Training 

Wing, Lt-Col George Hulse (retd), 

said the RSPCA provided the location 

and a large amount of money 

to get the Military and Service 

Working Dog National Monument 

built. 

“We thought it would take 

years [to get built] but it only took 

about 18 months,” he said. 

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� Musician enjoys a star-studded retirement 


AFTER promoting Army’s image as 

a musician for 50 years, WO2 Dave 

Walker, of Australian Army Band 

Newcastle, retired from military life 

on June 22. 

During his years as a military musician 

the former coal miner played mainly 

his favourite instrument, the euphonium, 

as well as the cornet, trombone and 

bugle. 

Concerts during his career included 

playing for Queen Elizabeth II during 

her visit to Newcastle in 1977 and high 

profile performances with the Combined 

Reserve Bands during the Sydney Opera 

House Spectaculars. 

Now entitled to wear his third 

Federation Star on the Defence Long 

Service Medal ribbon, WO2 Walker said 

his enjoyment of playing in the band was 

the main reason he stayed in the Army 

for so long. 

“I’m a bandsman – I play in bands,” 

he said. “I love playing different instruments 

and different music – it’s what I 

love doing.” 

WO2 Walker saw many differences in 

uniform come and go during his career 

as well as women becoming Army musicians 

and even the restructuring of the 

battalion bands into band corps. 

When asked what was the main lesson 

he had learnt during his military life, 

WO2 Walker said apart from doing as 

you were told, soldiers needed to give 

their best with what they were given. 

“Every time there are changes to the 

Long service: WO2 Dave Walker 

retires after 50 years as a musician. 

system a lot of musicians often wonder 

why they are doing it differently,” he 

said. 

“The uniforms change, the instrumentation 

changes, but in the end you are 

still rehearsing, you are still playing and 

you still perform on parades.” 

Although no longer performing on 

the parade ground, WO2 Walker will 

still play in Sydney bands, including 

the Cardiff North Lakes Brass Band, 

entertaining crowds during concerts and 

street marches. 

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Veterans 

History on display 

to reunite 


VIETNAM veterans from the first and second 

2RAR/NZ Anzac tours (1967–68, 1970-71) 

will be attending the first combined reunion in 

Townsville from July 25 to 29. 

2RAR’s veterans will have a chance to 

reconnect with old friends and make new 

ones at Lavarack Barracks with the current 

members of the battalion who have recently 

returned from a deployment to Afghanistan. 

An open day hosted by 2RAR will be held 

on July 27 at Samichon Lines. Coinciding 

with the 2RAR Family Day, the battalion 

will show off its weapons systems along with 

static displays by B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt, 4 Regt 

RAA and 5 Avn Regt. 

The official reunion dinner for members 

of 2RAR/NZ Anzac will be held at the 

Townsville Entertainment and Convention 

Centre on July 28. 

Adjutant Capt Nicholas McCarthy said 

the battalion expected hundreds of veterans to 

attend the reunion. 

“It will be great for our lads to meet former 

members who are veterans from Vietnam, 

not just for those who recently fought in 

Afghanistan, but for our soldiers who haven’t 

deployed yet as well,” he said. 

“They will be able to compare notes and 

see that soldiering hasn’t really changed that 

much.” 

At 10am on July 29, the 2RAR/NZ Anzac 

veterans will join B Coy, 2RAR, for a parade 

along The Strand. 

The guest of honour will be Maj-Gen Jim 

Connolly (retd), who was a platoon commander 

during the battalion’s first tour to Vietnam. 

The parade will be followed by a commemoration 

service in Anzac Memorial Park. 

For more information go to www.2rar-association.com. 

au/home.html 

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� The 2RAR museum features an extensive collection of photos and memorabilia 

Looking back: The curator of the 2RAR Historical Collection, 

Cpl John Twomey, talks Pte Alexander Luiten through an exhibit. 

Photo by Cpl Mark Doran 


IT’S only fitting a dedicated soldier 

with a unique military history 

is guarding the historic cache of the 

2RAR Historical Collection. 

Curator Cpl John Twomey was 

posted to 4RAR in 1973 five weeks 

before the battalion amalgamated with 

2RAR to become 2/4RAR. 

It wasn’t always a smooth environment 

for the few younger soldiers 

who worked with hard, battle-scarred 

veterans from the wars in Korea and 

Vietnam. 

The new Lavarack Barracks battalion 

was charged with preserving the 

traditions, associations, museums and 

proprietorship of the two units until the 

link was annulled. 

Because of this, all ranks of 

2/4RAR were aware of the history of 

both battalions and strictly preserved 

these traditions, while working hard to 

establish a distinctive image for their 

unit. 

In 1990 Cpl Twomey became 

2/4RAR’s Historical Collection 

Curator and when the battalions delinked 

in 1995, the collection became 

2RAR’s. 

He has worked there ever since, 

now as a reservist after gaining qualifications 

in museum management and 

South-East Asian history. 

“We have to look after the heritage 

of all our soldiers who served here 

and on operations overseas and the 

young soldiers who are posted to this 

battalion need to learn about our history,” 

he said. 

Exhibits at the collection include 

displays from the battalion’s involvement 

with the occupation of Japan as 

the 66th Bn, through service in the 

Korean War and Vietnam as 2RAR as 

well as daily life and ceremonial events 

back in Australia. 

Among its collection of artwork is 

the famous painting by Ivor Hele of 

the Battle of Samichon, The Hook, 

and a series of charcoal portraits from 

Vietnam drawn by Ken McFadyen. 

Cpl Twomey said the battalion 

liaised with the community and associations 

who were invited to visit the collection, 

as were local school students. 

“Our museum is an eye opener for a 

lot of people,” he said. 

“They are stunned at the amount of 

memorabilia we have.” 

Artefacts and images from more 

recent deployments to Cambodia, 

Rwanda, East Timor, Solomon Islands, 

Iraq and Afghanistan are also on 

display. 

As a younger member of the battalion, 

Pte Alexander Luiten said the 

collection was important for soldiers 

to learn where their customs and traditions 

came from. 

“Displaying our history shows 

where we started and it’s fantastic to 

have this collection and be able to look 

back and see what our 2RAR veterans 

did,” he said. 

“Maybe one day we will have 

something from our time in the battalion 

on display as well.” 

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WORLD www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 

Sea legs: Military Police Sgt Hayden Watson and US Navy Master at Arms James Conroy conduct a 

routine security patrol of the USNS Mercy flight deck during Pacific Partnership 2012. 

Photo by FSgt Craig Sharp 

0414 739 891 

tcp@primeinvestment.com.au 

Maj Cameron Jamieson 

“ 


Cop joins 

mission 

of Mercy 

� Enoggera-based MP on Pacific Partnership 

A MILITARY policeman is finding his 

sea legs off the Philippines coast after 

volunteering for duty aboard a hospital 

ship for Pacific Partnership 2012. 

Sgt Hayden Watson, of the Enoggera 

Barracks Domestic Policing Unit, has 

joined a US force protection team 

aboard the 1000-bed 

US Navy hospital 

ship USNS Mercy 

on a journey through 

South-east Asia. 

“Our job is to 

maintain the internal 

security of the ship,” 

Sgt Watson said. 

“I’m attached to 

the Master-at-Arms 

section, which consists 

of Army and 

Navy military policemen 

and women. 

“We look after 

the people on 

board, escort visitors 

around, ensure 

people are clear of 

restricted areas during flight operations 

and walk through the wards to make 

sure our patients are okay.” 

Forty-one ADF personnel are 

assigned to Pacific Partnership, the latest 

in an annual series of US Navy-led 

humanitarian relief operations created 

as an ongoing commitment to south- 

east Asia and the south-west Pacific 

after the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. 

While stationed off the island of 

Samar in the Philippines, USNS Mercy 

ran surgical, medical, veterinary, engineering 

and expert exchange projects 

to help disadvantaged people in the 

region. 

Sgt Watson had previously worked 

ashore with US 

Navy police in 

Rockhampton during 

Exercise Talisman 

Sabre, so he jumped 

at the chance when 

the call went out for 

a MP to join Pacific 

Partnership. 

“The Mercy is the 

largest hospital ship 

in the world, so it’s 

a once-in-a-lifetime 

opportunity,” he said. 

“It’s a chance to 

Sgt Hayden Watson experience something 

different and see 

some very different 

places.” 

He will have spent 12 weeks aboard 

USNS Mercy by the time it finishes 

its tour of Indonesia, the Philippines, 

Cambodia and Vietnam. 

He said after patrolling up and down 

stairs on an eight-storey ship for three 

months, if nothing else, he should have 

the fittest legs of any MP in Australia. 

The Mercy is the 

largest hospital 

ship in the world, 

so it’s a oncein-a-lifetime 

opportunity. 

DEFENCE TRANSITIONS 

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Army July 5, 2012 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews WORLD 11 

Timor aviators clock 10,000 

THE Timor-Leste Aviation Group 

(TLAG) buzzed over the 10,000-flying-hour 

milestone in June after six 

years providing aviation support to 

Operation Astute. 

The aviation group first deployed 

to East Timor with four Black Hawks 

and four Kiowa helicopters in 

response to civil unrest in 2006. 

Black Hawks were used to contain 

violent incidents and search for the 

people suspected of inciting them, 

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while the Kiowas supplied battlefield 

commentary on incidents around Dili. 

The situation in East Timor is 

peaceful today but Black Hawks 

remain ready to fly an international 

quick response force to any trouble 

spots and also conduct medical evacuations 

at night. 

TLAG 17 OC Maj John Walker 

said East Timor provided a wet and 

mountainous environment to challenge 

new pilots and aircrew. 

“The greatest impact here is how 

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happpyy appy witthh with 

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we conduct our flying operations in 

the mountains, how we appreciate the 

weather and how that can limit us,” 

he said. 

“We don’t have weather radar 

services over here, so we rely on 

meteorological forecasts and a visual 

assessment of the weather, and have 

to build in a larger comfort factor.” 

Check out the online version of Army for a 

gallery of TLAG over the years at 

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

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12 

WORLD www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 


In place for election support 

� ADF aircraft and landing craft begin operating in Papua New Guinea to assist with national elections 

Capt Jay Ellul 

FOUR Black Hawks flew into Port 

Moresby on June 13 to provide support 

to the Papua New Guinea elections. 

The helicopters, from the Sydneybased 

6 Avn Regt, came via Oakey, 

Townsville, Horn Island and Daru, 

before landing at Port Moresby airport. 

OC Maj Matthew Williams said 

the helicopters would provide logistic 

support for the elections. 

“The Black Hawks will be transporting 

election officials, voting 

booths and other equipment around 

the southern provinces in the lead-up 

and during the 2012 elections,” Maj 

Williams said. 

“This support mission provides a 

good opportunity for the Black Hawks 

and crews to put all of our training 

into practice and support the people of 

Papua New Guinea.” 

The helicopter mission forms 

part of the support provided by the 

Australian and New Zealand Defence 

Forces for the 2012 Papua New 

Guinea election, delivering electoral 

commission personnel and supplies 

around the country to conduct the 

poll. 

Combined Joint Task Force 630 

commander Col Andrew MacNab 

said about 250 Australian and New 

Zealand Defence personnel would be 

involved at the peak of the commitment. 

“This is an important national 

event for PNG and we are providing 

air and logistic support in a challenging 

environment to remote communities 

in rugged terrain,” he said. 

“Personnel from the PNG 

Defence Force and the Royal PNG 

Constabulary are responsible for the 

security of the elections because we 

will be unarmed. 

“No members of parliament or 

candidates will be transported and our 

mission will not support electioneering 

efforts.” 

Col MacNab said the specialist 

support being provided was not readily 

available in PNG. 

The elections will be held from 

June 23 to July 6 as polling stations 

move throughout the country. 

Safe landing: Crews from two of the four 6 Avn Regt Black 

Hawks dispatched to Papua New Guinea for election support 

go through post-flight checks at Port Moresby Airport. Inset 

left, Navy Landing Craft Heavy HMAS Tarakan prepares to 

offload an Army fuel truck and other stores at Port Moresby to 

waiting PNG Defence Force personnel (inset right).

Army July 5, 2012 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 

WORLD 13 

Stepping up: CO MTF 4 Lt-Col Kahlil Fegan (left) promotes LCpl Nick Hilton at Patrol Base Hadrian during a lull in a battle involving 

Australian troops from the base. Photo by Cpl Raymond Vance 

Battle promotion 

� OC’s signaller gets a hook while taking radio message from troops in contact 


WHEN an RSM calls a digger 

front and centre it is normally 

an ominous occasion. 

Troops from Patrol Base 

Hadrian were outside the wire in 

contact with insurgents on March 

10 when Task Force RSM WO1 

Ian D’Arcy entered the command 

post and called forward signaller 

LCpl Nick Hilton. 

LCpl Hilton is the OC’s signaller 

and has been with 8/9RAR 

since the battalion was reraised 

in 2007. 

He thought he was in trouble 

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at first because he hadn’t a chance 

to shave that morning. 

“Halfway through the contact 

there was a lull in the battle and I 

was promoted by the CO, Lt-Col 

Kahlil Fegan,” LCpl Hilton said. 

“It was definitely a highlight 

of my deployment to Afghanistan 

to be promoted while there was 

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service 

A service founded by Vietnam veterans 

a contact in progress, but getting 

out and conducting a few patrols 

has also been fantastic. 

“We had a clearance patrol 

in the Tangi Valley recently and, 

although it wasn’t major, it was 

a demanding patrol because of 

the challenges involved such as a 

river crossing.” 

AG45761 

Chinook damaged 

in hard landing 

AN AUSTRALIAN Chinook was damaged in a hard 

landing during combat support operations in Kandahar 

province on June 22. 

The incident occurred at a coalition force patrol 

base in Kandahar province. 

Commander JTF 633 Maj-Gen Stuart Smith said an 

aircrewman suffered a minor injury in the landing. 

“All other personnel on board underwent precautionary 

health checks following the incident,” he said. 

The aircrewman was expected to return to full 

duties. 

Maj-Gen Smith said a damage assessment and 

recovery team went to the site of the hard landing. 

“The teams have secured the Chinook in its location 

and an investigation into the hard landing is under 

way,” he said. 

“Extent of the damage to the aircraft is being 

assessed. 

“The Chinook will be moved to Kandahar Air Field 

by the safest and most economical means.” 

The aircraft was conducting a combat support mission, 

transporting personnel and equipment to various 

locations in southern Afghanistan. 

The hard landing is not believed to have been 

caused by enemy fire. 

Crew members safe: A Chinook was damaged 

in a hard landing at a coalition patrol base in 

Kandahar province. File photo by Cpl Hamish Paterson 

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14 

GOING 

OUT WITH 

A BANG 


CENTREPIECE 

Gunsmoke: A 105mm Hamel 

gun sends a round down range 

during the shoot. 

... the transition to 

Plan Beersheba and 

the mortar battery 

produces a better 

capability for the wider 

Army than we can 

currently achieve and 

the technical standards 

we can bring to the 

application of mortars 

will be significant. 

– Lt-Col Grant Palmer, CO 7 Fd Regt 

The crew: Sgt 

Justin Atchison 

(front row, 

second from 

left) and the 

men on number 

four gun made 

sure it was they 

who fired the 

last round on 

June 17. 

As the gunners of 7 Fd 

Regt delivered their last 

105mm salvo ahead of 

major changes, 

Sgt Brian Hartigan 

walked the firing line for 

these words and photos. 

NOSTALGIA, sadness, 

pride and a little disappointment 

swept over the 

gunners of 7 Fd Regt on 

June 17 when they fired 

the last rounds from their 

105mm Hamel guns – and prepared to 

hand back their Colours. 

On the sunny Sunday afternoon at 

Singleton Range, the guns of the proud 

Australian artillery regiment that was first 

raised in 1916 fell silent for the last time 

as both the guns and the regiment gave 

way to progress. 

Under Plan Beersheba, 7 Fd Regt will 

shortly hand back its guns and cease to 

exist as its soldiers are re-rolled as a light 

artillery battery equipped with mortars 

under command of 2/17RNSWR. 

While the gunners will continue to 

wear the hat badge and lanyard of their 

corps, many saw it as the beginning of the 

end for artillery in the Army Reserve. 

Charged with managing the transition 

and keeping his men focused and motivated 

in the face of major change, CO 

7 Fd Regt Lt-Col Grant Palmer said there 

was a good plan in place – subject to final 

endorsement of the details – that would 

see the regiment deliver what had been 

asked of it. 

“Within 12 months, we should be able 

to produce the new structure that’s been 

generally agreed to. That is, a battery of 

light artillery, which is joint-fires capable, 

based on mortars. 

“In the mean time, the secret to managing 

the change is to be open and transparent, 

keeping the soldiers informed as to 

what’s going on, letting them know what 

you can and telling them what you don’t 

know too so that the rumours can’t spread. 

“It’s also important to make sure they 

can see that how the training they are conducting 

in the interim relates to where we 

are going.” 

Lt-Col Palmer said the last firing of the 

guns was certainly an emotional day for 

the men of his unit. 

“Having guns in the regiment is what 

gunners are all about,” he said. 

“However, looking forward, the 

positive aspect of the transition to Plan 

Beersheba and the mortar battery is that it 

produces a better capability for the wider 

Army than we can currently achieve and 

the technical standards we can bring to the 

application of mortars will be significant. 

“So, while it is emotional, it’s actually 

a way of moving into the future with a 

better capability.” 

The men on number four gun for the 

last shoot were candid in a group discussion 

about their feelings towards the 

change, but resolute in their determination 

to soldier on. 

“None of us joined artillery by acci- 

dent. We’re a weird bunch that way,” they 

said. 

“The new weapon system will be 

something new for the boys to learn, training 

liability will be a lot lighter, we can 

run a lot more courses in-house and we’ll 

be a lot cheaper to run and to use. 

“So, there’s a lot more soldiering left 

in us yet.” 

Changes under Plan Beersheba 

UNDER Plan Beersheba the 

Army Reserve must deliver 

capability and support to sustain 

ADF preparedness and operations. 

The reserve has four core tasks 

and several supporting tasks, including 

delivering warfighting capabilities 

with an emphasis on stability operations, 

providing humanitarian assistance, 

disaster relief and domesticsecurity 

capacity as part of a wholeof-government 

approach and contributing 

to Army surge capabilities. 

The Army Reserve will consist of 

six brigade-sized formations within 2 

Div with units, sub-units, teams and 

individuals integrated within Army’s 

combat support and combat service 

support brigades. 

The 2 Div formations will be 

paired, with each pair aligned to and 

on the same force-generation cycle 

as its partnered full-time multi-role 

combat brigade. 

In each “ready” year, the paired 

Army Reserve formations will be 

required to produce a battalion-sized 

group, which may be used in its 

entirety or as a “capability brick” by 

the multi-role combat brigade commander 

for operational deployments 

or in major exercises. 

The plan includes a requirement 

for a Royal Australian Artillery mortar 

capability under the command of an 

infantry battalion. 

In the case of 7 Fd Regt, that pairing 

is with 2/17RNSWR. 

Last rounds: Gunners load a round during 7 Fd 

Regt’s final firing of the 105mm Hamel. 

Specialist skills: 

Sgt Bernard Hodson 

checks sight 

alignment on the 

gun after moving to 

a new position. The 

gunners will bring 

their artillery skills to 

their new mortar role 

with 2/17RNSWR. 

15 

THANKING THE FAMILIES 

ENTERTAINING family and friends 

in the field during a live-fire shoot 

was a rare and special event for 

the reservists of 7 Fd Regt. 

CO Lt-Col Grant Palmer said having 

the families on the range was unusual 

and had only happened once before. 

“We invited the families and the 

regiment association into the field today 

to thank them for what they do for the 

regiment,” he said. 

“I think it was very important, especially 

with the nature of reserve service 

– blokes work five days a week, then 

we ask them to come away for a weekend 

and then they go home tired and 

Family day: Family and friends of 7 Fd 

Regt tour the gun line at Singleton. 

HISTORY CARRIED FORWARD 

FORMED in March 1916, the 7th 

Fd Artillery Bde was deployed as 

part of the 3rd Div and saw its 

first action at the Battle of Armentieres 

in France in January 1917. It subsequently 

took part in the battles of 

Menin Road, Passchendaele, Mont St 

Quentin, Messines and others. 

During World War II, the regiment 

served in defence of Australia, first 

in Sydney and Wollongong and later 

across Western Australia. 

Current CO 7 Fd Regt Lt-Col 

Grant Palmer said the regiment had a 

long, proud heritage of more than 90 

years’ service to the nation across all 

of the battlefields the Army had been 

engaged in since WWII. 

“The regiment provided a lot of 

soldiers who served in Korea, Vietnam, 

smelly and make the washing machine 

all horrible.” 

Lt-Col Palmer said although he had 

to be careful of fatigue, safety was also 

very much part of the relationship with 

the families. 

“The way we approach safety in the 

regiment is actually about what’s important 

to us personally,” he said. 

“We take safety very seriously for 

reasons that are reflected in the families 

who came up here today. 

“It was also good to help the families 

understand why I have to train the 

soldiers so hard and demand so much 

of them.” 

Fond memories: Peter Smith and 

Harry Taylor, both former 7 Fd Regt 

members, are happy to be back on 

the range to farewell the guns. 

Afghanistan, Iraq, Solomon Islands and 

East Timor,” he said. 

“Maintaining the heritage, in many 

ways, is just simple things – identifying 

that we are still gunners with the white 

lanyard and our colour patch, and recognition 

through naming conventions. 

“There’s been a bit of discussion 

about what we should be titled. 

“We’d very much like to honour our 

tradition by being called 25 Bty, which 

was the first battery raised in the regiment 

in Australia, but was demobilised 

in England and never had the chance 

to serve in Australia. 

“Since service to the nation in 

Australia is what we’re all about, it 

would be nice to honour those soldiers 

and keep that lineage going.”

16 

LETTERS 

COMING EVENTS 

Indigenous conference 

THE Directorate of Indigenous Affairs has invited 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Defence members 

to a conference at HMAS Harman in Canberra 

from August 14-16. The Defence Aboriginal and Torres 

Strait Islander Network Conference is an opportunity 

for Indigenous ADF members and Defence public 

servants to network and gain an understanding of the 

opportunities available within the organisation. The 

conference is regarded as part of official duties and 

all travel, accommodation and meals will be covered. 

Expression of interest forms are available on the 

DRN public drive at P:\AllPublicFolders\DRNGlobal\ 

IndigenousNetwork\ 

9RAR reunites 

THIS year is the 45th anniversary of the raising of 

9RAR. Those who saw active service in the South 

Vietnam from November 1968 to December 1969 

are invited to celebrate with company reunions on 

November 9. On November 10 there will be a shopping 

bus trip for partners before the battalion dinner 

at Darling Harbour. On November 11 there will be a 

commemorative service at Sydney War Memorial and 

the “Pool of Reflection” at Hyde Park with free buses 

to Victoria Barracks for lunch, drinks and tours of the 

facilities and museum. On November 12 there will be 

a harbour cruise with luncheon. 

See http://9RAR.org.au for more details. 

Trekking for Timor 

HAVING raised more than $60,000 in the past, Trek 

For Timor is hoping Defence members will help push 

the fund-raising bar over the $100,000 mark this year. 

Trekking through the breathtaking scenery in the Blue 

Mountains over 5km, 13km, 25km or 45km will help 

to boost educational projects in the sub-district of 

Hatobuilico. Trek has lent a helping hand to an adult 

learning centre and two schools, provided student 

scholarships, renovated a community resource centre 

and supported a local language project. Soldiers are 

encouraged to get together and enter a team or volunteer 

to assist on the day in marshalling the event. 

Organisers are also looking for sponsorship. For more 

information on the event or projects or to register, go 

to www.trekfortimorbm.org.au 

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Support program a 

big step forward 

Support available: The Army Support to Wounded Injured and Ill Program 

provides a range of facilities, services and entitlements for soldiers recovering from 

injuries sustained on or off duty. File photo by LS Paul Berry 

I AM the father and next of kin of a serving soldier, 

MP WO2 Mary-Anne Holland. 

Mary-Anne is categorised as member with 

dependants as a single parent of a six-year-old. 

She is currently posted to Defence Command 

Support Training Centre at Simpson Barracks in 

Victoria. 

I would like to take this opportunity to say 

thank you, as a parent and next of kin of a serving 

soldier, for implementing the Support for 

Wounded, Injured and Ill Program (SWIIP) into 

the Army. 

Recently, my daughter had surgery and, as 

a result, was unable to care for herself and her 

dependant and I flew interstate to provide the 

required care to my daughter and grandson. 

My daughter applied through her supervisor, 

Lt-Col Debbie Warren-Smith, to be reimbursed the 

costs associated with my payment. 

Approval was granted and a discretionary payment 

was given to my daughter to cover the total 

cost of my travel. 

It is great to know that the Army is supporting 

soldiers in need. 

My only concern is that my daughter has 

informed me that SWIIP is only new to the Army 

and awareness of this program among soldiers is 

very limited. 

Is there a possible that the information on 

SWIIP be promulgated to the next of kin of the 

soldiers? 

Gary Holland 

Singleton 

Col Len Brennan, Director Army Health, responds: 

THANK you for your positive feedback on the 

Army SWIIP initiatives. 

Army has promoted its programs to support our 

wounded, injured and ill through multiple medias 

including a centrepiece spread in Army (April 26). 

The support measures for complex cases are tailored 

to the individual’s specific circumstances and 

needs rather than a broader “entitlement”. 

For this reason our focus has been on ensuring 

that unit welfare officers supported by military support 

coordinators are fully aware of support options 

and can bring the support required for soldiers 

and their families. 

��

Army July 5, 2012 FEATURES 

TELL US 

YOUR 

STORY 

If you have an 

interesting story 

to tell, get in touch 

with Army and get 

it in print. 

Contact the 

editorial team 

by email at 

armynews@ 

defencenews. 

gov.au 


Caught in the contact 

Beating the bombs: MTF 4 EOD Tp from left, Cpl Cameron Butler, clearance diver PO Justin 

Ramanauskas, Pte Shane Pirkins and Spr Haron Sarmiento, display a selection of ordnance and 

weapons found during their deployment. Photo by Cpl Mark Doran 

The engineers in Afghanistan need to be able to 

hold their own alongside the infantrymen in a 

firefight, Cpl Mark Doran reports. 

HAD been patrolling 

for just an hour when 

the first shots rang out.” ‘WE 

It was during a dismounted 

clearance patrol with Mentoring 

Team One and the Afghan National Army 

(ANA) on March 22 when Cpl Cameron 

Butler, of MTF 4’s EOD Tp, started taking 

hostile fire. 

Cpl Butler is part of a four-man team 

based at Multinational Base Tarin Kot 

which responds to IED finds. 

The team’s role for Combined 

Team – Uruzgan is to clear IEDs from 

paths by making them safe or destroying 

them when possible. 

The patrol was in the Char Chineh 

Valley, a remote area of Uruzgan province. 

Cpl Butler said they had reasonably 

good intelligence that insurgents were 

observing the troops and preparing an 

ambush. 

“When the contact kicked off we were 

on the left flank with two infantry sections 

on the right and we returned fire immediately 

to hold the enemy in their position,” 

Cpl Butler said. 

“We pushed ourselves forward while 

the ASLAV moved into a position to give 

us supporting fire.” 

The insurgents’ sporadic fire gave 

away their positions to the combat team 

on the right flank, which continued to 

engage the enemy as the engineers moved 

forward. 

The insurgents then fired a recoilless 

rifle round at the overwatch position, 

which was on a cliff. The overwatch team 

members were lucky not to be wounded 

by the close explosion. 

An air weapons team of two US 

Apaches was called in and there were lulls 

in the three-hour battle as the insurgents 

hid until they moved away. 

The insurgents then increased their rate 

of aggressive fire with automatic weapons 

and rocket-propelled grenades until the 

Apaches returned with two A-10 Warthogs 

in support, causing the enemy to flee. 

“Once the insurgents had withdrawn 

we pushed forward and continued on with 

the task,” he said. 

“The first rounds were within 10m 

of our position, which is the most accurate 

fire I have seen before and led me to 

believe they were full-time insurgents.” 

Cpl Butler said the engineers worked 

well with the infantry and could blend in 

as another fire team. 

He deployed to Afghanistan with 

MTF 1 in 2010 as an engineer mentor, 

teaching the ANA how to find IEDs, and 

ended the tour as an engineer search commander. 

Engineer search teams are responsible 

for finding explosive ordnance and IEDs 

before calling the EOD teams forward. 

EOD teams do not just remove IEDs 

– they also dispose of munitions which 

the insurgents could use against coalition 

forces, Afghan forces and civilians 

by destroying them in place or recovering 

them for evidence. 

Cpl Butler said the most interesting 

challenges of working with another country’s 

army were the cultural differences 

combined with the language barrier. 

“I suppose you find that soldiers across 

the world are relatively similar so we find 

a lot of common ground with the Afghan 

soldiers as we work with them to achieve 

our missions,” he said. 

“Recently we were patrolling the 

Mirabad Valley and noticed areas we were 

hesitant to patrol in earlier because of the 

threats from IEDs and small-arms fire are 

now a lot safer and have Afghan police 

checkpoints along the route. 

“Our area of influence appears to be 

spreading as the locals would be happy to 

see us and come out to say hello. 

“It’s a good feeling because it seems 

we are making Afghanistan safer.”

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Taking flight on course 

There is nothing basic about the ADF Basic Flying Training School, 

as LAC Bill Solomou discovers. 

ONG days are nothing 

new for the crew at 

the ADF Basic Flying 

Training School (BFTS) in 

Tamworth, where Army, Navy and 

Air Force pilots get their first taste 

of flying. 

According to CO Wg-Cdr 

Dennis Tan, the professionalism of 

the staff and the enthusiasm of the 

students play a part in the school’s 

success. 

“I think the school is the best 

basic flying training school anywhere 

in the world,” he said. 

“It is the cornerstone of all ADF 

pilot training and our partnership 

with BAE Systems ensures it is, and 

remains, world-class.” 

It is also where dreams are made 

and shattered. 

Of the 275 candidates selected 

each year to attend a 10-day flightscreening 

course, between 100 and 

150 get panelled to do the BFT 

course and about a third of those 

don’t succeed. 

Graduating students Capt Tim 

Set and ready: Lt Sarah Rosier collects her helmet. 

Above right, a formation of CT4B Airtrainers with 

students and instructors take flight in clear skies 

over Tamworth. 

Photos by LAC Bill Solomou and BAE Services 

Wellham and Lt Bryan McClurg 

are on their way to fulfilling their 

dreams. 

Both members are following 

a passion they’ve had since childhood. 

Capt Wellham said the tempo of 

the course was very high. 

“It’s the hardest course that I 

have done in the military,” he said. 

“There is a culture of excellence 

at the school.” 

After his type conversion he 

hopes to fly the MRH 90. 

Lt McClurg’s family is very 

proud of his achievements and he 

will be the first pilot in the family. 

He said the most memorable part 

of the course was doing low-level 

navigation and, of course, his last 

BFT flight. 

While on the initial 24-week 

course, students undertake theory 

instruction classes including aerodynamics, 

aircraft systems, airmanship, 

cockpit systems, morse code, 

navigation and meteorology. 

And then there are flying lessons 

conducted on the CT4B. 

On completion of the course at 

BFTS, Army members do an additional 

12 weeks of training on the 

Intermediate Pilot Program before 

they head to the Army Aviation 

Centre in Oakey, Queensland. 

Wg-Cdr Tan said the 10 qualified 

flight instructors (QFIs) who 

rotated through the school each year 

came from across the three services 

and could do more than 500 hours 

of flying a year. 

“An equally important mission 

of this unit is developing QFIs so 

they are employable in other flying 

units around the ADF,” he said. 

“I believe there is no better way 

for an instructor to develop than to 

fly with basic students. 

“I would suggest to other pilots 

that fears they may have faced in 

their flying careers would be insignificant 

compared to the day-today 

challenges in teaching someone 

to fly. 

“Teaching a student how to land 

an aircraft for the first time will 

always leave your hands trembling!” 

Flying high: ADF BFTS graduates Lt Bryan McClurg and Capt Tim Wellham 

conduct their final pre-flight inspections. Photo by LAC Bill Solomou 

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FEATURES www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 

The Wali lifestyle 

Sgt Mick Davis 

NEARING the end of their Afghanistan tour, 

MTF 4 soldiers stationed at Patrol Base Wali 

have lived in Uruzgan’s Mirabad Valley for the 

past five months. 

The soldiers not only mentor the Afghan 

National Army personnel posted there, but 

conduct a range of daily duties and chores 

including roving pickets and cleaning duties. 

For off-duty periods, the patrol base has a 

dining facility where soldiers can relax, read 

books and magazines, connect to the internet 

and watch movies. 

Traditionally Australian soldiers have 

always made do with what they have had 

and once again the soldiers at Patrol Base 

Wali have made their living environment as 

homely as possible. 

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The Wali way: Pte 

Ben Phillips and 

Pte Allistair Bartsch 

from MTF 4 on 

night patrol at 

Patrol Base Wali, 

Afghanistan; inset 

top, Pte Daniel 

Canfield and Pte 

James Emmerton 

clean the ablutions 

block at Patrol 

Base Wali; inset, 

left, Pte Maclean 

Gray eats breakfast 

and reads Army. 

Photos by 

Cpl Hamish Paterson

Army July 5, 2012 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews FEATURES 21 

The ride of a lifetime 

A small group of Australian and US cyclists are undertaking a big 

ride to honour the fallen, Cpl Max Bree reports. 

WO soldiers will join a 

peloton of 22 Australian 

and US military personnel, 

police and firemen cycling 

across America to honour those 

killed on September 11, 2001, and 

during the war on terrorism. 

Maj Ty Domin, of Joint Movt 

Gp, and Sgt Daniel Ferguson, of 

1RTB, beat a host of Army cyclists 

to be selected for the tour. 

“Selection was tight from a field 

of operationally experienced and 

seasoned Army cyclists who all 

wanted to be part of the trip across 

America,” Maj Domin said. 

Las Vegas 

A ride to 

remember: 

Twenty-four riders 

will pedal across 

America in the 

Tour of Duty ride. 

TELL US 

YOUR 

STORY 

Nobody knows the 

inside scoop like 

the soldier on 

the ground. 





it in print. 

We can support you 

with photographs, 

writing and chain 

of command 

approvals. 

Contact the 


by email at 

armynews@ 

defencenews. 

gov.au 

Flagstaff 

Phoenix 

The event, known as the Tour of 

Duty Ride, begins in San Diego on 

August 11 and covers about 250km 

a day across 21 stages to finish in 

New York on September 10 some 

3600km later. 

“Some of the days will involve 

hours of riding across empty farmland 

and open space, while others 

will involve altitude climbing and 

variations in climate,” Maj Domin 

said. 

The Australian riders will conduct 

a televised launch in Sydney 

on August 9, attended by the 

Australian patron to the tour, former 

Prime Minister John Howard. 

Denver 

Oklahoma 

City 

St Louis 

Milwaukee 

Chicago 

Memphis 

The ride will then be launched in 

San Diego from the aircraft carrier 

USS Midway by US Senator John 

McCain. The riders are expecting 

a huge welcome at each town they 

visit. 

“Almost every town we reach 

will be holding some form of a 

reception, so after a day of riding 

our work will not end as we spread 

the word of the cause,” Maj Domin 

said. 

“Then the next day we’ll have to 

get up and do it all again.” 

Stay up to date with ride information at 

http://tourofdutyride.com 

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Pedal power: Maj Ty Domin tackles rugged mountainbike tracks while training 

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22 

PERSONNEL www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 

On a winner with 

maths package 

� Training package is the most requested on learning centre site 

THE Army Learning Production Centre 

has been awarded for its latest computerbased 

learning software. 

The Maths Bridging Package took first 

place for Best New Initiative in the eLearning 

Adopter category at the Learning and 

Technology Impact Awards announced on 

June 8. 

The software was created to reduce the 

high failure rate of trade transfer trainees. 

The maths bridging project was the first 

managed by Lt Karen Lewis, who led a team 

of learning centre specialists and developed 

the package from scratch. 

“It usually takes about six months to a 

year to make a program but this took about 

two years,” she said. 

“Normally a product might have 100 

screens this one has over 1200 screens.” 

According to Directorate of Workforce 

Management – Army, initial trade training 

results showed the package is having a significant 

positive impact and is the most requested 

learning program in the centre’s library. 

A second program dealing with physics is 

already in the advanced development stage. 

The Maths Bridging Package is one of 

more than 80 products in the learning centre 

catalogue covering topics from weapons 

and pre-deployment training to trade-specific 

packages and historical documentaries. 

The Army Learning Production Centre packages are 

available from http://alpc/products/ on the DRN. 

Helping you own your home 

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Skilling up: The Maths Bridging 

Package is a freely available 

online course designed to 

help soldiers transferring into 

technical trades. It won the 

best new initiative award in the 

eLearning Adopter category at 

the Learning and Technology 

Impact Awards. 

CCCOMPETITIVE 

Talk to someone who will put your needs first. 

Go to dhoas.adcu.com.au, call 1300 2 DHOAS or 

visit your local branch. 

IN MY last update I undertook 

to share with you 

some of the simple ideas 

being implemented that 

enable Army to deliver 

capability more efficiently 

and cost effectively. 

One recent example 

relates to the operating 

hours of the Weapons 

Training Simulation 

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Army Recruit Training 

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A review of WTSS 

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As a result, Army has 

renegotiated the service 

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operating hours with the training 

demand. 

The savings from this initiative 

will be reinvested in the 

purchase of additional simulators 

and support in other WTSS facilities 

throughout the Army. 

This reinvestment will include 

additional M4 and 9mm simulators 

to be purchased for the 

WTSS facility at Duntroon and 

further support to be provided 

for the new indirect fire/forward 

air controller system for Sydneybased 

units. 

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Finding efficiency 

opens the door to 

more capability 

REFORM UPDATE 

Maj-Gen Angus Campbell 

I am certain that there are 

many other similar opportunities 

to find reforms that eliminate 

waste and free up resources that 

can directly or indirectly contribute 

to current and future Army 

capability. 

I encourage everyone to apply 

their initiative and pass suggestions 

up through the chain of command. 

Even the small initiatives 

soon add up. 

For more information on how to submit 

innovative ideas go to http://intranet. 

defence.gov.au/armyweb/sites/SRP_A/

Army July 5, 2012 PERSONNEL 

Cpl Nick Wiseman 

DESPITE the name, Project LASER is not 

the plan of an evil genius hell-bent on taking 

over the world but instead a study into retention 

of ADF members. 

The Longitudinal ADF Study Evaluating 

Retention (Project LASER) aims to discover 

the important issues facing junior members 

of the ADF during the initial years of their 

service. 

Once these issues have been identified they 

are gathered together and presented to senior 

management to find changes that will help the 

organisation better manage its members. 

Project LASER team leader Vanessa Barone 

said the study followed members from enlistment 

or commission throughout their initial 

service obligation. 

“This period was identified as a big risk 

area, so we’re looking into why,” she said. 

Starting next month, those members who 

have previously been part of the project will be 

asked again to assist by completing a survey on 

their experiences to date. 

Ms Barone encouraged those soldiers to 

participate in the survey and said it was an 

important opportunity for them to have their 

say and contribute. 

“It’s an advocate for the junior soldiers and 

their issues,” she said. 

“The ADF is very interested in the results 

and keen to figure out the issues affecting its 

members.” 

For more information contact the Project LASER team 

on 1800 559 755 or retentionresearch.ProjectLaser@ 

defence.gov.au 

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LASER looks for answers 

� Retention initiative seeks feedback from identified new members in their initial periods of service 

LIFTING RETENTION 

IMPORTANT factors for retention found 

in previous reports have included: 

� Having expectations met. 

� Perception of few jobs offering a better 

package. 

� Having enough time for personal/ 

family life. 

� A feeling of belonging with the military. 

� Feeling positive about future ADF 

career. 

� Having values that match the 

Service’s values. 

� Feeling the Service cares about 

members’ wellbeing. 

� Feeling in control over future career 

and postings. 

Staying in: Past surveys have found 

time for family is crucial to retention. 

Photo by AB James Whittle 

Fresh start: Project LASER has been following a group of ADF members from enlistment or 

commissioning through their initial periods of service to find ways to improve retention. 

Photo by Sgt Brian Hartigan 

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24 

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LIFESTYLE PEOPLE 

Heavy lifting: From left, Cdt Mason Swandale, Cdt Trent Davies and Cdt 

Samantha Geri, of 309 Army Cadet Unit in Bendigo, help clear a lucerne 

paddock on a farmer’s property as part of flood relief efforts in Victoria. 

Photo by Capt Cam Ward 

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Present arms: Parade 

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class at RMC on June 19. 

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Keeping the 

comms open 

SIG David Hyams, of the Force 

Communications Unit at Forward 

Operating Base Mirwais in Chora, 

Uruzgan province, is part of a small 

team of specialists managing strategic 

communications, telephone systems 

and the welfare internet systems. 

Dust in computer systems, bandwidth 

and a limited supply of tools are 

challenges the team deals with day to 

day at the remote base. 

Photo by Cpl Hamish Paterson 

Making friends: Carpenter and site foreman Cpl Tim Lee lets an 

Indonesian child try his hat on for size while working on a new 

emergency room for a medical centre on the Indonesian island of 

Talaud, in North Sulawesi, during Pacific Partnership 2012. 

Photo by US Navy Specialist Laurie Dexter 

TELL US 

YOUR 

STORY 





it in print. 

Contact the 


by email at 

armynews@ 

defencenews. 

gov.au

Army July 5, 2012 LIFESTYLE FUN 

A multimedia powerhouse 

“ 

Galaxy S III 

Manufacturer: Samsung 

RRP: $799 depending on contract 

Reviewer: Cpl Nick Wiseman 

THE Samsung Galaxy S III is the 

latest arrival in the Android world 

running version four of the operating 

system code-named ice cream 

sandwich and featuring a massive 

12.24cm HD super amoled screen 

boasting impressive visuals. 

Measuring 136.6mm long and 

70.6mm wide, you could be mistaken 

thinking we’re heading back 

in time going back to the days of 

carrying a brick around, but being 

wafer thin the phone feels amazingly 

light and very snug in the hand. 

Straight out of the box the phone 

is a multimedia powerhouse, able 

to play most current popular video 

and audio files with no need for 

conversion. It also features a frontmounted 

camera, which comes in 

handy for taking a quick snap of 

yourself and for video calls, which 

work very well with no noticeable 

lag. 

The eight megapixel camera at 

the rear features the standard flash 

and autofocus and is capable of capturing 

full HD 1080p video. After 

initial tests I found it to rival pointand-shoot 

cameras I’ve owned. 

I now use it when I’m not near a 

SAY AGAIN, OVER 

Last edition’s winning entry 

“I told you not to park in the tow-away 

zone while we have lunch.” 

Cpl Timothy Fiege 

102 Sig Sqn 

Townsville 

We also liked 

“Inglewood Hotel this is Ghost Rider, 

permission for a low-level drive by.” 

Capt W 

Socomd 

Peregrine Financial Planning 

provides a trusted source of 

fi nancial advice to Defence Force 

members and their families, 

empowering them with the skills 

and knowledge they need to 

achieve fi nancial piece of mind. 

DSLR – something I previously 

vowed never to do. 

The phone itself is extremely 

responsive from the moment you 

turn it on through to loading the 

The eight 

megapixel camera 

rivals point-andshoot 

cameras I’ve 

owned and has me 

using it now when 

I’m not near a 

DSLR – something 

I previously vowed 

never to do. 

– Cpl Nick Wiseman 

many apps and games people use 

these days. 

It comes with its own voice recognition 

and control system as well 

as the standard apps such as web 

browser, messaging, email, contacts 

and phone dialler. 

Handy features such as automati- 

If you can think of a 

witty caption for the 

picture at left, email 

captioncomp@ 

defencenews.gov. 

au with “caption 

comp July 5” as 

the subject. Try to 

keep entries under 

25 words and 

include your name, 

rank and unit. 

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• ESTATE PLANNING • HOME LOANS 

Ph 1300 858 465 or Visit www.peregrinefi nancial.com.au 

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by this third party, responsibility for advice and service will vest with the third party. 


cally calling the person you’re sending 

an SMS to if you lift the phone 

to your ear make using it just that 

little bit quicker and the inclusion of 

a Micro SD card slot means you will 

never run out of space. 

The phone comes with a dedicated 

GPS application from Garmin 

which works surprisingly well. 

Having previously worked with the 

Google Maps navigation software, it 

is nice to have a dedicated GPS app 

and it means the phone can replace 

one more device on long drives. 

Battery life is something that is 

always an issue with smartphones 

and the Galaxy S III will easily last 

24 hours. After a typical day for this 

reviewer with some social networking, 

web browsing, games, phone 

calls and emails, it still had 30 per 

cent battery life by bedtime. 

The Samsung Galaxy S III easily 

stands out as the company’s flagship 

phone and has the performance to 

face off against tough competition 

in the market. For people wanting a 

one-stop multimedia powerhouse, 

you can’t really look much further 

than this device. 

The Galaxy S III is available in 

16GB and 32GB versions and available 

in both white and blue from 

most phone providers and some speciality 

stores. 

Powerful 

contender: 

The latest 

smartphone 

from 

Samsung 

is designed 

as a highperformance 

device for 

movies, music 

and games 

on the go. 

DIKKO By Bob Dikkenberg ikk

26 

LIFESTYLE HEALTH 

Are you relocating soon? 

If you are a Member with Dependants and relocating 

�� 

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suitable for occupation two weeks before and four 

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Consultant will then contact you to discuss the 

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CONTACT 

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Your housing update 

info@dha.gov.au 

139 DHA (139 342) 

www.dha.gov.au 

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need to nominate a date that 

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Merici College 

Caters for ADF families in the ACT 

Merici College .… 


Keeping an eye on things 

Look out: Don’t take your vision for granted – protect your eyes at all times. Photo by Sgt Andrew Hetherington 

JulEYE is eye health month and Dr Dorothy 

Coote, of JHC, says it is a timely reminder to 

think about how we treat our most valuable asset. 

THE human eye is a complex 

sensor capable of extraordinary 

feats. It’s actually like a 

camera. 

Rod and cone cells in the retina (the 

‘camera film’ of the eye) allow light perception 

and vision. 

We can differentiate colour – up to 

10 million different shades – and both 

our eyes working together allow us to 

perceive depth with amazing accuracy. 

Unfortunately, Australians suffer 

disabling eye injuries each year and 

almost all are preventable with a little 

forethought. 

Owing to the conditions experienced 

on deployment, and the nature of some 

ADF workplaces, personnel should be 

mindful of the need for eye protection 

when needed. 

The use of ballistic eye protection 

on operations is an obvious example but 

there are many more subtle threats. 

One of the most common causes of 

eye damage results from exposure to 

damaging UV radiation from the sun. 

In the short term, damage can cause 

excessive watering of the eyes, swelling 

and general irritation, including acute 

sensitivity to glare. 

The corneal surface of the eye can 

also be severely damaged by excessive 

unprotected exposure to sunlight at high 

altitude (e.g. snow blindness), or when 

sunlight is reflected from surfaces such 

as water, sand or concrete. 

Long-term UV damage can result 

in the formation of cataracts, growth of 

cancers on the conjunctiva, the thin membrane 

covering the eye, and skin cancers 

on the eyelids. 

So how do we prevent these types of 

short and long term sun-related eye injuries? 

By simply wearing a good pair of 

sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. 

When choosing sunglasses it is essential 

to purchase a wrap-around style pair 

and ensure they have a high sun protection 

factor (SPF) rating to give as much 

protection from UV radiation as possible. 

Many activities also have the potential 

to cause eye injuries, including everyday 

tasks such as mowing the lawn, doing 

jobs around the house and playing sport. 

The workplace can also be an 

unfriendly place for the eyes, with the 

most common eye-related injury being a 

foreign body in the eye. 

Foreign bodies such as wood splinters, 

metal fragments, sand and dust can 

cause abrasions or lacerations to the cornea, 

the surface of the eye that covers the 

iris and pupil, and objects may become 

embedded in the cornea, requiring urgent 

removal. 

If you suspect you have an acute eye 

problem or injury, medical assistance 

should be sought urgently. 

For more information on eye care, eye 

conditions and fact sheets visit 

www.visionaustralia.org.au 

TOP TIPS FOR EYE CARE 

� Wear sunglasses and a wide 

brimmed hat when outside on 

glary and sunny days. 

� Wear protective eyewear when 

there is any chance of eye 

injury. 

� In the workplace use the 

appropriate safety eyewear for 

your job. 

� Ensure that your personal 

protective eye safety equipment 

complies with Australian 

standards and that you WEAR 

IT when using power tools, 

hammering metal on metal, 

welding or engaging in any 

activity where an eye injury 

could occur. 

� Don’t stand or walk close to 

where anyone else is drilling or 

grinding. 

� Use protective goggles when 

pruning, mowing or using a 

whipper-snipper. 

� Always protect your eyes 

when using chemicals such as 

bleach, as many substances 

can cause severe pain and 

irreparable eye damage if 

splashed into the eye. 

� Wear protective eyewear appropriate 

for your sport. 

� If you sustain an eye injury or 

have a visual problem, seek 

medical advice immediately. 

� is a quality, affordable non-government secondary school, 

educating girls in a Catholic environment 

� �� for its strong focus on pastoral care 

� �� for �� n 

ADF mentor on site 

� �f�� a 

technology rich environment 

� �� 

and neighbouring NSW centres 

To find out more about Merici College 

see our ��bsite at www.merici.act.edu.au 

or contact the Enrolment Officer Ms Trish Ryan on (02) 6243 4102 

or by email: patricia.ryan@merici.act.edu.au


www.defen 

SPORT 27 

STANDINGS 

MEN 

1st – Queensland 

2nd – ACT 

3rd – NSW 

4th – Western Australia 

5th – South Australia/ 

Northern Territory 

6th – Victoria 

WOMEN 

1st – Queensland 

2nd – NSW 

3rd – ACT 

Qld sticks out to 

take title again 

� Army-dominated sides push teams over the line 

Cpl Max Bree 

WITH just seconds left on the clock, 

Pte Joel Doig, of 3CSSB, nailed a 

last-second goal to secure Queensland 

a 3-2 victory over the ACT in the final 

of the Australian Defence Hockey 

Championships on June 22 in Sydney. 

Things looked like going into extratime 

with both sides locked at 2-2 before 

the Queensland team surged into ACT 

territory in the dying seconds. 

The first shot bounced off the goalpost, 

leaving Pte Doig in a prime leftfield 

position with the keeper out of the 

way. 

“I took my time, I saw a player at the 

side [of the goal] all I hear is a ‘ting’ and 

the ball coming straight in my vision,” 

he said. “I saw a nice open box and felt 

a ‘slap’ in the back for a winning goal.” 

The Army-dominated Queensland 

side took the lead with two goals late in 

the first half but ACT came out firing in 

the second and levelled the scores with 

15 minutes to go. 

The win gave Queensland their second 

series victory in a row and Pte Doig 

dedicated the win to fallen Queensland 

hockey player Cpl Ashley Birt who was 

killed in Afghanistan in October 2011. 

“We were going out there for one reason,” 

Pte Doig said. “To win the grand 

final for Ashley.” 

With the ACT side put together at the 

last minute, team captain Sgt Bill Russell 

was happy they gave Queensland a tough 

fight. 

“For a bunch of old fellas and leftovers, 

I’m really proud of the boys,” he 

said. 

Another Army-heavy Queensland 

team upset a star-studded NSW line-up 

with a 4-1 thumping in the women’s final. 

An icy wind swept the field but 

couldn’t cool the Queenslanders’ form as 

they nailed two unanswered goals in the 

first half. 

The Queenslanders then took the 

Fast feet: 

Pte Jackleene 

Macarthur (right) 

dodges Flt Lt 

Lee Carruthers 

at the Australian 

Defence Hockey 

Championships. 

Photo by Cpl Max Bree 

score to 3-0, 15 minutes into the second 

half. 

With about half the ADF hockey 

side filling their ranks, the NSW women 

finally put a point on the board with 13 

minutes remaining. 

Despite having two players out 

through injury, the Queenslanders had 

the final say with a goal in the last two 

minutes. 

Pte Jackleene Macarthur, of 3RAR, 

believed it was teamwork, not champion 

players that made the difference. 

“There were strong players in the 

NSW side but for Queensland we don’t 

try to beat each other we try to work as a 

team,” she said. 

NSW captain LS Talei Stoll said they 

had a “communication breakdown”. 

“Just our basic passing was probably 

where we were let down,” she said. 

“Queensland really worked together 

as a team, they were looking to pass the 

ball to each other and really just had it all 

over us.” 

Support is only 

a phone p one call away away 

Help with mental fi tness is 

just jus just a chat 

a away. 

ADF AD ADF members can acces access c s 

mental men m tal health care by talking 

to t their CO or supervisor, 

presenting to the health hea h lth 

facility on their base or 

contacting their Mental 

Health and Psychology 

Section. Section. 

24-hour assistance is 

available on the All Hou Hours 

Support Line which offers of offe fers rs 

24/7 access to crisis si s 

counse counselling nselli l ng n and referral ref referr erral a for 

treatm treatment a ent and sup suppor support. por p t. 

1800 00 628 62 0366 

Triathletes in 

hot form for 

season finale 

SGT Penelope Holland continued 

her momentum towards the 

Hawaiian Ironman when she won 

the Defence triathlon national 

70.3 women’s half ironman. 

Sgt Holland, of 9FSB, was 

part of a dominant Army team at 

the titles in Cairns on June 3. 

WO2 Gavin Wickham 

(pictured), of ALTC, won the 

men’s half-ironman, his third 

Australian Defence Sports 

Triathlon Association (ADSTA) 

national title for the season. 

Maj Del Madge 

won the women’s 

ironman and WO2 

Rodney Holland 

finished second 

place in the men’s 

ironman. 

In the finale to 

the ADSTA season, 

33 ADF 

competitorscompeted 

in 

the races 

which 

were 

run in 

conjunction 

with the 

Challenge 

Cairns 

Festival 

– 23 in 

the half-ironman 

(1.9km swim, 90km 

ride, 21.1km run) 

and 10 in the ironman 

(3.8km swim, 180km 

ride, 42.2km run). 

The races were run 

in 28-degree heat, and far 

north Queensland provided 

a spectacular backdrop. 

In the half event the 

90km ride took competitors 

up the Captain Cook 

Highway towards Port 

Douglas along the beautiful 

coastline. 

Transition to the 

run set competitors off 

through the cane fields 

north of the city before 

finally running on to the 

Esplanade for the finish in 

front of a large crowd. 

WO2 Wickham proved 

too strong from the start, winning 

in 4hr 30min 34sec. 

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Capt John Green, of DMO 

Brisbane, was close behind in 

4:35.30 and LS Justin Tranter 

finished third. Army took first, 

second and third in the women’s 

half-ironman. 

Sgt Holland was a clear 

winner in 5:02.36. Maj Karina 

Jones, of HQ Forcomd, was second 

and Cfn Amy Pallentine, of 

1CER, was third. 

In the full event, the 180km 

ride took competitors up the 

Captain Cook Highway to Port 

Douglas along the coast. 

Transition to the run again 

set competitors off through 

the cane fields before finally 

running on to the Esplanade 

in Cairns. 

The heat made the 

run very uncomfortable 

and Maj 

Madge said it 

took every 

last ounce 

of energy 

to keep 

going 

and get 

to the line. 

“The crowd 

was inspirational! 

We were digging 

very deep to keep 

the legs rolling, 

every step getting 

closer to the finish,” 

she said. 

In the men’s 

race, WO2 Holland 

crossed the line 

in second place in 

10:38.00, 10 minutes 

behind CPO Shanon 

Purcell. 

ADSTA patron 

Brig David Luhrs, 

Commandant of RMC, 

was on hand to see 

some of the action. 

“The ADSTA 

competitors came up 

with some amazing 

results and showed 

great team spirit to 

drive each other 

on to the finish 

line,” Brig 

Luhrs said.

LEAD TWICE THE LIFE 

DMO 

July 5, 2012 

STICK IT 

TO ’EM 

Queensland teams bring home the goods 

from the hockey field 

Page 27 

DMO MILITARY RESERVES 

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On a roll: A 7RAR soldier fights 

through open ground with APCs 

and tanks in support during Ex 

Predator’s Strike. 

Photo by AB Lee-Anne Mack 

Strike 

action 

SPECIAL LIFTOUT 

The heavy hitters 

of 1 Bde warm up 

their firepower 

in the annual 

pilgrimage to 

Shoalwater 

Bay for the 

exercise before 

the exercise – 

Predator’s Strike

2 

Army July 5, 2012 SPECIAL LIFTOUT 

PREDATOR’S STRIKE 3 

BATTLE FOR THE BAY 

The combined 

firepower of 1 Bde 

was unleashed on 

the Shoalwater Bay 

Training Area for 

On the move: APCs from 

1 Bde patrol along a dusty 

track at sunset during 

Ex Predator’s Strike at 

Shoalwater Bay. 

Photo by LS Andrew Dakin 

Old school 

construction 

Capt Kris Gardiner 

NGINEERS from 1CER went back 

in time during Exercise Predator’s 

Strike, building a corduroy road 

using ancient Roman techniques while 

avoiding crocodiles. 

The road was part of 23 Spt Sqn’s 

new entry/exit point for river crossing 

operations on Shoalwater Creek, which 

combined locally sourced logs with modern 

geo textiles, overlaid with quarried 

road base, to provide a stable load-bearing 

surface for armoured and wheeled 

vehicles. It increased six-fold the rafting 

and bridging operating 

times. It was one 

of three major tasks 

undertaken by sappers 

during 1 Bde’s time at 


OC 23 Spt Sqn 

Maj Geoff Elford 

said the tasks, which 

also included building 

a new beachmaster 

landing facility 

at Sabina Point and 

reconstructing a section 

of the Braeside 

track, enhanced the 

existing range infrastructure 

of the 

Shoalwater Bay Training Area and developed 

the engineers’ core skills. 

“The exercise presented a great opportunity 

for the squadron members to practise 

their essential training steps in their 

respective trades, while achieving some 

operational certification objectives,” he 

said. 

The new entry/exit point for river 

crossing operations, used a corduroy road 

– a rare technique of road construction 

made famous by the Romans and traceable 

back to about 4000BC, providing a 

stable surface over sodden, unstable or 

uneven ground. 

CO 1CER Lt-Col Matt Pearse said the 

corduroy road provided the greatest challenge, 

requiring the sappers to maintain 

the environmental integrity of the waterway 

and surrounds, working around tide 

cycles of up to seven metres, avoiding 

crocodiles active in the area and operating 

heavy plant equipment on muddy 

mangrove banks. 

“The corduroy road project involved 

combat and construction engineers work- 

“ 

The result is 

a permanent 

structure that 

extends the use of 

the tidal window 

in a mangrove 

area from one to 

six hours ... 

ing closely with environmental and Great 

Barrier Reef Marine Park officials,” 

Lt-Col Pearse said. 

“The result is a permanent structure 

that extends the use of the tidal window 

in a mangrove area from one to six hours 

for bridging and rafting operations – it’s a 

remarkable achievement.” 

The task was completed in 16 days 

and was immediately put to use for 1 Bde 

rafting and bridging operations. 

Upgrading the Braeside Track in the 

western sector of the training area gave 

the squadron’s plant troop a chance to 

practise unsealed road 

construction techniques. 

The dated beachmaster 

facility at 

Sabina Point was 

replaced with a “fit 

for purpose” series of 

buildings designed to 

coordinate amphibious 

landings in a project 

that took about 

five weeks to complete. 

Maj Elford said 

the diverse nature of 

the tasks and the distance 

between the 

work sites provided 

an excellent chance to practise independent, 

dispersed troop-level operations. 

“The result has enhanced our capability 

and delivered an enduring effect to the 

training area through improved and durable 

infrastructure,” he said. 

While the construction projects were 

under way, engineers from 1CER’s 1 

and 9 Fd Sqns practised their skills in 

explosive breaching, urban search, convoy 

escort and demolitions in support of 

combined arms teams. 

Supporting the regiment in the field 

was the Operational Spt Sqn, which provided 

transport, the Q-store and workshops, 

as well as camp maintenance and 

administrative support. 

Lt-Col Pearse said he was impressed 

with the enthusiasm and problem-solving 

skills demonstrated by his soldiers across 

all facets of the exercises. 

“Exercises like Predator’s Strike are a 

fantastic opportunity for us to coordinate 

our specialist capabilities with the combined 

arms team,” he said. 

– Lt-Col Matt Pearse, CO 1CER 

In the dirt: Soldiers 

from 7RAR bound 

forward during an 

attack supported by 

tanks and APCs. 


Mud map: 

7RAR Technical 

Adjt Capt Darrin 

Tyson briefs 

the safety team 

ahead of a night 

attack. 

Photo by 

AB Lee-Anne Mack 

Bombed up: Pte 

Blake Lister, of 

5RAR, reloads blank 

ammunition after 

a day of fighting at 


Photo by 

LS Andrew Dakin 

Big guns: An Abrams tank from 

1 Armd Regt pulls up in formation 

alongside hundreds of vehicles at the 

Shoalwater Bay Training Area. 


Exercise Predator’s 

Strike, Capt Kris 

Gardiner reports. 

SOLDIERS could have been 

excused for thinking they 

were heading for a week on 

the plains of Africa when 

1 Bde battle groups Lion, 

Boar and Eagle gathered for 

Exercise Predator’s Strike. 

About 2500 soldiers from 1 Armd Regt, 

5RAR, 7RAR, 2 Cav Regt, 1CER and 8/12 

Regt RAA took over Shoalwater Bay for 

force-on-force and live-fire activities from 

June 11 to 19. 

1 Bde was joined by 1 Avn Regt as part 

of Battle Group Eagle, which achieved an 

operational milestone, with six Tiger helicopters 

conducting night missions during 

the exercise. 

Testing all aspects of fighting against a 

“ 

My motto for the 

exercise is ‘if you 

are not thinking 

combined arms, 

you are in the 

wrong place’. 

– Brig Gus McLachlan, 

Commander 1 Bde 

closely matched enemy in a complex environment, 

the groups operated in combined 

arms teams through a series of training 

covering attack, advance and delay skills. 

Commander 1 Bde Brig Gus 

McLachlan said combined arms training 

activities were extremely important to 

future capabilities. 

“We are taught at every level that our 

Army fights as combined arms teams, but 

due to our training and operational tempo 

not enough of our young leaders have had 

experience working with all the elements 

of that team in a demanding field environment,” 

Brig McLachlan said. 

“Ex Predator’s Strike offers 1 Bde an 

opportunity to put into practice the theory 

behind combined arms teams, allowing 

our soldiers and leaders the opportunity to 

experience the real demands of forming 

and fighting in these teams. 

“My motto for the exercise is ‘if you are 

not thinking combined arms, you are in the 

wrong place’.” 

Brig McLachlan said the exercise 

offered 1 Bde a window into the future 

of the Army’s three manoeuvre brigades 

devised under Plan Beersheba, when tank, 

cavalry and mounted infantry elements will 

form part of all three brigades. 

1 Bde stayed on at Shoalwater Bay to 

take part in Exercise Hamel alongside a 

range of other units from throughout 

the ADF.

4 PREDATOR’S STRIKE 

SPECIAL LIFTOUT 

Aim and 

fire: 8/12 

Regt section 

commander 

Bdr Geoff 

Clark, top, 

supervises a 

firing as a part 

of a combined 

arms team. 

Photo by 

AB Lee-Anne Mack 

Capt Kris Gardiner 

NO MATTER how far apart they were, 

very combat team in 1 Bde knew the 

ocations and circumstances of all othrs 

during Exercise Predator’s Strike at 

hoalwater Bay. 

Soldiers were kept up to speed 

ith real-time feedback from the batlespace 

thanks to 1CSR’s support 

ith the battle management system 

BMS) – a data radio network with 

n automated command and control, 

ollaborative planning and situational 

wareness tool, capable of providing 

real-time battlefield information to all 

users. 

From battle group down to platoon 

level, the BMS enabled immediate 

feedback on courses of action, 

so manoeuvre units could maintain 

tempo. 

CO 1CSR Lt-Col Gregory Novak 

said the BMS was extended to 1 Bde 

thanks to groundwork by 7 Bde’s dismounted 

units and Bushmasters during 

xercise Talisman Sabre last year. 

Bring out 

the big guns 

Armed with new guns and a high-tech fire control system, the 

gunners of 8/12 Regt RAA have been lighting up Shoalwater Bay, 

Flg-Off Michael Moroney reports. 

For Exercise Predator’s Strike, 

APCs, Abrams tanks and ASLAVs 

were equipped with the BMS. 

“By mounting BMS into this range 

of the brigade vehicles we are giving 

the commanders the opportunity to 

remain in their A-vehicle at the battle 

group or combat team and still access 

the services of the system, resulting 

in an increase in situational awareness 

and tempo for the brigade,” Lt-Col 

Novak said. 

A focus for the regiment was to 

initiate junior soldiers to deploying in 

support of a brigade in the field and 

re-acquaint senior soldiers who may 

not have deployed with such a large 

formation for some years. 

“We began training six months ago 

up from the detachments, through to 

squadron and regimental levels, focusing 

on foundation war-fighting skills, 

field communications and information 

systems and field command service 

support for the deployed brigade headquarters,” 

Lt-Col Novak said. 

THE HE gunners of 8/12 Regt 

RAA have shown off their 

new toys, the M777-A2, 

with explosive results dur- 

ing Exercise Exercis Predator’s Strike at 

Shoalwater BBay. 

The unit’s long-range firepower and 

forward observation obse capabilities were 

highly valued during the exercise, with 

the guns softening softe up target areas with 

bombardments bombardmen before the infantry and 

armoured veh vehicles rolled in. 

The Joint Fires Team (JFT) is one 

of the key elements of the capability, 

deploying in support of combat teams 

on the ground. 

Lt Nicolas Barletta, of 103 Bty, 

said the JFT was responsible for calling 

in fire, both from artillery and 

other offensive support assets, in support 

of combat teams. 

Before the M777-A2, 8/12 Regt 

used the M198, which relied on a manual 

and verbal system for relaying mission 

data to the guns. 

The new artillery operates on a 


fully digital system, which is a significant 

step forward for coordinating fire 

support. 

“With this new system there’s no 

requirement for voice anymore, which 

speeds up missions and ultimately 

speeds up the response for the troops 

on the ground,” Lt Barletta said. 

The unit has been operating in the 

Shoalwater Bay Training Area since 

April, honing gunners’ abilities to perform 

in the combined arms setting for 

Exercise Hamel. 

Ready, set, 

go: Gunners 

from 8/12 

Regt fire a 

continuous 

barrage of 

rounds from 

an M777-A2 

Howitzer. 

Photos by 

LS Andrew Dakin 

eeping a watchful eye on our battlefields 

We can see you: Sig Alexis Donoso and Sig James Harmer work on the compact transmit receiver suite at 

Williamson Airfield. Photo by AB Lee-Anne Mack

Edition 1285, July 05, 2012 - Department of Defence

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