Looking back Steyr upgrade - Department of Defence

Edition 1275 February 16, 2012 

Makeshift flightline: A Black Hawk crew prepares to 

depart Roma Showgrounds for a rescue mission. 

RACING 

THE TIDE 

Black Hawk crews air lift dozens to safety as floods engulf 

southern Queensland and northern NSW Pages 2-3 

Looking back 

MTF 3 returns after fter 

ppresiding 

over major jor 

increas increases in ANA capability ity 

CENTREPIECE 

C E 

Here to help: WO2 Steve 

Carter helps flood victims 

south of Charleville in 

Queensland. 

Photos by LAC Benjamin Evans 

Steyr upgrade 

New Neew 

weapon wea will be 

ligh lighter ter and offer more 

cust 

customisation tomisati options 

PAGE 5

2 

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

Mortars would 

not have saved 

LCpl MacKinney, 

inquiry finds Cpl Melanie Schinkel 

Cpl Max Bree 

A MORTAR round 

was held over the 

tube and ready to 

fire but no amount 

of mortar support 

could have saved 

the life of LCpl 

Jared MacKinney, 

according to a 

report released on 

February 2. 

VCDF Air- 

Mshl Mark Binskin 

released the inquiry 

officer’s report, 

which examined 

the circumstances 

surrounding LCpl 

MacKinney’s death 

during a firefight 

near the village of Derapet, Afghanistan, on August 24, 

2010. The report also examined allegations in a private 

email that the patrol did not have access to mortar support. 

The report found the patrol was supported by 120mm 

mortars, a 155mm Howitzer, two ASLAVs and Apache 

gunships. 

The patrol commander did not call for mortar support 

because both he and his forward observer determined 

that suppressing fire from the ASLAVs and 

strafing runs from the Apaches was the most appropriate 

support for the situation. 

The patrol of 20 Australians and 20 ANA soldiers 

was also backed up by extra infantrymen operating as a 

reserve force, of which LCpl MacKinney was part. 

The report also concluded that the use of mortars 

would likely have resulted in casualties among the 

Australians or civilians in the area. 

The inquiry officer found the email was sent by a 

soldier who was “venting” his frustration and anger over 

the loss of a close friend. 

No action was taken against the soldier who wrote 

the email. 

The report found LCpl MacKinney was killed 

instantly by a single bullet which hit his left arm and 

entered his left upper body about 30 minutes into the 

contact. 

He was evacuated under fire by helicopter and 

arrived at the medical facility at Tarin Kot within 50 

minutes of being shot. 

Concerns about ammunition shortages during the 

contact were also addressed. The report acknowledged 

that while some types of ammunition were exhausted, 

all soldiers involved retained rounds for their personal 

weapons. 

The inquiry officer was satisfied that there were 

appropriate measures for resupply and there was sufficient 

ammunition for the contact as planned. 

Three issues with fire support coordination were also 

identified but the Inquiry Officer found that these had no 

bearing on the death of LCpl MacKinney. 

The report found the circumstances surrounding 

LCpl MacKinney’s death did not warrant a commission 

of inquiry. 

The full report is available online at 

www.defence.gov.au/coi/index.htm 

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 Melanie Schinkel: (02) 6265 2427 

Cpl Nick Wiseman: (02) 6265 4140 

LS Paul Berry: (02) 6266 7606 

LCpl Mark Doran: (02) 6265 1304 

LAC Bill Solomou: (02) 6265 1355 

Andrew Stackpool: (02) 6266 7611 

The Soldiers’ Newspaper 

Sydney 

Michael Brooke (reporter): (02) 9359 2494 

Bill Cunneen (photographer): 0402 155 220 

CONTACT US 

Email: armynews@defencenews.gov.au 

Fax: (02) 6265 6690 

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

7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600 

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

ADVERTISING 

Manager 

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

Email: advertising@defencenews.gov.au 

SUBSCRIPTIONS 

Phone: (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 February 16, 2012 

Aircrews deploy 

� Helicopter crews take on rescue and resupply tasks in flood-hit Queensland 

JUST five days after their relief 

efforts in northern NSW on 

Australia Day, Army Aviation 

Training Centre crews were 

assigned to conduct search 

and rescue, and recovery and 

resupply missions across 

Queensland’s inundated communities. 

A detachment of 50 personnel, 

four Black Hawks and four 

Kiowas was assigned to assist 

the flood-stricken regions of 

Roma, Mitchell, St George, 

Dirranbandi and south-east 

Queensland from February 3-9. 

CO of the Army Helicopter 

School, Lt-Col Tim Witenden, 

said the conditions in Moree 

didn’t require ADF rotary wing 

assets but other regions across 

western Queensland did. 

“Three search and rescue 

operations were conducted. Two 

people were hoisted from a rooftop 

in Charleville, a family of 

five recovered from a flooded 

property in Galonga and seven 

people rescued from a property 

south of Charleville,” Lt-Col 

Witenden said. 

“The detachment maintained 

a high degree of flexibility and 

ensured it was ready to respond 

to life-threatening situations. We 

also had contingency plans in 

place to support a mass evacuation 

if required. 

“We worked closely with the 

Roma District and State Disaster 

Coordination Centres, which 

made our job simpler by organising 

all of the assistance efforts 

and managing the disaster effectively.” 

On February 4, a Black Hawk 

winched two people to safety 

and another provided emergency 

transport for two adults and three 

children in Galonga. 

About 3pm, Black Hawk 108 

was notified that a farmer and his 

wife were stranded on the roof 

of their property located in the 

vicinity of Charleville. 

The pilot, Capt Haydn Jervis, 

said accurate details of the couple’s 

position were unavailable. 

Nevertheless the crew began preflight 

planning and prepared the 

aircraft for departure. 

“We eventually found out 

that the property was located 

about 10 nautical miles north 

of Charleville on the Mitchell 

Highway.” 

“The couple were spotted 

seeking refuge on their roof. 

Water was flowing rapidly 

First on scene: Kiowas assess the flood damage over the Queensland town of St George. 

Photo by LAC Benjamin Evans 

around their house so no landing 

zone was available. An antenna 

on the roof prevented us from 

hovering too low – hoisting operations 

were required. 

“Aircrewman Cpl Matt Dell 

was hoisted onto the roof and 

together with the other aircrewmen 

onboard ensured the couple 

were safely recovered into the 

aircraft.” 

Later that evening, Black 

Hawk 105 was returning from a 

successful resupply mission in 

Mitchell and running low on fuel 

when it was notified of a family 

of five in trouble. 

Co-pilot Capt Des Hunt said 

the crew immediately tracked to 

Galonga, located about 60 nautical 

miles south of Roma. 

“We saw a flashing torch 

light in the vicinity of the grid 

reference provided for the 

homestead. Once overhead we 

established the situation on the 

ground. Floodwater surrounded 

the property but it hadn’t overrun 

it,” Capt Hunt said. 

“Capt Michael Rueger conducted 

a very tricky landing 

on the only clear area nearby. 

The family included two adults, 

three young girls aged 6-10 years 

old and a puppy. The aircrewmen 

escorted them to the aircraft 

and moved quickly to secure the 

family before we departed and 

tracked for St George airfield. 

“Once on the ground at St 

George the family waved us a 

thankful goodbye. They were 

relieved to be safe. On the way 

back the crew didn’t say a word 

– they knew they were just doing 

their jobs.” 

Meanwhile, the Kiowa crews 

were busy conducting search 

and reconnaissance for stranded 

vehicles and reported missing 

persons, as well as transporting 

medical supplies and Queensland 

Police and Red Cross personnel 

throughout the area of operations. 

The Black Hawk and Kiowa 

crews were released to return to 

their regular duties on February 

9, but were on standby ready to 

assist as required. 

More coverage pages 18-19 

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Army February 16, 2012 NEWS 

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

n mercy missions 

Ready for takeoff: Black Hawk crewman Cpl Thomas Marchant prepares a Queensland family to be airlifted from a property surrounded by rising floodwaters. Photo by LAC Benjamin Evans 

Enoggera troops join response 

Cpl Melanie Schinkel 

AS FLOODWATERS recede the 

soldiers and sailors of the ADF 

Emergency Support Force are tirelessly 

removing debris, clearing filth 

from roads and providing manpower 

to assist the communities of Roma, 

Mitchell and St George. 

Led by the Enoggera-based 7 

Bde, the ADF Emergency Support 

Force (ESF) comprises 90 soldiers 

from D Coy, 6RAR, and 2CER, and 

30 Fleet Support Unit sailors from 

Sydney. 

The OC of the ESF, Maj Paul 

Mackenzie, said the force had spent 

several days assisting in Roma and 

Mitchell before shifting the main 

clean-up effort to St George on 

February 10. 

“At this stage, I expect operations 

in Roma and Mitchell will conclude 

within the next 24-48 hours but we’ll 

be working in St George for at least 

the next three days. A contingent of 

the ESF is on its way from Roma to 

help in St George as we speak,” Maj 

Mackenzie said. 

“The flood damage in St George 

isn’t as bad as that in Mitchell or 

Roma. Although about 50 houses 

went underwater in St George and 

we need to help the locals remove 

the levee they built to protect the 

town – there is still a lot of work to 

be done.” 

He said the morale of the soldiers 

and sailors was high and that their 

motivation increased even further 

Coordinated response: Disaster district coordinator Inspector Roger 

Whyte (left) and Queensland Police Sgt Russell McKee discuss the 

flood damage recovery plan for the town of Mitchell with Capt Charles 

Mansfield, 2CER, and emergency support force OIC Maj Paul 

Mackenzie, 6RAR. Photo by LAC Benjamin Evans 

after lending their helping hands to 

two schools in Mitchell. 

“Mitchell State School reopened 

today [February 10] thanks to the 

ESF. During the floods the school 

was used as an emergency evacuation 

centre. The force helped reorganise 

it and set up classrooms for the students. 

The ESF also assisted a nearby 

Catholic school, which was another 

great confidence booster. 

“All ESF personnel are fully committed 

to the job and want to get in 

and help out anyone anywhere. 

“They are proud to provide 

assistance and grateful for the overwhelming 

recognition they’re receiving 

from the Roma, Mitchell and St 

George communities.” 

Commander 7 Bde Brig Gregory 

Bilton said the ESF would strive to 

help the hardest hit communities as 

quickly and effectively as possible. 

“The ESF will complement the 

state emergency services, local 

authorities and residents in their 

tireless effort to repair the damage, 

minimise the hardship caused by 

the floods and help restore liveable 

conditions to all those affected,” Brig 

Bilton said. 

At time of print a contingent of 

the ESF was on its way from Roma 

to St George to continue flood relief 

operations. 

Elements of the force remained in 

Mitchell and Roma to assist. 

TO THE RESCUE 

The crew of Black Hawk 207 rescued 

seven people from a flooded property 

south of Charleville on February 5. 

Aircrewman WO2 Steve Carter said 

they tracked to the rough grid reference 

they were given and after a few minutes 

found a group of farm buildings surrounded 

by a sea of fast moving water. 

“After a few passes over the top we 

confirmed it was the right homestead. The 

only landing area was over near the stockyards 

about 500m away but it was covered 

with water – only the tops of the long 

grass poked through,” WO2 Carter said. 

The pilots located a safe landing zone 

and WO2 Carter and aircrewman Cpl 

Thomas Marchant escorted the people, 

who were taking refuge in an old tinny, to 

the aircraft. 

“We loaded them on the aircraft and 

dropped them off at the Charleville Airport. 

Obviously, they were relieved and very 

happy to be safe,” WO2 Carter said. 

“It’s a good feeling when you get to 

put all your training into practice. Those 

people needed our help and we were in a 

position to get to them quickly.” 

TRUE BLUE DIGGER TOURS 

on the Western Front in France 

Did you know that during WWI 

more Australian soldiers died in 

2 days of battles on the Western 

Front than died in the whole of 

the Gallipoli campaign? 

Did you know that the town 

of Villers-Bretonneux, in 

the Somme Valley, has 

commemorated ANZAC Day 

since 1921? 

Did you know that a Dawn 

Service is now held on ANZAC 

Day at the Australian National Memorial near Villers-Bretonneux? 

Did you know that many towns and villages in the Somme Valley in France and 

Flanders in Belgium fl y the Australian fl ag daily as a mark of respect? 

We say here in the picturesque province of Picardie 

“N’oublions jamais l’Australie” – “Do not forget Australia” 

Come to visit us and experience the gratitude and respect which we have for 

Australia dating back nearly 100 years! 

A certifi ed English speaking guide is available for tours of the Somme Valley and 

Flanders WWI battlefi elds. 

Your guide is an expert on Australia’s involvement in the WWI Western Front 

battlefi elds. 

Tours of ½, 1 or more days 

can be arranged to suit 

your requirements. We are 

waiting to welcome you! 

Contact Barbara Legrand 

trueblue.diggertours@gmail.com 

or visit our website: www.trueblue-diggertours.com

4 

IN BRIEF 

New to banking 

DEFCREDIT has become Defence 

Bank after receiving approval 

for the shift from the Australian 

Prudential Regulation Authority. A 

release by Defence Bank states 

the change from credit union to 

bank will allow it to take advantage 

of government reforms in 

the banking sector and improve 

financial security for account holders. 

Despite the change, Defence 

Bank remains a member-owned 

financial institution. 

WRAAC reunion 

A REUNION of the 4/78 Recruit 

Course WRAAC School is being 

organised for 2013. The organisers 

have tracked down 46 of the 55 

women from the course and are 

looking for help to trace the following: 

Jane Bell, WA; Sharyn Foster, 

SA; Joan Scott, Vic; Connie Galea, 

NSW; Julie Smith, Qld; Jacinta 

Perera, WA; Elaine Whittles, 

WA; Maxine Davidson, NSW; 

and Linda Richardson, NSW. A 

Facebook page for the reunion 

has also been established. For 

more information contact Kristine 

McBride on 0450 962 210. 

Correction 

IN THE Australia Day Honours 

list published in Army (Edition 

1274, February 2), Lt-Col Glyn 

Llanwarne was incorrectly listed 

as receiving a Medal (OAM) in 

the Military Division of the Order 

of Australia. Lt-Col Llanwarne’s 

medal was in fact in the General 

Division for his service to veterans 

and their families through the 

recovery of military insignia. 

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Free CYA Survival Packs 

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Korean War missing 

soldiers still sought 

UNRECOVERED War Casualties – 

Army (UWC-A) launched a project 

late last year to gather information on 

Australian soldiers who remain unaccounted 

for from the Korean War. 

UWC-A investigates, recovers, 

identifies and inters Australian soldiers 

who were recorded as missing 

in action, and currently has cases 

in France, Gallipoli, Papua New 

Guinea and Korea. 

UWC-A manager Brian Manns 

said 22 Australian soldiers remained 

missing in Korea. 

“We are launching the Korea 

project to expand on the body of 

evidence that already exists in relation 

to our Korean War missing,” 

he said. 

With the exception of Cpl 

William Murphy, who was killed 

in action at the Battle of Kapyong 

in 1951, all missing soldiers were 

lost in what is now the demilitarised 

zone (DMZ) between North and 

South Korea. 

“The DMZ remains inaccessible 

for any search and recovery operations,” 

Mr Manns said. “But the 

Korea Project is intended to ensure 

that Army is as prepared as it can be 

to respond to any opportunity.” 

An important aim of the project 

is to locate members of all of the 

families of those who remain unaccounted 

for. 

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Recently, 40 letters were sent 

to known family members and 

UWC-A is keen to identify others 

who are related to the Korean War 

missing. 

“As well as family members we 

would also like to hear from any 

veterans who might have first-hand 

knowledge of how, where and when 

Daren Stevens 

General Manager 

PH: 0438 188 313 


Vic troops deploy 

SOLDIERS deploying to East 

Timor as part of Timor-Leste 

Task Group 4 (TLTG 4) were 

farewelled at a parade at RAAF 

Base Williamtown in Victoria on 

January 29. 

The 171 members were drawn 

primarily from 4 Bde, with some 

members from other reserve 

brigades and full-time personnel 

from 7 Bde. 

Pte Joseph Hodgkisson 

Pte John McKandry 

Defence Parliamentary 

Secretary Senator David Feeney 

farewelled the soldiers and said 

the parade was for family, friends 

and the community to show their 

appreciation. 

The soldiers of TLTG 4 begin 

their tour this month, rotating into 

country with TLTG 3, which was 

formed with reservists mostly 

from the Sydney-based 5 Bde. 

THE UNACCOUNTED 

The 22 Australian soldiers who remain 

missing from the Korean War are: 

Cpl Ashe, John Berkley, 2RAR 

Pte Bourke, Edmund George, 2RAR 

Pte Brady, Francis, 3RAR 

Pte Christie, John King, 3RAR 

Pte Foot, Thomas Randolph, 3RAR 

Pte Griffiths, Leslie John, 1RAR 

Pte Hodgkisson, Joseph William, 3RAR 

Pte Kunkel, William Rudolph, 1RAR 

Pte Lord, William Thomas Henry, 3RAR 

Pte McKandry, John Lawrence, 3RAR 

Cpl Murphy, William Kevin, 3RAR 

Pte Nicholson, John William, 3RAR 

Pte Rootes, Reginald Donald, 1RAR 

Lt Ryan, Laurence Bonaventure, 3RAR 

Cpl Saunders, John Phillip, 3RAR 

Pte Scurry, Arthur John, 3RAR 

Pte Shennon, Ronald William, 3RAR 

Lt Smith, Francis Charles, 3RAR 

Pte Terry, Lionel John, 3RAR 

Pte Wallace, Thomas George, 3RAR 

Pte White, Peter, 3RAR 

Pte Whitehouse, Dennis Edward, 3RAR 

Australian soldiers were lost during 

the war,” Mr Manns said. 

Anyone with information to assist with the 

Korea Project can contact UWC-A on 

1800 019 090 or email 

army.uwc@defence.gov.au 

For more information go to the UWC-A 

website at www.army.gov.au/uwca 

M.A (Rick) O’Shea 

Managing Director 

PH: 0414 682 701



Light, accurate, modular 

� New Austeyr in development will be lighter and offer more options for integrating ancillary equipment 

Sgt Andrew Hetherington 

BY LATE 2014, soldiers should be 

carrying an improved, lighter version 

of the F88 Austeyr. 

The Contract for Project Land 125 

3C Enhanced F88 was signed with 

Thales Australia on December 8 last 

year to improve the overall capabilities 

of the weapon. 

Project director Maj Simon Johns 

said the project’s key purpose was 

to enhance what was already a very 

capable weapon in a number of areas. 

“Thales Australia is focusing on 

meeting a demanding user requirement 

by addressing the human factors 

and design elements associated with 

the weapon through a reduction in 

weight and improvements to its balance,” 

Maj Johns said. 

“A new grenade launcher made by 

Madritcsh will be carefully integrated 

with the rifle and provide better balance 

and access to improved munitions 

currently incompatible with the 

in-service M203 launcher. 

“The provision of three Picatinny 

rails will allow the operator to attach 

other ancillary items to the weapon. 

Items could include a range of optical 

sights, bipod legs, torches or laser 

aimers and pointers.” 

The extended Picatinny top 

rail will allow users to easily adjust 

sights to suit individual eye relief and 

also allow more than one sight to be 

mounted on top of the weapon. 

“The weight-saving target for 

the project is ambitious but Thales 

Australia intend to shave up to 500 

grams off the weight of the current F88 

– a significant amount of weight to lose 

off an assault rifle,” Maj Johns said. 

They will achieve this by redesigning 

the barrel and the receiver group. 

“When these improvements are 

implemented they will lighten the soldier’s 

burden and allow him or her to 

engage targets with greater speed and 

improved consistency.” 

Another key advantage will be 

to make the new Austeyr compatible 

with coalition partners’ and 

allies’ ammunition. This will provide 

access to munitions with improved 

terminal effects without sacrificing 

the Austeyr’s renowned reputation for 

reliability. 

Soldiers and the Defence Science 

and Technology Organisation (DSTO) 

have played an important role in the 

project. 

The DSTO Human Factors team 

at Puckapunyal assessed the initial 

design during December, using the 

experience of 10 soldiers about to 

deploy to East Timor with Timor- 

Leste Task Group 4. 

The trial troops were selected to 

provide a spread of dimensions and to 

Local industries in good shape: minister 

THE future of combat clothing and 

acoustic technology in Australia 

is looking bright after both sectors 

passed their first ‘health check’ on 

February 1. 

The health checks will help 

ensure Australia can remain self sufficient 

in these industries, according 

to Defence Materiel Minister Kim 

Carr. 

Sewing seeds of success: The Australian 

combat clothing industry recently passed its first 

‘health check’ aimed at ensuring the country 

maintains crucial Defence-related research and 

manufacturing capabilities. Photo by Cpl Raymond Vance 

“Health checks ensure that these 

important industries will continue to 

operate in Australia,” he said. 

“They examine Australia’s ability 

to undertake important industry 

activities such as developing 

a standard combat uniform, and 

designing and installing acoustic 

technologies. 

“This includes our ability to 

develop new technologies in these 

areas.” 

Mr Carr said the checks showed 

the industries were in good shape 

to continue providing equipment to 

the ADF. 

However, the sectors would need 

ongoing monitoring as Defence 

refined its domestic supply chain 

requirements in 2015. 

Research and development: A soldier tests a prototype model of 

the proposed new F88 Austeyr in development at Thales. Inset, artists 

impressions show possible variants of the new, modular weapon system. 

incorporate left and right-hand preferences. 

“They were encouraged to use the 

weapon in a manner natural to them 

and to provide their feedback on what 

they thought of it,” Maj Johns said. 

From the feedback, Thales 

Australia made modifications to the 

weapon’s pistol grip and refined previous 

modifications. 

Since the December trials, Thales 

Australia has also completed several 

additional design reviews and is producing 

more trial weapons to undergo 

continued user testing during April 

and May. 

Questions for the Land 125 3C Enhanced F88 

Project Team can be directed to Maj Simon 

Johns at simon.johns@defence.gov.au 

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Bomb’s eye view 

� Data logger allows operators to capture crucial bomb info 

A NEW explosive ordnance disposal 

(EOD) “black box” due to 

deploy to Afghanistan later this 

year for operational trials will 

improve operator safety, according 

to the Counter IED Task Force. 

The task force’s training and doctrine 

officer, Wg-Cmdr Gary Gibbs, 

said the EOD data logger would build 

upon the capability of current recording 

equipment and allow operators to 

record their activities in more detail. 

Developed by the Capability 

Development Group’s Rapid 

Prototyping, Development and 

Evaluation (RPDE) program, the 

data logger include several recording 

components such as helmet-mounted 

video, audio, a digital camera and 

wrist-mounted GPS, all of which can 

be used by an individual, team or 

robot depending on the situation. 

“We used RPDE because we 

wanted to find out what technology 

was out there and we had a very short 

timeframe,” Wg-Cmdr Gibbs said. 

“We can track an individual – 

where he was and what he did – and 

it is time-linked. 

“It can also provide the context to 

decisions by providing information 

that led up to those decisions. 

“The data automatically downloads 

to a single screen and you can 

move back and forth and isolate 

small chunks of time. 

“It’s also a fantastic training tool 

Bombs away: EOD technician Sgt Rubin Thomas tests the new data 

logger kit, pictured inset, at the Defence Explosive Ordnance Training 

School in Orchard Hills. 

– it takes the subjective assessment 

out of training.” 

Wg-Cmdr Gibbs said in future, 

the kit may be capable of providing a 

real-time feed. 

The implementation will be complete 

with the data logger’s deploy- 

ment to Afghanistan by mid year as 

an operational capability concept and 

may become a full-scale project at the 

end of a one-year trial period. 

“Ultimately, the data logger will 

support all operations, but the focus is 

Afghanistan at the moment.” 

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Cfn Max Bree 

SOLDIERS from 2FSB will form the 

Army’s new “theatre gateway” capability 

after a fresh influx of Victorian 

reservists last December. 

More than 170 soldiers of 1 

Petroleum Coy, 3 Recovery Coy and 

15 Tpt Sqn were reassigned to the 

Tasmanian-based 2FSB from 9FSB 

to centralise the battalion’s command 

structure and manage troops entering 

operational theatres. 

The bolstered 2FSB will establish a 

capacity to receive, stage and integrate 

soldiers into theatre. This is similar 

to how the Force Support Unit (FSU) 

operates in Afghanistan and 2FSB will 

assume the role at Camp Rocky for 

Exercises Hamel and Talisman Sabre. 

The theatre gateway element is 

planned to include medium road transport, 

bulk liquid distribution, recovery 

support and some specialist supply 

services. 

CO 2FSB Lt-Col Paul Grey said the 

theatre gateway would also provide area 

induction briefings and keep track of 

who was going in and coming out of the 

operating area. 

2FSB’s 300 soldiers will mostly provide 

the gateways for local exercises and 

PHILLIP DAHLER 

Army February Fe Feb F Feb Fe Feb Fe Feb Fe Feb Fe Feb Fe Feb e eb eeb 

e eeb 

e b rua r ua u ua ary ry y 16, 16 16, 2012 

12 

Blue shift: DPTC XO Leut-Cmdr Robert Dokter and outgoing CO Lt-Col Gary 

Vale congratulate Wg-Cmdr Andrew Roberts on his appointment as CO DPTC. 

Photo by LS Paul Berry 

New boss shows training 

centre’s triservice colours 

THE appointment of the first non-Army 

CO of the Defence Police Training Centre 

(DPTC), Wg-Cmdr Andrew Roberts, late 

last year represented a significant step 

in reforms reshaping the service police 

organisation. 

Outgoing CO Lt-Col Gary Vale said 

there had been a number of major changes 

to the DPTC during his three-year command. 

The establishment of the DPTC reform 

agenda, known as Plan Phoenix, has been 

the pillar of his command, touching every 

aspect of unit life and focusing on professionalism 

and ethical standards. 

“We have invested a great deal of 

time and effort in ensuring our training is 

operationally focused – that is the principle 

reason why service police exist,” Lt-Col 

Vale said. 

“I refer to the last three years as the 

unfreezing of our organisation – it is very 

exciting, but it’s perfect timing to hand 

over to an Air Force wing commander, the 

first non-Army commander here at any 

stage of our history, in order to provide a 

fresh approach.” 

Wg-Cmdr Roberts said his appointment 

as CO was a privilege and an opportunity 

he would make the most of. 

“The significance of Chief of Army 

entrusting command of one of his units to 

a non-Army officer is not lost on me and 

I will honour that trust to the best of my 

ability,” he said. 

“The 2005 Senate Inquiry into military 

justice was a principle driver toward 

reforming the service police capability, 

with the intent of raising our standard of 

policing to that expected by the general 

community from the state and federal 

police. 

“I’ve got a very clear direction that 

we need to continue building on the good 

work done by Lt-Col Vale in terms of 

training reform.” 

Support units combine 

disaster relief, aiming to provide oversight 

that hadn’t existed in the past. 

“With overseas operations you usually 

have everyone arriving through a 

single airport or seaport and that provides 

a kind of natural gateway,” Lt-Col 

Grey said. 

“But during domestic exercises you 

have people flying in or coming by 

road from all different directions and 

they haven’t always had full oversight 

of where people are and what they’re 

doing. 

“The (theatre gateway) role is there 

already but not allocated to one unit to 

develop and practice.” 

The theatre gateway is based on a 

US military concept and is still being 

written into Australian Army doctrine, 

according to Lt-Col Grey. 

The additional soldiers will also 

allow 2FSB to deploy as a discrete 

organisation, rather than as smaller elements 

or individuals. 

1 Petroleum Coy, 3 Recovery 

Coy and 15 Tpt Sqn had been under 

Amberley-based 9FSB’s command since 

the late 1990s. 

2FSB will test its new role at a 

17CSS Bde exercise in March before 

putting it into practice for the wider 

Army during Ex Hamel. 

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Security stars 

� Finalists announced for inaugural security awards 

Cpl Nick Wiseman 

NINE individuals and three teams have 

been announced as finalists in the first 

annual Defence Excellence in Security 

Awards for contributions to workplace 

security. 

More than 50 nominations were submitted 

from all areas of Defence, includ- 

ing the ADF, public service and Defence 

Industry Security Program companies. 

The acting Deputy Secretary for 

Intelligence and Security, Ian McKenzie, 

said the number and calibre of the nominations 

had been exceptional. 

“This reflects the excellent work 

being done in security across Defence,” 

Mr McKenzie said. 

“While congratulating the finalists I 

Strong field: More than 50 nominations were received for the inaugural 

Defence Excellence in Security Awards. 

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also wish to acknowledge everyone who 

was nominated.” 

The Defence Excellence in Security 

Awards honour and celebrate achievements 

in security by those working within 

the Defence environment. 

Winners will be announced and presented 

with awards at an official ceremony 

at the Australian War Memorial 

on March 27. 

THE FINALISTS 

Outstanding performance by a 

security specialist 

� WO2 Peter Henrichs, Army 

� Mr Steven McLeod, DSD 

� Ms Jennean Whilesmith, DMO 

Award for outstanding leadership 

in security 

� Mr Ray Andersson, Army 

� Ms Vivienne Dawes, AGSVA–DSA 

� Mr Scott Minchin, CIOG 

Outstanding contribution to security 

by a team 

� DMO Munitions Branch Relocation 

Team 

� HQ JOC Security Directorate 

� Navy Guided Weapons Systems 

Program Office–West 

Outstanding contribution to security 

by an individual 

� Maj Keith Lawton, Army 

� Flt-Lt Peter Simpfendorfer, Air Force 

� Leut-Cmdr Joshua Wilkinson, Navy 

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Major’s contingency 

plan would save lives 

Cpl Melanie Schinkel 

FOR his contribution to developing 

new security procedures and 

training to protect ADF personnel 

and establishments, Maj Keith 

Lawton is one of 12 finalists in 

the annual Defence Excellence in 

Security Awards. 

Now serving as 3RAR’s operations 

officer, Maj Lawton’s security 

work was conducted during his 

previous position as a coordination 

staff officer to the senior ADF 

officer for the Liverpool Military 

Area (LMA). 

In this position Maj Lawton was 

responsible for improving security 

and emergency management, 

assisting with facilities projects and 

coordinating VIP visits. 

While in the process of generating 

security enhancement ideas 

for the LMA, Maj Lawton further 

developed the base command post 

concept to enhance base command 

and control. 

Maj Lawton said the base 

command post was a location on 

a Defence establishment where 

the base commander controlled a 

whole-of-base response to an emergency 

situation or security incident. 

“Once an incident or event is 

identified, personnel within the 

base command post allow the senior 

commander to take control of 

the establishment and execute an 

appropriate response,” he said. 

“While the probability of a 

bomb blast or armed attack on 

an ADF establishment is low, we 

should not assume we are immune 

– we must be ready to respond to 

any situation. 

“At the end of the day security 

is about protecting the ADF’s 

capability and, most importantly, 

its personnel. An immediate base 

response to an active threat will 

ultimately save lives.” 

He said it took 18 months to 

develop the base command post 

roles, tasks, layout and training. 

“Over the course of 2010 and 

2011 I worked with a number of 

dedicated people both in and out 

of uniform as well as Australian 

Federal Police and NSW Police 

Force personnel to create exercises 

and refine base response procedures. 

“I hope this work will be incorporated 

into the Base Security 

Improvement Program. This would 

enable base commanders to rapidly 

command and control personnel 

on a base during a serious security 

incident.” 

Maj Lawton is a finalist in the 

Defence Excellence in Security 

Awards’ outstanding contribution to 

security by an individual category. 

The awards honour and celebrate 

achievements in security by personnel 

working in the Defence 

environment. The winners will 

be announced during an official 

ceremony at the Australian War 

Memorial in Canberra on March 27. 

For more information on the Base Security 

Improvement Program go to http:// 

intranet.defence.gov.au/dsg/sites/BSIP/ on 

the DRN. 

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Icon of an era: Mike Colerige (inset), best known for this image of Australian soldiers preparing to board 

helicopters after an operation in Vietnam, died in hospital on January 10. 

Photo provided by the Australian War Memorial EKN/67/0130/VN 

Fond memories of 

stalwart engineer 

SOLDIERS of 5CER and the people 

of Penrith have farewelled local World 

War II veteran John Muir, who died on 

January 18, aged 93. 

Mr Muir was born April 7, 1918, and 

joined the 5th Field Company, Royal 

Australian Engineers, in 1936. 

He continued serving as a member of 

the Citizens Military Forces and in 1942 

transferred to the 2nd AIF. 

After arriving in PNG in 1943, Mr 

Muir rose to the rank of staff sergeant in 

charge of transport before serving on the 

island of Bougainville. 

Mr Muir continued his wartime service 

until he was demobilised in 1946. 

After his active service, Mr Muir 

joined the RSL and National Service 

Association and became involved in 

mentoring soldiers at 5CER in Penrith. 

Marching on: Honourary 5CER 

member John Muir died last month. 

Photo by David Marshall – Penrith Press 

He researched and wrote a 5CER unit 

history that he presented to each new 

RSM and CO posted to the unit. 

Merici College 

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Iconic war 

photographer 

farewelled 

� Mike Coleridge dies aged 78 

Capt Cameron Jamieson 

AN ARMY photographer has been 

farewelled at a funeral in Canberra but 

his imagery legacy lives on as a symbol 

of Australia’s involvement in the 

Vietnam War. 

Mike Coleridge was the man behind 

the lens on August 26, 1967, when soldiers 

of 5 Pl, B Coy, 7RAR, prepared to 

board arriving Iroquois helicopters at the 

end of Operation Ulmarra. His photograph 

has become an icon of the Vietnam 

War and is featured on the Vietnam 

National Memorial on Anzac Parade in 

Canberra. 

Born in 1933 in Slovenia, Mr 

Coleridge and his mother escaped to 

Austria when German troops occupied 

his hometown. At age 16 he made his 

way to Australia and in 1957 joined the 

Army as a gunner, serving in Malaysia 

in 1961. 

During his tour of duty he privately 

made films for the British Army using 

his own cameras and on his return to 

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Australia in 1963 he secured a transfer 

to the Royal Australian Army Education 

Corps as a public relations photographer. 

Sgt Coleridge arrived in Saigon in late 

1966 and spent most of his time at the 

new 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) 

base at Nui Dat. There were no facilities 

at the 1ATF base for a photographer, so 

he constructed a makeshift darkroom to 

develop his own film. 

Dedicated to his craft, Sgt Coleridge 

paid for his own colour film and its 

subsequent processing when the Army 

would only provide black and white 

film. Today the Australian War Memorial 

holds some 558 still photographs and 54 

films attributed to Sgt Coleridge during 

his time in Vietnam. 

Mr Coleridge left the Army in 1967 

and worked in a range of jobs, including 

as a guide at the Australian War 

Memorial. 

Mr Coleridge died in hospital in the 

early hours of January 10. He is survived 

by his son David, daughter Rhonda and 

granddaughter Julia.

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Chain of evidence: Collecting, processing and managing evidence seized in raids will be crucial to the ability of Afghan authorities to 

prosecute insurgents after international forces have left the country. Inset, a justice official is presented with reference material upon 

completion of a course for Afghan judges, prosecutors and police. 

Beyond the battle 

� Afghan justice officials develop law skills in SOTG-run course 

Lt Adrian Miller 

THE SOTG is aiming for 

more than combat success in 

Afghanistan with an Afghan 

Judges, Prosecutors and Police 

Course facilitated by the 

SOTG’s Rule of Law Cell in 

collaboration with Afghan stakeholders. 

The course was designed to 

improve coordination between 

justice officials in Uruzgan province 

by increasing the evidentiary 

understanding between the police, 

prosecutors and judges. 

SOTG legal officer Maj D said 

the course helped strengthen the 

Afghan legal system. 

“Courses such as this aim 

to ensure greater coordination 

between Afghan police, prosecutors 

and judges, who all play a role 

in gathering evidence,” he said. 

“This course provides them 

with the fundamentals that each 

country depends on to ensure their 

rule of law works effectively.” 

Seventeen judges, prosecutors 

and policemen graduated from 

the nine-day course, with each 

receiving certificates and reference 

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material to help them discharge 

their evidentiary duties. 

“They can now put the skills 

they’ve learnt on this course into 

practice and gather enough evidence 

to ensure they achieve convictions,” 

Maj D said. 

“One of the main areas of concern 

previously has been their inability 

to collect the right sort of 

evidence to ensure prosecution of 

offenders. Hopefully these sorts of 

courses will change that.” 

CO SOTG Lt-Col J said the 

Rule of Law Cell would play an 

important role as Australian forces 

transitioned out of Uruzgan province 

in the coming years. 

“Once transition occurs the 

Afghans will need to execute their 

own warrants and will need to collect 

their own evidence in order to 

bring individuals to prosecution,” 

he said. 

“By mentoring and training 

those responsible for enforcing 

the law in Uruzgan, long-term 

security is enhanced and the 

indigenous justice system is enabled 

to remove insurgents from 

the battlefield via the policing and 

judicial processes.” 

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Lawmakers 

combine at 

security shura 

A SHURA brought together the main players in 

Uruzgan’s justice system at Camp Russell in Tarin Kot, 

where the main parties agreed to meet regularly for 

Warrant Coordination Shuras. 

The shuras will be used to gather all parties in one 

location to share evidentiary information. That information 

will then be used in the development of evidence 

packs, drafting of warrants and collection of evidence 

to support prosecutions. 

CO SOTG Lt-Col J said the meeting was the first step 

in aligning and enhancing evidence-based operations. 

“This initial meeting was held to lay the framework 

to improve evidence collection and the production of 

warrants so we, and importantly Afghan officials, can 

detain people and present cases in a court of law,” he 

said. 

“We need to work closely with our Afghan partners 

so that these processes are consistent with Afghan law 

and work within Afghan governance systems.” 

Lt-Col J said the system would ensure evidence 

needed to convict offenders was gathered. 

“The collection of evidence is vital in the sustainment 

of the Afghan legal system,” he said. 

“Currently, there is significant potential that known 

insurgents are released due to the lack of prosecutorial 

evidence against them. This system will ensure the right 

type and quantity of evidence is gathered to assist in 

prosecuting offenders under Afghan law.” 

Lt-Col J said discussions on Afghan rule of law 

would become more important as transition from 

operations based on International Security Assistance 

Force intelligence to ones based on Afghan evidence 

occurred. 

“We want to move to a situation where our Afghan 

partners play the lead role and our soldiers assist them 

to get insurgents before a court of law and into jail,” he 

said. 

“The goal is to bring safety and security to Uruzgan 

and we have to do that through the rule of law.” 

Law and order: Afghan justice officials, SOTG 

personnel and Australian Federal Police officers 

meet to discuss warrants and evidence matters. 

Photo by Cpl Raymond Vance 

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www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews WORLD 11 

The next step: The Provincial Response Company’s Special Response Team has demonstrated its ability 

to plan and conduct independent missions. Pictured here are PRC members training with Australian 

Special Forces. Photo by Cpl Chris Moore 

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Going it 

alone 

� � SRT independently inde plans and runs mission 

AFGHAN National Natio Security Forces 

(ANSF) in Uruzgan Uruz province have 

taken k another h step toward independent 

operations after elements successfully 

conducted a full mission profile (FMP) 

in Tarin Kot last month. 

The Special Response Team (SRT) 

of the Provincial Response Company – 

Uruzgan (PRC-U) currently being mentored 

by the SOTG has demonstrated its 

ability to plan and conduct independent 

missions in recent training modules, culminating 

in the FMP. 

Senior mentor WO2 S said activities 

such as FMPs were an excellent indicator 

of the recent progress of the PRC-U. 

“The FMP tests their ability to go 

through all of the elements which are 

involved in planning a mission,” he said. 

“Aspects of their missions include giving 

orders, tactical searching, assaulting a 

target, clearing a target, security of people 

inside a compound and evidence and 

detainee handling. 

“The PRC-U is going to have to be 

able to undertake all of these elements 

by themselves with no outside help when 

transition occurs so it’s vital they are able 

to do them now.” 

The SRT is a platoon-sized element of 

the PRC-U which is able to be deployed 

during a provincial crisis. 

A platoon rotates through SOTG mentoring 

on a regular basis to ensure all 

members of the PRC-U are trained to the 

same level. 

WO2 S said the level of improvement 

was impressive. 

“The PRC-U is at a level where all 

its platoons are, at the tactical level, able 

to conduct all of those skills, which is 

a huge achievement given where they 

started,” he said. 

“There has been a marked improvement 

in the time I have been here and it’s 

been the case with every SOTG rotation.” 

WO2 S said now all platoons of the 

PRC-U were at an acceptable standard, 

the focus of training would expand. 

“The focus now will be on developing 

the skills needed to run a headquarters 

element and also to train instructors,” he 

said. 

“That will mean they have their own 

instructors and commanders at company 

headquarters level, which will allow them 

to plan and conduct missions completely 

independently. 

“We are giving them an enduring 

capability for when transition occurs.”

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Gifts generate good will 

TROOPS from Patrol Base Wali in the 

Myrabad Valley headed outside the 

wire last month armed with scarves, 

beanies, toys and lollies to distribute 

among the local population. 

Pictured here is Pte Paul Byrne 

tossing a donated ball to an Afghan 

teenager during the patrol. 

Uruzgan is one of the most 

deprived provinces in Afghanistan 

and the simple gifts are intended 

to help the local population get 

through the winter and demonstrate 

the Australians’ willingness to help. 

The presents were donated from 

Australia and were gratefully accepted 

by the locals, who thanked the 

troops for their gifts with smiles. 

Maj Lachlan Simond 

THE real thing isn’t enough for Cpl 

Jared Martin of 3CER, who has been 

using his spare time during the past 

eight months deployed to Afghanistan 

to build model replicas of his team and 

their equipment. 

“I have been creating these models of 

Australian vehicles and men in my spare 

time from patrolling,” he said. 

“The model soldiers are depicting my 

search team and the hard work that they 

all do. 

“When I return to Australia I will be 

creating a diorama of the Afghan landscape 

and will be donating it to 3CER 

as a memento dedicated to all engineers 

who have served in theatre.” 

Cpl Martin has been building and 


Building in 

his blood 

� Deployed engineer depicts operations 

painting models since he worked at a 

Townsville hobby shop before joining 

the Army, but he kept up with the hobby 

during his combat engineer training. 

“Before my initial employment training 

I spent time at the School of Military 

Engineering Museum and decided to 

construct a diorama with help from a fellow 

sapper,” he said. 

“We created a scale diorama depicting 

the environment of Vietnam which 

was dedicated to the engineer tunnel rats 

of the Vietnam War.” 

The passion for building things 

apparently runs in the family – Cpl 

Martin’s grandfather became an architect 

after serving in World War II. 

Cpl Martin said he one day hoped 

to study architecture and follow in his 

grandfather’s footsteps. 

Down to scale: Cpl Jared Martin shows off some of the models he’s built 

while deployed with MTF 3. Photo by Cpl Raymond Vance

Army February 16, 2012 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews WORLD 13 

In memory of a mate 

� Fallen soldier Cfn Beau Pridue memorialised with recreation area dedication 

THE memory of Cfn Beau Pridue remains strong 

among his mates and fellow soldiers serving with the 

International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor. 

Cfn Pridue, who was killed in a vehicle crash in East 

Timor on September 15 last year, has had a popular ISF recreational 

area renamed in his honour. 

Originally call the “Two-Can Bar”, the recreational space 

was officially renamed the “Cfn Beau Pridue Bar” in a ceremony 

in Dili on January 20. 

Cpl Terry Johns, who was a close mate of Cfn Pridue, said 

the idea to rename the bar was inspired by the many memorials 

he had seen on the roads during his service in East Timor. 

“There are many memorials on the roadsides here in East 

Timor. I thought we could do something similar for Beau, 

but was concerned it would be difficult to maintain so we 

came up with the idea of rededicating the bar in his memory 

instead,” Cpl Johns said. 

“Everyone thought this was a great idea, so I arranged to 

have my brother-in-law manufacture a neon sign and ship it 

from Australia for the renaming.” 

Following the official dedication by ISF commander Col 

Luke Foster, Cfn Pridue’s mates and fellow ISF soldiers 

toasted his memory and shared stories. 

“Cfn Pridue was a positive, professional young soldier 

who was well liked by all,” Col Foster said. 

“It is fitting that a positive place that brings people together 

should carry on his memory.” 

It is planned that “Beau’s Bar” will one day return to 

Australia as part of the 8CSSB collection of memorabilia. 

Until then, Cpl Johns hopes the bar will serve as a fitting 

tribute to the young soldier for all current and future serving 

ISF soldiers. 

“Young Beau was very well liked and respected by all 

those he served with,” Cpl Johns said. 

“I am very proud to have known and served alongside 

Beau.” 

Although called the Cfn Beau Pridue Bar, the facility is 

primarily a recreation area where deployed troops can watch 

TV and relax. 

Tribute: Cpl Todd James (left), Cpl Terry Johns and ISF commander Col Luke Foster unveil the newly renamed “Cfn Beau Pridue 

Bar” in Dili. Photo by Cpl Janine Fabre 

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14 

Army February 16, 2012 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 

CENTREPIECE 

Partnership: An Afghan soldier 

from 1 Tolay, 6 Kandak, patrols 

though the green zone of Lwar 

Owshay, near Patrol Base Tinsley, 

Uruzgan province, with MTF 3’s Pte 

Jon Timms following. 

Photo by PO Damian Pawlenko 

Afghans take the lead 

August 18, 2011 

THE Afghan National Army continues to expand its security footprint 

in Uruzgan province, successfully completing the first phase 

of Operation Roshan – aimed at allowing basic services to be 

introduced introduced in the Charmestan region in the east of the province. 

Op Roshan is an ANA-planned and led security operation 

involving the 3rd Kandak of the 4th Brigade, with mentoring support 

from MTF 3. 

Hot days: LCpl Jarod 

Healey (front) and Pte 

Paul Poduska patrol 

the streets of Shahidi- 

E-Hasas in Uruzgan 

province, with ANA 

soldiers in support. 

Photo by PO Damian Pawlenko 

Team effort: Capt 

Richard Thapthimthong 

(centre) chats with Afghan 

soldiers from 6 Kandak 

during a partnered Patrol 

in northern Kandahar. 

Photo by Cpl Raymond Vance 

The soldiers of MTF 3 are returning to Australia after eight months presiding over the most significant 

increase in capability for Afghan forces since the Australian mission began, Cpl Max Bree reports. 

THE progress of the 

Afghan National Army 

(ANA) is the main measure 

of MTF 3’s success, 

according to task force 

commander Lt-Col Chris 

Smith after the return of almost 800 

soldiers in January. 

Lt-Col Smith said people should 

judge MTF 3’s work based on how well 

the ANA had performed since June 

2011. 

He believes MTF 3 was fortunate to 

be in Uruzgan province at an important 

tipping point created by the hard work 

of Australians, Afghans and other contributing 

nations over the past decade. 

“In the past eight months [the ANA 

soldiers] came a long way,” Lt-Col 

Smith said. 

“They are willing to go to locations 

known to be insurgent safe areas, to regularly 

take the Taliban on and put them 

on the back foot.” 

The ANA’s supply lines in Uruzgan 

are now running smoothly from corps 

to brigade to battalion level, through to 

the companies and out to patrol bases, 

according to Lt-Col Smith. 

“All of the kandaks can support two 

companies in the field for about fourto-five 

days with almost no assistance 

logistically,” he said. 

Lt-Col Smith said future MTFs 

would continue to assist ANA soldiers 

in Uruzgan to maintain and increase the 

frequency of their activity against the 

Taliban. 

“There is rarely a day where there is 

not an ANA search of a suspected insurgent 

building in at least one of the main 

valleys of the province. 

“The brigade and the kandaks conceive 

their own operations and plan 

them with very limited assistance. 

“In the past three months there have 

been at least three kandak-level operations 

conducted completely independent 

of MTF support.” 

Lt-Col Smith said the handling of 

captured insurgents by Afghan soldiers 

also improved over MTF 3’s time in 

Afghanistan. 

“Detention of suspected insurgents is 

very important because it degrades the 

insurgent’s ability to intimidate the local 

population,” he said. 

“We’re not only seeing more insurgents 

taken but improved evidence collection 

and maintenance. 

“The ANA has seen a major 

improvement in getting insurgents convicted 

in the Afghan justice system for 

periods between two and seven years.” 

This was likely aided by MTF 3’s 

focus on biometric enrolment 

Lt-Col Smith believed collecting biometric 

data was essential to fighting the 

insurgency overall. 

“The most successful counter-insurgencies 

have involved a census of the 

population used to distinguish insurgents 

from friendlies,” he said 

The loss of four MTF 3 soldiers, 

three shot by rogue ANA soldiers, was 

15 

the hardest thing for the task force to 

deal with, according to Lt-Col Smith. 

“Everybody focused on their duty to 

make the ANA 4th Brigade operationally 

viable,” he said. 

“At the end of the day everybody realises 

that these soldiers died trying to get 

the 4th Brigade to a level where they are 

able to assume security responsibility.” 

Lt-Col Smith said it was rewarding 

to see MTF 3’s efforts with the ANA 

improving life for the people of Uruzgan. 

“It was great seeing our ideas and 

hard work turned into tangible results for 

security in the province.” 

IN TH THE NEWS: The soldiers of MTF 3 made headlines in almost every edition of Army during their Afghanistan tour 

‘Dependable 

and ever 

protective’ 

September 1, 2011 

MTF 3 soldiers held a quiet, 

simple and solemn memorial 

service to farewell their 

fallen mate, Pte Matthew 

Lambert, at Multinational 

Base Tarin Kot on 

August 25. 

Pte Lambert, 26, died 

at Multinational Base Tarin 

Kot’s Role 2 medical facility 

after he was seriously 

wounded by an IED at about 

2.30am on August 22. 

The Townsville-based 

2RAR soldier was on a night 

patrol with elements of the 

Afghan National Army and 

other coalition forces in the 

Khas Uruzgan region 85km 

north-east of Tarin Kot when 

the incident occured. 

On the ground: 

CO MTF 3 Lt-COL 

Chris Smith meets 

with his troops in 

the field. 

Photo by AB Jo Dilorenzo 

Three good 

men lost 

November 10, 2011 

AN EMOTIONAL farewell 

from Tarin Kot marked 

the beginning of the 

journey home for three 

Australian soldiers killed in 

Afghanistan on October 29. 

Australian, coalition and 

Afghan personnel lined the 

route to a waiting Hercules 

for Cpl Ashley Birt, Capt 

Bryce Duffy and LCpl Luke 

Gavin on November 1. 

The soldiers were killed 

by a rogue Afghan National 

Army member at Forward 

Operating Base Pacemaker 

after a routine weekly 

parade. 

Seven other Australian 

soldiers were wounded 

when the ANA member 

opened fire with an automatic 

weapon. 

Village of 

deadly secrets 

February 2, 2012 

FOR the Afghan National Security 

Forces to reach a point of full independence, 

they will need to conduct operations at the individual unit level, 

but also coordinate with other government forces. 

This capability was put to the test in a recent ANSF-run 

patrol near the village of Musazai in the Mirabad Valley.

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Army February 16, 2012 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews LETTERS 17 

Four decades of memories 

I’M WRITING this letter on the last day of 

my service in the Australian Army. I retired on 

February 7 after 38 years and two days of service, 

having started as a naive 17-year-old private soldier 

way back in 1974. 

When I signed on in those distant days, I 

never dreamed that I’d serve almost four decades. 

What a wonderful, adventurous and deeply 

rewarding period of service it has been. I’ve 

served alongside so many great people, seen and 

done things that most people can only dream of, 

and had the privilege to command the absolute 

best of Australia’s men and women. 

I leave with only a few regrets, not for myself, 

but for the loss of those killed in action or training, 

and the pain and life-changing effect on those 

wounded in action or seriously injured, and their 

families. I will never forget those sad events. But 

I will also never forget the courage, initiative and 

remarkable good humour of our diggers. 

What an extraordinary institution our Army is! 

It epitomises the best characteristics of Australia 

through its focus on selfless sacrifice, service to a 

greater good, teamwork, discipline and mateship 

that shows its true depth in the toughest times. 

And standing right behind all those diggers are 

our amazing families who sustain us, encourage 

us and bear the brunt of our often demanding 

lifestyle. It’s no wonder our Army is admired and 

respected the world over. Ours is truly a uniquely 

wonderful organisation. 

I leave deeply proud of my time as a soldier 

and an officer. I cannot imagine having spent so 

much of my life in any other way. To all the thousands 

of my fellow soldiers with whom I have 

served over the years, thank you for making my 

career so enjoyable and rewarding. Thank you 

for the inspiration you provided me, the laughs 

and good times we shared, and the memories I’ll 

always cherish. 

Good luck and good soldiering. 

Maj-Gen John Cantwell (Retd) 

Saying goodbye: Maj-Gen John Cantwell retired on February 7 after 38 years in the Army. During his career, he served in the Gulf War 

while on exchange with the British Army in 1990-91, commanded 1 Bde in 2004-05 and was commander of Australian forces in the MEAO 

in 2010. Photo by Sgt Neil Ruskin 

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18 

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Flashback: The Oakey-based Black Hawks were among the first to respond during last year’s devastating 

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TWO Black Hawk crews spent 

their Australia Day assisting 

NSW authorities by conducting 

aerial reconnaissance along 

Lismore’s flood-affected Northern 

Rivers region and evacuating an elderly 

woman who was trapped by floodwaters 

and required medical attention. 

On January 25, the NSW State 

Emergency Operations Centre requested 

ADF support through Emergency 

Management Australia. The ADF 

responded by force assigning 20 personnel 

from the Oakey-based Army Aviation 

Training Centre to provide flood relief in 

the Tweed River Valley region. 

Black Hawk Pilot and CO of the Army 

Helicopter School, Lt-Col Tim Witenden, 

said the crews deployed at short notice to 

Lismore on the evening of January 25 and 

returned to Oakey at midday on January 

27. 

“It all unfolded in the course of about 

five hours, from being aware of a possible 

tasking to actually landing in Lismore,” 

Lt-Col Witenden said. 

“This fast response is testament to the 

high quality of ADF combat aviators and 

their ability to accurately and successfully 

plan and execute missions.” 

Aircrewman Cpl Charles Dickson, 

who served on Operation Yasi Assist last 

year, was one of the personnel assigned 

to the task. 

“When I found out about the possible 

tasking I was deeply concerned about 

the flood-affected residents’ safety and 

wellbeing. I just wanted to know when 

we could leave to provide the support that 

was required,” Cpl Dickson said. 

He said upon arrival the Black Hawks 

were immediately readied for search, rescue 

and recovery tasks as well as general 

night and day missions. 

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Returning 

After their widely acclaimed efforts during last 

year’s Queensland floods, Oakey-based Black 

Hawk crews were high on the emergency services’ 

wish list when northern NSW went under in late 

January, Cpl Melanie Schinkel reports. 

“When on the job I just focus on the 

task, whether it be searching swollen river 

systems, trying to find distressed people 

clinging to trees or rooftops, or even 

attempting to comfort those who have 

been rescued – I need to be prepared for 

anything.” 

Lt-Col Witenden said one aircraft conducted 

reconnaissance along the Oxley 

and Tweed Rivers to assess the level of 

debris, damage and inundation. 

“We also conducted a search for a suspected 

missing kayaker from Tyalgum 

before conducting a patient transfer 

from the community of Ewingar, which 

was cut off by floodwaters, to Lismore 

Airport. From there the elderly woman 

was safely transported to a nearby medical 

facility,” Lt-Col Witenden said. 

“The crews responded very quickly to 

a no-notice task. Fortunately, the NSW 

SES had the situation under control, 

which ensured we were well tasked and 

quickly released to resume our regular 

duties. 

“Although many people have been 

affected, the level of flooding this year, so 

far, has been considerably less than last 

year. Luckily, the rainfall that was forecast 

to remain throughout the Tweed area 

turned out to be lighter than expected.” 

Acting Deputy Chief Joint Operations 

Cdre Michael Noonan said the crews had 

provided local authorities with useful 

information on the extent of flooding in 

the region, allowing them to prioritise 

mitigation and relief efforts. 

Black Hawk crews were called 

back into northern NSW and southern 

Queensland a few days later to support 

flood relief operations. 

More flood coverage pages 2-3 



PH: 0414 682 701

Army February 16, 2012 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews FEATURES 19 

to familiar waters 

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Postgraduate courses offered by 

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First responders: From left, Cpl Shayne White, Maj Scott Dove, Capt Haydn Jervis and Cpl Charles 

Dickson made up one of two Black Hawk crews tasked at short notice to assist with flood-relief operations 

in northern NSW. Inset, a Black Hawk’s eye view of the flooding around Lismore. 

Main photo by Mireille Merlet-Shaw, The Northern Star 

Defcredit is changing its 

name to Defence Bank 

Our commitment to providing friendly service and 

competitive products to our members won’t change. 

However, over the next couple of months you will see 

us updating our branches, website and advertising with 

our new name and logo. 

defencebank.com.au 

Defence Bank Limited ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 234582

Do you want to become an Army Officer? 

The General Service Officer (GSO) First Appointment Course at the Royal Military College, Duntroon is designed to further develop your potential 

as a leader and to teach you the skills to command soldiers on operations. 

Enlisting directly into the Royal Military College, Duntroon, you will complete 18 months of officer training prior to graduating as a Commissioned 

Officer with the rank of Lieutenant. You will retain your current salary whilst in training and achieve a Diploma in Public Safety (Military Leadership). 

Becoming an officer demands training focused on bringing out the best in an individual and the training offered at the Royal Military College, 

Duntroon is second to none. Invest in your future – apply now. 

Information Sessions: 

Mon 20 Feb 2012: Steele Barracks – Milne Bay Classroom 

Time: 0730 - 0900h 

Tue 21 Feb 2012: Gallipoli Barracks – Blamey Education Centre, 

Lecture Room 2 

Time: 0730 - 0900h 

Wed 22 Feb 2012: Lavarack Barracks - HQ 3 BDE Main Conference 

Room 

Time: 0730 - 0900h 

Fri 24 Feb 2012: Robertson Barracks - Rowell Centre 

Time: 0730 - 0900h 

Applications for the July 2012 intake close on 28 March 2012 

For further information: 

E-mail inquiries to DOCM-A.OSB@defence.gov.au or call (02) 6265 3220. 

You can also visit the following websites for more information: 

www.defencejobs.gov.au/army/officer 

http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/sites/DOCM 

http://intranet.defence.gov.au/rmc 

www.duntroonfamily.org.au

Army February 16, 2012 PERSONNEL 

Rent rise: Increases in member contributions for service housing will 

bring all ranks into line with Defence’s policy of 50 per cent rent subsidy. 

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Rents aligned 

� Group Rent Scheme member contributions to increase 

ADF member contributions for 

service housing will increase from 

March 29 under changes to the 

Group Rent Scheme (GRS). 

The increase will complete the 

Defence rent subsidy transition across 

the ranks bringing all rent groups 

to the now-standard 50 per cent in 

accordance with Defence policy. 

Assistant Director Service 

Conditions and Housing Policy 

Bruce Jackson said in the past 

the level of subsidy provided by 

Defence had increased due to greater 

than expected fluctuations in the 

Australian housing market. 

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“It’s a long-standing policy that 

Defence subsidises 50 per cent of the 

overall national cost of housing for 

ADF members and their families,” Mr 

Jackson said. 

“The 2012 update will see the contributions 

for Cpl(E) and below in rent 

band one adjusted to meet the Defence 

policy requirement.” 

Contributions for the remaining rent 

bands were adjusted in 2010-2011 to 

achieve the 50 per cent subsidy level. 

The increases range from 8.40 per 

cent in rent band four down to 0.37 per 

cent in rent band three. 

In recognition of the lower stand- 

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ards, contributions for members 

occupying group 1A and group A 

residences will be adjusted by the 

underlying market rent increase at 

the rent band one rate of 2.81 per 

cent. 

These lower-standard residences 

are currently being upgraded to meet 

the improved standards introduced in 

2007 or are being transitioned out of 

service, this is due to be completed by 

the end of 2017. 

For more information, follow the links on 

intranet.defence.gov.au/pac/ or 

www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac 

Fortnightly contributions effective from March 29 

Housing 

classification 

Rent band Group 

Rank group Current 

3 bedroom 

Rate per fortnight 

New 

3 bedroom 

Rate per fortnight 

- 1A Maj or lower $320.44 $329.44 

- A Cpl or lower $365.93 $376.22 

1 B1 Cpl or lower $410.42 $451.94 

1 B1 Lt, 2Lt, SSgt, Sgt $439.58 $451.94 

2 B2 Capt, WO1, WO2 $517.44 $558.17 

3 C Lt-Col, Maj $609.62 $611.85 

4 D Brig, Col $734.10 $795.75 

5 E Maj-Gen and above $1125.95 $1203.66

22 

Cool runnings: Tpr Andrew 

Carman puts in some elbow 

grease to help remove 

snow from the runway at 

Multinational Base Tarin Kot 

in Afghanistan while MTF 3’s 

Capt Tim Hawley (inset) tucks 

in to a special Australia Day 

feast at the base. 

Photos by Cpl Raymond Vance 

LIFESTYLE PEOPLE 

OPERATION 

MALGARI TIM 

(Pashtu for United Team) 

Afghanistan Lessons DVD Available Now 

Learn lessons from soldiers who adapted 

to a rapidly changing situation during an 

intensive fighting season. 

�� Mission Transition, Combined Arms and 

Mentoring Lessons 

�� Command, ISR and Logistic Lessons 

�� Occupying new AO and Restructuring mid 

tour 

Operation Malgari Tim has been sent out to all 

unit HQ. Contact the Centre for Army 

Lessons if you want more copies. 

Call 03 5735 7102 

www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 

ARMY KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT GROUP 

MAKING ARMY KNOWLEDGE VISIBLE 

Army Ar Army my February Feb F ruary 16, 2012 

Looking ahead: ISF future plans officer Maj Renee Kidson maps out 

community engagement activities in East Timor. Photo by Cpl Janine Fabre 

Fond farewell: Timor-Leste Task Group 4 2IC Capt Daniel Strack receives a 

goodbye kiss from his three-year-old daughter after the task group’s farewell 

parade in Victoria. Photo by Maj Ian Toohill

Army February 16, 2012 LIFESTYLE FUN 

SAY AGAIN, OVER 

If you can think 

of a witty caption 

for the picture at 

left, email 

captioncomp@ 

defencenews. 

gov.au with 

“caption competition 

February 16” 

as the subject. 

Try to keep 

entries under 

25 words and 

include your 

name, rank 

and unit. 

Last edition’s winning entry 

“Due to a lack of foresight in helmet sizing, 

Caramello Koala would sadly never 

realise his dream of becoming a Black 

Hawk pilot.” 

John McWilliams 

Former member 

We also liked 

“Sally didn’t realise the flu-like symptoms 

of her co-pilot was actually an 

extreme case of Koalaitis.” 

Daniel Kiely 

Former member 

Breaker leg in stage show 

BUDDING actors will have a chance to 

take to the stage for a production of the 

play “Breaker Morant” at the Seymour 

Centre in Sydney during the lead up to 

Anzac Day. 

The title role will be played by Mark 

Lee, who performed alongside Mel 

Gibson in Gallipoli. The backbone of the 

cast will be professional actors but several 

speaking parts are open to amateurs. 

Auditions will be held on February 4 at 

the Australian Army Band – Sydney band 

room next to Victoria Barracks. All parts 

are male parts and will require an accent. 

Acting experience would be appreciated 

but not necessary. 

To register for an audition, contact Capt Andrew 

George on 0416 664 937 or email 

thebreaker@email.com 


A fresh super flick 

Chronicle 

Director: Josh Trank 

DIVERTING from the standard 

super-hero film formula, Chronicle 

is a refreshing entry to the genre 

and a great story told well. 

The film follows three teenage 

boys who, after a close encounter 

with a strange glowing object in a 

cave, develop telekinesis – the ability 

to move things with their minds. 

It seems like a pretty typical story 

which has been told plenty of times 

before, but Chronicle’s fresh spin 

makes for a unique new adventure. 

The film holds on to most of the 

staples of the super-hero genre but 

turns many of them on their heads. 

For starters, when the teens discover 

their new powers, they don’t 

rush out and start saving lives – they 

play pranks and chase thrills – and the 

arch nemesis is a character for whom 

the audience feels genuine sympathy. 

Chronicle could have been a pretty 

typical teen action flick. It skirts 

close to the flame at times, with the 

protagonists playing out the telekinesis 

fantasy to every possible extreme, 

but it stays grounded in reality and 

mature in its presentation. 

In an interesting twist, the cinematography 

plays a significant role 

in the story. The film is shot Blair 

Witch style, but unlike most films that 

employ this technique, the camera 

Fun with 

super powers: 

The characters 

in Chronicle 

explore the 

benefits and 

capabilities 

of their 

telekinesis 

powers to 

fascinating 

extremes. 

changes often throughout the film. 

Viewers are always aware of the camera’s 

presence in the scene even as the 

viewpoint shifts from handycam to 

mobile phone camera to CCTV. It’s 

an interesting way to make a movie 

and it’s effective, however the reason 

for it is never made clear in the story. 

Chronicle is worth a look for anyone 

who’s ever wanted to manipulate 

objects with mind power to play practical 

jokes on friends and strangers. 

DIKKO By Bob Dikkenberg

24 

LIFESTYLE FINANCE 

Investing 

in hybrids 

Investors need to understand the risks involved with 

hybrid securities and notes, says Australian Securities and 

Investment Commission chairman Greg Medcraft. 

OU may be attracted to 

hybrid securities and notes 

offered by household-name 

companies and trusted 

brands – but be aware that hybrids 

are very different from normal corporate 

bonds. 

Make sure you understand the conditions 

and risks before committing 

your money. 

Some hybrid securities ask you to 

take on “equity-like” risks but only 

give you at best “bond-like” returns. 

Some also have terms and conditions 

that allow the issuer to exit the 

deal or suspend interest payments 

when they choose. 

Hybrid securities may not suit you 

if you need steady returns or security. 

� Hybrid securities: These are one 

way companies can borrow money 

from investors, while paying interest. 

They are offered by well-known 

companies and are generally traded 

on a secondary market such as the 

Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). 

� The risks: Hybrid securities have 

higher risks than most corporate 

ASK BEFORE YOU INVEST 

� What are the risks of 

investing now and in the 

future? 

� Will the returns offered 

adequately compensate 

for the investment risks? 

� How does the interest 

rate compare with other 

investments on a ‘risk 

adjusted’ basis? Can 

other less complex, risky 

or long-term investments 

provide a similar return? 

� When is the issuer 

bonds. While the conditions, time 

frame, risks and interest rates of 

each hybrid offers differ, some have 

particularly complex features. 

� Market price volatility: The market 

price of listed hybrid securities 

may fall below the price you originally 

paid, especially if the company 

suspends or defers interest payments, 

or performance declines. 

allowed to exit the deal 

or suspend interest payments? 

� What are the maturity 

dates? 

� Will this product help 

achieve your personal 

goals and objectives, 

and does it suit your personal 

investment time 

frame and risk profile? 

� Can you exit this investment 

if your circumstances 

change? 


� Subordinated ranking: Hybrid 

securities are generally unsecured, 

meaning repayment is not covered 

by a security over any asset. If the 

company you bought them from 

becomes insolvent, you will generally 

rank behind other bondholders. 

� Deferral of interest payments: 

Some offers allow the company to 

suspend interest payments for a 

FBT 

not as easy as 

ABC 

(more so if you’re in the ADF) 

number of years. While the interest 

owing may be cumulative, this 

could leave you temporarily out of 

pocket. 

� Early termination: Some hybrid 

offers allow the company to terminate 

or buy back the investment early, but 

don’t give you that same right. 

� Extremely long timeframes: 

Some hybrids have terms lasting 

Find out why. Watch this. 

Watch the video or order the DVD on the website 

www.adfconsumer.gov.au 

VOLUME SEVEN 

Understanding 

Fringe 

Benefits 

Tax 

Understanding g 

Fringe 

Benefits 

Tax 

ADF Financial Services Consumer Council 

ADF Financial Services Consumer Council 


Rollercoaster: Investors should be careful when considering hybrid securities – they can 

suffer in a volatile market just like corporate bonds and some place all the power in the hands 

of the company. 

decades. With a 60-year term, a 

40-year-old investing today needs 

to live to 100 to see their investment 

mature. You may be able to sell the 

security on a secondary market such 

as the ASX, but only if there is a 

demand for that security. 

For more information about investing, visit 

www.MoneySmart.gov.au 

VOLUME SEVEN

Army February 16, 2012 LIFESTYLE HEALTH 

FINALISTS 

ANNOUNCED! 

The A/Deputy Secretary Intelligence & 

Security, Mr Ian McKenzie, has announced 

the 12 finalists for the 1st Annual Defence 

Excellence in Security Awards. 

Outstanding performance by a security specialist 

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DepSec I&S award for outstanding leadership in security 

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��Defence Excellence in Security Awards�� 

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Join the resistance 

PTI Cpl Julian Suitor explores the myths 

associated with weight training and explains why 

resistance training is the most readily available 

and easily accessible fountain of youth. 

ESISTANCE training, commonly 

known as weight 

training or strength training, 

should form the cornerstone 

of any solid exercise program, especially 

for members over 25. 

It is a well-established fact that 

resistance training is a highly effective 

method for enhancing an individual’s 

physical capabilities. 

When conducted in a well-structured 

format, some benefits include, but are 

not limited to: 

� Increased fat-free mass. 

� Increased strength. 

� Increased bone density. 

� Increased function through all of the 

body’s movement patterns. 

� Decreased levels of body fat. 

� Injury prevention. 

� Improved 

daily life and sporting activities. 

These benefits are important 

because, as we age, these attributes 

begin a steady downhill spiral, until we 

reach a point where we are confined to 

the Zimmer frame and/or nursing home. 

Testosterone and growth hormone 

also begin to decline as we age. These 

two hormones are important for both 

sexes, particularly in regards to tis- 

sue and cell growth and regeneration. 

Their levels correlate highly with bone 

strength, libido and the development 

of lean muscle tissue. Research has 

provided an inextricable link between 

resistance training and its adaptations, 

and an increase in these hormone levels, 

particularly if you are already overweight. 

There is a common misconception 

that resistance training can turn women 

into bulky, hulk-like creatures. This is 

simply not true. Compared to their male 

counterparts, females have significantly 

lower levels of testosterone, and comparatively 

higher levels of oestrogen, 

meaning that resistance training can 

facilitate the accumulation of lean muscle 

tissue, which in turn can result in a 

decrease in fat mass. 

The last point, particularly hot on 

the list of topics your GP would like 

to talk with you about, is osteoporosis. 

Osteoporosis in Australia is now 

affecting both men and women significantly 

due to our increasingly sedentary 

lifestyles. There is significant evidence 

showing that resistance training is 

effective in increasing osteoblast activity 

(bone forming cells) and preventing 

the onset of early osteoporosis. 

START HERE 

RESISTANCE training aining takes on many 

forms and is accessible essible and beneficial 

to everyone from m the couch potato to 

the elite athlete. 

Resistance exercises xercises are actions 

performed against st resistance, 

commonly external 

resistance or using ng 

one’s own body 

weight. This can 

range from body 

weight circuit trainining, performed 

three times a 

week, through to o 

complex 12-month th 

training programs. s. 

In its infancy, your 

own resistance training raining 

can begin with simple imple body-bodyweight 

exercises conducted in a structured 

circuit format. For many, entry 

into this mode of training is as easy as 

turning up to unit PT. 

Resistance training can remain 

social at PT or move to an individual, 

structured training program completed 

in own time with a training partner. 

There are countless exercises for 

every level of fitness, so seek the right 

advice from a PTI. 

Strong start: PTI Sgt Emma Hender demonstrates the deadlift. Benefits of resistance training include 

increased strength and bone density, as well as decreased levels of body fat. Photo by LAC Bill Solomou 

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Excellence 

Security 

Outstanding contribution to security by a team 

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Outstanding contribution to security by an individual 

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CONGRATULATIONS 

TO ALL FINALISTS 

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26 

Sharon Palmer 

WO1 Darren Parsons, 6ESR, 

and Maj Peter Simmons, 

8CSSB, are part of a team of 

nine shooters ready to take 

on the Kiwis from February 

27 to March 2 at the 2012 

Australasian Police and 

Services National Trap and 

Skeet Championships. 

To be held in North 

Canterbury, Christchurch, the 

competition incorporates emergency 

service personnel as well as 

those in government services such 

as customs from New Zealand and 

Australia, and also includes members 

from Fiji and Noumea. 

ARMY CRICKET 

To join the ‘Red Men’ email: 

Army.Cricket@defence.gov.au 


SPORT 


Shooters have New 

Zealand in sight 

� Nine ADF shooters to compete against rivals in North Canterbury 

Defence Clay Target 

Association (DCTA) Treasurer 

CPO Chris Nightingale said it 

would be the third time a Defence 

team had competed in the annual 

competition since the sport was 

re-approved in 2009. 

“I think we’ll do pretty well,” 

he said. “We turned up two years 

ago to our inaugural event and 

we took a couple of positions and 

they really took notice of us. We 

backed it up last year by winning 

the down the line team’s events 

and coming third in skeet.” 

The annual Australasian championship 

is held every five years in 

New Zealand with the state police 

in Australia running every other 

competition in varying states. 

WO1 Parsons last competed 

in the event in 2010 in Tasmania 

where he finished a credible 

10th in A grade with a score of 

406/450, giving him a position of 

23rd overall out of a possible 127 

competitors. He also competed in 

the skeets team that shot 123 out 

of a possible 150 to finish fourth 

out of seven teams. 

“Next year it’s Canberra’s turn 

so the AFP will run it and we’ll 

be out in force there too,” CPO 

Nightingale said. 

In April, a team of five DCTA 

shooters will head to the down the 

line nationals in Wagga in April 

and a team of five will compete 

in the skeet nationals in Wagga 

in May. 

SHOOTING CCATEGORIES 

ATEGORIES 

Down Do D wn the line (DTL) 

Down the line is one of the 

oldest forms of 

clay shooting. A round usu usually consists of 25 

targets. The shooter stands stand 14.6m behind the 

firing house and the targets targe are fired randomly 

across the plane plane – the maximum ma arc is around 

44 degrees. Each compet competitor must shoot from 

each firing point and five cclays 

will be launched 

at each of these points. 

Skeet shooting 

The event is in part meant to simulate the action 

of bird hunting. The shooter shoots at clay targets 

from seven positions on a semicircle with 

a radius of 19m, and an eighth position halfway 

between stations one and seven. The eighth 

station fires a clay from both houses in turn at 

the shooter and over his/her head. There are 

two houses that hold the traps that launch the 

targets, one at each corner of the semicircle. The 

traps launch the targets to a point 4.5m above 

ground and 5.4m outside of station eight. One 

trap launches targets from 3m above the ground 

(high house) and the other from three feet above 

ground (low house). 

Ready for challenge: WO1 Darren Parsons, 6ESR, practises for the Australasian Police and Services National Trap and Skeet 

Championships to be held in Christchurch from February 27. 

SPORTS SHORTS 

Register to play 

The Army Australian Football 

Association requests Australian 

rules players, both male and 

female, register their details for 

selection at www.armyfooty.org. 

Players are required to represent 

Army at the National Interservice 

Carnival in Melbourne April 10-22 

2012. For more information, contact 

WO2 Wayne Morley on 

“Approximately 650 competitors 

compete in these national 

championships and some of our 

team members won placings last 

year,” CPO Nightingale said. 

“Australia and New Zealand’s 

best shooters attend, including 

Olympic and Commonwealth gold 

medallists and LAC Matt Stokes 

is expected to go well given he is 

ranked number three in Australia 

at the moment.” 

The nine competing in New Zealand 

are: WO John Hennig (RAAF); CPO Chris 

Nightingale (Navy); WO1 Darren Parsons 

(Army); Maj Peter Simmons (Army); Brent 

Murphy (APS); Colin Nelson (APS); Barry 

Carrol (APS); George Bailey (APS);Noel 

Cleal (APS). 

(03) 8481 7276 or WO1 Ash 

Heywood on (08) 9311 2170. 

Army joins sevens 

Two Army teams from Singleton 

will be among contestants at the 

Williamtown White Pointers’ sevens 

rugby tournament at RAAF 

Base Williamtown on February 25. 

They will be up against Air Force 

teams already confirmed from 

Williamtown, Wagga, Richmond 

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Beginner’s 

luck as 

youngster 

takes gold 

TWO gold medals in his first competition has given Pte 

Ricky Crawford, ALTC, the confidence needed to progress 

in the sport. 

At 20, Pte Crawford was competing at the Australian 

Clay Target Association’s ISSF 2012 National Olympic 

Championships in Newcastle from January 16-21. He 

won both the National and Commonwealth C grade 

skeet competitions. 

Pte Crawford shot consistently throughout the event 

finishing with a personal best in the last round of 24/25 

targets. 

“I used to be a field game shooter but didn’t do any 

shooting during 2009 and 2010,” Pte Crawford said. 

After meeting fellow clay target shooter Sgt Paul 

Baxter, 1 Armd Regt, last year, Pte Crawford started 

practising at the Darwin gun club with a view to competing 

in the future. 

“Sgt Baxter mentioned to me that the nationals were 

on in January so I thought I should go along and give it a 

go,” Pte Crawford said. 

“He took me under his wing and helped me with my 

technique.” 

Sgt Baxter said Pte Crawford had a natural stance 

and a great eye for shooting; however he had to be 

taught the basics of Olympic event shooting. 

“First thing I taught him was to sit the weapon at 

waist height; you can only raise it as the target appears. 

Once you have called ‘pull’, there’s a delay of up to three 

seconds before the target may appear,” Sgt Baxter said. 

“Pte Crawford picked up the technique very quickly.” 

Leading up to the championships Pte Crawford practised 

for six weeks. 

He was shooting alongside the nation’s best skeet 

shooters, including brothers Clive and George Barton. 

Other notable shooters who attended the event were 

Olympians Michael Diamond, Adam Vella, Russell 

Mark and Suzy Balough. 

At this stage, finances permitting, he is looking forward 

to competing again, possibly in the skeet nationals 

in May in Wagga. 

“It’s an expensive sport and you really need to travel 

to at least give yourself a chance,” Pte Crawford said. 

and Amberley. For more information, 

contact Cpl Hamish Spence, 

alan.spence@defence.gov.au, 

(02) 4034 8774. 

Cricketers wanted 

The Irregulars, a team comprised 

of cricketers of all abilities and 

enthusiasm levels who work at 

Victoria Barracks, is looking for 

more players. Games are played 

mostly on Thursdays with some 

Learning the ropes: Pte 

Ricky Crawford competes 

at the ISSF 2012 National 

Olympic Championships. 

Sunday games. Thursday games 

start at 1.30pm and are usually 

30-35 overs a side with Sunday 

games starting at 10am (40 

overs). Due to wet weather the 

2011/12 season has not yet started 

and there are up to 10 games 

scheduled for February and 

March. To join or for more information, 

contact Capt Mark Ganin 

(02) 8335 6448 or email 

mark.ganin@defence.gov.au 



PH: 0414 682 701

Army February 16, 2012 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 

SPORT 27 

World champs 

on the horizon 

� Sgt Penelope Holland prepares for Hawaii 

By Cpl Melanie Schinkel 

MONSOONAL rain, towering 

hills and even a wasp’s sting 

wasn’t enough to stop one ironwoman 

from winning her age category 

and qualifying to compete in 

the Ironman World Championships 

in October. 

After success at the Asian-Pacific 

70.3 Half Ironman Championships 

in Phuket, Thailand, late last 

year, Brisbane-based reservist Sgt 

Penelope Holland, 40, 9FSB, is setting 

her sights on preparing for the 

Ironman World Championships in 

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on October 13. 

“I’m pretty sure I will be doing 

a lot of kilometres on my bike 

throughout winter to prepare for 

Kona. My training regime won’t 

alter too much. I will train 15 to 20 

hours a week and then build up the 

intensity to 30 hours as the event 

gets closer,” Sgt Holland said. 

“At the moment I’m preparing 

for Ironman New Zealand, which 

will be held in Taupo on March 3. 

After that I will take a break for 

three weeks before ramping up 

training for Challenge Cairns in 

May and then Kona in October.” 

A full-time student studying a 

Bachelor of Health Science and 

Nutrition, Sgt Holland began competing 

in triathlons three years ago 

with her husband, WO2 Rodney 

Holland, 7CSSB. 

Since then Sgt Holland has 

become a dedicated member of the 

Australian Defence Sports Triathlon 

Association (ADSTA). She represented 

the ADF in the Challenge 

Cairns and Phuket triathlons last 

year. 

Sgt Holland said she was unsure 

of her position when she crossed the 

finish line after 5hr 03min 26sec in 

Phuket. 

“When I ran past the announcer 

said ‘This is Penelope Holland from 

Brisbane. She’s 40 and she’s going 

to Kona’. I was confused because I 

wasn’t turning 40 for another two 

days and he had just announced 

to everyone that I qualified for the 

Ironman World Championships,” 

she said. 

“I approached the announcer and 

told him he was mistaken before 

heading off to cool down. When I 

got back to my hotel room it was 

confirmed that I had won the 40-44 

age female category and qualified to 

compete in Hawaii – I was ecstatic. 

“Since starting to compete in 

triathlons it has been my dream to 

compete in the world championships, 

but that’s all it was – a dream. 

“I never actually thought I would 

be good enough to compete in it, 

so I was absolutely stoked when I 

ADSTA SCHEDULE 

� February 18-19 – Huskisson, Defence sprint and 

long-course championships. 

� April 15 – Sydney, Defence National Olympic 

Distance Triathlon Championships (part of Dextro 

Olympic Distance Race). 

� June 3 – Cairns, Defence National Half Ironman 

Distance Championships and Defence National 

Ironman Distance Championships, which will 

both be held at the Challenge Cairns Festival. 

The ADSTA is growing in numbers and developing a strong 

team across all ages and skill levels. For more information 

visit the association’s website on www.adsta.asn.au or 

email its committee on adsta.admin@defence.gov.au 

Pounding pavement: Sgt Penelope Holland takes on the running leg 

of the Half Ironman Championships in Phuket, Thailand, to qualify for 

the World Championships in October. Photo by finisherpix.com 

realised my dream was coming true.” 

Sgt Holland wasn’t the only 

successful competitor waving the 

Army flag in Phuket. WO2 Gavin 

Wickham, Army School of Health, 

completed the triathlon in an impressive 

4:42:25 earning him 12th place 

in the 40-44 age male category, and 

Capt John Green, Army Aviation 

Systems Branch, took third place in 

the ADF team in a time of 4:50:59. 

LAC Grace MacPherson took 

out the 20-24 female age category 

in 5:39:09, almost 33min behind Sgt 

Holland. She too qualified for the 

Hawaii Ironman. 

Sgt Holland said it was an arduous 

race that presented many challenges 

for the competitors. “To say 

that the hills in Phuket are tough is a 

massive understatement. 

“I think the peaks topped out at 

22 per cent and the humidity was 

about 95 per cent – it was a very difficult 

course. 

“Monsoonal rain drenched us 

during the 90km ride, which slowed 

me down because of the lack of traction 

on the road. 

“I was also stung on the face by 

a wasp. My face started to swell up 

and I just told myself ‘Don’t lose 

focus now – stop if you start to have 

breathing problems’, but I was okay.” 

“From there I entered the run. I’d 

been working hard on my running 

and managed to push myself to hold a 

steady pace for the whole 21km. 

“It was a great competition 

because the atmosphere was amazing 

and the ADSTA team were really 

supportive.” 

Sgt Holland continued her 

good form, finishing second in her 

age group in the Hell of the West 

Triathlon in Goondawindi on 

February 5, completing the 2km 

swim, 80km bike ride and 20km run 

in 4:28:30. 

Extractors 

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‘we’ll beat any price’ 

Riding waves: Capt Jack Plimmer, 19 CE Wks, competes in the long board 

event at the Army Surf Riders Association training camp last year. 

Time is right to start 

catching waves with 

soldier surfriders 

AS THE interservice surfing competition 

draws nearer, the focus of the 

Army Surf Riders Association (ASRA) 

turns to recruiting and preparing surfers 

for the tournament. 

WO2 Martin Fisher, 17CSSB, said 

while they had a good turnup to a training 

camp late last year, it was time to rev up. 

“We will be focusing on the monthly 

meets in each chapter and increasing 

the numbers who turn up at these, WO2 

Fisher said. 

He said while the waves left a lot to 

be desired, about 20 of the more experienced 

surfers attended the inaugural 

ASRA training and development camp 

held at Port Macquarie from November 

7-11 last year. 

The camp aimed to help riders get 

ready for this year’s interservice surf 

competition to be held after Easter. 

WO2 Fisher said the surfers from 

across the nation brought with them not 

only a love of salt water, but also a bevy 

of boards to train on. 

“We attracted about eight newcomers 

but we are really keen to get novices 

involved in our sport,” he said. 

“We are trying to break the military 

stigma about surfing and prove it is an 

activity that develops health and fitness 

both physically and mentally. 

“It also incorporates stand up paddling, 

body boarding, kite surfing and 

basically any sport related to wave riding.” 

After an initial test of skills at the 

training camp, there was committed 

group participation and enthusiasm as the 

participants trained for short board, long 

board and stand up paddle (SUP) board 

competition. 

“Special guests Dan Wilson, from 

Gordon and Smith Australia, and Woogie 

Marsh, an outstanding professional SUP 

rider for Coreban gave valuable insight 

into preparation and tactics for the competition 

event,” WO2 Fisher said. 

Early in the week, dedicated local Spr 

Peter Couchman, ALTC, found a beach 

with optimal conditions for the first dawn 

surf. 

“Dan and Woogie joined in providing 

training on long board surfing and 

Woogie offering SUP skill development 

training in the water to participants.” 

Later that afternoon, ASRA members 

had an opportunity to discover the finer 

points of riding the newest event in competition, 

SUP boards in flat water. SUP 

was introduced as a competitive event last 

year and will be incorporated in upcoming 

competitions 

Breath efficiency training, surf riding 

skills and SUP techniques were other 

sessions conducted during the camp culminating 

in races in SUP, long and short 

board. 

Cpl Gav Castro, 3RAR, finished first 

in both the short and long board competitions 

in small and sloppy conditions. Cpl 

Cam Anderson, 1 Fd Regt, was second 

in the short board and third in the long 

board comp. Pte Chad Hicks, 102 Fd 

Wks, took out second in the long board 

and third in the short board competitions. 

The SUP competition was a spirited 

event displaying many unorthodox 

moves, with race organiser Capt Jack 

Plimmer, 19 CE Wks, taking the honours. 

ASRA membership is open to ARA and Ares members 

and surf riders are encouraged to compete 

in the interservice competition. For more information 

on how to enter or get involved in surfing 

contact ASRA president Maj Matthew Carr at 

matthew.carr2@defence.gov.au. Link up with 

surfers area on the ASRA Facebook group page.

LEAD TWICE THE LIFE 

DMO 

February 16, 2012 

TAKING ON 

THE WORLD 

DMO MILITARY RESERVES 

exciting opportunities Australia wide! 

Exciting opportunities are available for Military Reservists in the following trades/ specialisations: 

» Project Managment » Logistics » Finance » Administration » Technical Trades » Engineering (mechanical & electrical) » Aircrew 

DEFENCE MATERIEL ORGANISATION | www.dmojobs.gov.au or call 1800 DMO JOBS (1800 366 562) 

LOCKED 

AND 

LOADED 

Defence shooters 

have sights set on 

New Zealand tour 

Page 26 

Powering ahead: Sgt 

Penelope Holland pushes 

through monsoonal rain to 

conquer the Half Ironman 

Championships in Phuket. 

Sgt Penelope 

Holland gears 

up for the 

Ironman World 

Championships 

Page 27 

Photo by finisherpix.com

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