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Edition 1191 June 12, 2008
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DEPLOYMENTS EXTENDED TO EIGHT MONTHS P3
THEJOB’SDONEAustralian combat troops have lowered the flag on operations in southern Iraq.Main report Pages 16-17, additional report Page 12
Drawing to a close: LCpl David McKeachie (left) and LCpl Chad Anderson (right)
lower the Battle Group Chauvel flag at a formal
ceremony at Camp Terendak at Tallil on June 1 to signify
the end of security overwatch operations in southern Iraq.
Photo by Sgt Katrina Johnson
Packing up: Pte James Taylor packs gear for transport at Camp Terendak before the drawdown. Photo by Cpl Michael Davis
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Army June 12, 2008
2 NEWSThe Soldiers’ Newspaper
DirectorRod Horan: �(02) 6265 4650
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DisclaimerArmy is published fortnightly by Defence Newspapers. It is printed under contract by Capital Fine Print. The views expressed in published articles are not necessarily those of Defence or Army. Every advertisement is subject to Directorate of Defence Newspapers approval and the directorate may refuse to accept an advertisement for publication. 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 which is not in accordance with the instructions received by the Directorate of Defence Newspapers.
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Pleased: Sgt Steven Neal, who helped mentor Iraqi troops, is pictured at Camp Terendak before the draw down.
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Townsville turns outBy Cpl Mike McSweeney
TOWNSVILLE residents turned out in force on May 24 to for-mally welcome home soldiers returned from Timor-Leste and Afghanistan.
More than 1000 troops were cheered as they marched along Townsville’s waterfront before enjoying a concert that featured Shannon Noll.
Although Timor-Leste Battle Group 3 and Reconstruction Task Force 3 were predominate-ly made up of Townsville-based units, diggers flew in from around Australia to rejoin their brothers and sisters-in-arms.
D e f e n c e M i n i s t e r J o e l Fitzgibbon and CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy reviewed the parade and welcomed the soldiers home.
“We gave you a mission that was difficult, demanding and dangerous,” Lt-Gen Leahy said. “You’ve completed that mission and we’re very proud of you.”
The CA, who had visited RTF 3 and TLBG 3 in the field, said the soldiers had exceeded the Army values of courage, initiative and teamwork.
“What you’ve brought to this new battlefield that we face is something very Australian: a sense of compassion, of dignity, of respect.,” he said.
“You want to give people a fair go, and that’s what makes me so proud of you. You should all be proud of being Australian soldiers.”
He thanked the families and friends of the returned soldiers for their support, and also thanked the people of Townsville.
Citizens and soldiers enjoyed a concert after the parade, which was led by singer Shannon Noll.
“It meant a lot to me,” he said. “We had to juggle things around to make sure I could fit it in. It shows what our people do over-seas doesn’t go unrecognised.”
Sure paws: Soldiers recently returned from deployments in Timor-Leste and Afghanistan march down the Strand, with an explosive detection dog trotting alongside his mates. Photos by LCpl Glenn Power
There’s my dad: Amy Schaefer holds Natalie Cheesman as her father, Cpl Peter Cheesman – just back from Afghanistan – marches past with fellow diggers.
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Army June 12, 2008
NEWS 3
THE bravery of soldiers who served in Afghanistan has been recog-nised in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Two Special Forces troops received Medals for Gallantry and another two SF soldiers – none of whom can be named because of operational security – were awarded Commendations for Gallantry.
Former private Trent Ollis also received a Commendat ion for Gallantry. He was among five soldiers identified on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for their actions under fire. The others are: Pte Steven Hall, Lt Glenn Neilson, Maj Simon Moore-Wilton and Maj Ian Langford.
Trent Ollis, who discharged from the Army this year after six years’ serv-ice, was awarded his Commendation for Gallantry for his actions at Musazai on August 8, 2007. He was serving with 12 Pl, Security Task Group, in Reconstruction Task Force 2.
“We patrolled up and got ambushed by a number of enemy and they hit us with a lot of small-arms fire. As I was lead scout I was 20 or 30m in front of everyone else,” Mr Ollis said.
He was engaged by small-arms, machinegun and RPG fire, with one grenade landing 15m from him and another passing 2m over his head.
Bravery honoursHe remained in unpro-
tected positions in open ground, reported enemy locations to his command and laid down suppressing fire, which allowed his pla-toon to break contact safely.
“I was just doing my job as a scout. The training we did just kicked in at the time,” he said.
Mr Ollis said his family found out about the award before he did.
“My family received the phone call and told me about it; they were happier about it than I was,” he said. “It feels good to be recog-nised for doing a good job, but I just did what anyone else would do in the same situation.”
Maj Ian Langford, who received a Distinguished Service Cross, said the award recognised “the effort of the entire Alpha Commando Company Group” that served in Afghanistan from April to September last year.
Maj Langford led his company on 18 clearance operations with 49 direct engagements with the Taliban.
“I will always remember the cour-age of my fellow soldiers; whether it be moving from cover to protect
our wounded, or assaulting objectives, their actions were outstanding,” he said. “The officers and soldiers whom I served alongside are the most inspiring and dedicated men that I have met in my time in the Army. They performed bravely and contributed significantly to the removal of key enemy capabili-ties and improved the security for the people of Oruzgan province.”
Another Major, Simon Moore-Wilton, was awarded a Distinguished
Service Medal for his role as OC Security Task Force with RTF 2.
In May 2007 he was mission com-mander for a reconstruction task when a suicide bomber targeted his task group. Maj Moore-Wilton ensured the task group adopted a rapid defensive posture, while he coordinated secu-rity, medical treatment and evacuation, and forensic exploitation of the site. In subsequent contacts, he again led his men with distinction, often moving
under direct fire to gain better situ-ational awareness.
He said the highest honour for any officer was that of commanding sol-diers on operations. “I was humbled to accept the Distinguished Service Medal on behalf of the soldiers and junior leaders of the Security Task Group, as they worked so hard, against such formidable odds, to earn the respect of their peers, allies and the enemy as tough, disciplined soldiers.”
Other soldiers recognised for their bravery were:� Pte Steven Hall was awarded a Commendaton for Distinguished Service. While lead scout on patrol in Afghanistan on August 10, 2007, Pte Hall and his section were engaged by heavy small-arms and RPG fire. He returned accurate covering fire to allow his section to break contact with the enemy. � Lt Glenn Neilson was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal. On August 8 and 10, 2007, Lt Neilson led his platoon with distinction dur-ing contacts with enemy forces near Musazai. Despite coming under intense small-arms and RPG fire, he engaged the enemy with a light anti-armour weapon, his rifle and two gre-nades to allow him to manoeuvre his troops to safety.Queen’s Birthday Honours List – Page 18
SOME operational deployments will be increased from six months to eight months from October.
The initiative will increase the length of individual respite between operations, and reduce the potential number of rotations an individual could be deployed on in a two-year period.
“Army is committed to ensuring the continued welfare of its person-nel while at the same time assuring the long-term health of an organisa-tion that is highly effective in pre-paring for operations,” said Chief of Army Lt-Gen Peter Leahy.
“This initiative aims to balance
those imperatives. Eight-month tours provide a better outcome for Army and our people.”
Eight-month rotations will begin with the deployment of the first Mentoring Reconstruction Task Force to Afghanistan.
The policy for eight-month operational deployments will not be implemented for any individuals currently deployed. The length of tours for units will be considered on a case by case basis for selected operations.
No members will deploy on an operation without knowing the intended duration of their deploy-ment.
The initiative will allow soldiers more time to develop and maintain cohesive relationships with both the local population, and coalition part-ners, and to better understand the environment in which they operate.
During the past eight years, Army has concentrated on the sus-tainment of current operations using six-month tours, but this has had some negative impact on Army’s ability to generate future capabili-ties.
Eight-month tours will allow the Army to strengthen its capabilities in a wider range of basic operating skills which require significant indi-vidual and collective training.
Length of some tours extended to 8 months
Covering the ground: Afghan tribesmen look on as soldiers conduct a route search in Oruzgan province, Afghanistan. Photo by Cpl Neil Ruskin
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Army June 12, 2008
4 NEWS
A SYDNEY-based officer hopes his acting career is much longer lived than his latest film role – his charac-ter gets shredded by Wolverine.
Maj Warwick Young, the Board of Inquiry Manager at HQJOC, will pur-sue full-time acting when his CFTS finishes at the end of June.
Difficulties juggling both acting and Army careers were behind his decision to concentrate on acting.
He has been acting since 1996 and has appeared in films such as Mission Impossible II, Superman Returns and The Great Raid, as well as the TV show Home and Away.
Maj Young has just finished film-ing his part in Wolverine, starring Hugh Jackman, which is still in pro-duction. He can’t say too much about the role, other than he plays a “bad-die” who meets a nasty end.
“I played a henchman in Mission Impossible II, so I’ve had a few bad guy roles – it’s a bit of a concern real-ly,” he quipped.
While he will no longer be in the military full-time, he will continue to don a uniform in his acting life.
Just recently he played the part of a brain-injured soldier returned from active service in Afghanistan in the highly praised play Brilliant Monkey.
And he will co-produce and act in Last Man, a film about SAS soldiers who served in Vietnam. Acclaimed director Fred Schepisi will direct Last
DEFENCE Minister Joel Fitzgibbon broke the ground on May 23 to mark the start of about $80 million in new facilities for 3CER at Lavarack Barracks.
“More than $207 million will be invested in the Lavarack Barracks Redevelopment Stage 4 Project,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“The focus of this project is to provide facilities for B Sqn, 3/4 Cav Regt, 3CER and 4 Fd Regt.
“In addition, the project includes an upgrade to the base gymnasium and sport-ing fields and provision of new regimental aid posts.”
The Lavarack Barracks Redevelopment Stage 4 Project will reuse and refurbishment existing facilities and infrastructure.
New buildings to support 3 Bde will also be constructed.
Construction of the new facilities will be completed over the next two years.
THE Army Logistic Training Centre has reorganised so its schools can be more corps-aligned.
It has been 12 years since nine former logistic, health and person-nel services corps and trade training schools were amalgamated to form ALTC. The initial structure smashed existing wings together to form effects-based training divisions, sever-ing corps affiliations.
“There was a push to have the schools more corps-aligned; there was a move away from that when ALTC was first established,” HQ ALTC SO2 Maj Cathy Penski said.
She said the former effects-based ALTC structure confused lines of responsibility and accountability.
“Now the schools are more corps-aligned it is easier for those outside to understand how ALTC works,” she said.
Under the new structure, a for-mation headquarters commands four corps-aligned trade schools, two schools of higher education and a Training Development Group.
The reorganisation was launched late last year to ensure that command, training delivery, employment cat-egory management, Head of Corps, doctrine and capability development responsibilities are appropriately assigned.
“The de-linking was seeking to achieve a seamless transition,” Maj Penski said.
“The staff are generally supportive of the positive impact this transition had on corps morale and provision of logistic support to Army.”
Management issues, particularly with respect to employment catego-ries, trade structures, remuneration and capability development, have continued to be executed down corps lines.
“The anticipated benefits from the de-link include the realignment of training toward the traditional corps responsibilities and alliances,” Maj Penski said.
“This enhances the end state requirements within the land Army. It also reinforces the esprit de corps within the training environment.”
ALTC schools better aligned
Acting on career ambition
Man, which is expected to go into production in September.
Maj Young said Brilliant Monkey would undertake a national tour next year after a successful season in Sydney.
The play is about two brothers, both with brain damage, trying to reconnect with each other. Gerard, played by Maj Young, suffered his injury fighting in Afghanistan, while his older brother Danny, played by Al
Dukes, received his brain damage liv-ing rough as a drifter.
Maj Young said a deployment to Iraq helped him with his role. “We’ve all met guys who’ve unfortunately come home with PTSD,” he said.
Acting talent: Maj Warwick Young as Gerard, left, with Al Dukes as his brother Danny in Brilliant Monkey.Photo by Wendy McDougall
Ground broken on development
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Army June 12, 2008
NEWS 5
By LAC Aaron Curran
AN ARMY corporal was among four Australian Federation Guard members who came to the aid of a seriously injured man who fell from a fourth-storey balcony in Brisbane on May 24.
In Brisbane for the Careers Expo, Cpl Lucas Zwikielberg, Flt-Lt Wayne Donchi, LAC Alan Stocks and Smn Richard Cole were part of the Federation Guard contingent staying at the Metro Hotel Tower Mill on Wickham Terrace when the incident occurred.
“At 8.30pm there was a loud bang. Then I heard this woman’s screams com-ing from the room next to us. A man had fallen from his fourth-floor balcony more than 10m on to the iron roof of the first floor below,” Cpl Zwikielberg said.
“I ran into the woman’s room, went to the balcony and saw the man on the roof below us.”
He, LAC Stocks and Smn Richard Cole ran down the stairs, with Flt-Lt Donchi close behind. The first three went out to the road and climbed up on to the roof while Flt-Lt Donchi went back into the hotel to raise the alarm.
“I went to the reception telling them to call the ambulance, fire and police and took their first aid kit. When I got to the roof, LAC Stocks had used his shirt as a makeshift bandage, placing it on the back of the man’s head where he was bleeding from,” Flt-Lt Donchi said.
“We then applied gauze and band-
ages from the first aid kit, trying to slow the bleeding. He was going in and out of consciousness so we kept talking to him to keep him awake and then continued with the first aid treatment, checking him for other injuries.”
About 15-20 minutes after the fall the emergency services arrived.
“The guys continued to assist the ambulance officers with first aid treat-ment, getting the man into a stable con-dition and rolling him on to the spinal stretcher and then they helped the firies get him off the roof,” Flt-Lt Donchi said.
One of the ambulance officers said the level of first aid administered by the members most likely saved the man’s life and was a credit to their training.
“I was pretty much calm throughout and it was just part of the job to help this man,” Cpl Zwikielberg said. “Afterwards I didn’t realise just how much adrenalin was pumping through my body because later on I just stopped and slumped.”
Flt-Lt Donchi said Cpl Zwikielberg and his colleagues “did a really good job”.
“They acted instinctively and quickly with no thought for their own safety. It was above and beyond what you would normally do in a situation like that. I was very impressed with what they did and they did Defence and the Federation Guard proud,” he said.
“After it had all been done and the man was taken to hospital, the bar man-ager came out and bought us all some well-earned drinks.”
Corporal aids man after fall
Actions praised: Australian Federation Guard members who provided prompt assistance to a man who fell four floors on to a roof at a Brisbane hotel: (from left) LAC Alan Stocks, Smn Richard Cole, Flt-Lt Wayne Donchi and Cpl Lucas Zwikielberg. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran
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Army June 12, 2008
6 NEWS
ADDITIONAL FOOD ITEMS COMMON TO ALL HWRP MENUSCracked Pepper Vita Wheat 1x36g; Cheddar Cheese (Canned) 1x56g; Sweetened Condensed Milk 1x85g; Sugar 4x7g; Instant Coffee 1x3.5g; Cappuccino Beverage 1x12g; Black Pepper 1x2g; Salt 1x2g; Tea Bags 1x2.5g; Vegemite 1x15g; Chocolate Ration 1x50g; Chewing Gum 1x2.5g.
NON-FOOD ITEMS COMMON TO ALL HWRP MENUS1 Bag, Plastic, Resealable (Water/Food); 1 Bag, Plastic, Inner (Sundry) 1 only; 2 Rubber Bands Size 32; 1 Menu Sheet – Components; 1 Can Opener(Fred); 1 Rubber Band Size 62; 1 Vial Safety Matches; 1 Ingredients Sheet; 1 Nylon Scouring Pad; 1 Plastic Spoon; 1 packet 2-ply, 10-sheet toilet paper.
Menu AChicken with Vegetables 1x175g Sports Beverage Tropical (1L) 1x70g Original Jerky Pieces 1x25g
Fruit Muesli Mix 1x60g Sweet Chilli Sauce 1x10g Canned Peaches 1x140g
Skim Milk Powder 2x3g Dried Apricots 1x50g Fruit Mentos 1x38g
Original Muesli Bar 1x45g Honey Roasted Nuts 1x50g Jam Sandwich Biscuit 1x45g
BBQ Shapes 1x25g Teriyaki Jerky Bar 1x25g Chocolate Protein Bar 1x65g
Sports Pouch Berry 1x25g Chocolate Protein Drink 1x50g Cola Sports Gel 1x25g
Menu BBBQ Beef 1x250g Sports Bev Mixed Berry (1L) 1x70g Original Jerky Pieces 1x25g
Almond & Sesame Muesli Bar 1x40g Tomato & Basil Tuna 1x85g Canned Two Fruits 1x140g
Ski D’lite Muesli Bar 1x24g Pizza Shapes 1x25g Skittles 1x55g
Trail Mix 1x25g Sweet Chilli Sauce 1x10g ` Fruitip Pastilles 1x52g
Tortilla Bread 1x54g Teriyaki Jerky Bar 1x25g Scotch Finger Biscuit 1x35g
Sports Pouch Lemon/lime 1x20g Vanilla Protein Drink 1x80g
Menu CBeef Minced with Tortellini 1x250g Sports Beverage Grape (1L) 1x70g Original Jerky Pieces 1x25g
Tropical Fruits Muesli Bar 1x33g Tomato Sauce 1x10g Canned Pears 1x140g
Almond Nuts 1x50g Cookie Flavour Protein Bar 1x40g Orange Sports Beans 1x28g
Cereal Bar 1x35g Sultanas 1x50g Mint Mentos 1x37.5g
Cheddar Shapes 1x25g Pepper Jerky Bar 1x25g Tiny Teddy Biscuits 1x25g
Sports Pouch Pineapple 1x20g Chocolate Protein Drink 1x80g Ham and Potato 1x175g
Cola Sports Gel 1x25g
PROTOTYPE HOT WEATHER RATION PACK’S THREE MENUS
By Cpl Corinne Boer
TRIAL “hot weather” ration packs containing beef jerky were featured at the “Soldier of the Future” lunch held at Parliament House on May 29.
Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon arranged the lunch to highlight the work the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the Defence Materiel Organisation are doing to develop rations and equipment for the Army. Politicians and media members ignored gourmet sandwiches to taste ration pack freeze-dried meals and non-melting chocolate.
The prototype hot weather ration pack has some new tasty options, includ-ing chewy beef jerky in original and teriyaki flavours, honey roasted nuts, Skittles, Pizza Shapes, tortilla bread and non-melting chocolate. Defence nutrition scientist Ross Coad said the hot weather ration pack aimed to encourage soldiers to eat in the heat.
“The meals need to be items which can be consumed without taking the time to heat while remaining palatable. Soldiers have been telling us for years they want beef jerky so we have included it,” Mr Coad said.
DSTO research has found that sol-diers are discarding food from their ration packs because they don’t feel hun-gry in hot conditions or don’t like partic-ular foods. This is causing problems as soldiers are potentially not eating enough food to meet their energy requirements.
Beverages have also been revised, with a particular focus on sports drinks. The menu consists of sports gels and vanilla and chocolate protein drinks .
“If the product is a sports-type prod-uct then it’s likely to be well received and consumed,” Mr Coad said.
DSTO is in the process of enhancing the chocolate in ration packs to produce a tasty, nutrient-rich, non-melting sweet.
“We are trying to provide a few more options with better flavours. There’s a milk chocolate and also a semi-dark chocolate,” Mr Coad said. “The challenge for us is to improve the flavour, the shelf life and retain a high melting point.”
Regular chocolate usually melts at 35C but soldiers often operate in loca-tions where the temperature is well above 40C. DSTO has teamed up with a uni-versity and a food company to develop a non-melting chocolate that can tolerate hot climates and will remain reasonably solid to about 50C.
DSTO nutritionist Chris Forbes-Ewan said vitamins A, B1 and C might be added to the chocolate. These vitamins are considered important for soldiers on operations and, though they exist in other foods, in a chocolate bar they would pro-vide a lot of energy per gram.
“Vitamin C will help protect the immune system. It’s known that troops who have taken vitamin C and then engaged in vigorous training are much less likely to suffer from respiratory tract infections,” Mr Forbes-Ewan said.
“Vitamin B1 is critical for the release of energy. It extracts energy out of the carbohydrate and vitamin A is important for maintenance of vision, especially night vision.”
It was important for the chocolate to have good taste and texture, he said.
“I think it’s very tasty, it’s not fine Belgian chocolate but it’s pretty good,” he said. “The chocolate won’t melt in your mouth because your mouth is about 37C, but it does have a slightly grainy texture.”
A prototype hot weather ration pack was trialled in March by soldiers in the field at Tully in far north Queensland. The results of the trial will be used to further refine the contents.
“We are in the process of analysing the results,” Mr Coad said. “They seem to have been well received and we have been very much encouraged by the early results that we have been getting. But it’s not something that’s ready to go into service next week. There’s still quite a bit of work to do.”
The latest in soldier systems advances were also on display at the lunch. They included next-generation camouflage uniforms, modular combat body armour, ballistics eye protection, personal role radios and a sophisticated thermal imag-ing rifle sight.
Beef jerky in trialrat packs
Army June 12, 2008
NEWS 7
By Michael Brooke
WHEN Chris Bowtell was a 14-year-old Army cadet he was compelled by frequent inquiries from strangers to ask his father if he was related to Bob Bowtell.
His father replied that Bob Bowtell was in fact his grandfather, and the first Australian Army sapper to be killed in the Vietnam War.
Cpl Bob (Guy) Bowtell died of asphyxiation while clearing Viet Cong tunnels at Cu Chi in 1966.
The revelation marked the beginning of Chris’ journey of self-discovery, which has led him to follow his grandfather’s career path.
“When I was a cadet a lot of soldiers would ask me if I was related to Bob Bowtell, to which I’d reply: ‘maybe’ – I really didn’t know,” he said.
“My father used to take me to the Anzac Day dawn services and marches every year but he kept the story about Pop from me for many years until I was old enough to understand.”
On May 27, he enlisted in the Army and boarded the bus for ARTC, which marked the beginning of his career as a sapper in the Army – just like his grand-father.
Joining the Army is not so much about honouring his grandfather’s mem-ory as walking in the footsteps of Bob Bowtell, because he shares the same val-ues and personal characteristics.
“I was always planning to join the Army, even before I knew my grandfa-ther was Bob Bowtell,” he said.
But the family connection did lead Chris to join the Royal Australian Engineers Corps.
“I learnt a lot about the sappers from reading up on my Pop in Vietnam and this steered me towards RAE,” he said.
He believed “being a sapper is the most intriguing and challenging job in the Army”.
His five-hour bus ride from Defence Force Recruiting at Parramatta to Kapooka provided him with time to reflect on the family history that helped shape his career path, as well as the chal-lenges ahead of him.
“During my basic training over the next 80 days I will face the same chal-lenges as everybody else, such as the discipline and waking up early,” he said. “But fortunately I’m a self-motivator and I know I will enjoy the various physical challenges as a test to see how hard I can push myself.”
Proud heritage: Chris Bowtell receives his Certificate of Enlistment from Capt Dayton McCarthy during the recruiting ceremony at Parramatta.
Photo by Capt Michael Brooke
In footsteps of his grandfather
By Cpl Jane Ashby-Cliffe
THE planned Boer War Memorial will commemo-rate those “who should not be forgotten but who have been”, supporters of the project heard at the dedication of the site for the memorial in Canberra on May 31.
Guest speaker Stuart Braga, a military histo-rian, said the memorial would honour the 23,000 Australian soldiers and nurses who served during the campaign.
“It does not commemorate political issues in any way, rather it celebrates the gallantry of men who served selflessly, often in atrocious conditions, and who laid the foundations of a great and noble tradi-tion that has underpinned Australian nationhood ever since,” he said. “Some achieved honours and distinc-tions, others did not; this memorial will commemo-rate them all.”
Federal MP Bob McMullan launched the Boer War Memorial project on the 106th anniversary of the signing of the treaty that ended the war in 1902.
CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy, National Boer War Memorial Committee members and descendants of those who served in the conflict attended the dedica-tion ceremony on Anzac Parade.
Valerie Howse, daughter-in-law of Sir Neville Howse, Australia’s first VC winner, said that the memorial meant “an awful lot”.
“I think it is so sad all the years that have gone by without one. The memorial will be in such a lovely avenue and we are all delighted,” Mrs Howse said.
Some 600 Australians died in the conflict, making it Australia’s third most costliest war in terms of lives.
For more information on the Boer War Memorial or to make a donation contact the Boer War Memorial Association on (02) 9339 3309 or visit www.bwm.org.au.
Site dedicated
Contemplation: Pte Zach Hodgkin, Federation Guard, rests on arms reversed as a member of the catafalque party mounted by the guard. Photo by Cpl Jane Ashby-Cliffe
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The LEPDP has been developed as part of the wider implementation of Army’s revised technical regulatory framework and encourages land engineers to enhance their professional development through participation on the professional development program delivered through Engineers Australia (EA).
The LEPDP is open to all full time practicing four-year engineering degree qualifi ed professional land based engineers in Army or the Army program.
Professional engineers wishing to take part in the LEPDP should complete an application form, which can be downloaded from the HQTC-A website and fax or mail the application to the contact address below for approval.
HQTC-A LEPDP intranet address:http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/Sites/TCA/Go to Training Operations LEPDP.
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Army June 12, 2008
8 NEWS
By Hugh McKenzie
THE Australian Army Band – Darwin (AAB-D) has cel-ebrated the 20th anniversary of its establishment by exer-cising its freedom of entry to Darwin.
Founded as the band of the seventh military district in May 1988, it is still the only military band in the Top End and, as such, provides music for the three services. This work was acknowledged on the day by a tri-service guard provided by HMAS Coonawarra, 2 Cav Regt and RAAF Base Darwin.
“We provide music for the Territory Government and we do a lot of charity work,” said OC Capt David Bird. “We provide music from Gove to Broome and from Alice Springs to Darwin, so we’re kept busy.”
The day began in Raintree Park where the band gave a
short recital which included a salute to the citizens of Darwin. The band then marched to the council chambers.
“We crammed a lot into 48 hours. The evening of the march we had a dining-in night and I wasn’t too popular when I told the band they had to be up early on Sunday because we were all tutoring in the Territory Music Camps,” Capt Bird said.
The band is made up of reservists headed by an ARA OC/music director and a band sergeant major. “We’ve still got a founding member in the band, and many of the members have been in for 15 to 20 years,” Capt Bird said.
After the anniversary cel-ebrations, the band travelled to Kununurra to back Jimmy Barnes in the Kimberley Moon Experience, which attracted more than 5000 people.
By LCpl Mark Doran
FORTY years might have passed, but 1RAR has not forgotten the largest action fought by Australian soldiers since World War II.
1RAR hosted the 40th reunion for more than 340 Vietnam War veterans and their families who renewed friendships and remembered those who fell at Fire Support Base Coral in 1968.
The veterans were treated to a civic reception on arrival in Townsville, as well as demonstrations of the equipment used by today’s soldiers the next day. They were also given a chance to fire the Steyr at the Lavarack Barracks WTTS Facility.
During the commemorations, 1RAR CO Lt-Col Peter Connolly and 1RAR veteran Garry Prendergast unveiled a rep-lica cross of the one made by diggers at FSB Coral to honour their mates.
A moving dawn service was held on May 16, with former CO Gen Sir Phillip Bennet laying a wreath and giving a speech. The names of the 19 soldiers killed during the battle were read from the roll of honour.
Veterans from 102 Fd Bty and HQ 12 Fd Regt were also at the reunion, which culminated in a function attended by more than 500 guests.
1RAR soldiers who fought at FSB
Coral can lay claim to the destruction of a substantial element and major dis-ruption to the plans of the 7th North Vietnamese Army division, which was poised to move on Saigon.
Meanwhile, the Australian Senate passed a resolution on May 14 in which it noted that May 12 to June 6 was the 40th anniversary of the battles at FSB Coral and FSB Balmoral and acknowledged “the valuable contribution of Australian service personnel during these battles”.
Moving service marks the fallen
Good company: Cpl Septimus Quartus and Pte Mark Zimmerman accompany Gen Sir Philip Bennet. Photo by LCpl Mark Doran
Strike up the celebrations
Marching band: OC Capt David Bird leads the Australian Army Band – Darwin down Cavenagh Street.Photos by LS Helen Frank
Basso profundo: Musn Simon McCauley plays the tuba during the parade.
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Army June 12, 2008
NEWS 9
RESERVISTS from 21 Const Regt’s Littoral and Riverine Survey Sqn (LRSS), a 5 Bde unit based at Holsworthy, have successfully completed Operation Wandjina.
Wandjina was a mission-critical role as amphibious pathfinders clearing the seabed for landing craft to land 1200 tonnes of construc-tion stores in the Kalumburu area of the east Kimberley region in support of the 2008 Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Project.
The stores will be offloaded from HMAS Manoora and will require 12 amphibious land-ings, the largest of their kind since Timor-Leste.
Overall, 150km of soundings – the equiva-lent of the sailing distance from Sydney to Newcastle – were surveyed at a speed equal to that of a soldier’s walking pace.
In addition, 12km of approach channel was surveyed, cleared and proved safe for ship-ping. Each of the two chosen points of entry, at Marra Garra Beach and McGowan’s Island, also had a land survey completed.
Three RAN members of the Deployable Geospa t ia l Suppor t Team f rom the Hydrographic Office, with the latest hydro-graphic equipment, worked shoulder to shoul-der with the Army boaties.
The entire exercise was nearly derailed by a six-day delay in the arrival of the civilian barge transporting the LRSS’s two tricons containing the majority of the equipment and camp stores, although a small amount had come by air.
Sapper ingenuity overcame many of the problems created by the delay. Assisted by the loan of tools from generous locals, they depleted the local community of much of its scrap metal, creating all manner of things from scratch.
The 50C heat removed layers from some members’ CDs, but did not stop the work pushing on far into the night. At the end of the job it was smiles all round as the Black Duckers were proud of their achievements.
Black Duckers’ survey triumph
Snack food: Sappers on high alert, as the tide pole and gauge are set up in crocodile-infested waters.
By Flg-Off Kai Iansse
A VETERAN of the Gulf and Iraq Wars is preparing for a challenge of a more spiritual nature – playing host to the hundreds of military pilgrims participating in World Youth Day 08 in Sydney in July.
Capt Adel Amin, a Staff Officer in the Coordination Branch of Land Headquarters at Victoria Barracks and a devout Muslim, is looking forward to playing host to the military pilgrims as part of Operation Testament, the ADF’s commitment to World Youth Day.
The event will be one of the larg-est gatherings of young Catholics in Australia with people attending from across the world.
The ADF will provide security assist-ance to World Youth Day and will host military pilgrims representing armed forces from the US, the Philippines, South Korea, France, Germany and New Zealand. They will be staying at Randwick Barracks.
Capt Amin has already played a key role in the initial planning of Op Testament and is looking forward to playing a part in what he believes will be a worthwhile event.
“People of all ages from around the world will come together in the fantastic city of Sydney and celebrate their faiths,” he said. “Many people believe World Youth Day is all about Catholicism, but I only see the universal nature of these events. They are a way to lead the young-er generations forward in a constructive
manner instilling a sense of spirituality, morals, ethics and confidence along the way, as the youth of today are the lead-ers of tomorrow.”
Capt Amin was first exposed to mul-ticulturalism during his upbringing in Cairo, Egypt – with Muslims, Coptics, Jews and Catholics all living together in the same block of units. This exposure was continued after the family’s migra-tion to Melbourne.
“Australia is a country of freedom and opportunity, and if you want to reap the rewards of that freedom, you’ve got to contribute to its growth – like being part of the worthwhile, fun and positive events like World Youth Day,” he said.
Devout: Capt Adel Amin is ready to host Pilgrims at Randwick.
Spiritual challenge
Nursing updateMORE than 50 mem-bers of the RAANC attended the recent biannual corps con-ference at Victoria Barracks, Sydney.
The conference pro-vided an update for RAANC members on changes in Army and workshopped a number of structural and train-ing development issues within the corps.
Head of Corps Lt-Col David Collins said he was happy with the attendance given the small size of the corps and the current commit-ments of the RAANC.
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10 WORLD NEWSArmy June 12, 2008
By Maj Ian Toohill
IT PROMISED to be another scorcher in Dili as an International Stabilisation Force patrol set off on an early morn-ing foot patrol in downtown Dili.
MP dog handler Cpl David Wells and his trusty four-legged friend Maximus accompanied the Kiwi patrol.
The MP detachment in Timor-Leste consists of a four-man team led by Sgt Dean Headley, each with their own dog.
“These four German shepherds are one-man dogs which bond very closely with their handler. Both handler and dog do a three-month intensive course before being tasked. It is very rewarding work; we become very close and no matter where we are we always have a buddy,” Sgt Headley said.
Cpl Wells has been with four-year-old Maximus for a year now.
“My father used to breed and train
dogs so I decided that after two years of general MP duties I would take on dog handling,” he said.
“What’s it like? I have a nine-year-old son and it is just like having another child. This is my first deployment with Maximus and it is like having my best friend with me. I work with the Kiwis a lot. They are very keen to have us with them. I am bad at names so they just say, ‘Call me bro’. I am just one of the team.”
New Zealand Cpl Quinton Chapman said of the dogs and their handlers: “It’s awesome to have the Anzac spirit alive and well here in Timor. The dog team gives us options. They are a good deter-rent and people tend to stay clear when a dog is with us on patrol.”
A strict regime of medications and inoculations is maintained with MP dogs in Timor and, as a result, they only spend one month in quarantine on return to Australia rather than the usual three.
By Maj Ian Toohill
THE Dili waterfront reverber-ated with the guttural sounds of the world-famous haka dur-ing a change of command and a rotation of the New Zealand component of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Timor-Leste.
Departing troops of A Coy, 2/1 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, laid down a traditional Maori challenge to the new arrivals.
The newly arrived company was exhorted to maintain the outstand-ing reputation of its predecessors.
This awesome performance received an equally emotive response from almost 150 soldiers of D Coy, 2/1 RNZIR.
Capt Matt Tihi said: “The haka is a reflection of the true multicul-tural nature of New Zealand society. This Maori heritage identifies it as unique and it is also a part of the Defence Force’s military tradition. The haka represents our spiritual blood line and identity. It is a reflec-tion of who we are.”
The New Zealand company group deployed to Timor-Leste is about 170 strong and is an integral part of the ISF.
Awesome haka marks changeover
Cop this: Pte Ahipene Teneti simulates the use of the Ratu on Pte Takarirangi Tango Smith during the haka, showing how the Maori used to slay their enemy (above).Lone warrior: Pte Nqahere Tumata, brandishing a Wero, moves towards the new Kiwi Company to challenge them at the Kiwi lines (right).Photos by Cpl Chris Moore
Best mates patrolRest a moment: Cpl David Wells, police dog Maximus and three Kiwi soldiers take some time out in the shade. Photo by Cpl Chris Moore
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Annual Rent Allowance review
Defence Housing Australia (DHA) wish to advise you that the
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If you are currently in receipt of Rent Allowance, and you are
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12 WORLD NEWSArmy June 12, 2008
By Capt Joe Nyhan
A SMALL band of diggers who have been conducting counter-insurgency training just outside of Baghdad have won praise for their significant contribution and the legacy they will leave behind.
Since mid-2006 four train-ing teams – each made up of four soldiers – have collectively trained several thousand coalition and Iraqi security forces in counter-insurgency theory, techniques and practice.
Their work has now finished with the draw down of Australian combat troops from Iraq.
The Counter Insurgency Centre of Excellence (COIN-CFE) was estab-lished in recognition of a need to educate coalition and Iraqi forces about the challenges of the contem-porary battlefield. Such challenges include the adoption of terrorism by insurgents and their use of sophisti-cated home-made bombs that employ modern technology.
The instructors have provided training as diverse as mentoring members of the Iraqi Army, deliver-
ing theoretical and practical train-ing to Iraqi and US combat teams and going onto the streets in towns and cities to gather information for the development of new educational packages.
COIN-CFE’s senior instructor, US Marine Corps Lt-Col Fred Cale, said the Australians were extremely well regarded and would be missed.
“The impact of the Australians has been positive in every way,” he said. “Their professionalism, state of their training, readiness and enthusi-asm for any project at hand has been outstanding. Their work will be of long-lasting benefit.”
While much of COIN-CFE’s focus is directed towards command-ers, the Australian team recently developed a new program for Iraqi Army junior leaders. The approach draws on the Australian model of giving small team leadership respon-sibilities to junior officers and corpo-rals and empowering them to carry out a task.
A pilot program has just begun, which has been enthusiastically embraced by all of Australia’s coali-
tion partners at the COIN-CFE. The one-week course is designed to help junior leaders better understand their role in a counter-insurgency environ-ment and succeed on this unconven-tional battlefield.
The Australian advisers built a strong rapport and a high level of trust and mutual respect during the successive rotations.
Detachment Commander Lt-Col Mark O’Neill believes that long after our Army has left Iraq, the legacy of the four training teams’ hard work will remain.
“We’ve had the pleasure of seeing a significant increase in the capa-bilities, abilities and enthusiasm of our Iraqi partners as a result of our engagement with them,” Lt-Col O’Neill said.
“That’s particularly satisfying for an Australian soldier to see his labours bear fruit in such a fashion.”
Aust ra l ia’s Commander in the Middle East, Maj-Gen Mike Hindmarsh, said the ADF had gained a significant amount of new and val-uable knowledge by having a training team at COIN-CFE.
Trainers leave lasting legacy
Good humour:Australian training team adviser Maj John Papalitsas shares a joke with members of the Iraqi Army during a break from counter-insurgency exercises (above).
Last act: The Australian flag is lowered for the final time (left) in a ceremony marking the withdrawal of the training team from the Counter Insurgency Centre of Excellence at Taji in northern Iraq.Photos by Capt Joe Nyhan
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Army June 12, 2008
WORLD NEWS 13
By Capt Douglas McGuire
SOLDIERS are battling grim con-ditions and the constant threat of insurgent attack as they conduct operations in Oruzgan province, Afghanistan.
The Reconstruction Task Force 4 diggers are constructing a for-ward operating base and carrying out extensive patrolling to dominate an area of great significance to the insurgents.
But they are working in baking heat, choking dust and under the eyes of insurgent surveillance as they continue a series of operations designed to rid the strategic area of the extremist threat.
Despite the conditions, and the ongoing dangers, the soldiers are in good spirits and pleased to be on the front foot as they move into the insurgents’ heartland, according to Maj Jim McGann, OC Security Task Group.
“The soldiers have done extreme-ly well since we came into this area. They have been working in really tough conditions – constant fine dust that clogs your throat and nose, temperatures up to 45C on the posi-tion and down in the green zone, where we are patrolling, the irriga-tion sends the humidity through the roof,” Maj McGann said.
“This is really taking the cam-paign to the enemy. Where we are at the moment is their main route between their supply bases, so the diggers are well aware that this is a high-threat environment. There is no doubt that they are trying to have a go at us but so far we have been successful in deterring that by our posture and weapons here on the site, and the patrols we have been doing.
“I am really proud of the way the blokes are handling this – it shows great spirit to be able to operate effectively for long periods in con-ditions like these.”
Pte Shaun Garrity, a scout and Combat First Aider said the soldiers were making one to two patrols a day.
“We might spend half the day sandbagging, go on a patrol and
Dust and dangerthen come back and do more sand-bagging until late at night, so we are pretty tired by the end of that. You just pump as many brews and food into you as you can get and that keeps you going,” Pte Garrity said.
“It’s one thing to say you are sleeping on the rocks but when you feel it digging into your back it’s quite another.”
Pte Nicholas Collins, a vehi-cle commander from 6RAR, said he had been grateful for the few creature comforts that go with the Bushmaster vehicles.
“I was here as a foot soldier on RTF 1 and things have really changed. The depth that we can go now away from our base was a surprise; although they had been cleaned out previously, the insur-gents had filtered back into some of these areas last time round,” he said.
“The biggest thing that the wagon gives us is the aircon and it’s got excellent mobility and protection, which lets us push further out than we could otherwise.”
View Army online at http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/default.asp?xml=defencenews_army.xml
Digging in: RTF 4 soldiers construct a patrol base in Oruzgan province.Photos by Cpl Neil Ruskin
Dog tired: Spr Shaun Laing and explosive detection dog Que
take a short rest after a long shift preparing defensive positions.
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14 TRAININGArmy June 12, 2008
Blue flame reigns: ASLAV Angry fires a round at the Mt Bundey Training Area. Note the flame from the barrel and the orange flash from the projectile at the far right of the photo. Photos by Gnr Shannon Joyce
By Gnr Shannon Joyce
A 25MM projectile arrows towards its target at the Mount Bundey Training Area in the Northern Territory.
The projectile is just one of many fired by troopers from 2 Cav Regt’s B Sqn during a live-fire range practice at the new Armoured Fighting Vehicle Range on May 21.
As well as the ASLAV’s main arma-ment, the 25mm cannon, the 7.62mm and .50 cal machineguns were also fired.
Each of 2 Cav Regt’s squadrons constantly maintains its skills to a high level of readiness, as do all 1 Bde units, to answer any call to deploy at a moment’s notice.
Projectiles rain at Mt Bundey
Thumbs up: A 2 Cav Regt trooper gets targeting instruction while firing the MAG-58 at the live-fire exercise.
Training kept up in Timor-LesteBy Cpl Chris Moore
TWENTY-ONE soldiers are currently undertaking a promotion course while serving on Operation Astute in Timor-Leste.
T h e S u p e r v i s o r I n fa n t r y O p e r a t i o n s Section course takes six weeks part-time, with four day-long modules spent in formal training each week.
The remaining three days the soldiers spend doing normal duties with their section while being assessed.
The course consists of a total of 24 days.
Watchful eye: Sgt Bob Ingebro assesses soldiers and the acting Section Commander on the Supervisor Infantry Operator Section Course conducted at the Timor-Leste Defence Force Training Area. Photos by Cpl Chris Moore
On his toes: Pte Quinton Cunningham conducts a clearing patrol as part of the course.
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Army June 12, 2008
TRAINING 15
By WO2 Graham McBean
RESERVISTS from 1 Fd Regt quali-fied to operate the M198 155mm how-itzer during Exercise Shark’s Thrust.
The live firing took place in the Wide Bay Training Area, where more than 220 rounds were fired.
The live-fire artillery gunners from 13 Fd Bty’s Gallipoli Barracks depot ended three months of training to oper-ate the M198.
Bdr Matthew Check said the team-work was a charge and it was “an experi-ence that can’t be achieved in civilian life”.
He is currently studying civil engi-neering at QUT and the Army Reserve provides an opportunity to get out from behind the desk.
“The gun is exciting to fire, there is a lot of noise and people running about – it is a real experience,” he said.
“It is a complex piece of equipment and there are a lot of jobs – 10 people have to work together to get the job done as a single team.”
CO 1 Fd Regt Lt-Col Stuart Kenny said Exercise Shark’s Thrust completed three months of training for the reserv-ists and qualified them as the only part-time soldiers in the Australian Army to operate the weapon.
“It is a watershed moment for the Army Reserve Artillery in demonstrating that reservists provide a real capability to the Army,” he said.
The Enoggera-based reservists had a blast as they joined an elite team of soldiers qualified to operate the largest calibre weapon in the Australian Army’s land arsenal.
The M198 can fire a 40kg shell to ranges of up to 30km. As well as the extended range and greater weight of fire provided it can also engage targets with pinpoint accuracy using precision-guided munitions.
Lt-Col Kenny said he was grateful for the support of the Tin Can Bay com-munity. “Training within areas like Wide Bay can only be successful with the sup-port of the local community,” he said.
Shark bares teeth
Letting it rip: Bdr Matthew Check yanks the lanyard to fire a 155mm shell on Exercise Shark’s Thrust. Photos by WO2 Graham McBean
Bigger bang: Another shell heads down range at the training area.
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16 CENTREPIECE 17Army June 12, 2008
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AUSTRALIAN soldiers at Tallil in southern Iraq ceased operations on June
1 and handed over security respon-sibility for Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar Provinces to US forces.
Diggers from Combat Team Waler patrolled up until the last moment, completing a two-day security mission before driving up to a parade to signal the end of opera-tions.
CO Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 Lt-Col Chris Websdane said the soldiers’ work was now done.
“You should be proud of the part you have played in bringing peace and prosperity to the people of Dhi Qar and Al Muthanna,” he said.
Senior Australian and coalition commanders, and Iraqi leaders, welcomed the patrol and thanked the soldiers of OBG (W) 4 and Australian Army Training Team Iraq 9 for their contribution to the stable security environment in the two provinces.
Maj-Gen Mike Hindmarsh, Commander of Australian operations in the Middle East, said the arrival of the final patrol was “the end of another chapter in Australia’s proud military history”. He also thanked the training team for its efforts in training 33,000 members of the Iraqi Security Forces over nine rotations.
The Governor of Dhi Qar Province, Aziz Kadum Alwan Ogheli, thanked the Australians for their contribution, highlighting their reconstruction and security efforts.
Later in the day, diggers lowered the Australian flag and officially transferred authority for operations
By Capt Christopher Linden
AUSTRALIAN and US soldiers are chatting quietly together on a salt pan near As Samawah in the
early morning heat. It’s the first stop of Australia’s final patrol to Al Muthanna, where they have provided overwatch security since 2005.
The Australians will spend the next two days showing the US commander and his troops around the province and introducing them to political, tribal and security forces leaders. The first stop is As Samawah – once a lawless area, it is now a bustling city where the Iraqis provide their own security.
Local police commander Colonel Faleh says the Australians were a big help to secu-rity. “We had several clashes with individuals and militias and outlaw organisations,” he says. “If it wasn’t for the help of the Australian forces and their quick response we wouldn’t have the ability to capture these terrorist cells.”
As the patrol moves about the province for meetings with important sheikhs the soldiers enjoy traditional Iraqi food. At one stop the Australians had built a soccer field and they play an impromptu match. The local sheikh thanks them, saying soccer keeps the young people occupied.
The Australians return the favour and host a barbecue. Soldiers mingle with locals in the cool of the evening – it topped 45C during the day, higher in the vehicles.
In the northern city of Ar Rumaythah the Australians open their last project – five new school classrooms. The soldiers hand out school supplies and spend some time with the local kids.
The handover patrol has been weeks in the planning and Overwatch Battle Group Commander Lt-Col Chris Websdane says it will be a smooth transition to the US forces.
“They’ve got a lot of experience in the province … they understand the dynamics of Muthanna … that it is quite developed in terms of provincial Iraqi control. I am very confident they will step right up to the mark and continue with the work that we have done to support provincial Iraqi control,” he says.
His feelings on the transition are shared by Lt-Col Frederick Drummond, the US com-mander who’ll soon be running the overwatch role in Al Muthanna.
“The last couple of days have been out-standing,” says Lt-Col Drummond. “We can learn a lot from the Australian forces. We’ll go in there with a little different perspective and we are going to complement what they have done.”
Lt-Col Drummond thanked the Australian forces for their work in Muthanna, saying the relationships they’d built were “outstanding”.
As the Australian vehicles leave Muthanna for the last time, there are tinges of sadness, but the diggers are focused on getting home to their families.
A formal parade has marked the end of operations for Australian troops filling a security overwatch role in southern Iraq.
Farewell to Al Muthanna
Thank you: At the end-of-mission parade, the Governor of Al Muthanna, Ahmed Arzouk Salal Hassani, thanks Australian soldiers for their security efforts in the province. Photo by Sgt Katrina Johnson
Final task: Cpl Benjamin Grumley, representing Combat Team Waler, hands OBG (W) 4 CO Lt-Col Chris Websdane an Australian flag and Battle Group Chauvel pennant after the last patrol. Photo by Sgt Katrina Johnson
Homeward bound: Soldiers from Combat Team Heeler board a C-130 Hercules at Ali Air Base, Tallil,for the first stage of their journey home to Australia. Photo by Cpl Michael Davis
Bar work: Force Extraction Team member Pte James Carrascalao manhandles vehicle bar armour into shipping crates. Photo by Sgt Katrina Johnson
A farewell to palms: Tpr Marc Taylor is surrounded by children during the last patrol in Al Muthanna province. Photos by Cpl Michael Davis
Sharing: Sgt Matthew Julian offers an Iraqi family some Anzac biscuits in Ar Rumaythah.
On the ball: Lt-Col Chris Websdane plays a game of soccer with Iraqi youths after opening a new soccer pitch.
Moving out: Bushmasters lined up ready to be loaded onto trucks for transportation out of Tallil. Photo by Sgt Katrina Johnson
in Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar to the soldiers of the US 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
During the transfer ceremony, the Commander of Multi National Corps – Iraq, Lt-Gen Lloyd J. Austin III, said Australian soldiers had achieved much since 2005.
“In that time you have contrib-uted immensely to the area,” he said. “You have been instrumental in establishing self-sustaining govern-ance and security in Al Muthanna and improving the security situation in Dhi Qar and in the continued development of the Iraqi Security Forces,” he added.
With the completion of the for-mal handover of security overwatch responsibilities, attention switched to the enormous task of packing up equipment and stores.
Despite searing temperatures
and gusty winds, Lt-Col Websdane said the soldiers remained focused on moving all troops and equipment from Tallil on schedule.
Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said the advances made in southern Iraq were obvious when compared to the environment first encountered by the OBG’s predecessor, the Al Muthanna Task Group, in April 2005.
During the course of operations in southern Iraq successive bat-tle groups completed about 8700 patrols, travelled more than 3 million kilometres and completed more than 250 reconstruction projects in Dhi Qar and Al Muthanna. Six Australian soldiers were wounded during the three years of security operations.
Troops who served in southern Iraq over the past five years will be honoured with official welcome home functions in Brisbane on June 28 and in Darwin on July 5.
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18 QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURSArmy June 12, 2008
MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIALt-Col Peter James CONNORFor exceptional service as CO 2/17RNSWR and Rotation 12 of CTF 635, Operation Anode.
Col Fergus Andrew McLACHLANFor exceptional service to the ADF as CO 1 Armd Regt; Operations Officer on HQ JTF 633 during Operation Catalyst; Acting Director of Operations – Army; Director of Officer Career Management Army, and as the Commander Career Management Army.
Lt-Col Paul Michael NOTHARD CSCFor exceptional service as SO1 for Senior Officer Management in the Australian Army, CO 1CSSB and as the Commander of the Force Level Logistic Asset in the MEAO.
Brig Malcolm RERDEN CSCFor exceptional service as the Commander JTF 631 on Operation Astute.
Brig Craig Douglas WILLIAMSFor exceptional service as Assistant Commander 2 Div and as Commander 5 Bde.
MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE MILITARY DIVISIONWO1 Allan John BEATTYFor meritorious service in the performance of duty as RSM 5 Bde Administrative Support Battalion, 3CSSB and Army Logistic Training Centre.
WO1 Kenneth John BULLMANFor meritorious service as the Platoon Sgt Maj of 13 MP Pl, CSM of 1 MP Coy and RSM 1 MP Bn.
WO1 David Charles CROSSFor meritorious service to Army Aviation as RSM 5 Avn Regt and RSM, Army Aviation Training Centre.
WO1 Lynne FOSTERFor meritorious service as the Transport WO1 of HQ 3 Bde, RSM 9FSB and the inaugural RSM of the Force Level Logistic Asset – MEAO.
WO1 Kenneth Charles MORRISFor meritorious service as the RSM of 4RAR (Cdo) and the Special Forces Training Centre.
WO1 Stanley Francis PAULSONFor meritorious service as a RSM in the ARA and the Army Reserve.
WO1 Robert James THOMPSONFor meritorious service as RSM 7 Fd Regt, 4 Fd Regt and Career Manager Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery.
COMMENDATION FOR GALLANTRYPte Trent OLLISFor gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while acting as lead scout of 12 Pl, Security Task Group, 2nd Reconstruction Task Force under enemy fire at Musazai on August 8, 2007.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (DSC)Lt-Col Harold James JARVIE CSCFor distinguished com-mand and leadership in action as the CO of 2nd Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.
Lt-Col Daniel Francis McDANIELFor distinguished com-mand and leadership as commander of the Special Operations Task Group, Rotation Four.
Maj Ian Douglas LANGFORDFor distinguished command and leader-ship in action as OC A Coy Group in the Special Operations Task Group, Operation Slipper, Afghanistan.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL (DSM)Maj Micah BATTFor distinguished lead-ership in action as OC Security Detachment XI in Baghdad.
Maj Simon William MOORE-WILTONFor distinguished leadership in action as OC Security Task Group of the 2nd Reconstruction Task Force during Operation Slipper in Afghanistan.
Lt Glenn Leon NEILSONFor distinguished leadership in action while commanding 12 Pl, Security Task Group, 2nd Reconstruction Task Force under enemy fire at Musazai on August 8 and 10, 2007.
Col John Peter SMITHFor distinguished leadership in action as the Australian National Representative and Chief J7 to the Multi National Division – South East, Iraq.
COMMENDATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICEPte Steven Andrew HALLFor distinguished perform-ance of duties in warlike operations as a rifleman, 12 Pl, Security Task Group, 2nd Reconstruction Task Force during Operation Slipper.
Sgt Wade James McFARLANEFor distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations as the Tp Sgt of 3 Tp, Security Task Group, 2nd Reconstruction Task Force during Operation Slipper.
Capt Paul Michael SANDERSONFor distinguished performance of duties
in warlike operations as the acting OC Security Task Group, 2nd Reconstruction Task Force during Operation Sydney 3.
Maj Kelvin Stuart SEABROOKFor distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations as Operations and Training Maj for the 10th Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team during Operation Catalyst.
Maj Michael Parker WHITELAWFor distinguished performance of duties in war-like operations as Intelligence Officer to the Special Operations Task Group on Operation Slipper in Afghanistan in 2005 and 2007, and Operation Slate in Iraq in 2005.
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)Col Michael James KINGSFORDFor outstanding achievement as CO 4 Fd Regt and as the Brigade Commander Rear, 3 Bde.
Col David Michael LUHRSFor outstanding achievement as the Director of Personnel Capability – Army.
Brig Barry Neil McMANUSFor outstanding achievement as the Chief Staff Officer Personnel and Logistics (J1/4) HQJOC.
Lt-Col Suzanne MELOTTEFor outstanding achievement as the CO/Chief Instructor of the Melbourne University Regiment.
Lt-Col Ian Philip SPIERSFor outstanding achievement in providing medi-cal support as CO 2HSB.
Lt-Col Kathryn Leslei TOOHEYFor outstanding achievement as the Deputy Director Communications, Capability Development Group in the development of mili-tary satellite communications.
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL (CSM)Sgt Lindsay Wayne BLACKFor meritorious achievement as a SSM within 1 Armd Regt, and as the Warrant Officer Instructor – Tank at Gunnery Wing, School of Armour.
WO2 Peter John BORLEYFor meritorious achievement as the Manager Command Support Systems, SASR.
Maj Stefan HRESZCZUKFor meritorious achievement as SO2 Officer Career Management, Army Personnel Agency Sydney.
Cpl Ryan John INGOLDFor meritorious achievement as a Rifle Section Commander of A Coy, 2RAR.
Maj Gordon Ross LAMBIEFor meritorious achievement as OC and Music Director of the Australian Army Bands, Sydney and Melbourne.
Sgt Juliet Nehi PAYNEFor meritorious achievement as the Ops Sgt at HQ 11 Bde in support of Operations Relex II, Resolute and Anode.
WO2 Mark John RETALLICKFor meritorious achievement as the CSM First Class at RMC Duntroon.
Spr Malcolm MacCallum STEWARTFor meritorious achievement as a tradesman and trade mentor for the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program Training Team.
WO1 Phillip Andrew SYMMANSFor meritorious achievement as Regimental Quartermaster Sgt 3CSR, 5 Avn Regt, 1 Sig Regt and HQ 1 Div.
Capt Rik Andrew WALTERFor meritorious achievement as the Secretary of the Soldier Career Management Agency, Medical Employment Classification Review Board.
A further 11 members of the Army have been recognised for outstanding service. These members cannot be publicly named due to their protected identity status. Though the full nature of their awards remains classified, their actions and service is still recognised.Cpl B has been awarded a Medal for Gallantry for gallantry in action in hazardous circumstanc-es during Operation Slipper.
Pte D has been awarded a Medal for Gallantry for an act of gallantry in action during the con-duct of operations with SOTU during Operation Slipper.
Capt L has been awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for distinguished leadership in action with the SOTG during Operation Slipper.
Cpl R has been awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for distinguished leadership in action during the conduct of operations as a member of the SOTU during Operation Slipper.
Cpl B has been awarded a Commendation for Gallantry for an act of gallantry in action during the conduct of operations with SOTU during Operation Slipper.
Pte M has been awarded a Commendation for Gallantry for an act of gallantry in action during the conduct of operations with SOTU during Operation Slipper.
Maj G has been awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for distinguished service during Operation Slipper.
Maj G has been awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for distinguished service during Operation Slipper.
Sgt N has been awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for distinguished service with the SOTG during Operation Slipper.
Sgt D has been awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for distinguished service to the SOTG, Operation Slipper.
Cpl T has been awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for distinguished service to the SOTG, Operation Slipper.
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Army June 12, 2008
LETTERS 19
SGT Errol Dooley had a letter enti-tled “Super perhaps not so super” published in Army on October 4, 2007.
The situation outlined by Sgt Dooley is broadly correct. Under a graded pay structure, salary is deter-mined by employment category. Members are paid a rate appropriate to their employment category while they are able to carry out the duties required. If, due to injury, their Service decides to re-categorise them, their pay and superannuation will be based on the salary for their new employ-ment category. This decision process is the same as that used under the pre-vious OR’s pay structure.
Decisions as to how a member is employed after injury are made by the Services Personnel delegate. These decisions are properly made on the member’s ability to perform duties. The basis on which payments are made under a graded pay structure is a salary policy matter not a superannua-tion policy issue.
If no longer fit for service the member will be discharged. In this case, if the member is entitled to a MSBS pension, the pension will be based on the member’s final average salary (i.e. one-third of the amount of salary payable to the member during the member’s last 1095 days of serv-ice) and the benefit-multiple the mem-
ber would have received if the member had remained in service until aged 55.
During the time that the allowances form part of the member’s salary for superannuation purposes, the member contributes more into the MSB Fund than if the allowances are not counted for salary for superannuation purposes. This means that the member will have a higher member benefit at retirement (depending on the performance of the fund) than if the allowances were not included at any time. Previously, allowances such as SAFA and fly-ing allowance did not count towards the member superannuation benefit. Members have been given a signifi-cant superannuation benefit under the graded pay structure.
Sgt Dooley states that if a member is injured during the course of their duties and is unable to carry out their specialist duties but continues to be employed in some other role that they will be compensated for loss of allow-ances by either MSBS or Veterans’ Affairs. MSBS does not provide com-pensation for loss of allowances. Mrs Heather GillAssistant Director Directorate of Superannuation Policy
Editor’s note: Sgt Dooley’s original letter can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/edi-tions/1176/letters.htm#letter01
I HAVE no desire to enter the arena of com-bat (as it were) with respect to further recog-nition for 1RAR’s efforts in Somalia (Army, letters, May 15).
I would, however, like to point out a factual error made by the author regarding the FLLA. Although members of the FLLA are dual force assigned to Operation Catalyst and Slipper, FLLA personnel do not receive both campaign medals as a matter of course.
Members of the FLLA detachments in Iraq and Afghanistan receive the appropriate cam-paign medal based on their location. FLLA personnel located elsewhere in the MEAO receive the Iraq campaign medal. It should be noted that a small number of personnel receive both medals based on tasking requirements and changing logistic support priorities, but only if they meet the 30-day qualification period (which is why they are dual force assigned).Lt-Col Cam PurdeyCO 10FSB (CO FLLA Aug 08-Feb 09)
Give us more passionTHANK you Brig Appleton for bringing up the “lack of entertaining letters” (Army, May 29).
I too have missed the vigor-ous exchanges of years past and have been puzzled by the lack of letters in general. Surely soldiers have not changed so much that they no longer have passionately held opinions and views?
It would be great to see at least a full page of letters – two would be even better. Cpl Tristen Roberts 1/19 RNSWRWagga Wagga
Unhelpful repliesI REFER to three letters in Army dated May 29, the first two being: “Questions over DHOAS” and “Where are my Stripes?”
I think that the respons-es provided by both Mr McClelland and WO2 Brown are, unfortunately, typical of the responses to letters, being obtuse and bureaucratic to say the least.
Perhaps it is due to what now appears to be typical responses that either a) do not actually answer the question, or b) simply quote policy, that we are at the stage where we are, as highlighted by Brig Appleton, lamenting a lack of entertaining letters.Maj Des ScheidlHQ 1 DivGallipoli Barracks
Super basedon final salary
I AM currently conducting trials on the new ARA Combat Sombrero here in Iraq.
I thought you might like to know that tests are going very well.
The Combat Sombrero offers plenty of shade to the wearer, but also to about half a dozen passers-by too.
Initial results are very positive, and hopefully we may see this new item in service before too long!
Maj Crispin BoxhallJHQ-ATDCOS LogMNSTC-I
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HAVE YOUR SAY■ Preference is given to let-ters under 250 words. Letters might be edited for space and grammar.■ Letter writers must include their name, unit, location and contact number.■ Letters might be rejected if they are too long, abusive or can be answered by the author’s unit.■ Send letters to [email protected] or to: The Editor, Army newspaper, R8-LG-038, Department of Defence, Canberra ACT 2600.
FOLLOWING the success of this year’s first dawn service at the Australian National Memorial at
Villers-Bretonneux in France, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced dawn services will continue at the site.
Mr Rudd said it was important for Australians to remember the soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting on the Western Front.
“On the Western Front nearly 300,000 Australians served, 46,000 of whom lost their lives, in an exceptionally bloody campaign and I think this provides an additional opportunity for Australians to honour our war dead,” he said.
Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin, who attended the inaugural Anzac Day commemoration in Villers-Bretonneux, said he looked forward to working with French authorities and his department to “make the 2009 Anzac Day service, and future services, every bit as memorable as this year’s service”.
He also acknowledged that the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux in the past had been overshadowed by other significant battles in which Australians featured.
German soldiers had taken the French town early on the morning of April 24, 1918, using tanks and artillery fire to drive out the British defenders.
Australian soldiers from the 13 and 15 Bdes, with British soldiers in sup-port, were given the task of recapturing the town, with a start time of 2200hr on April 24. Soldiers from both brigades were delayed moving to their start posi-tions, with 15 Bde being delayed two hours.
After fixing bayonets and advanc-ing over open ground, the diggers came under machinegun fire and across barbed
wire. In a determined advance they expelled the Germans from the town.
More than 1300 Australians paid the ultimate price for their efforts during the action.
On July 22, 1938, the Australian National Memorial was officially opened by King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and French President Albert Lebrun about 2km north of the town. Many of the Australian soldiers killed in the battle are buried there and the names of more than 10,000 Australian soldiers who died on the Western Front and have no known grave are engraved on the walls of the memorial.
At the opening of the memo-rial, Albert Lebrun paid tribute to the Australian soldiers.
“There is no spot on the whole of the tortured soil of France which is more associated with Australian history and the triumph of Australian soldiers than Villers-Bretonneux,” he said.
This association with Australia still continues, as evidenced by this year’s first Anzac Day dawn service at the memorial. Members of the Federation Guard took part in the ceremony, as well as services in Villers-Bretonneux and at the Anzac Memorial at Bullecourt.
At a civic ceremony at Villers-Bretonneux on April 26, the town’s mayor, Patrick Simon, expressed the deep gratitude the people still feel towards Australia and the soldiers who liberated their town.
“Ninety years ago the Australian soldiers came here and pushed back the German forces,” he said. “Australia means very many things to us and I would like to say on behalf of the people of Villers-Bretonneux, thank you for giv-ing back our peace.”
The ties between Australia and the French town of Villers-Bretonneux continue to be strengthened, Cpl Andrew Hetherington reports.
Bond forged in war
Sombre: Rows of headstones point to the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux. Photo by Cpl Andrew HetheringtonBattleground: Two Australian soldiers watch German shells burst on the hill which would later be the site for the memorial (right).
Photo EO2330 courtesy AWM
20 HISTORYArmy June 12, 2008
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Tpr Brook Wicks has been in the Army for seven years and has been an aircraft support ground crewman for more than 12 months. She is enjoying her first deployment to Timor, where she marshals helicopters and conducts hot and cold refuels for the Timor-Leste Aviation Group, part of the International Stabilisation Force based at Dili Airport. “I really enjoy hot refuelling, especially out of a Chinook; it’s called a ‘fat cow’, which is where we jump out the back of a Chinook and set up refuel-ling hoses as the engines of the helicopters are turning and burning – that’s cool.” Tpr Wicks is due to return to Australia soon. “I’m really looking forward to enjoying a well-cooked chicken dinner and having a few drinks with family and friends,” she said. She is also looking forward to a holiday in New Zealand later this year. Tpr Wicks has aspi-rations to work with a Ship’s Army Detachment on one of the new ships that the ADF has purchased.
WHO: Members of the Timor-Leste Aviation Group. WHERE: Dili Airport. WHEN: May 27, 1621hr, after refuelling a Black Hawk. Words and image: Cpl Chris Moore
Lt Dan Dobbie has been in the Australian Army Aviation Corps for 3½ years as a Kiowa and Black Hawk pilot. His deployment to Timor-Leste is his longest over-seas deployment. He also flew aid and life-saving mis-sions with the humanitarian relief effort during Operation PNG Assist late last year. “When I get back home I’m really looking forward to playing soccer, hanging out and chilling with my friends in Townsville,” he said. He is also keen to catch up with his family in NSW. Lt Dobbie loves flying Black Hawks so much that he’s keen to keep his hours up and be with the airframe for as long as it is in service.
Cfn Rhys Simpson is an aircraft techni-cian/aircraft maintainer engineer with the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Corps. He enjoys surfing and snowboarding when he gets the chance, which is not as often as he would like, and wake board-ing on the river in Townsville, where he is based with 5 Avn Regt. “I’m really looking
forward to going snowboarding in New Zealand in Queenstown with my girlfriend when I get home, it should be a lot of fun,” he said. Cfn Simpson also likes renovating houses. He is looking forward to fortifying his knowledge of the Black Hawk airframe and moving up the ranks so he can pass on his knowledge to others.
Tpr Ryan Purchase has been in the Aviation Corps since 2001, initially as an aircraft sup-port ground crewman before becoming a Black Hawk loadmaster. His job involves a wide range of tasks including briefing pas-sengers, external lift winching and Defence Aid to the Civil Community. He has been involved in military aviation support to operations in Solomon Islands, Banda Aceh,
Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea. “It is good to be able to see the whole of the country from the air, instead of being stuck in a barracks job, or patrolling on foot. I love the variety of my job and I get to work with one of the biggest helicopter fleets in Australia,” he said. When he gets home he’s looking forward to spending time with his wife and their new baby.
Army June 12, 2008
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FEMALE soldiers are being asked to volunteer for two new mentoring programs that aim to recruit more women in the ADF.
According to a research paper commissioned by Defence Force Recruiting (DFR), women who come from families that have no previous association with the Services often face a lack of understanding, resistance, and negativity regarding their decision to join the ADF.
The report indicates that many people still think the job cat-egories available to women are limited and that the most accept-able job options for women are in administration, medical or supply specialisations.
Director-General DFR Brig Simon Gould said the findings highlighted a need to better edu-cate the community about the realities of an ADF career.
“For young women who don’t have a cousin, parents, sibling or close friend in the ADF, it can seem a very mysterious place. They imagine that all of the refer-ence points of normal civilian life
Army June 12, 2008
PERSONNEL 23
THE Member’s Guide to ADF Pay and Conditions of Service in Australia has joined the digital super-highway and is now available only online.
The Member’s Guide is an easy-to-understand snap-shot of the main benefits and conditions of service set out in the ADF Pay and Conditions Manual. It is designed for ADF staff – from new recruits to senior officers – and their families.
Previously the Member’s Guide was produced both electronically and in hard copy.
The dwindling demand for hard copies, together with changing benefits and conditions of service, has seen attention turn to providing a more streamlined, Pacman-integrated online version.
Readers can now be confident they are accessing the most current information they most likely want to know about, including housing, leave and education assistance for their children.
Being an online publication means updates to pay and conditions information can be promptly made as new policies come into effect. So members and their families can now access the latest information on mem-bers who have a dependant with special needs, new pay structures for members and, from July, the eager-ly anticipated Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme.
The online Member’s Guide integrates the Pacman through extensive linking, so readers can read the summary, and then in one click, access the definitive Pacman policy.
Members are encouraged to dispose of any hard copy versions of the Members Guide still being used, as they lack vital new information.
Electronic learning modules for members, families and partners on how to effectively navigate the online Member’s Guide are available through the “Getting the Most Out of Pacman” e-learning suite, also available online and through Campus.
The Member’s Guide and accompanying e-learning modules can be accessed at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/pac/ or www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/
» The Personnel Policy and Employment Conditions Branch contributed this article.
Member’s Guide nowonly online
Volunteers wanted
are lost: no weekends, no social life, few opportunities to wear civilian clothing, and work that predominantly involves combat training,” he said.
DFR is working to deliver two initiatives to educate poten-tial candidates. A formal Alumni Visits program, involving current ADF women, will provide access
into schools and community groups to create awareness of the ADF and encourage more posi-tive perceptions. And a Mentoring Program will enable candidates and their families to chat online with serving female members to gain insight into the real ADF.
Statistics from the 2006-07 financial year indicate it takes about 12 inquiries to generate one female enlistment.
For the alumni visits and mentor programs to be a success DFR needs between 300 and 400 female volunteers. The aim is to establish a large database so the burden of signing on does not become too much for individuals.
DFR anticipates that volun-teers would only have to conduct one visit or act as a mentor online during one day within a year, if the required numbers are reached; unless they desired to have a greater involvement.
To register as a volunteer email [email protected] with the subject line ‘ADF women – mentor and alumni’ and your name, rank, job cat-egory and current posting location.
Girl power: Pte Georgia Ricketts (back), Pte Rhiannon Busch (left) and Pte Amy Ristau, all of Water Transport, 10FSB, at the “Celebration of Women in Defence” event at Lavarack Barracks on June 1. Photo by LCpl Glenn Power
APPLICATIONS for the 2009 ADF Gap Year pro-gram are now open.
Army will again have 500 places on offer but Navy and Air Force will each seek 250 entrants, up from 100 each last year. Further information about the ADF Gap Year program can be found at www.defencejobs.gov.au or by calling 13 19 01.
Gap year places on offer
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Army June 12, 2008
24 PEOPLE
Tight fit: Cfn Luke Crichton inspects the undercarriage of an Army Land Rover, as WO2 Peter Skinner checks progress at the vehicle service centre in Dili, Timor-Leste. Photo by Cpl Chris Moore
Hard yards: Sgt David Wynne and
Capt Matthew Nisbet, 1 MP Bn
HQ, two of 49 military and civilian
members at Victoria Barracks,
Sydney, who pushed for the Sir Roden Cutler, VC,
Wheelchair Roll for charity (right).
The route followed the 17km trip that Sir Roden walked
to and from school every day.
Photo by Felicity Hibble
Intrigued: Portuguese Maj Pedro Reisi looks on as WO2 Pat McCanna explains the CIMIC patch on Capt Marie Derrick’s uniform to Timor-Leste Defence Force Capt Corte Real Renilde. Photo by Cpl Chris Moore
Testing: Sgt Corey Hill takes blood from Sgt Jeremy Thearle at Camp Terendak medical centre, Iraq.
Photo by Cpl Michael Davis
Meeting neddy: Cpl Jane Mcintosh, Norforce, gives a local a closer look at one of the troop’s horses at Fred’s Pass Show, NT. Photo by Gnr Shannon Joyce
Army June 12, 2008
LIFESTYLE 25
Never too late, inoculate
WE CALL it the flu, but influenza is a highly contagious and poten-tially deadly disease
that can be spread through coughing and sneezing.
Often confused with a bad cold, influenza can cause serious and debilitating complications such as pneumonia, particularly in the elderly and high risk groups. Accounting for 10 per cent of all workplace absenteeism associated with illness, influenza is the cause of 1500 deaths in Australia each year. Annual vaccination is the single most effective measure to prevent influenza.
Virus typesInfluenza is caused by two types
of viruses in humans (influenza A and B), and is spread through drop-lets in the air. It is highly contagious and, although symptoms take one to three days to appear after infection, it can be transmitted to others one day before symptoms appear and for five days afterwards.
Symptoms can include:� high fever, chills and sweating,� sore throat,� headache,� fatigue,� muscle aches and pains, and� a cough.
Recommended treatment for influenza includes:� rest, � plenty of fluids (though avoid
alcohol), and � paracetamol for fever, headache
and muscle aches and pains.
Reducing the spreadYou can reduce spread of the
disease to others by washing your hands regularly, covering your mouth when coughing, avoiding social gatherings while contagious and not returning to work too early. Anti-viral medication may help if started early enough in confirmed cases of influenza.
Before you’re exposedVaccination against influenza
before exposure to the virus allows your body to build up immunity, offering 70-90 per cent protection against infection.
People who have been vaccinat-ed but still contract influenza report significantly less severe symptoms for a much shorter duration.
The influenza virus is constantly changing and the vaccine is changed each year to match the circulating virus. For this reason, annual vacci-nation is required to provide protec-tion against the most recent virus.
Reducing complicationsTo reduce the risk of life-threat-
ening complications from influenza, medical experts recommend annual vaccination of high risk groups like the elderly, people with other health problems, such as heart and lung disease and diabetes, smokers, preg-nant women and those residing in nursing homes and hostels.
Vaccination is also recommend-ed for health care workers and those travelling or living in groups as they are at a greater risk of contracting and spreading the disease.
Defence personnel spend
extended periods of time living and working close proximity while on deployment or exercise and when undertaking training. An outbreak of influenza in these environments would have a huge impact on opera-tional capability and training out-comes. Flu vaccination is therefore mandatory for some deployments.
Vaccination is the single most effective way to avoid contracting influenza.
The vaccinations used in Australia are very safe, with only a small number of people at risk of serious complications. As all influ-enza vaccines may contain traces of egg protein, those with a significant allergy to eggs should discuss the risks with their doctor before pro-ceeding with vaccination.
Protection develops about two weeks after the injection and lasts for up to a year.
In Australia, an annual influenza vaccine is recommended in autumn, before the winter season. In the tropics, vaccination is recommended any time of year.
As VCDF Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie said while volunteering to take the shot, “receiving the annual flu vac-cination is simply a matter of com-mon sense”.
“Firstly, why wouldn’t I take the opportunity to reduce my chances of contracting the flu this year?
“We’re all balancing our work and family lives. I’ll do everything I can to maintain my health so that I can continue to meet my work commitments while still making the most of my family time. I also don’t
want to risk my family’s health by taking home flu that I’ve picked up at work,” Lt-Gen Gillespie said.
“Secondly, this is a busy year for Defence. While delivering our normal quality, high operational tempo outputs, we’re also working very hard to meet all of Defence’s White Paper requirements.
But we can’t complete these tasks without a fully functioning team, and it doesn’t make sense to needlessly lose team mem-bers to the flu. I encourage all Defence personnel, uniformed and civilian, to take the time to protect themselves against the flu. It costs you nothing and makes great personal and professional sense.”
Got a sore throat, the sniffles and a never-ending headache. Is it a cold or the flu? Sqn-Ldr Kay Hatton explains the benefits of having a flu shot.
HEALTH
It’s not that bad: VCDF Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie gives a mock grimace as he gets his influenza shot from Sqn-Ldr Kay Hatton. Photo by Cpl Corinne Boer
By Sean Roberts
THE latest title coming from the FIFA stable, UEFA Euro 2008 gives you the choice of 52
European national teams to take to glory in the official tournament held in Austria and Switzerland.
While a tournament-specific game such as this can very easily seem like a stop-gap between the big releases like FIFA 08 and FIFA 09, you would be surprised at just how accomplished a package this is.
First impressions dish up the expected slick level of polish, but otherwise Euro 2008 only feels like a minor update from FIFA 08. The lack of options and far less teams than usual do stand out but are forgivable given the more narrow focus.
Looking past the surface, you’ll find the actual game of football noticeably improved. The so-called “EA Sports soccer engine” now boasts being “more accessible, more respon-sive, and faster-paced”, and sure enough it definitely feels tighter and as playable as ever before.
Dynamic weather simulates a European winter – with rain and mud altering the pitch – simulating real-world playing conditions that affects ball physics and player performance.
UEFA Euro 2008Electronic Arts Xbox 360, PS3 G
��4
Take Euro glory
The modes that are on offer here may not be as vast as other sims, but what Euro 2008 does have ranges from the standard to the downright inspired.
GAMES
Inspired: Create yourself in-game, gain the captaincy of your chosen European team and lead them to triumph.
GIVEAWAYGIVEAWAY WINNERSWINNERSThe winners of the May 15 giveaway of Conflict: Denied Ops for PS3 are:Capt Mark Vermeer Flg-Off Bryan AndrewsSgt Paul RichardsonCP Scott EllemanCfn Mitchell Reeves
Get three friends together, create yourselves in-game, and play your own individual positions on the pitch while taking your country to the top, all the while developing your charac-ter and competing with each other for captaincy of the team.
Or you might take the opportunity to represent your country of choice in online tournaments that award points toward your nation, with every online player contributing to their country’s standing.
While destined not to be as fea-ture-heavy as its bigger siblings that flank it, from a gameplay viewpoint this is the most impressive offering the franchise has produced so far.
Contact IAN PETERSON
0407 670 672 or [email protected]
This week IAN PETERSON recommends
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CROSSWORD � Say again, over
And the winner from May 15 is ...
“Collins class delivery ceremony – it looked heaps bigger in the bro-chure.”Capt John GreenHQ 16 Avn Bde
We also liked ...
Gargamel knew he was in trouble, for the Smurfs had gone nuclear.SCdt Luke MurphySydney University Regiment
ACROSS1 Cafe “chef”5 Keyboard instrument10 Notion14 Taj Mahal site15 Sign up16 Scandinavian Fate17 Nests18 Cause panic19 Flutter20 Prefix, bird21 Strike breaker22 A bit23 Long25 Lion’s call27 Nautical call28 Devon moorland32 Chronological34 Shelf35 Brassiere36 Wreck37 Rot38 Pennant39 Prefix, ear40 Cane product41 Fine linen42 Hairstyle in which hair
is drawn back, tied, and hangs loosely
44 Cormorant45 Gael46 Howl49 Hymn52 Dressed53 Label
54 Long ago55 Small isle57 American grey wolf58 Sloping walkway59 Aircraft field60 Region61 Former62 Indian guitar-like instru-
ment63 Wen
DOWN1 Artificial waterway2 Curved moulding3 The conferring of holy
orders upon4 Maori, food5 Wonderful6 Embed7 Semite8 And not9 Cave dwelling salamander10 Feeble11 Apportion12 Norseman who discov-
ered Greenland13 Poker stake21 Short take-off and land-
ing aircraft22 Meat paste24 Australian, Afghan
camel driver25 Navigational aid26 Wild revelry28 Transfer design
29 Compulsory30 Spoken31 Storm32 Let fall33 Motor car34 Lawful37 Twofold38 Young horse40 Stalk41 Dull sound43 Named44 Woodlouse46 Moslem law institute47 Emaciating disease48 Torpedo vessel (1-4)49 Funeral fire50 Fly high51 Provides with weapons52 Congeal55 Egos56 Hindu goddess of beauty57 Varnish ingredient
Solution
Not to be outdone by the Japanese, the Americans have designed this even ‘midget-ier’ submarine.Cfn Mitch Reeves Joint Proof Experimental Unit
If you can think of a clever, witty caption to this picture, email: [email protected] with “caption competition June 12” in the subject line.
Keep entries under 25 words.
Entries MUST include the sender’s name, rank, unit.
Winner publishedJuly 10.
Answers
1. Which English soccer team won the FA cup in 2003?2. Which monarch knighted Francis Drake in 1581?3. What is orecchiette?4. What is the capital of the Czech Republic?5. What is the name of Snow Patrol’s lead singer? 6. The chief executive of BHP Billiton is: a) Marius Kloppers, b) Rupert
Murdoch, c) Klaus Kleinfeld? 7. What is Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s middle name?8. In the 1987 movie Good Morning Vietnam, Robin Williams’ character
Adrian Cronauer transfers to Saigon from where? a) Guam, b) Frankfurt, c) Crete?
9. Name one of the grumpy old men who sat in the balcony of the television series The Muppet Show?
10. Australia’s highest mountain is named after a Polish military leader called Tadeusz Kociuszko who led the Kociuszko Uprising (1794) against Imperial Russia. Name the other country which granted him citizenship after he fought in their war of independence?
1. Arsenal. 2. Queen Elizabeth I. 3. A type of pasta. The shape resembles a small ear. 4. Prague. 5. Gary Lightbody. 6. a) Marius Kloppers. 7. Michael. 8. c) Crete. 9. Statler and Waldorf. 10. America.
DIKKO By Bob Dikkenberg
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
26 LIFESTYLEArmy June 12, 2008
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Army June 12, 2008
LIFESTYLE 27
The Cook and the ChefFour Seasons Boxed Set. 8 DVDs.ABC Television. $79.95
BOOKS
By Cpl Andrew Hetherington
DROPPING a 6-litre V8 capa-ble of 270kW of power and 530Nm of torque into a ute is a recipe for brutal accelera-
tion, tail-sliding oversteer antics, huge load and opposite sex pulling power.
This is Holden’s new SS VE series ute. It upholds the 10 year SS ute tra-dition, providing drivers and their one passenger (and any livestock willing to risk their lives riding in the back), with sports car performance and a muscular exhaust note, which would put Arnold Schwarzenegger to shame. This glori-ous sound permeates the cabin par-ticularly under heavy acceleration. Exterior styling is as muscular as the exhaust note, coupled with a massive front end, containing front fog lights, a front skirt and huge front wheel arch-es. Further along the body, side skirts and easy to clean 18-inch alloy wheels complete the sports look of the vehicle. Unfortunately with the colour of the test vehicle provided, the only living organism on the planet, which would have any chance of attracting the oppo-site sex with this example would be the Toy World Bear.
The six-speed gearbox was slick and easy to use thanks to its short throw between gears.
Handling is what you would expect it to be; predicable and sharp. This is due to the low-profile tyres and suspen-sion package, which instil confidence in the most novice of sports vehicle drivers and produces very little body roll through corners. Occasionally I felt like I was riding in a vehicle mounted on rails, such was the preci-sion and feel of the handling. Drivers also receive the large amount of feed-back from the road, through the leather clad steering wheel, which includes stereo and cruise control buttons.
Inside the test vehicle, occupants sat in comfortable leather sports seats
Price as tested: $44,990 Plus ORC.Power: 270kW of power and 530Nm of torque (when using RON 98 PUL petrol) from a 6.0 litre V8 engine.0-100km/h: 5.8 seconds (claimed).Fuel consumption and type: UNLD RON 91, 14.5L/100km (Combined), 73L fuel tank. Co2 emissions: 344 grams/km (Combined).Safety: Anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic brake force distribution, Electronic brake assist, Traction control, Electronic stability program, Dual-stage front airbags and seatbelts with load lim-iters and seatbelt pre-tensioners.For: Acceleration, power, street cred (if you pick the right colour), handling, load carrying capacity, looks, knowing you’ll
beat almost anything away from the traf-fic lights, reliability and build quality.Against: Thirsty and expensive fuel usage if you want to use 98 RON P/UL petrol, in the end it only seats two and high CO2 emissions. Best suit: Single or married doesn’t matter for someone who wants to exploit the power and load carrying capacity while knowing you are driving one of the fastest utes around.Alternatives in price range: Commodore SS sedan, Ford XR8 ute and sedan, Falcon G6E sedan, VW Golf GTI and Subaru WRX.Insurance: $2539 for 12-month compre-hensive insurance for a 25-year-old male living in Sydney.Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
MOTORING
Holden SS VE Series Ute, 6-speed manual
A real beaut ute
which, when taking tight corners at speed, did a magnificent job of hold-ing bodies in situ.
The dashboard dials and switches were well laid out, easy to read and use, but the stereo was little on the cheap side, with the sound quality not up to the standard of a near $45,000 vehicle. Although it did feature a handy six stacker in-dash CD player.
The VE SS ute is a devastating-ly quick, sports vehicle, suitable for tradespeople, married couples wanting to leave the kids at home, at the same time having the ability to carry some of their larger possessions long dis-tances at break neck speed.
At speed: The colour may be unattractive but it has grunt. Photo by Cpl Andrew Hetherington
DVDs
By Hugh McKenzie
I AM an avid, occasionally inspired cook, if I do say so myself.I have watched with a great deal
of interest the growing friendship between Maggie Beer (the cook) and Simon Bryant (the chef) on their ABC TV show, which has run through a number of seasons so far.
They have settled into a great on-screen relationship and the food they cook is positively inspirational.
Simon is an executive chef, which means he doesn’t get to cook very much but does have to man-age a very large brigade in a busy hotel; it’s a position of considerable responsibility. He is also vegetarian, which you might think an impedi-ment in his job and indeed the TV program. Not so. He’ll try anything.
Maggie Beer, with her husband Colin, moved to the Barossa Valley to farm pheasants. She has intro-duced many Australians to quince paste with their cheese and to cook-ing with verjuice.
These programs are extensive and tied into the ABC web site. The DVDs cover everything from cook-ing with kids to preparation for a fantastic barbecue. Have a look at www.abcshop.com.au before you buy, but I can tell you it’s money well spent.
Inspired cooking
Warrior Brothers: My life in the Australian SASKeith Fennell. Random House. $34.95
��4.5
By Cpl Mike McSweeney
KEITH Fennel passed the rig-ours of SASR selection when he was 21 and specialised in
water operations. He saw action in Timor-Leste and Afghanistan, and later in Iraq and Banda Aceh as a security contractor.
In Warrior Brothers: My life in the Australian SAS, Fennell shares some of his adventures and some of his deepest thoughts.
A highly-driven individual, he relished his first operational expe-rience – capturing a vessel fish-ing illegally in the southern Indian Ocean – but he craved more. Even then he realised he was an adrena-line junkie.
The sort of experience he was looking for came in the jungles of Timor when his reconnaissance patrol engaged several militia. It was the first time he took a human life, but it wouldn’t be the last.
Fennell notes that the thrill of combat is not killing people, but the test of oneself under fire. And while he remains philosophical about combat, reflecting on it has caused him a few sleepless nights.
A recurring theme in Warrior Brothers is Fennell’s respect for his
comrades, but he also writes about the special bond formed under fire.
Whether in a dry creek bed in Timor or on a mountainside in Afghanistan, having someone cov-ering your back during a contact produced a bond that was cemented within seconds, and lasts a lifetime.
He touches on other topics that will resonate with many soldiers, such as the strain of packs on shoul-ders, the hours of boredom and the value of physical training.
Not since the likes of Bravo Two Zero have we seen a first-hand account of life in the SAS of this calibre, and it could be argued that Fennell’s book is better than his predecessors. Warrior Brothers is a well-written, humorous and con-fronting account of one person’s experiences in modern warfare.
Clearly SAS training has taught Fennell humility; he may readily
admit to his strengths, but this is well balanced with the Aussie trait of humorously exposing his short-comings.
Warrior Brothers offers the read-er an honest insight into Fennell’s world and that of Special Forces soldiers. It also poses the dilemma of how an adrenaline junkie can set-tle down into a “normal” life as a husband and father.
Ripping yarns: He took his first life in Timor-Leste, it wouldn’t be his last.
��4.5
A six-man SASR patrol in Afghanistan were in contact with 80 enemy militia. Fennell writes:Back at the US command centre at Bagram Airbase, a surgical officer deployed to the operations room and asked for an update so he could prepare the emergency ward.“Who is in contact?”“The Australian Special Forces Task Group,” he was told.“How long have they been in con-tact?”“Over six hours.”“What sort of weaponry is being used against them?”“14.5mm machine guns and RPGs.”“Has an RRF been deployed to assist?”“No – they sent out their own force from FOB Khost.”“How many friendly killed and wounded are we looking at?”“None.”There was a pause.“What, no casualties?”“Not yet,” came the reply.
Adventures of life in SASR
28 SPORTArmy June 12, 2008
WO2 Gavin Wickham has qualified for the Ironman World Championships.
WO2 Wickham achieved the feat after he won the Defence title at the Australian Ironman Championships which were held at Port Macquarie on the NSW North Coast on April 6.
He finished 10th in the M35-39 section and 61st overall in a field of about 1500.
WO2 Wickham, ALTC, fin-ished in 9hr 45min and 37sec for the 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2km run.
His respective times for each leg were 56:35, 5:09:50 and 3:39:11.
The world titles will be held at Kona, Hawaii, in October.
Second in the Defence catego-ry was Sqn-Ldr Lee Guthrie, with Leut-Cmdr Doug Griffiths third.
In the ADF women’s category, Cpl Renee Simons, a PTI at LWC, finished first – and third overall in her age category (F25-29) – in 10:53:36.
Pte Shelley Marsh, Defence Support Canungra, was second home in the Defence category in 13:16.59 and sixth overall in the F18-24 field.
Cpl Simons completed the swim in 1:16:45, the cycle leg in 6:08:09 and the run in 3:28:41.
By SCdt Tim Thomas
A NEW regent, Sgt Matthew Skate, has been crowned following the annual King of the Hill race held at Gallipoli Barracks on May 7.
More than 500 participants from more than 20 units ran to the top of Mt Enoggera in the gruelling 4.1km race.
Runners competed for honours in three categories: clydesdale (over 100kg for males and 70kg for females), veteran (over 40 years) and open.
The winners of the male categories were: LCpl Philip Cosgrove (clydes-dale), Maj Jeffery Rudd (veteran), and
Sgt Matthew Skate (open). The win-ners of the female categories were: Capt Kristen Orszulak (clydesdale), Sgt Jackie Morgan (veteran) and Cpl Nicole Knucky (open).
2HSB claimed the trophy of cham-pion unit.
Sgt Jackie Morgan, who finished first in the female veteran class, said the route was very challenging.
“It was a very tough run. It is King of the Hill, so it’s all the way up,” Sgt Morgan said.
“I did have a couple of practice runs beforehand and they really helped me get all the way to the top.”
By PO Brad Hetharia
TAKING an unassailable lead by the halfway mark, WO2 Richard Quirk was not challenged in winning individual honours at the Defence half-marathon in Canberra on May 18.
Cold and windy weather greeted the 37 brave Defence competitors who lined up for a scenic 21.1km run around Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin to contest the Defence State Teams Half Marathon Championships in conjunction with the Canberra Half-Marathon.
MIdn Scott Baxter took an early lead with vet-erans WO2 Quirk and WO2 Pat Thomas in close pursuit.
Still suffering the effects of a 5km race the day before, Midn Baxter was unable to maintain his early punishing pace.
WO2 Quirk won in 76min 56sec – equivalent to running eight consecutive 2.4km basic fitness assessments or physical fitness tests in an average time of 8min 45 sec.
PO Brad Hetharia finished in second in 78min 57sec, with WO2 Pat Thomas third in 81min 08sec. WO2 Thomas was also the first outright in the 40-45 male category.
The women’s race was dominated by Defence civilian Jodie Barker, who was first in 87min 45sec and was the fifth outright female. In a close contest for second place, Maj Fiona King ran strongly to finish just ahead of Pte Rhiannon Brown in 90min 02sec. Pte Brown’s time was 91min 20sec.
More Defence running information can be found on the following websites: Defence running – www.coolrunning.com.au/adf or Navy running – www.navyrunning.com
Soldiers of iron
Pte Marsh’s times were 1:10:27, 7:11:52 and 4:54:39.
Cloud cover and rain greeted contestants at the start line for the
two-lap swimming leg, which took about 50min for the top-flight com-petitors, with ADF’s best less than 10min behind.
The bike leg was anything but flat and proved extremely tough, with a strong headwind not helping on the three 60km loops.
Winning run around ACT
Killer run: Cpl Ash Bowers, B Sqn, 2/14 LHR (QMI), takes on Mt Enoggera. Photo by SCdt Tim Thomas
Skate crowned King of the Hill
Steel: Cpl Renee Simmons (right) and WO2 Gavin Wickham (above) on their way to finishing as the top Defence competitors at the Ironman titles.
Caring for families of those who died defending Australians and their freedom.
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Should the worst happen, all defence force services have peace of mind Legacy will care for the families le� behind.
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Support Legacy, so that we can continue to keep theflame of care burning bright!
Army June 12, 2008
SPORT 29
PTE Tristan Hunt was judged by his peers as the players’ player at the completion of the Australian Country men’s hockey team’s recent tour of Singapore.
Pte Hunt joined two other ADF members for the two-Test series against the Singapore national team.
In addition to the three players, Flt-Lt Alan Brown and WO2 Scotty Downs were members of the team staff, Flt-Lt Brown as assistant coach and WO2 Downs as team manager.
The Australian Country team
was selected at the 2007 Australian National Country Hockey Championships, where the Defence men returned their best result in more than a decade by finishing second to Queensland. The number of ADF members in the national country team reflected that effort.
LAC Humrich was brought in as a replacement after Capt Glenn Miller was unable to attend because of opera-tional commitments.
“We arrived in country and immediately began the process of
acclimatisation,” WO2 Downs said of the tour. “Having to achieve this as quickly as possible, with a team that consisted of players from many parts of Australia, some of the boys found this more difficult than others. “Some of the Victorians really struggled with the 36C heat and 80-90 per cent humidity.”
WO2 Downs and Flt-Lt Brown were able to use their ADF back-ground and training in personnel and health management to ensure that no heat injuries occurred on tour.
The team played several lead-up matches in preparation for the Test series, easily accounting for provincial sides while building strength against the energy-sapping heat.
Both Tests were evenly-fought arm wrestles in which the attack flowed from end to end. Both sides gave of their best, with Singapore winning the first Test 2-1 and Australian Country the second 2-1.
“To compete evenly and beat an international team from any country is a significant achievement and one the
members of the squad will no doubt remember for the rest of their lives,” Defence Hockey public relations man-ager Leut Stuart Cayzer said.
“Australian Defence Hockey con-gratulates the ADF members who took part in the tour and wishes them the best for the next Australian Country Championships in Busselton, Western Australia, from July 26 to August 2.
For further information Defence Hockey visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/Sites/Hockey/ or contact Leut Stuart Cayzer on 0411 107 865.
Hunt for top hockey player
By Barry Rollings
AN ENDURING passion for his sport has led to an extremely long rugby union career for Singleton’s Sgt Ken Gibb.
A member of the technical support personnel at the Special Forces Training Centre at Singleton, Sgt Gibb last season passed the elusive 200-game mark for Singleton Lions in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union’s C-grade competition.
Now in his 12th season with the Lions in four post-ings to Singleton, he is the first soldier to achieve the landmark with the club, though a civilian player beat him to the 200 mark.
Though he has no thoughts of hanging up the boots at this stage – he says his proud wife Toni won’t let him – the 45-year-old admits that the demands of train-ing suggest that retirement is sneaking ever-closer.
“I keep returning for the camaraderie. We have civilians and uniformed people in the team, and there’s a great team spirit there,” Sgt Gibb said.
“The general competition itself is great and I’ve had a pretty good run all those seasons, with only the few usual stitches and bruises.”
Sgt Gibb, who has been in the Army for more than 28 years, first played rugby at Camp Hill High School in Brisbane and then with 3RAR and 6RAR after he joined the Army.
He has played all positions after starting as a wing-er. He ended up in the front row when the then regular hooker was injured and he has stayed there since.
“It will be a sad day when we have to be posted out of here,” Sgt Gibb said wistfully, and not only with an eye to his rugby union career. “Singleton is a nice place to be, especially for bringing up kids.”
Ken joins200 club
Seasoned veteran: Sgt Ken Gibb has passed the 200-game mark for the Singleton Lions.
Photo by Bill Cunneen
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30 SPORTArmy June 12, 2008
THE Mick Dunn RAN Cup returned to the Army women’s rugby fold in emphatic style at Canberra’s Viking Park on May 24.
Army had lost 25-10 to a com-bined Navy/Air Force team at the Australian Services Rugby Union Championships in Canberra in 2007 but regained it in style with an 11-try picnic, with four conversions by Pte Melissa Croll.
The two-blues combine of Navy/Air Force spent the game almost exclusively on the defensive, never threatened and was never in the hunt.
Army set the pattern with a first-minute try. Six more and two con-versions gave it a commanding 34-0 half-time lead.
A further four second-half tries and two conversions completed the scoreline at 63-0.
The blitzkrieg continued after half-time, not assisted by seventh-minute red card to a Navy player for rucking infringements which left her team with 14 players.
Army showed good ball retention and passing skills, with some pol-ished backline work spiced with indi-
vidual efforts such as those by Sgt Kelly Hammant, Pte Kellie Hastie, SCdt Caroline Vakalahi and Wallaroo Lt Kate Porter.
WO2 Jo-Anne Downes was an inspirational captain who set up many attacking moves, being instrumental in two tries and scoring one herself.
Perhaps the best was a ninth-minute breakaway before kicking ahead for Cpl Emily Sapwell to gath-er and score unchallenged under the posts.
“We could not have hoped for bet-ter,” Army coach WO2 Sean Emmett
said after the comprehensive win. “We worked very hard for this, with the girls training strongly. We did a lot of hard training and running to try to develop some skills we lacked last year.
“Credit goes to all the girls, well led by skipper WO2 Jo-Anne Downes and vice-captain Lt Sally Carter with outstanding leadership on the field and direction for an entire team.
WO2 Emmett put Army’s success down to many “returning old heads and several young up and coming stars”.
We’ve Dunn it againARMY Old Boys played the manda-tory 9-all draw with ACT Veterans in the Paladin Risk Management Service Cup curtain-raiser which raised $4000 for Legacy and the George Gregan Foundation.
Played in a light-hearted vein, the “men in white” issued some interesting penalties during the match, including some shampoo (for the ‘glamorous’ backs), a green card (for a supposed personified environmental hazard), a cake of soap (the recipient was advised to clean up their act and attitude), and a rose for “unmanly” play.
Old Boys take on Vets
On the ball: Col Steve Salmon (retd) fights it out. Photo by Cpl Bernie Pearson
Freight train: Lt Kate Porter, Army’s women’s rugby team, smashes through the opposition. Photo by Cpl Bernie Pearson
From Page 32Better players for Army against Navy
were back-rower and captain Maj Sean Kearns, vice-captain Sgt Gavin Whiteside and No. 8 Tpr Jake Byrt.
Lt Trent Beilken directed play far better than he did against Air Force and inside-centre Cpl Zane Mitchell was always a handful when he took the ball to the line.
Army beat Air Force 27-18 after estab-lishing as 27-6 lead and then withstanding a rejuvenated Air Force’s belated rally, which was assisted by a procession of pen-alties and two yellow cards to Army play-ers which left the side depleted.
Better players against Air Force were outside centre Gnr Tyron Ford, Tpr Jake Byrt, Pte Ryan Reader, tight-head prop Spr Sean Richardson and loose-head prop Pte Adam Nixon.
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Army June 12, 2008
SPORT 31
T H E A u s t r a l i a n D e f e n c e C y c l e Club Road Cycling Championships will be held at Holsworthy Barracks in NSW from July 5-6.
Defence and Service champions will qualify to represent the ADCC and ADF at the Arafura Games.
Nominat ions for race officials, support staff, and competitors, are sought and must reach Sgt Michae l R a n d a t m i c h a e l [email protected] or jason roberts [email protected] by June 13.
Road cycle challenge
ARMY dominated the Australian Services Rugby Union’s representative men’s and women’s squads and awards named in Canberra on May 24.
Army had 15 men and 19 women win favour with the selectors and took two of the three major awards.
The men will play in the Pacific Military Cup in New Zealand in October and the women will go into camp to prepare for the Australian women’s cham-pionships which will be held on the Gold Coast at Tallebudgera from July 1-5.
The teams were named at the end of the annual carnival at which Army successfully defended the Wg-Cmdr John Caldwell Shield and regained the Mick Dunn RAN Cup.
Cpl Zane Mitchell was named men’s player of the series, with Army’s Pte Kelly Hastie the women’s player.
The men’s squad will be reduced to 27 after the development camp in Brisbane from September 11-14.
The women’s squad of 30, which included nine from Navy and two from Air Force, will compete against teams from Sydney, Queensland, NSW Country, Victoria, ACT, WA and a national indigenous team. Army’s representatives are:Men’s team: Spr Shaun Richardson, Pte Adam Nixon, Gnr Joe Kirkland, Sgt Shaun Jolley, Cpl Tim Glover, Pte Ryan Reader, Sgt Gavin Whiteside, Cpl Dean King, Maj Sean Kearns, Capt Stephen Wright, Lt Trent Beilken, Cpl Zane Mitchell, Pte Tyrone Ford, LCpl Kieran Dan, Pte Sean Preston. Standby: Pte Adrian Sutter.Women’s team: Capt Kelly McFarlane, Capt Melissa Ross, Capt Naomi Ragusz, Lt Sally Carter, Lt Kate Porter, Lt Carmel Johnston, SCdt Caroline Vakalahi, OCdt Cheryl Moir, Sgt Kelly Hammant, Sgt Leah Kite, LCpl Vashti Henderson, LCpl Shannon Taurua, Cpl Renae Pearce, Cpl Renee Phillips, Cpl Rebecca Crossingham, Sig Alisha Smith, Pte Stacey Bolton, Pte Kelly Hastie, Pte Melissa Croll.
Army dominates rep squads
Winners do grin: Army’s triumphant men’s team (above) and the women’s team (left) celebrate their successes in the Australian Services Rugby Union Championships in Canberra. Strong performances from the Army players ensured that the ASRU squads are dominated by Army representation. Photos by PO David Connolly
Steely showing from Ironman
Page 28
June 12, 2008
By Barry Rollings
NO Harry Houdini appeared on Army’s player list for the Australian Services Rugby Union championships in Canberra on May 24, yet its annex-ation of a third successive men’s title had all the hallmarks of that legendary escape artist.
A contentious penalty for pulling down in the ruck, awarded in front of the posts and converted after the siren, gave Army a 22-20 win over Navy in the title decider for the Wg-Cmdr John Caldwell Shield at Viking Park.
Seconds earlier, Navy’s camp arose as one with a roar when it looked as if AB Adam Powell had made good with his last throw of the dice. Alas, his foot had gone into touch en-route.
The victory continued Army’s abil-ity to pull crucial games out of the fire in recent championships. While Navy would have been justified in feeling disappointed, Army had undergone a turnover of a third of the 2007 team and won without the services last year’s half Cpl Ricky Dumigan, fly-half Cpl Ben Jones and sharpshooting goalkicker LCpl Chey Bird at fullback, in whose absence a few easy shots went awry.
A 13th minute try to Cpl Dean King and converted by Pte Joe Kirkland after an incisive run by Gnr Tyron Ford and a scrum near the line had Army ahead 7-0. Navy hit back with a penalty goal and a converted try from a clearing kick that should have found touch, to edge ahead 13-7 at half-time - extended to 20-7 soon after the break.
A few mistakes were creeping into the Army game after it had been pres-sured and pinned in its own half for long periods, until Capt Brad Heskett scored for Army after 17 minutes from
ARMY’SARMY’S GREAT GREAT ESCAPEESCAPE
one of its most promising moves since the opening minutes. Then Cpl Zane Mitchell burrowed over and Pte Kirkland’s conversion put Army with-in a point with three minutes to go.
Army coach Lt Damien Cahill, who is taking a break from coaching for family and professional reasons after two years as head coach and four years on coaching staff, described the win as not a Houdini act but more a testament to the players’ character. “That we could play so ordinarily yet sneak across the line at the end just shows their character,” he said.
“They have been together for five weeks, are very tight and were not going to fall over on each other.”
So, in retrospect, had the recent European tour (Army beat its French counterparts 21-18 but lost to the French Defence Forces 27-16 and British Army Germany 15-13) been a good or bad thing?
“Certainly they looked tired,” Lt Cahill said. “They looked leg heavy and it’s been a long time together – not just the five games but all the training and travel.
“The mental toughness acquired
over the past five weeks and that unity of purpose allowed them to tough out a situation like that.
“When we kept ball in hand, we began to make some punctures up the middle of the Navy defence starting towards the end of the first half.
“We were not as skilful this year as in 2007 but that time together has brought a far stronger belief in each other. We had a brand new nine and 10 this year and that beautiful direction and crispness of direction and delivery was not there.
“We did not edge Navy as well
as we had hoped in the lineouts. It is a good lineout side and LS Jason Harrington put a lot of pressure on us.
“Our great strength against Navy was our scrum, which sapped some of their energy. Desperate scrambling in defence and to get on the front foot helped us out. Both were mixed games and in reality we probably should have put 30 or 40 points on both Air Force and Navy. Poor deci-sion-making and execution of basic skill sets meant that instead of being well ahead we were scrambling.”
Continued Page 30
Magic: Cpl Zane Mitchell, 5 Avn Regt, test Navy’s defence (right).Grinners: Pte Joe Kirkland, 2RAR, walks off the field with the rest of the victorious Army team (above).Photos by PO David Connolly
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