Edition 1424 July 26, 2018 The soldiers’ newspaper

DESERT FIRE

Learning survival skills in Thailand

Pages 4-7

Australians train Iraqi soldiers to destroy big

targets Centre

We farewell our former

senior soldier

Page 2

An Australian soldier provides direction to an Iraqi soldier on the use of a .50-calibre machine gun during heavy weapons training at Besmayah, Iraq. Photo: Cpl David Said

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July 26, 2018News www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews2

Pte Renee Breeze

ON THE cusp of completing 40 years in Army, RSM-A WO Don Spinks has hung up his pace stick.

After handing over to incoming RSM-A, WO Grant McFarlane, WO Spinks mused on mentoring, mod-ernisation, morality and a family holiday.

WO Spinks said he wasn’t con-cerned about the number.

“Forty years isn’t a personal milestone, I’m comfortable with the period of time that I’ve served,” he said.

Serving the nation for more than most soldiers have been alive, WO Spinks reflected on what life would look like after Army.

“I’m not very patient with golf so Jen won’t become a golf widow – I’d like to think we’ll go for a holiday.

“After that I will look to further employment while staying engaged in the Defence space.

“I would also like to serve in the community, where I can remain con-nected with people and give some-thing back.”

Through challenges in his time as Army’s most senior soldier, WO Spinks said his pride in the Army had only grown.

“The Chief and I, more than anyone else, get to see the whole of Army – warts and all,” he said.

“Being RSM-A really made me appreciate our people in a way I wasn’t able to before, it also increased my appreciation of the way we train and develop our people.

“Though I think we need to do more on the subject of mentoring our soldiers.”

If given a few more years as RSM-A, WO Spinks said he would

Spinks hangs up pace stick

invest more in leadership and men-toring.

“It’s a two-way-street; a person has to want to be mentored, other-wise you’re talking to the hand,” he said.

“Life and careers are mostly about relationships, and being able to influence people to do stuff is more

rewarding than directing them.”WO Spinks said he was now see-

ing Army modernise at an unprec-edented rate.

“This Army is a much better one than I joined over 39 years ago; it is better equipped and better prepared than we were back then,” he said.

“Our readiness culture has been

key to these improvements.“Our soldiers should remember

this – the last day you had to prepare for operations was yesterday.

“Noone knows what our next task will be. So be ready, and be relevant.”

WO Spinks said his greatest frus-tration as RSM-A was seeing “good people do stupid things”, often cost-ing people their careers and reputa-tion.

“It’s been the most annoying part of not only this job, but previous jobs as well,” he said.

“To err is human. It’s life, it’s reality and often the individual will reflect on it and apologise, but too often the damage has been done.

“On a positive note, we’ve got so many amazing people in our organisation that are committed and dedicated. I’m most proud of our people.”

WO Spinks said he was looking forward to spending more time with his wife.

“I’m going to take a break and then we’ll see what opportunities are presented,” he said.

“I’ll take the time to unwind and then look to the next chapter, what-ever it is.

“Although I won’t be joining the RAAF, I encourage anyone who has a passion to serve to do so, regard-less of the service.

“If not Army, I’d tell them they’ve made the wrong choice – jokingly of course, because we need the other services and departments. It would be a tough fight if we were trying to do it by ourselves.

“I want to close by thanking our people for their service, and to wish everyone good soldiering.”

Former RSM-A WO Don Spinks addresses ADF personnel in Kabul alongside then CA, now CDF, Gen Angus Campbell. Photo: WO2 Neil Ruskin

Former RSM-A WO Don Spinks plays rugby with local children during a visit to the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program in Toomelah, NSW.Photo: Cpl Nunu Campos

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Capt Megan McDermott

SOLDIERS from 2RAR (Amphibious) embarked HMAS Adelaide as part of the largest multinational force the ship has welcomed on board since her com-missioning in 2015.

The amphibious soldiers joined the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), at Pearl Harbor for Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RimPac) with troops from the US, Japan, Tonga, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

2RAR logistics officer Capt Brenton Chapman said more than 800 military personnel joined the ship’s company for transit to the island of Hawaii for the field phase of the exercise.

“This is a significant accomplish-ment for Adelaide as she will be oper-ating at capacity with about 1300 of her 1400 bunk spaces occupied,” Capt Chapman said.

“Australia’s other LHD, HMAS Canberra, embarked a similar force during RimPac 2016, however this is a first for Adelaide and marks a sig-nificant milestone for the ship as part of

Australia’s amphibious force.” Due to the sheer size of the embar-

kation, Capt Chapman said the ship was loaded over a number of days while berthed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Loading began with 674 tonnes of vehicles and equipment being secured onto the Light Vehicle Deck, includ-ing 2RAR’s organic transport and US Marine Corps vehicles, including amphibious assault vehicles.

Before setting sail, Capt Chapman sa id tha t a l l embarked forces were introduced to life on board an Australian amphibious assault ship with induction training.

“All of the multinational forces received training on routine and daily life on board the ship, safety proce-dures and general habitability on the ship for their transit,” Capt Chapman said.

As the Army’s amphibious experts, the 2RAR soldiers are well-versed in ship life, however this was the first time they had embarked Adelaide as part of a multinational task force of this scale and diversity.

Versatile forceAustralian soldiers and US marines prepare equipment to embark in HMAS Adelaide at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during Exercise RimPac.Photos: Cpl Kyle Genner

May and June trial results

CO 2RAR (Amphibious) Lt-Col Doug Pashley addresses soldiers and marines from Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the US and Tonga onboard HMAS Adelaide.

3July 26, 2018 Newswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 3

NCODefence Force Magistrate1 x negligently damaging service property – DFDA s 43(3)1 x driving a service vehicle while not authorised – DFDA s 40C(1)(a)1 x failing to comply with a gen-eral order – DFDA s 29(1)1 x prejudicial conduct –DFDA s 60(1)

Member was accused of negli-gently damaging a service vehicle beyond economical repair and driving a service vehicle while not authorised. Member was also accused of failing to comply with a general order by consuming alcohol without authorisation and prejudicial conduct by being intoxi-cated in a public place. Member pleaded guilty to the charges and was found guilty. Member was reduced in rank and reprimanded.

NCODefence Force Magistrate2 x prejudicial conduct – DFDA s 60(1)

Member was accused of preju-dicial conduct by participating in the taking of a RHIB without law-ful authority. Member was also accused of driving the inflatable boat without the use of proper safety equipment and instruments. Member pleaded not guilty to the charges but was found guilty. Member was fined $610.83 and severely reprimanded.

NCODefence Force Magistrate1 x prejudicial conduct – DFDA s 60(1)

Member was accused of prejudi-cial conduct by participating in the taking of a RHIB without lawful authority. Member pleaded not guilty to the charge but was found guilty. Member was reprimanded.

OTHER RANKDefence Force Magistrate1 x falsifying a service document – DFDA s 55(1)(a)

Member was accused of falsifying an email, with intent to deceive, by purporting to be another per-son and fabricating evidence in relation to the member’s earlier Defence Force Magistrate convic-tion. Member pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty. Member was dismissed from the Defence Force and sentenced to 28 days of imprisonment.

OTHER RANKDefence Force Magistrate1 x possessing a non-traffickable quantity of a prohibited drug in Australia – DFDA s 59(7)

Member was accused of being in possession of prohibited drug. Member pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty of the charge. Member was dismissed from the Defence Force.

All Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrate trial results are subject to command review and appeal. The results indicated are of trials across the ADF.

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July 26, 2018www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews4

CLOUDS rolled over the mountains and thunder grumbled in the distance in Chiang Dao, Chiang

Mai Province, Thailand. A Coy 1RAR – the 122nd rota-

tion of Rifle Company Butterworth – was in the country for Exercise Chapel Gold, a yearly activity with the Royal Thai Army.

The company arrived at the beginning of monsoon season to train with the Royal Thai Army’s 2nd Inf Bn, 7th Inf Regt from July 9-20.

The cross training program included tactical attack and defence serials, counter-insurgency training, jungle survival, close quarters battle training and combat shooting.

The exercise built upon dec-ades of bilateral military training and interpreter Maj Tony Rigby, of the Defence Force School of Languages, has been there from the beginning.

“During the ’90s, the Australian Army was asked to put together a training package on cor-don and search in order to enhance Royal Thai Army capability in the Thai southern insurgency,” Maj Rigby said.

“It was something we hadn’t done a lot of, so we went to the Land Warfare Training Centre which rehashed doctrine from the Malaya insurgency of 1963.

“This became the basis of our insurgency lessons to the Royal Thai Army which have since

integrated it throughout their civil institutions.”

The interpreters travelled across Australia and Thailand and are responsible for accurate and timely dissemination of orders, speeches and exercise materials.

The Thais and the Australians have combat experience in insur-gent and jungle environments and Maj Rigby believed both benefit from sharing techniques.

Maj Rigby said that if anybody was unsure of a question or subject a quiz look is all that was needed and someone would jump in to help.

“Exercises like Chapel Gold are often unrehearsed and brought together quickly, so we help each other as best as we can,” he said.

Exercise Chapel Gold exemplifies the decades of bilateral cooperation between Australian and Thailand.

Pte Samuel Prosser, of 1RAR, on parade with members of the Royal Thai Army during the opening ceremony.

Cpl Rebecca Nicholls, with schoolchildren from Chiang Dao Wittayakom School, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.

Strong Thais

Exercise Chapel Gold

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5July 26, 2018 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 5

1RAR soldiers clear a room as part of a demonstration to members of the Royal Thai Army during Exercise Chapel Gold.Photos: Cpl Matthew Bickerton

Soldiers from the Australian Army and Royal Thai Army run together in a six-legged race at a social sporting event.

A soldier from the Royal Thai Army tries on night fighting equipment.

Third Army Region Deputy Chief Maj-Gen Supachoke Thawatpeerachai, of the Royal Thai Army, speaks to OC A Coy Maj Emlyn Mordike, of 1RAR, during the opening ceremony of Exercise Chapel Gold.

Exercise Chapel Gold

COOK Cpl Johnathan Morris stands over a bub-bling Thai wok and waves me into a hot and humid

Royal Thai Army kitchen. “You have to try this – it’s Thai

style KFC,” Cpl Morris said.Baring no resemblance to

Colonel Sander’s finest, Cpl Morris explains the chicken is delivered fresh each day and the chillies and herbs are picked fresh from the Royal Thai Army base garden.

“The Royal Thai Army are self-sufficient, they grow their own chil-lies and herbs and they use every part of the animal,” he said.

“We cooked a dish yesterday called Larp which has intestines, liver and lung in it.

“Offal is a delicacy here and I’ll cook anything the Thais have on offer at least once.”

Cpl Morris said that pad thai was his favourite local meal and when asked if he could cook the dish to the local standard, he smiled and said he wasn’t concerned.

What’s hot in the kitchenCapt Roger Brennan interviews Army cooks on Exercise Chapel Gold to see how the work differs with a Thai menu.

July 26, 2018Exercise Chapel Gold www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews6

‘Well they say it’s the king of fruits

but I just can’t get past the smell of

the durian.– Cpl Johnathan Morris,

Army cook

“I’ve cooked for long enough now to know what I’m doing.

“We will be cooking pad thai tonight, so I’ll see how the Thais cook it and we will replicate it,” Cpl Morris said.

Pad thai is Thailand’s national dish and it was created in part to demonstrate the countries’ unified and strong culture.

Cpl Morris began his Army cooking career in Sydney with 2

Cdo Regt, where he spent six years.He has deployed to Afghanistan

and has travelled far and wide per-fecting his craft with Army, but one item on the menu stopped him in his tracks.

“Well they say it’s the king of fruits but I just can’t get past the smell of the durian,” Cpl Morris said.

Pte Mitchell Pace, one of the cooks working alongside Cpl Morris, said not even some locals can stomach the fruit.

“The texture is like custard and the smell, similar to leaking gas and putrefied fruit,” Pte Pace said.

“In Malaysia where we first tried it, we offered the locals some to gauge their reaction. They quick-ly but kindly declined.”

The durian fruit may have appalled the Army cooks, but there was three ingredients which they both have as staples in their kitch-en. Garlic, chilli and chicken were never far away from their woks, especially in Thailand.

Cpl Johnathan Morris, of 10FSB, cooks pad thai during Exercise Chapel Gold.Photo: Cpl Matthew Bickerton

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HUDDLED beneath the speckled canopy of the Chiang Mai jun-gle, Royal Thai Army – Special Forces demonstrated how to

prepare a snake for eating to a group of Australian soldiers from Townsville.

1RAR, the current Rifle Company Butterworth rotation, were in Chiang Mai, Thailand, being taught survival techniques on Exercise Chapel Gold 2018.

Soldiers from 5 Special Forces Regiment of the Royal Thai Army dem-onstrated their survival know-how to the Australian soldiers and snake was next on the menu.

The techniques the soldiers were taught have often been developed as a result of misfortune and Master Sergeant Chocchai was quick to point out that the snakes head must be removed from the body immediately once killed.

“Sometimes people get too excited when they catch a snake and immedi-ately go home with the head left on,” Master Sergeant Chocchai said.

“The venom then distributes through-out the snake’s flesh and it is eaten.

“The effects of envenomation can leave a victim dead within an hour, so immediate medical treatment is needed if bitten or ingested.”

A delicate arrangement of traps were also set to demonstrate how to catch food in the tropical forest.

One of the Thai soldiers then showed the Australians how to construct a make-shift cross-bow from a young sapling and bamboo trunk.

The weapon was armed with poison tipped arrowheads which could be fired with deadly accuracy.

The Australians then had to demon-strate their learnt knowledge to the Thai Special Forces soldiers in the upcoming field component of the exercise.

“One technique in particular will make you a very popular soldier,” Master Sergeant Chocchai said.

“Imagine what it is like when it’s dark at night, no light and animals all around?

“If you can start a fire, morale will improve, soldiers stay warm and the fire keeps creatures away.”

Soldiers learn how to last in the Thai wilderness writes Capt Roger Brennan.

Jungle survival

7July 26, 2018 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 7

A Royal Thai Army jungle survival expert demonstrates the use of a makeshift crossbow to members of 1RAR during Exercise Chapel Gold in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Photos: Cpl Matthew Bickerton

A Royal Thai Army jungle survival expert handles a monocled cobra.

Exercise Chapel Gold

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Capt Anna-Lise Brink

WHILE Iraq remains dangerous envi-ronment to operate in, it’s critical that medical staff deployed to Taji stay on their game.

Doctors, nurses and medics of Task Group Taji-7 were tested on their reac-tion and response to a worst case sce-nario during mass casualty training activity at the Taji Military Complex Role One Echo medical facility in June.

Faced with numerous casualties, with various injuries, Health Coy staff had to quickly assess, prioritise, treat and evacuate patients.

The training was made even more realistic with moulage – an art form of simulating injuries with paint and special effects.

Operations officer and registered nurse Lt Shane Balcombe said the training was vital to ensure the team’s response becomes second nature.

“This is where people’s lives can hang in the balance, if we were to not rehearse and have to do it for real, you’ll put people’s lives at risk,” Lt Balcombe said.

“So we rehearse the worst case, hoping that we never have to use it, however if we do, we’re well-trained and well-equipped to be able to meet the challenge.”

WO2 Sharon White helps manage the ward and said the training was fast paced.

“You’re thinking about all these things that can go wrong with the

patient, that you don’t want to go hap-pen, so your mind is always one step ahead, thinking about what you can do better,” she said.

Lt Balcombe said the team was well prepared coming into the six-month deployment after complet-ing a Certification Hospital Exercise

(HospEx) and other training during the mission rehearsal exercise in Australia, but highlighted the importance of con-tinuing to exercise once deployed.

“Once you step into the country it’s completely different, so we’ve blown out a few cobwebs and got used to a few things that run a bit differently to

the HospEx,” Lt Balcombe said. “I have 100 per cent faith that the

people here can provide emergency care – and quickly.”

The Task Group Taji Health Coy provides medical support to the 400-strong Australian and New Zealand contingent as well as person-

nel from a number of other coalition nations on base.

Staff work across primary health care, critical care staging, resuscita-tion, pharmaceuticals, physiotherapy, radiology and pathology.

Lt Balcombe said working with other nations helped the team learn and understand different processes and presented an exciting challenge, build-ing relationships and breaking through the cultural and language barriers.

“Working with other Five-Eyes nations and English speaking nations is relatively easy, but we’re also work-ing with Czech and Spanish personnel that primarily speak another language. We also have Singaporeans in our team,” he said.

The Task Group Taji Health Company will be deployed in Iraq until December.

Preparing for the worst

‘If we were to not

rehearse and have to do it for real, you’ll put

people’s lives at risk.

– Lt Shane Balcombe, Operations officer

9July 26, 2018 Newswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 9

A roleplayer is handed over to Task Group Taji-7 Health Coy personnel during a mass casualty training exercise at Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Photo: Cpl David Said

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SUPERCARS fans may have noticed a standout car in this year’s event in Townsville at the start of July.

For the first time, the RAA part-nered with team, Erebus Motorsport, which resulted in the RAA insignia take up the full space of Anton De Pasquale’s #99 Holden bonnet.

Erebus team owner Betty Klimenko said she was proud to be associated with the RAA.

“It was fantastic to be welcomed out to the Lavarack Barracks and spend time with the gunners on the track,” she said.

“It was really valuable to see the approach the soldiers take to their own roles and they were a great addition to our team during the Supercars event in Townsville.”

The joint venture was to assist the promotion of the RAA Plan Orion (ECN 255 – artillery observers) and Plan Erebus (ECN 250 – Op UAS) recruiting drive which seeks to iden-tify soldiers wishing a corps or trade transfer, as well as encouraging new recruits or former gunners to re-enlist.

Earlier this year Army identified trades ECNs 250 and 255 were criti-cal, and a plan was put in place to recruit current serving soldiers into the 255 forward observer trade.

RAA Head of Regiment Brig Craig Furini said the two trades were crucial to ensuring that the RAA was able to continue its effectiveness.

“These trades provide the eyes and ears of the joint force commander that allow joint fires to be applied accu-

rately at the time and place of the com-mander’s choosing,” he said.

The RAA-Erebus engagement kicked off on July 4 at 4 Regt when the CO Lt-Col Paul Duncan and RSM

WO1 Nathan Cole hosted the team, with RAA soldiers providing a static demonstration of both trades.

The roles were then reversed, with RAA soldiers coming out to the track

where they tested their skills in the pits – helping the team change tyres.

Sgt Jason Goss, of the Combat Arms Training Centre, said the event was a huge success.

“It was such an honour to be able to get this event off the ground and I’m looking forward to being able to see more events like this in the future,” he said.

Revving up recruitmentJuly 26, 2018News www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews10

RAA personnel pose with Supercars including Anton De Pasquale’s, left, which features a the RAA insignia on the bonnet.Photo: Mark Horsburgh

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Capt Lucy Saaroni

AS IF a deployment to Afghanistan was not challenging enough, Aussie troops based in Kabul are running, rowing, cycling and walking 290 miles during their deployment, to raise money for injured Afghans.

The distance, equivalent to 467km, represents the road from Helmund to Kabul.

In a region that has seen more death and injury than any community should know, ADF members serving on Operation Highroad are inspired to sweat it out for a cause that’s close to their heart.

Australian Comd Task Group Afghanistan Brig Peter Connor com-pleted the 290 miles in May.

“The challenge is one way to sus-tain our physical routine, but it also provides a bit of focus for why we are here,” he said.

All funds raised by ADF mem-bers contribute to increasing the qual-ity of life for Afghan Security Forces

personnel through the Afghan Injured or Maimed (AIM) organisation.

This includes hospital rehabilita-tion equipment and support for the Afghan team competing in the Invictus Games in Sydney this year.

WO1 Jon Spargo has been lap-ping the confines of Camp Qargha, west of Kabul, to complete the majority of his 467km as a pack march.

“The great cause behind this chal-lenge pushes me along on those days where I don’t feel like doing PT,” WO1 Spargo explains.

The Aussies agree that raising money for the people they are there to support is not the only benefit of participating in the AIM challenge.

Pte Jono Schnalle is a member of the Force Protection Element.

“Instead of spending my after-noons having a drink with mates back home, I’ve taken to the chal-lenge here instead,” he said.

“I’ve lost 10kg in the first six weeks already.”

Steps in the right direction

11July 26, 2018 Newswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 11

Pte Jono Schnalle, uses the rowing machine for the 290 mile challenge at Camp Qargha, Afghanistan.Photo: WO2 Neil Ruskin

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Capt Carrie Robards and Cpl Carla Armenti

AN UNEXPECTED visit to her Nambucca Heads nursing home has brought joy to a retired RAANC nurse, Mary Ode.

Head of Corps RAANC Lt-Col Toni Bushby was honoured to meet Mrs Ode and present her with the Australian Defence Medal, a let-ter from former CDF ACM Mark Binskin, and an appreciation of ser-vice certificate from Deputy Chief of Army, Maj-Gen Jake Ellwood.

Mrs Ode was also presented with the RAANC corps badge, a moment which brought her to tears.

“Mrs Ode didn’t receive her corps badge during her service. Due to the requirements of serving in 1953 she was required to discharge when she was married,” Lt-Col Bushby explained.

“Her discharge date was set on the eve of nurses of the RAANC being issued their corps badge.

“She is still fiercely proud of her time as a military nurse. Her mem-ories of her service are fond and enduring.”

Mrs Ode completed her basic RAANC training in August 1952, and was posted to 1 Camp Hospital in Yeronga, Queensland. Among her duties at the time was preparing ser-vice personnel for deployment to the Korean War.

Ode of remembrance

“Her enthusiasm and passion for her service was clearly evident,” Lt-Col Bushby said.

“She was keen to share a range of photos, documents and stories with me.”

The legacy of Mrs Ode’s service as part of the Australian Military Forces persists, with those in her immediate family having gone on to serve in various roles.

Mary Ode with her service medal (above) and while

serving (right) before being required to discharge.

July 26, 2018News www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews12

IN BRIEF

BDR Dale Barron, of 16ALR Regimental Training Cell, was elevated to the position of Comd 6 Bde on June 12 after winning the recent 6 Bde motto competition.

The new motto ‘Enable the Force – Disable the Foe’ was sub-mitted by Bdr Barron to describe the role and capabilities that 6 Bde plays in Army.

“We provide force elements to the combat brigades to enhance their effectiveness, whilst protect-

ing our own strengths and weak-nesses,” he said.

Being a bombardier in Air and Missile Defence the second portion of the motto came from an expe-riential understanding of his own trade.

“We ‘disable the foe’ by per-forming air defence, counterterror-ism and demolition tasks,” he said.

The opportunity to perform the role of Commander of 6 Bde for the day was not the motivating factor

for participating in the competition.“I genuinely just liked play-

ing around with the words trying to come up with something that described what we do,” he said.

Being in the headquarters for the day however provided Bdr Barron a great learning experience.

“I’ve had exposure to how the brigade operations work,” he said.

“I’ve listened, and contributed, to an update brief and I have had an opportunity to present my views on

a Heart Foundation fundraiser. “This whole experience is itself

quite enabling.”After the one day as the com-

mander, Bdr Barron returned to his role at the Regimental Training Cell where he is qualified to perform as an air defence commander, a shift boss in a command post as part of an Air Land Integration Cell and as a portable surveillance target and acquisition radar detachment com-mander.

Enable the force, disable the foe

Bdr Dale Barron, of 16ALR, with 6 Bde’s new slogan.

Afghan Black HawksAUSTRALIA will assist the Afghan National Air Force to establish its UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter capability. Defence Minister Marise Payne made the announcement while attending the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Brussels. Australia will provide around 20 ADF personnel, including aviation advisers and force protection, who will help Afghani-stan develop its Black Hawk capability. This will be managed within Australia’s overall commitment of around 300 ADF personnel.Australia remains the second largest contrib-utor to the Afghan National Army Trust Fund, and has contributed US$520 million since 2010. “The Black Hawks are a critical bat-tlefield enabler that will provide the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces with increased air mobility and response capabili-ties for ground forces,” Senator Payne said.

Update your detailsADF members are encouraged to ensure their contact details are up to date when they transition from the ADF. This will enable easier access to post-transition support and services from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) which has begun issuing DVA White Cards to transitioning members for treatment of mental health conditions. Apart from a small co-payment for pharmaceuti-cals, this treatment is free and can include treatment by a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist and hospital treatment. The condition does not need to be related to your service. If you have already left the ADF and do not have a DVA Gold Card or White Card that includes mental health treatment, you may still be able to access this treatment. Contact DVA via email at nlhc@dva.gov.au or call 1800 555 254.

Have your sayPERSONNEL are invited to participate in the YourSay survey. The survey is held once a year to measure attitudes and experiences relating to topics such as Defence and ADF culture, leadership and management. It also looks at career progression, resources, work-life balance and working conditions. Head of People Capability RAdm Brett Wolski said Defence’s leadership needed maximum input from ADF and APS personnel. The survey closes at 11pm on August 3. For information about the survey contact the YourSay team via email, your.say@defence.gov.au.

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Sgt Dave Morley

THREE diggers enjoyed an “experi-ence of a lifetime” over three weeks in June-July when they took part in the Australian War Memorial Soldiers in Residence Program.

Cpls Tren t Goddard , Gary Nancarrow and Ryan Lickiss learnt a lot from their stints in residence and also shared a lot with the staff and visitors to the Memorial.

Cpl Goddard, a B Sqn, 1 Armd Regt tank commander, said he enjoyed seeing the Memorial’s collection and learning how it procured, maintained and displayed items.

“Walking into the Memorial’s warehouse at Mitchell and seeing a Centurion tank that was in B Sqn at the Battle of Binh Ba, still in opera-tional condition, was a highlight for me,” he said.

“The experience definitely opened my eyes to how the public has that

love of the Australian soldier, and it provides an opportunity for you to pay back for that admiration.

“We’ve been able to interact with schoolchildren and guests of the Memorial and it’s been great.”

Cpl Nancarrow, the 5RAR museum curator at Robertson Barracks, said he put his hand up for the program for the experience.

“It’s taught me how to look after documents, photos and pictures, and how to catalogue items and look after exhibits,” he said.

Cpl Nancarrow said he enjoyed finding out what went into the Memorial and how it was run.

“A highlight was doing programs with the schoolchildren because they ask you some good questions, as well as some left-of-field questions, and they just look up to you as a real sol-dier,” he said.

He said he would recommend the program to other diggers “as a great

experience that will get them out of the Army frame of mind for a bit, so they can see how important the Memorial is for future generations”.

“It might even get the diggers more interested in our museum at home,” he said.

Cpl Lickiss, an aircrewman at 171 Sqn, 6 Avn Regt, at Holsworthy, enjoyed passing on stories to a few of the Memorial’s staff.

“In my role at work I haven’t been able to contribute for 18 months, so this has helped me feel like I’m giving something to the Army,” he said.

“I enjoyed working with the chil-dren, because they’re really interested in what you’ve done and where you’ve been.”

The program is available to both diggers and officers. Apply through chain of command or through the Army Support to Wounded Injured and Ill Team in the Directorate of Army Health. For information, email: army-swiip@defence.gov.au

THE diggers on the Soldiers in Residence program aren’t the only ones who benefit from their time with the Australian War Memorial, according to the Memorial’s senior education officer, Lauren Ogden.

She said the staff were also beneficiaries of the program.

“We feel privileged to have the soldiers here to share their stories with us and it’s definitely a big sense of responsibility for us to make sure we’re passing on their stories correctly,” Ms Ogden said.

It was also rewarding to see the soldiers grow from the experience.

“Each individual has a different outcome. Some people who’ve had difficulty sharing their experiences have gained a lot of confidence just being able to interact with the pub-lic. For others, just seeing the staff

and how they’re trying to share the contemporary or Defence story has fostered a sense of pride.

“Another benefit for the par-ticipants is they’ve gained clarity about their futures, whether it’s their personal lives or careers.”

Ms Ogden said the soldiers had engaged with all aspects of the Memorial with open minds.

“I think they enjoyed being the centre of attention with the school students, in particular, who inun-dated them with a lot of questions, which they handled professionally, even though some of the questions were a bit curly at times,” she said.

The program started in 2013, when the Memorial’s Director, Dr Brendan Nelson was keen for vet-erans to tell their stories when the Afghanistan exhibition opened.

13July 26, 2018 Newswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 13

The feeling’s mutual

Diggers keep it real

From left, Cpls Gary Nancarrow, Ryan Lickiss and Trent Goddard find their signatures on an Afghanistan war exhibit at the Australian War Memorial.Photo: Pte Renee Breeze

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GUIDE AND DELIVERAustralian soldiers train Iraqis to destroy heavy duty targets in the ranges of Besmayah, Iraq, reports Capt Anna-Lise Brink.

IN THE vast, barren, desert military ranges of Besmayah, Iraq, RPGs blast tanks; mortars illuminate the night sky and .50 calibre heavy

machine guns decimate targets.Firing those weapons are Iraqi

Army soldiers, under the watchful eyes of Australian Army trainers from Task Group Taji-7.

A mobile training team from the task group’s Training Team Sierra went to Besmayah to deliver the heavy weapons training package to about 100 soldiers from the Iraqi Army 59 Bde across June-July.

The team spent several days with the Iraqi soldiers, live-firing 120mm mortars, RPG and .50 calibre heavy machine guns to train them on the weapon systems.

Mobile training team leader Capt Laurence Smith said support weap-ons were an important part of a brigade’s arsenal and would help in their ongoing fight against Daesh.

“They provide that key fire support that any Army unit needs to be able to effectively function,” he said.

“These weapons systems, being employed effectively, are going to reduce casualties in the Iraqi Army and allow them to neutralise Daesh threats quicker.”

Sgt Barry Blenman was one of

the Australian trainers for the 120mm mortars and coached trainees how to effectively use illumination, white phosphorous and high explosive rounds.

“The Iraqis are probably old hands of the Russian equivalent, however

we taught them a better way to use the sighting system and provide a more accurate direct fire with the 120mm mortar tubes,” Sgt Blenman said.

“They were motivated from the start, they were very competitive and

they always put in the hard work.”The mobile training team also had

an important support team, including a New Zealand armourer and ammu-nition technician, to ensure both the weapon systems and ammunition remained safe to use throughout

the training package. New Zealand ammunition technician Cpl S said his role was to inspect the ammunition before and during training serials.

“If anything looks wrong with the rounds, I inspect it and see what’s happened and whether it’s good to go,” he said.

“We just had one before – a mor-tar round had a loose tail fin on it, so I was able to say ‘no, we’re not going to fire that’ and keep everyone safe.”

Cpl S said it was a great new experience to see these weapon sys-tems in action.

“We don’t usually get to do this at home, so it’s awesome,” he said.

“Getting involved in different weapon systems and seeing the dif-ference the trainers are making to the Iraqis, and seeing how they’re progressing, is awesome to witness,” he said.

This was the first of several heavy weapon mobile training teams that Task Group Taji-7 will run at Besmayah.

“The reason we do this training at Besmayah is because it has better range facilities for the sort of heavy weapons that we’re using and we can employ these weapons at Besmayah without impacting any of the local community,” Capt Smith said.

Iraqi Army soldiers fire mortars under the supervision of Australian Army trainers during heavy weapons training.

A tank used for target practice is struck by an RPG fired by a member of the Iraqi Army.

Iraqi soldiers prepare ammunition for a live-fire mortar exercise.

An Iraqi soldier fires an RPG under the supervision of an Australian trainer.

An Australian soldier conducts a range inspection before a live fire mortar exercise during heavy weapons training at Besmayah, Iraq. Photos: Cpl David Said

Maj Kris Gardiner

FOUR years is long time for any pro-ject, but when it’s a local communi-ty’s war memorial that needs to be completed before Remembrance Day 2018, who can help?

Fifteen soldiers from the Soldier Recovery Centre – Adelaide, with members of RAAF’s 92 Wg, helped contractors finish the Bridgewater War Memorial project in the Adelaide Hills after hearing about the plight of the community.

The brainchild of the students from Bridgewater Primary School, the memorial was conceived to provide a place to remember those locals who gave their last full measure in WWI and following conflicts.

Beyond the skills of the students and supporters of the project, the community was given a lifeline after members of the 1 Bde heard about the stalled project.

OIC Soldier Recovery Centre – Adelaide Capt Chris Sylvia said the opportunity was mutually beneficial.

“It isn’t everyday that you get to help build a permanent war memorial,” Capt Sylvia said.

“The initiative demonstrated by the students of Bridgewater Primary to

undertake a project like this needed to be rewarded and we were more than happy to lend some extra muscle to make it a reality.”

Working alongside contractors, the soldiers and airmen turned the leafy embankment, left untouched for far too long into a grand statement of sol-emn respect.

Capt Sylvia said the greatest aspect of the project was the opportunity for the students to work with Defence personnel.

“Many of the students who came up with the idea for the memorial don’t have a direct link to the military beyond a grandparent, great-grandpar-ent of even great-great-grandparent,” he said.

“Having soldiers and airmen working with them offered tangible acknowledgement that their efforts are appreciated by those who serve today – I think that’s pretty special.”

It is expected that the memo-rial will be completed ahead of the Remembrance Day to recognise the centenary of the end of WWI.

“Given the level of ownership earned by the hands-on approach by the children, I think November 11 this year will be pretty special,” Capt Sylvia said.

Adelaide troops build relations

One warrant officer is serving next to a former trainee, more than two decades after training him, Sgt Mark Doran reports.

WHEN Rec Alan Holley marched into 1RTB in 1995, his section com-mander, Cpl Giok Lauw

saw a recruit with obvious potential.Now, after 23 years, Maj Holley

and WO1 Lauw are still serving with Army and both are deployed to HQ JTF633 on Operation Accordion.

Maj Holley immigrated to Australia in 1990 after discharging from the Royal Air Force Regiment, where he was a mechanised infantry-man working with the Scorpion light tank and the Spartan armoured per-sonnel carrier.

WO1 Lauw said Maj Holley was

already a soldier – the instructors at 1RTB just needed to teach him how to do things Army’s way.

“He also had operational experi-ence from his time with the RAF as he spent two years deployed to Northern Ireland,” he said.

“Maj Holley was focused, but I think he would’ve crawled over a mile of broken beer bottles to finish his time at Kapooka.

“I’ve always found training recruits to be a rewarding experience, but it’s great when I see my former trainees progressing in their military careers.”

Maj Holley said WO1 Lauw was

a fair section commander who drove his recruits at Kapooka hard.

“We won the top section award as well as the falling plate trophy,” he said.

“WO1 Lauw was also responsible for sorting out my Australian citizen-ship while I was training.

“The last time I saw him was when we were posted to 16 Avn Bde in 2009, so it’s good to serve in a unit with him again, especially on an overseas operation.

“It reminds us Army is a small family and we never know when we’ll run into people we know.”

Kapooka memories

July 26, 2018Features www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews16

Maj Alan Holley and WO1 Giok Lauw are both deployed overseas to HQ JTF633 on Operation Accordion. Photo: Sgt Mark Doran

One of soldiers from the Soldier Recovery Centre – Adelaide helps a contractor with concreting to complete the Bridgewater War Memorial.

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July 26, 2018Features www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews18

ON THE dusty hills of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in central Queensland, Army reservists from the NSW-based Battle Group Waratah

tested out their operational readiness as part of the Army’s largest exercise – Exercise Hamel.

Cpl James Davies, a section commander from Battle Group Waratah, was one of the participants.

“This exercise was a fantastic opportunity for the battle group to show that we are capa-ble, ready and able to provide support to the Army wherever needed,” he said.

Cpl Davies, who works in air movement coordination with Virgin Australia as a civilian, has been serving with the Army Reserve for nine years. He has deployed to Timor-Leste and Malaysia in that time.

“One minute we can be doing a stability operation followed by high-intensity warfight-ing training,” he said.

Battle Group Waratah is comprised of Army Reserve personnel drawn from across a range of civilian professions.

As part of the Army’s Plan Beersheba, the Army Reserve provides a fully qualified and combat-ready reinforcing battle group to sup-port a parent regular Army brigade on overseas operations or domestic exercises.

Exercise Hamel was a chance for reservists to show they were capable

and ready, reports Capt Michael Trainor.

Battle group steps up

Army reservists Pte Jane Keel (left) and Pte Michaela Tolhurst deployed with Battle Group Waratah on Exercise Hamel.Photo: Maj Al Green

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EYES in the sky were abundant over Exercise Hamel, as 20 STA Regt put its full suite of unmanned aerial systems (UAS)

into battle. BM HQ 7 Bde Maj Richard

Thapthimthong said of the six systems used, including the Small UAS (SUAS) Wasp and Black Hornet, the Shadow 200 was the workhorse and go-to platform at the JTF and brigade levels.

“Using Shadow as a single asset in support of the brigade scheme of manoeuvre for Hamel proved success-ful, as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance [ISR] platform and also as part of deception planning,” Maj Thapthimthong said.

“The assets and teams from 20 STA Regt were fundamental to the successes that 7 Bde achieved on the Integrated Sea/Land Series and in particular, Hamel.”

Comd 131 STA Bty Maj Alexandra McDonald said during Hamel, 20 STA

put in long hours to provide an essential capability.

“The demand for ISR is growing as commanders require greater situational awareness before taking decisive action,” Maj McDonald said.

“Over the course of the exercise, 20 STA produced 37 hours of flight, daily, meaning they were supporting collection and targeting on two separate locations almost 24/7.”

She said the scale of the exercise afforded the team several training oppor-tunities they don’t often get.

“We used Shadow to designate for the ARH Tiger in a manned/unmanned teaming dynamic task,” Maj McDonald said.

“In that kind of scenario, we’re able reduce the risk of flying ARHs in an unknown ground-based air defence threat location.”

Trials are currently underway of ver-tical take-off systems to add to 20 STA’s UAS fleet.

Exercise provides perfect skies to test the Shadow, Maj Brendon Gledhill reports.

Overwatch at Hamel

July 26, 2018 Featureswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 19

Soldiers from 20 STA Regt prepare the Shadow 200 unmanned aerial vehicle for a flight at Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Hamel. Photo: LS Jake Badior

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A CENTURY after Indigenous b r o t h e r s C h a r l i e a n d Norman Baird fought for Australia in WWI, two

Indigenous men are continuing in their ancestors’ footsteps.

Ptes Neil Sykes and Clayton Baird are Wujal-Wujal community-based dig-gers from 51FNQR who trained near Townsville for Exercise Tsimba Ridge in July.

The exercise covered foundational skills from weapon handling, commu-nications, navigation, patrolling and concealment.

Training also included image gath-ering and counter-surveillance tech-niques, which are specialist skills required by the unit.

While inspired by his forebear’s ser-vice in the war, Pte Baird said he liked the teamwork aspect, encouraging oth-ers to share the experience.

“If I can do it so can others,” he said.

“Those not just from my commu-nity, but communities across the north.”

OC A Coy Maj Josh Mickle said while current operational tasks honed the soldiers’ skills, exercises such as Tsimba Ridge ensured total proficiency.

“Our current operations are not tak-ing place in an opposed environment,” he said.

“Nevertheless, we need our forc-

es to be competent and ready in that respect.

“Therefore our patrols will be oper-ating in a field environment with an opposing force.”

Reservists from 31/42RQR, based in Townsville, are well placed to form an opposing force as their knowledge in local training areas is strong.

Operating in unfamiliar terrain is a

welcome challenge for the soldiers of 51FNQR who usually operate further north and west.

The sparsely vegetated Townsville training area savannah threw up some

challenges to patrol commanders dur-ing the exercise as they scouted loca-tions to conceal vehicles.

“It seems even kangaroos can’t remain undetected in this country,” said one soldier after an air reconnaissance, “so we’re going to put some thought into this”.

Using his experience as a cavalry officer, CO Lt-Col Tim Rutherford offered advice to the patrol on conceal-ment of vehicles.

“While the team is equipped with the latest technology to help them con-duct surveillance tasks, it’s also useful for the team to learn low-tech approach-es to mask their signature,” he said.

“Remaining undetected is as impor-tant as finding our target.”

Experts at adapting, the troops quickly faded into their new operating environment.

With 30 per cent of 51FNQR personnel Indigenous, the unit has a diverse make-up.

Thirteen per cent of Army’s Indigenous soldiers are in the unit.

Recent recrui t Pte Shanane Doughboy explained the appeal.

“The best part is working with friends, learning new and different things,” she said.

A sentiment as pertinent now as in WWI when Charlie and Norman Baird first enlisted.

Descendants in armsSoldiers train side by side for Exercise Tsimba Ridge, following in their ancestors’ footsteps.

Ptes Clayton Baird and Neil Sykes, of 51FNQR, practise image gathering after a photography lesson in the field.Photos: Maj Al Green

Pte Sykes on patrol during a training exercise at the Townsville Field Training Area.

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JOINT Capabilities Group (JCG) has marked its first birthday by celebrating a year of achievements and the

teams is looking forward to an even busier time ahead.

Working under the motto ‘For the Warfighter’, the group has grown since July last year to comprise Joint Health Command, Joint Logistics Command, the Australian Defence College (ADC), Information Warfare Division (IWD), Joint Military Police Unit (JMPU), and Women Peace and Security.

July 1 also marked the first anniversary of IWD. The division established the Joint Cyber Unit and the Defence Signals Intelligence and Cyber Command in its first year.

Chief of Joint Capabilities AVM Warren McDonald said his group hit the ground running and had not stopped.

“Our mission is to deliver desig-nated joint capabilities to improve the ADF’s warfighting effective-ness,” AVM McDonald said.

“Every member of JCG has an important role to play in achieving this mission and supporting the joint fight.

“Through the leadership of Comd ADC Maj-Gen Michael Ryan we are very focused on education and how we can best provide profes-sional military training.

“Since our establishment we have taken on responsibility for the implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security as well as JMPU.

“The Service Police, now called

Military Police (MP), are an essen-tial capability that transitioned to JCG in March 2018.

“We are focused on delivering a standardised and suitably equipped MP force, supported by professional development training that equips them to address contemporary polic-ing challenges.”

AVM McDonald said the biggest challenge in the group’s first year was presenting a combined front while taking on additional respon-sibility.

“The team took on that challenge and I am very pleased to report that we are on track,” AVM McDonald said.

“We have personnel across Australia – be they in health centres, logistics units or educational facili-ties – who are focused on ensur-ing ADF members are fit to fight, equipped, educated and supported. I have been incredibly impressed by the standard of people in the group.”

AVM McDonald said the tempo would only increase in the year ahead.

“Over the next 12 months we will deliver the MP reform, further improve our fuel and explosive ordnance networks, upgrade our warehouse management systems, improve professional military training, negotiate and deliver a new health services contract, seek approvals for projects that deliver defensive cyber and intelligence data mining capabilities, and pro-vide advance high frequency radio upgrades and command and control applications,” he said.

After a busy start, JCG is ready to up the tempo, Anjali Skandaraja reports.Fit to fight

another year

Chief of Joint Capabilities AVM Warren McDonald during a town hall meeting at ADFA last year.Photo: Jay Cronan

UNIFORMED supervisors need to prepare for and conduct end-cycle conversations with their APS employees by August 31, when the APS Performance Feedback Assessment and Development Scheme (PFADS) reaches the end of its cycle.

Director General Personnel – Army Brig Leigh Wilton said the end-cycle conversation was an opportunity to review and reflect on work performed throughout the performance cycle, recognise employees’ achievements and think about learnings and objectives for the future.

“There should be no surprises at the end-cycle conversation. Frequent conversations should occur throughout the performance cycle and feedback should not be put off until the end-cycle perfor-mance conversation,” Brig Wilton said.

“Leadership is a day-to-day proposition and if you haven’t been having conversations with your APS employees to acknowledge their strengths and provide guid-ance on areas for improvement, now is the time.”

Key things to be considered for the end-cycle conversation include: Start early. Make sure you allow

enough time to prepare for and

Time for a key conversation about employees’ performance

July 26, 2018 Personnelwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 23

hold the conversation with your APS employee.

It is important to be open and honest and measure performance against the key expected results identified in the start and mid-cycle conversations.

The focus should be on outcomes and how they were achieved (behaviours). Be prepared to provide examples to support your assessment.

The most important part of the process is the conversation itself. The end-cycle template is just a tool to record the conversation and performance rating.

‘You should

recommend a performance

rating that is a true reflection of the individual’s performance.– Brig Leigh Wilton,

DGPers – Army

Brig Wilton said supervisors must make an accurate assessment of their APS employees’ perfor-mances.

“Remember, performance rat-ings are not linked to promotion,” she said.

“You should recommend a per-formance rating that is a true reflec-tion of the individual’s performance and have a meaningful conversation with your APS employee about this.”

Most APS employees were expected to be rated as ‘fully effec-tive’, which meant they were meet-ing expectations and doing a good job.

“Trust your judgement and, if in doubt, consult your peer supervisors to discuss what ‘fully effective’ and other ratings look like in your area,” Brig Wilton said.

Performance ratings for all APS employees need to be recorded in PMKeyS Self Service by their first- and second-level supervisor.

For employees to be eligible for progression payments a rating of ‘fully effective’ or above must be recorded no later than September 14.

More information on the PFADS process can be found on the APS Performance Hub via PeopleConnect. Questions can be directed to 1800 DEFENCE (1800 333 362)

PERSONNEL at Lavarack Barracks have been the first to benefit from new protected wireless capabilities delivered by CIOG’s JP2047 terrestrial communications project.

It is delivering the new Defence Terrestrial Communications Network (DTCN) in con-junction with Defence’s Automated Data Capture at Units (ADC-U) project.

ADC-U is improving supply transactions, including stocktaking, receipts and issues, and temporary loans. It relies on the DTCN’s wireless capability for a mobile solution.

RQ 3CER WO1 Jason Ireland has trialled the ADC-U capability.

“We’ve seen a significant improvement in the time taken to process transactions through the use of the (wireless) barcode scanning functionality,” he said.

Personnel from 3 Bde units are undertak-ing training to operate the ADC-U land capa-bility across the DTCN wireless network that is being implemented at Lavarack Barracks.

Lt-Col Piers Cambridge, of AHQ, is the Army project manager for ADC-U and the use of the DTCN infrastructure.

He said Army had worked closely with CIOG and Telstra to use the DTCN to improve logistics and, more importantly, pave the way for Army to effectively transition to the new Enterprise Resource Planner in future.

“DTCN wireless infrastructure is integral to the operation of logistics activities using mobile devices and supporting technolo-gies at Lavarack Barracks and more broadly across Army,” he said.

The wireless capability is a component of the overhaul of the Defence ICT environment at 368 transformed sites.

WO1 Ireland said the capability delivered by JP2047 had already made a difference to the day-to-day activities of personnel at Lavarack Barracks.

“Prior to ADC-U there was a vast amount of paperwork generated to provide evidence to the stocktaking officer that equipment had been issued to an individual,” he said.

“With the introduction of ADC-U, we have seen the time taken to conduct a security check more than halved.”

The JP2047 project has migrated more than 130 sites to the DTCN, with all 368 sites in scope due to be completed in 2019.

Logistics on the move

Protected wireless capabilities are making it easier and quicker to process supply transactions.

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July 26, 2018Features www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews24

BREAKING ground for 1 Bde, 7RAR has introduced the Army Combatives Program (ACP) as a routine part of battalion life.

Internally-delivered ACP training has been incorporated into daily training and the battalion also has access to the Integrated Combat Club – Edinburgh, which is sponsored by the ADF Martial Arts Association and offers martial arts training as sport.

ACP has evolved from Infantry Integrated Combat, established in 2014, and is conducted over a series of levels based on a range of common principles and techniques.

The first two levels incorporate all-corps mandatory training that equips par-ticipants to survive a physical encounter and retain their weapon.

This is followed by discretionary training that equips select individuals or trades to apply lethal and non-lethal tech-niques in an all-corps environment.

Over the next two levels, all infantry participants undertake mandatory train-ing in applying techniques as part of an infantry section.

Special forces participants, mean-while, are required to be trained in apply-ing techniques as part of a Special Forces team.

The final component qualifies person-nel as trainers up to, and including, their certified level of ACP.

CO 7RAR Lt-Col Paul Graham said while high levels of muscular strength, stamina and endurance were essential for soldiers, physical preparation needed to be paired with mental resilience and confidence.

“This is particularly important dur-ing extreme close engagements that may result in hand-to-hand encounters,” Lt-Col Graham said.

“By encouraging martial arts training within the battalion, coupled with a new focus on ACP, our soldiers are physically and mentally prepared to win in the close fight.”

The School of Infantry’s ACP Train the Trainer team and 7RAR ACP instruc-tors joined forces last month to deliver ACP training at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

Personnel from across 1 Bde (South) took part in the course, from June 18-29, which generated a pool of level 1 and 2 instructors who have now joined a grow-ing group of ACP trainers across Army.

Under the supervision of course manager Sgt Nathan Searle, of the School of Infantry, and 7RAR’s Sgt Dale Macaskill, soldiers from 7RAR, 1 Armd Regt, 1CSST and 16ALR received theo-retical and intensive practical training in ACP.

Sgt Macaskill said the course culmi-nated in reality-based training sessions to ensure training and instructional tech-niques had provided valuable skills.

“The program gives them the knowl-edge and ability to subdue the enemy with or without the use of weapons,” he said.

Student and now qualified ACP instructor Cpl Tom Leechman, of 7RAR, has already incorporated the techniques into his training program.

“ACP provides an exciting capability and training opportunity for all units,” Cpl Leechman said.

Combatives training is designed to give soldiers the edge over the enemy with or

without weapon, Maj Kris Gardiner writes.

Equipped to win in the close encounter

Soldiers from 1 Bde practise subduing an enemy soldier as part of the Army Combatives Program at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

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July 26, 2018 Funwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 25

Capture or KillAuthor: Tom MarcusPages: 324ppPublisher: Macmillan Books RRP: $30Reviewer: Sgt Dave Morley

THERE are spy books and then there are spy books.

The former feature suave, well-dressed womanisers, known to barmen worldwide, swanning around the globe staying at flash hotels and driving flash cars.

The latter tell you how it really is; an operator sitting in a rainy park, in urine-stained clothes, surrounded by addicts, watching a gloomy building through the darkness.

Capture or Kill falls into the second category and is Tom Marcus’ second book and his first attempt at a novel.

His first book, Soldier Spy, was an account of his life growing up on the streets in England, joining the British Army as a boy soldier and serving in special operations in Northern Ireland,

before becoming an MI5 surveillance operator.

Capture or Kill introduces fictitious MI5 agent Matt Logan who, frus-trated by soft WHS rules, transfers to ‘Blindeye’, a new top-secret unit, with no such constraints.

His team are tasked to track down two brothers, Masood and Hamza, who are plotting a major terrorist attack in London.

Alan, the team’s technical guru, performs wonders to keep them one step ahead, while their dodgy team leader, Jeremy Leyton-Hughes, seems to have his own agenda and hinders them every step of the way.

Hopefully, Capture or Kill will be the first in a series featuring Matt Logan and his MI5 mates.

Give it a go – you won’t be disap-pointed.

Army has a copy to give away to a lucky reader. Contact armynews@defencenews.gov.au

Capturing, killer storylineTiger’s RAR

HIS MIXED temperament and unpredictable nature mean Cpl Quintus Rama, of 5RAR, has a permanent

posting to the unit’s nearest wild-life park.

After years of travelling the country, for wildlife education pro-grams, the now-18-year-old Bengal tiger took up residence with his sister at Crocodylus Park, Darwin before enlisting in 2012.

RSM 5RAR WO1 Sean Ransome said since joining the unit, Cpl Rama has managed to rope in a small team from the bat-talion to help out around his resi-dence each day.

“We have four of our soldiers go out every day to clean up around Crocodylus Park and do

our bit,” WO1 Ransome said. Just because he’s located away

from the rest of the battalion, doesn’t mean Cpl Rama misses out on unit activities.

When it comes to ceremonial duties Cpl Rama gets the royal treatment, riding front and centre in a mog-mounted enclosure.

“We march with him every Anzac Day,” WO1 Ransome said.

“He sits in the cage and he marches with the battalion for our events.”

While Cpl Rama enjoys his outings, he’s never shy to speak up when he needs to.

Former 5RAR tiger handler Sgt Chris Hayden, now at 4/3RNSWR, said Cpl Rama usually kept a calm demeanour, but had an inexplicable

temper toward certain soldiers. “One of the drivers used to get

Cpl Rama fired up, for no reason at all – even just standing there would set him off,” Sgt Hayden said.

He said the 5RAR soldiers sometimes made good use of Cpl Rama’s prejudices, playing on the merits of controlled aggression.

“One time we were all at the party for the battalion’s birthday, and the CO was making a speech. We were all waiting for him to fin-ish up so we could knock off, but it just wasn’t happening,” Sgt Hayden said.

“We sent Cpl Rama’s truckie friend over to sit near the mog he was on and when he arched up, the CO took Cpl Rama’s hint and wrapped it up pretty quickly.”

5RAR’s mascot Cpl Quintus Rama is truly earning his stripes, Cpl Julia Whitwell reports.

Cpl Quintus Rama takes a break.

July 26, 2018www.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsPeople26

Below: Cpl Frederick Pilcher, of Norforce, learns from AB Frank Cook how to weave native vegetation into tools traditionally used by Aborigines.Photo: LS James Whittle

Cpl Mitch Bowman, of 5RAR, meets Foreign Affairs Minister Julie

Bishop during her visit to Larrakeyah Defence Precinct.

Photo: LS James Whittle

Right: Pte Thomas Lynch (left), of

3RAR, in his role as a ‘guardian angel’

in Afghanistan, with Command and Staff

Academy mentor Lt-Col Colin Lingo.Photo: Sgt Mark Doran

Cpl Jenette McNeilly recites the Ode at

the Australian War Memorial’s Last Post

Ceremony during NAIDOC Week.

Photo: Cpl Oliver Carter

Physiotherapist Lt Nicola Hribar treats a patient in HMAS Adelaide’s hospital during Exercise Indo-Pacific Endeavour.Photo: AB Craig Walton

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Sportwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsJuly 26, 2018 27

Sgt David Morley

MAJOR changes to the way the Kapooka K-Series events will be held should lead to more units and individu-als being able to take part, according to K-Series organiser Maj Jon Morgan.

Maj Morgan said the 2018-19 Kapooka K-Series would be conducted over a series of dates instead of, as in previous years, trying to play all sports on one day.

“The changes to the format of the K-Series are intended to make the sports more appealing to teams from Defence from a scheduling perspective,” he said.

“ARTC at Kapooka and the greater Wagga Wagga community have excel-lent facilities which will hopefully attract more teams to compete in the series.”

Maj Morgan said a number of sports, such as touch football and mixed netball would no longer be played due to reduced participation from ADF teams.

“But we’ll be introducing mountain biking, with a four-hour teams event at Pomingalarna MTB trail, near Kapooka, on October 20,” he said.

Water polo K5s will be held at Kapooka Pool on October 27 and rugby league K9s on November 10.

Rugby union and golf will be played in March 2019 and a one-off Defence teams AFL match is planned to be held at Robertson Oval, Wagga, in May 2019.

“Archery is also being looked at with a view to introducing it in to the K-Series,” Maj Morgan said.

Big changes for K-Series

Cpl Sebastian Beurich

A SOLID lead through the first period skated the ADF Strike ice hockey team into good terri-tory during their game against the Aussie Heat at the Sydney Super Dome.

The exhibition match was a cur-tain-raiser for the 2018 Ice Hockey Classic US versus Canada game on June 30.

Cpl Aaron Hession, of SME, said although this was the third time Strike had played the Heat,

they managed to sneak a few sur-prises into this game.

“We were pretty confident we’d get the win against them, but after leading through the first period, the game didn’t really turn out how we expected,” Cpl Hession said.

“The Heat had a player from the Japanese national team playing for them and he really showed his skill during the game.

“With a few quick goals in the later part of the game, we went down 5-4.”

Despite a narrow loss, Cpl

Hession said he enjoyed the game.“The highlight of the night was

definitely getting to watch the US and Canada teams play off against each other,” Cpl Hession said.

“We also had the opportunity to help out with an Australian Para Ice Hockey Association sled hockey exhibition game, which was really rewarding.”

For more information on the ADF Ice Hockey Association, or to get updates on their games, follow their page on Facebook: @ADFIHA

Strike falls just short

Cpl Aaron Hessoin breaks free as the ADF ice hockey team battles it out against the Emergency Services team in Sydney.Photo: Sgt Christopher Dickson

Members from the ADFA1 and

ADFA2 Rugby 7s teams struggle for

possession the K-7s competition in 2017. Photo: Sgt Dave Morley

July 26, 2018

SPORTCOLD SNAP

Defence falls in narrow loss to

Emergency Services team P27

Pte Riley Mayor in control during the game against the Emergency Services team in Sydney.Photo: Sgt Christopher Dickson