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The official newspaper of the Royal Australian NavyVolume 56, No. 23, December 5, 2013

SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRIDE

NEWSNAVY

Safe search10,000 remnants of war neutralised in Solomon Islands

PAGE 4

HMAS Tobruk arrives in Philippines laden with troops and equipment

ALL HANDS

Pages 2-3

First for ADFLCDR Kelly Haywood takes out national businesswoman award

PAGE 6

2 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS December 5, 2013

Director David Edlington: (02) 6265 4650Editor Sharon Palmer: (02) 6266 7612Content Editor Darryl Johnston: (02) 6265 2253Coordination/Sports Editor Michael Weaver: (02) 6266 7707Reporters Michael Brooke: (02) 8335 5231 LSIS Helen Frank: (02) 6266 7606 WO2 Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614 SGT Dave Morley: (02) 6266 7613 CPL Max Bree: (02) 6266 7608 CPL Nick Wiseman: (02) 6265 4140 CPL Aaron Curran: (02) 6265 1355

LAST 2013 EDITIONThis is the last edition of Navy News for 2013. The first edition for 2014 is January 30. The deadline for submissions is January 15. The team at Air Force News wishes all our readers a merry Christmas and happy new year.

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SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRIDE

NEWSNAVY

SGT Dave Morley

AS HMAS Tobruk steamed slowly into Ormoc on the morning of November 26 a light mist hid much of the city’s devastation.

It wasn’t until the mist lifted and the ship anchored just offshore, that the true extent of the destruc-tion from Typhoon Haiyan became apparent.

Trees that hadn’t been uprooted had been stripped bare of their leaves, leaving scenes reminiscent of a bushfire.

As far as the eye could see, houses had their roofs ripped off, but despite the damage Filipino kids were still running around the beach-es smiling and waving.

Two RHIBs with divers from AUSCDT-4, and the ship’s boat carrying Navy hydrographers, were the first into the water to begin the arduous task of checking the condi-

tions around the port areas. A pair of Army LARC V amphibious vehi-cles was next into the water, revers-ing carefully down Tobruk’s stern ramp, before setting off to recce the shore line.

One LARC drove onto a beach near the city centre and instantly drew a large crowd of interested onlookers, many of them children.

While recces were being con-ducted the Ship’s Army Detachment (SAD) lowered two LCM-8s into the water, causing the big ship to list to starboard briefly.

Later, elements of Townsville’s 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment were ferried ashore in the LARCs.

Day one of Tobruk’s mission on Operation Philippines Assist was under way.

After a hectic day of recces, cran-ing and refuelling activities, Tobruk was able to disembark her Operation Philippines Assist Recovery Support Force (RSF) before nightfall.

Both Navy and Army personnel worked solidly in stiflingly humid conditions to get the task completed.

CO Tobruk CMDR Leif Maxfield said the initial operation had been extremely successful.

“A comprehensive survey by the hydrographic team, supported by the embarked clearance divers, identified a suitable landing beach,” he said.

“Once confirmed as such by the amphibious beach team the off-load commenced.”

CMDR Maxfield said the team-work across the embarked elements and the RSF had been exceptional, with the full offload of the RSF vehi-cle and heavy plant equipment being achieved in less than 12 hours.

“The determination of personnel to get cracking with the recovery effort showed the high levels of dedi-cation and professionalism of our sailors and soldiers,” he said.

Faithful and

CROSSING the equator aboard an Australian warship is how one mid-shipman spent his 18th birthday.

For many young blokes, turning 18 means a big night out with mates or a bit of a party at home with family and friends.

But MIDN Lachlan Marsh is in the Philippines as part of the ADF response to Typhoon Haiyan, and it was business as usual.

He said there were no special con-

cessions as far as getting time off work was concerned. “I didn’t mind though, it kept me busy,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate I’m away from friends and family for my birthday, but it’ll certainly be worth the experi-ence and the stories I’ll return with.”

MIDN Marsh said the other offic-ers aboard did what they could to make the day special for him.

“The CO and the XO both made a speech and the chefs prepared an awe-some cake,” he said.

HERE TO HELP: A landing craft approaches HMAS Tobruk off the coast of Ormoc, Philippines, to continue unloading Australian Army engineers and equipment during Operation Philippines Assist. Photo: CPL Jake Sims

HEAVY LOAD: HMAS Tobruk’s crane loads heavy vehicles while alongside in Townsville

RESTAURANT-quality meals are the order of the day for the ship’s company and embarked forces in HMAS Tobruk.

POML-C Iain James attributes this to the “can do attitude and exceptional lead-ership” shown by the leading seamen in his department.

“Since deploying, the catering department’s work-load has effectively doubled,” he said.

“The 17-member team works in extremely hot, arduous conditions for long periods and is performing extraordinarily well.

“I know and expect my staff will continue to provide tasty and highly nutritious meals that will keep impress-ing our newfound crew mem-bers.”

“They are a credit to the Navy and the Maritime Logistic Department.”

“SMNML-C Karlee Rance only finished her category training two weeks before joining the ship, and her cour-age, attitude and work ethic have impressed me greatly.”

No rest for restaurant quality

Birthday equates to life at sea

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Spending his 18th birthday at sea was all part of the job for MIDN Lachlan Marsh.

CUT ABOVE SMNML-C Karlee Rance chops vegetables in the kitchen in HMAS Tobruk.

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3NEWSDecember 5, 2013 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

Sgt Dave Morley

THE first international operational deployment of an MRH-90 has taken place with one of the aircraft embark-ing in HMAS Tobruk at Townsville on November 18.

The 808SQN aircraft arrived after a long flight from HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW.

LEUT John Dover said four pilots and four aircrewmen deployed with the aircraft, under command of Flight Commander LCDR Greg Davison.

“The make-up of the flight includes pilots and aircrewmen of varying aviation experience, all contributing to the overall knowledge and skill sets required for this kind of task,” he said.

“The maintenance team members are all very competent and highly skilled engineers led by an excellent flight sen-ior maintainer sailor CPOATV Gavin Johnson.

“The flight commander is also a highly experienced naval pilot with a background in flight test and maritime attachments, including previous service in the Royal Navy.”

LEUT Dover said likely taskings for the MRH-90 would include casualty and medical evacuation and the transferring

of both passengers and equipment. “The flight crew have a mixed range of experi-ences ranging from search and rescue, recovery and logistics, and they have all operated internationally,” he said.

“The squadron was recently deployed to Operation NSW Bushfires Assist based at RAAF Base Richmond and had been quick to deploy to HMAS Tobruk with only 48 hours notice.”

LEUT Dover said the flight had recently completed an embarkation in HMAS Tobruk on Pacific Partnership, “so had some relevant experience in this type of task”.

“The ship has been welcoming and accommodating and it was good to get back on board to see friendly faces,” he said.

“The effort to get the aircraft on board was a squadron effort and it is very grati-fying to finally start flying operations.”

LSATV Cheye Farrell said it was great to be part of the operation.

“Flight 2 and the MRH-90 will do an extremely good job,” he said.

ABATA Richard Kitchenn said there was a great sense of achievement to be part of Operation Philippines Assist.

“We’ll see how well this capable air-craft will perform,” he said.

strong support

MRH-90 makes its mark on Tobruk

“HMAS Tobruk is in her ele-ment, doing what she does best, put-ting ADF personnel across the right beach, at the right time, with the equipment they need to achieve the task.”

CMDR Maxfield said while preparations were rushed, with Tobruk on ly re turn ing f rom Solomons Islands on November 12, it took only five days for the ADF to come together and produce a com-posite maritime force.

“It’s been a magnificent effort from all personnel to get the ship to a fully loaded state in 36 hours,” he said.

“Morale has been very high across all force elements and per-sonnel are exceptionally keen to use their skills to assist the Filipino people who have been so massively affected by the disaster.”

Tobruk’s PRO, LEUT Harrison Ingham, said November 15 marked

a turning point in the ship’s deployment.

“In response to a requirement from government Tobruk reversed course and proceeded at best speed to Townsville,” he said.

“Many joint agencies and units had already been mobilised to pro-vide support and commence loading stores and much needed equipment in response to Typhoon Haiyan.

“Over the following three days, with the majority of the loading occurring on the Saturday and Sunday, Tobruk embarked more than 700 tonnes of equipment with the loading phase going late into both nights.”

LEUT Harrison said the ship’s last involvement in such a tasking was during Operation Astute, in May 2006, where Tobruk embarked stores and equipment of a similar nature, in Townsville and provided assistance in Dili, East Timor.

“More recently Tobruk was involved in Pacific Partnership 2013 (PP13) off PNG, from June to July 2013,” he said.

“PP13 is a humanitarian and civic assistance mission to prepare units for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief within the Asia-Pacific Region.

“HMAS Tobruk is ideally suited to the recovery effort given her amphibious heavy lift capability, on board accommodation and ability to support helicopter and landing craft operations.”

Navy units in the augmenta-tion force include elements of AUSCDT-4, 808SQN, a chaplain, a Defence Geospatial Survey Team and members of Fleet Battle Staff.

Tobruk has two Army LCM-8 landing craft and an 808SQN MRH-90 helicopter embarked, as well as more than 20 four-wheel-drive vehi-cles and heavy plant.

Sgt Dave Morley

THE ashes of two Navy veter-ans were scattered from HMAS Tobruk off the coast of Far North Queensland, during a solemn cere-mony conducted by CHAP Thi Lam on November 19.

Members of the ship’s company and embarked forces attended the service to pay respects to CDRE David Thomson, a Vietnam veteran, and AB stoker Richard Smith, a WWII veteran.

CHAP Lam said it was very common for former members, both old officers and sailors, to ask for

their ashes to be committed at sea when they die. “This is my sixth scattering of ashes service at sea on Navy ships over the last month,” he said.

“I have been involved in many scattering of ashes at sea services but this was the first time for a sen-ior officer.

“Three weeks ago I officiated at four scatterings of ashes at sea for one petty officer, one leading sea-man and two able seamen on HMAS Toowoomba.

“They spent many years at sea on their ships while serving our country and now it’s their final place of rest.”

CDRE Thomson joined the Navy as a 13-year-old cadet midshipman in February 1948.

Before retiring in 1990, he served as XO of HMAS Queenborough and CO of HMA Ships Perth, Parramatta III, Hobart and Nirimba.

He was promoted to commodore in 1984.

AB Smith was born in November 1920 and served in the Navy from August 1942-May 1946.

He served in the Bathurst-class corvettes HMA Ships Deloraine, Wagga and Warrnambool as well as a number of other ships and shore bases.

INTERNATIONAL ENTRY: An MRH-90 lands on the flight deck of HMAS Tobruk at Townsville after its long flight. Photo: SGT Emma Franklin

Veterans honoured in service at seaIN MEMORIUM: Members of the ship’s company and embarked forces pay respects as CHAP Thi Lam conducts a scattering of ashes service on HMAS Tobruk.

DESTRUCTION: A Filipino child rides his bike down a Tacloban road surrounded by debris. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy

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LEUT Tony White

OPERATION Render Safe 2013 is wind-ing up in Solomon Islands and has built on the success of previous operations to deliv-er a much safer physical environment for Solomon Islanders while at the same time allowing our explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians to sharpen their skills.

Over the three-week main phase of the operation, which finishes on December 7, about 10,000 unexploded remnants of war (URW) were located and either destroyed or made safe by the multi-nation Combined Joint Task Force 663.

These items were found near villages, airport runways, beaches, coastal waters and community vegetable gardens.

The removal of these items has allowed these areas to be safely returned to com-munity use.

The chance to test their skills and the community benefits these skills can deliver has been rewarding for the members of Render Safe.

For SMNMT Luke Ellemor, fresh out of his initial training and busy filling in his competency log, Render Safe has presented opportunities to do things he would never have imagined doing only a year ago.

Deployed to sea for the first time aboard HMAS Tarakan, SMN Ellemor has filled in as a watch-keeper in the main opera-tions room, launched zodiacs off an idyllic tropical beach, helped rebuild a school on a remote island and gone out into the jungle with a Canadian Navy EOD team in search of URW.

But, for SMN Ellemor the best part was working directly with the local community.

“Once we finished the work on the school, the look on the kids faces when they saw their new classrooms was worth all the work in the heat; they were just so happy to see what we had done,” SMN Ellemor said.

These sentiments were echoed by fresh-ly promoted LSML-S Chris Pollack who arrived in Solomon Islands as part of the advance party for Render Safe.

In his first operational role as a leading seaman, LS Pollock helped establish all the supply requirements of a major EOD opera-tion and worked directly on the renovation of a domestic violence victim’s shelter near Honiara, the nation’s capital.

“Providing a water supply to the wom-en’s shelter and seeing the surrounding area all cleared of URW so the women and chil-dren can go about their lives safely has easily been the best part of the operation so far,” LS Pollock said.

Over the first three weeks of the opera-tion the 10,000 URW items made safe on land and at sea were equivalent to a year’s work for Solomon Islands own EOD teams. More than 20sqkm of ocean, including the beach areas around Honiara, were sur-veyed by REMUS Underwater Autonomous Vehicle operators and HMAS Diamantina.

These marine areas were then cleared by multinational EOD teams operating from Guadalcanal and HMA Ships Diamantina, Tarakan and Labuan.

The operation relied heavily on sup-port from local communities in locating URW. As part of the operation’s community engagement activities three local schools were renovated as well as the domestic vio-lence victims’ shelter.

Render Safe is an enduring ADF-led EOD mission which is being conducted this year in Solomon Islands.

The operation consists of a Combined Joint Task Force of nearly 200 EOD spe-cialists and support staff from the ADF, New Zealand Defence Force, Canadian Armed Forces, the US Navy and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

Operation Render Safe 2014 is planned to take place in Bougainville.

More than just a job

NO STONE UNTURNED: ABCD Luke Woodcroft and ABCD Daniel Bird of HMAS Diamantina prepare explosives to destroy unexploded ordnance on the sea floor in the Russell Islands (above) during Operation Render Safe. Photo: ABCD Matt Deloraine

HEAVY LIFTING:LS Chris Pollock and SMN Luke Ellemor, of Combined Joint Task Force 663, load sandbags into a vehicle to help explosive ordnance disposal teams prepare for work at Guadalcanal Beach Resort in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Photo: SGT Hamish Paterson

HELPING HANDS: ABCSO Michael Burgess and LSCSO Aaron Grills launch the starboard mine disposal vehicle in Russell Islands (above) as ABCSO Michael Burgess hands out explosive ordnance disposal awareness pamphlets at Honiara Central Markets (below) during Operation Render Safe. Photos: ABIS Nicolas Gonzalez


LEUT Sarah West

NAVY personnel around Australia sold white ribbons on November 25 and held community events during the week to mark White Ribbon Day and support the work of the White Ribbon organisation.

White Ribbon is the world’s largest male-led movement to end men’s violence against women.

Through primary prevention initiatives and an annual campaign, White Ribbon Australia seeks to change the attitudes and behaviours that lead to and perpetuate men’s violence against women, by engaging boys and men to lead social change.

The RAN has more than 70 White Ribbon ambassadors who led the campaign by living the white ribbon oath: never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.

Early this year, Navy further committed to the White Ribbon movement by setting itself the goal of achieving White Ribbon accreditation. The service continues to make great headway towards this objective.

NGN Program Director CAPT Mark Hill said he was impressed by the degree to which Navy people had embraced the White Ribbon move-ment.

“It is heartening to see how many in our Navy family have embraced the White Ribbon move-ment and what it stands for, and we’d expect nothing less of our people,” CAPT Hill said.

“The message behind White Ribbon is rel-evant to all Australians. Whether it’s at home or at work, violence against women impacts their health and safety, productivity and work capacity. For Navy that means our capability is degraded and our ability to achieve our mission is compromised.

“When we do earn full White Ribbon accred-itation, it will be because our people have dem-onstrated genuine commitment to a community that is free of violence against women.”

In August, the Secretary and CDF endorsed Defence’s involvement in White Ribbon Day activities across Australia, noting that the aims of the campaign align with the ADF’s cultural change program.

Further information is available on the White Ribbon website at http://www.whiteribbon.org.au

THE men and women of HMAS Cerberus united in support of White Ribbon Day on November 25.

At an official White Ribbon Day gathering, XO CMDR Mike Oborn encouraged everyone to pledge the oath, think on the seriousness of vio-lence against women and to have the

courage to take a stand. “Being so aware of Navy’s values, we some-times take for granted that everyone understands what is morally right and wrong,” CMDR Oborn said.

“What’s truly disturbing to learn is just how many Australians don’t.

“At Cerberus, we pride ourselves

on being a family and instilling our values as a way of life. Holding our own White Ribbon events and sup-porting the local campaign message against family violence gives us the chance to share our ‘family’ values and add our voice to a very serious issue,” he said.

PERSONNEL in Tasmania organised a presentation and morning tea to help raise awareness about White Ribbon Day and its significance to ADF personnel serving at Anglesea Barracks in Hobart.

All three services and sev-eral civilian employees from the barracks attended the pres-entation, held on November 25 to mark White Ribbon Day.

The presentation was coor-dinated and delivered by CPO Jamie Schmith and MIDN Aaron McCarthy, with WO Rohan Stubbings from Army Personnel Administration Centre also participating.

BRIG John Withers gave an impromptu speech on the importance of ethical behaviour.

CO Navy HQ Tasmania

CMDR Stacey Porter said it was encouraging to see a male-led movement to end violence against women being promoted throughout the Australian community gener-ally and the Defence Forces in particular.

“The statement issued recently by CN VADM Ray Griggs in support of White Ribbon Day is indicative that this is an issue being taken very seriously by Navy, and also the other arms of the ADF,” CMDR Porter said.

“Raising the general awareness of this issue as we have done today, is the first step in changing the behav-iours and attitudes that often lead to, and perpetuate, vio-lence against women.”

SUE Davies and Louise Williams, of the YWCA Domestic Violence Intervention Service pro-gram, were guest speakers at a morning tea held at HMAS Albatross in support of White Ribbon Day and the campaign to stop vio-lence against women.

XO Albatross CMDR Mat Bradley said the pres-entation was informative and thought provoking.

“Sue and Louise talked about the role of their organisation, which partners with NSW Police and works to offer victims of domestic

and family violence informa-tion, support and referral, and they provided some eye-opening statistics”.

CMDR Bradley said it was important for Navy personnel to support White Ribbon Day.

“We need a workplace unencumbered by inap-propriate behaviour. These aspirations are underpinned by our Navy Values and Signature Behaviours, and supporting initiatives such as this provide a forum to educate Navy and Defence personnel that improving workplace culture is very much a personal choice.”

White knights sell messageTassie takes first step

Guest speakers lend support to Albatross

IN SUPPORT: AB Victoria Meldrum and AB Raphael Jimenez sell White Ribbon memorabilia outside the gates at Garden Island, Sydney. Photo: ABIS Sarah Ebsworth

Cerberus pledges allegiance

PLEDGE: ADF personnel from HMAS Cerberus show their support for White Ribbon Day (above) as local councillor David Garnock takes the oath with Navy personnel (right). Photos: LSIS Paul McCallum

HMAS Melbourne pledges support – Page 7

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LSIS Helen Frank

AFTER taking out the Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year award for Western Australia, LCDR Kelly Haywood became the first ADF woman to take out the national award at a ceremony in Melbourne on November 14.

Before heading off to Melbourne LCDR Haywood watched the accept-ance speeches of the women from the other states.

“I realised straight away how exceptionally different we all were,” LCDR Haywood said.

“I realised we all had a shot at win-ning but I was up against exception-ally talented and inspirational women and, to be honest, the thought of win-ning was a bit of a pipe dream.”

LCDR Haywood said the result was the most remarkable honour and recognition.

“To be recognised as a business woman among organisations and industries that don’t view the Navy or ADF as a business is incredible,” she said.

“When I explain my role, describe some of the projects I have worked on or successes I have achieved in logis-tics, people are blown away.

“Not every business woman gets to manage the entire logistics for a $520 million project, move lifesaving submarine search and rescue equip-ment from the other side of the world or become a head of department on a warship.”

LCDR Haywood said all the media

attention has been a little surreal and overwhelming. “I keep thinking, ‘it’s just little ole me, what is all the fuss about.’ Then I try and stand back and see what other people see,” she said.

“I have come to realise that people see my story and what I have been through as inspiring.”

Alongside her busy career LCDR Haywood also created the initiative ‘Choose to Live, Love your Life’ and began raising awareness and money for Beyondblue.

She lost her mother to suicide when she was eight and has also lost friends and family to suicide.

“I am now in the most amazing position to try and make a difference in many, many lives.”

Despite a flurry of job offers, LCDR Haywood is committed to her role as the MLO on board HMAS Toowoomba.

“I am also committed to my role as a newly appointed ambassador for Lifeline, however, the awards are opening up some incredible doors,” she said.

“I have been inundated with requests to conduct motivational speeches and just by telling my story, I hope to erase the stigma associated with mental health.

“Crazier still, I have had book offers and people wanting to be my PR manager.

“What that reinforces is anything can be achieved no matter what chal-lenges life throws your way.

“There is always time to choose the path you’re on – dream big.”

WHEN she joined the Navy at 18, Kelly Haywood never expected she would become lieutenant commander let alone a head of department on a warship.

Throughout her career, she has been behind some of the Navy’s largest logistical operations, including the multi-million dollar anti- ship missile defence project.

Judges said LCDR Haywood was proud of her role as a Navy officer and logistics expert, and her passion is an inspiration to all.

The judges said an example of Ms Haywood’s efficiency and organisation skills was her leader-ship in moving a submarine rescue vehicle from Scot-land to Australia at $5 million under cost estimates.

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THOUGHTSPROUD MOMENT: LCDR Kelly Haywood gives her acceptance speech for the National Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year award at Crown Casino in Melbourne. Photo: LSIS Paul McCallum

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LEUT Andrew Ragless

HMAS Melbourne has finished a period of focused maritime security operations off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden.

Under the direction of Combined Task Force 150, HMAS Melbourne patrolled on the lookout for suspi-cious activity.

The focused operation also included four Yemeni officers embarking in Melbourne to act as observers.

CO Melbourne CMDR Brian Schlegel said it was an opportunity to reaffirm Australia’s commitment to counter terrorism in the region.

“These operations allowed us to share knowledge and strengthen the

relationships we have with impor-tant regional partners such as the Yemeni Navy and Coast Guard,” he said.

“From these activities we gained vital insights into routine patterns of life which in turn enhanced our combined ability to disrupt piracy, terrorism and smuggling activities in the region.”

On the final day of the focused operation, Melbourne responded to a request from the Yemeni Coast Guard to investigate mechanical anomalies in the diesel generator of Coast Guard vessel Sana’a.

POMT Bradley Martin led a small team to investigate and dis-covered a faulty hertz meter.

“We were able to identify the

fault rather quickly and recom-mended the necessary repairs and investigate a number of other defects too,” PO Martin said.

“Although we didn’t have the parts to make the necessary repairs, we were able to break down the lan-guage barrier and point them in the right direction.

“I love every chance I get to have that sort of exposure and to communicate with foreign navies and lend a hand.”

Melbourne was joined by Canadian frigate HMCS Toronto, French frigate FNS Aconit, Pakistani frigate PNS Aslat, Sana’a and Yemeni Navy patrol boat 1027 in patrolling the southern coast of Yemen.

LEUT Andrew Ragless

SIXTY missile countermeasure flares erupted from the belly of HMAS Melbourne’s S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter, marking 1000 hours in the Seahawk cock-pit for Flight 3 Flight Commander LCDR Helen Anderson.

Reflected by azure waters in the Gulf of Aden, the spectacular display was watched with enthusiasm by Melbourne’s ship’s company, who gathered on the flight deck to share in the recognition of an important career milestone.

LCDR Anderson joined the Navy and attended ADFA between 1998 and 2000. She completed basic flying (observer) training in 2004, before starting her career flying Seahawks.

LCDR Anderson has participated in domestic maritime border security opera-tions under Operation Relex II and flown Seahawk missions as part of Operation Quickstep in Fiji and three times as part of Operation Slipper, deploying to the Middle East in 2007, 2012 and now as part of Flight 3 embarked in Melbourne.

She said achieving 1000 hours in a par-ticular aircraft type was considered a badge of honour for any aviator.

“It represents the dedication, hard work and good times involved in a flying career,” she said.

She said one of her greatest highlights had been her involvement in the recent interception of nine suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia.

“After two attempted acts of piracy on merchant vessels in the area, our aircraft was able to locate the pirate skiffs, and provided top cover during the boarding and investigation by Melbourne’s sea boat boarding party” she said.

“After assisting in destroying the pirate skiffs, we were also able to locate a suit-able landing zone on the Somali coastline in order to return the suspected pirates.”

LCDR Anderson said achieving her 1000 hours was made even more special by being in the MEAO.

“Doing the job I love, surrounded by the professional team of people I have working for me on Flight 3 has made it a very memorable occasion,” she said.Keeping watch

on Yemeni coast

Flying high after 1000 hours

JOB DONE: HMAS Melbourne’s flight commander, LCDR Helen Anderson returns to a warm reception after clocking up her 1000th hour in the Seahawk aircraft and celebrating by deploying anti-missile decoy flares (left) in the MEAO.Photos: ABIS Jayson Tufrey

HELPING HAND: From left, Marine technicians LS Zaine Bretz, LS Alias Coady and PO Bradley Martin inspect faulty mechanical equipment on Sana’a. Photo: LAC Oliver Carter

LEUT Andrew Ragless

THE ship’s company in HMAS Melbourne paused for reflection and some cake in recognition of White Ribbon Day on November 25.

Taking a break from busy opera-tions in the Middle East, the ship’s company gathered to reinforce

the message that violence against women must end.

CO Melbourne CMDR Brian Schlegel said he hoped none of the ship’s company, or any other Australian female would be able to relate firsthand to the issue.

“Unfortunately, it is a stark real-ity that violence perpetrated by men

against women does exist,” he said. “It is unacceptable and today is an opportunity to pause for genuine reflection and to seize an opportu-nity as Navy members to lead by example.”

The White Ribbon campaign seeks to change attitudes and behav-iours.

Spreading the White Ribbon message

TIME OUT: CMDR Brian Schlegel addresses the gathered ship’s company in the junior sailor’s cafe at the White Ribbon Day afternoon tea; inset, POML-C James Elliot and ABCIS Ashlee Sherriff with the cake. Photos: ABIS Jayson Tufrey

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Lauren Norton

T H E 2 0 1 3 D e f e n c e B l o o d Challenge came to a close on November 30.

While results were note finalised at the time of print on November 29 Navy had recorded 722 of the 3902 donations.

Navy’s blood challenge ambas-sador POB Cartrena Skinner, of NUSHIP Canberra, said Navy per-sonnel had shown tremendous gen-erosity throughout the challenge.

“Navy has surpassed its total of 553 last year, with results from a mobile unit at Garden Island in Sydney on November 29 still to come,” she said.

“However, I do not think that this is an accurate reflection of how many Navy members, friends and family have donated.”

PO Skinner said many donors might not have registered their donation yet.

“I have found the hardest aspect of this challenge has been get-ting donors to join Club Red,” PO Skinner said.

“Yet it is also the simplest part of the whole process. You join once and then every year, if you donate through the challenge time, it is added to our tally.

“If you’ve forgotten, it’s not too late to register your donation for Navy.”

Blood challenge champion VCDF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin

said it had been great to see person-nel support this year’s event.

“The response from our people over the past three months is com-mendable,” he said.

“We have already surpassed last year’s tally by more than 200 dona-tions.

“With last-minute donations coming in, I really hope we can achieve our target of 4000.”

He praised the efforts of each service ambassador.

“Our four ambassadors this year have been an inspiration and made a huge contribution to the challenge,” he said.

“They have done a fantastic job raising awareness of the challenge by sharing their personal stories and encouraging people to donate.

“I would like to thank every-one who donated blood for their generosity.”

PO Skinner’s enthusiasm for the cause led to many Navy people across the country donating for the first time.

“We had a great response and this year had ships go in as groups, such as HMA Ships Huon, Tarakan, Watson and Cairns as well as NUSHIP Canberra. Mobile units also attended HMA Ships Albatross and Stirling and Garden Island,” she said.

“I have had encouragement from all ranks and personal messages that remind me that this message is not falling on deaf ears.”

Navy’s contribution was not just in house. “We even had two NZ ships volunteer to assist us with donations,” PO Skinner said.

Used to encouraging everyone she encounters to donate, she even tried to persuade members from the other services to donate for Navy.

“It has been a tough environ-ment around me, as I am currently posted to a triservice ship, but I have attempted to sway the other services here to donate for Navy this year,” she said.

“Although I have not had much luck – we are a very loyal bunch.”

While being the Defence Blood Challenge ambassador had its chal-lenges, PO Skinner recommended the job to anyone who wanted to make a difference.

“I have loved being the ambas-sador and I hope that everyone who has encountered me during this time, has seen the passion I have for this worthwhile cause.

“Nothing is more valuable than a human life and that is essentially what this challenge is all about. You are preventing people – loved ones, work mates, friends – from dying.”

Official results from the chal-lenge will be published in the first edition of Navy News next year.

Members interested in being next year’s blood challenge ambassador can con-tact Navy Communications and Media at Navy.Communicat [email protected]

SGT Dave Morley

AS THE son of the organiser of VCDF’s Blood Challenge, ABATV Michael Schulz real-ly couldn’t say no to donating.

His dad, MAJ Gary Shultz, made his 300th blood dona-tion on November 13, and took his son with him to give blood.

MAJ Schulz said he start-ed donating blood when he first joined the Army at 18.

“I started giving blood then because I was fit and healthy

and didn’t think there were enough people giving blood.”

AB Schulz said it was his dad’s idea that he should start giving blood and he had now made 13 donations.

“I first donated in Brisbane when I was 16,” he said. “I had been with Dad several times before I was old enough to donate and was happy to join him as soon as I reached the right age.

“I try to donate whole blood every three months and I occasionally donate plasma when I’m with Dad.”

We’re so vein over Club Red

Giving blood runs in the family

FAMILY TIES: ABATV Michael Schulz and his father MAJ Gary Shultz with the blood drop at Canberra’s Red Cross Blood Service. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

TOP DROP: ABML-C Adam Kong smile as Amalee Olivers takes blood in the Red Cross mobile unit at HMAS Stirling. Photo: LSIS James Whittle

WO2 Andrew Hetherington

A NEW memorial dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) service personnel was opened by Governor-General Quentin Bryce in Adelaide on November 10.

The ATSI memorial at the Torrens Parade Ground represents the commit-ment and sacrifice made by ATSI person-nel in every conflict since the Boer War.

Navy’s Stra tegic Adviser on Indigenous Cultural Affairs, CPO Ray Rosendale, was at the ceremony and said he had mixed feelings after he saw the memorial for the first time.

“I walked down to it on the evening before the dedication, just on sunset

and I stood there in the quiet and was surprised how emotional I was about the whole concept,” CPO Rosendale said.

CPO Rosendale said the creation of the memorial showed attitudes in Australian society and the ADF had changed.

“It means as a nation, a people and a Defence Force, we have now grown,” he said. “We can accept our past, both the good and the bad, and have learned from it.

“For ATSI personnel, the memorial shows those who are still with us and the families of those who have passed, that the words we utter on Anzac and Remembrance Day are true and we never forget, we will always remember them.”

Memorial stirs up range of emotions

MOVED: CPO Ray Rosendale pays homage at the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander memorial in Adelaide. Photo: Kate Elmes

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Future on show at CreswellTHE 61 graduates of the 49th New Entry Officers’ Course (NEOC) received a rare hon-our during their graduation parade at HMAS Creswell on November 28.

CA LTGEN David Morrison reviewed the parade, as a guest of CN VADM Ray Griggs.

It was a sign of things to come as Navy and Army forge closer bonds in the LHDs from 2014, when Army per-sonnel and helicopters will be permanently posted to Navy ships.

Just last week, the graduat-ing officers completed a four-day leadership exercise in the field that demanded fitness, decision-making and com-mand skills.

CO HMAS Creswell and Navy’s head of initial training for officers and sailors, CAPT Brett Chandler, said the 19 weeks of training had chal-lenged many of the graduates.

“Some have joined straight from school, others are look-ing for a second or third career, but each has been tested mentally, emotionally and physically on the course,” CAPT Chandler said.

“While ships and technolo-gy have changed significantly in the past 100 years, the main tenets of leadership taught here at Creswell have stood the test of time.”

NEOC 49 award winners:Naval Historical Society PrizeAwarded for the best researched naval history assignment presented by a course member.SBLT Garry Bateman

CMDR (E) Robert Gray Perpetual CupAwarded conjointly to both the male and female officers who demonstrated outstanding individual athletic accomplishment and resolve while on course.MIDN Gerard Vejrych and SBLT Tracy Sheddan

W.H. Harrington Memorial PrizeAwarded to the officer whose participation, support and fellowship were outstanding throughout all components of NEOC.SBLT David Coit

CDRE Sir James Ramsay PrizeAwarded for the best academic performance by an officer while on course.SBLT Ryan Penrose

Eric Elton Mayo Memorial PrizeTo the officer who has demonstrated the highest levels of perseverance and dedication, and shown the most improvement in their self-discipline and power of command.MIDN Laura Maynard

E.S. Cunningham CupAwarded to the graduate demonstrating outstanding leadership, officer-like qualities, and good influence among colleagues while on course. Diligent application and success in studies is also considered.SBLT Melissa Vaarwerk

Governor General’s CupAwarded to the officer who demonstrates ability, teamwork and outstanding sportsmanship while on course.MIDN Gabrielle Anastasio

Australian Naval Institute Sea Training Deployment PrizeAwarded to the officer who demonstrates the most outstanding officer-like qualities, leadership, peerless good influence and diligent application to task book, journal work and other specific tasks and assignments while on Sea Training Deployment. MIDN Thomas Kennedy

Australian Naval Institute RANC PrizeAwarded to the graduate who demonstrates the most outstanding officer-like qualities, exhibits exceptional leadership, exerts peerless good influence, and demonstrates outstanding dedication to the naval values of honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty while on course. Diligent application and success in studies is also considered.MIDN Matthew Bailey

RADM Hammond Memorial SwordAwarded to the graduate who has been distinguished by self-discipline, resolution, undeviating application and good influence among his or her peers.SBLT Paul Connor

Naval Officers’ Club PrizeAwarded to the Reserve Entry Officers’ Course member who has been distinguished by course results as well as self-discipline, resolution, undeviating application and good influence among his or her peers.LEUT Mark McCarthy

PROUD: MIDN Laura Maynard, above, receives her award from CN, while inset, graduates during the Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to Quarters. Photos: ABIS Chantelle Bianchi

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LSIS Helen Frank

MEMBERS of Australia’s Federation Guard helped put together about 30 care packages to be sent to sailors, soldiers and airmen serving overseas.

Charity group Operation Dear Troops funded the packages by sell-ing calendars and holding fundraising events.

The packages will go to Afghanistan, Timor, Solomon Islands, US and ships in the MEAO.

Guardsman ABML-S Georgia Chaffey helped pack the boxes.

“We packed pens, paper, lollies, biscuits and magazines,” she said.

“I felt really good to have helped and if I was on a ship in the Gulf and received one of those packages it would make my day.”

The 2014 calendars have sold out and Operation Dear Troops coordina-tor ABML-P Zoe Tibos has organised a second print run.

Troops to receive surprise from home

BUSY TIMES: AFG members ABML-S Georgie Chaffey joins AC Stephanie McCanna and PTE Samuel Frater in preparing care packages for Operation Dear Troops. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

Setting new standardLEUT Kelli Lunt

THE successful trial of a new work-up program (WUP) in HMAS Darwin in November will be the standard used by Sea Training Group (STG) for Major Fleet Units from 2014.

The new program included WUP benchmarking known as a work-up inspection, a standardised STG devel-oped program, a weekly free-play assessment and a final mission or operations-focused unit-ready com-petency.

Captain Sea Training CAPT Heath Robertson said the new pro-gram trialled in Darwin provided more scope for assessments and bet-ter preparation for WUP conduct by the ship.

“Observations over the past year

have identified the effectiveness of ships’ preparation in planning and managing their own work-up pro-gram,” CAPT Robertson said.

“This new program execut-ed by Darwin and Sea Training Unit – Major Fleet Units has meant a more robust system for targeted train-ing opportunities, and better assur-ance of asset availability.

“Inclusion of a work-up inspec-tion emphasises the importance of preparation and conduct of the pre-work training. “By using a bench-marking standard, areas of strengths and weaknesses may enable STG to tailor training to address specific areas.

“The assessments conducted dur-ing this time would essentially be an advanced Mariner Skills Evaluation with possible inclusion of command

and control, ship cleanliness, security and defects, warfare serials across all environments and the conduct of basic combat survivability.

He said the development of a non-serialised free-play day focused on the assessment of competencies would potentially reduce the pres-sure of ships achieving competencies on a one-off unit readiness evalua-tion. Instead it would be replaced by ‘enabling competencies’ and a ‘unit ready competency’, in line with the doctrine in AFTP4(H).

“The final mission or operations focused unit ready competency will provide a more realistic scenario for ships to be assessed,” CAPT Robertson said.

The new WUP is expected to remain at five weeks as currently administered.

CO Darwin CMDR Terence Morrison said the new program pro-vided a greater level of understanding by the ship of their mariner skills sta-tus in the lead up to work ups.

“The inclusion of a work-up inspection at the start of the process provided a preliminary indication of the ship’s strengths and weakness-es. This enabled focused training on areas of highest risk at the start of the work up, which benefited the pro-gress of most competencies,” CMDR Morrison said.

“Although assessments often instil a level of trepidation in person-nel in ensuring they can achieve the necessary competencies during the lead into unit ready evaluation, more assessments throughout the work-up period better prepared the confidence in the ship’s company of Darwin.”

CPL Max Bree

SENIOR warrant officers brushed up on strategic thinking and supporting senior leadership decision-making on Defence issues during the first Joint Warrant Officer Course (JWOC) at the Command and Staff College.

Eight Navy warrant officers were among 28 warrant officers on the course from November 4-29. The oth-ers were from Army, Air Force and the New Zealand Army.

The course, which is likely to be run once a year, aims to prepare sen-ior warrant officers for tier “B” or “C” positions by helping them understand wider Defence strategic policy and contemporary issues.

LTCOL Nick Floyd, instructor at the Australian Command and Staff College, said the course was designed and developed in response to a grow-ing awareness of a shortfall in warrant officer professional military educa-tion.

WO Joanne Jordan, of RAN Recruit School, said she enjoyed the chance to interact with fellow warrant officers and senior commanders.

WO Jordan said she was interested in a brief on the Shark 02 incident in which a Sea King crashed in Indonesia in 2005.

“It was about moral courage and how people should speak out,” she said. “And it was about where we have come since then, noting the organisation has changed with respect to people standing up and speaking out.”

WO Jordan said the course pre-pared her for her new job as the WO Navy Divisional Systems.

“I think not all Navy WOs are going to progress to these levels but I think it provides an insight into how decisions are made,” she said.

“That information is not always clear to the members lower down and it’s good to have an insight on how things are done.”

LTCOL Floyd said the course also supported efforts towards a change in Defence culture, with an emphasis on leadership with moral courage at all levels.

“By promoting a positive approach to evolving our Defence culture, we can inspire people to think, perform and behave in a way that best supports Defence’s mission in serving Australia and its interests” he said.

New course aims to fill void forsenior WOs

TRIAL SUCCESS: LEUT Barton Herrington, left, of HMAS Darwin, engages with LCDR Darin MacDonald while alongside Fleet Base East; inset, LCDR Scott Wilson reports to command during the mission readiness evaluation training exercise, under the guidance of WO Jason Russ, in the Operations Room. Photos: ABIS Sarah Williams

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HMAS Success has started her unit readiness work-up after completing a successful extended maintenance period (EMP) that has reaped valu-able lessons for Navy’s revamp of engineering and seaworthiness.

Success and the Amphibious and Af loa t Suppor t Sys tem Program Office (AASSPO) trialled Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM) Awareness training and an RCM review of Success’ Cargo Handling System, as part of the Release of Rizzo Products in the AAS Group and SPO.

The review of Success’ Cargo Handling System showed that ini-tiatives to address the recommenda-tions from the Rizzo Review Report were having an effect and that Navy, DMO and industry all had a role to effectively deliver capability.

S u c c e s s ’ D e p u t y M a r i n e Engineering Officer, LEUT Shane Bartlett, said the RCM process was recognised by engineering person-nel as a highly cost-effective way to develop specific maintenance strate-gies.

“When fully implemented into

a system RCM will lead to rapid, sustained and substantial improve-ments in plant availability and reli-ability, product quality, safety and environmental integrity,” LEUT Bartlett said.

“The opportunity for Success’ personnel to undertake this train-ing will result in more reliable sys-tems and capability through a more measured maintenance regime.”

LEUT Bartlett said AASSPO offered the training to 10 personnel.

“The 10-day course covered the fundamentals of RCM and its imple-mentation in the naval context.”

Success’ Damage Control Engineer Officer, LEUT Kristian Brown, said the training was valu-able and offered different perspec-tives on the functions and associat-ed performance standards of assets and its present operating context.

“It looked at the way in which systems fail to fulfil their functions, what causes each functional fail-ure, what can be done to predict or prevent each failure, and what should be done if a suitable pro-active task cannot be found,” LEUT Brown said.

LEUT Bartlett said RCM dem-

onstrated that many time-based maintenance routines could be elim-inated and savings made by moving to a robust condition-based mainte-nance regime.

“It also demonstrates the neces-sity to ensure that where appropriate hard-time maintenance is necessary to ensure that hidden failures do not occur,” he said.

LEUT Bartlett said if imple-mented fully RCM would achieve greater safety and environmental integrity, improved operating per-formance, greater maintenance cost-effectiveness, longer useful life of expensive items, a comprehen-sive database, greater motivation for individuals and improved team-work.

“EMP 08 achieved much for the material reliability of Success fol-lowing the extensive maintenance period. The unit has achieved a number of key milestones in its operational cycle with far fewer defects than previous years,” he said.

“The ship is well placed to undertake a busy operational pro-gram through 2014 and beyond,” LEUT Bartlett said.

LSIS Helen Frank

NAVY personnel posted to countries involved in the Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB) Program attended the annu-al Maritime Surveillance Advisers (MSAs) and Technical Advisers (TAs) Conference in Canberra from November 18-22.

The PPB Program is the centrepiece of Australia’s security engagement in the Pacific Region.

Director New Zealand and Pacific, International Policy Division, Stephen Broadbent said the PPB program was a unique example of providing assistance to developing countries as Australia gifted 22 patrol boats to 12 Pacific Island countries between 1987 and 1997.

“The patrol boats provide these countries with a significant capabil-ity and enable them to conduct mari-time surveillance and enforcement of their exclusive economic zones,” Mr Broadbent said.

“This gives them a sovereign, sus-tainable, maritime security capability.”

In addition to providing boats, the PPB Program includes operational and technical support from MSAs and TAs,

with RAN personnel posted to all of the participating countries.

“The role of the MSA is to coordi-nate the maritime surveillance activi-ties of the Pacific Island countries,” Mr Broadbent said.

“This covers training and mainte-nance, multinational fisheries and enforcement operations, ship and air-craft visits and joint projects.”

The MSA and TA conference pro-vided advisers with strategic direction for their duties.

The conference was attended by 98 personnel including MSAs, TAs, foreign guests, whole-of-government observers and guest presenters.

Discussions were held on oppor-tunities to enhance maritime securi-ty in the South Pacific and presenta-tions were given from other Australian Government agencies and international guests.

Peter Rayner, of the Department of Foreign Affairs, spoke about foreign affairs perspectives on the Pacific and future trends and directions.

Other speakers included staff from the Attorney General’s Department, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Australian Federal Police.

LCDR Kent Browning

THE fifth rotation of Navy’s coun-ter-terrorism task force command left Australia on November 19 for a deployment to the Middle East.

More than 20 Navy person-nel and one member of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation form the Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) com-mand element. The task force is responsible for countering maritime terrorism operations in the Middle East and North Indian Ocean regions.

CDRE Daryl Bates will lead the CTF-150 contingent, one of three task forces operated by Combined

Maritime Forces, a 29-nation coali-tion based in Bahrain.

CDRE Bates said it was an hon-our for Australia to lead CTF-150 with an area of responsibility span-ning more than two million square miles of ocean.

“My team and I look forward to contributing to the maritime counter terrorism mission in what remains a challenging area of operations,” CDRE Bates said.

“We should not underestimate the role the RAN and our part-ners are playing within Combined Maritime Forces to defeat terrorism.

“Our primary goal is to create a lawful and stable maritime environ-ment free from terrorism, smug-gling and other illegal activities.

He said the focus of the task force would be on countering the efforts of international terrorist organisations that used the maritime environment as a means to transport personnel, weapons and materials, as well as threaten legitimate mari-time trade.

“We will be away from our fam-ilies and loved ones over Christmas and New Year,” CDRE Bates said.

“This is never easy on the ones we care about.

“So on behalf of my team I thank the families and loved ones of our personnel in advance for their continued support, which is so vital to our ability to perform our duty.”

Rotation leaves for Middle East

New territory for Success

Pacific Patrol Boat meeting

PROGRAM FOCUS: Attendees at the Maritime Surveillance Advisers and Technical Advisers Conference get a range of views. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

DOWN TO BUSINESS: From left, LEUT Andrew Field, Afloat Support Capability Element Manager CMDR Ashley Shanks, Rolls Royce Production Manager Brian Woolmer, Sustainment Manager AASPO, DMO, Trevor Johnson and Thales Project Manager Andrew Field discuss Extended Maintenance Availability on board HMAS Success. Photo: ABIS Nicolas Gonzalez

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LSIS Helen Frank

IT HAS been more than a month since LSCTL Jane Hiatt ran seven marathons in seven days and she is still in shock at what she accomplished.

In completing the marathons, LS Hiatt raised more than $12,000 for Bravehearts, a charity dedicated to stop-ping sexual abuse of children.

“Two of the women running were sexual assault victims so for me it became a personal crusade on their behalf,” LS Hiatt said.

“I thought of nothing else but surviv-ing each day and did so only with the support of friends who ran with me for a great deal of the way.”

LS Hiatt battled blisters after the first day, the largest of which covered the ball of her right foot.

“It burst on day four in Sydney and was excruciatingly painful,” she said.

“Although I wouldn’t recommend it I did need a regular dose of pain killers

while running to take the edge off the pain.”

LS Hiatt said that as she crossed the last finish line in Brisbane she was over-come with a mix of emotions.

“It was an overwhelming moment and I felt relief, joy and sadness that it was over,” she said.

“I have been profoundly touched by this event and the entire journey.

“I have made friends that I will keep forever and accomplished something enormous.

“I am proud of my effort, it’s my big-gest accomplishment in life.”

LS Hiatt’s blisters were completely healed after three weeks and she is back running short distances a few times a week. Her next challenge will be the North Face 100km ultra marathon in the Blue Mountains next May.

“I tried this event twice before in 2011 and 2012 and only made it to the halfway point but now I believe I have the mental endurance to see it through to the end.”

Memorable marathon milestone

A DEFENCE team of cyclists has continued its support of the annu-al Hartley-FAW Ability Cycle Challenge by participating in the 450km ride from Canberra to Mt Kosciuszko on November 23-25.

The Defence team of up to 12 cyclists joined about 120 other riders for the three-day trek, split into three stages from Canberra to Jindabyne, Jindabyne to Charlotte’s Pass and Jindabyne back to Canberra.

With $12,500 required by each team to participate, Team Defence had been shaking the donation buckets at each of the Defence buildings in the lead-up.

Organiser Jodi Tarrant said the fundraising effort began in March.

“Two of our recent bucket collections raised about $4500, which really helped us reach the target,” Ms Tarrant said.

“A Defence team has partici-pated in this ride every year since the first Hartley Challenge by Air Force members in 1999.”

Hartley Lifecare is a Canberra-based organisation that provides services for people with disabilities, with money raised from this event supporting resi-dential, respite and community programs.

Further details on the ride can be found at: http://www.hartley.org.au/events.html

Cyclists on fundraising road

TRAINING Force moved from Fleet Command to Navy Strategic Command on November 30 and will be headed by a new commodore from December 13.

The organisation responsible for training officers and sailors to meet Navy’s requirements will now report to Head of Navy People and Resources as part of the functional reform.

Sea Training Group will remain within the Training Force organisation providing direct support to the Fleet Commander, but Commander Collective

Training will join Commodore Warfare’s organisation to assist in the creation of its Force Generation Division.

After 15 months in the role as Commodore Training, RADM Michael Noonan is taking up the position of Commander Border Protection Command and will hand over to CDRE Michael Rothwell.

As part of the realignment, Competency Management Agency will undergo a name change to Trainee Management Agency.

Training Force on the move

GOOD CAUSE: WO Phillip Robertson, of Navy Career Management Agency, puts a donation in PO Suzie Peterson’s money bucket at Russell Offices for the Hartley Cycle Challenge. Photo: CPL Max Bree

MASSIVE EFFORT: LSCTL Jane Hiatt puts one foot in front of the other as she nears the finish line of her first of seven marathons in Perth. Running with her is Mellina Blanco of Eumundi, Queensland.

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THE impact of deployment on women with dependent children will be investigated in a study called Mothers in the MEAO.

Ellie Lawrence-Wood, of the Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies at the University of Adelaide, wants to hear from a wide range of mothers who have deployed.

It is expected that interviews will be completed by February and the findings will be available towards the middle of 2014.

“This research represents an opportunity for service mothers to not only share their stories – both the good and the not so good – but have a hand in shaping future policy,” Dr Lawrence-Wood said.

The findings will be presented to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Defence, along with recom-mendations aimed at improving how mothers in the ADF and their families are supported.

All interviews are confidential so women who participate can be assured their responses will not be identifiable.

“We want to hear real stories and get a real insight into the experiences of service mothers,” Dr Lawrence-Wood said.

“We have focused on deploy-ment to the MEAO as we already have data regarding physical and mental health outcomes in relation to deployment from the large-scale MEAO Health Study.

Mum’s word on study

“What we want to do now is get a more in-depth understanding of the experiences of mothers before, during and after deployment.”

She said the deployment of mothers with dependent children into conflict zones was a relatively recent occurrence.

“There’s a lack of knowledge about the experiences and needs of these mothers, so the aim of this research is to identify how mothers and their families manage their com-mitments, and find out what is being done well and perhaps what could be

improved or changed to better support them into the future,” she said.

Participants need to be available for a phone interview of up to one hour.

For more information, email [email protected] or phone (08) 8313 0674.

GROUP HUG: LEUT Natalie Boulton is welcomed home by her children after HMAS Newcastle returned from the MEAO earlier this year. Photo: ABIS Cassie McBride

THE Defence community is being encouraged to support a new initia-tive aimed at eradicating trachoma and other preventable eye diseases in Australia’s indigenous commu-nities by 2020.

It is estimated about 58,000 indigenous Australians have tracho-ma, including up to 5000 children.

The initiative will be con-ducted under the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, which has been established to hon-our the Queen with a tribute to her 60 years as Head of the Commonwealth.

The Trust’s goal is to raise funds to assist underprivileged communities in Commonwealth countries to eliminate avoidable blindness, with a focus on tra-choma and the early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Executive chairman and for-mer governor general, MAJGEN (retd) Michael Jeffrey, has invited Defence members to make a per-sonal donation, regular payroll deductions or by hosting a function or event. Alternatively individuals may want to make a personal con-tribution through the Trust’s web-site – www.jubileetrust.org.au – or by calling 1300 735 736.

The UK Government will match all donations dollar for dollar and donors’ names will be recorded on an archival scroll to be held at Windsor Castle.

Donations sought for eye disease

PEOPLE PLANProject Suakin will change the way ADF personnel serve, Lisa Smallacombe reports.

A MAJOR ADF workforce reform project was launched in Canberra on November 26.

Project Suakin intends to introduce a range of full-time, part-time and casual employment

categories that are designed to offer ADF members more options and more employment flexibility as their circumstances change.

Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert said Suakin aimed to improve the ADF’s ability to respond to current and future workforce challenges, as well as changes in the security environment and the economy, by giving it a more flexible workforce structure.

“Suakin draws on a considerable amount of research and consultation with both permanent and reserve ADF members,” Mr Robert said.

“What they have told us is that there is considerable capacity and willingness among reservists to contrib-ute more than they do now, while the permanent ADF workforce aspires to greater career flexibility.

“The focus of Suakin is on retaining a trained, experienced and highly skilled workforce, which is the key to sustainable, affordable and deployable people capability. The outcome will be a better engaged ADF workforce – an excellent outcome for the nation.”

Acting CDF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin said the ADF currently provided access to flexible arrangements through single-service initiatives, and the aim of Suakin was to build on that.

“Under Suakin, the ADF intends to move towards a more enduring, whole-of-ADF solution, with an agile and flexible people management system built into the organisation’s structure,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

“Suakin has options to achieve this through flexible career pathways, matching remuneration and benefits with capability delivered, enhanced workplace flexibil-ity, simplified processes and helping to build an organi-sational culture that is more accepting of flexibility.”

Like the development and introduction of a major piece of equipment, Suakin’s design and implemen-tation will take time. The ADF expects to have the framework for the service model in place in 2014, but anticipates it will take a number of years for it to reach full operating state.

To learn more, visit www.defence.gov.au/projects/suakin

Good balance of work, play

Following Chiefs of Service Committee and Secretary/CDF Advisory Committee agreement to the initiatives under Plan Suakin, in September 2012 work began with the services and groups on the structural and legal changes necessary to make the enhanced workforce model a reality.

Subject matter experts from Defence People group, and personnel policy and remuneration areas in Air Force, navy and Army, are work-ing with the Suakin Directorate to deliver the required reforms through five courses of action:

Service Spectrum: is intended to pro-vide options for a full range of full-time, part-time and casual service categories across the permanent and reserve compo-nents of the ADF.

Remuneration: supporting the service categories. Remuneration and benefits are being designed to reflect ADF members’ relative service obligation (commitment) and their contribution to capability.

Transfer Processes: working to estab-lish more streamlined and efficient transfer processes that allow members to move across the service spectrum.

FoRceNeT is an e-portal that sits outside the DRN and is acces-sible any time and anywhere members have access to the internet, including on their mobile devices.

A ForceNet trial began in November with six units across the ADF.

Director General Suakin BRIG Iain Spence said the trial was testing the first stage release of ForceNet, a public space that is designed to enhance communication with the ADF workforce.

“This first stage edition of ForceNet will allow members to con-nect with their Defence colleagues, with the ability to send direct messages to other users and create social groups around common interest,” he said.

“commanding officers will also be able to send direct com-munications, post content and create events on their unit page with the confidence that their members can access that information any time online, enhancing unit-level communication.”

ForceNet is enhancing existing Defence IcT solutions. It is built on and will incorporate many of the functions of the Defence Alumni Network.

The ForceNet team is designing the system’s functionality based on a stakeholder needs analysis conducted by the Rapid Prototyping Development and evaluation (RPDe) Group in 2012.

BRIG Spence said the RPDe report found there was a need for an IcT tool to enable communication and engagement within the Defence community, individually or as a group.

“We’re partnering with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu to deliver ForceNet in a series of stages,” he said.

“The next stage of the development, which will improve per-sonnel administration, is a key to the delivery of a contemporary service model.

“The RPDe report found that our people, particularly reservists and former ADF members, have difficulty in finding job opportuni-ties, despite their willingness to get involved.”

ForceNet will enable ADF members to search for reserve job opportunities and showcase their skills and qualifications through user profiles that will provide career managers with more insight into available skill sets.

“These are outcomes that will help enhance the visibility of roles that require less than full-time service,” BRIG Spence said.

“We also know from the RPDe report that Defence members want to conduct basic personal administration tasks, such as view-ing payslips, changing contact details, submitting forms, and com-pleting training, without having to access a DRN terminal.

“ForceNet will enable ADF members to check pay receipts, sub-mit leave applications, and stay up-to-date with training through links to the PMKeyS Self Service Portal that Joint Project 2080 is implementing, and to cAMPUS Anywhere.”

An official launch of ForceNet will take place in 2014, with both current and former members of the ADF and members of the Defence APS gain-ing access with minor differences in functionality.

The ForceNet revolution: first stage released

Delivering SuakinFLEXIBILITY: A comprehensive work reform for ADF members will enhance the way Naval personnel serve in future. Photo: lSiS Paul McCallum

ENHANCED COMMUNICATION: ForceNet is an e-portal that sits outside the DRN and is accessile anywhere members have access to the internet – including mobile devices.

in heR 19 years of service, logistics officer lCDR Kate Miller has undertaken numerous deployments and built a rewarding career in the navy. This has been possible in part due to flexible work arrange-ments that have enabled her to continue to serve as her circumstances changed.

The navy has provided lCDR Miller with multiple flexible working opportunities, including part-time leave without pay, working remotely from the United Kingdom in a navy headquarters role and, on return from the UK, job sharing with another navy logistics officer.

By offering flexible career options Defence has retained a trained, experienced and motivated ADF member who describes her skills and experience as something you just can’t buy.

lCDR Miller, who spent about six years of her career at sea, said most of her training had been on the job.

“when you go to sea you gain experience through the activities your ship gets involved in. i’ve played a role in several operations and plenty of exercises,” she said.

“i have learned about logistics support in the maritime environment as a result of some brilliant mentoring and my ship being involved in activi-ties from warlike service to diplomacy and constabulary operations.

“i have also managed departments with up to 30 people and 33,000 line items in the store room, worked in personnel areas posting logistics staff, and have developed both personnel and logistics policies.”

while working in a less than full-time capacity she has had the oppor-tunity to shape the way logisticians are working at sea by contributing to the development of future plans, policies and systems.

lCDR Miller said sea experience was vital in determining information system development priorities, to get changes that will improve the way navy operates at sea. her most recent work is in Maritime Systems in the Defence Materiel organisation, supporting information systems used at sea and assisting in implementation of recommendations from the Rizzo Report.

her flexible work arrangements have included short periods of full-time work, and subsequent periods of part-time work or varying the number of days. This has included continuing to participate in operational activities. lCDR Miller recently took part in exercise Talisman Sabre as a logistics officer in the headquarters in San Diego (in the US), on one month of continuous-full-time service.

lCDR Miller said both she and her husband had been able to negotiate flexible work arrangements to meet their family’s and career needs because of the experience they had.

“Flexibility is achieved through negotiation,” she said. “it’s about setting up an arrangement with the work area that meets both your and Defence’s capability needs.

“My husband, also a naval officer, worked flexibly for a year some time ago and next year will begin working seven days a fortnight to take care of our family while i attend Australian Command and Staff College.”

She was able to negotiate her first flexible work arrangement before she went on maternity leave in 2008.

“i’ve enjoyed working flexibly,” she said. “i can still do all of my work. i just don’t always do it at the same time as everyone else and in the same place. i actually feel more productive and get a lot of job satisfaction out of it because i drive my work and push myself to meet deadlines.”

Flexible workforce policyThe ADF flexible workforce policy, MilPeRSMAn, Part 7, Chapter 6, Flexible work arrangements for members of the ADF, now includes data capture methods, a specific application form, and reporting mechanisms.

Although flexible options already exist, Suakin is addressing broader factors including ease of movement between service categories, the impact of less than traditional full-time service on career progression, and flexible means of communication (Forcenet).

To learn more about current flexible work arrangements in navy, visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/sites/ngn/comweb.asp?page=106675&Title=FwP

MAKING IT WORK: LCDR Kate Miller has worked flexibly for several years and says it is achieved through negotiation. Photo: grace Costa

16 CENTRE www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS December 5, 2013 17

READY TO ROLL: Acting CDF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin and Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert chat with Defence personnel after the launch of Project Suakin in Canberra on November 26. Photo: CPl guy Young

career Management: working with the services to optimise, where needed, career management policies, procedures and systems to support members under an enhanced ADF Total Force employment Model.

ForceNet: an e-portal to help connect members to Defence and each other. Forcenet aims to improve reservist data to better use the reserve.

Suakin also includes supporting lines of operation:

Research and Analysis (culture): research to understand and address cul-tural impediments to more flexible career patterns.

Workforce Funding and Training: research and analysis of current practices and existing ADF workplace funding and training issues to help develop evidence for reform.

Director general Suakin BRig iain Spence said as with the development and introduction of any new asset, or major piece of equipment, Suakin’s design and implementation would take time.

“we are aligning our work with existing reform programs across Defence including Plan Beersheba, Rizzo Reform, the Broderick Review and Joint Project 2080,” BRig Spence said.

“The framework for the service model will be delivered in 2014, but we anticipate it will take a number of years for the enhanced service model to reach a fully mature operating state.

“From mid-2014 we aim to commence a staged roll-out of the new structures, policies, procedures and processes that collectively make-up the enhanced service model.”

he said the roll-out was designed to include education and training initiatives to help build the skills and knowledge required to lead a diverse and flexible workforce using the service model.

WO-N MARTIN HOLZBERGER

IT’S AMAZING how quickly time passes when you are staying as busy as we have all been this year. It seems like just yesterday that

we were welcoming in 2013. This year has been the busiest one

I can remember, with so much of our Navy deployed on operations across the world or, as it has been for many of you, closer to home.

It was also a year for us all to cele-brate what it means to wear our Navy’s uniform and reinforce our commitment to the defence of our country.

The International Fleet Review reaffirmed the admiration that the com-munity has for its Navy (you), with

tens of thousands lining the street of Sydney to show their support for what you do, visiting our ships or watching the celebrations in their homes from across the country.

No matter what part you played in this year’s success you should all feel very proud of what we have been able to achieve as a team.

As I move throughout Navy I am always impressed and inspired by what you do and how professionally you go about it.

Our role, while it can be rewarding, can also be challenging, and the way you have all be able to meet these chal-lenges is truly commendable.

It is also a year where we have seen a marked improvement in our recruit-ing and, more importantly, retention numbers. A number of initiatives such as flexible working and employment practices, posting stability and the Defence Health Initiative that starts on January 1 have all started to take effect.

There is, however, still much to do. CN and I will continue the work on improving support to our primary care givers and their families as well as ensuring that we are ready for you to take to sea or to the air in the new capabilities that will start to come into service next year.

While the year is drawing to an end, our commitment to mission con-tinues.

At Christmas our shipmates will remain deployed on operations includ-ing Slipper, Resolute and Philippines’ Assist.

Many families will be without loved ones while they continue our mission. I ask you all to take a few minutes to think about our friends wherever they may be and to support one another over the festive season.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year. Please stay safe and I look forward to seeing you all in 2014.

IN THE early days of Federation, the Commandant of the Military Forces of the Commonwealth, MAJGEN Hutton, had a crucial conversation with the government of the day to

highlight the need for Australia to be able to defend its commercial waters, so as to ensure trade and safe passage.

As a result of this conversation, the RAN com-memorated the centenary of the first entry of the RAN fleet into Sydney Harbour.

This year’s centenary celebrations celebrate not just the past, but also the current and future events that flowed from that original conversation.

As we approach the end of another busy year and take the opportunity to slow down, to recharge our emotional batteries over the reduced activity period, it is opportune to reflect on the crucial conversa-tions that have taken place in our lives, whether it be recent conversations or conversations of distant past.

These crucial conversations may have taken shape in deciding to pursue a particular profession and career, in joining the Navy, in making commit-ments to a particular person, in deciding to start a family, in purchasing property or shares.

Other crucial conversations may have even touched something of your spiritual self, as you wrestled with understanding the impact of events that have crossed your path and that have no easy explanation nor reasoning.

Some Navy personnel might engage in crucial conversations revolving around operational deploy-ments where they may have witnessed traumatic events or the misery of human degradation. Such events not only intrude on our mental and physical health but touch the very spirit of our identity – individually and as a community.

Maybe the most crucial conversation we can have, and must continually have, is the conversation that centres on the self. Who am I? And what posi-tive impact can I have in the life of the people that surround me? Spiritual life, the inner life, allows the person to reflect creatively, so as to converse with one’s sense of wellbeing, and to find direction.

The opportunity for self-reflection, of self-dialogue, often presents itself as we take time away from our normal routines.

In Australia, our major holiday period happens in the midst of religious events. For Judaism, the Feast of Dedication Chanukah, celebrated from the evening of November 27 until the evening of December 5, celebrates the Festival of Lights. It marks the restoration of the temple in 164 BCE. For Christians, the Feast day of Christmas, celebrated on December 25, is the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus. Throughout the year, Judaism, Islam and Christianity observe religious events that highlight their understanding in how, as spiritual people, the crucial conversation between God and humanity continues to shape their life individually and collectively.

During this holiday period may we all take the opportunity to nourish and strengthen the crucial conversations in our lives, so as to develop our spiritual self.

THE year 2013 was a significant year for the Navy, one of which we should all be largely proud.

It has been a year of high opera-tional tempo with about 25 per cent of the fleet on operations on any given day undertaking the tasks given to us by government.

As the year draws to a close we continue our Major Fleet Unit and CTF 150 command staff commitment to the Middle East Area of Operations and we have HMAS Tobruk, the Deployable Geospatial Survey Team and ele-ments of AUSCDT-4 helping the recovery of the people of the central Philippines.

On our borders we have seen the character of that operation change over the last 12 months as the frenetic activity levels have ebbed away with changes to government policy and an increased commitment of Major Fleet Units and tanker support.

All in all we have shown that we are a working Navy, one that gets on with the job.

In October many thousands of you took part in the biggest commemorative event for dec-ades with the International Fleet Review. It was a spectacular event that catapulted Navy to the front of the national consciousness once more and reminded our fellow citizens of what we all do and why we are needed. It was an event that brought many of our friends and partners to work with us to help us commemorate the day 100 years ago when ‘our’ Navy arrived in Sydney as a Fleet for the first time. Above all, though, it was an event that renewed our own pride in our uniform and our Navy.

It has also been an important year for proving our capability with the world’s first MU90 torpedo warshot firings and the hugely successful ESSM firings by HMAS Perth off Hawaii where the credentials of the Anzac Anti- Ship Missile Defence upgrade were tested in demanding circumstances.

2013 was also a year in which we continued to see steady improvement in the indicators of our changing culture. Early this year I launched a refreshed strategy for NGN, underpinned by Pathway to Change to bring different aspects of our culture into focus and broaden the approach we are taking.

CDF GEN DAVID HURLEY

CN VADM RAY GRIGGS

‘A year of high operational tempo’

The ADF has achieved a great deal this year as result of your dedication and hard work.

Thanks to the efforts of thousands of ADF personnel, our operations in Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands were able to be ended successfully. So too will our mission in Uruzgan, allowing the majority of our people to return to Australia by the end of the year.

In addition to these operations, in 2013 ADF personnel have supported the bushfire recov-ery effort in NSW, assisted the people of the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan and worked tirelessly to contribute to Australia’s border protection operations under Operation Resolute.

Your efforts and achievements have been made in many ways.

The first Battle Honours awarded since Vietnam was presented to the Special Air Service Regiment and 2nd Commando Regiment this year for the Battle of Shah Wali Kot.

HMAS Toowoomba’s assistance in seizing a record half a tonne of heroin underscored the importance of Navy’s contribution to international counter-piracy operations while Air Force marked 10 years of continuous deployment in the Middle East Area of Operations, having moved 95 million pounds of cargo and more than 220,000 personnel.

Defence also performed extremely well at this year’s Comcare Work Health and Safety Awards, winning three awards and four commendations.

These achievements would not have been pos-sible without the support of the wider Defence organisation and the families who support our military personnel.

Many more ADF members will have an opportunity to reunite with family and friends this festive season than in recent years but others will be separated by deployments or postings over the holiday season.

Wherever you are, I wish you and your fam-ily a safe and happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Yet, I must say it has also been a year of dis-appointment culturally.

Unacceptable behaviour continues to ruin lives, damage each other, damage our ability to work in effective teams to achieve our mission and undermine public confidence in us as a responsible, contemporary and decent organisa-tion.

Sexual violence and alcohol-related poor behaviour remain at the core of my concerns – frankly we need to do much better. In both areas there are still far too many bystanders who are not taking action when they know they should. In my mind a bystander is as culpable as the person who perpetrates the incident. Bystanders will certainly be held to account in the same way, particularly when their inaction leads to what was otherwise a preventable incident from occurring or, worse still, repeat incidents.

The work we do and the conditions we do them under are sometimes tough. Like you, I have been there and done that. Nothing though excuses some of the things we continue to see. We must change our attitudes and fast. We must

have leaders at all levels who are prepared to step up, who believe in our values and signature behaviours, who will not walk past or watch something that is wrong.

There is no tolerance from me or the general community for people who cannot maintain the high standards that are expected of us. If you think drunken and boorish behaviour ashore is acceptable – it is not – reflect on this over the Christmas period and into next year. It is not a hard message to get – we have no more credits in the bank and we will have no one else to blame but ourselves should I be forced to impose even tighter and tighter restrictions.

You continue to ask me to hold people to account. I am and will continue to do so but I need your support to do the same.

On a more positive note, to our families I thank you for your ongoing support, as always it has been crucial.

I know this year has been more uncertain than most and has resulted in significant chang-es to ships’ programs.

Many of you will spend Christmas without your loved ones when you were not expecting that.

The security of our borders, our com-mitment to security in the Middle East and our responsibility to help the people of the Philippines rebuild their shattered lives are all important missions for us to achieve on behalf of all Australians and I thank you for your for-bearance and support so that we can do what we need to do.

Despite our many challenges we have some exciting things in the offing, the commission-ing of NUSHIP Canberra and all that will bring with it, further deliveries of our Seahawk Romeos and the keel-laying of our second DDG, NUSHIP Brisbane.

These events all herald a new era for the Navy, an era that is now with us and will rede-fine what we can achieve.

For those who are lucky enough to get a break over Christmas, make the most of the physical break and of the time with your loved ones.

Spare a thought for our shipmates who will be on the job this year as they are every year.

DGCHAP-N STUART HALL

18 CHRISTMAS MESSAGES www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS December 5, 2013

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THOUGH not the most glamor-ous ship in the fleet, HMAS Biloela was the first Navy ship built entirely from Australian

material, from Australian designs and in an Australian shipyard.

Biloela, served as a fleet collier from 1920 to 1927, having been com-pleted too late for WWI service.

She was capable of carrying 4500 tonnes of coal, 1100 tonnes of fuel oil, 662 tonnes of fresh water and 1000 tonnes of general stores.

An article published in The Commonwealth Engineer on May 1, 1919, described the accomodation arrangements on board.

“In order to provide every comfort for the officers, a small lounge with a fireplace is arranged adjoining the cabins,” it read.

“The comfort of the crew received special consideration, the ventilation of all the living quarters being in excess of the Board of Trade requirements.”

Plans were made in the 1920s to convert Biloela and HMAS Kurumba

to seaplane carriers, embarking 12 air-craft, but they never came to fruition.

The planned armament of Biloela’s two 4-inch guns was also not achieved.

In her short service she made sev-eral trips to New Guinea, Solomons Islands and the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu).

Biloela was decommissioned on November 14, 1927, when Navy’s coal-burning cruisers and destroyers started to be replaced by oil-fired ships.

She was sold in March 1931, and was successively renamed Wollert (1931), Ivanhoe (1932), Yoh Hsing (1937) and Cree (1937). As Cree, she was damaged by a German aircraft off Scotland on February 9, 1940, and again by a mine on April 26, 1940.

Just after midnight on November 21, 1940, she was torpedoed by German submarine U-123 about 365 miles west of Ireland and sank almost immediately. Her crew of 43 merchant seamen and two Royal Navy gunners went down with her.

Navy’s first wholely Australian ship had a brief service, SGT Dave Morley reports.

The first of many

UNIQUE SHIP: HMAS Biloela was commissioned into the Navy for use as a fleet collier. Photos: Seapower Centre

Type: Fleet collierBuilder: Cockatoo Island Dock-yard, SydneyLaid Down: October 21, 1918Launched: April 10, 1919Commissioned: July 5, 1920Sunk: November 21, 1940Displacement: 9008 tonnesCapacity: 5077 tonnes (gross cargo)Length: 116.5mBeam: 16.5mDraught: 6.86mSpeed: 11 knotsCrew: 70Horsepower: 2300Armament: Mountings for two 102mm BL guns

SPECIFICATIONS

19HISTORYDecember 5, 2013 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

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20 PERSONNEL www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS December 5, 2013

Supplement warningDEFENCE has warned all ADF members to be aware of the dangers associated with taking dietary supplements after one death and several hospitalisations in the US.

Specifically, Food Standards Australia New Zealand has alerted Australian jurisdictions to a US Food and Drug Administration and Centres for Disease Control investiga-tion involving the sport supplement OxyElite Pro.

This led to several cases of acute non-viral hepatitis, which is inflammation of the liver.

Senior medical adviser Dr Victoria Ross, of Joint Health Command, said at least two ADF personnel had been treated for liver disease thought to be related to nutritional supplements.

“Joint Health Command strongly advises against the use of supplements where there is no medical require-ment,” Dr Ross said.

“It is far safer to concentrate on a well-balanced diet appropriate to the needs of the individual and an appropri-ate physical training routine.

“Any substance, including prescription medicines and vitamins, can be harmful if not used correctly.

“Some of the problems that exist with supplements relate to the lack of quality control, as the industry is not well regulated. Supplements purchased overseas or over the internet are likely to be more risky.

“Not all the ingredients are always on the label, so you may not know what you’re getting.”

Dr Ross said these products could contain toxic or illegal substances prohibited for use in the ADF.

Effects can include addiction, altered mood and aggression, skin problems, liver damage, diabetes, joint problems, muscle weakness and heat control issues lead-ing to hyperthermia and/or dehydration.

Anyone who uses dietary supplements, or is thinking about it, is urged to discuss the risks and benefits with their medical practitioner. Anyone who has used dietary supplements and feels unwell or is concerned should contact their Defence Health Centre immediately.

Whistleblower support

TAKE CARE: The ADF warns personnel to use dietary supplements with caution after members treated for liver disease. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

THE Defence Service Centre (DSC) at Cooma will be closed during the stand-down period from 10pm on December 23 until 7am on January 2.

Members who call 1800DEFENCE in that time will not be able to leave a message.

However, they can email an enquiry to [email protected] and staff will action the request on their return.

Personnel should note that pay slips will be available to both ADF and APS staff on December 9 for pay day of December 19. It is the responsibility of all members to check their pay slips

and identify any issues before stand-down.

They are also encouraged to check their pay slips and bank accounts on pay day.

Additional information on pay cut-off dates is available via DEFGRAM 628/2013.

Personnel travelling during the stand-down period who experience travel issues, can contact their duty officer or QBT on 13 11 57, to make required changes to travel plans. Further information on travel during the stand-down period is available through DEFGRAM 482/2013.

PUBLIC officials seeking to speak up about wrongdoing or maladministra-tion in the Commonwealth public sec-tor can do so under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (PID Act) from January 15.

Under the PID Act, a public official includes current or former ADF mem-bers, APS employees and contracted ser-vice providers.

The Defence Publ ic In teres t Disclosure Scheme replaces the Defence Whistleblower Scheme.

The PID Act will replace other whistleblower legislation and cover all current and former public officials.

Defence, Australian Geospatial Intell igence Organisation (AGO), Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO) and Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) are separate agencies under the Act and are required to manage disclosures in a manner consistent with the PID Act.

Information disclosed by current and former public officials alleging wrong-doing and maladministration will be called public interest disclosures.

Steve Burge, of the office of the Inspector General of Defence, said the PID Act promoted integrity and account-ability in the Commonwealth public sector, provided protection from any adverse consequences of making a dis-

closure, and ensured disclosures were properly managed and investigated by agencies.

“People who are prepared to speak up about wrongdoing or maladminis-tration are one of the most important and accurate sources of information to address problems in public administra-tion,” he said.

Complaints of suspected wrongdo-ing made before January 15 will not be covered by the new legislation, but will be managed under the Defence Whistleblower Scheme.

Any disclosures made after January 15 can include suspected wrongdoing or maladministration alleged to have occurred at any time.

Defence, AGO, DIO and ASD will appoint authorised officers to receive disclosures. Contact details will be listed on the Defence intranet and internet.

Alternatively, disclosures can be made to supervisors, managers or com-manders who must report the disclosure immediately to an authorised officer.

The current whistleblower hotline number, 1800 673 502, will continue, or members can contact the Directorate of Investigations and Recoveries on 02 6266 4322.

Stand-down arrangements

A NEW 12-room ward dedicated to ADF in-patients has opened at St Luke’s Hospital at Potts Point in Sydney.

The ward provides for 12 dedicated single-room beds and also gives ADF health staff access to professional devel-opment opportunities at the St Luke’s campus.

The facility, known as ADF Ward St Luke’s, started operation on November 4 and provides in-patient services to ADF members located in the central Sydney area.

Director General Garrison Health Services BRIG Georgeina Whelan said St Luke’s would provide all clinical services using experienced staff, comple-mented by a Defence Health Liaison Cell to ensure military supervision of Defence patients.

“The liaison cell will operate from the St Luke’s site and will be the interface between the hospital and the ADF mem-ber’s chain of command,” BRIG Whelan said.

“The procurement of services through this well-regarded facility is particularly important for our single personnel who live in service accommodation and who are away from their family and next of kin.

“The central location ensures that should they be unwell enough to warrant admission to a civilian facility, they can do so at a location close to their friends, col-leagues and chain of command.”

“Further, it’s a fantastic opportunity for our health services professionals to draw on the clinical opportunities avail-able at the St Luke’s campus,” BRIG Whelan said.

St Luke’s open for in-patients

Master of Systems Engineering

Never Stand Still School of Engineering and Information Technology

Compulsory Courses – Systems Engineering Practice

– Requirements Engineering

– Test & Evaluation

– Capability Option Analysis

Plus four elective courses.

Specialisations – Test and Evaluation

– Space Systems

– Electronic Warfare

– Networking

– Marine Engineering

– Weapons Ordnance

Entry to the program is available to applicants:

– with a relevant first degree

– without a first degree providing they have acceptable experience and/or qualifications

– via distance or intensive delivery mode

ApplicationsApplications for Semester 1 close 20 January 2014 (Defence funding applications close 1 November 2013).

Apply online at:

www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/pg_apply

Further InformationIf you require more information about this program please contact:

Telephone: +61 2 6268 9566 Email: [email protected]

The Master of Systems Engineering (MSysEng) at the University of New South Wales in Canberra provides you with the opportunity to acquire high-level understanding and advanced analytical skills in the key areas of systems engineering, requirements engineering, test and evaluation, and capability option analysis.

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21PERSONNELDecember 5, 2013 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LSIS Helen Frank

NAVY’S Rejoin Case Management Team (RCMT) is once again open for business and helping previous members rejoin the ranks.

RCMT was established by CN in July 2009 to assist former serv-ing members who had moved into the reserve rejoin the permanent force, particularly in categories that were short of personnel.

After being disbanded in late 2010, the team has been rein-vigorated and has now helped more than 130 officers and sail-ors re-enlist into the permanent naval force and avoid delays with Defence Force Recruiting.

RCMT OIC LCDR Steve Spooner said the team provided fast-tracking and individual case management to former full-time reservists with critical skills.

“While there are certain cat-egories, and ranks within those categories, which the RCMT is particularly interested in, enquir-ies from any ex-member who has departed the Navy in the last few years is welcome,” he said.

“Interest only extends to those who have not been gone much longer than five years.”

In conjunction with the Navy People Career Management Agency (NPCMA), RCMT has significantly reduced the aver-age time taken to return selected former members to permanent service.

“The team can facilitate an ex-member to rejoin in as little as 25 days in ideal circumstances,” LCDR Spooner said.

Re-enlisting members benefit Navy because they have a history of service, a track record and have an experiential understanding of what life in the Navy entails.

In consultation with NPCMA, RCMT is in a position to process re-entry applications with a degree of expediency not always achiev-able before the formation of the team.

LCDR Spooner said there had been significant financial benefits to the Navy.

“Between July 2009 and December 2010, the RCMT pro-cessed 87 re-entries, with their combined experience saving Navy

over $16 million in training costs alone,” he said.

“Since the reinvigoration of the RCMT in mid-2012, the team has assisted more than 50 ex-members return to Navy.”

One such member is ABMT Stephen Timberlake, of HMAS Gascoyne,.

“I left the Navy in 201 after completing my initial six years as I wanted to gain experience in the commercial sector,” AB Timberlake said.

“I did a bit of travel and worked as an air conditioning tech for a couple of years.

“I decided to rejoin for the job security and the good money.”

AB Timberlake contacted RCMT on advice from a friend.

“RCMT made the process quite easy,” he said.

“They would call me when they had more information and made appointments for my medi-cals and that sort of thing.”

The RCMT team is located at Brindabella Park in Canberra and can be contacted at [email protected]

Team makes rejoining easy

LEUT Madelaine Newman

A SIGNIFICANT safety milestone was reached on October 24 when the 100th Submarine Safety Board Meeting was held in the Submarine Force Conference room.

The Level 3 Safety Board, which is a forum for decision making and dis-cussion surrounding issues to do with the Submarine Safety Program, is held once a quarter and attended by key stake-holders from both within and outside the immediate submarine community.

Attendees in October included rep-resentatives of the Maritime Safety Bureau, the Australian Submarine Corpo ra t i on , De fence Ma te r i e l Organisation and others in either an advi-

sory or observer role where relevant, such as project managers and Defence Science and Technology Organisation subject matter experts.

COMSUBFOR CAPT Mark Potter said the meetings played an integral part in the overall safety program for subma-riners.

“Safety has always been a crucial part of business as usual but the SUBSAFE Board is an outstanding tool to ensure we continue to set the standard and strive for excellence in this area,” CAPT Potter said.

“With the recent start of the Seaworthiness Boards last month, we are very fortunate to have such a robust sys-tem in place to ensure we are keeping up with, if not ahead of, the safety curve.”

Submarine safety board milestone

CAKE TIME: CAPT Mark Potter cuts a cake to celebrate the 100th meeting of the Submarine Safety Board as CMDR Piers Chatterton looks on. Photo: LSIS Brad Darvill

BACK ON THE JOB: ABMT Stephen Timberlake in the engine room on board HMAS Gascoyne after rejoining the Navy. Photo: ABIS Chantell Bianchi

CHANGING THE WAY WE SERVESuakin is a project delivering a fresh approach to ADF employment.

It has something to offer all ADF members, regardless of rank,

because our own people are the ones who helped shape it.

Defence intends to introduce a range of full-time, part-time and

casual options that will support capability by enhancing ADF

members’ ability to serve.

For permanent ADF members, this means an enhanced ability

As a Reservist there is the potential for enhanced opportunities

and greater predictability of work pattern.

Ultimately Suakin’s intent is to build a stronger, more capable

Defence Force for the future.

To learn more, visit www.defence.gov.au/projects/suakin

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23TRAININGDecember 5, 2013 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT Kelli Lunt

A NEW journal format for train-ees and trainee coordinators will be rolled out from early 2014 by the Competency Management Agency (CMA).

The current software used by ships, Manpower Analysis Planning System (MAPS), will move into the live environment and drive the transition of on-the-job journals into the Capability Evidence Journals (CEJ) format to meet Navy’s panel approach to assessments.

O I C C M A L C D R R o b Underdown said CMA was estab-lished to centralise and standardise competency management within the RAN, and the transition to CEJs is just one of the initiatives to be imple-mented to more effectively track trainees.

“Since its inception in June 2012 CMA has worked towards improving the way we track an individual train-ee’s completion of category train-ing and recording of competencies,” LCDR Underdown said.

“The new process will mean that on completion of an assessment, the training coordinator can upload the result with validation by an appropri-ately qualified member of the crew.

“It can then be uploaded to our system where CMA will then vali-date and award the completion of that task. There will be no require-

ment to send paperwork to CMA for processing and will significantly save man hours for both CMA and parent units.”

CMDR Andrew Fraser, Deputy Director Individual Training (formal-ly Commander Individual Training) said the advantages of the CMA structure had allowed a more effec-tive posting plan to be developed.

“CMA works in consultation with NPCMA to develop a posting plan for all trainees,” CMDR Fraser said.

“The success of this and other CMA initiatives has seen the backlog of trainees awaiting positions at sea to be reduced from 900 to around 250.

“We are at the stage of holding units and individual sailors account-able for not completing category training at sea within a specified time frame.”

CMDR Fraser said initiatives such as tracking mechanisms and changes to the journals would mean that members who have not been managed correctly or not provided suitable opportunity, could be more readily identified and those who have avoided or delayed their pro-gression were being held to account.

“The goal is to ensure that the right people receive training at the right time based on their category,” he said.

LEUT Kelli Lunt

ABMT Andrew Knox has experienced the support of CMA firsthand, gain-ing assistance to find placements to complete his Competency Task Journal (CTJ).

After Recruit School and Initial Technical Training, AB Knox worked at Fleet Support Unit-FBW and after a short time ashore was posted to HMAS Warramunga for Competency Task Journal progression.

“I began my journal on completion of Initial Technical Training at HMAS Ceberus,” he said

“As a stoker in the pre-MT2010 stream, my role was comparable to an apprenticeship.

“I spent about 14 months on board HMAS Warramunga where I completed most tasks for my journal.

“After posting to the skills develop-ment course at Cerberus, I contacted CMA and with their help I arranged a short loan posting to HMAS

Toowoomba to complete outstanding competencies and finish my CTJ.

“CMA has assisted me in organis-ing short loan postings to finish specific competencies and have been very help-ful in that regard.

“My senior sailors have provided me with guidance on things like interview manner and course applications.”

AB Knox, currently working at FBW Powerhouse, is in a uniformed role assisting contractors to provide mechanical, electrical or sewage shore services to Navy and visiting ships at FBW.

He provides electrical and mechani-cal services to the establishment in the form of emergency power, heating and cooling, high and low pressure air and LP gas.

“I am looking to complete my ships electrical maintainer’s course and then the MSC in late 2014,” he said. “I have noticed that CMA is recognising those who are pro-active about their training and are assisting them where required.”

Competency support helps further careers

THUMBS UP: ABMT Andrew Knox fills out his Competency Task Journal while checking generators at HMAS Stirling. Photo: ABIS Julianne Cropley

Training journal changes

JOINT EFFORT: LCDR Robert Underdown works with CPO Robert Hackett to make the transition to Capability Evidence Journals. They are supported by team members (back left to right) SMNEW Harrison Aggar and LSCSOU Peter Cooper. Photo: ABIS Julianne Cropley

DIRECTOR STEPHEN RAYNEDESIGNER RENÉE MULDER

LIGHTING DESIGNER DAMIEN COOPERSOUND DESIGNER STEVE FRANCIS

Stories from the front line

Photo by Australian Defence Force

THE LONG WAY HOMEBY DANIEL KEENE

THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE AND SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY PRESENT

SYDNEYTHEATRE.COM.AU/LONGWAYHOMETOURBOOK NOW

SYDNEY 7 – 15 FEB

DARWIN 22 FEB

BRISBANE 27 FEB – 1 MAR

WOLLONGONG 5 – 8 MAR

TOWNSVILLE 14 – 15 MAR

CANBERRA 19 – 22 MAR

MELBOURNE 27 – 29 MAR

ADELAIDE 1 – 5 APR

PERTH 11 – 12 APR

AN HISTORIC COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE AND SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY.

Permanent, CourseandTransit

Living InAccommodationFrom 1 September 2013, DHA started managing bookings for Living In Accommodation (LIA) at thefollowing bases in South Queensland:

> RAAF Base Amberley> Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera> Borneo Barracks, Cabarlah> Swartz Barracks, Oakey, and> Kokoda Barracks, Canungra.

Whether you are looking to book LIA for an exercise, a course, a cadet camp, reserve duty, permanentaccommodation or individual transit, contact DHA.

North Queensland is next to transition to the DHA LIA Booking and Allocation Service, and includes thefollowing bases:

> HMAS Cairns> Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, and> RAAF Base Townsville.

The rest of the country will progressively transition to the DHA LIA Booking and Allocation system byMay 2014ahead of the commencement of the new Base Services Contracts.

Easyaccess

online tobooki

ngs

andallocations

www.dha.gov.au/LIA

25TRAININGDecember 5, 2013 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT Kelli Lunt

A FOCUS on force protection by Sea Training Unit – Submarines (STU-SM) this year has not only improved the necessary competency, but led to unique support to HMAS Sirius in October.

Before Sirius deployed to Exercise Bersama Lima last month, as a last-minute tasking, STU-SM personnel stepped in to provide force protection training to the major fleet unit when other units were unavailable.

Fleet Submarine Warfare Officer within STU-SM LCDR Susan Harris said force protection became a dedi-cated focus this year, having taken a back seat in the past because of other priorities and the opportunity to sup-port Sirius reinforced their hard work.

“Despite the obvious size differ-ence, there was actually a consider-able amount of similarity in the prob-lems encountered between Sirius and submarines,” LCDR Harris said.

“Examples include the smaller crews and complexities in providing the right security to the right place at the right time. It was an excellent opportunity to enhance our force pro-tection skills on another platform, as well as reinforce we are all one Navy, with the same requirements and simi-lar challenges.”

LCDR Harris said STU-SM had worked closely with its sister sea training units to improve the training

Submarine trainers step in

package through the delivery of educa-tion and training.

“We faced some challenges ini-tially when addressing an improved training package for force protection as there seemed to be a general lack of awareness and understanding from the more junior members of the squadron who had never witnessed force protec-tion or understood why it was done,” LCDR Harris said.

“The crews’ attitudes were always excellent, but now they have the focus and the base skills to draw from to confidently conduct continuation train-ing in between STU-SM assessments.”

LCDR Harris said CPOEWSM Richard Storr had been at the forefront of the force protection invigoration.

“He had a vision to change what we were doing and has worked hard and coordinated all training require-

ments to make it happen,” LCDR Harris said.

Commander STU-SM CMDR Michael Manfield said his team of 11 had proven their worth in the submarine community and now in the wider fleet.

He said 2013 had been an incred-ibly busy period for STU-SM.

“In addition to ensuring three sub-marines achieved mission readiness, our focus on improving force protec-

tion training has been successful due to our ability to share knowledge and train,” CMDR Manfield said.

He said force protection had been included in the schedule of operational workups and would be assessed along with all the other group competencies within this training period.

“The squadron can also expect some un-alerted force protection train-ing in the new year.”

LEUT Kelli Lunt

THE first person to pass the new Maritime Logistics Charge Qualification Board (CQB) has given it the thumbs up.

The CQB was unveiled on November 12 at HMAS Kuttabul.

LEUT Kristen Russo praised the new process after completion of the qualifying period as a Deputy Head of Department of HMAS Perth.

“I liked that the focus of the Charge board was more on demonstrating your leadership and management ability and potential, as opposed to rote learning theory and being able to repeat lists ver-batim,” LEUT Russo said.

“I was very happy with my results and my advice to others would be to focus on your past year at sea as you approach the board and draw on the leadership and management scenarios you have faced and think about how you would apply the lessons you learnt.

“Knowledge is still important but you should be able to answer the questions based on experience and not studying every ABR, DI(G), DI(N), and so on.”

Director Training Authority Maritime Logistics & Health (DTA-MLH) CMDR Rebecca Levitt was pleased with the innovative changes developed by LCDR Donna Kean, after concerns the format remained vastly unchanged for more than 10 years and was no longer appropriately assessing candidates’ readiness for sea charge.

“While the old format could test tech-nical proficiency, it did not allow the candidate to fully demonstrate their lead-ership and management style,” CMDR Levitt said.

“The redeveloped CQB, which draws on industry standards, offers an innova-tive solution which provides a broader assessment, and also provides the can-didate with an experience which closely resembles going for a job interview.

To ensure the candidate is able to

First-up praised for shift of emphasis

phrase their answers according to their audience, a non-MLO board member is also a part of the panel.

LEUT Russo’s non-MLO board member was the Fleet Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer, CMDR Peter Armitage.

“The addition of the FWEEO on the board was beneficial, as it made me con-sider everything I was saying, whether he understood the supply jargon and if I would have to elaborate or explain my answer further.”

LEUT Russo has returned to HMAS Perth to consolidate her knowledge and celebrate being awarded her charge qual-ification.

NEW FORMAT: Maritime Logistics Officer CMDR Sean Noble explains the processes involved in story and stocktaking inside the supply story on board HMAS Perth.

Photo: ABIS Chris Beerens

FORCE PROTECTION: The duty watch forms a defensive line (above left) to hold back unauthorised personnel trying to gain access to HMAS Sirius during a force protection exercise as AB Adrian Vorwerk patrols the flight deck (above right) during a force protection exercise. Photos: LSIS Brad Darvill

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27FEATURESDecember 5, 2013 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

DID you know there are more than 3600 robotic floats recording and transmitting numerous pieces of data from oceans around the world?

The crew of HMAS Melbourne deployed 14 Argo floats on behalf of CSIRO as the ship sailed from Fremantle to the MEAO in September.

The ocean plays a significant role in influ-encing climate, transporting heat accumulated at the tropics to the North and South Poles with the first three metres of water storing the same amount of heat as the entire atmosphere.

As these currents are driven by salinity gradients, measuring temperature and salin-ity is important to monitor any changes in the ocean, and how this may impact our climate.

The floats drift at depths of between 1km and 2km, and every 10 days rise to the surface to transmit temperature and salinity data, as well as its position to satellites. The informa-tion is relayed to data centres.

Before leaving Fleet Base West, LEUT James Fethers and LSCSO Deirdre Trehet received instruction from the CSIRO on how to deploy the floats.

Melbourne deployed five floats between Western Australia and Diego Garcia, an island which lies in the Indian Ocean just south of the equator, and nine floats between Diego Garcia and the Arabian Sea.

The floats were encased in a cardboard box and harness system with a water activated

release mechanism attached. Each float was 1.5m tall and weighed about 30kg, requiring two people to lower it to the water.

LS Trehet said it was a great experience to be a part of the program.

“Knowing that I was contributing to CSIRO’s data collection and research into the impacts of climate change was very reward-ing,” he said.

CSIRO uses the collected data to cre-ate ocean forecasts that predict all types of marine weather scenarios, from local beach conditions to oceanic interactions on a global scale.

The Navy then uses these forecasts to manage maritime operations around the world.

The floats can remain active for 7-10 years depending on the mission and the type of bat-teries they contain.

CSIRO’s coordinator of the Australian Argo program, Ann Thresher, said Navy had been a valuable supporter and participant in the global program.

“This sort of help is critical to achieving our goals of maintaining a fleet of profilers generating data from all the world’s oceans,” Dr Thresher said.

“Without Navy’s assistance the region around the Horn of Africa would be a blind spot to us, and it is important that this gap be filled because of its relevance to the Indo-Australian monsoon.”

Helping track the climate

ROBOTIC FLOATS: LEUT James Fethers deploys an Argo float. Photo: ABIS Jayson Tufrey

HMAS Melbourne played a role in distributing Argo floats en route to the MEAO, LSIS Helen Frank and LEUT James Fethers report.

If you are moving and have not yet submitted your Application for Relocation (AFR) goonline at www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence as soon as possible so we can lock inyour dates.

December and January are very busy times for relocating members and their families.Here are some helpful hints for those who are on the move.

• Please advise Toll if you have any change to your inventory or contact details.

• Prior to the day of uplift, please read Your Defence Relocation guide (available online atwww.tolltransitions.com.au/defence) to ensure you understand your and the removal provider’sresponsibilities.

• Vehicles and towables being freighted are not covered by Toll’s Warranty provisions. Check with yourinsurer to see if they are covered while in transit, otherwise you are advised to arrange your owninsurance cover.

• Your removal provider will contact you the day prior to pre-pack/uplift to confirm a start time. Thecontracted work hours are from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Please contact Toll if you are concerned the upliftor delivery will not be completed within these hours.

• If you do not agree with the uplift or delivery condition as recorded by the removalist, note this on the ICRthen call Toll for assistance.

• If for any reason you are delayed in transit or otherwise require a change to your temporaryaccommodation advise Toll immediately. If you fail to arrive you will be liable for any “no show’ fee fromthe accommodation provider.

• Remember that any request for long term storage, or overflow storage, must be approved by Toll.

Formore informationFreecall: 1800 819 167www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

TollTransitionswishallADFmembersandtheir familiesa MerryChristmasandaHappyNewYear

In step with the outdoorsForget new year resolutions – keeping fit during stand-down is as easy as getting outdoors, LT Rob Orr writes.

AS WE come around to stand-down again, many challenges will arise in the quest to

maintain health and fitness. For some the break will

mean they finally have time to go to the gymnasium and train with friends and family. For others, being away from work or on a holiday will restrict their ability to get to a gym, which is why it’s worth focusing on some of the benefits of training outdoors.

Training outdoors simply means getting outside. No need to join a group meeting at a park or go to a community yoga class. Once you step out of your abode, you are ready to train.

This constitutes one of the benefits of outdoor training. There is no need to travel to the gym when you want to walk, ride or run – just hit the path and take off.

Another major benefit of training outdoors is the con-stantly changing environment, from variations in terrain (depending on the routes you select) to changes in wind direction, light and smells.

These variations have the potential to increase the physi-

cal skill and cognitive require-ments of the body.

Consider mounting a kerb while running or cycling, manoeuvring and controlling a bike over and around obstacles and terrain changes, or swim-ming or surfing in the swell of the ocean.

On a subconscious level, there is the requirement of the body’s systems to process, and potentially adapt to, constant variations in the environment, for example, pupils dilating as you run around a corner into full sunlight.

On a conscious level you need to pay attention to the road surface and conditions, low-hanging branches and changes in traffic lights. In addition, there is a need to forward plan rather than just move with the mind in neutral.

Doing resistance training outdoors can be more challeng-ing as there are no weight-train-ing machines lying around out-doors, although several councils now have some form of exercise equipment along foot paths or in parks that may be useful.

The limitations are therefore to use body weight only or take equipment along with you.

When performing body-weight exercises, look for use-ful aids such as park benches to add variation.

With a park bench you could perform incline and decline push-ups, dips, step-ups (forward and lateral), squat jumps, squat and row, rotating side planks – the list goes on. However, always check the ser-viceability of the aid before use.

An alternative would be to take equipment with you. Elastic workout bands (like therabands) are light and can be easily carried in the hands or in a camel back (which has your water).

Whenever you get to where you want to perform some resistance training, pull the bands out and you have resist-ance ready.

In essence, both outdoor training and indoor training can provide you with the resources to maintain you fitness over the stand-down period. All you need to provide is the motiva-tion.

LT Rob Orr is a former Army PTI and is now a reservist and assistant pro-fessor at the Bond Institute of Sport and Health.

28HEALTHDecember 5, 2013 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

TAKING FLIGHT: Training outdoors can be as simple as lacing up the joggers and going for a run as LSPT Ashley Correa shows during his afternoon physical training session on the flight deck of HMAS Melbourne while on patrol in the Middle East Area of Operations. Photo: ABIS Jayson Tufrey

Anglican Congregation

ANZAC Memorial Chapel of St Paul,Canberra Area Military Chapel

Duntroon, ACT, 2600

Sunday Services - 9.30am

A chapel for all Serving and RetiredADF members, families, friends and

the wider community

Please join us you are welcome.

29SPORTDecember 5, 2013 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

Michael Brooke

IT takes great heart to be a marathon runner and to stride through the pain barrier over the 42.2km dis-tance – just ask LSBM Josh O’Hanlon and POMT Paul Baker.

PO Baker, of HMAS Kuttabul, and LS O’Hanlon, of NUSHIP Canberra, completed the New York City Marathon on November 3 and raised almost $20,000 for the Heart Foundation of Australia.

LS O’Hanlon who finished in 3hr 27min 32sec, raised $7775. PO Baker, who finished in 4hr 10min, 46sec, raised $9300, and said the experience was amazing.

“There were an estimated 2.5 million people cheer-ing us on along the whole course, including many bands and DJs,” PO Baker said.

PO Baker said he was happy to just finish as he battled stomach pain and dizziness.

“From about the 20km mark I battled a major prob-lem caused by the energy gels and their high caffeine content,” he said.

“I trained with energy gels but had never had three in one session, which was obviously too much caffeine.“

LS O’Hanlon said he was delighted to finish in under 3½ hours.

“The crowd supported the competitors by cheering them and shouting words of encouragement,” he said.

LS O’Hanlon was happy the money raised would help fight cardiovascular disease, which claims one Australian life every 11 minutes.

Heart Foundation chief executive of NSW Kerry Doyle said by taking part in the New York Marathon, LS O’Hanlon and PO Paul Baker had helped the Heart Foundation continue its lifesaving work.

To donate, visit 2013newyorkmarathon.gofundraise.com.au/page/JOhanlon or 2013newyorkmarathon.gofundraise.com.au/page/paulbaker1

Michael Brooke

DAYS after finishing a two-month stint with HMAS Choules on Operation Resolute, LEUT Megan Hoare cantered to vic-tory in the women’s 5km race in the 2013 Gate2Gate fun run at HMAS Penguin on November 20.

LEUT Hoare overcame a field of 20 competitors to clock the fastest women’s time. She fin-ished in 23min 4sec which placed her 16th overall in a field of 118 entrants and gave her the hon-

our of taking out the event in the Penguin category.

LEUT Hoare, a Penguin-based nursing officer, was happy with her form, considering her lack of training.

“I squeezed in some PT ses-sions during the deployment, otherwise there wasn’t any time for anything other than nursing duties,” she said.

LEUT Hoare also won the women’s title in 2011 (in a faster time of 21.45).

“I am very happy to have won

to make it two wins from as many Gate2Gate races,” she said.

“It was a good race with the turning point being the stairs to Chowder Bay, where I saw how much of a lead I had on the other girls.”

LEUT Hoare’s win helped restore some Navy pride in the Gate2Gate after Air Force’s sec-ond successive triumph.

RAAF Richmond’s PTI CPL Lee Morsink made it two from two when he recorded his second successive victory in the fun run.

CPL Morsink beat a field of 55 Navy competitors.

A special prize was presented to SMNCSO Sam Greenland, of HMAS Watson’s Systems Training School, for his fancy dress cos-tume as the Incredible Hulk.

SMNCSO Greenland placed 64th in the men’s open in 29.44 after investing $30 in green paint and $20 in a wig. He said he was happy to complete the course without exploding in a Hulk-like rage and flipping cars and dead-lifting trees.

Marathoners raise $20K

CROWD SUPPORT: LSBM Josh O’Hanlon on the way to the line at the New York Marathon.

THE WINNERS: LEUT Megan Hoare accepts her trophy from CO HMAS Penguin CMDR Paul Doble as first Penguin woman to cross the finish line and The Incredible Hulk, aka SMNCSO Sam Greenland, winner of the fancy dress prize, with costume creator ABCSO Catherine Ibbotson. Photos: ABIS Chantell Bianchi

Gate to great fun

COOL RUNNING: LEUT Stephanie Castree helps PO Taryn Cragie in cool off during the annual HMAS Penguin Gate2Gate fun run (above left) as AB Christine Fang (above middle) and MIDN Brent Solomon (right) push through the stairs. Photos: ABIS Jake Badior

Men’s open: CPL Lee Morsink 1, LCPL Brendan Holland 2, LEUT David Hastie 3,Women’s open: Helen Young 1, LEUT Jessica O’Brien 2, LEUT Michelle Rayner 3.Penguin men: SMN Adrian Hewson 1, SMN Pye 2, PO Sean Burke 3.Penguin women: LEUT Megan Hoare 1, LS Ash John 2, PO Ellisa Matthews 3.Veteran men: Michael Lawrence, AB Ron Postma 2, Collin Decosta 3.Veteran women: Gretchen Atkins 1, Skye Paton 2, Kathy Siu 3.Men’s walk: CPO Jason McCann 1, AB Derek Fortune 2, PO Stuart Benjamin 3.Women’s walk: LS Gerlinda Clough 1, SMN Gabi Bryan 2, AB Abby Fitzgerald 3.

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30 SPORT www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS December 5, 2013

Qld states its case

Body of work takes centre stage in USMichael Brooke

MUSCLE-ripped clearance diver AB Steve Body nar-rowly missed out on a bronze medal at the 2013 Natural Mr Olympia Body Building championships in the US from November 7-10.

ABCD Body did Navy proud on the world stage in what marked his first interna-tional competition against 25 of the very best body builders from around the globe.

A B C D B o d y , o f AUSCDT-1, placed fourth in the novice tall men’s catego-ry, and placed 6th in the open men’s (class four) category.

“I completely exceeded my expectations with my per-formance and results, given the quality of the competitors that I was up against,” he said.

“The contest was extreme and at a much higher level to what I’m used to.”

The competition proved to be especially challenging for ABCD Body because of the long flight from Australia to the US, and the negative effect high altitudes have on lean muscles.

“I actually cooked 10 meals of kangaroo meat and took them on the plane with me to eat during the flight,” he said.

“I wasn’t taking any chances with airline or fast-food, so when I arrived in the US I walked 10km from the hotel to Whole Foods, where I stocked up on nutritious meals for body builders and athletes.”

ABCD Body, who weighs 94kg and stands 189cm tall,

already has more goals in sight for the future.

He will post onto HMAS Gascoyne as the ship’s diver early next year and can’t wait for the opportunities to fur-ther his naval career.

“As much as I love body building, my naval career comes first,” he said.

“But I hope the ship’s activity schedule may allow me to compete in one or two competitions in 2014.”

AB Body has the potential to go far in this sport, after placing third at the Australian Nationals in Melbourne and third at the NSW State finals in Sydney, where he also won medals against more highly experienced competitors in the open men’s height class of 180cm and over.

DEDICATED: ABCD Steve Body at the Mr Olympia event in the US.

Tonga tour a success for ASRUCPL Max Bree

THE Australian Services Rugby Union (ASRU) men’s team wrapped up a successful tour of Tonga from November 2-12, narrowly retaining the Frewen – ‘Uta’atu Perpetual Military Rugby Union Shield between Australia and Tongan Defence Services.

Navy representative LS James Smith said he was quick to notice the Tongans’ confronting style of play.

“They’re very physical but I think we had it over them with our skills,” he said.

ASRU blooded some of its debu-tants for the first game and despite plenty of possession, Tonga held on to snatch a nail-biting victory.

Five minutes before full time, ASRU held the lead 15-13 before Tonga was awarded a penalty in the last minute of the game.

The resulting shot at goal looked like it was going to miss, but at the last moment, curved back courtesy of the breeze.

The ball hit the left-hand upright and bounced through for Tonga to win, 16-15.

ASRU needed to win the second game to retain the shield and domi-nated for the majority of the match.

AB Alex Brown scored two tries in the first half from back-of-scrum moves to set the team up with a com-fortable 15-0 lead heading into half-time.

With the lead out to 18 points, Tonga scored two consolation tries in the closing minutes to bring some respectability to the final score and a 25-17 victory to ASRU.

Before the ASRU team left, LS Smith said the team gave their Tongan hosts some parting gifts.

“Everyone took over extra rugby playing gear they no longer needed,” he said. “We also gave them all our team jerseys; most of the guys gave away their boots and their runners.”

LS Smith said the Tongans had no trouble putting their hospitality on hold when they ran onto the field.

“They’re the most friendly people you’ll ever meet,” he said. “We had a dinner with them after the first game all socialising and two days later we’re trying to bash each other again.

“It was a good trip; good to go somewhere you wouldn’t normally go. It was an eye-opener as it’s not quite the tropical island you think it would be,” LS Smith said.

Michael Brooke

POATV Brent Nemeth scored 10 points for NSW but it wasn’t enough to stop Qld win-ning its third successive Australian Defence Force Basketball Association (ADFBA) title.

The Qld men smashed NSW by 35 points to the tune of 83-48 in a state of ori-gin grudge grand-final at Sydney’s Victoria Barracks on November 23.

POATV Nemeth, of 723SQN at HMAS Albatross, said Qld was too strong on the day, but NSW gained a lot of experience and con-fidence that will serve them well next year.

The mighty Maroons raced away with the match to build upon a dynasty that dates back to 2011.

While PO Nemeth inspired his teammates with 10 points, NSW was also well served by HMAS Kuttabul’s ABMT Ben Jay, who was recognised for his super performances throughout the tournament with the 2013 Rookie of the Year award.

ABMT Jay said he was shocked but really happy to win the rookie award.

“I have played service basketball for the past two years but this was the first time I played combined services,” he said.

“I was supposed to play last year but I deployed in HMAS Sydney.”

ABMT Jay, 23, is arguably the future of Navy basketball, as he stands a towering 204cm and weighs 112kg.

“Hopefully next year we can turn the tables on Qld, but they have a really good team,” he said.

The Qld men’s triumph restored some pride after their women’s team was pipped by ACT/Wagga in a thrilling grand final.

ACT/Wagga defeated Qld 63-50 to end the Maroons’ winning streak that began in 2011.

ON GUARD: PO Brent Nemeth looks to offload the ball during the men’s grand final of the 2013 ADF Basketball Association Championships at Randwick Barracks. Photo: ABIS Kayla Hayes

Masters return to mark 30th anniversaryMichael Brooke

The ADF Basketball Association (ADFBA) turned back time as mas-ters of old helped mark the 30th anniversary during the annual carni-val at Sydney’s Randwick Barracks from November 17-23.

More than 175 players competed, including masters men’s and women’s teams, which played in the champion-ships as part of the anniversary cel-ebrations.

The masters’ teams performed impressively against the current crop

of ADBA stars from Navy, Army and Air Force.

The men’s masters’ team was par-ticularly competitive, only losing to grand finalists NSW and Qld.

Men’s masters coach FLTLT Peter Bounty said it was great to be invited back to help celebrate the ADFBA’s anniversary.

“It was fantastic to see so many of the former greats of the competition return to the court. The games were tough but played in great spirit,” he said.

ADFBA pat ron BRIG Paul

Nothard said the championship pro-vided an opportunity for everyone who has ever been involved in ADBA to celebrate the milestone.

BRIG Nothard said a feature of the anniversary was the fundraising conducted for the Soldier On charity which raised $1100 for veterans strug-gling with the physical and/or mental scars of war.

BRIG Nothard said the ADFBA formed in 1983 as an accredited ADF sporting association under the aus-pices of the Australian Defence Sports Council (ADSC).

The ADFBA Championships are state-based with combined services teams (men’s and women’s) from each state or territory, except Tasmania, competing.

After each championship, a male and female national team is selected to represent the ADFBA.

“The ADFBA national teams have toured to various countries including the UK, Singapore and New Zealand,” BRIG Nothard said.

“The national ADF team has received a reputation as excellent ambassadors for the ADF.”

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31SPORTDecember 5, 2013 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

Hail the championsMichael Weaver

NAVY is celebrating its historic victories in the 2013 Australian Services Cricket Associat ion interservice championships, held in Canberra from November 20-29.

Navy stole the thunder of pre-tournament favourite Army by winning both the Lindsay Hassett Trophy for the 50-over National Interservice Championship and also the ACM Angus Houston Cup for the Australian Services T20 competition.

It was the first time any team had won both the 50 and 20-over cham-pionships and Navy’s first win of the 50-over tournament in six years.

Navy player/coach LCDR Guy Lewis, of HMAS Stirling, said the team’s great preparation helped secure its first interservice match win in four years.

“I would say that we were the weakest of the three sides on paper, but we had a great team spirit and worked hard on and off the field,” LCDR Lewis said.

“We had a lot of Navy spirit and played well together.

“This year’s approach concentrat-ed on good preparation and strong team ethics, underpinned by core Navy values. It worked.”

Navy needed all that spirit to win what was the closest carnival in liv-ing memory.

In the 50-over matches, Navy won its opening game against Air Force by a solitary wicket on November 20.

Air Force set a target of 173 runs after being bowled out by Navy from 42 overs.

Navy’s strike bowler and Navy cricket president WO Gary Fuss took 4/19 off eight overs, while LCDR Lewis also took four wickets from his 10 overs.

Navy bowlers were also a little off target, allowing 41 extra runs from wides, no-balls and leg-byes.

Despite losing four wickets for 15 runs, Navy’s tail end of PO Damien Kelleher and LCDR Lewis steadied the ship to surpass the Air Force total in the 44th over.

Te a m c a p t a i n A B M T A l Kristensen, of HMAS Stirling, was the shining light of the Navy batting card, with 61 runs from 65 balls.

This win qualified Navy for the final against defending cham-pion Army on November 22, even though Army fell to a determined Air Force team by one wicket on November 21.

Navy again won the toss and sent Army into bat.

WO Fuss led the bowlers with 3/33 from 8.4 overs.

The remaining wickets were shared between the Navy attack, which disposed of Army for 176 runs in the 45th over.

Despite losing opening batsman SMN Matthew Lyons for three runs, the next four batsmen each added double-figure totals.

Fellow opener LSET Chris Cox top scored with a gritty 37, support-ed by AB Kristensen, who made a quick-fire 31 off 23 balls.

It came down to the final pair to get Navy across the line, but a great close-in catch saw the game end in a tie after the final two batsmen had taken the total to 176 runs.

That was enough to see Navy win back the championship trophy.

“I am really proud of this team,” WO Fuss said.

“What a great effort to win this year against two really strong sides.”

But the test of nerves was not over yet, as Navy again held on to defeat Army in the final of the Aust ra l ian S e r v i c e s T 2 0 Championship in a thrilling game that was decided on the last ball.

Thanks to a 75-run partnership between AB Kristensen (46 runs) and WO Fuss (40), the Baggy Blues set a total of 140 runs.

Army los t key wickets against disci-plined Navy bowling backed up by good catching and fielding.

A four-over spell from ABCD Kane Duncan netted four s u c c e s s ive A r m y wickets, which left Army needing seven runs from the final over with four wickets in hand.

Playing in his final game for Navy, WO Fuss stepped up and just four runs were added, which capped a historic tournament for Navy.

WO Fuss, who was appointed captain of the Australian Combined Services team, was also named the T20 player of the tournament and won the bowling award for taking the most wickets.

On top of his on-field perfor-mances, WO Fuss has been appoint-ed the coach of the Australian Combined Services team from 2014.

“Gary has been a great ambas-sador for Navy cricket and shows everyone what can be achieved in sport with hard work and dedica-tion,” LCDR Lewis said.

“His retirement from playing will be a real loss next year, but it is time to find some new talent to lead the Navy bowling attack.”

HOWZAT: Strike bowler WO Gary Fuss, top, reaps his reward against Army, while above, Navy players celebrate.

Photos: CPL Bill Solomou

First female ofcricket cappedMichael Weaver

LCDR Jennifer Macklin had the honour of being presented with the first Navy women’s baggy blue cap at the introduction of women’s cricket into the Australian Services Cricket Association’s (ASCA) National Championships.

Navy Cricket president WO Gary Fuss presented the cap, with the Navy men’s squad in attendance.

LCDR Macklin, Navy’s deputy director for diver-sity and inclusion, made the most of her opportunity when she was also named in the inaugural Australian Combined Services Women’s Cricket team fol-lowing the championships.

LCDR Macklin said she was honoured to be part of Navy Cricket and hoped this would be the first of many women’s caps to be presented in coming years.

Eighteen eager partici-pants heralded the begin-ning of an exciting era for women’s cricket in the ADF.

Organisers went with a nine-a-side competition, comprising an Army team and a Two Blues team made up of Navy and Air Force players and a few spare Army players.

“The standard of play, adaptability and competi-tive spirit displayed by our inaugural group of women services cricketers all points to a tremendous potential for growth in the future,” ASCA vice-president LTCOL James Brownlie said.

In the first game on November 24, the Two Blues scored a five-wicket win against Army. Army batted first and posted 6/84 in the T20 game.

Two Blues replied with 5/90, with opener LAC Ingrid Svilans posting the top score with 26 runs from 22 deliveries.

In game two, the Two Blues backed up and improved their opening

effort with 2/119. CAPT Sanchia Chadwick (Army) top scored with 28 runs, while LCDR Macklin chimed in with 17.

Army managed 7/95 from its 20 overs, with WO2 Renee Goninan top scoring with 18 runs.

Army exerted its domi-nance in the final game on November 25 with a seven-wicket win after restricting the Two Blues to 61 runs.

Army reached the total in the 12th over for the loss of just three wickets, with opener WO2 Shelley Chattin top scoring with 22 runs from as many deliveries.

In recognition of her on-field performance, and exceptional off-field lead-ership, TPR Rachel Martin (Army) was selected as the first captain of the Australian Combined Service Women’s team.

The Australian Combined Services women’s cricket team was fortunate to have an entire day of training day with the current Australian Women’s Cricket team captain, Jodie Fields, and a session with for-mer Australian men’s cricket team member Paul ‘Blocker’ Wilson.

For servicewomen interested in competing in the 2014 ASCA women’s national crick-et championship, visit http://ascacricket.com.au/index.php/nationals-w

FIRST: LCDR Jennifer Macklin.

Following the matches, the Australian Combined Services Cricket team was named for a series of matches against the NSW Police, an ACT under-19 side and the NSW Development Squad.

ASCA Men’s squad:WO Gary Fuss (Navy) - captainAB Al Kristensen (Navy) - vice-captainLS Chris Cox (Navy)OFFCDT James Dyer (Air Force)AB Kane Duncan (Navy)CPL Adam Bosworth (Air Force)PTE Ryleigh Egan (Army)FLTLT Jarrod Moxey (Air Force)TPR Craig Holmes (Army)CPL Corey Baker (Army)PTE Glenn Randall (Army)AB Chris Thompson (Navy)SGT Don Mander (Army)LAC Kaleb Tymko (Air Force)PO Luke Grimmond (Navy)Coach: MAJ Lindsay Holmes (Army)Manager: CPO Mal Woods (Navy)

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Navy becomes the first Service to win both the

50-over and T20 titles at interservice championships

Full story, page 31

EYES ON THE PRIZE: Navy captain ABMT Al Kristensen plays a nice straight drive during the Australian Service’s T20 final for the ACM Angus Houston Cup. Photo: CPL Aaron Curran

HISTORYIN THE

MAKING

OUT OF URUZGAN

Afghanistan liftout

Navy personnel

have served in various roles

on the ground in Afghanistan

over the past decade

AUSTRALIA’s maritime commitment will remain unchanged in the Middle East

Area of Operations. HMAS Melbourne currently

patrolling is the 56th rotation of a Navy warship to the Middle East since the first Gulf War in 1990 and is the 32nd ship to deploy to the Middle East, as part of Operations Slipper and Catalyst since September 2001.

However, some of Navy’s involvement on the ground will cease as the ADF’s commitment in Uruzgan comes to an end.

Over the past decade, RAN per-sonnel have deployed in land-locked roles in Afghanistan in various capacities. Clearance divers have played a vital role in explosive ord-nance discovery and disposal, medi-cal personnel have served in field hospitals, aviation technicians have been involved in the Heron detach-

ments, maritime logistics personnel have served with Force Support Units and communication and infor-mation systems operators have been a part of the Force Communication Units. Public affairs personnel and imagery specialists have also played a vital role in keeping the world informed of the RAN’s involvement.

While most Navy personnel on the ground will return, the ADF and ISAF partners, will continue to sup-port Afghanistan through a nationally

focused effort as the security mission transitions across Afghanistan ahead of the conclusion of the ISAF mis-sion at the end of 2014.

On current planning, the ADF commitment in 2014 will be up to 400 personnel, and will focus on training and advisory support at the Afghan National Army (ANA) Officer Academy, ongoing advisory support to the ANA’s 205 Hero Corps in Kandahar, and a continued com-mitment to developing the ANA’s

national logistics capability in Kabul. Australia will also offer up to

18 Special Forces and other ADF personnel to the ISAF Special Operations Advisory Group in 2014.

Australia also has more than 100 personnel embedded within a range of roles in ISAF Headquarters. In support of these military commit-ments, the ADF will also retain a National Command Element and a National Support Element in Afghanistan.

BIG JOB: CPOCD Luke Graham was a member of the explosive ordnance disposal team working at Multinational Base Tarin Kot earlier this year. Photo: WO2 Andrew Hetherington

2 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS December 5, 2013 3

OCTOBER 28, 2013, was a watershed moment for the ADF when Australian Prime Minister

Tony Abbott addressed the gathered dignitaries and ADF personnel during the Recognition Ceremony held at the Multinational Base Tarin Kot.

The ceremony acknowledged Australia’s military and civilian mis-sion in Uruzgan province and was an opportunity to recognise the efforts and achievements of every Australian who has deployed within the country and region since 2001.

LTGEN Power served in Afghanistan before becoming CJOPS and said the ADF as a whole had made a huge differ-ence over the past decade or so.

“While Army has had the lead role within the province, our operations have been a true triservice effort,” LTGEN Power says.

“There have been naval medical officers embedded at Tarin Kot, and Air Force has made a significant contri-bution, noticeably with RAAF aircraft operating in and out of the base, while the Heron UAV detachment has both provided a valuable service and pro-vided Air Force with an opportunity to grow our large UAV capability.

“Looking further afield, there have been naval personnel serving with the US 5th Fleet’s NAVCENTCOM and there has been Navy’s enduring ship presence in the Gulf region since the 1990s.

“From this triservice effort, the three services have, over the last decade, gained a much greater understanding of each other’s culture and where each of them fits into the bigger jigsaw puzzle.”

Another key legacy of ADF opera-tions in Afghanistan has been the exten-sive opportunity to engage as a partner with NATO, the security organisation of European and North American countries originally established to counter the Iron Curtain menace during the Cold War.

“In Uruzgan we have worked with our French, Slovak, Singaporean, Dutch and US partners, cementing our relation-

ships with them,” LTGEN Power says.“The ISAF coalition of some 50

nations serving in Afghanistan is one of the biggest coalitions in the world, and NATO, which itself is a 28-member nation organisation, is a completely dif-ferent construct to the command struc-ture we in Australia are more familiar with.

“Our officers have served inside the ISAF command structure, and working within a NATO headquarters brings its own challenges; it has its own mechanisms, protocols and processes to approve things. The Australian mil-itary has a gung-ho, can-do and quick decision-making attitude, and that’s not the way NATO does business, which is understandable when you think that at the coalition level you are answering to 50 capitals across the globe.

“It is not a quick and agile body that makes fast decisions, so the exposure we have given our officers to the politics of NATO has us better prepared to work with them again if we are ever asked to.”

Operations in Afghanistan have also seen rapid and effective equipment pro-curements and modifications. From new body armour to the Counter – Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) systems, the ADF has come a long way in a rela-tively short time.

“We’ve got new platforms in service that provides us with organic intelli-gence, surveillance and reconnaissance – we’ve never had that before,” LTGEN Power says.

“We’ve also adapted some of the equipment we have in theatre to counter various threats, including the IED threat.

“We also have a Weapons Intelligence Team that can undertake the forensic analysis of IED fragments and explosives. We can access fingerprint databases to match an individual to a particular event.

“We’ve reinvented how we do detainee operations and conduct inter-rogations, things that have taken quite a while to get to a very good capability

level, where those within the Defence organisation and government are com-fortable with the mechanisms and pro-tocols we have put in place to ensure we are acting within international and domestic law.

“I have to say that the three Service Chiefs, as capability managers, have been incredibly responsive to any oper-ational user requirements for enhance-ments to equipment, procedures and force protection.”

The impact of having thousands of ADF members serve in the region over the last decade sees Australia bolstered with the largest contingent of active ser-vice members in 40 years, a fact not lost on CJOPS.

“Now when you look at our officers and soldiers you can see by the awards and decorations they are wearing that there is a wealth of operational experi-ence throughout the ranks and all three services,” LTGEN Power says.

“We need to capture that, not lose it, and focus on the potential future challenges. We have a very strong base-line from which we can draw and then, through professional military education opportunities, further equipment acqui-sitions and a robust and challenging collective training environment, shape our people and our capabilities to make sure we can meet successfully the new challenges we will face.

“Over the last five years in particular we have developed in the individual training pipelines of all three services a way of producing high-calibre people who, when deployed operationally, produce outstanding results. Our people are singled out by our allies and partners as being exceptional, and we haven’t just sent a one-off ‘A Team’ to produce these results. We have repeatedly been sending people across a broad spectrum across all three services, and almost without exception they prove to be out-standing in the operational environment.

“It reinforces to me that our recruit-ing pipeline must be pretty good, and

then the individual services with their own training pipelines combined with the career-long professional military education means that we’ve got it about right. We don’t need to tinker with it too much, we just need to focus on the expertise we build up in our people through individual training.

At the centre of the Afghan expe-rience has been Australia’s mission to help the people of Afghanistan achieve greater national security while develop-ing the nation’s fledgling democracy.

“By contributing to the security umbrella within Uruzgan we have also given the Afghans in the province, which is a very difficult province with widespread poverty and low literacy and numeracy rates, a chance to develop their own security forces and work as best they can to develop their govern-ance, infrastructure and human capital,” LTGEN Power says.

“They now have an opportunity to live in a more secure environment. They can get to a market, they can travel along a bitumen road, they can get their sons and daughters into school, both men and women can choose to join the security forces, and they can now, in accordance with their provincial prior-ities, get funding out of Kabul to have programs implemented. However, they still face many challenges.

“Afghanistan is a very complex place and it has a long and proud history. What we’ve done is given the people the chance for a more positive future, one that is not under the middle-ages rule of the Taliban.

“I am reasonably comfortable now that the security situation in Uruzgan is such that the Afghan National Security Forces are at a level where they can look after the security situation if they have the mind to and their leadership does the hard yards into the future.

“It will be interesting to see what plays out in the province next year while there is still a large ISAF presence in the country.”

As we approach the end of operations in Uruzgan province the Chief of Joint Operations, LTGEN Ash Power, discusses with MAJ Cameron Jamieson the ADF’s Uruzgan experience.

‘TRISERVICE EFFORT’

Small team, huge ask

Afghanistan liftout

‘‘– LTGEN Ash Power, Chief of Joint Operations

Our people are singled out by our allies and partners as being exceptional

CLEARANCE divers employed to counter the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs)

made the war-torn environment of Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province safer for diggers and civilians alike.

Clearance divers from the Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving (MCD) Group and wider capability, including the clearance diving teams, were integral to the joint ADF contri-bution to the coalition’s fight against IEDs.

Clearance divers’ comprehensive EOD training and experience put them in the frontline of the war on IEDs, often described as the indis-criminate killer of civilians and coa-lition soldiers alike.

More than 50 naval clearance divers have served in the Middle East Area of Operations, many of them in Afghanistan, in counter improvised explosive device (CIED) positions.

The divers also stepped up for Navy to fill rotational ADF billets as CIED chief exploitation officers posted to ISAF HQ, while senior and junior clearance divers deployed to Uruzgan in operational IED disposal roles.

The Commander Mine Warfare,

Hydrographic and Patrol Force, CAPT Robert Plath, praised the divers for their hard work and mean-ingful contribution to CIED opera-tions in Uruzgan province.

“The Navy CD category is highly trained and experienced in EOD operations both above and below the water line,” CAPT Plath said.

“Their valuable skills make them highly suited to the critical CIED role – even in a land-locked country.

“The battle against the IEDs was crucial to bringing econom-ic sustainability for the people of Afghanistan.”

Among the many clearance divers who served in the CIED role are LCDRs Russ Crawford and David Ince, CMDR Doug Griffiths, LEUT Sam Coleman, CPOCD Philip Shirley, POCD Troy Eather and CPO Shaun Elliott.

The excellent work of LCDR Crawford was acknowledged with an ISAF Commendation which recog-nised his important contribution in Afghanistan.

“The fact that Navy has been able to fill all its commitments and more, including the rotations of other services, is testament to this and the high regard given to the divers’ subject matter expertise in this area,”

LCDR Crawford said. “All the operators would agree

that their leadership experience and previous exposure in the CIED and IED disposal environments enabled them to make a significant contribu-tion to the CIED fight.”

Deputy MCD Capability Manager LCDR Ince said the ISAF CIED job entailed the coordination of all CIED exploitation teams across Afghanistan, the analysis of trends and enemy tactics, and direct support to targeting the insurgency IED net-work.

“The CIED job also involved the training and mentoring of Afghan National Security Force EOD and IED disposal teams on the ground in and around Kabul,” he said.

LCDR Ince said the main respon-sibility of the job was “to make a dif-ference and not just count the IEDs, but actually counter them by provid-ing useful and timely exploitation intelligence to the action arms”.

“We called it ‘getting left of boom’,” he said.

Clearance divers also helped police and soldiers in Uruzgan prov-ince dispose of IEDs through the Explosive Hazard Reduction Course run in Tarin Kot.

CPOCD Shaun Elliott said the

course was a highly successful pro-gram designed to give indigenous forces the capability to clear IEDs and UXO independently.

“The Afghan National Police spend a lot of time at checkpoints and it’s very common that they find or have IEDs and suspicious items hand-ed in to them,” he said.

“We gave them the capability to deal with such hazards on site, rather than wait for coalition forces or Afghan National Army EOD tech-nicians to arrive and deal with the threat.”

“Train the trainer was our end game. We got them to a point where they are successfully training their own personnel, and operate inde-pendently around the province.”

The explosive reduction course was run at the purpose-built coun-ter-IED compound to emulate a practical and realistic training envi-ronment.

“We educated them on all types of explosive hazards, respective threat levels, ways to counter dif-ferent charges and ideal courses of action for each scenario,” CPO Elliott said.

“We did this in an environment similar to that outside the wire.”

Clearance divers had a pivotal role on the ground in Uruzgan countering the threat of improvised explosive devices, Michael Brooke reports.

HERON TEAM: ABATA Steven Kerswell recovers the AAI Shadow 200 tactical unmanned aerial system post mission at Multinational Base Tarin Kot.

PAPER WORK: POML-P Eric Foster assists a customer in the orderly room at Multinational Base Tarin Kot. Photo: WO Andrew Hetherington

SAFEGUARD: Explosive ordnance personnel prepare to detonate ordnance on the Multinational Base Tarin Kot range. Photo: WO Andrew Hetherington

Photo: CPL Mark Doran

MAIL’S IN: AB Gemma Stratton, of FSU, collects the mail at Multinational Base Tarin Kot. Photo: CPL Mark Doran

December 5, 2013 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

Personnel share their stories of serving on the ground in Afghanistan over the past 10 years with MAJ Cameron Jamieson

CMDR Ian Young had the distinction of serv-ing as the Orthopaedic

Surgeon with the Australian Surgical Team working in the Netherlands Role 2E Facility in Tarin Kot (2010), then as the Senior Medical Adviser (J07) at the Australian Headquarters (HQ JTF633) in the Middle East (2012), and later as an Orthopaedic Surgeon at the NATO Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit, Kandahar Airfield (KAF, 2012).

“My key memory was car-ing for a severely wounded Australian soldier transferred from Tarin Kot to the US Navy-led Role 3 Hospital at Kandahar, when I was the on-call receiving orthopaedic sur-geon,” he says.

“That same day we had already received 12 casualties.

“The Australian soldier sur-vived and was transferred out of our facility within 12 hours to Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre in Germany.

“Even though the workload was high, we contributed to the 98 per cent survival rate at the hospital.

“I earlier had the oppor-tunity to manage the first Australian civilian casualty, an AusAID worker, while J07 at HQ JTF633.

“At the HQ I was also able to help to develop new pro-cedures and protocols for the treatment of casualties.”

“I feel very privileged to have served with so many outstanding ADF health profes-sionals and military colleagues.

“My rotations to

IN 2009, LCDR Patrick Liston served as an anaesthetist and intensive care specialist at what was then the Dutch Role 2E hospital at

Tarin Kot.“Our job was to resuscitate, operate on and

provide intensive care to seriously injured casu-alties in our area of operations,” he remembers.

He says the hospital provided medical care to the Dutch, Australian and Afghan soldiers and police, and also looked after civilians and the enemy injured as a result of the war.

“My main memory is an event that occurred shortly after we had arrived at Tarin Kot.

“Our handover was interrupted by a nine-liner [NATO medivac request sent by radio].

“We had two medivac Black Hawk helicop-ters inbound with four Dutch soldiers wounded by an IED strike. I thought: ‘Welcome to Afghanistan’.”

“We were constantly busy after that and due to the lack of sleep, much of my time became a

blur. We were in the middle of the fighting sea-son, so there were many IED strikes.

He says most of the patients were Afghan soldiers.

“The ANA and the ANP took a lot of casual-ties. We were busy everyday performing opera-tions and resuscitating patients.

“When the nine-liners came in there were usually multiple casualties, so we were often swamped, but we coped.

“The base got attacked, usually with rockets a couple of times a week, but they were mainly nuisance raids and we got used to it. Certainly we took a lot less risks than the diggers who were outside the wire.

“In terms of the local civilian population, our actions showed them that we were the good guys.

“We did our job professionally and, despite what the Taliban did, we showed compassion to the wounded enemy and looked after them like any other patient.”

HELICOPTER pilot LEUT Kate Munari served on three occa-

sions in Afghanistan over the 2009-11 period with the British Commando Helicopter Force during her four-year exchange with the Royal Navy.

“I was flying the Mk4 Sea King while deployed to Operation Herrick, which was the British operation in Helmand province,” she says.

“I was based out of Kandahar and Camp Bastion for my first deployment and then the second and third was spent at Camp Bastion.”

Her role was to conduct fly-ing in support of troop move-ments and resupply missions as well as conducting deliberate operations.

“My key memory was a deliberate operation which involved two Chinooks, two Merlins, two Sea Kings, one Apache and one Lynx aircraft all departing in formation at midnight using night-vision goggles and under radio silence to insert troops.

“It is up there as a highlight of my whole career; it was the

IN THE time LS Kylie McGuinness (now PO) was posted as a clerk to

HQJTF633-A in Kabul her duties were many and varied.

“The main thing I remem-ber of my deployment was the stark environment, extreme temperatures and the unpredict-able operational situation,” she recalls.

She says because it was a small headquarters the team was required to perform other jobs such as driving as part of vehicle convoys through Kabul.

“It never ceased to amaze me just how dynamic the coun-try was, and how quickly things would change environmentally and operationally,” she says

“Kabul was a complex place, some mornings you would wake up to news that all the roads were closed and an attack was imminent – and nothing would happen.

“Other times vehicles would be on the road and bases around the city would be tangled in large complex attacks without any warning.

CMDR Ian Young, Tarin Kot‘My rotations to Afghanistan have validated my career’

Beyond the seaLEUT Kate Munari, Helmand province‘It was the culmination of everything I had learnt’

PO Kylie McGuiness, Kabul‘The city would be tangled in large complex attacks’

LCDR Patrick Liston, Tarin Kot‘We were busy every day performing operations’

Afghanistan liftout

Afghanistan have validated my career as a military orthopae-dic surgeon in the permanent Navy,” CMDR Young says.

He says his time in Afghanistan helped him gain the knowledge necessary to equip others in future and

attract more people to the ser-vices.

“The experience of deployed people has helped gain the momentum to create additional procedural health specialist roles in the full-time ADF.”

culmination of everything I’d learnt as a pilot and as an air-craft captain.

“My appreciation of the importance of the efforts of everyone involved on operations has grown, and my understanding of what it takes

to make a deployment success-ful will be of great benefit.

“Having been embedded with the British forces has been of great benefit to me and will shape the way I continue with my career.”

She said she served in Afghanistan in 2011-2012 and while she trained for sea deployments, she got a lot out of her time in Afghanistan.

“As a sailor it was a unique experience to be deployed to a land-based operation, and I must admit it’s a lot more real-time and confronting than anything

I’ve experienced in the Navy.”“I’m glad I had the opportu-

nity to serve my country in such an historic period in our war history.

“My time in a land-oper-ations environment made me appreciate the Navy and the capability we provided to the broader war effort.”

VALUABLE EXPERIENCE: CMDR Ian Young, in his office, at the NATO Role 3 Medical Unit in Kandahar. Photo: CPL Christopher Dickson

SUPPORTING ROLE: LEUT Kate Munari picks up UK troops on the ground in Helmand province.

ACCLIMATISING: PO Kylie McGuiness and LEUT Joseph McKay fly the Australian flag during a harsh Afghan winter.

HELPING HAND: LCDR Patrick Liston and Dutch Medic Rochelle Sep treat an injured child at the Tarin Kot Medical Facility in Uruzgan province.

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