Medicos exchange methods – P4-5Tributes for Kuttabul – P2, Centre

SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRIDE

NEWSNAVYVolume 60, No. 10, June 15, 2017

GAME ON DOWN UNDER

Prince Harry launches

2018 Sydney Invictus Games

His Royal Highness Prince Harry shares a laugh with Invictus Games swimming coach LEUT Amy Beal at the official launch of the 2018 Invictus Games at Admiralty House, Sydney, on June 7.Photo: Jayson Tufrey

– Page 3

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2 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 15, 2017

Natalie Staples

The “Battle for Sydney” was commemorated with a memo-rial service at Garden Island, Sydney, on June 6 – 75 years after Japanese forces again brought WWII to the Australian mainland.

During the evening of May 31, 1942, 19 Australian, two British and six Japanese person-nel perished when three Imperial Japanese Navy midget subma-rines, each with a crew of two sailors, launched an attack against Allied warships moored in Sydney Harbour.

Committee member of the Submarine Institute of Australia, CAPT Christopher Skinner (retd), said the attack led to an immediate change in thinking by Australia’s leaders.

“This daring and spectacular submarine action had an extraor-

dinary impact on national and strategic thinking of the day, pre-cisely as it was intended to do,” CAPT Skinner said.

“More than 30 warships were in the harbour that night, includ-ing Dutch and American ships; with a number recently returned from the Battle of the Coral Sea.”

CAPT Skinner said nobody expected a Japanese attack on Australia’s largest city.

When the Japanese submarine M24 took aim at the heavy cruiser USS Chicago, the torpedo missed, detonating against a breakwater and destroying accommodation ferry HMAS Kuttabul.

In remembering the lives lost, CO Kuttabul – Sydney’s namesake base – CMDR Andrew Fraser, said the significance of the sacrifice made by personnel had not faded.

“While many years have passed, we continue to honour and pay respect to those who made

Commemorating the loss of Kuttabul

A watery grave – Centrespread

the ultimate sacrifice in service to their respective nations,” he said.

As representatives from Australia, Japan, the UK and the US laid wreaths, SWO Kuttabul WO Matthew Hurley reflected on what it meant to him to wear the ship’s name on his uniform.

“I reflect not only on those lost in the sinking of Kuttabul, but all Defence personnel who have been lost in the 75 years since,” he said.

“I am proud to be part of this Kuttabul ship’s company, as she, too, has a distinguished service record.

“Kuttabul still provides accommodation for sailors as the ship was doing on that dreadful night in 1942, and continues to be an important part of Sydney Harbour.”

Commander Surface Force CDRE Chris Smith lays a wreath at the HMAS Kuttabul 75th memorial service at Garden Island. Photos: ABIS Chantell Brown

Japanese Consul General Keizo Takewaka pays his respects at the memorial service.

Gearing up for Talisman SabreCPL Max Bree and WO2 Andrew Hetherington

AUSTRALIAN and US forces are gearing up for mid- to high-intensity warfare against “near-peer” adver-saries on the month-long Exercise Talisman Sabre (TS17), which begins at the end of June.

Forces will clash in conven-tional, irregular and cyber battles in the Northern Territory and around the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

More than 30,000 Australian and US personnel will undertake opera-tions at sea, in the air and on land, with small contributions of person-nel participating from New Zealand, Japan and Canada.

D i r e c t o r - G e n e r a l A D F Simulation and Training CDRE Allison Norris said the exercise

would be conducted at locations in the US, Australia and on three seas.

“Personnel will operate in Hawaii, Korea, Japan, the Northern Territory, Queensland and on the Timor, Coral and Arafura Seas,” CDRE Norris said.

“For the first time, the exercise will also use a non-Defence train-ing area around Stanage Bay, to the north of the SWBTA, for amphibi-ous operations.”

TS17 is a US-led, Australian-supported, combined and joint warfighting exercise, which CDRE Norris said would expose the 30,000 personnel to a wide range of military capabilities and training experiences.

HMA Ships Canberra, Choules, Anzac, Toowoomba, Ballarat , Darwin, Melbourne, Success, Diamantina, Huon, Gascoyne and Melville will all take part.

HMAS Ballarat gunner ABBM Nicholas Fairfoul stands ready as Royal Thai Navy warship HTMS Sukhothai prepares to conduct a “light line transfer” during Exercise AusThai late last month as part of Ballarat’s preparation for Exercise Talisman Sabre. Photo: LSIS Bradley Darvill

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3NEWSJune 15, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

Let the games beginVCDF VADM Ray Griggs and National President of the RSL Robert Dick with the Australian Invictus Games training squad at the launch of the 2018 Games in Sydney. Photos: Jayson Tufrey

Prince Harry meets retired military working dog Victory at the launch.

Prince recalls inspirationCPL Mark Doran

THE start of the 500-day count-down to the 2018 Invictus Games to be held in Sydney was announced at Admiralty House on June 7.

The function was attended by Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation HRH Prince Harry, Governor-General GEN Sir Peter Cosgrove (retd), Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Defence Marise Payne, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Chairman of Invictus Games Sydney LTGEN Peter Leahy (retd).

They spoke about 50 mem-bers of the 2017 Invictus Games Australian training squad who were joined at the launch by family and friends, as well as squad coaches and medical and support staff.

Later in the day the Invictus Games squad showcased some of the adaptive sports on the 2018 pro-gram at the nearby overseas pas-senger terminal, and an ADF team conducted a sailing demonstration on Sydney Harbour.

Prince Harry said he was delighted to join the athletes and their families as they prepared for the final team selection to represent Australia, and was thankful for the opportunity to explain the impor-tance of the games.

“In February 2008, I was forced to leave Afghanistan where I had been serving as an officer with the British Army until my presence on the frontline leaked to the press,” he said.

“I could no longer stay with my soldiers as it would have put them at greater risk.

“It was a decision over which I had no control, but the guilt of hav-ing to leave my guys behind was hard to swallow – as anyone who has served would understand.”

Prince Harry said it was the flight home from Afghanistan which put him on the path to create the Invictus Games.

“While we sat waiting to board, a coffin with a Danish soldier was loaded onto the plane, along with three young wounded British soldiers,” he said.

“All three were wrapped in plas-tic, some with missing limbs, and tubes coming out of them every-where. The sacrifices we ask our servicemen and women to make came home to me so powerfully in

‘‘ – HRH Prince Harry recalls the sight of three injured British soldiers being loaded on to a plane when he was waiting to fly

out of Afghanistan in 2008

The sacrifices we ask our servicemen and women to make came home to me so powerfully in those moments.

those moments.” Four years later, after another tour in Afghanistan, Prince Harry began to look for ways to support veterans who had returned with injuries that in previ-ous years would have been unsur-vivable.

A visit to the US Warrior Games in 2013 was a demonstration of what needed to be done and how sport could make a difference.

Prince Harry said in 2018 the games would be held in one of the most “sports mad” and iconic cities in the world, Sydney, which would be the custodian of the Invictus spirit.

“It will be the focus of hundreds of men and women using the games to motivate their recovery from physical and mental injuries,” he said.

“I know people from across the country, from Perth to Sydney, from Darwin to Adelaide, will embrace the games and show their support for the competitors.

“They will witness the very best of human spirit, courage, inspira-tion and defiance on the track, on the court and in the pool as they give it all to cross the line first then use what breath they have left to encourage others to achieve their own goals.

“The Invictus Games shows us it is possible to overcome adversity and that the impossible is possible if you have the will.”

Prince Harry said the spirit championed by the games extended far beyond the competition and was demonstrated after the Manchester bombing in May.

“Wounded veterans, including Invictus team members, immedi-

ately offered themselves to provide advice and support to the victims during their recovery process,” he said.

“The commitment to serve is ingrained in every member of the armed forces and is an embodiment of the Invictus spirit.

“The men and women of the armed forces and veteran commu-nity do not need our sympathy – in fact it is the last thing they want – but they do deserve the utmost respect and an opportunity to play a valued role in our communities.

“The Invictus Games are com-ing to Australia – game on down under.”

The Invictus Games play a key role in the rehabilitation and re- integration of wounded, injured and ill members of the ADF, both cur-rently serving and veterans.

The ADF and RSL are support-ing a combined team of 43 serv-ing and former ADF members to compete in the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada, this year.

From September 23-30, the Australian contingent will join more than 550 athletes from 17 nations (Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, Ukraine, the US and UK) competing in Toronto.

Athletes chosen to represent Australia at the Canada games have sustained a variety of physical and psychological injuries or illnesses during, or as a result of, their mili-tary service.

Sydney will host the games from October 18-29 next year.

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WORKING at the Da Nang General Hospital in Vietnam was an unfor-gettable experience for two nursing officers.

LCDR Alison Zilko, a Navy Reserve nurse with more than 31 years’ experience in civilian and military hospitals, spent time in the busy emergency department.

Communicating via interpreters and hand signals, she collaborated with the local doctors and nurses to care for about 300 patients who poured through the doors with seri-ous illnesses and injuries.

She also spent at least an hour conducting resuscitation.

“This one man was brought into the reception after drowning,” LCDR Zilko said.

“His wife, and about 30 other people, watched through the glass windows of the critical care room while we worked tirelessly to try and save his life.

“Sadly, we couldn’t save him.”That wasn’t the only patient

LCDR Zilko tried to resuscitate on her first day at Da Nang General, but fortunately, she was able to help save the next one.

She spent the next 10 days in the emergency department, shar-ing knowledge and experience, exchanging ideas, teaching student doctors and nurses, learning the Vietnamese way of practising emer-gency medicine, and rolling up her sleeves to help save patients.

THE success of the multinational Pacific Partnership humanitar-ian aid and disaster relief training series continues to grow, with this

year’s mission, from May 8 - 29, reaching as far west as Sri Lanka.

The ADF contributed a broad spectrum of medical expertise to the US-led exer-cise, which is the largest annual disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the region.

Led from the USNS Fall River, Pacific Partnership visited Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia and Vietnam, and included defence personnel from Australia, the US, the UK and Japan.

Commander of the Aust ra l ian Contingent for the Vietnam phase, LCDR Alison Zilko, said the ADF’s medical and nursing officers worked closely with multinational partners and with the local medical professionals in the nations they visited.

“The Australian team forged some really important and lasting relationships during the exercise, which will assist them to work alongside our allies and regional neighbours should we be tasked to respond together to a natural disaster, or in a humanitarian aid situation,” LCDR Zilko said.

“Our medical practitioners have also been able to contribute their knowledge and expertise by working side-by-side with local doctors and nurses in the coun-

tries we have visited, and have in turn learned a lot about how others go about treating patients and coordinating health and emergency response services.”

The ADF also sent two Underwater Medical Specialists to Vietnam to work with the Vietnam People’s Armed Forces, which has recently acquired a modern fleet of six Kilo-class submarines.

Navy dive medicine specialist LEUT Tenille Chapman said the Vietnamese medical officers were interested in learn-ing how Australia approaches submarine underwater medicine.

“We conducted an information exchange seminar at the Nha Trang Military Hospital and the Vietnamese officers asked a lot of questions specifi-cally related to operating in underwater environments,” LEUT Chapman said.

“Australia and the US have gained a lot of expertise in submarine-related medi-cine over the years, and it was great to share some of that with our friends in the Vietnam People’s Armed Forces.

“This was an important relationship-building exercise, and the Vietnamese officers were quick to convey how mean-ingful the exchange was for them and how keen they are to have us back next year.”

Australia has been involved in every year of Exercise Pacific Partnership since it began 12 years ago after the multina-tional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief response to the 2004 tsunami event in Banda Aceh.

4 Pacific Partnership www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 15, 2017

Exchange of medical expertise

Unforgettable experience for our nursing officers

“There is no question this experience has made me a better nurse, more aware of my patients’ cultural and economic differences and how those aspects might affect a person’s experiences within our own health care systems,” LCDR Zilko said.

“I hope that I have also made a difference here, particularly through the time I have spent with

the student doctors and nurses who will one day run this hospital.”

LEUT Angela French, of HMAS Albatross, was assigned to the intensive care units of Da Nang General and Cam Ranh General Hospital.

“While much of what we do and what we are trying to achieve is the same, it has been really interest-ing to see the subtle differences in

Lessons flowed both ways for our health personnel contributing to the humanitarian and disaster relief training series held in the Asia-Pacific region last month, LEUT Sarah West reports.

LCDR Alison Zilko gets a kiss from one of her young patients at the paediatrics ward of Cam Ranh General.

A close-up of the surgery being

performed by surgeons from Vietnam, the ADF and the United States

Navy to restore mobility to a patient’s arm at Khan Hoa General

Hospital in Nha Trang.

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AN ADF surgeon from Darwin has helped a Vietnamese man with severe electrical burn scars regain full use of his right arm.

The life-changing surgery was conducted during a three-hour opera-tion on May 22 at Khan Hoa General Hospital in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

CMDR Ravi Mahajani, a Navy Reserve medical officer who was in Vietnam for Pacific Partnership, is an experienced plastic and reconstruc-tive surgeon with a private practice in Darwin.

He worked alongside a multina-tional medical team in the operating theatre, including a plastic surgeon from the United States Navy and two Vietnamese orthopaedic surgeons.

“This patient had a fused armpit as a result of severe electrical burns, so he couldn’t lift his arm above shoulder height,” CMDR Mahajani said.

“People who have established burns have significant scar contrac-tures, which mean the scars can pre-vent them from being able to move their joints.

“This happens because the tissue sticks together and forms a significant scar which won’t stretch like normal skin and tissue.”

CMDR Mahajani said the scar affects the person’s ability to have a good quality of life.

“So we released the scar and put new tissue in its place to give him joint mobility back,” he said.

The reservist said he was pleased to be able to teach the Vietnamese doc-tors the procedure.

“This operation is an established operation in the Western world for addressing this sort of contracture problem, but our Vietnamese surgeons hadn’t seen it done this way before,” CMDR Mahajani said.

“They had already tried to help this

Life-changing surgery for victim scarred by burns

patient, so we had the opportunity to show them a different procedure that will restore full function of the arm.

“In this instance, we took some of the patient’s back muscle with the skin attached to it, and we rotated it around into the big hole that we had made into his armpit to release the contracture.

“It was a really good collaboration between people from different nations, and we were learning things from each other, which was fantastic.”

It was CMDR Mahajani’s first opportunity to work in a hospital in Vietnam.

He said he was very impressed by the Vietnamese surgical team.

“I thought the surgery went really very well, the surgeons – Doctors Khanh and Hoan – really knew their stuff.”

CMDR Mahajani completed a number of complex reconstructive sur-geries before the Pacific Partnership mission concluded.

Unforgettable experience for our nursing officers

5Pacific PartnershipJune 15, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

how we treat patients,” she said. LEUT French said the work

placement was as valuable to the local hospital staff as it was to the international team.

“We worked with medical and nursing officers from the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan,” LEUT French said.

“Our primary mission was to gain a mutual understanding of each

other’s practices, and the practices of the host nation, so that we can effectively respond together as part-ners when there’s a natural disaster in the Asia-Pacific region.

“I hope that we have imparted some of our knowledge and experi-ence to the local hospital and emer-gency service practitioners.

“I gave a talk to some local hospital staff on infectious disease

control measures, and found them so eager to learn how we do things.

“There were language barriers, and it’s not always easy to commu-nicate medical terminology through an interpreter, but I found that where there’s a mutual goal, there’s a way.

“Caring for people has its own sort of global, non-verbal lan-guage.”

Lessons flowed both ways for our health personnel contributing to the humanitarian and disaster relief training series held in the Asia-Pacific region last month, LEUT Sarah West reports.

LEUT Angela French, discusses the results of a CT scan with Dr Tran Minh Phuc Tam at the intensive care unit at Cam Ranh General Hospital (left) and (above) LCDR Alison Zilko comforts a Vietnamese baby undergoing treatment at the paediatrics ward of Cam Ranh General Hospital.

Navy Reserve medical officer and plastic and reconstructive surgeon CMDR Ravi Mahajani conducts a pre-surgery consultation on a patient with excessive scarring.

CMDR Ravi Mahajani, second from left, with, from left, Doctors Hoan and Khanh from Hoa General Hospital, and US Navy surgeon LCDR Jason Souza.

CMDR Ravi Mahajani marks the patient for surgical incisions before the operation. Photos: SGT Ray Vance

6 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 15, 2017

PATROL boat HMAS Wollongong has returned from a South West Pacific deployment where she visited Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia as part of the ADF’s endur-ing commitment to assist with building regional security capacity.

CO Wollongong LCDR Scott Wilson said the deployment had been a major mile-stone for the patrol boat community.

“This is the first time a patrol boat has been deployed to the region for a number of years,” LCDR Wilson said. “We are proud to represent Australia and the Navy and we are doing important work.”

As part of her visit to Fiji, Wollongong participated in a four-day exercise in Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone with the Republic of Fiji Navy Ship Kula.

CJOPS VADM David Johnston said the joint training reinforced the defence relationship.

“Our defence cooperation with Fiji is multifaceted,” VADM Johnston said.

“We work together on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief interoper-ability. We are serving together on several security missions overseas and we conduct joint training.”

During the exercise the two navies con-ducted activities focused on seamanship, boarding operations, ship handling, and search-and-rescue exercises. The exercise coincided with Kula’s participation in a Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency regional maritime surveillance operation.

Three Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) sailors were embarked in Wollongong during the exercise. Two RFMF sailors remain on board Wollongong until the vessel returns to Australia to con-tinue the bilateral engagement.

The crew of Wollongong quickly got to work when they were in Honiara, Solomon Islands, where they lent a hand at Seif Ples (Safe Place) – a volunteer organisation that provides shelter and care to survivors of domestic abuse.

Wollongong built a footpath and a gar-den feature to make the centre more homely to the women who use it.

The crew also cleared land the organisa-tion will use to build a new medical clinic and make its service more accessible to the community.

During her deployment Wollongong also completed a range of passage exercises with New Zealand ship HMNZS Hawea.

Promoting security in the Pacific

LCDR Scott Wilson, right, and LEUT Dakota Tuohy, navigate from the port bridge wing during the entry of HMAS Wollongong into Honiara, Solomon Islands. Below left: MIDN Beau Foley practises his moves against the crew of RFNS Kula in a game of touch football in Fiji. Bottom right: ABMTs Scotland and Jones practise their shoring skills with members of the Fijian Navy. Photos: ABCIS Neil James and WO Scott Campbell

ADF members who enlisted after June 30, 2004, and have an injury or disease related to their service, are invited to trial the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) new online tool: MyService.

MyService is aimed at making it fast and simple for ADF members and veterans to request cover from DVA.

Through MyService, clients will: be identified using electronic verification, removing the

onerous paper-based proof-of-identity process; view the requirements to be covered by DVA for their

injury or disease; and, save incomplete requests so they can be accessed and

completed at a future point.

People can register online using their PMKeyS number, date of enlistment and driver’s licence or Medicare card. People will also need to have the details of their diagnosed condition on hand, which should be available in Defence medical records.

To speak to someone before registering, email myservicesup-port@dva.gov.au – leave a number and you will be called back. To register, or for further information, visit dva.gov.au/myservice

Simple, faster service is now on hand

LEUT Will Singer

THERE was a changing of the guard in the west as Navy farewelled one Cape-class patrol boat and welcomed another.

Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Byron was handed back to the Australian Border Force (ABF) at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, WA, shortly before ADV Cape Inscription was introduced into service.

Defence has been operating up to two Cape-class boats on loan from ABF to allow Navy to meet its operational commitments.

Speaking from the bridge of Cape Byron, XO LCDR Emma McDonald-Kerr said the dual-crewed vessel had chalked-up many achievements defending Australia’s maritime security interests.

“Since Navy took custody in July 2015, Cape Byron steamed 68,208nm while oper-ated by a Navy crew and spent 6494 hours underway,” she said.

“Cape Byron has undertaken a number of boardings that have resulted in four appre-hensions in the vicinity of Ashmore Island,

the Torres Strait and Darwin. Navy and the ABF have worked cooperatively to transi-tion this capability between departments, maximising operational availability to pro-tect Australia’s border and offshore maritime interests.”

Although Cape Byron will continue to maintain Australia's national security through the ABF, her absence in the Navy will be countered by Austal-built vessel Cape Inscription into the Fleet.

Cape Inscription was introduced into ser-vice at a naming ceremony held alongside Fleet Base West on June 6.

CHAP Franco Siani provided the nautical blessing, which was followed by an address by Cape Inscription CO LCDR Iain McCall.

LCDR McCall said it was with pride he was bringing a new ship into service and being part of her future operations.

He said he was looking forward to bind-ing together as a crew on the new vessel.

“ I know that during the past year we have been working together as one team, one ship to support each other and Navy,” he said.

Navigator LEUT Paul Gibson said the

vessel operated well during recent basin tri-als.

“Cape Inscription is running lean and economical – we’re good to go,” he said.

XO LEUT Joseph Woods said the crew of 21 had already formed a strong bond lead-ing up to today.

“We are a closely knit team that mess together, exercise together and work hard together,” LEUT Woods said.

The youngest sailor, ABBM Chloe Huiskes, was nominated to cut the cake to mark the naming of Cape Inscription.

“I joined after school and have been in the Navy for three years serving on an Armidale patrol boat before joining the Cape-class,” she said.

“Luckily I am from the home port of Cairns and get to see my family every off-watch.

“So far I have sailed to Darwin, Broome and Christmas Island and look forward to visiting other ports.”

The landmark Cape Inscription was named by the sailor and explorer Dirk Hartog.

7NEWSJune 15, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

Protecting our waters

SGT Dave Morley

THE importance of the military alliance was reinforced by US senator John McCain during a Memorial Day address on May 29.

The Arizona senator, a former Vietnam War POW, laid a wreath alongside CDF ACM Mark Binskin at the Australian-American Memorial in Blamey Square.

Senator McCain said he was honoured to join the many ADF and APS members at the Australian-American Memorial on a day Americans observed as Memorial Day.

“Our lands’ shared history of military service has always been deeply personal to me,” he said.

“These are the stories I grew up on and, while Memorial Day may be an American occasion, I cannot think of a more fitting place to mark this special day than here with you in Australia.

“Ever since the Battle of Hamel, during WWI, Americans and Australians have left the lands they love and gone off into the world and served together, fought together, loved together and lost together.

“We’ve done so for each other as allies and to this day, we do so still as our sons and daughters

Honouring United States alliance

stand bravely together on fields of battle across the world, so all of us may enjoy a precious meas-ure of peace.”

MIDN Campbell Higgins was among a group of ADFA cadets and midshipmen who attended the ceremony.

He said the ceremony impressed on him the sacrifice made by military members before him.

“Understanding their sacrifice helps me to better myself,” he said.

Senator McCain was the Republican nominee for the 2008 US presidential election. In 2015, he became chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He was on a two-day official visit to Australia, before heading to Japan and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

US senator John McCain and CDF ACM Mark Binskin lay wreaths at Blamey Square, Canberra.

CO ADV Cape Inscription LCDR Iain McCall, “cheers ship” with his crew during the naming ceremony at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia while (inset), LCDR McCall cuts the cake with ABBM Chloe Huiskes on the bridge. Photos: Austal and CPOIS Damian Pawlenko

In front of his crew, CO Starboard Cape Byron LCDR Steven Noakes hands the keys over to CO Australian Border Force Mark Radon. Photo: CPOIS Damian Pawlenko

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8 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 15, 2017

LCDR Jason O’Gorman

HMAS Darwin is making the most of her final months in service, progressing trainees through their qualifications.

Designated as Navy’s sea and harbour training ship, Darwin is delivering the final Mk92 combat system course to ensure operators and maintainers can sustain the remaining Adelaide-class frigates through to the end of their service life.

In the past few weeks, the ship has run frequent engineering casualty con-trol drills in order to advance Darwin’s already impressive record for generat-ing new marine systems technicians, marine systems controllers, marine systems managers and electrical plant control console operators.

Marine Engineering Officer LCDR Trevor Henderson said he was thank-ful to have a dedicated team of plan-ners and trainers working in Darwin’s marine engineering department.

“They put a lot of effort into developing and assessing candidates,” LCDR Henderson said.

“Thanks to them we have been able to train a large number of marine technicians so they can advance their careers.”

Darwin also received a number of phase two trainee Maritime Warfare Officers who are advancing their task books and learning the intricacies of ship navigation.

A total of seven midshipmen and

On a mission to train

three sub lieutenants have been regu-larly keeping watches on the bridge.

Eight of them are conducting phase two of their training, while the remain-ing two are on phase four.

CO Darwin CMDR Phillip Henry said the ship was working hard to deliver a skilled workforce back to the Fleet.

“We have seized the opportunity

to offer a front-line platform for the purpose of up-skilling our workforce,” he said.

“By the time we decommission in December, we will release a much

needed, highly trained workforce back into the Navy.

“The crew are working hard to ensure we not only meet, but exceed training targets.”

Phase two and phase four trainee Maritime Warfare Officers on the bridge wing of HMAS Darwin. Photo: LSEW Brooke Gregory

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9NEWSJune 15, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT Will Singer

A FORMER Navy clearance diver has been posthumously commended for his bravery, for making safe a box of volatile leaking explosives in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia in 1975.

A potentially disastrous situation was averted by the quick thinking of Harold Leslie Bingham, who drew on his Navy training in explosive ord-nance disposal, putting himself at risk to save others.

Mr Bingham’s family members were on hand at an Australian bravery award ceremony held at Government House in Perth recently, accepting the honour from Governor of Western Australia Kerry Sanderson.

CO HMAS Stirling CAPT Brian Delamont attended on behalf of Navy.

Late one March night, the explo-sives expert got a knock on the door by an old Navy mate and local police-man, to investigate a box of about 50 sticks of gelignite that had earlier been discovered in a shed by the Nanutarra Roadhouse manager.

Knowing the bomb squad in Perth was 1300km away, Mr Bingham, aware of the risk to people in the vicin-ity of the roadhouse, removed the box of leaking gelignite, safety fuses and

Bravery marked decades later

detonators. After the area was cleared, Mr Bingham removed the dangerous contents from the cupboard. Then he dismantled the cupboard and placed it with the explosives about 300 metres from the roadhouse, before detonating the gelignite and rendering the area safe.

The act of bravery may have gone unnoticed had it not been for Mr Bingham’s neighbour, Tom Keatley, who had been assisting his friend to write the memoirs of his life.

Mr Keatley felt compelled to write to the Governor-General to recom-mend Mr Bingham for a bravery award, but unfortunately Mr Bingham passed away before the honour could be bestowed.

His son, Shane Bingham, said his father was a man that took action, a “genuine straight-up bloke” that would speak his mind.

“Growing up with my Dad involved heaps of camping, fishing and talking about the good times he had with his mates – he would shy away from discussing his achievements,” Mr Bingham said.

“He never wanted recognition or reward though, and was a very modest person and my best friend.

“He did so much in his life, from the night-time recovery searches car-ried out on ships’ hulls during the Vietnam conflict, through to the recov-ery of bodies in aircraft crashes in Australia.”

Clearance diver Bingham also received a British Empire Medal in 1961 and an Order of Australia Medal in 1990.

Shane Bingham holds the commendation and certificate for brave conduct awarded to his father, the late Harold Leslie Bingham, at his home in Barragup, Western Australia. Photos: LSIS Lee-Anne Cooper

A framed photo of Harold Bingham in his diving gear sits on a shelf at his son’s home.

WO Ben Sime was awarded the Medal for Gallantry in 2004, follow-ing HMAS Stuart’s deployment to the Middle East in support of Opera-tion Catalyst.The then LSA was serving as the sensor operator in Stuart’s em-barked Seahawk.On the night of April 24, terrorists in fishing dhows launched a series of attacks against Iraqi oil terminals.One dhow, packed with explosives, was detonated when a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), from USS Firebolt, drew alongside to challenge it.Stuart immediately rendered assis-tance through its Seahawk.On approaching the scene it was ob-served that the RHIB had capsized and all of its occupants were in the water.

Three American sailors were killed and four seriously wounded.Several unsuccessful attempts were made to get one injured sailor, who was suffering serious head lacera-tions, into a rescue strop lowered from the helicopter.When he went under the water, unconscious, a decision was made for WO Sime to enter the water to provide assistance.Moments after he did so, two further attacks were launched against the nearby oil terminals.Showing outstanding courage, he remained, supporting the sailor in his care without regard for his own safety, as the action unfolded around him, until he was recovered by Stuart’s RHIB.In recognition of his deeds he was awarded the Medal for Gallantry.

Bold strokes for braveryA Medal of Gallantry recipient has been forever memorialised on canvas, writes Dallas McMaugh.

BRAVERY RECOGNISED

WO Ben Sime, left, was congratulated by COMFAA CDRE Chris Smallhorn.

WOA Ben Sime with his wife, Stacie, speaks at the unveiling of the painting at HMAS Albatross while special guest Keith Payne, VC, watches on. Photos: POIS Kelvin Hockey

10 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 15, 2017

ONE of Navy’s most highly decorated serving sailors has been honoured with a portrait by one of Australia’s leading

military artists.The larger-than-life-sized depic-

tion of WOA Ben Sime was unveiled on May 20 at a function celebrating the centenary of naval aviation, at HMAS Albatross.

Past and serving members of the Fleet Air Arm were on hand for the unveiling of the painting.

Artist George Petrou has painted historical and modern military figures, sporting greats and abstracts, but said he considered the commission for WO Sime’s portrait an honour, although an intimidating one.

“I was a little bit nervous. I have enormous respect for anyone who goes to war and puts their life on the line,” Mr Petrou said.

“They are dedicated people and I’m thankful for their sense of duty in pro-tecting and looking after us.

“Ben’s is an amazing story of hero-ism and selflessness so I really wanted to convey that.

“I didn’t meet Ben, I worked from photographs, but I sensed he was a quiet achiever, who doesn’t seek the lime-light so I focused a lot of attention on his actual medal, concentrating on the brightness and symbolism and I hope that conveys Ben’s strength.”

The event was held at the Fleet Air Arm Museum and marked 100 years since a Sopwith Baby N1014 embarked on HMAS Brisbane in May 1917 at the height of WWI.

The Sopwith’s pilot, Flight SBLT Alfred Clemson made daily flights attempting to locate the German raider Wolf.

Significantly this was the first time an aircraft was used as an integral part of an Australian ship’s weapon system and was the start of the Navy’s path toward a Fleet Air Arm.

WO Sime, who had not seen the por-trait until it was unveiled before the 300 guests, said it was an honour.

“I felt privileged, not only to have the portrait presented at such a historic event but to have people in attendance, such as my wife Stacie, and of course the artist, George Petrou,” he said.

“My wife was proud to have been there. She’s a police officer and so is presented with situations everyday that have the potential to escalate and I am just as proud of her and what she does.”

WO Sime received his Medal for Gallantry for his actions in 2004 as an LSA in the Seahawk crew embarked in HMAS Stuart in the Middle East. He courageously entered the water from the air to support a sailor injured in a explo-sive dhow attack on the USS Firebolt.

WO Sime said he didn’t see the por-trait as a reflection of his own deeds.

“I don’t see me, I see an image of a sailor who is proud to wear the uniform and someone who is grateful for the opportunities that have been afforded as a result of being in the Navy,” he said.

“Someone who is proud to say that they are a Navy aircrewman and that they serve their country with pride.”

Also on show was a display hon-ouring CMDR Fred Sherborne (retd), a former Commander Air at HMAS Albatross who was shot down in his Grumman Wildcat over the south of France in 1944.

For more information about WO Sime visit navy.gov.au/biography/warrant-officer-ben-jamin-sime

An online resource for ADF members and their families to fi nd information on their posting location.

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11NEWSJune 15, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

Homecoming for officerLEUT Dave Dawes

IT WAS a journey back to her roots that took XO NHQ – South Australia LCDR Ainsley Slattery to the South Australian Riverland as part of the Navy’s regional engagement strategy.

Having grown up in the Waikerie area it was fitting that the team paid a visit to her old high school and meet some of the current crop of students.

“It was wonderful stepping back in time to my old high school,” LCDR Slattery said.

“It was great to be able to speak with the young students about where I had come from and how I had arrived at where I am today.”

Sixty young men and women from the senior high school had the opportunity to learn about the role the Navy played in society and the chance to interact with Navy personnel.

The Navy staff each explained their different primary qualifications, providing a glance into what a career in the Navy could provide.

For some of the Waikerie High School teachers it was an opportunity to renew connections with their former student.

While in the area, the Navy team took the opportunity to renew contact with the local veteran community, attending a bar-becue dinner hosted by the Renmark RSL.

The RSL is made up of former WWII, Vietnam War and Gulf War veterans.

This was a great opportunity for the veterans to re-engage with the younger and current Navy and Defence members, asking many questions about what it’s like today and also reminiscing on the past.

LCDR Ainsley Slattery gifts Navy Books for the Waikerie High School library to student Makayla Lill and teacher Sarah Koch.

12 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 15, 2017 CENTRE 13 HMAS Kuttabul Commemoration

THE Japanese valued surprise. It devastated Pearl Harbor and they expected similar unpreparedness when they launched their subma-

rines into a crowded Sydney Harbour on May 31, 1942.

Just three weeks after the Battle of the Coral Sea, five Japanese I-class submarines gathered about 35 nautical miles north-east of the entrance to Sydney Harbour.

Before daylight on May 31, an Imperial Japanese Navy E14Y Yokosuka (Glen) reconnaissance seaplane launched from I-21, and flew a mission over the harbour, twice circling the cruiser USS Chicago before flying to the east.

The aerial intrusion was observed and reported, but many believed it was just a US floatplane on a routine training flight.

For the Japanese raiders, it was their latest reconnaissance flight over Sydney, which provided valuable intelligence for an impending attack on the more than 40 Allied warships anchored in the harbour.

Prime targets included the heavy cruis-ers HMAS Canberra and USS Chicago.

On the night of May 31, three midget submarines were launched from I-22, I-24 and I-27, seven nautical miles east of Sydney Heads.

Author and historian Steven Carruthers said the first midget submarine, M-27, manned by LEUT Kenshi Chuman and PO Takeshi Omori, entered Sydney Harbour at about 8pm.

“It didn’t get far, as the boat’s propel-lers became entangled in anti-submarine nets near the western boom gate,” he said.

“The disturbance in the water was soon observed and the patrol boats HMA Ships Yarroma and Lolita were ordered to investigate.

“When the submarine’s crew realised they could not free the propellers they fired demolition charges to destroy their craft and killed themselves at 10.37pm.”

M-24, crewed by SBLT Katsuhisa Ban and PO Mamoru Ashibe, successfully entered the harbour at 9.48pm.

The crew of USS Chicago sighted M-24’s periscope at about 500 yards and shots were fired, however, the guns could not be depressed sufficiently and the rounds had no effect.

About 30 minutes later, M-24 fired two torpedoes at the US warship, which missed.

One torpedo ran ashore at Garden Island failing to explode, while the second passed under the Dutch submarine K9 to strike the sea wall and explode beneath HMAS Kuttabul, which sank immediately.

Mr Carruthers said it was more than 12 hours before it was known how many men were aboard the vessel when it sank.

“It was more than 40 hours before the death toll was known,” he said.

“The confusion was compounded by

AMONG the special guests at services held to commemorate the sinking of HMAS Kuttabul was one of the last

remaining WWII veterans who was billeted on her.

Former Stoker Reg Turner, who was ashore at the time of the attack, said it meant a lot to him to attend the commemoration with people who were related to those lost.

On May 31, Mr Turner, along with other invited guests, joined a cruise organised by the Kuttabul Commemoration Project to remember the night Japanese midget subma-rines attacked Sydney Harbour in 1942.

Author and historian Steven Carruthers narrated the history of the attack as it unfold-ed to the 150 guests, including more than 50 descendants of those lost.

A service was held by CHAP Colin Fett, of HMAS Watson, and a wreath-laying cer-emony took place on the water near where Kuttabul went down.

Mr Turner said he was one of the lucky ones.

“On the night I was re-billeted at the last minute to Naval House near the Rocks,” he said.

“I didn’t know what was really going on until the next day. When I saw Kuttabul had been sunk the next morning, I couldn’t

CPL Mark Doran

THE loss of my great uncle on HMAS Kuttabul, Stoker 2nd Class Frederick Arthur Glanford, added another family member’s name to the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial.

Stoker Glanford joined the Navy in November 1941. He completed his training at HMAS Cerberus and was sent to Sydney and billeted on Kuttabul to await his mobi-lisation.

Four days before the attack on Sydney Harbour he was issued his lifeboat and anti-flash equipment.

The stoker from Brisbane was ready to face the war.

Frederick was killed in action by a torpedo from the Japanese midget submarine, M-24, on June 1, 1942. He was 21. The war found him faster than expected.

An invite from the Kuttabul Commemoration Project to join them on Sydney Harbour on May 31

for the 75th anniversary was an incredible opportunity to learn more of the history of the night the war came to Sydney, with an accurate narration by author and historian Steven Carruthers.

It was an opportunity for me to meet the relatives of the other sailors lost, as well as one of the last remaining WWII veterans who was meant to be billeted on Kuttabul that night, Stoker Reg Turner.

A highlight of the day was to meet sev-eral Sydney high school students and three Legatees who honoured the day with their presence and their genuine interest in the history of Australia at war, as well as the

four serving sailors and other Navy veter-ans who took the time to pay their respects.

My big surprise was meeting members of my own family I’d not met before.

They were also paying their respects to Frederick and the other sailors who died.

When I was a child, Frederick’s war story was spoken in hushed tones and there are not many left alive in my close family who can fill in the blank parts.

Now I have met more of my kin, we will be able to share the stories and keep this stoker’s tale alive.

Lest we forget.

CPL Mark Doran reports from a special cruise organised by the Kuttabul Commemoration Project to honour the 19 Australians who lost their lives when HMAS Kuttabul was torpedoed in Sydney Harbour by a Japanese submarine 75 years ago.

A WATERY GRAVE

War found great uncle faster than expected

Surviving veteran pays tribute to shipmates

Stoker Kenneth Killeen, who was killed when a torpedo fired by one of the Japanese midget submarines struck the sea wall and exploded beneath HMAS Kuttabul.

ABOVE: ABATA Daniel Beazley, centre, and ABATA Adrian Ebenwaldner, of 816SQN at HMAS Albatross, talk to former Stoker Reg Turner during the Kuttabul Commemoration Project cruise on Sydney Harbour.

LEFT: Reg Turner and his daughter Kerry Waters place a poppy on the wreath during the commemoration cruise. Photos: CPL Mark Doran

believe it, as I was a stoker and would have been there if I hadn’t had to swap bunks.

“It’s been on my mind for the past 75 years, but we can’t become stagnant, I just had to carry on.”

Gary Traynor, o f t he Kut tabu l Commemoration Project, said it was mar-vellous to have so many descendants and a WWII veteran at the event run by the group.

“We found about three quarters of the direct descendants of every sailor who died and we are still looking for others, in particu-lar those of the Royal Navy sailor who was killed, Frank Kirby,” he said.

“The Commemoration Project is an

organisation run by volunteers whose mis-sion is to commemorate the 21 Allied sailors and one Allied airman who lost their lives in Sydney from May 31 to June 8, 1942.

“The most important part of the project is making people aware of the story and the sailors."

Stoker Kenneth Killeen, 20, was killed in the blast. His mother, Vera, was heavily preg-nant when she received news of her son’s death.

It sent her into a deep state of shock and early labour. The complications of a prema-ture birth brought about the death of both mother and unborn infant.

Janet Townsend, of Canberra, said she attended the commemoration with other Killeen family members, including Kenneth’s younger brother.

“Joining people of all ages to recognise those lost was a memorable experience,” she said.

“My clan doesn’t come together very often and the last time was the 70th anniversary.

“It’s a good opportunity to take time to reflect upon Australia’s history and what our loved ones sacrificed, not only those who served, but the invisible costs to the families as well.

“My family has always held Uncle Ken close to our hearts and Gary and Marie, of the Kuttabul Commemoration Project, did great work to gather us as a community.”

ABATV Adrian Ebenwaldner, of 816SQN at HMAS Albatross, travelled to Sydney from Nowra with three of his workmates for the commemoration.

“We thought it would be a great opportu-nity to learn more about the attack on Sydney Harbour and pay our respects to the sailors who lost their lives,” he said.

“What stood out the most was to see how significant the event was for the families of those sailors and how they gathered to com-memorate their sacrifice.”

A Navy cap is filled with poppies for the lost sailors during the Kuttabul Commemoration Project cruise held on Sydney Harbour on May 31.

A torpedo fired by the Japanese midget submarine M-24 exploded beneath HMAS Kuttabul, sinking her immediately. Author and historian Steven Carruthers (right) places a poppy on the wreath during the Kuttabul Commemoration Project cruise in Sydney Harbour.

Onlookers gather to watch as the wreckage of one of the Japanese midget submarines is recovered from Sydney Harbour.

sailors swapping watches, visitors being on board, some sleeping elsewhere ashore or nearby, and at least one sailor was AWOL.”

Twenty-one Allied naval ratings – 19 Australian and two British – were killed.

Although the harbour was alive with activ-ity following the attack, confusion reigned, with some believing the gunfire part of a naval exercise as ships began to weigh anchor and proceed to sea.

Later, in the early hours of June 1, a third enemy midget submarine, M-22 crewed by the leader of the mission, LEUT Kieu Matsuo, and PO1 Class Masao Tsuzuku, entered the harbour.

Mr Carruthers said it was detected in Taylors Bay at 10.50pm and most likely had Canberra in its sights.

“M-22 was depth charged repeatedly by patrol boats HMA Ships Sea Mist, Steady Hour and Yarroma,” he said.

“The following day, when RAN divers investigated the crippled vessel, they found the engines still running and the propellers slowly turning. It was eventually raised and the crew were found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.”

The mother submarines departed the area when it became obvious their midget sub-marines would not be returning.

I-24 is believed to have been responsible for a number of attacks on merchant ships, as well as the shelling of Sydney Harbour a week later.

CPL Mark Doran places a poppy on the wreath in memory of his great uncle (inset) during the service.

After escaping from the harbour, the fate of M-24 remained a complete mystery for 64 years, until a group of divers found the wreck off Sydney’s northern beaches in 2006. Instead of resolving the wartime mystery, the discovery generated even more questions about the last hours of M-24.

Mr Carruthers said his theory was midg-et submarines were only designed to operate for 12 hours running at two to four knots.

“M-24 came into the harbour short-

ly after sunset and fired its torpedoes at 12.30am, which meant they’d already been running for about eight-and-a-half hours,” he said.

“The submarine’s power was mostly drained by the time it left the harbour and it was impossible to travel south to the ren-dezvous because a southerly had blown up.

“I think they were washed up to Newport Beach and pulled the stops, but they may have been overcome by fumes, ran out of

oxygen or committed suicide.“One day, we might find out.”The attack by the Japanese midget sub-

marine crews proved to be a sharp wake-up call to Sydneysiders for whom the war had seemed somewhat distant.

Large parts of the two submarines recovered from the seabed were used to construct one composite vessel, which forms a major exhibit, along with the wheelhouse from Kuttabul, at the Australian War Memorial.

The conning tower of M-22 is on display in the Naval Heritage Centre at Garden Island.

On June 3, 1942, RADM G.C. Muirhead-Gould, Flag Officer-in-Charge Sydney, and more than 200 Navy person-nel, attended a burial service conducted with naval honours for those killed in Kuttabul.

On January 1, 1943, the naval depot at Garden Island was commissioned as Kuttabul to further perpetuate the memory of the 21 men killed during the attack.

The RAN also recognised the bravery of the Japanese submariners recovered from the submarines destroyed in the harbour.

They were accorded a funeral with naval honours, a gesture appreciated in later years by the Japanese.

The cremated remains of the submarin-ers were returned to Japan two months later as part of a diplomatic exchange.

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15TRAININGJune 15, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT Mitchell Hosking

CLEARANCE divers from HMA Ships Huon and Yarra conducted a week of deep dive training on the mine counter-measures “stealth” diving set at the beginning of the month.

Day and night dives at depths of up to 30 metres were conducted at numerous locations around Jervis Bay.

Over the course of the week, divers paired up and completed various drills and training scenarios.

CPOCD Darren Smith, who supervised the training, said the ship divers had to be prepared to conduct a range of mine-counter measure missions.

“In an operational context, a diver might be required to conduct a solo dive, with the mission to locate, identify and then disarm or dispose of explosive ordnance, like buoyant or ground mines, that present a threat to shipping,” CPO Smith said.

“We go into areas where conventional mine-hunting methods aren’t possible, like entrances, anchorages and sea approaches to amphibious landing sites.

“This can be dangerous work, which is why we conduct such high levels of training and ensure our personnel maintain the skills necessary to do the job.”

The “stealth” dive set uses a mix of nitrogen, helium and oxygen. It allows divers to operate at deeper depths and provides them with greater endurance at depth to complete missions.

“Teamwork is essential to every diving mis-sion,” CPO Smith said. “Each diver has to put the task and team needs above their own. This work is demanding and requires personnel that are pre-pared and competent.

“It also creates a strong bond and sense of camaraderie.”Clearance divers from HMA Ships Huon and Yarra prepare to conduct dive training in Jervis Bay.

Divers put teamwork to test

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16 PERSONNEL www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 15, 2017

LEUT Will Singer

HMAS Sirius “cleared lower-deck” on the last day of autumn to recognise Navy’s outstanding marine technician sailor at a ceremony held at Fleet Base West.

The HMAS Westralia - POMT Shaun Damian Smith Perpetual Shield was awarded on the bridge of the ship to POMT Amanda Lee Jackson, in front of an applauding crew held.

Director Training Authority – Enginee-ring CAPT Timothy Standen presented the shield to the sailor recognised as the most outstanding marine technician to have completed the Senior Technicians Course during the year.

“The course is a promotional prerequi-site for all technical sailors identified for promotion to PO,” CAPT Standen said.

“Few of you would know that PO Jackson achieved an average score of 98.3 per cent across all disciplines throughout the course.

“It was a marvellous accomplishment and I hope that more achievements carry through to the future,” he said.

In 10 years of service, PO Jackson has received several accolades, including a COs’ Commendation for her work on the Anti-Ship Missile Defence project, and she has chalked-up many trade-related qualifications.

She has been on Operation Resolute, travelled throughout South-East Asia and New Zealand, and served at sea in HMA Ships Manoora, Kanimbla, Success and Sirius.

The Senior Electrical Supervisor said her overall career highlight had been the people in the Navy.

“I’ve always had someone to learn from, someone who believed that I could do the job, and someone to push me in every job,” PO Jackson said.

“I am looking forward to my time ashore, keeping my postings interesting and ensuring that I remain easily employ-able with my eye on pursuing project man-agement opportunities,” she said.

The shield honours the memory of PO Shaun Smith, who, along with three other shipmates, paid the ultimate sacri-fice in service to the nation while aboard Westralia on May 5, 1998.

Attending the ceremony, Brian Smith, father of the late PO Shaun Smith, said PO Jackson was a worthy recipient of the award and encouraged her to continue to excel in her chosen career path in the Navy.

“I believe it’s important that sailors realise the opportunities that Navy pro-vides, and hope that they strive to be the best and realise that they are recognised through awards like this one,” Mr Smith said.

MT a Sirius achiever

POMT Amanda Jackson holds the HMAS Westralia-POMT Shaun Damian Smith Perpetual Shield for 2016 with POMT Smith’s father Brian Smith on the bridge wing of HMAS Sirius. Photo: CPOIS Damian Pawlenko

17GANGWAYJune 15, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

Right: ABCIS Danielle Kemp was recently awarded the HMAS Kuttabul Sailor of the

Quarter, at Fleet Headquarters Sydney. Photo: ABIS Chantell Brown

Above: LSMED Keira Arnold and ABMED Shunsuke Takahashi review patient records at HMAS Stirling Health Centre. Photo: ABET Christopher Szumlanski

SMNAWA-SMs Ryan McDougall-Fisher, left, and Michael Symes, and SMNMT-SM Justin Walsh hold their Dolphins outside the Submarine Training and Systems Centre after receiving the badges and submarine qualification certificates at HMAS Stirling. Photo: CPOIS Damian Pawlenko

ABEW-SM Roland Hunt, right, ties a bandage on ABET Philip Williams during the ship’s medical emergency team training at HMAS Stirling.

Photo: ABIS Richard Cordell

ABCSO Matthew Lancaster addresses personnel at Randwick Barracks during Reconciliation Week. Photo: POIS Kelvin Hockey

ADF Medical Course 0017 right dress while on parade in front of friends and family as part of their passing out parade held at HMAS Penguin, Sydney. Photo: ABIS Chantell Brown

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18 PERSONNEL www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 15, 2017

LEUT Todd Fitzgerald

PATROL Boat Headquarters and HMAS Coonawarra held a family support event on May 25 to raise awareness of the services available to partners and families of Navy members while their loved ones are away from home.

Five Navy support agencies attended, including Defence Families of Australia and Defence Community Organisation.

Captain Patrol Boats CAPT Jason Hunter said the event was important given the often high tempo of patrol boat operations and the remote loca-tion of bases.

He said strong families made a strong Navy.

“Deployment and lengthy periods away from home are a fact of life in the Navy, and it can be a challenging time for the partners and families of members left at home,” CAPT Hunter said.

“However, there is a raft of support services available to them to ensure they are looked after.

“Knowledge of those services is important to the deployed member. It offers them peace of mind to know their family will be looked after while they are away from home in service of their country. That peace of mind allows them to focus on the job at hand.”

CAPT Hunter said the event was the first in a series that sought to make service in patrol boats more attractive

to the wider Navy community and their families.

Patrol boats contribute the bulk of Navy’s effort to Operation Resolute.

They participate in a number of regional, bilateral and multilateral exercises primarily within South-East Asia and the South-West Pacific.

The home ports of patrol boats are Coonawarra in Darwin and HMAS Cairns in Cairns.

The event was also attended by representatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Veterans and Veterans’ Families Counselling Service, and Navy Health.

XO HMAS Coonawarra LCDR Phillipa Hay chats to an attendee at the pre-deployment brief.

Captain Patrol Boats CAPT Jason Hunter with his wife, Susan, and their daughters, Darcy and Molly, during the pre-deployment brief for patrol boat partners and families at HMAS Coonawarra, Northern Territory, while Fairy Jill (right) shows Taneka Empson her face paint design. Photos: ABIS Kayla Hayes

Patrol boats’ family focus

One human resource management and payroll system for One DefenceDefence One

Are you Ready... Defence One is the new pay system for Defence that will mean that APS, Reserves and ADF members are all on the same HR & payroll system. The integration of HR and payroll data is a key element of the new system, and allows many allowances (both eligibility and payment rates) to be automated based on information from PMKeyS and inbound interface data from external parties.

Defence One will Go Live 7th August 2017!

How can you prepare? Take early action!

Self Service will be unavailable for approximately 10 days during the implementation of Defence One R1a. Members are to log into PMKeyS Self Service and ensure the following details are correct:

» Rank (ESS > My ADF Pay > Payslips ADF)

» Contact details (ESS > My Personal Details > Personal Data)

» Emergency contact details and next of kin (ESS > My Personal Details > Emergency Contacts)

» Dependant details (ESS > My Personal Details > Dependant/Beneficiary)

» Categorisation (ESS > My ADF Pay > Payslips ADF)

» Position details including location (ESS > My Personal Details > Personal Information Summary)

» Allowances (ESS > My ADF Pay > Payslips ADF)

» Leave data – including absence entitlement, outstanding absence applications and denied absence applications (ESS > My Leave)

Remember: You are responsible for your pay, allowances and deductions

For further information on Defence One visit: Defence Home > Groups > CIOG > For CIOG Staff > CIOG Initiatives > Defence One

Please visit the Defence One Website regularly for further information and updates.

For Further information visit: Defence Home > Groups > CIOG > For CIOG Staff > CIOG Initiatives > Defence One

DPS:APR028-17

19PERSONNELJune 15, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

SUPPORTIVE employers from across Australia were formally recognised at the Defence Reserves Support Council National Employer Support Awards held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on May 25.

Held annually, the aim of the awards night is to recog-nise employers who go “above and beyond” to support their ADF reservist employees.

Defence Personnel Minister Dan Tehan outlined the impor-tance of the awards during his keynote address.

“This event highlights the significant contribution of our reserve personnel to ADF capability, and the critical sup-port provided to our reservists by their civilian employers,” Mr Tehan said.

“Reservists contribute to the capability of the ADF in many ways – locally, nation-ally and overseas.

“For employers, accommo-dating reservist employees is not always easy – sometimes,

Support for ADF lauded

Winners of the award categories were:

Small Business: Hackham Medical Centre (South Australia)

Medium Business: Executive Risk Solutions (Western Australia)

Large Business: Commonwealth Bank (NSW)

Public Sector: City of Ballarat (ACT & SE NSW)

Not-For-Profit: Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (Northern Territory)

WINNERS

Head Reserve and Youth Division/Commander ADF Cadets RADM Bruce Kafer and National Chair of the Defence Reserves Support Council Jane McAloon at the awards night at the Australian War Memorial. Photo: Jay Cronan

considerable effort and sacri-fice is required to release them for training and deployment commitments.

“To the employers of reservists here tonight, I thank you.

“You are also serving our nation, albeit not in uniform, by enabling your reservist staff members to serve.”

National awards host and Defence Reserves Support Council National Chair Jane McAloon highlighted the raft of skills that reservists brought to a civilian work environment.

“The employers and reserv-ists we acknowledge tonight understand what it truly means to have a shared workforce,” Ms McAloon said.

“Both active and stand-by reservists bring essential and different skills and experience from civilian employment that build and expand the capability of the ADF.

“And in return these same reservists bring to their civil-ian employment military dis-cipline, problem-solving skills, teamwork, leadership and, importantly, a sense of national contribution and identity.”

For more information: defencereservessupport.gov.au

Tammy Meacham

DEFENCE One, the new pay system for ADF members, is scheduled to go live on August 7.

The new system will provide increased self-service functionality and automated payments.

To ensure the transition to the new system is smooth and that payments are made in a timely manner, all data in the system must be as up to date as possible before the transition begins on July 27.

Director General Personnel – Army BRIG Leigh Wilton said the single big-gest factor in ensuring member pay-ments were correct on “go live” was accurate data.

“All commanders, managers and supervisors must ensure the mem-

bers they supervise correct their data, or complete the appropriate forms to have incorrect data remediated,” BRIG Wilton said.

“Additionally, before ‘go live’, all approvers should ensure that leave and other approval tasks are either complet-ed or deleted from the system.

“Manual input such as higher duties allowance should be approved and sub-mitted for processing well before the cut-off dates.

“As a member or supervisor, make sure all your requests and approvals that you are aware of, are in the system before transition commences.”

Everyone should complete the member’s pre-‘go live’ checklist, which can be accessed at ciogintranet/staff/initiatives/DefenceOne/Pages/Resources.aspx

Accuracy the key to success

Rachel Bowman

THE Partner Employment Assistance Program, which starts on July 1, aims to help eligible ADF partners find jobs when posting to a new location.

Within 12 months of posting to a new location, recognised partners can apply for funding of up to $1500 to assist with the immediate difficulties of finding employment.

D i r e c t o r G e n e r a l D e f e n c e Community Organisation Paul Way said the program couldn’t guarantee employment, but it did provide ADF partners with professional advice and skills to give them the best opportunity to find employment in their new posting.

“Each time they post to a new loca-tion, partners can apply for employ-ment-related support services, such as resume preparation, job search and job interview techniques, as well as job placement advice,” Mr Way said.

“The program can also be used for

fees involved in mandatory professional re-registration costs when moving from one state or territory to another.”

To be eligible for the program, part-ners need to be recognised by Defence and posting with their ADF partner to a new area, making it an easily accessible program for most families.

Applications can be made following receipt of a posting order, or within 12 months after the order’s effective date.

Funding may attract Fringe Benefits Tax for the ADF member. It is recom-mended that personnel seek independ-ent financial advice about how this may affect tax and benefits, to determine whether these options are financially advantageous before committing to the program.

Visit defence.gov.au/dco/family/partners to view the guidelines and application form. Members and their partners can also contact the all-hours Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 or email defencefamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au

Help for partners

ANY MORE LIKE FAMILY AND WE’D IRON YOUR CREASES.

At Defence Health, we’re all about taking care of those in the fold. That’s why we o� er tailored health cover with higher benefi ts exclusively for ADF families. Our ADF Total Package gives you our best value protection with comprehensive hospital cover and access to an extensive range of extras treatments with generous annual limits.

Join the family. Call 1800 335 425 or visit defencehealth.com.au

20 TRAINING www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 15, 2017

AS THE sun set on May 13, spirits were high in the control room of HMAS Waller after the crew’s per-fect score of four hits from four shots during recent anti-surface and anti-submarine ADCAP Mk48 torpedo firing serials in the Western Australian exercise area.

The firing was the culmination of a challenging safety and operational shakedown supported by Sea Training Unit-Submarines (STU-SM) during

which Waller exercised a range of submarine operational skills against both surface units and HMAS Rankin. The successful firing of Mk48 practice weapons against surface and sub-surface targets was a high point for the crew, demonstrating the lethality of the platform and the effectiveness of their training.

Waller’s sonar officer LEUT Calvin Timms said the capability was crucial to what they do.

“The maintenance of a potent sub-

marine force, capable of presenting a credible threat to a potential surface or subsurface adversary, is integral to the ADF’s ability to engage in high-end warfighting,” LEUT Timms said.

“The Collins-class submarine is considered to be one of the most capa-ble diesel-electric platforms operated by any navy, and it is vital that we continue to exercise that capability in order to prove its effectiveness.”

The weapons firing and shakedown were conducted to prepare Waller for

its upcoming east coast deployment and participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre, where it will exercise with a wide range of RAN and US Navy units.

XO Waller LCDR Chris Forward said the crew appreciated the support provided by STU-SM throughout the shakedown.

“The close working relationship between the seagoing submarines and STU-SM is vital to maintaining high standards of performance across the

squadron,” LCDR Forward said.CO Waller CMDR Richard Lindsey

said he was pleased with the perfor-mance and tenacity of the crew.

“Over the course of my career I’ve commanded a wide range of platforms and I can say without doubt that the combination of the unique set of capa-bilities provided by the Collins-class and the professionalism of RAN crews provides a significant deterrent to threats against Australia’s sea lines of communication,” CMDR Lindsey said.

CO HMAS Waller CMDR Richard Lindsey and XO LCDR Chris Forward celebrate with their crew after a strong result in recent weapons proficiency firings.

Waller hits four from four

Look forward

21TRAININGJune 15, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

MIDN Owen Snell

SAILORS have wasted no time in max-imising learning opportunities since the Spanish Armada’s ESPS Cristóbal Colón arrived three months ago.

More than half of the ship’s company of future Australian Navy destroyer Hobart have embarked in the F100-class frigate for systems training ahead of the commis-sioning of the first of three Aegis guided missile destroyers later this month.

Australian sailors are getting to know the platform under the friendly guidance of Cristóbal Colón’s ship’s company.

Officer of the Watch SBLT Adam Piotrowski said the orientation was invaluable.

“Cristóbal Colón is almost identical in layout and systems to the new destroyer, so you can’t ask for better preparation,” SBLT Piotrowski said.

“Being on board for the duration of Exercise Ocean Explorer was the highlight.

“The tempo was high, with Cristóbal Colón protecting other ships in our task group, which meant I could see how Hobart will operate as part of a maritime task group.”

Sailors from a variety of departments have been inducted on board Cristóbal Colón, including maritime warfare officers, boatswains mates, and marine engineering and weapons electrical specialists.

RAN personnel have also taken charge of the Spanish ship during close quarters manoeuvres and damage-control scenarios, such as simulated steering gear failure.

The Australian contingent observed Cristóbal Colón’s sophisticated weapon systems in action with air and surface target live firing, as well as small arms exercises.

Two midshipmen are also undertaking part of their Junior Warfare Application Course, providing a great opportunity to work with a foreign navy and gain an appreciation of the new capability about to enter the Australian Fleet.

A taste of things to comeHMAS Success escorts ESPS Cristóbal Colón into Darwin Harbour. The Spanish frigate is providing platform and familiarisation training to the RAN as it prepares to commission the first of three Aegis guided missile destroyers, which share significant similarities. Photos: ABIS Kayla Hayes

Members of NUSHIP Hobart take up positions on the bridge of ESPS Cristóbal Colón as part of their F100-class familiarisation training.

LSCSO Luke Moylan and SBLT Santiago González-Aller work together in the operations room of ESPS Cristóbal Colón during a naval gunfire support exercise.

Posting soon or just posted to a new location?Is your partner looking for work?Help is available.The Partner Employment Assistance Program starts 1 July 2017.

In each posting location, partners of ADF members can apply for up to $1,500funding to contribute towards employment related initiatives such as resumepreparation, job search and job interview techniques, as well as job placementadvice. It also can assist with professional re-registration costs when moving fromone state or territory to another.

AustralianGovernmentDepartment of Defence

Want more information?Visit www.defence.gov.au/dco, Call 1800 624 608or email defencefamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au

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22 HEALTH www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS June 15, 2017

MOST of us would have com-pleted a strenuous PT session with an enthusiastic physical training instructor or compet-

ed in an arduous event in our own time, and pulled up sore and stiff the next day.

Other than being mega-fit, you can use a number of easy methods to mini-mise the pain.

Army PTI CPL Jeff Langdon said a proper recovery routine was as important as the exercise itself.

“Recovery allows the body to go through its healing processes, since when we train we stimulate the body, tear muscle tissue, we stress our cardio-vascular system, tendons and skeletal system, and can cause inflammation in joints,” he said.

Stretching and using foam rollers are simple methods of preventing soreness.

“A cool-down and in-depth stretching session, and the use of a foam roller at the completion of any training session are vital to assist with the recovery pro-cess,” CPL Langdon said.

“Stretching and foam rollers help dissipate and flush out the by-products, such as lactic acid, in our muscle tissues and they reduce the feeling of fatigue.

“Stretching lengthens the muscles, makes them stronger and allows them to increase their ability to contract.”

Drinking a protein powder or sports drink, staying hydrated after exercise, avoiding large amounts of caffeine and eating healthy foods are other simple recovery methods.

“[Drinks] replace essential amino acids and salt, which are lost through sweat and urine during exercise and throughout the day,” CPL Langdon said.

“These supplements are easily ingested, but unless users stick to their training program and have a healthy diet, any gains they might receive from sup-plements could be minimal.

“It’s also important to remain hydrat-ed or you will begin to feel tired and lethargic and your motivation to go out and exercise again will diminish.

“A good indicator of being adequate-ly hydrated is checking throughout the day that your urine is a clear colour.”

CPL Langdon said ice packs, ice baths, running in water and swimming were often under-utilised ways of reduc-ing aches and pains after exercise.

“The water creates external pressure around the joints, reducing inflamma-tion. Adding a running or swimming activity in the water introduces a low-impact cardio element to the recovery session,” he said.

Simple and portable devices for pro-viding relief are also available.

“Latex, thick bands or floss bands can be placed on a limb to restrict the blood flow to muscles. They work the same way ice does,” CPL Langdon said.

After the bands are released from the limb, the blood flows back into the mus-cle, flushing out the build-up of acidic by-products.

“Another innovation is a trigger-point ball, which is the size of between a golf and a hockey ball, is smooth or has soft spikes, and is used in the same way as a foam roller.

“It can provide targeted muscle relief when you roll it onto specific areas such as pectoral muscles and the neck.”

A rest day at least once a week is also important.

“Often people overtrain and, for example, if you were to wake up in the morning and notice your resting heart rate is a few beats higher than normal, this would be an indicator your car-diovascular system needs more time to recover,” CPL Langdon said.

“You should listen to your body. When it is not performing at its normal level it’s a sign you are overdoing it.”

If exercise is a sore point, recovery is the answer, WO2 Andrew Hetherington writes.

Stretch using traditional stretching techniques.

Use a foam roller or a trigger-point ball to pro-vide relief to muscles.

Rehydrate and maintain hydration throughout the day, by drinking wa-ter and recovery drinks containing essential amino acids and salts.

Steer clear of drinks containing caffeine. If you do drink one cup of coffee, tea or a caf-feinated energy drink, follow it up with the equivalent volume in water.

Run or swim in water at a beach or pool.

Take an ice bath or use ice on a specific area to reduce inflammation.

Try to avoid overdoing it – mix up your train-ing schedule, avoid consecutive intensive exercise sessions and build a rest day into your week.

If you need advice on your training and recov-ery program see your local PTI.

How to gain with no pain

STRETCHING YOURSELF

A proper recovery routine can minimise the soreness

after exercise. Photo: WO2 Andrew Hetherington

23SPORTJune 15, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

WO2 Martin Fisher and SGT Dave Morley

SOME of the ADF’s best surfers took on and defeated British Army and Royal Air Force (RAF) surfing teams at the inaugural International Surf Festival on May 1-15.

Overall, the ADF came out the victors, taking home the trophy with the highest overall points tally and firsts in every indi-vidual event and the teams’ category

The ADF Surf Riders Association (ADFSRA) hosted the event held near Ulladulla on the NSW South Coast, which comprised 26 Australian and 45 British competitors.

ADFSRA President MAJ Myles Conquest said the festival consisted of an orientation week for all international com-petitors to adapt to the local conditions, fol-lowed by competition in shortboard, long-board, body board, men’s, women’s and team events.

“After an orientation week, travelling to well-known surf locations along the NSW coast, the British visitors familiarised them-selves with Australia’s surf conditions and participated in cross training delivered by other experienced Australian competitors,” he said.

“The training delivered was designed to increase the surfers’ lung capacities and to simulate the same rough conditions expe-rienced when being held down by larger waves.

“Joining the full complement of the ADF surf team during the second week of their visit, the RAF and British Army mem-bers competed in heats with the top-scoring surfers going through to the finals.

“With near perfect surf conditions dur-ing the heats, surfers displayed extreme courage in six-foot surf fighting against strong currents and challenging waves.”

With four-time (1979-1982) Australian world champion surfer Mark Richards in attendance, and a cliff-top audience watch-ing on for the final day of competition, the pressure was on.

Scoring points is achieved by an accu-mulation of different board manoeuvres in the critical section of the wave.

Highest single wave score and high-est combined heat score went to POATV Jordan Dank with a 10-point wave and 18.5 total heat score.

MAJ Conquest said with a stellar day and 6ft waves, even the dolphins came out to play in the competition area.

“Inspired surfing captured in photo and film was enjoyed by all the competitors during the final awards ceremony, with the British Army taking out second place and the RAF third,” he said.

The ADFSRA is an officially accredited sporting association bringing together full-time and reserve, men and women of the Navy, Army and Air Force under the one banner.

The association promotes professional-ism, teamwork, respect, individual fitness

Talented surfers on board

and resilience on a backdrop of competitive surfing.

ADFSRA is negotiating to expand the ISF competition to include other interested countries in the future and hopes to run a reciprocal visit with the UK in 2018.

ADFSRA media officer LT Megan Pate said the organisation also worked with ADF and community organisations to support wounded, injured and ill serving members and veterans.

“It is considering growing its aims to develop an adaptive surfing category to sup-port our wounded, injured and ill members to participate in the future competitions and events, and hopes to support the Invictus Games in 2018,” she said.

“Competition in the ISF represents the pinnacle of representative surfing in the mil-itary and is one of the few sports accredited by the ADF in which men and women com-pete against one another in a teams’ event.”

Bodyboard: 1. LAC Luke Adams (ADF)2. ABEW Daniel Grieve (ADF)3. LSA Dylan Skipsey (ADF)4. LCPL Steve Nicholson (UK

Army)5. Rob Maughan (RAF)6. LAC Robert Kohler (ADF)

Longboard:1. AB Cam Stewart (ADF)2. PTE Josh Hughes (UK Army)3. Dave Wild (RAF)4. LSCD Tim Harrison (ADF)5. CAPT Jason Griffiths (ADF)6. MAJ Myles Conquest (ADF)

Women’s:1. ABCSO Freya Dodd (ADF)

2. CPL Britt Busse (ADF)3. ACW Mandy Leong (ADF)4. MAJ Jess Drew (UK Army)5. PTE Kim Webber-Marks (UK

Army)6. Jo Barnes (RAF)

Men’s:1. LSCD Reece Menzies (ADF)2. PTE Josh Hughes (UK Army)3. POATV Jordan Dank (ADF)4. LT Dylan Storrie (ADF)5. LAC Josh Poate (ADF)6. LCPL Graham Allen (UK Army) Teams Trophy:1. ADF2. UK Army3. RAF

RESULTS

THE ADF Water Polo Association travelled to Hobart with members from all three services to compete in the Australian Country Water Polo Championships from May 17-20.

While there was no Navy repre-senation in the women’s team which went on to win the bronze medal, the service was well represented in the men’s ADF side.

With seven of the 16 men’s players in the pool, Navy had the strongest representation of the services, includ-ing coach LEUT Jason Battley.

The men were met with strong competition as they battled it out against Australia’s best state teams in a round robin tournament.

The men finished sixth with one win, but came close to other wins. They defeated NSW 14-10, before losing to them in the play-off for fifth.

The men also narrowly lost, 15-16, to eventual bronze medal winners Queensland.

ABCSO Sam Perkins, ABCD Matt Deloraine, ABATA Lachlan Warren, POMT Steed Wilson, MIDN Matt Newman and LSBM Jarred Heiser rep-resented the ADF side for Navy. Army had six players and Air Force had two.

For more information contact the group mailbox DefenceWaterPolo.Admin@defence.gov.au or join the Facebook group ADF Waterpolo.

LEUT Ben Willee

PARTICIPATING in Indigenous commu-nity activities during the AFL Sir Douglas Nicholls Dreamtime round in Melbourne provided a small group of ADF Indigenous players a chance to undertake community engagements and observe youth mentoring programs outside Defence.

The ADF Australian Rules Football (ADFAR) Indigenous development program is in its third year and an important element of ADFAR’s push to use sport to grow and pro-mote personal development and diversity.

Visits to the Korin Gamadji Institute and the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School, both located at and supported by the Richmond Football Club, also provided mem-bers with awareness and education of external Indigenous youth development programs.

SGT Rhiannon Busch said the activities were important as she often had to put her job first, which meant she missed significant events within her community.

“Reconciliation Week, in conjunction with the AFL Dreamtime events, are historical events that mean so much to our people,” SGT Busch said.

“An opportunity to represent the ADF while being able to celebrate with our mob is important.”

It was also an opportunity for Indigenous players from other teams to gather insights about life in the military.

ADFAR chair MAJGEN Matthew Hall said they were looking to expand the program.

“While we have now achieved our goal

Men’s water polo team makes a splashIndigenous players relish opportunity

of forming a men’s Indigenous Aussie Rules team within Defence, and will compete at the AFL Koori Carnival in Ballarat this October, ADFAR is now actively pursuing the estab-lishment of a women’s Indigenous football program to similarly compete in a women’s Koori Carnival, while also conducting a men-toring program for young Indigenous women,” he said.

“I couldn’t have been prouder when listening to our ADF Indigenous members talk of their experiences and challenges to a group of young Indigenous Australians and their communities.

“If we manage to recruit or retain just one sailor in service by promoting and participating in this program, then we’ve achieved our aim.”

For more information on ADFAR visit adfar.org

‘‘– MAJGEN Matthew Hall,

ADFAR chair

If we manage to recruit or retain just one sailor in service ... then we’ve achieved our aim.

POATV Jordan Dank scored the highest single wave score and the highest combined heat score.

The men’s ADF team celebrates at the Australian Country Water Polo Championships.

© Image courtesy of Department of Defence

Assisting serving and ex-servingADF members and their familiesin times of injury, illnessand crisis.

rsldefencecare.org.au

Volume 60, No. 10, June 15, 2017

SPORT

ON BOARD TO VICTORY

Our surfers battle the BritishPage 23

ABCSO Freya Dodd was the highest scoring female surfer. Photo: Love Capture Passion