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31 Jan 2020	ADF Continued Support under Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is continuing support to State and Territory agencies and local communities under Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20. Three Joint Task Forces have been established to facilitate ADF support to emergency services in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
29 Jan 2020	Navy conducts year’s first FONOP in South China Sea When the U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ship Montgomery on Saturday skirted a disputed island in the South China Sea, Beijing scrambled two armed fighter-bomber jets and “expelled it” from the area, the state-run media reported. Montgomery’s “freedom of navigation operation” was the first Navy FONOP this year in the South China Sea. The sea service conducts FONOPs to reemphasize that it’s an international byway, open to all shipping. More.....
29 Jan 2020	Reassessing Australia’s defence policy (part 1): What is the ADF for? Four years have now passed since the release of the 2016 defence white paper, the most recent comprehensive review of Australia’s defence policy and capability. The main contours of that document were set down as early as 2014, which was arguably too early to take full account of the geostrategic implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s island-building in the South China Sea. More.....
28 Jan 2020	Jets fly from British carrier for the first time in 10 years in UK waters British F-35B Lightning jets have flown from the decks of HMS Queen Elizabeth in UK waters, the first time fighter jets have operated from a British carrier in home waters in a decade. HMS Queen Elizabeth is in the North Sea, conducting Carrier Qualification for Royal Navy and Royal Air Force pilots from the UK Lightning Force, based out of RAF Marham in Norfolk. More.....
28 Jan 2020	Orroral Valley Bushfire Update Defence can confirm that the fire currently burning in the Orroral Valley in the Namadgi National Park was likely caused by a landing light from an Army MRH-90 helicopter, while the aircraft was on the ground. The helicopter and crew were conducting aerial reconnaissance and ground clearance to enable access for emergency services personnel who were conducting bushfire prevention measures in the ACT. More.....
28 Jan 2020	Day sailing on James Craig As part of Williamstown Seaport Festival 2020, Tall Ship James Craig is re-visiting us from Sydney. Enjoy a day’s sailing (2 or 11 March only) with her crew on Port Phillip in the company of like-minded people. Discover the wonder of square-rig sailing on this restored 1874 historic ship. Location: Workshops Pier, Seaworks Maritime Precinct, Nelson Place, Williamstown. Boarding: 10:15am Departs: 11am sharp Returns: 4:00pm approx Day Sail Ticket: $130.00 per person (BYO food) The booking link is the first item on the “tallshipsvictoria.org” site.
28 Jan 2020	Salute to Australia 2020 - HMAS Canberra HMAS Canberra played a starring role in Sydney’s Australia Day activities as the centrepiece of the traditional Salute to Australia in Sydney Harbour.
26 Jan 2020	United States Bushfire Support The Australian Government is deeply grateful for the ongoing support of the United States to Australia’s bushfire response. The Government also offers to the American people Australia’s deepest condolences, following the death of three brave US firefighters on 23 January 2020. Building on the support already provided, Australia today welcomed the arrival of two five-person cargo load teams from the 36th Contingency Response Group of the United States Air Force. More.....
26 Jan 2020	Click here to download the January edition of "BROADSIDE"..... NOTE from Webmaster: If you are a member and haven't been notified that your monthly copy of 'BROADSIDE' is available to download, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date. To correct this, contact the webmaster at: and he will copy and amend your address.
26 Jan 2020	All crew members rescued! Five crew members were saved and are in stable condition after their MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter went down in the Philippine Sea on Saturday evening, officials said. According to an afternoon statement released by the Navy’s Japan-based 7th Fleet, a Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60 search and rescue helicopter transported three of the crew members to Naval Hospital Okinawa for evaluation and the other two returned by a U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk to the amphibious command ship Blue Ridge. More.....
26 Jan 2020	Canberra takes centre stage on Sydney Harbour HMAS Canberra played a starring role in Sydney’s Australia Day celebrations as the centrepiece of the traditional Salute to Australia on Sydney Harbour. Among the hundreds of guests on board were 50 Rural Fire Service volunteers, and their families, who have been battling the devastating bushfires; as well as brand new Australian citizens and the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC. More.....
25 Jan 2020	Australia Day 2020 Honours List - Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy would like to congratulate our officers and sailors who have been named as recipients in today’s Australia Day Honours List. More.....
24 Jan 2020	Chief of Navy message for Navy personnel during Operation Bushfire Assist This week, Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan, delivered this message for the officers and sailors of the Royal Australian Navy who have been deployed on #OpBushfireAssist, supporting the tireless efforts of firefighters and emergency services personnel to help bushfire-affected Australian communities in challenging conditions.
24 Jan 2020	Here’s how the destroyer Zumwalt’s stealthy design handles stormy seas After years of stability questions about the hull design for the U.S. Navy’s new three-ship class of stealth destroyers, the commanding officer of the lead ship, USS Zumwalt, is satisfied: It handles the seas as well, if not better, than previous classes of surface combatants. While underway last spring, Capt. Andrew Carlson and the crew of Zumwalt took the ship to Alaska, where they got to experience some heavy seas. More.....
24 Jan 2020	MV Sycamore provides versatility to the fleet The civilian crew of the Navy-contracted MV Sycamore have relished an expanded role during Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 19-20. The ship’s primary function is to support maritime aviation training of Defence helicopter flight crews, usually in the vicinity of Jervis Bay with Navy trainees aboard. More.....
23 Jan 2020	Indonesia’s 1st locally built submarine completes diving trials The Indonesian Navy’s third Nagapasa-class submarine KRI Alugoro (405) has completed the nominal diving depth (NDD) phase of the sea trials. The trials, during which the submarine dived to a depth of 250 meters, were conducted in the Bali Sea and in the waters off East Java on January 20, 2020, Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL said. More.....
23 Jan 2020	Compulsory Reserve Call Out to become voluntary The Government will request the Governor-General revoke the current compulsory Call Out of the Australian Defence Force Reserves with effect from 7 February 2020. As the immediate, wide-scale emergency threat has eased, Australian Defence Force (ADF) support is moving from assisting to save life and property, to relief and recovery operations. More.....
22 Jan 2020	Notification of Postponement - Centenary of Commissioning of HMAS Cerberus Official Reception It is with much regret that the Official Reception and Open Day to celebrate the Centenary of Commissioning of HMAS Cerberus on Saturday 29th February and Sunday 1st March 2020 respectively have been postponed. Unfortunately due to the Bushfires and the continued support that the Australian Defence Force is providing through Operation bushfire Assist, Navy has deemed it inappropriate to conduct an Official reception at this time.
22 Jan 2020	Real-time SME support builds confidence and reduces downtime for DDGs Navantia Australia employees sailed with the Royal Australian Navy’s newest destroyer, HMAS Brisbane, as part of risk mitigation support to the ship’s company during her US combat system ship qualification trials (CSSQTs). Navantia Australia’s Adrian Orellana and Jose Luis Bouza Fernandez joined HMAS Brisbane at San Diego Naval Base in California, US. More.....
22 Jan 2020	January's Navy Hero -- Stoker 2nd Class Charles Alexander Pethebridge. Charles Alexander Pethebridge, the son of John Anthony and Sarah Anne Pethebridge, was born on 6 March 1923 at Northcote, Victoria. He joined the Royal Australian Naval Reserve (RANR) on 30 June 1941 as a Stoker 2nd Class and undertook his initial training at HMAS Lonsdale and HMAS Cerberus. He was posted to the light cruiser HMAS Perth, on 2 January 1942. Perth sailed for the Java theatre on 14 February arriving at Batavia ten days later. Almost immediately the cruiser came under Japanese air attack, fortunately sustaining no damage. During the night of 27-28 February, en route from Surabaja to Madura Island, a fourteen ship ABDA (American, British, Dutch and Australian) force engaged Japanese naval forces in the disastrous Battle of the Java Sea. Charles’ full story can be found at: http://navyvic.net/heroes/pethebridge.html
22 Jan 2020	WRANS Writer remembers twin brother, lost in 1945 Merle Hare has marked her 100th birthday by attending a Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial held in honour of her twin brother, presumed killed in action, 75 years ago. The daily ceremony shares the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour, and Monday night was a particularly poignant occasion as it was held for Sergeant Donald Kelway Storrie on the day of their joint birthday. More.....
21 Jan 2020	US approves US$1.5bn FMS to support RAN’s major surface combatants The US Department of State and Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved a potential US$1.5 billion ($2.1 billion) contract to modernise the Hobart Class destroyers and for the first thee Hunter Class frigates. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of long lead items, engineering development activities, and other defence services to support the Australian Surface Combatant Program for an estimated cost of US$1.5 billion ($2.1 billion). More.....
21 Jan 2020	Navy opens new warfighting agency The Royal Australian Navy has opened a centralised warfighting agency, designed to enhance Navy’s lethality in times of conflict. The Maritime Warfare Centre merges the Royal Australian Navy Test and Evaluation Authority (RANTEA) and Australian Maritime Warfare Centre (AMWC) into a centralised body to support current and future capabilities to fight and win at sea. More.....
20 Jan 2020	How Navies are transforming to mitigate the A2AD threat The proliferation of A2AD threats from state and non-state actors enabled by advances in anti-ship technology have prompted NATO navies and their allies and partners to take action, leading to doctrinal and force structure changes. This latest Defence iQ article ‘How Navies are transforming to mitigate the A2AD threat’ outlines the current developments and changes in doctrine for the U.S. Marine Corps, the UK’s Royal Navy and the Australian Navy to meet and eliminate the A2AD threat. More.....
20 Jan 2020	Change of Command for Joint Task Force 633 Major General Susan Coyle has assumed command of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East, taking over from Rear Admiral Mark Hill during a ceremony held at the Australian main operating base. As Commander of Joint Task Force 633, Major General Coyle is responsible for in-theatre command and control of all Australian Defence Force operations in the Middle East region, including the oversight of over 1,200 Defence personnel. More.....
20 Jan 2020	Northern Australia’s value not lost on friends and rivals It has been painfully obvious for years that our major ally, the US, major regional partner, Japan, and major market, China, all see more strategic value in northern Australia than successive federal governments and much of our defence establishment. At a time when the US has been trying to reduce the burden of overseas military commitments, the ‘rotational deployments’ of US Marine Corps troops to the Top End—now in their ninth year—are based on an American judgement that northern Australia is increasingly important to Asia’s security. More.....
20 Jan 2020	US Navy Will Name A Future Ford Class Aircraft Carrier After WWII Hero Doris Miller Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly will name a future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier in honor of World War II hero Ship’s Cook Third Class Doris Miller during a ceremony in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Jan. 20. The announcement will be made at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day ceremony, highlighting the contributions of African Americans to the greatest generation. More.....
18 Jan 2020	Supply crew enthusiastic for service The crew of NUSHIP Supply has donned ship’s caps and badges for the first time as they gathered to hear their Commanding Officer’s vision for the ship and its tasks ahead. Supply is the lead ship of two Supply Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ships being built for the Royal Australian Navy, and will enter service later this year. More.....
17 Jan 2020	Peninsula Ship Society - January edition of the "Sea Chest" is now available to download.....
17 Jan 2020	Bushfire threat to Albatross much worse than earlier report For those on duty at HMAS Albatross on NYE, the irony of launching helicopters to assist the bushfire fight elsewhere while the base came under serious fire threat wasn’t lost. At about 10.30am, half an hour after north-westerly winds began buffeting the base near Nowra on the NSW south coast, Albatross Commanding Officer Captain Robyn Phillips saw flames at the western edge of the airfield. More.....
17 Jan 2020	Congress wrestles with deterring China ― beyond nukes Days after China’s navy commissioned its biggest and most advanced surface warship yet, on a path to an estimated 420 ships by 2035, key experts told Congress the U.S. must form a new and creative strategy to deter China, beyond nuclear weapons. Addressing the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy, former Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell Director Andrew Hunter and retired Rear Adm. Michael McDevitt warned that China is on track to outpace America technologically and at sea. More.....
17 Jan 2020	Germany’s $6.7 billion frigate deal with Dutch shipbuilder Damen may be the last of its kind Following the pick of Dutch shipbuilder Damen this week to build at least four new frigates for the German Navy, officials in Germany are finalizing a new policy meant to steer similar contracts to local shipyards in the future. As drafted, the multi-ministry policy would establish the construction of surface ships as a key technology area in Germany’s security-industry fabric. The designation means Berlin may seek an exception from certain European Union acquisition regulations. More.....
17 Jan 2020	Defence leadership responds to troubling ANAO sub report Greg Moriarty, Secretary of the Department of Defence; Chief of Defence, General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC; Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan, AO; and Tony Dalton, Deputy Secretary National Naval Shipbuilding have responded to the latest ANAO report into the SEA 1000 program. It is the largest defence acquisition project in the history of the nation, but the apparently $50 billion project to replace the ageing Collins Class submarines with 12 regionally-superior submarines is in deep water. More.....
17 Jan 2020	Industry provides enabling support to bushfire task force at sea Taking a ship at ‘72 hours notice for sea’ and preparing her to sail in less than 48 hours is no small feat - even more so when you’re talking about the biggest ship in the Navy’s Fleet. But, thanks to the dedication and hard work of her team, HMAS Adelaide was made ready in less than 48 hours to join the ADF’s bushfire assistance efforts. More.....
17 Jan 2020	New Zealand Air Force NH-90 and HMAS Adelaide support to Op BUSHFIRE ASSIST
17 Jan 2020	US Marine Corps could soon take out enemy ships with Navy missiles The U.S. Marine Corps could soon get the Navy’s new Naval Strike Missile for use as a shore battery, according to the Navy’s acquisitions chief. “Just yesterday we had the team in that has the Naval Strike Missile on LCS working hand-in-hand with the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps does ground launchers, we do command and control," Assistant Secretary of the Navy James “Hondo” Geurts told reporters after his Jan. 15 speech at the annual Surface Navy symposium. “We’ll make that immediately available to the Marine Corps.” More.....
16 Jan 2020	To combat new missile threats, the US Navy prepares to move forward with destroyer upgrades The U.S. Navy is preparing to give its Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyers a major radar upgrade, trading in the AN/SPY-1D for a scaled-down version of the SPY-6 radar destined for the Flight III destroyers. Back-fitting the Flight IIA destroyers with the SPY-6 technology is a step toward commonality with the Flight III DDG coming online. It also eases the burden on ships to keep the older radars running, which becomes increasingly onerous and expensive as the ships age. More.....
16 Jan 2020	ATG collaborates with regional authorities on bushfire relief op Staff from the Amphibious Task Group embarked in HMAS Adelaide have been forging close ties and collaborative relationships with regional authorities supporting efforts ashore during Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 19-20. Over the last 10 days the Amphibious Task Group (ATG) has coordinated the introduction of Naval Liaison Officers to regional towns, and landed engineering support and medical teams to assist fire-affected communities. More.....
16 Jan 2020	Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST - Heavy Vehicle loading onto HMAS Adelaide, Jervis Bay
16 Jan 2020	Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST - HMAS Adelaide delivering aid to the NSW South Coast
15 Jan 2020	Japan joins Operation Bushfire Assist Australia gratefully accepts Japan’s offer to support Australia’s bushfire response, by providing two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The Japan Self-Defense Force aircraft will transport military and civilian personnel involved with firefighting, as well as equipment required for recovery efforts. More.....
15 Jan 2020	Young Endeavour sets sail for 2020 youth program The next generation of young Australians are building their leadership, teamwork and resilience skills on board the Royal Australian Navy ship Young Endeavour. The Sail Training Ship (STS) has started the new year setting sail from Tasmania, for an 11-day voyage with a crew of 24 youths aged between 16 to 23-years old. More.....
15 Jan 2020	$80bn future submarine program runs aground, again The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has released a scathing review into the nation’s largest defence program – the $80 billion Attack Class submarine program – revealing myriad challenges to delivering the program, with serious concerns about the viability of the contract and Australia’s future submarine capability. More.....
15 Jan 2020	HMAS Cerberus Open Day Postponed It is with much regret that I advise you that the Cerberus Centenary Open Day scheduled for 01 March 2020 has been postponed. Unfortunately, due to the Bushfires and the continued support that the Australian Defence Force is providing through Operation Bushfire Assist, Navy has decided that postponement until after the Summer bushfire season is the wisest course of action. Therefore, Cerberus Centenary Open Day will now be held on Saturday, 31 Oct 2020. We will continue to provide you with updates in relation to planning for the revised date and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this delay may have caused. The Open Day Coordinators remain LEUT Rick Bromley and CPO Dean Robinson. In the first instance please contact them should you have any questions. Yours aye, MS Oborn, CSM CAPT, RAN Commanding Officer HMAS Cerberus
15 Jan 2020	HMAS Toowoomba departs Fleet Base West for Middle East region deployment
15 Jan 2020	Royal Navy exchange officer - Pilot Nick Grimmer - Op Bushfire Assist
13 Jan 2020	Papua New Guinea Defence Force lends a hand in our time of need Australia thanks Papua New Guinea for its support to Australia’s emergency bushfire response through the provision of military personnel from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF). Around 80 military engineers, as well as a command and liaison element from the PNGDF arrived in Australia today. More.....
13 Jan 2020	Australian warship HMAS Toowoomba heads to Iran as part of Operation Manitou Almost 200 Australian sailors are bracing for confrontation with Iranian vessels as their warship sets sail today for a maritime security mission in one of the world's most treacherous waterways. HMAS Toowoomba will be formally farewelled from the Stirling naval base south of Perth on Monday, ahead of a six-month deployment to the increasingly tense Strait of Hormuz. More.....
13 Jan 2020	Expanded Navy Training Systems Centre at Randwick ready for first use Today marks the completion of the $24 million extension of the Navy Training Systems Centre at Randwick Barracks by St Hilliers, in time for the first Navy training course commencing this week. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP said the new facilities will support specialised training for crews of the two new Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ships being procured for the Royal Australian Navy. More.....
12 Jan 2020	Australia Navy Delivers Beer to Pub After Supply Hit by Bushfires! Australia's navy tasked with rescuing bushfire-trapped residents on the southeast coast received a new mission Friday -- delivering beer to a country pub on the verge of running dry. More than a thousand people have been evacuated from the town of Mallacoota, with the military sending landing craft to collect families trapped there since New Year's Eve. More.....
12 Jan 2020	HMAS Adelaide sails for Op Bushfire Assist 2019/20
12 Jan 2020	Navy One enters the Derwent River - 2019 Sydney to Hobart yacht race
12 Jan 2020	808 Squadron support to New South Wales Rural Fire Service
12 Jan 2020	Indian Navy hits a major milestone with a home-grown experimental jet The Indian Navy hit a major milestone in its quest for a home-grown carrier-based fighter aircraft, the military’s research and development wing announced Saturday. A prototype of a naval version of India’s Tejas light combat aircraft performed an arrested landing on board the carrier Vikramaditya in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation announced on Twitter. More.....
11 Jan 2020	Royal Navy pilot saves lives from fires in Australia
11 Jan 2020	Royal Navy pilot saves lives from fires in Australia A Royal Navy helicopter pilot has helped save countless lives from the apocalyptic fires devastating Australia. Lieutenant Commander Nick Grimmer has been in near round-the-clock action for two months flying rescue missions, evacuating people otherwise trapped by the flames. More.....
11 Jan 2020	Does the US Navy have its robot-warship concept all wrong? The U.S. Navy’s plans for unleashing robot warships on the world’s oceans may need some work, according to a new study. The way the Navy describes its planned large unmanned surface vessel, or LUSV, is as an external missile magazine that can significantly boost the number of missile tubes fielded for significantly less money than buying Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which cost nearly $2 billion per hull. More.....
10 Jan 2020	Dedication to family and community drives Navy’s volunteer firefighters The desire to set a good example for his children has been the driving force behind one Navy officer’s firefighting efforts during the current national bushfire crisis. Lieutenant Matt Urquhart, an Aviation Warfare Instructor with 723 Squadron based at HMAS Albatross, has joined many of his Navy colleagues in giving up family time over the Christmas and New Year period as a volunteer firefighter with the Rural Fire Service. More.....
10 Jan 2020	Fijian Military support to bushfire emergency response Australia is deeply grateful for Fiji’s generous offer to support Australia’s emergency bushfire response through the provision of troops from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. Australia is currently facing an unprecedented national disaster as bushfires continue to sweep across large parts of NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. More.....
10 Jan 2020	Japan to send destroyer, aircraft to Middle East Japan revealed plans to send a warship and patrol planes to the Middle East in order to ensure the safety of Japan-affiliated vessels in the region. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Takanami-class destroyer Takanami (DD-110) and two Japanese Deployment Air-Force for Counter-Piracy Enforcement Forces (DAPE) P-3C maritime patrol aircraft will be deployed in the region, the country’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement. More.....
10 Jan 2020	Multiagency collaboration at sea ensures success of evacuation mission For the nearly 1500 guests who have been evacuated from the Victorian town of Mallacoota to Western Port on board HMAS Choules, the journey was made easier by the presence of people from other agencies who helped the ship’s company look after them. Embarked for the first evacuation journey were six members from the Australian Red Cross and four Victoria Police (VicPol) officers. More.....
10 Jan 2020	Aggressive Approach by a Russian Navy ship on USS Farragut (DDG 99)
09 Jan 2020	Timeline set to get troubled flattop Ford to sea The New Year is bringing a revamped effort by Big Navy to transform the delayed and over-budget aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford from albatross to operational. In a Dec. 20 message to the fleet, Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly laid out a timeline to reach key goals, from flight deck certification to fixing faulty weapons elevators and commencing a full ship shock trial. More.....
09 Jan 2020	The surface Navy needs to fundamentally reshape itself to defeat the Chinese threat, study finds The U.S. Navy’s surface fleet is completely misaligned to meet the threats the military says it must counter in the 21st century, and it’s not correctly constructed to pursue its own strategy of “distributed maritime operations,” according to new study from the Center or Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. More.....
09 Jan 2020	Second evacuation by “Mallacoota Ferry” complete With the national bushfire emergency still ongoing, the Royal Australian Navy amphibious ship HMAS Choules has conducted a second evacuation from Mallacoota in Victoria’s East Gippsland region. A day after returning to the fire-ravaged area, Choules evacuated 280 more people, including 66 Country Fire Authority (CFA) firefighters. More.....
08 Jan 2020	Explainer: Could Iran close the Strait of Hormuz? Soaring tensions between Iran and the United States have reignited fears that the Strait of Hormuz could become a flashpoint as Tehran responds to the killing of its top general. Oil prices climbed on news of the fatal airstrike, reflecting concern that any fallout could disrupt shipping in the narrow seaway through which 21 percent of the world’s crude oil passes. More......
08 Jan 2020	HMAS Adelaide demonstrates capability during crisis The Royal Australian Navy’s largest ship, Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Adelaide has joined HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore in support of Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 19-20. The ship is now positioned in Twofold Bay near Eden and has been conducting liaison meetings with local authorities, police and fire crews. Medical staff have provided some initial first aid support to local communities and the ship has been preparing for all contingencies. More.....
08 Jan 2020	Vic business delivers new Defence capability A Melbourne small business will partner with Leidos Australia to deliver world-class chemical detection equipment for the Australian Defence Force. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, announced Moorabbin business Point Trading had secured the $7.4 million contract with Leidos Australia. More.....
07 Jan 2020	Australian Defence Force supporting Australia's farmers The Australian Defence Force continues its important work supporting emergency services with on the ground assistance to bushfire affected communities. This support will now extend to the essential task of livestock disposal in areas most severely affected. Minister for Agriculture, Bridget McKenzie, and Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, said it was important stock disposal began as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of contamination and disease, as well as to relieve a burden from the shoulders of farmers already stretched to capacity. More.....
06 Jan 2020	Royal Navy vessels to safeguard UK-flagged ships in Strait of Hormuz The UK’s Royal Navy would resume accompaniments of UK-flagged commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the country’s defense ministry said. The announcement comes amid the rising tensions in the region following the killing of Qassem Soleimani, an Iranian military commander, by the United States in Iraq on January 3. More.....
06 Jan 2020	Disaster assistance- bushfire crisis The impact of the bushfires is being felt across the nation, including by members of the veteran and defence communities. Health and safety is the priority during this time, and we encourage you to listen to the experts on how to be prepared. The ABC, as the national broadcaster, provides up-to-date information on all alerts and warnings. Further information is also available on each of the state government websites. More.....
06 Jan 2020	Choules prepares for return to Mallacoota HMAS Choules has now returned to Mallacoota, Victoria, to provide more support to the fire-ravaged coastal town from which she evacuated more than a-thousand people and 140 pets just days ago. After successfully disembarking the evacuated passengers at Western Port, the crew of the Royal Australian Navy amphibious ship conducted a quick turnaround to return to Mallacoota. More.....
06 Jan 2020	New era for Navy test and tactics development For many years the Royal Australian Navy Test and Evaluation Authority and the Australian Maritime Warfare Centre have served to ensure the Navy can fight and win at sea. Both organisations apply scientific, engineering and deep warfare experience to ensure we understand what our ships, submarines and aircraft are capable of and how we can get the most out of them. But it’s now time to take both organisations to the next level and meet the demands of a rapidly growing modern Navy. More.....
05 Jan 2020	Choules makes first delivery of evacuees to Western Port The Royal Australian Navy amphibious ship HMAS Choules arrived in Western Port, Victoria on 4 January 2020, having evacuated 1117 residents and holidaymakers from Mallacoota, following the devastating New Year’s Eve bushfires. The transit to Western Port took about 20 hours, during which time the evacuees had the opportunity to gain an insight into life at sea in a Navy ship, and enjoy some of Choules’ hospitality. More.....
04 Jan 2020	HMAS Adelaide will join bushfire evacuations The Royal Australian Navy’s largest and most capable amphibious ship, HMAS Adelaide, will depart Sydney this afternoon to assist in the combined bushfire efforts in the south east. HMAS Adelaide will join HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore for tasking across the affected regions. Commanding Officer HMAS Adelaide Captain Johnathon Ley and his crew are preparing for a 4pm departure from Garden Island this afternoon. More.....
04 Jan 2020	Sycamore delivers first wave of evacuees to safety The first 58 evacuees-by-sea from the fire-affected Victorian seaside town of Mallacoota arrived at the Bluescope Steel Wharf in Hastings this morning, delivered to safety by the Royal Australian Navy training ship MV Sycamore. Two dogs and a cat were also evacuated by Sycamore. The multi-role aviation training vessel is operated by Teekay Shipping in conjunction with the Royal Australian Navy. More.....
04 Jan 2020	Bushfire relief and recovery Our country is facing devastating and widespread national bushfires. They have been burning throughout the country for months now but today is shaping up as our most challenging day, with a state of emergency declared in NSW and Victoria while Tasmania and South Australia also face significant threats. More.....
04 Jan 2020	Navy Heroes Each month the Navy Victoria Network team has decided to salute a Australian Navy hero. Our first hero saluted in December 2019 is Lieutenant William Evan Crawford (Darby) ALLAN. William Evan Crawford Allan, 'Darby' to his shipmates, was born on 24 July 1899 in the then British colony of New South Wales, eighteen months before the Commonwealth of Australia came into being. His grandfather was one of the original settlers in the Bega region and as a child, Evan was brought up on a family property in nearby Upper Brogo. Interviewed in 2000, Evan highlighted the 1908 visit of the American Great White Fleet as influencing his desire to join the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). This ambition was realised on 13 March 1914 when Evan enlisted as a 14-year old Boy Second Class and began his naval career in the boys' training ship HMAS Tingira. Continued at......
02 Jan 2020	‘Prioritisation list’: Navy to evacuate hundreds trapped in Mallacoota, East Gippsland A naval ship has docked in waters off the Victorian town of Mallacoota to evacuate some of the 4000 people trapped by the deadly East Gippsland bushfires. HMAS Choules, which has the capacity to carry 700 troops, arrived off the coast on Thursday morning from Sydney and the first recovery craft was spotted shortly after 9.30am. More.....
02 Jan 2020	Husband and wife make patrol boat history A married couple in Darwin has become the first husband and wife in Royal Australian Navy history to command patrol boats at the same time. Lieutenant Commander Julia Griffin assumed command of HMAS Maitland on 6 December, while Lieutenant Commander Khan Beaumont has led HMAS Ararat for the past 18 months. More.....
01 Jan 2020	FlyBy A periodical of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia. January issue.....
01 Jan 2020	MV Sycamore joins the bushfire support teams
01 Jan 2020	Defence force and navy called upon amid bushfire crisis Bushfires in East Gippsland are continuing to burn this morning as some residents begin returning to properties and assessing the damage. Defence force helicopters and the Navy are being brought in to help tackle Victoria’s bushfire crisis amid serious fears on Tuesday night for four people missing in East Gippsland. More.....
01 Jan 2020	Happy New Year To all our members and families, we wish you a safe, healthy and happy 2020.

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The new Operation Life mobile application is designed to help those at risk deal with suicidal thoughts and is recommended to be used with the support of a clinician.

The High Res (High Resilience) app helps you manage stress, build resilience and optimise performance on the go.

The PTSD Coach Australia app can help you learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur after trauma.

ON TRACK with the Right Mix mobile app from the Department of Veterans Affairs helps you to keep track of the number and types of drinks you consume; the amount of money it's costing you and lets you know about the impact the alcohol has on your wellbeing and fitness levels.

Guide to the assessment of rates of veterans’ pensions
Guide to the assessment of rates of veterans’ pensions (GARP) is used to assess the extent of incapacity from war caused or defence caused injury or disease for the purposes of determining the rate of pension. Download.....

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Overview: Planning Ahead is a publication designed to help veterans and their families prepare for bereavement. There is also a checklist that can be used to record the contact details of important people, businesses and organisations that may need to be notified in case of your death. Download.....

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