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Latest News for our Navy Network Download the APRIL edition of our newsletter BROADSIDE |
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16 May 'Family
is everything'Living in Rockhampton, WA, with three children under six and a fiancé at sea, Kate Barry faces many daily challenges. As a military partner, she recognises nothing is more important than family. “Family is everything. Family is what you make it, and my support system when Josh is away is my created family,” Ms Barry said. Her fiancé, Chief Petty Officer Joshua Scanlon, has served in the Navy for almost 15 years, and is a Combat Systems Supervisor on HMAS Perth. More..... |
15 May HMAS
Sirius takes a final bowOne of the largest vessels in Australian history, HMAS Sirius, has been recycled. After 15 years’ service as a Royal Australian Navy fuel tanker – and two years since her decommissioning at HMAS Stirling, Perth, in December 2021 – the ship has now become scrap metal. Sirius is the largest vessel to be dismantled in Australia, with industry partner Birdon Group carrying out the process at the Australian Maritime Complex facility near Perth. More..... |
15 May HMAS
Hobart mothers celebrate away from homeOperational time at sea can be tough, not only for those serving in Navy but for the families and loved ones back home. Special days such as Mother’s Day highlight the sacrifices Defence members and their families make when these special moments can’t be shared in person. While on regional presence deployment, the crew of HMAS Hobart put together video messages for their mothers back home - messages of love, thanks and reassurance to mothers who have sacrificed much and contributed in a special way to the defence of Australia. More..... |
15 May New
breed of specialists joins the fleetHaving just completed nine months of intensive initial employment training (IET), the first streamed-on-entry communication specialist sailors (CIS-C) will now join the fleet. The inaugural IET CIS-C Session 001 commenced in May 2023, with 14 sailors training to work with modern and sophisticated communications technology. The role of a CIS-C is to establish strategic and tactical communication links between ships and shore establishments to generate naval power for the integrated force. More..... |
15 May Team
Australia announced for Warrior GamesThirty current and former-serving ADF personnel have been selected to compete at the 14th Warrior Games in Florida, US, in June. The US Department of Defense hosts the Warrior Games, which is an international adaptive sport competition for current and former military personnel who have become wounded, injured or ill during, or as a result of, their military service. The competitors will participate in adaptive sporting events such as archery, cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, shooting, indoor rowing and powerlifting. More..... |
14 May HMS
Spey teams up with South Korean ships and aircraft to patrol
Korean PeninsulaThe Royal Navy and its South Korean counterpart have been carrying out patrols around the Korean Peninsula in a first-of-its-kind joint operation. The operation follows the signing of the Downing Street Accord by the UK and Republic of Korea in November 2023 during the state visit by President Yoon Suk-Yeoul. HMS Spey patrolled alongside the South Korean military as one of two British Offshore Patrol Vessels deployed in the Indo-Pacific as part of the UK's permanent maritime presence in the region. More..... |
13 May Cyber
awareness at seaIn a shooting war at sea, the last thing someone might think about is cyber health, but with the way modern warships function, computers run it all. Attacks to ports and ships can no longer be thought of exclusively as bombs, bullets and missiles. Lead for Navy cyber hygiene Commander David Jarvis said cyber health could be as simple as not using geo tagging on your phone or making sure that only approved USBs are used on Defence systems. More..... |
13 May Former
ambassador advocates Japan to build RAN’s general purpose
frigatesThe former Japanese ambassador to Australia, Yamagami Shingo, has advocated for his country’s defence industry to build the Royal Australian Navy’s next general purpose frigates. Earlier this year, the Australian federal government announced the intended acquisition of 11 new general purpose frigates to complement the country’s combat-ready fleet of warships. More..... |
10 May 'Essential
contribution' of nurses recognisedIn recognition of International Nurses Day (May 12), the Australian Defence Force’s senior health leaders have paid tribute to the nurses who have made the ultimate sacrifice in conflict and to the enduring commitment of those caring for ADF personnel. The theme for the day – ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. The Economic Power of Care’ – emphasises that an investment in nursing creates healthy people and, by extension, healthy economies. In the ADF’s case, it drives a healthy force to deliver national defence capability. More..... |
09 May A
glimpse of life on the icePeople who think meteorologists in Australia are under pressure to get the forecast right should spare a thought for those working in frigid extremes with the Australian Antarctic Program. One of those was Lieutenant Holly Boubouras, a Navy meteorologist from the Maritime Geospatial Warfare Unit, deployed to Casey Station during four months over summer. She was one in a long line of Navy meteorologists who’ve filled a role each season since 2009. More..... |
Remembering Battle of Leyte Gulf/strong> |
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08 May Bravery
on the battlefield commendedThis Anzac Day was memorable for Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Gavin Stevens, who marched donning his Medal for Gallantry for the first time. Despite the prestigious honour, he humbly said it all came down to mateship. Expressing an interest in diving at a young age, a 19-year-old CPO Stevens joined the Navy and began his career as a clearance diver. On April 24, 2003, after many years of training to defuse a bomb, a real-life opportunity presented itself to him in a command capacity. More..... |
07 May 3D
printers the key to solutions at seaTogether, a 3D printer and an innovative technician have kept even the most troublesome inconveniences at bay for HMAS Warramunga. In fact, they have even created a few upgrades. Acquired in early 2023, this new capability stands out in the workshop on the Anzac-class frigate, and is quickly becoming the go-to tool to replace small parts as soon as they’re needed. From push-to-talk buttons and microphone holders to washing machine handles and a door chock for the coffee machine, almost every area and section of Warramunga has benefitted from the printer. More..... |
07 May Best
training for the worst situationsTwo sailors were winched to safety recently, as part of a rare Navy search-and-rescue (SAR) exercise during a Pacific deployment. SAR is the response to a distress situation to recover isolated personnel from life-threatening situations. This may require force elements ranging from a single asset to a complex personnel recovery task force. 816 Squadron Flight 607 tested the life-saving techniques with HMAS Stuart. More..... |
06 May Welcoming
a familiar voice abroadAustralians love travelling the world and connecting with other Australians while away, and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) members are no different. While at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickham, Hawaii, the ship’s company of HMAS Stuart was pleased to hear a familiar Australian accent when welcoming aboard a senior officer during their recent Pacific deployment last month. Rear Admiral Darren Grogan is embedded with the United States Navy as the United States Pacific Fleet Deputy Director Maritime Operations. More..... |
06 May A
special march for Tassie shipIt’s the highest honour a town can give a military unit. And for the crew of HMAS Huon, exercising freedom of entry at Huonville in Tasmania’s south-east was a fitting way to mark 25 years of service before the ship is decommissioned later this year. The ship’s recent history highlights the commitment of the men and women who have served in Huon. The minehunter was deployed at short notice to Operation Resolute in the nation’s north in February 2023. More..... |
05 May Our
First Look at Japan’s New XLUUV Submarine DroneThe new UUV named “Long Endurance UUV” is an experimental XLUUV which was first unveiled during DSEI Japan 2023. The UUV was build by Mitsubishi Heavy Industry (MHI) and it is being developed by the Naval Systems Research Center, one of the sections of ATLA. As Japan faces an aging society with a declining birthrate, it will become increasingly difficult to operate manned equipment. In particular, it will be difficult to train crews for submarines, and it may become difficult to maintain the number of vessels. Therefore, Japan is currently accelerating research and development of UUVs as a future complement to underwater defense capability. More..... |
04 May Families
of Taipan helicopter crash reveal final moments of their
loved ones in hope for closure"It's okay mummy, I'll find daddy." This is how five-year-old Noah calmly responded to his mother, when he first learned his father — a defence force helicopter pilot — was missing. His little sister Lily, 2, is yet to understand he's gone. She still presses the smart doorbell of the family's Sydney home, to see if daddy is on the other end to talk to her — like he used to be. More..... |
03 May Between
them, Australia, France and India can watch the Indian OceanAustralia, France and India ought to be cooperating more closely in the surveillance of the Indian Ocean through their valuably located islands, enhancing the awareness of each of country without additional cost. They should first share information that they’re already collecting, then move as soon as possible to coordinate their patrols, mostly by aircraft. Finally, they should share access to runways on their territories that together provide excellent access to the Indian Ocean. More..... |
03 May Australia's
navy chief confronts Chinese counterpart over 'unsafe' sonar
attack against HMAS ToowoombaThe chief of navy has used a rare face-to-face meeting with his counterpart in China to warn against continuing unsafe behaviour by the People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) in contested international waters near Australia. During an international naval conference held last week in the Chinese port city of Qingdao, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond also directly raised concerns with PLA-N Chief Admiral Hu Zhongming over last year's sonar attack on HMAS Toowoomba. More..... |
03 May New
details emerge of Russia’s potential nuclear space weaponThe Biden administration is taking to the bully pulpit to voice its conviction that Russia is moving to put a nuclear weapon in space designed to destroy satellites — with a senior State Department official for the first time today explaining that the concern is centered on a specific satellite development Moscow claims is aimed at testing electronics. More..... |
03 May Countering
China’s Red Dragon over the South China Sea There is little doubt that China’s maritime power has grown over the last several decades, with its fleet expected to reach 400 surface combatants by 2025. As they have developed, however, so has their bullish infringement on recognized international law, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Put simply, Beijing has clear disregard for international cooperation in, on and around the water, not just in the Pacific but worldwide. That’s a problem for countries who have to deal with it — but it represents an opportunity for the United States to strengthen its relationships with other nations as it seeks to build a geopolitical bloc against China’s expansionism. More..... |
03 May SECDEF
Austin Meets with Defense Chiefs from Australia, Japan and
the PhilippinesDefense chiefs from the U.S, Australia, Japan and the Philippines have agreed to increase joint activities, including military exercises, following a quadrilateral meeting on Thursday in Hawaii. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated in a press conference following the meeting that the chiefs were meeting because all four countries shared a common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific and their continued collaboration would lead to realizing that vision. “We also want to pursue coordinated security assistance to the Philippines that will boost interoperability and help the Philippines achieve its defense modernization goals,” said Austin. More..... |
03 May Australian
sailor recognised by US NavyDeployed on Operation Manitou in Bahrain, Leading Seaman Tahlia Lemon has been recognised by the Commander of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) for her support of personnel working in the region. In a letter of commendation from the CMF Commander and Commander US 5th Fleet, United States Navy, Vice Admiral George Wikoff, Leading Seaman Lemon was congratulated for her significant efforts in support of Australian personnel and members from coalition partners deployed to the region as part of CMF. More..... |
02 May Samoan
children thrilled by Navy visitThe crew of HMAS Stuart recently gave joy and much-needed maintenance to a Samoan preschool while on a Pacific regional presence deployment. When the ship arrived in Apia for the final international port visit of its deployment, a contingent of crew members volunteered to engage with the local community to assist where they could and strengthen international relations between Australia and Samoa. The detachment visited the Missionary Infant Preschool to spend time with the children and provide maintenance support. More..... |
01 May Deployment
proves relationships are everythingAn excited toddler repeatedly asks, “Is my dad on that ship?” Minutes later he’s scooped into his father’s arms, a happy reunion after 96 days away from home. Family and friends crowded the wharf at Fleet Base East on April 29 to welcome HMAS Warramunga home after its regional presence deployment to India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and the Philippines. Commanding Officer Warramunga Commander Jennifer Graham said the deployment was an important opportunity to strengthen multilateral maritime cooperation. More..... |
01 May The Fujian sets sail for initial sea trialsChina's newest aircraft carrier, which features a next-generation electromagnetic catapult, has set sail for her maiden sea trials. The Fujian, China's third aircraft carrier, left Shanghai's Jiangnan Shipyard at around 8am local time. The sea trials will test the carrier's propulsion and electrical systems, as well as assess the living conditions for the crew, according to an expert quoted in Chinese media. More..... |
01 May China
fires water cannons at Philippine ships in South China SeaChinese coast guard ships fired water cannons at two Philippine patrol vessels Tuesday near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, damaging both in the latest flare-up in an increasingly tense territorial conflict. A Philippine coast guard ship and an accompanying fisheries vessel were patrolling the waters off Scarborough Shoal when four Chinese coast guard ships, backed by six suspected militia ships, executed dangerous blocking maneuvers, Philippine coast guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said. More..... |
01 May Royal
Marines continue fight against knife crimeRoyal Marines and sailors put youngsters from Leeds through a tough fitness session as part of efforts to tackle knife crime. The personnel are working with the Weapons Down, Gloves Up initiative to help stop children getting involved in knife crime and gang culture. Bad Company Gym in Leeds hosted the first of the campaign’s events in Yorkshire, which saw dozens of young people go through fitness, discipline and martial arts training. More..... |
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BROADSIDE - APRIL 2024 Edition NOTE: To read Broadside in Flipbook form, click on the "Full Screen" 
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