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Latest News for our Navy Network Download the DECEMBER edition of our newsletter BROADSIDE |
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16 January Chilean
commander who rescued Shackleton’s crew remembered by
sailors of HMS ProtectorThe commander of the ship which rescued sailors from Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance has been recognised by the UK during icebreaker HMS Protector’s port stop in Chile. The Chilean Navy pilot, Luis Pardo, carried out a heroic rescue of Shackleton’s men from the ill-fated Endurance, who had been trapped for many months on Elephant Island – their refuge following the loss of their ship in the pack ice of the Weddell Sea during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Pardo and his crew on the cutter Yelcho took huge risks to save the British sailors. More..... |
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16 January Report:
Chinese scientists have dabbled in undersea cable-cutting
techChinese scientists have been researching ways to cut undersea cables since at least the late 2000s, according to a recent report in the U.S. magazine Newsweek. The revelation comes amid a series of events in which undersea infrastructure in geopolitically tense regions was damaged under unclear circumstances. Reporters at Newsweek uncovered two patent applications Chinese researchers filed for towed undersea cable-cutting devices and associated methods to inflict such damage. More..... |
16 January India
launches submarine, warships to counter China in Indian
OceanIndia’s navy on Wednesday simultaneously launched a submarine, destroyer and frigate built at a state-run shipyard, underscoring the importance of protecting the Indian Ocean region through which 95% of the country’s trade moves amid a strong Chinese presence. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that the Atlantic Ocean’s importance has shifted to the Indian Ocean region, which is becoming a center of international power rivalry. More..... |
15 January Chinese
military delegation to make rare visit to Japan, experts see
pre-Trump prepFor the first time in five years, China has sent a sizable military delegation to Japan for a week-long visit. The purpose of the visit by a delegation from the Eastern Theater Command, according to a Monday statement from the Chinese military, is to “strengthen mutual understanding and trust, while advancing defense exchanges between the two countries.” More..... |
15 January Claims
processing data – December 2024 The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) continues to process outstanding claims as quickly as possible, to deliver much needed help to veterans and families sooner. As part of our commitment to routinely, publicly, and meaningfully reporting on claims processing progress, each month DVA releases updated data via the claims processing page. A snapshot of December 2024: More..... |
15 January Navy
shipbuilding plan would cost $1 trillion over the next 30
yearsFor the U.S. Navy to achieve a proposed plan to expand its fleet of battle force ships, the service would need to spend $40.1 billion on shipbuilding every year through 2054, for a total of more than $1 trillion, according to new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office. Over the next 30 years, the Navy wants to grow its fleet of battle force ships to 381 to face swelling global threats, according to the service’s most recent proposal. There are currently 295 in the fleet, and that number is expected to drop to 283 ships in 2027, when the Navy is planning to retire 13 more ships than it will commission. More..... |
15 January China
pushing Philippines ‘to the wall’ with sea aggression:
ManilaA Philippine security official said Tuesday that China is “pushing us to the wall” with growing aggression in the disputed South China Sea and warned that “all options are on the table” for Manila’s response, including new international lawsuits. A large Chinese coast guard ship patrolled the hotly disputed Scarborough Shoal in recent days and then sailed toward the northwestern coast of the Philippines on Tuesday, coming as close as 77 nautical miles, Philippine officials said in a news conference. More..... |
15 January NATO
launches Baltic patrol mission, eyes standard for detaining
shipsFollowing a series of sabotage incidents against underwater infrastructure, NATO has launched a maritime patrol mission in the Baltic Sea that will include frigates, naval drones, submarines and surveillance aircraft in a show of force against a shadowy fleet of vessels suspected of doing Moscow’s bidding. The operation, dubbed “Baltic Sentry,” will dispatch national contributions as well as joint assets to the strategically located body of water. More..... |
14 January Invictus
reignites sailor's passionBilateral cartilage issues in both knees and multiple musculoskeletal injuries prematurely ended Callan McLean’s naval career and recreational sporting pursuits in 2023. However, thanks to the Invictus Games and his introduction to adaptive sports, his dreams to re-engage with sport for physical and mental vitality have become a reality. And much to the former maritime logistics chef and physical training instructor’s surprise, he will once again represent his country on the world stage. More..... |
14 January Honouring
their ServiceService, bravery, integrity, respect, and excellence. These are the ideals that the Australian Defence Force stands for, and reflect how we honour our current and former serving personnel. In this spirit, 55 organisations from around the country will share in more than $770,000 funding as part of the first round of the Albanese Government’s 2024-25 Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program. This grant program funds projects that not only pay tribute to those who have served in our ADF, it also educates local communities on the defence of Australia, and our people at war. More..... |
10 January When
a sonar image reveals a piece of historyThe discovery of a World War 2 aircraft off the Northern Territory coast highlights one of the many benefits of surveying conducted by Defence's Australian Hydrographic Office. It was a routine hydrographic survey that uncovered a World War 2 Beaufort Bomber aircraft off the coast of Darwin, much to the excitement of those involved. The aircraft, lost during a mission in 1944, was found during a survey of the area conducted as part of the HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program (HIPP) of the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO). More..... |
10 January China
Suddenly Building Fleet Of Special Barges Suitable For
Taiwan LandingsAnyone wondering what an invasion of Taiwan might look like now has a fresh visual clue. Defence analysts watching Chinese shipyards have noticed an increase in a particular type of vessel. A number of special and unusual barges, at least 3 but likely 5 or more, have been observed in Guangzhou Shipyard in southern China. These have unusually long road bridges extending from their bows. This configuration makes them particularly relevant to any future landing of PRC (People’s Republic of China) forces on Taiwanese islands. More..... |
09 January Scientist
on HMS Protector uncovering the impact of plastic waste on
AntarcticaA scientist aboard a Royal Navy icebreaker is uncovering the damage plastic waste is having on Antarctica. As part of efforts to preserve one of the world’s most unique and fragile environments, critical work has been carried out by researchers from the University of Portsmouth aboard polar research vessel HMS Protector. The United Nations estimates that more than eight million metric tonnes of plastic enter the planet’s oceans every year, posing a severe threat to global ecosystems. More..... |
08 January Innovation
for security: why Australia needs its own DARPAAustralia should establish a national centre for breakthrough technologies along the lines of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). An Australian Advanced Research Projects Agency (AARPA) is needed to stay competitive with other powers in the Indo-Pacific in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and biotechnology. China, well aware of the power of state guidance and funding for high-risk, high-reward technological development, aims to position itself as a world leader in those technologies. More..... |
07 January Joint
European force launches AI-enabled tool to track Russia's
shadow fleet, monitor undersea cablesThe multinational Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) has activated a new operation centered around a UK-led and artificial intelligence (AI) based reaction system capable of assessing threats to undersea cables and monitoring movements of Russia’s shadow fleet. Dubbed Nordic Warden, the operation began last week, said the UK Ministry of Defence in a Monday statement and follows reports of a Russian oil tanker suspected of causing damage to the Estlink undersea cable in the Baltic Sea. More..... |
07 January HMAS
Brisbane returns home after milestone deploymentAround 200 officers and sailors from HMAS Brisbane returned to Sydney after a five-month deployment, which included the successful launch of Australia’s first-ever Tomahawk cruise missile off the US coast. The deployment also included joint exercises with the US Navy and scheduled maintenance at the US Naval Base in San Diego, overall marking a significant milestone in strengthening the Australian Defence Force’s capabilities. Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Chris Smith, AM, CSM, RAN said the activity was a demonstration of Australia’s commitment to allies in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. More..... |
07 January The
next Australian government needs a bolder plan for the navyThe past year brought a renewed focus on Australia’s deteriorating security situation and maritime capability. Despite the maritime emphasis in Australia’s 2024 defence announcements, the country remains far from being adequately positioned to defend its extensive sea lines of communication, subsea cables and broader national interests at sea. With a federal election due by May, the next Australian government must spend on the navy, address the capability gaps and make timely decisions on future capability. More..... |
06 January Milestone
moment for joint pilot trainingActing Sub-Lieutenant Natika Dunn has made history as the first Navy trainee to graduate with wings from 1 Flying Training School at RAAF Base East Sale. “It’s amazing to be the first Navy graduate here on the east coast,” Acting Sub-Lieutenant Dunn said. "Being able to complete all my training on the east coast provided a quicker training pipeline, giving us continuous training throughout and support from the same instructors the whole way through. I am incredibly happy, it’s been a big year and a half to get here.” More..... |
06 January Japan
Facing Most Complex Security Environment Since World War II,
Warn Military LeadersJapan’s military chiefs are warning that the country faces its most severe and complex security environment since World War II, attributing the outlook to China, Russia, North Korea and instability in the Middle East. The chiefs vowed to strengthen the Japanese military’s deterrence and response capabilities along with increasing cooperation with allies and like-minded countries in 2025 in their New Year’s message. More..... |
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January OUR JANUARY HERO Rear Admiral Galfry George Ormond GATACRE CBE DSO DSC* MiD  Galfry
George Ormond Gatacre saw action in both the Second World
War and the Korean War, for which he was awarded the
Distinguished Service Order and twice awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross. He was born on 11 June 1907 at Wooroolin,
Queensland, second son of Reginald Henry Winchcombe Gataker,
an English-born farmer, and his wife Christian Esson, née
Gordon, from Scotland. In 1930 he changed the spelling
of his surname to Gatacre by deed poll. He was
educated at home, then as a boarder at the Church of England
Grammar School, Brisbane, and subsequently at Brisbane Boys’
College after his family moved to the city. Inspired
by his godfather, Admiral Sir Reginald Tupper, RN, he
developed an interest in the sea. In 1921 he entered
the Royal Australian Naval College, Jervis Bay, Federal
Capital Territory. One of two Chief Cadet Captains in
his final year (1924), he graduated with colours for
cricket, rugby union football and tennis.Appointed Midshipman on 15 May 1925, Gatacre served in a variety of RAN and Royal Navy ships in the Far East and Mediterranean. He was promoted to Sub Lieutenant in April 1928 and, after further training in Britain, was posted to HMAS Canberra in November as a Watchkeeping Officer. Made Lieutenant in January 1930, he became Flag Lieutenant to the Commodore commanding the Australian Squadron in May 1931. He continued to play sport and had notable success at cricket as a spin bowler; he had played for the Royal Navy in 1928 and came to the notice of some Australian state cricket coaches, but shied away from higher grade cricket. Read all about his most distinguished career..... |
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06 January What’s
in a name? Regional and global tier one and two combatants
raise questionsAs we officially mark the halfway point of the 2020s, it is becoming clear that Australia’s Navy is in an ever more precarious position despite the findings of the Surface Fleet Review, with serious questions needing to be asked about our major surface combatants. The 2024 Australian Surface Fleet Review marks a pivotal moment in shaping the future of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as it navigates an increasingly complex and contested maritime environment. More..... |
03 January Harry
Chandler, Navy medic who survived Pearl Harbor, dies at 103Harry Chandler, a Navy medic who helped pull injured sailors from the oily waters of Pearl Harbor after the 1941 Japanese attack on the naval base, has died. He was 103. The third Pearl Harbor survivor to die in the past few weeks, Chandler was a hospital corpsman 3rd class on Dec. 7, 1941, when waves of Japanese fighter planes dropped bombs and fired machine guns on battleships in the harbor and plunged the U.S. into World War II. More..... |
02 January Naval
World War II bomb disposal expert Boyd dies aged 100England has lost one of the last links with brave men who sought to make post-war Europe safe with the passing of Boyd Salmon at the age of 100. Mr Salmon was one of the last surviving members of specialist Royal Navy teams of bomb disposal/mine warfare experts neutralising the vast quantities of unexploded ordnance which littered former battlegrounds. He had originally joined the Navy as a rating, aged 17, and served on Atlantic convoys as well as in the Mediterranean before being selected to become an officer, commissioning on Trafalgar Day 1944. More..... |
01 January Cooking
and 'cool experiences' at seaReluctant to drop names, Leading Seaman Mitchell Constable cooked for Leonardo DiCaprio and Baz Luhrmann during the filming of The Great Gatsby as a civilian, but found cooking for sailors more rewarding. After dreaming of becoming a chef since the age of seven, training at a leading culinary school and spending years working 60 to 70-hour weeks in Sydney, Leading Seaman Constable made a sea change. It was the grind of living pay cheque to pay cheque and living in share houses that wore thin, leading him to join the Navy in 2020. More..... |
01 January Anniversary
march honours horrific 1945 trek faced by naval and RAF
prisonersWartime Fleet Air Arm aviators will be honoured when 30 descendants and families march for 60 miles through Poland and Germany – as thousands of prisoners of war did 80 years ago. The small group will recreate an horrific trek by 10,000 prisoners made in snow and temperatures as low as -25C from the former Stalag Luft III camp – renowned the world over as the setting for the Great Escape – and the town of Spremberg, where the march ended in January 1945. More..... |
01 January HMS
Somerset shadows Russian task group past UK over Christmas
holidaysThe Royal Navy has kept a constant watch on a Russian naval group throughout the Christmas holidays as it sailed past the British Isles. Nearly 200 crew of frigate HMS Somerset were recalled to their ship in Devonport Naval Base on Christmas Day and sailed on Friday December 27, making best speed to meet up with the corvette RFS Soobrazitelny and her two support vessels, MV Sparta II and MV General Skobelev. More..... |
01 January Chinese
Warships, Aircraft Deploy in Strength to Scarborough ShoalChinese air and naval forces staged “combat readiness patrols” around Scarborough Shoal last Sunday, marking Beijing’s final major show of strength against Manila over the disputed South China Sea maritime feature in 2024. According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, the snap People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command drills were conducted to “resolutely safeguard China’s national sovereignty and security, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.” More..... |
01 January Mogami
frigate – ‘fast and stealthy, like a ninja’During a pre-Christmas visit to Japan, a small group of Australian journalists were given unprecedented access to one of two contenders for SEA 3000 – the Mogami FFM frigate, the upgraded version of which is being offered to the RAN. The ship is impressive, with high levels of crew automation and a stealthy design that will make it difficult to detect and target. The government of Japan has guaranteed delivery of the first ship to Australia in 2029 – one of the key requirements for the General Purpose Frigate (GPF) project. More..... |
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We at NVN wish all our members and readers a
very happy, healthy and safe New Year.  |
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BROADSIDE - DECEMBER 2024 Edition NOTE: To read Broadside in Flipbook form, click on the "Full Screen" arrows. |
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