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Latest News for our Navy Network Download the March edition of our newsletter BROADSIDE |
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BROADSIDE - March 2024 Edition NOTE: To read Broadside in Flipbook form, click on the "Full Screen" ![]() |
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28 March![]() The chief of the Australian Defence Force has issued an unreserved apology for "deficiencies" in providing wellbeing support and care for veterans during and after their service and says he is committed to "doing better". General Angus Campbell is appearing before the long-running Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which is in its final week of public hearings. He began his evidence with an opening statement which acknowledged failings. More..... |
28 March![]() In today's constantly evolving landscape, Defence relies heavily on the expertise and collaboration of its integrated workforce. To strengthen the capabilities of Defence Australian Public Service (APS) members and better prepare the workforce for the complex demands of the maritime domain, the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group (NSSG) developed Exercise Immerse. Head of Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm said Exercise Immerse goes beyond traditional experience programs and allows participants to build their knowledge, skills and networks. More..... |
27 March![]() Training the next generation of Navy officers has its challenges, but for Divisional Officer Lieutenant Dylan Root, it has been the most rewarding posting of his career. “I had a trainee from my first intake come up to me and say they never thought they would look up to someone younger than them,” he said. “You can't do much to train them for the rest of their lives in 15 weeks, but if we focus on turning them into a good human, then they'll treat their future colleagues with respect and help people.” More..... |
27 March![]() Six Army officers are undertaking the Accelerated Maritime Warfare Officer Course at HMAS Stirling in WA and HMAS Watson in NSW. Reflecting the most significant increase to Army's littoral maritime capability since World War 2, the training will enable the officers to command and manage the future fleet of littoral manoeuvre vessels. The trainees will develop seamanship knowledge, exploring the changing navigational environment and how tides affect the course and speed of a vessel, allowing them to maintain safe on-water operations to protect their vessels and crews, as well as other maritime vessels nearby. More..... |
26 March![]() A new contract worth £135m will equip the Royal Navy with new decoy launchers to counter missile and drone threats. The Ministry of Defence said this would ensure the "long-term availability and resilience of warships". It said Trainable Decoy Launcher technology would increase the protection of Royal Navy ships and sailors, further strengthening the Navy's ability to defend Britain’s interests across the world, including the Red Sea. More..... |
26 March![]() She might have grown up in the bush, but these days Leading Seaman Chloe Hearne is more at home on the water, whether that’s on ship or shore. It's been five years since she left the town of Gatton in Queensland's agricultural heartland to join Navy, and she is content to spend the next five years near water as well. Leading Seaman Hearne has just joined HMAS Yarra, one of four minehunter coastal (MHC) vessels, after stints on the guided missile destroyers HMA Ships Hobart and Sydney. More..... |
26 March![]() Returning to his home state of Tasmania on board HMAS Hobart for a freedom-of-entry parade was special for Petty Officer Cory Dyson. In his role as armoury manager, Petty Officer Dyson is the ship’s expert in parade and ceremonial, and he was essential for preparing ship’s company for their second freedom-of-entry through the streets of Hobart. “My role for the weekend was essentially conducting the preparation and training; going through the sequence of events for both the ceremonial sunset and the freedom-of-entry, then mentoring and training the colour guard, the 24-man guard and the ceremony of sunset guard,” Petty Officer Dyson said. More..... |
25 March![]() Returning to her hometown of Hobart for a freedom-of-entry parade was a career highlight for Lieutenant Renee Brelis. Joining the Navy in 2016, Lieutenant Brelis brought with her a love of teamwork, discipline and watersports from her days of rowing on the Derwent River. Those memories returned when she once again navigated the same river, this time on the bridge of HMAS Hobart. “Coming through the Derwent was the most surreal experience,” she said. More..... |
25 March Navy Aviation Technician Watch Leading Seaman Isaac Hayes give a rundown of what it's like working as an Aviation Technician for the Australian Navy |
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23 March![]() The U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin have developed and fielded software updates for destroyers shooting down Houthi missiles and drones in the Red Sea, thanks to a team of technical experts that mined data from all the shootdown events since October. The team studied engagements between U.S. ships and aircraft in the Middle East as well as threats posed by the Yemen-based militant group to understand how the fleet could tweak operations to better see and defeat drones and missiles. It also considered new capabilities the fleet might need for self-defense and to protect merchant ships. More..... |
23 March![]() The Chinese coastguard has hit a Philippine supply boat with water cannons in the South China Sea for the second time this month. China's coastguard said it had taken measures against Philippine vessels in the disputed waters on Saturday — while the Philippines decried the moves, including the use of water cannons, as "irresponsible and provocative". The Philippine task force on the South China Sea said in a statement that China's actions led to "significant damage" and injury to personnel on a civilian boat hired to resupply troops. More..... |
22 March![]() A Royal Navy-led ‘999 emergency centre’ has dealt with an ‘unprecedented’ rise in distress calls due to the Red Sea crisis. The team at the UK Maritime Trade Organisation, based on Portsdown Hill overlooking Portsmouth, are dealing with two or three reports of attacks and incidents daily – compared with monthly – as a result of the wave of attacks on shipping in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November. For the first time the UKMTO opened the doors of its headquarters to shed light on the efforts of its small team – just 18 strong – to help terrified or distressed sailors, guide other vessels to help out (or avoid the area) and work with international shipping companies to keep trade flowing. More..... |
21 March![]() A crowd of several thousand well-wishers and veterans joined state and local dignitaries to send off battleship USS New Jersey (BB-62) from its berthing on the Delaware River to a dry dock at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on Thursday. The second of the Iowa-class fast battleships, New Jersey served in World War II as the flagship for Adm. William “Bull” Halsey in the Pacific. The battle ship went on to serve in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and during the peacekeeping mission off the coast of Lebanon following the 1983 bombing of a barracks in Beirut that killed 241 Americans. During the battleship’s career, New Jersey earned 19 battle stars, making it the most decorated battleship in U.S. Navy history. More..... |
21 March![]() Visiting British ministers are expected to strengthen military ties with Australia this week by agreeing to work towards a new "status of forces" agreement, which the United Kingdom has only ever enacted with its NATO partners. On Thursday, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will be formally welcomed to Canberra by their Australian counterparts Penny Wong and Richard Marles ahead of the annual AUKMIN (Australia — United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations) talks. More..... |
20 March![]() From this month, eligible veterans and families are set to receive an increase in financial support when pension payments rise. Some pension recipients including veterans, their partners, war widows and widowers across Australia will see an increase to their pension payments from 20 March 2024, in line with the pension indexation process. For more information including a summary of pension rates, limits and allowances please visit the DVA Payment Rates page. The table below highlights the new fortnightly rates: More..... |
20 March![]() From working in the mining industry in Central Queensland to maintaining the engineering systems in Navy's fleet of minehunter coastal (MHC) vessels, Leading Seaman Andre Vink has followed an unconventional path to becoming a marine technician. As he conducts routine maintenance on HMAS Yarra within the picturesque HMAS Waterhen naval base on Sydney Harbour, he said he has never regretted the move. Leading Seaman Vink joined the Navy as a marine technician more than five years ago, after various roles in the mining industry over 12 years. More..... |
19 March![]() Talk to any of the crew in HMAS Yarra and the overwhelming take-away is the high level of professional and personal satisfaction there is within the ship and in the minehunter community. Following a scheduled maintenance period, the ship is in a work-up period and will shortly conduct at-sea assessments ranging from basic mariner safety through to high-end warfare, including a deep diving work-up with the other minehunter coastal (MHC) vessels at sea. Executive officer Yarra Lieutenant Jake Moir said morale on the ship was high going into the serials, and the crew members were all achieving their goals. More..... |
18 March![]() While momentum towards New Zealand joining up as an AUKUS Pillar II partner seems building, the country’s new defense minister tells Breaking Defense that any decision is likely a long time away. The first briefing of the relatively new, conservative government here on AUKUS took place in late February, during a visit by Australian defense officials to Wellington. But Judith Collins, New Zealand’s Minister of Defence said the discussion was a “background briefing only and not intended to address all of the issues of New Zealand joining. More..... |
18 March![]() Topside testing of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System has begun aboard the Navy’s second Ford-class aircraft carrier, the future John F. Kennedy. The new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, known as EMALS, is one of more than 20 new technologies installed aboard the Ford-class of carrier. The system propels aircraft from the flight deck and significantly reduces manning needs compared to the steam-powered catapult systems on Nimitz-class carriers. More..... |
18 March![]() Timor-Leste will receive two Guardian-class patrol boats in 2024 as part of Australia’s regional Maritime Security Program. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) naval component have partnered together to prepare the NRDTL Aitana and Laline crews for the patrol boat handover later this year. Sea Training Group has facilitated the international training program utilising PT Paluma – a decommissioned RAN hydrographic survey vessel. More..... |
16 March![]() With China increasingly aggressive around Philippine and Japanese territory, those two US allies are nearing important milestones in their plans to invest in new missiles that will extend the reach of their militaries in the Western Pacific. By the end of March, the Philippines expects to have its first BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles, and Japan plans to begin training its personnel to operate Tomahawk missiles. Those acquisitions reflect a growing belief across the region that the best way to counter China in a conflict is with stand-off weapons that could keep Chinese warships at bay. More..... |
16 March Royal Navy trialling new techniques to hunt and destroy mines in the Gulf The UK's mine countermeasures effort in the Gulf uses tried and tested techniques such as divers, but is also embracing modern technology such as autonomous vessels. |
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16 March![]() Led by Commanding Officer Libby Newman, the Young Endeavour crew are specially selected and trained to deliver a unique, challenging and inspirational experience at sea for young Australians. Each year they deliver up to 20 voyages, teaching around 500 young participants valuable leadership and communication skills, working together to sail along the Australian coast. Apply for 2024 Voyages here..... |
15 March![]() Our friends from U.S. Navy recently paid us a visit with USS Annapolis stopping in at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. The nuclear-powered submarine arrived for the second visit to Australia by a fast-attack submarine since the announcement of the #AUKUS Optimal Pathway in March 2023. |
15 March Nato flexes its muscles as huge 15-ship formation is led by Royal Navy aircraft carrier Two Nato task groups have joined up in a show of force of the alliance's naval capabilities as fighter jets flew overhead. The 15 ships are taking part in training off the coast of north Norway as part of Nato's biggest exercise in decades. |
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15 March![]() This is rush hour in South Georgia… Two, yes, two Royal Navy vessels operating side-by-side in waters off the remote South Atlantic island chain. Standing out sharply against the snowy, rocky backdrop, icebreaker HMS Protector. And blending in rather better with her surroundings thanks to her WW1 throwback ‘dazzle paint’ livery, patrol ship HMS Forth. Although the two ships are frequently found south of the Equator, they seldom meet, and almost never work together. More..... |
14 March![]() The Houthis plan to attack ships in the Indian Ocean, as they travel toward the Cape of Good Hope, the group announced on Thursday. Two Houthi spokesmen said that the Houthis will now target ships linked to Israel traveling in the Indian Ocean on the way to the Cape of Good Hope at the tip of South Africa. The Houthis say they are targeting ships linked to Israel, although they have also expanded to include American and British ships in retaliation for joint strikes conducted by the two countries. More..... |
14 March![]() Two potent task groups proved their strength to defend Arctic waters and shorelines from threats when they came together as part of NATO exercises. The UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, was joined by a NATO Amphibious Task Group and a range of aircraft off the coast of Norway as part of Exercise Nordic Response. The formation of more than 10 ships from eight nations gave the men and women on board the chance to practise close manoeuvres - overcoming language barriers and different ways of operating at sea. More..... |
14 March![]() Terminally ill Royal Navy veteran Toby Brann had his dying wish come true when he watched England beat Ireland 23-22 in the Six Nations at Twickenham. The 23-year-old, who has a rare form of cancer, met match-winner Marcus Smith and came away with a unique souvenir, the fly half’s England shorts. “The match was superb, England were awesome and the whole stadium was jumping - the atmosphere was terrific,” said Toby, who is now wheelchair bound. “I could not have wished for a better day and then to meet Marcus after the match and his amazing drop goal was just the icing on the cake.” More..... |
14 March![]() A brand-new French Navy offshore patrol vessel made a stop into Cairns during its participation in the US joint humanitarian assistance operation Pacific Angel. POM Auguste Bénébig, based in Nouméa since 2023, will undertake maritime patrols, fisheries enforcement, counter-narcotics trafficking, and search and rescue. Commanding Officer Auguste Bénébig Lieutenant Commander Jean-Francois Cabaret was looking forward to working with the Australian Navy. “It’s our first call here in Cairns on our mission fighting illegal activities around the vicinity of New Caledonia,” he said. More..... |
13 March![]() In 1998, the Royal Australian Navy afforded women the opportunity to enter the submarine service, affectionately known as the ‘silent service’. Australia was the fourth country to do so, and in 1999 the first female sailors were awarded their dolphins. Since then, Navy has achieved some momentous milestones, with women taking up positions including chief of the boat and executive officer of the boat. Petty Officer Sara Clarke is one of those, becoming the first female submariner to gain her Technical Charge Qualification. More..... |
09 March HMS Richmond shoots down two Houthi drones in first use of Sea Ceptor missiles HMS Richmond’s crew has used the ship’s Sea Ceptor missiles to shoot down two Houthi drones in the Red Sea. It marks the first surface-to-air engagement and use of Sea Ceptor missiles by a Type-23 frigate. |
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09 March![]() This International Women’s Day, the head of Defence Force School of Policing urged people to think about the person, not the gender. Commander Jocelyn Blowfield said Defence people should be treated equally because they all contribute to achieve the mission. “Your potential and opportunities should not be limited by your gender identity, or who you choose to love,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s about whether you’re a good human, whether you’re professional and competent at work, and your values.” More..... |
08 March![]() The Indian Navy activated its first MH-60R Sea Hawk squadron on Wednesday at INS Garuda in Kochi, marking an expansion in the service’s antisubmarine warfare capability. Indian Naval Air Squadron 334 is set to operate the new American-built helicopters, which are slated to place the service’s aging Sea King fleet, which, while continually updated and refurbished, has been serving in the Indian Navy since the 1970s. Signed in 2020, the more than $900 million deal with the U.S. included 24 Seahawks and sensors and weaponry. More..... |
08 March Royal Marine Commando explains how he's turning lives around, one dish at a time Royal Marine commando teaches young offenders to cook chicken fajitas. Despite leaving school without qualifications and having a rough start in life, he acknowledges the Marines for turning things around for him. |
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08 March![]() The Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship HMS Protector has completed a scientific and conservation mission to the Antarctic. The ship covered 7,000 nautical miles during its annual foray in the frozen continent, helping scientific research and environmental efforts in one of the world’s most remote and inhospitable regions. The mission – known as Operation Austral – upholds the UK’s commitment to the Antarctic Treaty, protecting this precious place from harm. Commanding Officer of HMS Protector, Captain Tom Weaver said: “We are reminded every day by the stunning wildlife and environment that surrounds us. Operating in Antarctica is a rare privilege. More..... |
07 March![]() The vessel, RFNS Puamau, was then gifted by the Australian Government to the Republic of Fiji Navy at a handover ceremony held at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. RFNS Puamau is the first of four Guardian-class Patrol Boats scheduled for delivery by Austal’s Western Australian shipyards in CY2024. The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project was awarded to Austal Australia in May 2016, with subsequent, contract options awarded in April 2018 and November 2022 taking the project to 22 vessels, valued at more than A$350 million, in total. More..... |
07 March![]() Head of the Australian Submarine Agency said Defence must act now to build a workforce for the future – setting a teenage school girl on the path to captain the first or second SSN (nuclear-powered attack submarine). Dubbo College senior Hannah Jonker didn’t expect to be told as much when sailors from HMAS Harman came to her school, during a tour of the NSW central west for Navy Week, and she asked about a career in nuclear propulsion. “I’m only 17, I was pretty nervous,” she said. By visiting regional schools, the group hoped to address the old-adage, you can’t be what you can’t see. More..... |
07 March![]() HMAS Hobart recently departed Cowper Wharf, Sydney, for a routine passage to Eden – a challenging navigation for the nearly 150m-long guided missile destroyer. It wasn’t until the ship was well underway, however, that it dawned on the crew: all key bridge and navigation roles were executed by women. Commanding Officer Hobart Commander Tina Brown said it was a subtle, but profound revelation. “The Navy has made so much progress for women in leadership roles that these sorts of activities have become common place,” she said. More..... |
OUR MARCH HERO Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey John CLIFF, OBE MBE GC & Bar RANVR ![]() In May 1941 Cliff made his way through the debris of a two-storey building at Bermondsey, London, to reach an unexploded parachute mine. A nearby mine or bomb detonated, nearly burying him in wreckage. Realising that the explosion had probably started the clockwork fuse of the parachute mine, he extricated himself and rendered it safe. On another occasion he dealt with a mine buried in 24 ft (7.31 m) of clay at Leysdown, Kent. This weapon was even more dangerous than usual as it had been badly damaged in its fall and was fitted with an anti-handling device operated by a photoelectric cell. Continue reading this fascinating story of a forgotten Navy hero..... |
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07 March![]() The defence and veterans' affairs ministers will today both give evidence under oath to a long-running inquiry into military suicides, while an organisation representing elite special forces soldiers claims it hasn't been given an opportunity to appear. Richard Marles and Matt Keogh will take the stand on Thursday in Sydney for a public hearing of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (RCDVS) which is due to deliver its completed report in September. More..... |
06 March![]() The Victorian Veterans Council - VVC are reviewing how they work with and advocate for veterans and ex-service organisations. We encourage all Victorian veterans to have their say and complete the Engagement Strategy survey before it closes this Sunday 10 March 2024. Read the strategy and provide your feedback now..... |
06 March![]() Ukraine claimed on Tuesday to have sunk another Russian warship in the Black Sea using high-tech sea drones, as Kyiv's forces continue to take aim at targets deep behind the war's front line. Russian authorities have not confirmed the sinking. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency said a special operations unit destroyed the large patrol ship Sergey Kotov overnight. The ship, which Ukraine said was commissioned in 2021 and was hit near the Kerch Strait, can reportedly carry cruise missiles and around 60 crew. More..... |
06 March![]() One simple step can “revolutionize surface warfare,” as U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro put it at the latest naval conference WEST in San Diego: rearming our warships at sea. Today the only way to reload vertical launching system cells — the mainstay of the Navy’s front-line warship — is to pull into port, often taking warships out of action for weeks at a time. Consider the situation in the Red Sea. For our Navy’s warships engaging the Houthi rebel group, reloading VLS cells would require a transit through the Suez Canal to ports in Greece or Italy, about 2,000 miles or more away. This lost time, under persistent Houthi attacks, proves this ability to reload underway is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. More..... |
06 March![]() Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough is overruling plans to ban the famous Times Square kiss photo marking the end of World War II from all department health care facilities, a move criticized as political correctness run amok. The ban was announced internally at VA medical facilities late last month in a memo from RimaAnn Nelson, the Veterans Health Administration’s top operations official. Employees were instructed to “promptly” remove any depictions of the famous photo and replace it with imagery deemed more appropriate. More..... |
05 March![]() Defence cooperation between Australia and Japan has yet to find its top gear but, after a cautious start, that relationship is in pole position among Australia’s regional security partnerships. The road ahead may soon lead into new and productive areas of cooperation though this is also likely to test comfort levels and appetite for risk to a sharper degree than before. Bilateral interaction between the two countries’ armed forces has visibly picked up over the past year. More..... |
05 March![]() HMS Prince of Wales and her crew witnessed a stunning display of the northern lights during Exercise Steadfast Defender – Nato's largest military exercise since the Cold War. Sailors working on the flight deck of the carrier captured the amazing sight on camera, a breathtaking show of pinks and greens lighting up the sky above their heads. The images show the embarked F-35 Lightning jets and Merlin helicopters silhouetted on the flight deck with the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, shining in the skies around them, off the coast of Norway. More..... |
05 March![]() Issued with an armband, steel helmet and gas mask, 16-year-old air-raid warden Ron Vickress was called on duty the night of 31 May 1942, when 3 Japanese midget submarines entered Sydney Harbour. One was entangled in anti-submarine nets, another fired at USS Chicago but missed, destroying HMAS Kuttabul, and the third was damaged by Allied fire. ‘My air raid precautions duty post wasn’t near the harbour, but four days later I saw the remains of one submarine lifted out of the water and plonked down onto the lawn of the Botanic Gardens in Farm Cove,’ he said. More..... |
05 March![]() Ninety community organisations, ex-service organisations, schools, and councils across Australia will receive a share in more than $1 million in grants through the latest round of the Albanese Government's Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program. These grants support essential local projects that commemorate the enduring service and sacrifices of our veterans and preserve Australia's rich military history. Grants have been awarded to large-scale projects such as the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum, which will host a commemorative art exhibition for the veteran community, through to local activities such as renovations and upgrades to the Soldiers Room at Mount Morgan Citizen's Club. More..... |
04 March![]() A Royal Navy warship seized £290.66m of cocaine and narcotics in two huge blows to drug runners in the Caribbean. British sailors, Royal Marines and a US Coast Guard team on HMS Trent intercepted a suspected smuggling speedboat south of the US Virgin Islands. The smugglers began jettisoning their illegal cargo as they fled towards land, but Trent, her fast sea boats and an American patrol aircraft gave chase – eventually recovering 94 bales of class-a narcotics, weighing 2,757kg and worth £220.56m. More..... |
01 March![]() During a recent trip to South Korea, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro pitched two of the country’s major shipbuilders to potentially set up shop stateside, according to statement from Del Toro’s office. “In each of these engagements, I brought to the table a simple, yet profound opportunity: invest in America. I was enormously gratified by the strong interest expressed by the leaders of each of these world-class shipbuilders in establishing U.S. subsidiaries and investing in shipyards in the United States,” Del Toro said. During the trip, the secretary met with executives from and toured the shipyards of Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. More..... |
01 March![]() Commemorative projects across the country are now eligible for a share in $3.5 million in grant funding as part of the 2024-25 Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program. From today, ex-service and community organisations can apply for a grant to commemorate the service and the sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel during wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Community Grants of up to $10,000 are available for community-based commemorative projects and activities, while Major Grants up to $150,000 are for initiatives that are significant from a national, state, territory or regional perspective. More..... |
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