News & Articles of Interest

HMAS Cerberus Facebook page For all the latest news coming out of Cerberus, visit their Facebook page.....
30 Dec 2017	Royal Australian Navy nets huge illegal drug shipment in the Middle East The crew of the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Warramunga have spent the Christmas season hard at work, spending nearly three days seizing almost eight tonnes of hashish and 69 kilograms of heroin from drug smugglers while conducting maritime security operations in the Arabian Sea. Warramunga intercepted and boarded three suspect vessels between 27 and 29 December 2017, in an operation planned and coordinated by the Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) which is currently commanded by Australia—supported by a combined Australian-Canadian staff. More.....
26 Dec 2017	Young Endeavour to join the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Fleet STS Young Endeavour is joining a race on every sailor’s bucket list, the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. While the 44 metre brigantine won’t be chasing line honours, she will play an important support role acting as the standby radio relay ship. Lieutenant Commander Mike Gough, Commanding Officer Young Endeavour said the southern ocean could throw up many perils, so the role of the Royal Australian Navy’s sail training ship was important. More.....
23 Dec 2017	Life's work dedicated to finding the men of HMAS AE1 The former Royal Australian Navy senior officer who has made finding HMAS AE1 his life's work says he will remember the moment the submarine was finally found off PNG this week with mixed emotions. The survey team in Papua New Guinea that found AE1 had not even settled into a daily rhythm before the first sign of the lost submarine emerged. Expedition leader, retired Rear Admiral Peter Briggs, said he was in his cabin as the autonomous underwater vehicle was retrieved from its first mission and the data was downloaded. More.....
23 Dec 2017	NVN's December Newsletter - download..... NOTE from Webmaster: If you are a member and haven't been notified that your monthly newsletter is available to download, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date.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.
22 Dec 2017	New image sheds new light on AE1;s final resting place This haunting new image of the Royal Australian Navy’s first submarine HMAS AE1 is providing researchers with valuable new clues about the final moments of the boat and her 35 crew. Compiled by search company Fugro overnight, the shot clearly shows damage to AE1’s hull but its too soon to say how the submarine sank. More.....
22 Dec 2017	Britain’s second aircraft carrier afloat for the first time UK Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has been floated and moved to her fitting-out berth at Rosyth, the navy informed. In an overnight operation, sluices were opened and water gradually filled the dry dock, specially enlarged for the 65,000-tonne warship and her older sister HMS Queen Elizabeth. More.....
21 Dec 2017	‘FOUND’ - Australian Navy Submarine HMAS AE1 located after 103 years Australia’s first submarine HMAS AE1 has been found, ending a 103 year maritime mystery. The fate of 800 ton AE1 and her 35 crew members has remained one of the persistent mysteries of Australia’s military history. It was the first loss for the Royal Australian Navy and the first Allied submarine loss in World War I; a significant tragedy felt by our nation and our allies. The Royal Australian Navy submarine was lost off Rabaul on 14 September 1914 with all personnel aboard. More.....
20 Dec 2017	Chief of Navy’s Christmas message This Christmas Navy personnel are deployed across the region and the globe, and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett reflects on the work of Navy people in 2017. “Navy has achieved a number of significant milestones this year through our people and capability developments; a year of which we can certainly be proud. We have generated and deployed self-supported and sustainable task groups, equipped with a wide range of capabilities, from highend warfighting to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. More.....
19 Dec 2017	Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth taking on water The recently-commissioned Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is taking on water due to a propeller shaft leak, the Royal Navy has confirmed. A Royal Navy spokesman said the issue with a shaft seal has been identified during the carrier’s sea trials earlier this year. The Royal Navy said the ship would be repaired while alongside at Portsmouth without needing to go into dry dock. It was further noted that the ship’s further sea trials schedule would not be affected. More.....
19 Dec 2017	Thales teams with Australian offshore engineering firm for submarine research Australian offshore and maritime engineering company AMOG Technologies has received a contract from Thales for work on new research into stealth technology for submarine periscopes and optronic masts. Announced by the Australian defense industry minister Christopher Pyne, the contract will see the Melbourne-based firm working with Thales on the first phase of a technology evaluation study. More.....
18 Dec 2017	Argentine Navy head fired after ARA San Juan submarine disappearance Argentina has fired the head of the country’s navy in what is the first known disciplinary action related to the vanishing of submarine ARA San Juan in November this year. Argentine Navy Admiral Marcelo Eduardo Hipólito Srur was relieved by the country’s defense minister, a government spokesperson said on December 16. More.....
15 Dec 2017	Navy holds 2017 Ceremonial Divisions HMAS Canberra, one of the two biggest ships in the Royal Australian Navy, on Friday hosted a grand ceremony which saw 1,500 officers and sailors take part in the Australian Fleet’s 2017 Ceremonial Divisions. Sydney Harbour provided the backdrop as personnel from East based ships and shore establishments gathered in their summer uniform. The divisions were reviewed by Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer who said the occasion marked a successful – and significant – year. More.....
15 Dec 2017	No discharge without documentation Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan today announced the Coalition Government had honoured its 2016 election commitment that all personnel leaving the ADF would have access to their necessary personal documentation prior to discharge to facilitate a smooth transition to civilian life. Mr Tehan said the Coalition had promised a ‘No discharge without documentation’ policy at the 2016 election to ensure all ADF personnel had the necessary documentation to claim benefits from other government agencies, including DVA. More.....
15 Dec 2017	Reparation for survivors of Defence abuse Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, today announced the introduction of the Defence Reparation Scheme for survivors of Defence abuse. All complaints of abuse in Defence made to the Defence Force Ombudsman (DFO) will now include an assessment for a reparation payment. The DFO will now commence assessing complaints already received since their role was expanded. The Ombudsman may recommend a payment in relation to a complaint of abuse if satisfied that: More.....
15 Dec 2017	Navy League of Australia(Vic-Tas Div) December newsletter is now available to download.....
14 Dec 2017	Russia advances Syrian naval base plans Russian president Vladimir Putin has submitted a draft bill to the lower house of the Russian Federal Assembly which would see Russia develop a fully functional naval base at the Syrian port of Tartus. The port is already in use by Russian warships which have been making port calls there since 1977. Under the new agreement with Syria, which the Russian legislators plan to ratify by the end of 2017, the estate would be upgraded from a refueling facility to a permanent naval base capable of hosting larger ships, including Russia’s sole aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov. More.....
14 Dec 2017	US Marines unmanned resupply helicopter aces final flight demonstration The US Marine Corps’ unmanned helicopter has completed a successful final flight demonstration at Marine Corps Base Quantico, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) announced. The unmanned helicopter enhances autonomy options for the Marine Corps and was developed as part of the Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS) program. AACUS will enable the Marine Corps to rapidly resupply forces on the front lines using technology sponsored by ONR. More.....
14 Dec 2017	CEC sensor-netting system ready for Australian Navy air warfare destroyers US defense contractor Raytheon announced it has completed design, development and testing of its Cooperative Engagement Capability system which will provide the Australian Navy’s new Hobart-class destroyers with enhanced air warfare capabilities. The systems are yet to be certified by the US Navy, however, before their first international installation. Once onboard the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Hobart, CEC will expand the ship’s battlespace awareness by sharing sensor data among a network of other Australian and allied CEC-equipped ships and aircraft. More.....
14 Dec 2017	Naval Group issues first RFIs for Australia’s Future Submarines French shipbuilder Naval Group has released first expressions of interest (EOIs) and requests for information (RFIs) for major equipment and common technologies on the Royal Australian Navy’s Future Submarine program. “We are seeking Australian companies to take part in the largest defense acquisition project in Australia’s history, a project that will span 50 years,” said Brent Clark, Interim CEO of Naval Group Australia. More.....
14 Dec 2017	ADF's newest leaders graduate from ADFA Over 260 officer cadets and midshipmen graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra today, prepared to serve our nation with distinction. The Commandant of ADFA, Brigadier Cheryl Pearce, said the dedication and maturity of the 2017 graduating class will ensure they excel as leaders of the Australian Defence Force. More.....
13 Dec 2017	Australian government announces $20m contract for destroyer sustainment The Australian government on December 13 announced a AU$20 million contract for the upkeep of Royal Australian Navy air warfare destroyers. The contract, awarded to BAE Systems and Raytheon Australia, will see the creation of 50 new jobs at Raytheon’s Macquarie Park facility in Sydney. More.....
13 Dec 2017	Navy supports breastfeeding mothers in the workplace Navy has emphasised support for women returning to work after the birth of a child with the launch of a guide to breastfeeding in the workplace. Deputy Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Michael Noonan, with support from the Navy Women’s Strategic Advisor, launched ‘The Navy Guide to Breastfeeding in the Workplace’ to clearly articulate the value Navy places on supporting women returning from maternity leave. More.....
13 Dec 2017	Support services for veterans open over Christmas Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Simon Lewis said today that crucial support services for the veteran community will continue to be available throughout the Christmas and New Year period. Mr Lewis said that providing veterans with continued access to support services was particularly important during this festive time of year because it can be a challenging period for many veterans. More.....
12 Dec 2017	Second Zumwalt destroyer aborts builder’s trials due to electrical problems Electrical issues forced the US Navy’s second Zumwalt-class destroyer Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) to abort builder’s trials just one day after leaving the shipyard. The future USS Michael Monsoor got underway from the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works site on December 4 but was forced to return on December 5 after experiencing problems with the electrical systems. The problems were caused by a harmonic filter aboard the ship, USNI News reported. More.....
12 Dec 2017	More protection for Reservists Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan said the nation’s 39,000 Reservists would be better protected by recent changes to legislation. Mr Tehan said amendments to the Defence Reserve (Protection) Act 2001 would provide Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reservists with an unprecedented level of protection when they were absent from their civilian employment or academic studies to undertake Reserve duty. More.....
12 Dec 2017	Canadian submarine joins US, JMSDF ships in Japan A Royal Canadian Navy submarine recently became the first non-US/Japanese naval vessel to join the ‘Annual Exercise’ – a premier bilateral exercise carried out between the navies of Japan and the US. This year, for the first time since its inception, the exercise saw the participation of a country other than US and Japan. The crew of HMCS Chicoutimi, a Victoria-class hunter-killer (SSK) submarine, got the honor of presenting the Canadian Navy at the Annual Exercise which took place in the waters surrounding Okinawa in mid-November. More.....
12 Dec 2017	Major commemorative grants announced Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today announced three projects commemorating Australia’s wartime history would share in more than $185,000 of grant funding. Mr Tehan said the latest round of major commemorative grants under the Saluting Their Service program would allow ex-service organisations to honour Australia’s military history in their own unique way. More.....
11 Dec 2017	Australia bolsters naval shipbuilding workforce retention strategy In a bid to keep as many skilled naval shipbuilders within the industry, the Australian defense industry minister announced that shipbuilders currently working on the air warfare destroyer project would transition to support Collins-class submarine sustainment work as the destroyer project winds down. To enable this, up to 200 new positions will be created within ASC Submarines in Adelaide. More.....
11 Dec 2017	Community groups benefit from grants funding Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today announced that 82 community projects honouring Australian service men and women would share more than $210,000 in Government grant funding. Mr Tehan said the funding would help local community groups to build and preserve memorials, hold commemorative events and undertake activities that teach younger generations about Australia’s wartime history. More.....
11 Dec 2017	Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victorian Chapter) President's December Musings are now available to download.....
10 Dec 2017	Young Endeavour races to 30th birthday The countdown is on as the Royal Australian Navy operated tall ship Young Endeavour approaches her 30th birthday, with celebrations planned in Sydney. The 44-metre brigantine was the bicentenary gift from Britain to the people of Australia. Commanding Officer Young Endeavour, Lieutenant Commander Mike Gough said the ship was an important gift between the nations. More.....
07 Dec 2017	Navy farewells HMAS Darwin after 33 years of service The Royal Australian Navy has decommissioned the Adelaide Class frigate, HMAS Darwin, at her homeport of Garden Island, Sydney, after more than three decades of service to the nation. In a ceremony full of tradition, Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, paid tribute to the service of the ship’s company past and present. “HMAS Darwin has laid down a proud history over her 33 years,” Vice Admiral Barrett said. More.....
07 Dec 2017	Australia Post outlets being trialled as additional contact points for veterans and their families The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has launched its first information point at Australia Post’s Woden outlet as part of a trial to increase awareness of the services and programs available to veterans and their families. “The trial is part of DVA’s Veteran Centric Reform (VCR) program and will focus on reaching and engaging with veterans, former serving members and their families who have not had any prior contact with the department,” DVA Chief Operating Officer, Liz Cosson AM, CSC said. More.....
07 Dec 2017	Australian Navy assumes command of Combined Task Force 150 The Royal Australian Navy is at the helm of Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 150 (CTF150) after assuming command from the Pakistan Navy in a change of command ceremony at CMF headquarters in Bahrain on December 7. Australian Commodore Mal Wise assumed command of CTF150 from Pakistani Rear Admiral Naveed Ahmed Rizvi in a ceremony presided over by US Navy Vice Admiral John Aquilino, commander US Naval Forces Central Command, commander US Fifth Fleet and commander Combined Maritime Forces. More.....
07 Dec 2017	Her Majesty The Queen welcomes HMS Queen Elizabeth into the Royal Navy fleet Her Majesty The Queen has today commissioned the UK's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth into the Royal Navy. The Queen spoke at a ceremony in Portsmouth Naval Base this morning, attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and military chiefs. In her role as the ship's Lady Sponsor Her Majesty addressed guests before the Ship's Commanding Officer, Captain Jerry Kyd, read the commissioning warrant. More.....
06 Dec 2017	Long Tan Cross An important piece of Australia’s military history will find a new home after the Vietnamese Government gifted the original Long Tan Cross to Australia. Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam Craig Chittick received the Long Tan Cross from the Dong Nai Province People’s Committee at a small ceremony at the Dong Nai Museum in Biên Hòa last month. An Australian Defence Force member then travelled with the cross on its journey to Australia. More.....
06 Dec 2017	FD joins Australian Navy submarine rescue exercise Submarine rescue system manufacturer JFD recently joined Australian Navy vessels for a demonstration of its deep-sea submarine emergency equipment during the exercise Black Carillon 2017. The annual safety exercise saw the participation of salvage and rescue vessel MV Besant, offshore supply ship MV Stoker and submarine HMAS Waller. Launching from the deck of MV Stoker, JFD’s free-swimming LR5 rescue vehicle with a pilot and two crew, was sent down to depths of 400 meters to locate the underwater target seat and simulate the safe “mating” to the rescue seat of a real submarine. More.....
05 Dec 2017	Australian base HMAS Cairns set for AU$300m upgrade in preparation for new OPVs Royal Australian Navy base HMAS Cairns will be undergoing a $300 million upgrade to accommodate new offshore patrol vessels to be built under German shipbuilder Lurssen as prime contractor. HMAS Cairns will be home to four of the new vessels. The upgrades were announced by member of the House of Representatives, Warren Entsch MP, Member for Leichardt, who noted that the government approval for investment represented an additional $200 million for works on the upgrade. More.....
05 Dec 2017	Second Zumwalt-class destroyer Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) starts sea trials Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), the second of three high-tech, “super-stealth” Zumwalt-class destroyers, got underway from Bath Iron Works to start its first round of sea trials. The ship started construction in March 2010 and was launched and christened on June 16, 2016, at the General Dynamics shipyard in Bath, Maine. DDG 1001 is now set to undergo a series of trials before being officially handed over to the US Navy and christened sometime in 2018, provided everything goes as planned. More.....
05 Dec 2017	Russian, US deep ocean ROVs join search for missing Argentine submarine US and Russian Navy specialized deep-ocean unmanned vehicles are joining efforts to locate the missing Argentine Navy submarine ARA San Juan. The US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) deployed its cable operated unmanned recovery vehicle (CURV) 21 which was loaded aboard US Navy research vessel R/V Atlantis in Comodoro Rivadavia, Southern Argentina, on December 4. The Russian Navy’s special purpose ship Yantar is set to reach Argentina on December 5 with an embarked team of submarine search and rescue specialists. More.....
04 Dec 2017	Final flight of the S-70B-2 Seahawk Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan said the last S 70B-2 Seahawk ‘Bravo’ naval combat helicopter made its final flight today before being gifted to the Australian War Memorial (AWM). The Seahawk’s final flight went over the Australian Defence Force Academy, Defence’s Russell Offices, Parliament House and the AWM before landing in Exhibition Park in Canberra. Mr Tehan said the Seahawk had served in operations across the globe and had contributed to the safety and security of our nation. More.....
04 Dec 2017	HMAS Newcastle return to Australia
03 Dec 2017	Newcastle returns from Middle East mission HMAS Newcastle returned to her home port of Fleet Base East, Garden Island, Sydney, today following a six-month deployment to the Middle East region. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, welcomed 230 members of the ship’s company home from the deployment, which included counter-terrorism and counter-piracy patrols as part of the Combined Maritime Forces and a two-week attachment with the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the Arabian Gulf. More.....
01 Dec 2017	HMAS Sydney III model donated to Fleet Air Arm Museum On December 1st, the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett AO CSC RAN visited the Fleet Air Arm Museum to officially thank Mr Max Montague for his generosity in donating the HMAS Sydney III model to the museum. The model, complete with squadrons of Sea Furey and Fairey Firefly aircraft that were embarked during the Korean war, is valued between $50-60,000. The ship and aircraft were all built from scratch and took 14 months to complete. It is 2.4 metres in length.
01 Dec 2017	Retirement ceremony for S-70B Seahawk and AS-350 Squirrel
01 Dec 2017	Fleet Air Arm farewells magnificent machines The S-70B-2 Bravo Seahawk and AS350BA Squirrel helicopters were formally retired from active service in the Royal Australian Navy at a ceremony today at HMAS Albatross. The Seahawk has been in the Fleet Air Arm inventory for 29 years and was operationally deployed in the Middle East throughout its entire service history. The Squirrel has served for 33 years amassing an enviable record in both operations and training. More.....
29 Nov 2017	SHADE: Piracy still a threat in Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and EU Naval Forces (EU NAVFOR) welcomed delegates to the 41st Shared Awareness and De-confliction (SHADE) conference on counter-piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean in Bahrain on November 22. The diversification and proliferation of wider maritime security threats in the Gulf of Aden and the Southern Red Sea, which prompted the establishment of the Maritime Security Transit Corridor (MSTC), was a focus of discussion at this year’s SHADE. More.....
28 Nov 2017	Fugro to search for lost WW1 Australian submarine From its advanced survey vessel, the Fugro Equator, skilled survey personnel from Fugro will use a state-of-the-art multibeam echosounder to conduct a bathymetric survey and a sophisticated autonomous underwater vehicle for close examination of the search area. The expedition will be led by the not-for-profit-company Find AE1 Ltd and supported by Fugro, the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Submarine Institute of Australia. More.....
28 Nov 2017	Successful launch of Australian satellite Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, today announced the successful launch of an Australian miniature satellite from the United States. The Buccaneer cube satellite, developed by Defence and the University of New South Wales, was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on a Delta-II rocket and communications have now been established. More.....
27 Nov 2017	Medical Evacuation in the Indian Ocean
26 Nov 2017	Royal Navy makes history in London "The sight of sailors undertaking public duties in our capital city is a sign that the Royal Navy is back where it belongs, at the very heart of national life." First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones Forty-eight sailors from across the Royal Navy have taken their places in history on the forecourt of Her Majesty the Queen's London residence, Buckingham Palace. Representing many branches of the Royal Navy, the Senior Service's traditional navy blue uniforms have replaced for a short period, the distinctive red tunics worn by the Foot Guards. Starting at Buckingham Palace in full show of the general public, they are also set to Mount Royal Guards at Windsor Castle, The Tower of London and St James's Palace over the next few weeks. More.....

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Request for Committal of Ashes to the Sea. Download form.....

Current Repatriation Benefits for Gold Card Veterans -
As of 01 January 2018
This is a list of products that are available on a Doctor's prescription for Gold Card Repatriation Patients. Download the list.....

DVA Mobile Apps

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.....

Planning ahead kit
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.....

DVA Concessions Fact Sheets
Factsheet CON01 - Concessions in NSW
Factsheet CON02 - Concessions in Vic
Factsheet CON03 - Concessions in QLD
Factsheet CON04 - Concessions in SA
Factsheet CON05 - Concessions in WA
Factsheet CON06 - Concessions in Tas
Factsheet CON07 - Concessions in NT
Factsheet CON08 - Concessions in ACT

War Service

Check your ship's eligibility for war service.....

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DVA
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