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31 Mar 2017	First meeting of Industry Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan has said business leaders on the Industry Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment had an important job developing strategies that would help veterans find meaningful employment as the committee met for the first time in Sydney today. The Industry Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment is an initiative of the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program, launched in November. More.....
31 Mar 2017	Local community commemorative projects receive a boost Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today announced that 55 community projects honouring Australia’s wartime history would receive more than $145,000 in funding. Mr Tehan said the projects, funded under the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service grants program, would honour the service and sacrifice of the men and women who serve in defence of our nation. More.....
31 Mar 2017	Operation QUEENSLAND ASSIST 17 Operational Update The ADF continues to assist the people and communities of North Queensland affected by Tropical Cyclone Debbie. As the full impact of the Category 4 cyclone comes to light, the ADF is assisting the Queensland Government with domestic Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations utilising a range of air, land and sea capabilities to help the region recover quickly as possible. More.....
31 Mar 2017	$35 billion Future Frigate Tender The $35 billion Future Frigate project reached a significant milestone today with the release of the Request for Tender (RFT) to the three shortlisted designers; BAE, Fincantieri and Navantia. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said the Future Frigate project is currently the largest frigate shipbuilding program of its kind in the world. “Today’s announcement shows the Government is on track to begin construction of the Future Frigates in 2020 in Adelaide,” Minister Pyne said. More.....
31 Mar 2017	Government action on NMHC review The Government will make the development of strategies to support former members of the Australian Defence Force who are under 30 and have recently left the military a priority. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Dan Tehan and Minister for Health Greg Hunt said today targeting suicide among former ADF who were under 30 was a priority recommendation of the National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) Review into the Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Services Available to current and former serving ADF members and their families, which was provided to the Government on Tuesday and released publicly today. More.....
30 Mar 2017	ESPS Galicia’s Scan Eagle UAV helps track pirates Spanish Navy’s counter-piracy efforts off the Horn of Africa are enhanced by the presence of an unmanned aerial vehicle which helps prevent, or respond timely to potential attacks. A crew from Spain’s 11th Squadron, which is usually based in Cadiz, is currently deployed with Operation Atalanta, together with their Boeing Insitu-built Scan Eagle UAV. More.....
30 Mar 2017	Promoting mental health support for our veterans The Government has launched a digital advertising campaign to inform current and former members of the ADF about accessing free treatment for five mental health conditions. “Anyone who has served at least one day of full-time service in the ADF is eligible for free treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and alcohol and substance abuse,” Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said. More.....
30 Mar 2017	Enhanced support for veterans’ employment Improvements to the Government’s jobactive website are helping veterans find work. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan and Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash today welcomed the response of Australian employers to the improvements. The improvements were made as part of the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program, launched in November last year to improve employment opportunities for former members of the ADF. More.....
30 Mar 2017	Launch of educational book about mental health for children Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today launched a children’s book series that supports children from military and emergency service families living with a parent who has a mental health condition. The first book, titled Do You Still Love Me? Because I Really Love You! by author Heather Gibson, is a Military Children’s Mental Health Education initiative, a project of the Remembrance Foundation. More.....
29 Mar 2017	50th Anniversary of the Australian White Ensign
29 Mar 2017	End of Exercise OCEAN EXPLORER 2017
29 Mar 2017	HMAS Choules loaded for Operation QUEENSLAND ASSIST
29 Mar 2017	BAE Systems introduces F35B simulator for Royal Navy carriers A new flight simulator for the F-35B Lightning II aircraft is now ready to help prepare pilots to take the real aircraft on flight trials on the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth next year. The simulator will test pilots’ skills to the limits as they practise landing on the deck of the new aircraft carrier in a range of sea and weather conditions provided by the simulator, British defense technology company BAE Systems announced. More.....
29 Mar 2017	Australian submariners host US counterparts for Submarine Command Course The recent visit of the U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles class attack submarine, USS Oklahoma, to the Australian Fleet Base West coincided with the Australian Navy’s biennial Submarine Command Course. Seven prospective undersea commanding officers from the United States Navy joined their Australian colleagues in training for their future roles. More.....
29 Mar 2017	Government welcomes NMHC review into Veterans’ mental health The Government today received the National Mental Health Commission’s (NMHC) review of suicide and self-harm services for veterans and members of the ADF. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Dan Tehan and Minister for Health Greg Hunt acknowledged receipt of the review. “The Government has a responsibility to the men and women who defend our nation and we are committed to addressing veteran and ADF suicide,” Mr Tehan said. More.....
29 Mar 2017	Industry invited to regional Naval Shipbuilding briefings Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Minister Pyne MP, today announced seven Naval Shipbuilding Industry briefings would be held across regional Australia. Minister Pyne said these briefings would provide regional Australians with an opportunity to learn more about the Government’s $89 billion national shipbuilding endeavour. “The industry briefings will focus on the next generation of naval surface ships; specifically the Future Frigate and Offshore Patrol Vessels, which represent a $39 billion investment by the Australian Government,” he said. More.....
28 Mar 2017	Sea, air, land and space updates Sea State The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s second Izumo-class helicopter carrier, the Kaga, entered service last week. The warship is expected to embark Mitsubishi-Sikorsky SH-60K Seahawk anti-submarine warfare helicopters and AgustaWestland/Kawasaki MCH-101 aircraft for mine-countermeasures. More.....
27 Mar 2017	Choules sails for cyclone support HMAS Choules has sailed for northern Queensland waters in support of communities which may be affected by Tropical Cyclone Debbie. The amphibious ship, left Sydney on 27 March as part of broader Australian Defence Force support to Queensland emergency services responding to the cyclone, which is expected to make landfall early on 28 March. More.....
27 Mar 2017	Seeking descendants of Indigenous ‘Diggers’ of the Australian Light Horse Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan is calling for descendants of Indigenous Australian soldiers who took part in the Battle of Beersheba and the Sinai-Palestine campaign to take part in an oral history project. On 31 October 1917, two Australian Light Horse regiments charged Turkish positions outside the town of Beersheba taking more than 1,000 prisoners. The Battle of Beersheba was one of the most important of the Sinai-Palestine Campaign and the nature of the victory has earned Beersheba an enduring place in Australian wartime history. More.....
27 Mar 2017	Veteran pensions set to increase Veteran pension payments have increased in line with the biannual indexation process. Pension recipients including veterans, their partners, war widows and widowers, across Australia will be paid the increase from 20 March 2017. Due to the calculation of pension rates on a daily basis, the first pension paid after the indexation on payday 30 March 2017 will comprise both the old and new rates. The new pension rates will be fully effective from payment date 13 April 2017. More.....
26 Mar 2017	NVN's March 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.
26 Mar 2017	Upgrades complete for Anzac class The Australian Navy's eight Anzac class frigates are now all back in the water post anti-ship missile defence upgrades, with HMAS Stuart undocking at the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia. She will now commence trials of her state-of-the-art systems and modifications. Commander Surface Forces Commodore Christopher Smith said the overhaul had enabled the helicopter frigates to continue to protect Australia and its interests. More.....
24 Mar 2017	Spanish frigate Cristobal Colon arrives in Sydney Spanish Navy’s Aegis-equipped frigate Cristobal Colon arrived in Sydney on Friday as part of her role in preparing Australian Navy sailors for the operation of Australia’s first Aegis destroyer Hobart. The frigate was escorted into Sydney Harbour by Royal Australian Navy ships Darwin, Melbourne and Parramatta. More.....
24 Mar 2017	ICT changes bring capability enhancement for Navy The biggest upgrade of Defence Secret and Protected networks in more than ten years will drive significant change for Navy, with 192 shore locations set to experience major network overhauls. The magnitude of the program reflects the need for the department’s information footprint to be able to support Defence capability well into the future. More.....
24 Mar 2017	Maritime Technical College to train thousands of future shipbuilders The Turnbull Government today announced it will establish a Maritime Technical College to identify, train or retrain Australian workers for our $90 billion shipbuilding program. The Government will invest an initial $25 million into the college which will be based in Adelaide but will deliver world class training across the country in key areas such as steel fabrication, welding and naval engineering. More.....
23 Mar 2017	HMAS Canberra flight trials a tri-service undertaking The first of class flight trials that Royal Australian Navy’s landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra conducted demanded engagement of Army test pilots, Navy flight test engineers and Air Force technicians, all working on the task. Canberra’s Commander Air, Commander Adrian Capner said that military aviation was increasingly becoming a whole-of-Defence endeavour. "This ship is indicative of that with our Air Force Joint Battlespace Air Controllers, our Army operations personnel and Army embarked assets," Commander Capner said. More.....
22 Mar 2017	Government launches $2.1m program to support children of veterans with mental health issues Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the Hon. Dan Tehan and Treasurer the Hon. Scott Morrison today officially launched the Turnbull Government’s $2.1 million pilot support program for children of veterans with mental health issues, run by the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation. The government funded program will give children of veterans with mental health issues assistance to build their coping skills and resilience. More.....
22 Mar 2017	ADF Gap Year provides opportunities Applications have opened for the 2018 Australian Defence Force (ADF) Gap Year program. Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan said the program offered young Australians an exciting opportunity to earn a good wage, gain valuable skills and receive subsidised accommodation and meals as well as full medical and dental cover. There are 570 positions available across Army, Navy and Air Force for 17-24 year olds with a year 12 education. More.....
21 Mar 2017	Advanced Russian Navy frigate Admiral Gorshkov starts final state trials The lead ship of the Russian Navy’s 4,550-ton Project 22350 frigates, Admiral Gorshkov, has started the final set of state trials, Russian Severnaya Verf, part of United Shipbuilding Corporation, announced on Monday. The frigate headed for the Northern Fleet’s practice region where the crew, together with navy and shipyard officials, will test the anti-aircraft and torpedo weapon systems. More.....
21 Mar 2017	Navantia contracts MAN for Australian Navy tankers Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has picked MAN to provide main and GenSet engines to power the two new fleet support tankers that are to be built for the Royal Australian Navy. According to MAN, each vessel will feature two 18V 32/40 main engines and four 7L21/31 GenSets with shipset deliveries scheduled for December 2017 and June 2018, respectively. More.....
19 Mar 2017	Anzac Day Reunions - Melbourne Please find the link below to a note from David Garnock,Captain, CSC, RAN (Retired), President, MNC regarding the possible use of the Mission to Seafarers by Veteran Organisations for a reunion or event on ANZAC Day 2017. Should you wish to find out more, or to register your organisation's interest, please contact David on the number identified in the attached document. Download.....
19 Mar 2017	ADF rescues stranded sailors off Western Australia Three people are recovering on board HMAS Parramatta, after being rescued from a stricken yacht in extremely rough seas, more than 1300 kilometres off the West Australian coast, in the Southern Indian Ocean. The crew activated an emergency response beacon, (EPIRB) after the 13 metre, South African Registered yacht; ‘Jedi 1’ lost its mast in the rough conditions. Given the distance involved and the weather conditions, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, formally requested Australian Defence Force support in order to reach the sailors as quickly as possible. More.....
18 Mar 2017	Young Endeavour completes circumnavigation of Australia The Royal Australian Navy-operated Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour returned to Sydney recently after a 10-month circumnavigation of Australia. Since departing Sydney in May 2016, more than 500 young people have developed important leadership and life skills as part of the youth development program conducted onboard. During each of the 11 to 13-day voyages, 24 youth crew learnt the skills necessary to sail a square-rigged tall ship. More.....
17 Mar 2017	Improving current provisions for veterans’ privacy Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan outlined how the Digital Readiness Bill would provide stronger protections for veterans’ privacy at the RSL ACT conference in Canberra today. Mr Tehan also provided a document that set out the improvement to privacy protections for veterans under the Digital Readiness Bill. "This Bill will strengthen veterans’ privacy above and beyond the current system," Mr Tehan said. More.....
17 Mar 2017	Decision on Long Tan Cross site commemorations The Vietnamese Government has confirmed there will be no official Anzac Day commemoration at the Long Tan Cross site this year. Small groups will still be allowed low-key visits to the site, without media. The Vietnamese Government is developing regulations and guidance for visitors. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said Australians travelling to Vietnam for Anzac Day should plan accordingly. More.....
17 Mar 2017	New Helicopter Aircrew Training System at HMAS Albatross Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis MP, today inspected progress in the development of a $157 million Helicopter Aircrew Training System at 816 Squadron at HMAS Albatross. Minister Payne said the project will provide state of the art training facilities for Navy and Army aviators. “The new Helicopter Aircrew Training System will provide streamlined initial pilot training in a highly realistic environment for our Navy and Army personnel,” Minister Payne said. More.....
17 Mar 2017	$730 Million fund for game-changing defence technologies Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today launched the $730 million Next Generation Technologies Fund, a new investment in Australian defence capability and innovation. "As our enemies devise new ways to attack, our Defence Force must have advanced ways to respond and overcome new threats." The Australian Government's $730 million Next Generation Technologies Fund is designed to provide the creative solutions Defence needs and at the same time benefiting Australian industry. More.....
15 Mar 2017	Adelaide’s fighting edge tested Royal Australian Navy’s amphibious ship HMAS Adelaide lead from the front during the recent Exercise OCEAN EXPLORER. Exercising task group operations off the Western Australian coast, the landing helicopter dock was the centrepiece to war-fighting scenarios. En-route to the ‘war-zone’, the crews of Australian, New Zealand and Spanish Navies experienced realistic attacks by ‘enemy’ cruise missiles from aircraft and ground-based locations during the high-end warfare serials. More.....
15 Mar 2017	US Navy Admiral, eight other officers charged in Fat Leonard bribery case A retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and eight more high-ranking officer were arrested and charged Tuesday for their involvement in a massive U.S. Navy bribery scandal. The Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA) bribery case, also referred to as the “Fat Leonard” case after the nickname of GDMA CEO Francis Leonard, is dragging down one U.S. Navy official after another for their roles in disclosing sensitive information about navy operations in exchange for cash, prostitutes, and in one case, Lady Gaga concert tickets. More.....
15 Mar 2017	Defence strategy to address family and domestic violence Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, today launched the Defence Family and Domestic Violence Strategy. The strategy sets out the principles and strategies the department will use to support personnel and their families who are affected by family and domestic violence to create a more supportive and responsive workplace. More.....
14 Mar 2017	The Australia–France Treaty for the future submarine The Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (pictured above at ASC in Adelaide) is holding a public hearing today to consider the Framework Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the French Republic concerning Cooperation on the Future Submarine Program. (The Treaty is here.) I appeared as a witness, and my opening statement is below. More.....
14 Mar 2017	Veterans to benefit from improved mental health support Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan was encouraged by progress on how to further improve mental health support for veterans and their families at the National Advisory Committee for the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) meeting held in Canberra. “We owe it to the veterans community and their families to continually build on current mental health support services, and to provide them with a range of options to help improve their quality of life,” Mr Tehan said. More.....
14 Mar 2017	Australia’s future submarine: big boats versus a big fleet Everyone agrees that we should, whenever possible, buy military equipment based closely on existing designs rather than new ones. Doing so results in lower costs, lower risks and quicker delivery. So why aren’t we going for a boat closer to an existing design for the Future Submarine? The key answer is the size of the boat we’re after; no one has an ‘off the shelf’ design for a conventional boat the size we want. More.....
13 Mar 2017	Video: Israel’s Rafael adds missile module to its USV Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. announced it has completed the development of an additional mission module for its Protector Unmanned surface Vehicle (USV).
12 Mar 2017	Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victorian Chapter) President's March Musings are now available to download.....
12 Mar 2017	Navy League of Australia(Vic-Tas Div) March newsletter is now available to download.....
11 Mar 2017	Veterans’ Employment Industry Advisory Committee Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today announced the appointment of George Frazis as Chair of the Industry Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment, an initiative of the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program. Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG, has accepted the invitation to take on the role of Deputy Chair of the Committee. Launched by the Prime Minister in November, the program aims to encourage industry to recognise and appreciate the unique skills and valuable experience that members of the Australian Defence Force can bring to the workplace. More.....
10 Mar 2017	Iran tests another naval missile Iran carried out another test firing of a naval missile with the successful launch of the Hormuz-2 missile, AFP reported citing Iranian media. Iran’s missile launches are taking place in a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. Navy ships operating in the region. More.....
10 Mar 2017	US Navy submarine calls at Australian Navy base HMAS Stirling U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) visited Australia’s largest navy base HMAS Stirling on March 7. Oklahoma City visited the Fleet Base West, Western Australia, during its regular Indo-Asia-Pacific deployment. With a crew of approximately 150, the submarine will conduct a multitude of missions and maintain proficiencies of the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet. More.....
10 Mar 2017	Defence Force Welfare Association – Media Statement The DFWA released a Media Statement today relating to the tabling in the House of Representatives last Thursday 2 March 2017 of the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Digital Readiness and Other Measures) Bill 2016. The Bill will allow reforms to go ahead to make the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) much more veteran-centric than has been the case in the past. Such reforms will significantly improve services to veterans and their families by automating and streamlining its business processes and updating its information and communications resources. Varying concern have been expressed about the Bill with the most dominant one being doubts that it adequately protects veterans’ personal records from being released publicly by the Secretary of DVA. The Bill as a whole should at the very least be subjected to an independent Privacy Impact Assessment before it passes the Senate. Media Statement.....
09 Mar 2017	Australian Anzac-class frigates complete anti-ship missile defense upgrade program Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigate HMAS Stuart is set to complete her anti-ship missile defense upgrade this week, marking the completion of an Australian Navy capability upgrade program that spanned seven years. Completion of works on HMAS Stuart was announced by contractor BAE Systems who spent the last twelve months working on the final of eight frigates in the class to undergo the upgrade. The frigate will spend the next few months performing builder’s and sea trials before it returns to the fleet later this year. More.....
09 Mar 2017	2017 Anzac Day commemorations in Vietnam Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan today said Australians planning to visit the Long Tan Cross site in Vietnam for Anzac Day commemorations should be aware of the current situation. “It is important to ensure that all Australians planning to travel to Vietnam, and particularly the Long Tan Cross site, are aware of the current situation so they can manage their expectations and travel arrangements in advance of Anzac Day 2017,” Mr Tehan said. More.....
08 Mar 2017	US Navy researchers develop transparent armor Researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) have developed and patented a transparent thermoplastic elastomer armor that will be lighter and capable of regeneration in the battlefield. The armor will be made of thermoplastic elastomers, soft, rubbery polymers converted by physical means, rather than a chemical process, to a solid. Consequently, the solidification is reversible and enables damaged armor surfaces to be repaired “on the fly” in the field. More.....
08 Mar 2017	Jobs Created at New Shipbuilding Facility in WA A steel fabrication facility used in the mining boom is getting a new breath of life with Austal making it the construction hub for Pacific Patrol Boats. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today opened the new shipbuilding facility in the suburb of Naval Base in Western Australia, which will be used to construct 19 new Pacific Patrol Boats. More.....
07 Mar 2017	Australia’s Space Surveillance Radar reaches Full Operational Capability In a major project milestone for the Australian Defence Force and United States Air Force (USAF), the relocated C-Band Space Surveillance Radar System has reached Full Operational Capability (FOC). "The C-Band radar operated from Harold E. Holt Naval Communication Station near Exmouth, Western Australia, is the first low-earth orbit space surveillance network sensor in the Southern Hemisphere," Minister Payne said. More.....
07 Mar 2017	Improved self-help resource available Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said improvements to an online resource for current and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) would better help them manage stress. Mr Tehan said the High Res website had been updated following user feedback to make it easier to use. “The High Res website is a valuable tool that current and former ADF personnel can use to help them manage stress,” Mr Tehan said. More.....
06 Mar 2017	Anzac Day - Melbourne, Order of March. Download.....
06 Mar 2017	Revising Article 9 of the Japanese constitution Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe faces several pressing issues over the next few years, many of which are linked to his commitment to revising Article 9 of the Japanese constitution. Under what’s known as the ‘peace clause’, Japan not only renounces war, but declares that never again will Japan have ‘land, sea, and air force as well as other war potential’. More.....
06 Mar 2017	Australia’s first air warfare destroyer completes sea acceptance trials Australia’s first air warfare destroyer NUSHIP Hobart returned to Adelaide after completing its sea acceptance trials off the coast of South Australia. Hobart spent the past five weeks demonstrating its on-board weapons capabilities, including 21 days at sea, where it conducted 20 platform system tests and 45 combat system tests. AWD alliance program manager Craig Bourke said the success of the sea acceptance trials demonstrated the capacity of Australia’s defence industry to build and integrate ships to meet specific defence needs. More.....
04 Mar 2017	Navy's Avalon eyes in the skies Not all aircraft at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon actually have pilots – just ask the team at the Navy Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit. The Unit is tasked with trialling and testing two different unmanned aircraft types – the ScanEagle (fixed wing) and the Schiebel Camcopter S-100 (rotary wing) for the Royal Australian Navy. More.....
04 Mar 2017	Navy invests in vests Sailors at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon have had a very small but very important piece of kit to show the public. The item officially known in Royal Australian Navy parlance as the 'Boarding Life Jacket Load Bearing', is a new capability that turns three items of Navy equipment in one. Sailors from the Seamanship School at HMAS Cerberus were kept busy answering questions about the new jacket which will be used by members of Australian Navy boarding parties. More.....
03 Mar 2017	The changing face of maritime terrorism Maritime terrorism has reared its ugly head again—this time in Southeast Asia where a Vietnamese cargo ship was attacked by supposed members of the dreaded Filipino terrorist outfit, Abu Sayyaf. Days later, Jürgen Kantner, a German national captured off the coast of southern Philippines in November 2016, was beheaded by members of the same group, sparking international outrage and all-round condemnation. More.....
03 Mar 2017	HMAS Arunta Narcotics Interdiction Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Arunta has seized more than 800kg of hashish hidden in a consignment of coffee. Under the authority of joint Canadian-Australian Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150), HMAS Arunta seized the drugs in the Arabian Sea in the ship’s first successful intercept since starting counter terrorism operations in December 2016. More.....
03 Mar 2017	Trump promises “great rebuilding” of US military on visit to Gerald R. Ford U.S. president Donald J. Trump visited the U.S. Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, future Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), in what was seen by many as a push for military procurement. Addressing the sailors, Trump lauded the aircraft carrier saying it would be an extraordinary addition to the fleet. “This carrier and the new ships in the Ford class will expand the ability of our nation to carry out vital missions on the oceans and to project American power in distant lands,” Trump said to an audience of over 3.500. More.....
02 Mar 2017	Vietnam commissions final two submarines delivered by Russia Vietnam People’s Navy commissioned the final two Kilo-class submarines delivered to Vietnam by Russia in a ceremony in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa on February 28. Named Da Nang and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, the submarines had their flags raised at the military port of Submarine Brigade 189. More.....
02 Mar 2017	US Navy fires USS Antietam commander after grounding incident The U.S. Navy fired the commanding officer of the Japan-based Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam after the ship ran aground on January 31 in waters near Yokosuka, Japan. Capt. Joseph Carrigan was relieved on March 1 by Rear Adm. Charles Williams, commander, Task Force 70, following an investigation into the incident. More.....
02 Mar 2017	$213 million upgrade to Garden Island Navy facilities A $213 million upgrade to the Navy’s Garden Island facility in Sydney will improve Defence operations, enhance national security and create hundreds of jobs. The wharf upgrade project has been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works today with work expected to begin in mid-2017, subject to approval. More.....
02 Mar 2017	Submarines and strategy It’s hard to be confident that the project to replace the Collins-class submarines is in good shape. There is no reason to doubt that France makes very good submarines but there are many reasons to worry. Some relate to the acquisition strategy, which allows the French to design the boat and decide its price free of competition. Some relate to central features of the boat, like its propulsion system. But the most important relate to even more basic questions about the kind of boat we are trying to buy. More.....
02 Mar 2017	ADSO Update 1/2017: Enough is Enough - It's Time For a Change A look back to 2016 reveals what we have always experienced: that military veterans have difficulty in persuading Governments that our issues are real, are principled and are legislated non-discretionary commitments to the nation that have been broken by successive Governments. More.....
02 Mar 2017	Improvements to transition process for ADF Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan today announced improved services would be rolled out to support ADF members and their families during the transition from military to civilian life. Mr Tehan said the new support services would include individual coaching and mentoring with a focus on helping ADF personnel find meaningful post-service employment. Support will be available for 12 months following separation. More.....
01 Mar 2017	Australia marks 75th anniversary of HMAS Perth sinking The crew of the Darwin-based patrol boat, HMAS Maryborough, have marked the 75th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Perth (I), with a midnight ceremony over the wreck in the Sunda Strait. The service took on special significance this year, with increased efforts to preserve the wreck over which the ceremony took place at 12:30am on 1 March – the precise time that Perth sank. More.....
27 Feb 2017	Exercise OCEAN EXPLORER Fleet Concentration Period Sports Day
26 Feb 2017	Cook's heroic sacrifice saved many While Australians paused to commemorate the Bombing of Darwin recently, there was a particular Australian Navy sailor whose actions on 19 February 1942 were keenly remembered. Leading Seaman Cook Francis Emms heroically fought back during the attack on Darwin Harbour on board HMAS Kara Kara. Firing his machine gun from the ship’s weather deck, he was wounded by the incoming fire from the Japanese Zero Fighter aircraft. More.....
24 Feb 2017	Austal completes design review for Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) Project Australian shipbuilder Austal announced on Friday that the detailed design review (DDR) for the A$306 million PPB-R project has been completed on time and in accordance with the contracted schedule. The completion of the DDR marks the end of the design phase and the start of the production phase of the nineteen steel vessel program, awarded to Austal in May 2016. More.....
24 Feb 2017	Another WWII bomb found in Portsmouth Royal Navy bomb disposal experts have been called in on Wednesday morning to deal with another unexploded Second World War device found in the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. The German SC250 bomb was found in the early hours of February 22 in the excavator head of a barge dredging the harbour. This type of Second World War German SC250 bomb weighs 500lb and contains 290lb of high explosives, the Royal Navy said. More.....
24 Feb 2017	Training to fight – Navies exercise off the WA coast More than 17 ships and aircraft are descending on the Western Australian coast for one of the largest maritime warfare exercises held by the Royal Australian Navy. The inaugural Exercise Ocean Explorer will include international participants, adding the opportunity to practice war fighting with language, customs and technology differences. 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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