News & Articles of Interest

HMAS Cerberus Facebook page For all the latest news coming out of Cerberus, visit their Facebook page.....
28 Feb 2018	Australian HMAS Cairns base to woo larger ships after upgrade Royal Australian Navy base HMAS Cairns will soon be able to welcome larger naval ships, including amphibious assault ships and aircraft carriers, as it is set to benefit from a planned upgrade to the Port of Cairns. The AUD$120 million upgrade to the Port of Cairns is closer thanks to the finalisation of the state’s consideration of the environmental impact statement for the project. More.....
27 Feb 2018	The Grey Funnel Line This is a Royal Australian Navy documentary and subtle recruiting film. It details the 1973 task group deployment of HMA Ships Derwent, Perth and Supply to the Indian Ocean including port visits to Mauritius, Mombasa, Massawa (Ethiopia), Bandar Abbas (Iran) and Karachi. It displays the diplomatic and military tasks that Australian warships undertake while deployed overseas. (54mins)
26 Feb 2018	NVN's February 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that your monthly newsletter is available to download, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date.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.
24 Feb 2018	Donald Trump announces newest US warship to be named after Canberra The newest American navy vessel will have a touch of Australia on board, if only in name. During a joint press conference in Washington DC with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, US President Donald Trump announced the US Navy's new warship will be named the USS Canberra. The USS Canberra will be an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, and will replace its former namesake, which was decommissioned in the 1970s. It is only the US navy vessel to be named for a city outside of the US. More.....
23 Feb 2018	Type 23 visits Australia The UK’s Royal Navy Type 23 frigate, HMS Sutherland, had visited South Australia while on its seven-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific to strengthen defence ties and promote stability and security through combined naval operations and exercises. Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne, who toured the Royal Navy frigate during its stop in Adelaide, said the visit is a demonstration of the UK’s commitment to Australia and the region. More.....
22 Feb 2018	Royal Navy monitors Russian spy ship task group as it sails past UK For the third time in two months, the Royal Navy has kept a constant eye on a Russian naval force passing the UK. Patrol ship HMS Mersey and a Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton were dispatched to follow the progress of three Russian warships/vessels as they made their way up the Channel. The Russian spy ship Feodor Golovin, landing ship Alexander Ostrakovskiy and tanker Yelnya have been supporting Russian operations in Syria and are believed to be returning to their base ports in the Baltic and Barents seas. More.....
21 Feb 2018	Rolls-Royce to provide low noise propellers for Royal Navy Type 26 ASW frigates BAE Systems has awarded propulsion systems specialist Rolls-Royce two contracts to supply low-noise propellers and mission bay handling technologies for the first three Royal Navy Type 26 frigates. The first Type 26 is currently under construction at the BAE Systems shipyard in Glasgow. The Rolls-Royce-supplied mission bay handling system will enable efficient movement of craft and containerized mission packages within the mission bay. It also features a launch and recovery capability. More.....
21 Feb 2018	A ghost rider's gift HMAS Hobart (II) may have decommissioned 18 years ago, but Randall Wilson remembers his times as a ‘Ghost rider’ as some of the best of his life. The former sailor, now artist, resides in the city of Hobart and joined the ship’s company of the newest Hobart at an official reception to present a large painting of all three ships to carry the name. The painting depicts all three Hobarts sailing in company, capturing the operational service of the three ships over an 80 year period. More.....
20 Feb 2018	Veteran and community grants open for applications More than $1.4 million in 86 grants have been provided to community groups supporting veterans under the Veteran and Community Grants program in 2017-18 said Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Michael McCormack. “The Australian Government is investing in local organisations working to meet the needs of veterans in our local communities through awarding Veteran and Community Grants,” Mr McCormack said. More.....
19 Feb 2018	Australian dream achieved for former US Sailor Seventy-five years after HMAS Harman was commissioned as a Royal Australian Navy establishment, command has hosted a United States Navy veteran who served there in World War Two. John Frazier, now 93 years old, had a dream of showing his family where he had served abroad with the United States Navy 75 years ago. Mr Frazier was posted to Harman as a US Navy Radio Operator in 1943 when the Royal Australian Navy establishment commissioned. More.....
19 Feb 2018	Republic of Korea war service medal approved for wear VETERANS of the Korean War have been approved to wear the Republic of Korea War Service medal by the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd). Minister for Defence Personnel Michael McCormack said the approval to wear this medal after initially refused by the British Government in 1951 shows the Australian Honours and Awards system has evolved to become its own unique system of recognising our service men and women. “The Australian Council of Korea Veterans Associations has campaigned have the decision reconsidered from an Australian perspective,” Mr McCormack said. More.....
15 Feb 2018	Warrant Officer roles recognised Navy Tier Bravo Warrant Officers who occupy the role of Ships Warrant Officer (SWO) will now be recognised as Command Warrant Officer (CWO). Warrant Officer Karen Sellars, the CWO at HMAS Harman said the change is a positive recognition of the important role the CWO plays in supporting Command. “The CWO provides valuable skills and experience to the whole Command team,” she said. More.....
15 Feb 2018	Delivering better services for veterans and their families Veterans and their families are set to benefit with Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Michael McCormack introducing the Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Veteran-Centric Reforms No. 1) Bill 2018 (VCR Bill) to implement several new initiatives which will deliver better services to veterans and their families. “This Bill will create a new veteran payment to assist financially vulnerable veterans who have lodged a compensation claim for a mental health condition and are unable to work while their claim is being determined,” Mr McCormack said. More.....
14 Feb 2018	The ADF: an operational update Acting Chief of the Defence Force Vice Admiral Ray Griggs For well over three years now the ADF has been engaged in operations in the Middle East in the fight against Daesh. Our forces have acquitted themselves exceptionally well. The strike component of the Air Task Group recently completed its mission and returned home after flying for more than 21,000 hours in 2,700 sorties over Iraq and Syria. They made a tangible difference in the fight. More.....
14 Feb 2018	HMAS Hobart Participates in Royal Hobart Regatta 2018
14 Feb 2018	HMAS Hobart granted Freedom of Entry The first bond between the new HMAS Hobart and her namesake city have been forged during a Freedom of Entry march. More than 180 officers and sailors marched from Princes Wharf to the Hobart Town Hall, answering the Tasmanian Police Commissioner’s ceremonial challenge at the corner of Elizabeth and Macquarie Streets. Hobart’s Commanding Officer, Captain John Stavridis, said sailing into Hobart has always felt like coming home for many ships, but to arrive in the first Hobart in 18 years and take the first big step in building a relationship with the community is indeed an honour. More.....
13 Feb 2018	The US Navy will not reach its 355 ship goal until 2050 The US Navy has submitted its long-range ship acquisition plan to Congress under which it expects to reach its 355-ship fleet by the early 2050s. Released February 12, the 30-Year Ship Acquisition Plan is a Congressionally-mandated report which describes the Department of the Navy’s long-range shipbuilding plans for 2019-2048. The plan pursues acquisition strategies to build ships more quickly and affordably and places top priority on sustaining the industrial base. More.....
13 Feb 2018	Atomic Vets Meeting at Spotswood / Kingsville RSL There will be a meeting of all atomic survivors at the Spotswood / Kingsville RSL, Victoria, on Saturday May 12, 2018. The national secretary of the Australian Ex-Services Atomic Survivors Association Inc., will be coming to Melbourne to hold a meeting of all / any, Nuclear Vets to try to create a National body (Western Australia are the only National Assoc as far as he knows). Hopefully there is enough interest in Melbourne to establish a branch here. By having a larger member base it will gain more credence in speaking with the Government. Download the flyer with full details.....
12 Feb 2018	HMAS Hobart First of Class Trials HMAS Hobart is conducting weapons firing trials off the east coast of Australia. These trials include naval gunfire support drills, anti-air gunnery practice and torpedo testing against real and simulated targets, testing the ship and crew’s performance.
11 Feb 2018	Fishermen rescued in Torres Strait A Navy-crewed patrol boat has rescued nine Papua New Guinean fisherman after their vessel was found in the Torres Strait, having drifted without fuel or food for six days. The Australian Defence Vessel Cape Fourcroy was tasked to respond to the incident when a Maritime Border Command helicopter spotted the seven metre Banana Boat adrift on the Warrior Reef. Commander Maritime Border Command, Rear Admiral Peter Laver, praised the work of the Cape Fourcroy crew on board. More.....
09 Feb 2018	HMAS Hobart visits namesake city for the first time The Royal Australian Navy’s newest warship, HMAS Hobart, has arrived in its namesake city for the first time. This port visit is the first time in 18 years a ship carrying the name Hobart has visited the City of Hobart and will see the guided missile destroyer feature as the flagship in the Royal Hobart Regatta. Commanding Officer HMAS Hobart, Captain John Stavridis, said the ship’s company are excited to strengthen the ties Navy already has with Hobart and Tasmania. More.....
09 Feb 2018	Defence Forges Pathways For Women in Science International Day for Women and Girls in Science 2018 On International Day for Women and Girls in Science, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has highlighted the world class training opportunities for women and girls interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In 2017, 41% of female students at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) studied Science, Engineering, Technology, Computing and Cyber Security degrees. More.....
08 Feb 2018	Western Australia premier to vie for more US Navy port calls during US visit Western Australia premier Mark McGowan is set to join prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and other officials on a visit to the US during which he will present Western Australia’s defense capabilities. McGowan is to meet with US Navy secretary Richard V. Spencer to discuss Western Australia as a suitable location for additional future ship visits by the US Navy. The premier will also engage in a series of meetings to highlight Western Australia’s capacity as a supplier, manufacturer and repairer for the defense sector. More.....
08 Feb 2018	Australian Defence Force personnel complete Indian Ocean exercise Royal Australian Navy personnel from Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 and frigate HMAS Warramunga have completed their involvement in this year’s Exercise Cutlass Express 18, which was held between 29 January–7 February 2018. Cutlass Express is an annual exercise sponsored by US Africa Command and conducted by US Naval Forces Africa to improve maritime law enforcement capacity and promote regional security in the Western Indian Ocean. More.....
06 Feb 2018	US Navy moves closer to launching sea drone to hunt for submarines The US Navy could begin deploying a self-piloting sea drone by the end of the year to hunt for submarines at a time when China and Russia are expanding their underwater fleets, according to the research agency that designed it. The Navy received the $20 million prototype last week from the Defense Advanced Research Agency, or DARPA. Navy researchers will now work to further develop the robotic vessel — which requires no remote piloting — with the aim of integrating it into fleets. More.....
05 Feb 2018	US Navy’s second Zumwalt-class destroyer completes acceptance trials Future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), the US Navy’s second Zumwalt-class destroyer, completed acceptance trials on February 1, the US Naval Sea Systems Command announced. The US Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey reviewed the ship and its crew during a series of demonstrations both pier side and underway, evaluating the ship’s construction and compliance with Navy specifications. Many of the ship’s onboard systems including navigation, damage control, mechanical, electrical, combat, communications, and propulsion systems were tested to validate performance met or exceeded Navy specifications. More.....
05 Feb 2018	HMAS Warramunga Drug Busts Top $1 Billion
05 Feb 2018	Turtle released while protecting Australian fisheries The release of a rescued Green Sea Turtle back into the ocean by HMAS Childers has capped a successful few months for Royal Australian Navy Patrol Boats in the Top End on their mission to protect Australia’s natural resources. As part of Maritime Border Command, a multi-agency taskforce within the Australian Border Force, and in partnership with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, the patrol boats have recently apprehended four Indonesian fishing vessels suspected of illegally fishing in Australian waters, removed almost six tonnes of ghost nets from the ocean, and rescued and released ‘Franklin the Turtle’. More.....
05 Feb 2018	L3 joins BAE Systems for Australian Future Frigate bid US-based command and communication company L3 Technologies announced it is joining the BAE Systems Power and Propulsion Team by providing the integrated platform management system (IPMS) for BAE’s proposed Type 26 frigate design adapted for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) SEA5000 program. L3 was selected to provide the IPMS, as well as controls and instrumentation (C&I), for the nine Type 26 Global Combat Ships proposed for the SEA5000 program. If BAE’s design is selected, the total value of this contract, which is expected to be awarded by the federal government in April or May, is AU$35 billion (approximately US$27.4 billion). More.....
03 Feb 2018	Amphibious warship America leads flotilla back to San Diego The high-tech flagship America and its flotilla sailed back to San Diego on Friday, carrying home Marines who battled in Iraq — along with the promise that these warships will redefine how potential enemies view the 21st century Navy. The America is the first of its class of revolutionary “big deck” vessels that make traditional amphibious assault ships more like powerful aircraft carriers. More.....
03 Feb 2018	RAN Submarine COs recall Dunkirk Evacuation Australia’s Submarine Squadron and the evacuation of British forces at Dunkirk during World War Two are unusual associates, but past and present have combined for one evening at Old Parliament House. The nation’s capital recently played host to a special meeting of an exclusive band of Navy officers. The 2018 Frank Getting Perisher Dinner is named after Captain F.E. Getting, RAN, the first Australian officer to pass the Royal Navy’s Submarine Command (Perisher) Course in 1926. The dinner is open to all Royal Australian Navy officers who have passed a Perisher course and are therefore qualified to command a submarine. More.....
03 Feb 2018	HMAS Warramunga seizes another $124 million of heroin, total seizures top $1 billion Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Warramunga's crew has seized another 414 kilograms of heroin valued in excess of $124 million during an operation in the Western Indian Ocean. Warramunga has now seized and destroyed narcotics from seven vessels since deploying to the Middle East in November, totalling 11.5 tonnes of hashish and 1.5 tonnes of heroin, valued in excess of $1 billion.* More.....
01 Feb 2018	US Marine Corps General delivers speech honouring ADF personnel
01 Feb 2018	Air Warfare Destroyer project removed from Projects of Concern list The Air Warfare Destroyer project has been removed from the Projects of Concern list following continuing improvements in shipbuilding performance. Following an independent review by Professor Don Winter and Dr John White and a review by the Australian National Audit Office, the project was placed on the Projects of Concern list in June 2014 due to increasing commercial, schedule and cost risks. More.....
30 Jan 2018	Statement - Strava heat map Defence is aware of the possible risks of the collection of location data through personal electronic devices and applications. The circumstances of this application do not constitute a security breach. All Defence personnel are required to complete annual mandatory security training which includes information on the risks posed by internet-connected devices and online activities. Defence personnel are advised to actively use and manage privacy controls to limit the amount of information they make publicly available and report any suspicious online activities or contacts. Defence also provides regular personal security awareness information to personnel. More.....
30 Jan 2018	Defence Chief announces new Command The Australian Defence Force (ADF) continues to build its cyber capability, establishing the new Defence Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Cyber Command. From 29 January, the new Joint SIGINT Unit and the recently established Joint Cyber Unit will operate under the Defence SIGINT and Cyber Command alongside civilian teams from the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD). More.....
29 Jan 2018	Heroin seizure by HMAS Warramunga
29 Jan 2018	USS Missouri arrives at Pearl Harbor homeport US Navy’s Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Missouri (SSN 780) arrived to Pearl Harbor on January completing a homeport change from Groton, Connecticut. Missouri is now assigned to Submarine Squadron 1, and is the sixth Virginia-class submarine stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Missouri is the fifth Navy ship to be named in honor of the state of Missouri. More.....
29 Jan 2018	Mateship recognised as Australians honoured by US Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps has awarded a rare honour to 107 Australian Defence Force (ADF) members who helped recover a US Marine Corps aircraft that crashed and sank off the north Queensland coast late last year. Navy, Army and Air force personnel have been awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation by the head of the US Marine Corps in the Pacific, Lieutenant General David Berger, during his visit to the Royal Australian Navy amphibious ship, HMAS Adelaide. 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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