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31 Jul 2018	Explosive Ordnance Disposal on Exercise RIMPAC
31 Jul 2018	Mighty MRH-90s support Exercise RIMPAC HMAS Adelaide’s ongoing deployment in the Pacific is providing wider benefits as the ship’s two embarked helicopters carry airlift capabilities over the horizon. The MRH-90 aircraft have been providing personnel transport, aerial survey and stores transfer services between other ships during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2018 (RIMPAC), proving their usefulness and functionality. More.....
30 Jul 2018	US Navy dolphins hone mine clearance skills during RIMPAC Bottlenose dolphins from the US Navy’s Marine Mammal Systems Program (MMSP) took part in dynamic mine countermeasure (MCM) training during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in Southern California. The dolphins are based at Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific on Naval Base Point Loma in Southern California and designated as “Mark 7 Marine Mammal System (MMS).” The mine countermeasure training in SOCAL saw the dolphins directed by program trainers to seek out and mark simulated mines. More.....
30 Jul 2018	HMAS Toowoomba assists stricken yacht during RIMPAC HMAS Toowoomba was temporarily diverted from large-scale war games last weekend to assist in a real emergency off the coast of Hawaii. The ship was participating in the final maritime warfare phase of Exercise RIMPAC 2018 in waters off the island of Oahu, when she received a distress call via the United States Coast Guard from a stricken yacht with a broken mast. More.....
30 Jul 2018	DVA online services are joining myGov As part of our program to modernise and streamline services, DVA has joined all its online services to myGov to expand self-service to enable veterans and their families to access DVA services online. 　Supported by the myGov platform, MyService is being improved to become DVA’s online channel providing a simpler and faster way for veterans and their families to interact with DVA online. For the first time, families and students receiving support through the Education Schemes can now also submit claims and lodge supporting documents online. More.....
28 Jul 2018	RIMPAC 2018: CGTN’s Nathan King got to experience it up close with the Royal Australian Navy.
28 Jul 2018	New Practitioner Support Service to assist in veteran mental health treatment Veterans in rural and remote areas will have improved access to mental health experts through a Federal Government initiative. A new Practitioner Support Service (PSS) that will provide expert advice and consultation to doctors and agencies around Australia who are supporting and treating veterans with mental health issues, was launched today by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Darren Chester. More.....
28 Jul 2018	Supporting younger veterans grant applications now open One million dollars’ worth of grants are available to assist younger veterans establish themselves into civilian life, and manage the challenges and opportunities that their ADF service presents. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the Supporting Younger Veterans (SYV) grants program is now open for applications for the 2018–19 financial year to provide further assistance to younger veterans. More.....
28 Jul 2018	HMAS Toowoomba’s Firepower on Show
28 Jul 2018	NVN's July 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.
27 Jul 2018	Defence takes control of NUSHIP Brisbane The Department of Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group accepted delivery of the second Hobart Class destroyer NUSHIP Brisbane at an official ceremony in Adelaide on Friday. The ceremony, attended by Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan AO, included the presentation of the ship’s bell rope and battle honour board to Brisbane’s Commanding Officer Commander Josh Wilson. More.....
27 Jul 2018	The future is closer than it looks – CN challenges Navy’s new leaders The RAN’s future leaders have played host to Navy’s new Chief, with a tribute to past traditions and some words of advice on their future. The Australian Defence Force Academy’s Royal Australian Navy cohort hosted Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, at a traditional Navy Mess Dinner last night. The evening began with a traditional Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset, which called the Midshipmen to their stations to mark the lowering of the RAN’s official flag, the Australian White Ensign, at the close of day. The Midshipmen then accompanied their guests to the dining room for the formal dinner. More.....
25 Jul 2018	Set sail with Young Endeavour Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester is urging young Australians looking for an adventure out of the ordinary to apply for a voyage in Sail Training Ship (STS) Young Endeavour. “A voyage in Young Endeavour gives participants skills for life and the chance to test themselves in a challenging new environment,” Mr Chester said. “During the 11 day voyage, 16–23 year-olds disconnect from social media and learn communication, teamwork and leadership skills, which helps prepare them for the workforce. More.....
24 Jul 2018	Out of the cave, into the spotlight – Navy Diver honoured for Thai rescue Standing knee deep in cave water and mud, Chief Petty Officer Troy Eather reflected on past deployments which had brought him to this point. Cave diving as a teenager on the NSW mid-north coast; IED Ops in Afghanistan; the recovery of the US Marine Corp Osprey off North Queensland; recovery Ops in East Timor - each experience had prepared him for what was turning out to be the biggest challenge he had faced so far in his Navy career. CPO Eather was one of nine Australians who helped in the complex international rescue effort of 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach who were trapped for up to 18 days in a flooded cave system near Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. More.....
24 Jul 2018	ex-HMAS Curlew is to be transformed into a floating backpackers hostel
24 Jul 2018	725 Squadron - Alive and Cooking
24 Jul 2018	725 Squadron Video 2017
21 Jul 2018	Remains of Private Thomas Hurdis re-unified The partial remains of Private Thomas Hurdis had been re-interred with his substantive remains at the Mont Huon Military Cemetery in Le Treport, France, Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said. In late 2017, the partial remains of an Australian soldier were reported by a member of the public to be held in the collection of the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia. These were found to be those of Private Hurdis who died from his wounds while under the care of United States medical teams following the Battle of Polygon Wood, Belgium. More.....
21 Jul 2018	Navy Canteens unveils RAS Van fleet The barometer for change has been twitching in the Navy Canteens camp these past few months, and recently a big change swept through in the small, dark hours onboard HMAS Cerberus on the morning of Wednesday 17 July. As the sun began to rise, so too did the smell of freshly cooked bacon and egg rolls, available free to all service and contracted personnel attending the launch of the newly revamped ‘Millies’ truck. The winds picked up as did the anticipation of the staff and members onboard HMAS Cerberus. More.....
20 Jul 2018	HMAS Parramatta undergoes propeller maintenance while still afloat HMAS Parramatta recently became the first Australian Anzac-class frigate to receive new A bracket bearings while still afloat. The one-of-a-kind operation was carried out to avoid impacting the ship’s mast upgrade schedule. The A bracket bearings support the propeller shafts between the ship’s hull and the propeller, and worn bearings usually means the ship must be dry-docked for the replacement to take place. More.....
20 Jul 2018	Voice of ‘Good morning, Vietnam’ dies at 79 Adrian Cronauer, a legend of the Vietnam War, and the inspiration for the 1987 movie “Good Morning, Vietnam,” died Wednesday. He was 79. An Air Force sergeant during his service in Vietnam as a disc jockey with the Armed Forces Radio Service, Cronauer began his early morning show, “Dawnbuster”, with the iconic words “Goooood morning, Vietnam!” The 1987 movie, starring Robin Williams, turned that line into a national catch-phrase years after the war ended. More.....
20 Jul 2018	Battle of Fromelles Commemoration and Headstone Rededication Ceremony Nine Australian World War I soldiers identified by the 2018 Fromelles Project Identification Board have had their new, named headstones unveiled at the Battle of Fromelles Commemoration and Headstone Rededication Ceremony on the 102nd anniversary of the battle, Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said. The nine soldiers were originally recovered from unmarked mass graves adjacent to Pheasant Wood in France in 2009. They were among 250 soldiers who fought and died in the 1916 Battle of Fromelles. The soldiers recovered were: Captain Kenneth Malcolm Mortimer, 29th Battalion Australian Imperial Force (AIF) 2825 Corporal Alfred Thompson, 55th Battalion AIF 191 Private Henry Bell 29th Battalion AIF 1218 Private William Edwin Boyce, 32nd Battalion AIF 889 Private Henry Gardner, 30th Battalion AIF 1011 Private Alexander McCulloch, 32nd Battalion AIF 314 Private Stanley Richard O’Donnell, 29th Battalion AIF 3983 Private James Robert Smith, 31st Battalion AIF 795 Private Claude Yeo, 30th Battalion AIF More.....
19 Jul 2018	Salvage team discovers sunken Russian cruiser carrying 200 tons of gold The wreck of a Russian warship that had sunk near South Korean island Ulleungdo 113 years ago has been discovered, Korean salvage company Shinil Group said. The 5,800-ton Dmitrii Donskoy, found at a depth of 434 meters and at 1.3 kilometers from the island, is believed to carry some 200 tons of gold worth nearly USD 130 billion. The semi-armored cruiser was part of the Russian Baltic Fleet which encountered the Battle of Tsushima in May 1905 after it had been intercepted by the Japanese fleet. More.....
18 Jul 2018	US Amphibious Assault Vehicles embark HMAS Adelaide
17 Jul 2018	MV Rushcutter: World War II boat rescued from watery resting place in Darwin Harbour An old Navy boat that ferried World War II forces behind enemy lines has finally been pulled out of Darwin Harbour, after several failed attempts. MV Rushcutter, known as HDML 1321 during the war, was used by Australia's Z Special Unit to transport commandos to covert operations in Papua New Guinea. The boat sank in the harbour almost two years ago and the Darwin Port then pulled it to a safer position near the Catalina boat ramp at East Arm. A small group of volunteers known as Save Motor Launch 1321 purchased the boat from its former private owner for $2 and has been trying to recover it ever since. More.....
17 Jul 2018	Australia awards AU$213m for Garden Island naval base upgrades The Australian government has launched an indigenous joint venture which will be in charge of delivering Bayinguwa critical wharf works at Garden Island Defence Precinct as part of a project worth AU$213 million. The Bayinguwa Delivery Team is a joint venture between Pacific Services Group Holdings Pty Ltd (PSG Holdings) and Lendlease Engineering Pty Ltd. PSG Holdings, a small to medium enterprise that is 100 per cent Indigenous owned, managed the design of the works. PSG Holdings has teamed with Lendlease for the construction of the works. More.....
17 Jul 2018	Saab unveils new anti-ship missile RBS15 Gungnir Swedish defense technology company Saab has unveiled its next generation anti-ship missile system – the RBS15 Gungnir – that will be on display at the Farnborough International Airshow 2018 for the first time. The company says the new system continues the tradition of robust and autonomous all-weather capability of the RBS15 missile family but utilizing a design that unlocks a new level of future growth potential. Whilst RBS15 Mk3 delivers the capabilities that forces require today, the RBS15 Gungnir also integrates with pre-existing RBS15 infrastructure. More.....
17 Jul 2018	Sonar Trials and Testing Facility in Tasmania Thales Australia is looking to make Tasmania the home of a state-of-the-art trials and test facility for submarine and surface ship sonar systems. Thales Australia, the University of Tasmania, Australian Maritime College and AMOG Consulting today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to investigate the establishment of the facility. The potential locations being investigated for the facility are located in the federal seat of Braddon and will create jobs and develop world leading expertise for the region. More.....
17 Jul 2018	Fleet Commander meets Navy RIMPAC Commanders Sailing for the sea phase of RIMPAC 18 aboard HMAS Success there was meeting of minds when Navy’s senior leadership team met with Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead. According to RADM Mead, this is one of Navy’s single largest commitments to RIMPAC, and apart from the host United States Navy, the RAN is the longest contributor of forces to the exercise. “RIMPAC continues to be Navy’s most important military engagement and its significance can’t be underestimated. We train, practice and learn from our allies and friends in circumstances which simply don’t occur in any other exercise,” said RADM Mead. More.....
16 Jul 2018	One last RIMPAC for Battle Tanker With 32 years of service behind her, HMAS Success is at sea for her 11th and final Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) in Hawaii. The auxiliary oiler - also known as Navy’s ‘Battle Tanker’ – sailed from Pearl Harbor along with HMA Ships Adelaide, Melbourne and Toowoomba for the sea phase of RIMPAC off the Hawaiian coast. Now in its 26th iteration, RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. More.....
14 Jul 2018	Navy League of Australia(Western Australia Division) July newsletter is now available to download.....
13 Jul 2018	Jane’s journey one of courage in the face of adversity After 22 years in the Navy, Chief Petty Officer Naval Police Coxswain Jane Butcher has had her fair share of ups and downs. A successful and rewarding career was interrupted last year when CPO Butcher received some life-changing news. In April 2017, at the age of 39, she was preparing to leave the Navy but as she was proceeding on leave and discharge she found a lump in her breast. More.....
13 Jul 2018	Metal Shark partners with ASV Global to offer autonomous vessels US-based boat builder Metal Shark has teamed up with autonomous vessel technology developer ASV Global to offer an entire range of autonomous vessels. The autonomous technology – named “Sharktech” – is offered on Metal Shark’s entire portfolio of vessels, which range from 16’ to over 300’ in aluminum, steel, and composite. Sharktech autonomous vessels may be custom configured for military, law enforcement, fire rescue, and commercial markets, the company says. More.....
13 Jul 2018	RIMPAC mine warfare operations kick off in SOCAL Commander Task Force (CTF) 177 kicked off the Southern California (SOCAL) portion of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) with mine warfare training operations which run from June 27 to August 2. CTF 177 is comprised of 26 units with approximately 1,100 personnel representing the United States, Australia, Canada, England, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand. It will conduct advanced mine warfare operations including mine countermeasure operations to support RIMPAC. More.....
12 Jul 2018	The countdown is on — 100 days until the Invictus Games in Sydney The Australian competitors for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 (IG2018) are in the final stages of their preparation as we begin the countdown, with just 100 days to go until the opening ceremony on 20 October 2018. The Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel, Darren Chester, said that Australia will be proudly represented by 72 current and former Australian Defence Force personnel competing in 11 sports over eight days. More.....
12 Jul 2018	US Navy’s second Zumwalt destroyer blew its gas turbine during acceptance trials The US Navy’s second Zumwalt-class destroyer Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) will need a new main turbine engine after turbine blades were damaged during the ship’s acceptance trials. According to a USNI News report: Michael Monsoor will have to receive the new MT30 engine at the Bath Iron Works shipyard in Maine before being able to sail to San Diego for its combat system activation. More.....
10 Jul 2018	China newspaper denounces US Navy ships’ Taiwan Strait passage BEIJING — A ruling Chinese Communist Party newspaper on Monday denounced the passage of a pair of U.S. Navy ships through the Taiwan Strait as a “psychological game,” as the two sides square off over trade and relations with self-governing Taiwan. The Global Times said in an editorial that the U.S. was adding to tensions by sailing the Japan-based guided missile destroyers USS Mustin and USS Benfold through the 160-kilometer-wide (100-mile-wide) strait that divides Taiwan from mainland China. More.....
10 Jul 2018	US Navy sends two destroyers through Taiwan Strait The US Navy has sent two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers through the Taiwan Strait in what is the first such move since July 2017. The passage of USS Mustin and USS Benfold was first reported by Taiwanese media and later confirmed by the Taiwan defense ministry and US Navy officials. The Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China had followed the ships as they passed through the strait adding that the US “should avoid actions that endanger peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.” More.....
10 Jul 2018	New Zealand picks P-8A Poseidon as its new maritime patrol aircraft New Zealand is buying four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the United States to replace its ageing Orions, the government announced July 9. The four aircraft will replace the six P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) that have been operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force since the 1960s. The current Orion fleet will reach the end of their expected operational life in 2025. The new P-8As, training systems, infrastructure and introduction into service costs will total NZD2.346 billion, according to the government. They will be delivered and begin operations from 2023. More.....
08 Jul 2018	Navy Clearance Divers Invited to Dive Iconic Memorial
08 Jul 2018	HMAS Warramunga Returns to Australia
08 Jul 2018	Warramunga returns from record breaking Middle East mission More than a thousand people have lined the wharf at Garden Island, Sydney to welcome HMAS Warramunga back to her homeport after a nine-month deployment. The new Chief of Navy Australia, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan joined Minister for Defence, the Honourable Marise Payne to congratulate the ship’s company on a record breaking deployment. While deployed, Warramunga made a significant impact on terrorist and criminal organisations by denying them approximately AUD$2.17 billion in funding from illegal narcotics. The Anzac Class frigate seized around 31.8 tonnes of hashish and two tonnes of heroin while deployed on Operation MANITOU. Warramunga maintained a high tempo during the deployment. The Anzac Class Frigate travelled 43,995.9 nautical miles, operated with 27 international ships and conducted 12 port visits. More.....
08 Jul 2018	Seafarers Memorial Service The 111th Seafarers Memorial Service will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral at 10:30 on 21 October 2018 and it will be followed by the Navy Wreath Laying Service at the Cenotaph at the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne at 12:30. All Ship and Unit Associations are encouraged to support the Navy Victoria Community.
07 Jul 2018	‘Old Ironsides’ marks Fourth of July with 21-gun salute The USS Constitution has sailed in Boston Harbor and fired her guns again to mark Independence Day. The world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat left its berth at the Charlestown Navy Yard Wednesday morning and glided through the harbor to mark 242 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. More.....
07 Jul 2018	Navy League of Australia(Vic-Tas Div) July newsletter is now available to download.....
07 Jul 2018	Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victorian Chapter) President's July Musings are now available to download.....
06 Jul 2018	Chief of Navy - Change of Command
06 Jul 2018	Hamel Commemorations - Mitchell Law
06 Jul 2018	Changing of the guard – Vice Admiral Tim Barrett fondly farewelled in command ceremony Vice Admiral Tim Barrett has formally ended his term as Chief of Navy, following a handover ceremony at Blamey Square in Canberra. VADM Barrett ended his Permanent Navy career in style, with an honour guard and fly past in his honour. Several hundred Navy personnel from across the region braved a blustery Canberra morning to attend the ceremony. VADM Barrett told the gathering, his time as Chief has seen significant change to the RAN, thanks to hard work and dedication by Navy members. More.....
06 Jul 2018	Report: Japan to send JS Kaga to South China Sea, Indian Ocean mission Japan is likely to send its Izumo-class helicopter carrier to the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean this year as well. The two-month deployment of the 27,000-ton JS Kaga comes as Japan aims to boost its presence in this strategically important region, Reuters reported citing two unnamed Japanese officials as saying. The 248-meter-long JS Kaga, which was commissioned last year at Japan Marine United shipyard, will visit Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka as part of the mission scheduled to start in September. More.....
06 Jul 2018	Chief of Defence Force change of command The Australian Defence Force has a new Chief after Air Chief Marshal Binskin handed over command to General Angus Campbell at a ceremony in Canberra today. The newly promoted General Campbell thanked Air Chief Marshal Binskin for his 40 years’ service in the Australian Defence Force. “The work that Air Chief Marshal Binskin and his leadership team have undertaken since 2014 has set a strong foundation for the ADF’s people and capabilities.” More.....
05 Jul 2018	Australian Navy to test new hyperbaric gear during exercise Black Carillion The Royal Australian Navy is one step closer to operating their new hyperbaric equipment after the system achieved acceptance and global certification from Lloyds Register. The system, a transfer under pressure chamber and recompression treatment suite worth AU$19.7 million, can treat the whole crew of an Australian submarine at once, according to JFD – the system manufacturer. The equipment was delivered as part of an existing escape and rescue contract at its manufacturing headquarters at Bibra Lake, south of Perth. More.....
05 Jul 2018	HMAS Collins surfaces The first of the Collins class submarines has returned to service after a boost to capability was implemented by one of Defence’s key industry partners. ASC – formerly the Australian Submarine Corporation - conducted planned maintenance onboard the Collins class in Osborne, South Australia as part of a full-cycle docking and enterprise restructure of submarine maintenance. For her crew, reassuming material control (MATCON) and responsibility for the platform represented an important milestone in her return to service. More.....
05 Jul 2018	Unknown soldier identified 100 years after his death Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester today announced the confirmation of the identity of a World War One (WWI) Australian soldier, previously recorded as unknown. The soldier can now be identified as Private Robert Oliver Bowness, a member of the 4th Pioneer Battalion. Mr Chester said he was privileged to attend a re-dedication ceremony at Private Bowness’ grave in the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, France. More.....
03 Jul 2018	German Navy’s only two tankers out of operation The German Navy has been forced to withdraw its only two tankers from NATO operations this year. As disclosed, the tanker oldies, Spessart and Rhön, will not be operational until the end of this year. Due to engine issues, both 1974-built ships will undergo repairs in the following months. The completion of repair works is not expected before the fourth quarter of 2018, the navy said, adding that the causes of damage to the ships’ engines are yet to be determined. More.....
03 Jul 2018	FlyBy A periodical of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia. July issue.....
02 Jul 2018	Community Grants for Projects Honouring Veterans Local communities are set to receive almost $200,000 in Saluting Their Service grants which deliver projects commemorating Australia’s wartime history and reflect our gratitude to all those who have served our country. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester described the 85 community projects as thoughtful and moving, ranging from memorial gardens, exhibitions and sculptures, to repairs to cenotaphs, reunions and services. More.....
01 Jul 2018	New chapter for the Australian Signals Directorate The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) begins a new era today as a statutory agency within the Defence portfolio. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said the establishment of ASD as a statutory agency was an important change that will strengthen its ability to protect Australia’s security. “The establishment of ASD as a statutory agency within the Defence portfolio achieves a key recommendation of the 2017 Independent Intelligence Review,” Minister Payne said. 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
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