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30 Nov 2018	Papua New Guinea receives first Guardian-class patrol boat Australian shipbuilder Austal has delivered the first Guardian-class patrol boat to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. The boat will be commissioned HMPNGS Ted Diro on return to PNG and is named after the first Commander of the PNG Defence Force post-independence. It is the first of four boats scheduled for delivery to PNG. More.....
29 Nov 2018	Japan mulls turning helicopter destroyer into F-35B carrier Japan is considering turning one of its helicopter destroyers into a “multi-purpose aircraft carrier” as part of a review of the country’s National Defense Program Guidelines, Japan’s defense minister Takeshi Iwaya has confirmed. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the defense minister said the country is evaluating plans to convert one of its two Izumo-class helicopter destroyers into platforms capable of accommodating fighter jets. More.....
28 Nov 2018	We can’t risk a strategic sham on Manus Much has been written recently about the decision to redevelop the naval base at Lombrum on Manus Island. Initially it was to be a joint Australia–PNG facility, but American vice president Mike Pence has announced that the US will partner with Australia and PNG on the redevelopment project. More.....
28 Nov 2018	NVN's November 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that your monthly newsletter is available to download, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date.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 Nov 2018	AUTONOMOUS WARRIOR 2018 a milestone in allied cooperation When more than 50 autonomous technologies and over 500 scientists, technicians and support staff came together for AUTONOMOUS WARRIOR 2018 (AW18) in Jervis Bay, ACT, it marked the culmination of four years’ collaboration between the militaries, defence scientists and defence industries of five nations. More.....
23 Nov 2018	HMAS Ballarat arrives in the Middle East Region
23 Nov 2018	First Australian Supply-class AOR launched in Spain The first of a new class of Royal Australian Navy’s auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) ships, the future HMAS Supply, was launched by Spanish shipbuilder Navantia at its Ferrol shipyard on November 23. HMAS Supply (II) was launched following a keel laying ceremony in November 2017. Supply and sister ship Stalwart (III) will replace HMAS Success and Sirius with delivery of the first ship scheduled for 2021. More.....
22 Nov 2018	Ship's Warrant Officer for HMAS Melbourne comments on early return
22 Nov 2018	BAE Systems investing into AR/AI for future combat systems UK defense company BAE Systems announced it is investing £20 million into the development of augmented reality and artificial intelligence which will improve the capability of future combat systems. As explained by the company, the innovations will help naval personnel improve their decision making in the future battlespace, allowing them to respond more readily to threats. They will also be designed so a vessel’s combat systems can be updated, helping to maintain operational effectiveness and reduce through-life support costs. More.....
22 Nov 2018	Memory of Japanese submariners recognised in the Top End During a recent visit to the Top End, His Excellency Mr Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan visited a site of naval wartime significance. A commemorative plaque located above Casuarina Beach honours 80 Japanese men who were killed when the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) submarine I-124 was sunk by RAN warship HMAS Deloraine during WWII. I-124 was the first submarine sunk in Australian waters. More.....
22 Nov 2018	UK deploying Royal Navy ship to Ukraine in 2019 The Royal Navy will deploy multi-role hydrographic survey ship HMS Echo to Ukraine next year in response to what the UK defense secretary identified as Russia’s intensifying threats and aggression. In a meeting with the visiting Ukrainian defense minister General Stepan Poltorak, UK defense secretary Gavin Williamson announced a range of forthcoming deployments and exercises that will see the two countries’ armed forces continue to work together. More.....
22 Nov 2018	USS Ronald Reagan arrives in Hong Kong after dual-carrier ops in Philippine Sea A US Navy carrier strike group centered around the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) arrived in Hong Kong for a scheduled port visit on November 21. The arrival of Ronald Reagan to Hong Kong follows China’s refusal to allow amphibious assault ship USS Wasp to visit the city in September this year. More.....
22 Nov 2018	Navy’s founding father honoured Vice Admiral Sir William Rooke Creswell, considered the ‘Father’ of the Royal Australian Navy, has been honoured with a small ceremony at Brighton Cemetery in Melbourne. VADM Creswell’s family grave was restored and a plaque unveiled in front of his descendants and assembled officers and sailors, following a reading by Navy Chaplain Kate Lord and with musical accompaniment by the RAN Band. More.....
20 Nov 2018	Prime Minister visits ADF personnel during APEC
20 Nov 2018	Pentagon clears sale of SM-3 missiles to JMSDF The US State Department has approved a possible sale of eight Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1B missiles and thirteen SM-3 Block 2A missiles to Japan for an estimated cost of $561 million. In an announcement on November 19, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the contract also included SM-3 1B and 2A missile canisters, technical assistance, engineering and logistical support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. More.....
20 Nov 2018	The challenges of repairing 40-year-old icebreakers The United States Coast Guard’s only heavy operational Polar-class icebreaker, Polar Star, completed its annual scheduled refit at Mare Island, Vallejo, California, in a maintenance period riddled with challenges. The forty-two year old ship returned from Operation Deep Freeze 2018, a voyage to resupply the McMurdo Antarctic research center on the southern tip of the Ross Island, on March 16, 2018. Less than a month later, the icebreaker arrived in California for the refit. More.....
19 Nov 2018	Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victorian Chapter) President's November Musings are now available to download.....
19 Nov 2018	Chief of Navy launches Bravo Zulu Volume 2 Current and former Navy personnel gathered at HMAS Harman’s Bonshaw Mess this week for the launch of the second volume of Bravo Zulu. In front of distinguished guests, Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan, launched military historian Ian Pfennigwerth’s book Bravo Zulu, Volume 2, a publication about Navy people doing extraordinary things under often dangerous and onerous circumstances. More.....
16 Nov 2018	A Jekyll and Hyde portrait emerges of the SEAL accused of murdering an Islamic State prisoner As military prosecutors tell it, Special Warfare Operator Chief Edward “Eddie” Gallagher is a callous murderer who stabbed to death a wounded Islamic State prisoner of war, gunned unwitting civilians with his sniper rifle, bragged about racking up kills and threatened to intimidate and publicly out SEAL buddies who complained to superiors and investigators about him. But during two days of testimony in his Article 32 hearing here, Gallagher’s criminal defense attorneys painted a different picture of the highly-decorated SEAL. More.....
16 Nov 2018	Japan’s Abe lays wreath in Australia city bombed in WWII Shinzo Abe became the first prime minister of Japan to visit Darwin since the northern Australian city was bombed by Japanese forces in World War II, as he and his Australian counterpart spoke Friday of strengthening defense and other ties between their countries. Abe’s one-night stay was described by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison as a deeply symbolic one. It was also another chance for Japan and Australia to present a united front as regional partners in the Asia-Pacific amid ongoing concerns of spreading Chinese influence, including the country’s building of islands in the disputed South China Sea. More.....
16 Nov 2018	HMAS Melbourne returns to Garden Island after six months regional deployment HMAS Melbourne has returned to her home port at Garden Island Sydney, after nearly six months of operations throughout the Pacific and North East Asian regions. According to the Commanding Officer, Commander Marcus Buttler, the deployment was a great success as the ship fulfilled all of its assigned tasks and responsibilities. More.....
16 Nov 2018	World War II servicemen recognised Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester MP, today announced six servicemen will be recognised for their actions as part of Sparrow Force in Timor during World War II. Mr Chester said the men of Sparrow Force fought valiantly to protect an air base in Timor which provided a forward operating base for allied aircraft defending air approaches to the South West Pacific Islands. More.....
15 Nov 2018	Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels The Royal Australian Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessels will be named the Arafura class, with the first ship entering service in 2022 being named HMAS Arafura. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, welcomed the announcement of the name Arafura, reflecting the strong connection between the Navy and the maritime waters it patrols. More.....
14 Nov 2018	New competition to inspire future Navy submariners A rare opportunity for Australians to go behind the scenes, see world-class technology and consider a career as a submariner is on offer following the launch of a National Submariner Tour and Competition today. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the competition allowed Australians the chance to experience life as a submariner and learn more about the Royal Australian Navy. More.....
14 Nov 2018	Now a federal convict, Navy spokesman was a secret PR consultant to ‘Fat Leonard’ The former spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Fleet pleaded guilty Tuesday to pocketing tens of thousands of dollars while moonlighting as the public affairs officer for the portly Malaysian shipping magnate known as “Fat Leonard.” Retired Navy Capt. Jeffrey Breslau, 52, was paid more than $60,000 by Leonard Glenn Francis to provide “public relations consulting services” from May 2012 until Fat Leonard was arrested in a 2013 sting in San Diego, according to the U.S. Justice Department. More.....
14 Nov 2018	The aggregate failure of Australia’s submarine policy Australia’s future submarine capability isn’t in a good place. We started the program at least five years too late due to a combination of indifference from successive governments and a lack of drive from the Department of Defence to kickstart it. Then we settled on an approach that’s going to take more than another decade to deliver anything at all, even if things go according to plan. And we’ve loaded the program with enough technical risk to pretty much ensure that it won’t. More.....
14 Nov 2018	HMAS Gascoyne makes port visit to Kure, Japan In the time-honoured tradition of visiting warships paying respect to local dignitaries and officials, Commanding Officer of HMAS Gascoyne, Lieutenant Commander Richard Brickacek has conducted official calls in the port of Kure, Japan. With an escort provided by officers from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), LCDR Brickacek accompanied by the Australian Defence Attaché in Japan, Colonel Simon Monterola, paid formal visits to the Mayor of Kure, the Kure Police Chief, Deputy Commander of the regional Coast Guard unit and a representative of the JMSDF Fifth Naval District. More.....
14 Nov 2018	Commonwealth Funding for Kookaburra Kids Defence Program Summary The Commonwealth Government will invest $7.6 million in the Kookaburra Kids Defence Program (Kookaburra Kids) to boost targeted support to children of ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members who are experiencing mental health issues. Kookaburra Kids was first supported by the Commonwealth Government in the 2016–17 budget, with a $2.1-million injection into a pilot program in NSW, the ACT, Queensland and the NT for 569 children. This extra investment will see the program expand into Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia and provide support for up to a total of 1750 children. More.....
14 Nov 2018	More than a dozen Navy SEALs may get caught up in war crimes investigation Military officials are prepared to call nearly a dozen past and present Navy SEALs to testify in the case of one elite Navy commando accused of fatally stabbing an Islamic State detainee in Iraq last year, according to documents obtained by Navy Times. The records related to the Naval Criminal Investigation Service’s probe offer new insight into the probe that will be aired publicly when the case against Special Operations Chief Edward “Eddie” Gallagher goes to an Article 32 hearing Wednesday morning in San Diego. More.....
14 Nov 2018	Service held for veterans' cremains found at funeral home A service was held Monday at a Michigan cemetery for the cremated remains of about 20 military veterans found in a closed Detroit funeral home. Hearses bearing the remains were escorted by police from the Detroit area to Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, about 50 miles northwest of Detroit. They were given a 21-gun salute and taps was played. The name of each veteran being laid to rest also was read aloud. Their remains were among several hundred discovered this year inside the Cantrell Funeral Home, which the state shut down in April after inspectors found improperly stored bodies and other violations. More.....
14 Nov 2018	A ‘Son of Collins’ submarine may one day prowl the oceans—just not under Australian colours The many submariners dismayed over decades by claims that their Australian-built Collins-class boats are ‘dud subs’ may ultimately be vindicated by the appearance of a sophisticated, long-range ‘Son of Collins’. Swedish industrial giant Saab now owns Kockums, the company that designed the 3,400-tonne Collins as an evolution of its much smaller, 1,130-tonne, Västergötland-class submarines. More.....
14 Nov 2018	AUTONOMOUS WARRIOR set for intensive fortnight More than 500 people from 47 companies and officers from Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and UK, NATO and regional militaries have convened at HMAS Creswell for the largest autonomous military exercise ever conducted by western allies. After a week of unloading and installations, Exercise AUTONOMOUS WARRIOR 2018 (AW18) is all set to begin pushing the capabilities of unmanned and robotic systems in real-world scenarios. More.....
13 Nov 2018	HNoMS Helge Ingstad now almost completely sunk, Norwegian Navy photos show Latest photos of the stricken frigate HNoMS Helge Ingstad shared by the Royal Norwegian Navy on Tuesday reveal that the frigate is now almost completely underwater. In a social media update in the early morning hours of Tuesday, the navy said unexpected events “complicated” plans for the salvage operation. The navy subsequently shared photos which show the majority of the frigate underwater with only part of the mast and aft deck still above water. More.....
13 Nov 2018	Royal Navy’s eighth Type 26 frigate to be named HMS London The name of the UK capital will return to the Royal Navy fleet with the eighth Type 26 frigate, Royal Navy’s First Sea Lord has announced. The future HMS London joins the previously-named HMS Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, and Birmingham while the fifth, sixth, and seventh ship are yet to be named. The name HMS London has featured in the Fleet since 1657, First Sea Lord Admiral Philip Jones said on Monday. More.....
13 Nov 2018	The five-domains update Sea state The chief of the Royal Australian Navy has confirmed that the first of the submarines being built by French contractor Naval Group may not become fully operational until 2035. Vice Admiral Mike Noonan said that the new submarines would need to undergo several rounds of testing before they could be declared fit for service. ASPI senior analyst Marcus Hellyer has argued that at least three, if not all, of the current fleet of six Collins-class submarines should have their life spans extended with a ‘life of type extension’ rebuild to offset the risks of the new submarines being delayed. More.....
13 Nov 2018	Two WWI soldiers identified and buried in France MINISTER for Defence Personnel Darren Chester today announced the identification and burial of two World War One (WWI) Australian soldiers, previously recorded as missing. The soldiers can now be identified as Lance Corporal James Leonard Rolls and Private Hedley Roy MacBeth, of the 24th Battalion Australian Imperial Force. Lance Corporal Rolls and Private MacBeth were buried with full military honours on 12 November 2018 at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Queant Road Ceremony, Buissy, France. More.....
12 Nov 2018	Second Zumwalt-class destroyer sets sail for commissioning site After being delivered to the US Navy in April this year, Zumwalt-class destroyer Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) got underway from the General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard in Bath, Maine. The guided missile destroyer set sail on November 9 en route to Coronado, California, where she is scheduled to be commissioned on January 26, 2019. More.....
12 Nov 2018	U.S. Navy Aircraft Crashes in Philippine Sea A Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 F/A-18 experienced a mechanical issue that resulted in the crew ejecting while conducting routine operations in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 12. The crew was immediately and safely recovered by USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) search and rescue aircraft and brought back to the ship for evaluation by medical personnel. Both aviators are in good condition. More.....
12 Nov 2018	Norwegian frigate finally secured to land as salvage plans move forward The Royal Norwegian Navy’s stricken frigate HNoMS Helge Ingstad is now securely fixed with seven anchoring points on land and is out of danger of sinking, the navy has informed. Over the weekend, a total of seven fixing points welded onto the frigate’s hull were fixed to anchors on land with steel wire. More.....
12 Nov 2018	Fields of red in Kings Park The usually deep green lawns of Kings Park overlooking the city of Perth were transformed into a sea of red as part of the Centenary of Armistice commemorations. Organised by the Returned and Services League Western Australia (RSLWA), the Poppy Project involved the planting of 62,000 knitted and crocheted poppies in the gardens surrounding the State War Memorial in time for Remembrance Day on November 11. More.....
10 Nov 2018	Virtual reality brings Australian Remembrance Trail to life Virtual reality technology and stunning 360-degree drone footage are bringing the Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front to Australians across the world, through an Anzac 360 app featuring interactive videos. The Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Darren Chester, today launched the new app at the Sir John Monash Centre in France. "This new app and videos, developed in partnership with News Corp Australia and produced by Grainger Films, will allow all Australians, including our next generation of school children, to experience these sites from their classroom or at home in their living room. More.....
09 Nov 2018	Australian Defence Force officer appointed to command UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, today announced the appointment of the Australian Defence Force’s Brigadier Cheryl Pearce, on promotion to Major General, as Force Commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, in congratulating Brigadier Pearce, said this was a great opportunity for Australia to contribute to global peacekeeping efforts, and to mark our commitment to the United Nations. More.....
09 Nov 2018	On The Left - Sisters In Arms
09 Nov 2018	HMAS Arunta gets new mast BAE Systems Australia has shared a video of the installation of a new mast on board the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Arunta. The Anzac-class frigate is currently undergoing Mid Life Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) at Henderson facility. The mast installation is one of the last major works on the ship ahead of her undocking before the end of the year. She will then undertake sea trials ahead of a planned return to service in 2019. More.....
08 Nov 2018	Norwegian frigate collides with tanker after Trident Juncture Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Helge Ingstad collided with an oil tanker in a fjord in Norway as it was returning from NATO exercise Trident Juncture. The incident occurred at 4:26 (local time) on November 8 in Hjeltefjorden, north of Sotra, Norwegian Armed Forces said. Eight sailors have suffered minor injuries and have been taken care of. All 137 crew members of the frigate have been evacuated. More.....
07 Nov 2018	Australian Navy contracts Kongsberg for bridge simulator delivery and support The Royal Australian Navy has awarded Kongsberg Digital a contract to deliver and support a suite of K-Sim Navigation ready ship’s bridge simulators. The contract will enable the Royal Australian to increase its training capacity and reduce costs associated with qualifying bridge watch keepers and other staff before going to sea. The simulators will be delivered for installation in a new training facility at HMAS Stirling in Perth starting May 2019, with existing bridge simulators at HMAS Watson in Sydney being upgraded from December 2018. More.....
07 Nov 2018	Navy appeals for public help in honouring maritime war dead THE Australian public is being asked to participate in compiling an updated Roll of Honour listing the 300 Australian Navy personnel who gave their lives in the First World War. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the Naval History Section is conducting the most detailed examination ever undertaken of Australia’s maritime war dead to improve the comprehensiveness of the roll. “While many Australians focus on the Army when thinking about the First World War—as so many of their loved ones fought and died ashore—we should not forget the Navy service personnel who also made a significant contribution during the war,” Mr Chester said. More.....
07 Nov 2018	RADM Mark Hammond shares his thoughts on today's sailor
07 Nov 2018	Deputy Chief of Navy Workshops
07 Nov 2018	Just Ask about your military history, you might be amazed Australians are being encouraged to Just Ask questions within their families and make enquiries online to see if they have a lost family connection to one of the almost two million people who have served Australia in wars, conflicts and on peacekeeping operations over the past century. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC Darren Chester said the Anzac Centenary period encouraged many Australians to research their family history, which had uncovered for some a lost connection to the First World War. More.....
07 Nov 2018	Unknown soldiers laid to rest in Belgium Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester today announced that two unknown Australian soldiers were buried on 6 November 2018 at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium. The funeral followed a special commemorative ceremony on 5 November at the Menin Gate, Leper, Belgium, where the two Australian soldiers were ceremonially present during the Last Post Ceremony. More.....
06 Nov 2018	Operation APEC 18 Assist
06 Nov 2018	The five-domains update Sea state The British ministry of defence has released a detailed report and footage of last month’s dangerous ‘interaction’ between the USS Decatur and a Chinese Luoyang-class destroyer near the Spratly Islands. In response, US navy chief Admiral John Richardson has called on China to adhere to a code of conduct on the seas. It’s reported that the US Pacific Fleet has had 18 ‘unsafe interactions’ with the Chinese navy since 2016. More.....
06 Nov 2018	Trucking in steel for the navy’s new ships Steel for the Royal Australian Navy’s first offshore patrol vessel is being cut in Western Australia and trucked to Adelaide where construction is set to begin next week. The vessel is the first of 12 OPVs based on the PV80 design of the German shipbuilder Lürssen. It’s one of two OPVs to be built at ASC’s Osborne shipyard. The remaining 10 vessels will be built in the Henderson yard of WA-based Civmec. The steel, from Australian mills, is cut by Civmec and taken by road to South Australia. More.....
06 Nov 2018	Shove your priority boarding’ — Aussie vets call airline’s veteran benefit offer ‘too American’ The Australian government announced this past weekend that Virgin Australia airlines would be offering priority boarding — and in-flight acknowledgements of military service — to the nation’s veterans as part of a continued national effort to recognize those who served. But in a rare twist of 21st century humility, Australians have collectively told the airline to, as renowned wordsmith Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would say, take the offer, shine it up real nice, turn that sum’bitch sideways and stick it straight up Virgin’s candy ass. More.....
06 Nov 2018	Russian fighter jet flies dangerously close to US airplane, Navy says A Russian fighter jet flew dangerously close to a U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane on Monday over the Black Sea, the latest incident showcasing simmering tensions in Eastern Europe between Moscow and Washington. A Navy EP-3E Aries II reconnaissance aircraft was flying in international airspace when it was intercepted by a Sukhoi Russian Su-27 “Flanker”fighter in an interaction that lasted about 25 minutes, according to a Navy release and interviews with senior officials. More.....
06 Nov 2018	Minehunters overcome rough seas and long distance to join Republic of Korea exercise After the longest transit ever completed by Australian Minehunters, HMA Ships Gascoyne and Huon have contributed to Multi-National Navy Mine Warfare Exercise 2018 (MNMIWEX) in the Republic of Korea. The contribution to the MNMIWEX is a key component of the Minehunters’ north-east Asian deployment. This is the furthest north Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Minehunters have deployed and the first time units of this type have visited the Republic of Korea. More.....
05 Nov 2018	Centre for Innovation continues to push boundaries with new technology Navy is moving positively in the direction of being able to manufacture specific spare parts onboard ships to facilitate repairs at sea. The Centre for Innovation (CFI) recently took delivery of a Artec 3D handheld scanner, referred to as Eva. The ‘general-purpose’ white light scanner can be used to capture any object from the size of a shoe to that of a car with a point accuracy of up to 0.1mm. CFI is then able to make a quick, textured and accurate 3D model of the scanned object using a 3D printer. More.....
05 Nov 2018	Australia and United States first countries to use Cooperative Engagement Capability between Navies In a first for our respective navies, HMAS Hobart has successfully tested a communications capability, proving her ability to share sensor information and real-time combat system data with the United States Navy. During training and testing near Hawaii, HMAS Hobart established secure data links with the US Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer USS John Finn and shared tracking and fire control data across the two ships. More.....
05 Nov 2018	Navy League of Australia(Vic-Tas Div) November newsletter is now available to download.....
05 Nov 2018	FlyBy A periodical of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia. November issue.....
04 Nov 2018	Who do you remember during a minute's silence IN the lead-up to Remembrance Day, Australians are being encouraged to take a moment to reflect on who they will be thinking about during the minute’s silence at 11am on 11 November and share it using the hashtag, #1MS (1 Minute’s Silence). As part of promoting #1MS, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC Darren Chester joined well-known Australians in expressing why they stop for a minute, including Cate and Bronte Campbell, Johnathan Thurston, Dan Sultan, Les Hill, Curtis McGrath and Bree Bailie, a current serving member of the Australian Defence Force. More.....
03 Nov 2018	The damage inflicted on the Australian home front by the Great War The scale of Australian military losses in World War I is well known. From a population of fewer than 5 million, more than 62,000 men and women died, and over 150,000 were wounded. Less widely known, however, is the profound damage that the war inflicted on the Australian home front. The original decision to commit Australia to war in August 1914 had widespread public support, even though London had declared war on Germany on behalf of Australia (and the rest of the British Empire). By the end of 1914, over 50,000 Australians had enlisted. More.....
02 Nov 2018	Australian Navy, US Coast Guard to secure APEC 2018 summit in PNG The Royal Australian Navy and US Coast Guard will be helping Papua New Guinea authorities provide safety for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leader’s Summit which takes place from Nov. 12-18 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Adelaide and Armidale-class patrol boats HMAS Larrakia and HMAS Glenelg will start arriving in Port Moresby from this weekend. More.....
02 Nov 2018	Jobs for veterans Thousands of ex-service men and women across Australia are set to benefit from a new initiative to connect them with employment opportunities. Building on the success of the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program, a new Veterans Employment Commitment will be rolled out to businesses that want to benefit from the skills and experience of Australia’s veterans. More.....
02 Nov 2018	Bird Inquiry independent reviewer An Australian veteran who served in Afghanistan, Jesse Bird, tragically died of suicide on 27 June 2017 at the age of 32. In 2017, the Government committed to an independent review of the implementation of the recommendations of the Joint Defence/Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Inquiry into the Jesse Bird case after 12 months. Emeritus Professor Robin Creyke AO has been appointed to conduct this review. More.....
01 Nov 2018	Austal cyber security incident Department of Defence Department of Home Affairs Australian Cyber Security Centre The Australian Government is aware of the cyber security incident affecting Austal. This matter has been referred to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for investigation. As the investigation continues, the Department of Defence can confirm that no compromise of classified or sensitive information or technology has been identified so far. More.....
01 Nov 2018	Australian Naval Shipbuilding College officially opens Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding College which will deliver a coordinated, national approach to workforce development has been officially opened. Australian defence minister Christopher Pyne opened the College at Osborne in South Australia on November 1. The minister said it’s an integral interface with the shipbuilding industry to identify workforce requirements throughout all phases of construction and sustainment. More.....
01 Nov 2018	Recognising and respecting our veterans Veterans and their families are at the centre of a fresh package of initiatives from our Government to recognise their vital role and service to Australia. We understand the home front is just as important as the front line. Our Government will develop an Australian Veterans’ Covenant that will be enacted in legislation so the nation can recognise the unique nature of military service and support veterans and their families. As part of this Veterans’ Covenant, a new Australian Veterans’ Card and an Australian Veterans’ Lapel Pin will make it easier for all Australians to recognise and respect the unique contribution that veterans have made to Australia and for our veterans to reconnect with others who have served. More.....
01 Nov 2018	Grants help communities commemorate Centenary of Armistice More than 660 community projects commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armistice of the First World War are set to share in more than $5.3 million under the Armistice Centenary Grants Program. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester said he was impressed with the projects that had been approved for funding, and the innovative ways groups were commemorating the centenary of the First World War Armistice. More.....
01 Nov 2018	Funding to support veterans and their communities More than $824,000 of funding under the latest round of Veteran and Community Grants (VCG) program will soon be provided to community groups supporting veterans. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester today announced 62 grants for organisations helping veterans in the community. "Our Government is putting veterans and their families first and provides more than $11.2 billion each year to deliver the essential services and programs they rely on," Mr Chester said. More.....
01 Nov 2018	STS Young Endeavour visits Newcastle Australia’s national sail training ship, STS Young Endeavour has visited Newcastle where she welcomed aboard students from Kotara High School Special Needs Unit. Although a strong north-easterly wind prevented the tall ship leaving Queens Wharf for a day sail, the youth crew provided ship tours to the local students. Sixteen-year old Dominic Erbacher from Tumut, NSW shared some of his new found knowledge and experiences. More.....
31 Oct 2018	Could ‘Hunter Killer’ inspire recruits like ‘Top Gun’ did? A new movie that’s set aboard a U.S. submarine could do for submariners what “Top Gun” did for Navy pilots. The Virginian-Pilot reported last week that action film “Hunter Killer” could provide a window into the high-stakes world of modern undersea warfare. The film is largely set aboard a Virginia-class submarine. Some are based in Norfolk and built in nearby Newport News. They are the Navy's newest attack subs and designed to deliver Navy SEALs. More.....
31 Oct 2018	HMAS Brisbane Commissioning
30 Oct 2018	HMAS Ballarat departs for Middle East Region
30 Oct 2018	Crane damages Russia’s sole aircraft carrier as floating dry dock sinks Russia’s sole aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was damaged on Tuesday morning as the 330-meter floating dry dock holding the carrier sank during a float-out operation in Murmansk. A crane fell onto the aircraft carrier after the dry dock started sinking, leaving a four by five meter hole above the ship’s waterline, Russian Sputnik News has reported. More.....
30 Oct 2018	Navy commissions new 822X Squadron to operate unmanned aerial systems Today’s commissioning ceremony at HMAS Albatross marked a major milestone in the Royal Australian Navy’s capability to operate unmanned aerial systems in the maritime domain. The ceremony marked the formal transition of the Naval Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit (NUASU) to 822X Squadron making it the fourth operational Squadron in the RAN Fleet Air Arm. 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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