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31 Aug 2020	Australian industry delivers 1000th F-35 infrared imagery capability The Australian arm of Collins Aerospace has delivered the 1000th 360-degree situational awareness system for the global F‑35 Joint Strike Fighter Program to the United States, marking a significant milestone for the program. The Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (EODAS) optical assembly is the eyes of the aircraft, providing the pilot with a 360-degree spherical view of their surroundings. More.....
31 Aug 2020	Navy excels during live missile firing The Royal Australian Navy has proven its warfighting capability with devastating effect at Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). Anzac-class frigate HMAS Stuart successfully fired two Harpoon missiles and coordinated the missile firings of three other ships during one of RIMPAC’s best-known serials called the SINKEX, where participants sink a decommissioned warship. More.....
29 Aug 2020	China military watch Welcome to the second instalment of ‘China military watch’, a new monthly feature discussing recent trends in Chinese military affairs. This week, Charlie Lyons Jones and Malcolm Davis look at the People’s Liberation Army’s perception of Australia’s defence strategic update and the growth of China’s carrier fleet in the Indo-Pacific. More.....
29 Aug 2020	Our Cadets Need You Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) is a youth organisation for people aged 13-17 years of age and they are currently seeking Expressions of Interest nationally, to perform the roles of Officers and Instructors of Cadets. The ANC’s vision is to provide an environment and opportunities to develop young Australians to become capable, confident and resilient members of their communities. This is achieved through delivering safe, challenging and meaningful experiences in the maritime environment. More.....
29 Aug 2020	Legacy Week — Supporting our veterans' families THIS coming week is Legacy Week, an annual appeal that raises awareness and funds to support the families of Australian veterans. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said Legacy Week was known for its trademark badges and was a simple way that Australians can support our ex-service personnel and their families, and say ‘thank you’. More.....
28 Aug 2020	Chinese PLA Navy Type 075 amphibious assault ship completes maiden sea trials According to footage and photos published on Chinese websites, China’s first Type 075 amphibious assault ship completed an 18-day maiden sea trial and returned to its shipyard in Shanghai last Sunday. The warship is expected to join the Chinese navy’s marines next year, military analysts said. According to a military insider, the amphibious warship is still awaiting the launch of the aircraft it would carry: the naval versions of the Z-8J and Z-20J, which are modified based on the air force’s Z-8 and Z-20 armed helicopters. More.....
28 Aug 2020	Watch the Coast Guard shoot at a shark for trying to join a swim call party Outsiders are often left bewildered if asked to describe the complexities of what the Coast Guard does, at least without offering a gauche “guard the coast” quip. If anything, the service’s intricate mission now appears even more perplexing after a scene that unfolded last week aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Kimball. More.....
28 Aug 2020	Destroyer Conducts South China Sea FONOP Day After Chinese ‘Carrier Killer’ Missile Tests A guided-missile destroyer conducted a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea past the Paracel Island chain on Thursday, one day after China launched missile tests in the South China Sea, U.S. 7th Fleet announced on Thursday. USS Mustin (DDG-89) operated past the islands that are claimed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan. More.....
28 Aug 2020	Leeuwin takes to local waters for intensive training HMAS Leeuwin has spent two weeks conducting intensive training and evaluation in beautiful weather off Mission Beach, 140km south of Cairns, in preparation for operational taskings later this year. The training follows a major maintenance period in June, when the ship slipped at Tropical Reef Shipyard for over eight weeks. More.....
27 Aug 2020	Hobart flexes her might HMAS Hobart has become the first Hobart-class guided missile destroyer to conduct a live fire at Exercise Rim of the Pacific, making it the most sophisticated and lethal warship ever operated by the RAN. Alongside ships from the United States and Canada, Hobart successfully fired an SM-2 against an unmanned target as part of the exercise scenario. More.....
27 Aug 2020	Welcome step towards suicide prevention for defence personnel and veterans LEGISLATION introduced today by the Attorney-General is a significant step forward in the establishment of the National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention — a powerful new independent and enduring body focused on understanding and addressing the risk factors of defence force and veteran suicide. This legislation will formally create the National Commissioner position and sets out the National Commissioner’s functions and powers. The National Commissioner will have powers to inquire fully into deaths by suicide among Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veterans. More.....
26 Aug 2020	Click here to download the August edition of "BROADSIDE"..... NOTE from Webmaster: If you are a member and haven't been notified that your monthly copy of 'BROADSIDE' 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 Aug 2020	Service in gratitude of nation Able Seamen Jandre Van Der Walt and Katie Nattrass Russo are proudly serving in HMAS Ballarat as a way to give back and thank the country that welcomed them in their youth. Able Seaman Van Der Walt is a Marine Technician who was born in Pretoria, South Africa. Before coming to Australia in his teens, he lived in Uganda and Dubai and grew up speaking Afrikaans at home. More.....
26 Aug 2020	Arunta first upgraded frigate to fire missiles at RIMPAC The first frigate to complete the Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade, HMAS Arunta, has successfully fired surface-to-air missiles at Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) in Hawaii. Conducted alongside ships from Canada and the United States, Commanding Officer HMAS Arunta Commander Troy Duggan said the firing demonstrated the lethality of the upgraded Anzac Class frigate and its world-class Australian systems. More.....
26 Aug 2020	$1B to accelerate Defence initiatives in COVID-19 recovery The Morrison Government has announced a $1 billion investment package to boost Australia’s defence industry and support thousands of jobs across the country. The package is directed towards nationwide projects and jobs across Australia including: * Increasing the employment of ADF Reservists who have lost their civilian income, with an allocation of up to an extra 210,000 days, and the targeted recruitment of an additional 500 ADF Reservists; * Increasing employment opportunities for current and former ADF personnel and their families; More.....
26 Aug 2020	Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victorian Chapter) President's August Musings are now available to download.....
25 Aug 2020	Littoral Combat Ship 21 ‘Minneapolis Saint Paul’ Completes Acceptance Trials
25 Aug 2020	No Russian or Chinese Presence at First Week of RIMPAC The U.S. Navy and partner nations have so far not encountered a Russian or Chinese maritime presence during the Rim of the Pacific 2020 exercise, according to a Navy official. “No, we’ve had no presence of [People’s Republic of China] or Russian Federation ships within our waters that we’re aware of,” Capt. Jay Steingold, the director of this year’s RIMPAC exercise, told reporters today. More.....
25 Aug 2020	Sailing in company to test combat system Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer HMAS Sydney has sailed in company with sister ship HMAS Brisbane to conduct training and testing of the Aegis Combat System. Commanding Officer of Sydney Commander Edward Seymour said it was the first time the ship sailed in company with another guided missile destroyer and the first time joining another vessel at sea equipped with the cooperative engagement capability. More.....
25 Aug 2020	Revolutionising future mine countermeasure technology New autonomous technologies will revolutionise mine clearance capability in operations close to shore through a new five-year, $15 million research and development project. The project is part of a new partnership between Defence, Australia’s Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre (TAS DCRC) and Thales Australia. More.....
25 Aug 2020	Veterans deliver new Australian War Memorial carpark FORMER Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel employed by Veterans in Construction have been part of the team delivering the new car parking facilities at the Australian War Memorial, which includes extended permanent underground car parking facilities as well as additional parking close to the Memorial for visitors with mobility concerns. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said five veterans from Veterans in Construction worked with Lendlease ACT to deliver this project on time and on budget. More.....
24 Aug 2020	USS Chung-Hoon Conducts GUNEX with HMAS Stuart U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) conducted a gunnery exercise with the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Stuart (FFH 153) August 19 during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020. During the exercise, Stuart dropped a floating target into the ocean, known as a “killer tomato.” Chung-Hoon fired 20 rounds from the MK 45 five-inch gun and 400 rounds from .50 caliber machine guns. More.....
22 Aug 2020	Veteran Family Advocate appointed IN a significant step towards promoting better outcomes for veterans’ families, Ms Gwen Cherne has been appointed as the first ever Veteran Family Advocate, representing their perspectives in ongoing policy and decision making across Government. More.....
22 Aug 2020	Prospects for game-changers in submarine-detection technology Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) has always been a game of hide and seek, with adversarial states looking to adopt and deploy emerging technologies in submarine stealth or detection to give them the strategic edge. The advantage has shifted back and forth, but, on the whole, it has proved easier to hide a submarine than find one: the oceans are wide, deep, dark, noisy, irregular and cluttered. More.....
20 Aug 2020	Navy’s newest ship ready for action in record time Britain’s newest warship is ready for front-line duties – just five months after the first sailors stepped aboard HMS Tamar. In what is thought to be the fastest generation of a warship in peacetime, the Portsmouth-based ship has gone from incomplete lifeless hulk at the beginning of 2020 into a vessel ready to deploy around the globe by August. More.....
19 Aug 2020	Veterans and their families have their say on research and telehealth hub VETERANS, their families and the broader ex-service community that supports them will be able to have their say on how they are supported as part of the feasibility study into a new research and telehealth hub. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester today said the potential for a national research centre and telehealth hub in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has moved to the next stage with Yellow Edge Pty Ltd, partnered with ORIMA Research, selected to undertake this work. More.....
19 Aug 2020	Female commander of Australian Maritime Task Force at RIMPAC makes history Captain Phillipa Hay of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will lead Task Force One during exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020. In a historic position, Hay is the first non-U.S. military woman to lead a RIMPAC task force, following only retired U.S. States Navy Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, former Commander, U.S. Third Fleet. Tyson held the position of Commander, Combined Task Force during RIMPAC 2016. From August 17-31, Hay will command more than 2,500 Sailors and officers across 11 warships from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the Republic of the Philippines, and the United States. More.....
19 Aug 2020	Our August Navy Hero is Ordinary Seaman Edward 'Teddy' Sheean VC Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean was born on 28 December 1923 at Lower Barrington, Tasmania, the fourteenth child of James Sheean, labourer, and his wife Mary Jane, née Broomhall. Soon afterwards the family moved to Latrobe. Teddy was educated at the local Catholic school. Five foot 8½ inches (174cm) tall and well built, he took casual work on farms between Latrobe and Merseylea. Read Teddy's full story.....
19 Aug 2020	Supporting the ADF women who have stepped up during the pandemic In recent years, the promotion of equality for serving women in the Australian Defence Force has been a great positive. But there’s still an equity problem in the lack of mental health care specifically tailored for ADF women. The support that female ADF members are providing to the government’s Covid-19 response has only highlighted the need for a gender perspective to be incorporated into health support services for these personnel. More.....
18 Aug 2020	ADF exercises capability at RIMPAC Four Royal Australian Navy vessels and almost 700 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have arrived in Hawaii ahead of two weeks of training involving 10 nations during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2020 (RIMPAC). Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said Australia’s participation in this year’s RIMPAC exercise reflects our close alliance with the United States and the strength of Australia’s military relationships with its regional defence partners. More.....
18 Aug 2020	Mine-hunting robots get smart Whether providing a bird’s eye view of the battlefield or searching the ocean for mines, it’s well known robotic systems are ideally suited to dull, dirty and dangerous jobs. The operator of an uninhabited aerial vehicle can remotely control a drone using radio or satellite communications. However, communicating through water is more difficult, driving a need to incorporate a greater degree of autonomy in uninhabited underwater vehicles (UUVs). More.....
17 Aug 2020	Sky News Australia presents ‘Teddy Sheean VC: A Hero at Last’
14 Aug 2020	75 years since the Second World War ended Tomorrow we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of the almost one million Australians who served our nation, and the support and fortitude of millions of Australians on the home front. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said Victory in the Pacific signified the end of the Second World War for Australia and was met with scenes of celebration and relief 75 years ago, and tomorrow, a special commemorative service would be held at the Australian War Memorial to remember all those who served. More.....
14 Aug 2020	HMAS Canberra returns to Australia
12 Aug 2020	Stronger cyber defences for deployed ADF networks The Morrison Government will strengthen the cyber defences of deployed ADF networks and combat platforms through its $1.4 billion investment in Defence cyber capabilities over 20 years. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC today announced the details of Joint Project 9131 Defensive Cyberspace Operations as part of the 2020 Force Structure Plan to strengthen the ADF’s deployed cyber resilience. More.....
12 Aug 2020	Short-notice deployment for Navy planner A short-notice deployment saw RAN Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Peck trade Canberra’s freezing winter for a sweltering Middle-East Summer. Lieutenant Commander Peck is deployed as the Deputy N5 / Force Flow Planner in Bahrain working for Combined Task Force (CTF) Sentinel as part of Operation Manitou. He is a maritime warfare officer posted to Headquarters Joint Operations Command. More.....
12 Aug 2020	A tasty upgrade to HMAS Canberra The 750 personnel deployed in HMAS Canberra for the Regional Presence Deployment 2020 are savouring the benefits of a recent upgrade. During Canberra’s last scheduled maintenance, two of the latest multipurpose cooking centres were installed. New Bratt pans – large cooking receptacles designed for producing large-scale meals – enable cooks to produce up to 120 litres of food at once. More.....
12 Aug 2020	A time of reflection for sailors For three HMAS Choules crew members, a recent deployment to support Vanuatu's 40th anniversary of independence celebrations was a chance to reflect on a significant event in their Navy careers. Able Seaman Ben Ashman, Able Seaman Ethan Macnamara and Midshipman Mitchell Sutton were part of Choules' ship's company when she supported the evacuation of civilians from Ambae in 2017 following the eruption of Manaro volcano. More.....
12 Aug 2020	Ordinary Seaman Edward 'Teddy' Sheean VC
12 Aug 2020	Media statement 12 Aug 2020 Prime Minister The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), has advised me that Her Majesty The Queen has given approval for the award of the Victoria Cross for Australia to Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean for his actions on 1 December 1942, when he sacrificed his life to save his shipmates during the sinking of the HMAS Armidale. Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean was an extraordinary Australian and Australia will remain eternally grateful for his service, dedication and sacrifice. In June I established an Expert Panel, chaired by Dr Brendan Nelson AO, to resolve the contradicting advice regarding the case for an award of the Victoria Cross to Teddy Sheean. There was never any question to the extent of Teddy’s heroism and valour. It was exceptional. But the Government was faced with two previous findings of equal standing from two reviews that had concluded different results. It was important that the Expert Panel settle this conflicting evidence and determine whether there was new evidence to help dispel any ambiguity. The Panel’s report found there was compelling new evidence, including new evidence discovered by the Panel, in support of higher recognition for Teddy Sheean, and that Sheean was done a substantial injustice in consideration of his actions in the original decision making period in 1942 to 1943. It found Sheean's courageous sacrifice of his life to save his shipmates makes him eligible for the Victoria Cross for Australia, and the highest level of recognition should be accorded in this exceptional case. I accepted this advice and I had asked the Governor-General to convey the Government’s recommendation to Her Majesty The Queen. I welcome the approval of Her Majesty. The Victoria Cross is the highest award that can be provided to any Australian serviceman or woman for their valour. As Prime Minister and as a Government, we have a very special responsibility to ensure that the integrity of the Victoria Cross is upheld for all of those who've been honoured by being bestowed. The decision formalises what we already know: that Teddy Sheean is an Australian hero. 78 years might have passed since he died but his story will always be part of us. After the order was given for the crew of the HMAS Armidale to abandon ship, Japanese aircraft strafed the Australian sailors who were overboard. Sheean then turned back, made for the gun, strapped himself in, and returned fire to the Japanese. He fought to the very end. He chose to save the lives of his shipmates rather than his own. A week after the sinking, 49 men from the HMAS Armidale were rescued. Many of these men owed their lives to the actions of Teddy Sheean. All Australians can share in the joy of this award. All who have served and who serve in the Royal Australian Navy can take satisfaction that the valour of one of their comrades has been recognised by the highest honour. This week, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific. Teddy Sheean never saw war’s end, never saw the peace he helped secure, and did not enjoy the long life that many of his crew mates did. That was the price he paid for his valour. I honour the Sheean family and Tasmanians who faithfully kept the case of Teddy Sheean before us all.
12 Aug 2020	Defence congratulates Edward 'Teddy' Sheean, VC Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean’s bravery and sacrifice has long been recognised and honoured by the Department of Defence and the Royal Australian Navy. Her Majesty The Queen has approved the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross for Australia to Teddy Sheean. There is no higher honour in the Australian Honours System than the Victoria Cross. Teddy Sheean’s story of bravery is well known and Defence continues to celebrate his heroic and gallant actions. On 1 December 1942, HMAS Armidale came under aerial bombardment and torpedo attack from Japanese aircraft. As the enemy fired upon the ship and his shipmates who were already in the water, Ordinary Seaman Sheean chose to forgo his opportunity for survival by not abandoning ship and returned to his action station to man the aft Oerlikon gun. Sheean strapped himself into the gun and commenced firing at the enemy, damaging at least two enemy aircraft. Ordinary Seaman Sheean sacrificed his life trying to save his shipmates and, despite his wounds, he continued firing the gun until the ship sank and took him to his death. Defence welcomes the announcement today in recognition of Teddy’s extraordinary actions, service, dedication and sacrifice. This is a great honour for the late Teddy Sheean, for his family, for his shipmates, for the Royal Australian Navy, and for the Australian Defence Force.
11 Aug 2020	Cerberus to the rescue on the Monash Freeway A four-person Navy team from HMAS Cerberus deployed on Operation COVID-19 Assist has saved the life of a Melbourne resident. In transit to a shift assisting Victoria Police at a control point in Lang Lang, Petty Officer Shannon Schonewille, Leading Seaman Alexander Patterson, Seaman Jaxan Stead and Seaman Rhys Watson witnessed an emergency incident. More.....
11 Aug 2020	Service to mark end of WWII A ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII will be held at the Australian War Memorial on August 15. Known as Victory in the Pacific Day, or VP Day, the event, hosted by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, will commemorate the end of the war and honour all those who served and died. Members of Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) have been rehearsing their drill for the past two weeks for their role in the catafalque party for the AFG’s parade. Able Seaman Hayden Rapley said he was honoured to be taking part. More.....
10 Aug 2020	Chair’s letter to the Prime Minister Dear Prime Minister I am pleased to provide you with the report of the Expert Panel you assembled to consider the matter of the historic recognition of Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean. Specifically, you asked the Panel to examine respectively the detailed work conducted by the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal (the Tribunal) on two separate occasions into Sheean’s actions on 1 December 1942 during the sinking of HMAS Armidale. The Panel is unanimous in its conclusions and recommendations to you. More.....
10 Aug 2020	MMHN August 2020 Update The July MMHN Update referred to ominous signs of a second wave of COVID-19. In nautical terms this anticipated wave broke over our bows, swamping us. Decks awash, we ‘battened down the hatches’ in Lockdown Mark 2 – but kept on enthusiastically ‘bailing’ so to speak, and engaging with stakeholders though ‘zoom’. Despite all the challenges, we continue to make significant ‘headway’ this month on progress with Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network’s (MMHN) objectives. Useful connections continue apace as we bring together our diverse maritime stakeholders - heritage, industry, educators, and ‘sailors’ of all types. MMHN is gaining recognition as a unifying force among maritime stakeholders. More.....
10 Aug 2020	ADF support to Vanuatu independence celebrations
10 Aug 2020	World War II hero Teddy Sheean to posthumously receive Victoria Cross Prime Minister Scott Morrison has recommended the Queen posthumously award World War II hero Edward 'Teddy' Sheean a Victoria Cross. Tasmanian Sheean, an 18-year-old with less than two years at sea, was an Ordinary Seaman on the minesweeper HMAS Armidale when it came under heavy attack from Japanese aircraft off the coast of what is now Timor-Leste in 1942. More.....
10 Aug 2020	Contact tracing in NSW More than 60 Navy and Army personnel have been working with the NSW Health Contact Tracing team as part of Operation COVID-19 Assist. The team is responsible for contacting positive COVID-19 cases and their close contacts to tell them to get tested and isolate for 14 days. More.....
10 Aug 2020	Navy moves inland Navy personnel from multiple ships are working together to support NSW Police at vehicle check points as part of Operation COVID-19 Assist. In early July, members from bases HMAS Albatross, Creswell, Watson and Waterhen, Fleet Support Unit-East and HMA Ships Adelaide and Parramatta, and NUSHIP Supply, formed a 125-strong team within Joint Task Force 629. More.....
10 Aug 2020	HMAS Canberra holds solemn memorial In a solemn sunrise ceremony in the seas of the Solomon Islands, 84 members of HMAS Canberra held tiny wooden crosses bearing the names of the 84 crew who lost their lives in a World War II naval battle fought there by the ship’s namesake. The ceremony was held 78 years after the first Canberra sank in the Battle of Savo Island, on August 9, 1942. More.....
08 Aug 2020	Boosting Australia's cyber resilience The Morrison Government is further boosting Australia’s cyber defences to ensure our essential networks are even more secure and reliable. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the investment announced today includes measures to strengthen the resilience of Australian critical infrastructure, businesses and individuals against cyber threats. More.....
07 Aug 2020	Navantia Australia’s role in supporting Hobart Class Aegis combat system upgrades Navantia Australia will play a central role in supporting the combat system upgrade of the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart class guided missile destroyers as the fleet prepares to receive the Baseline 9 upgrade for the Aegis combat system. SEA 4000 Phase 6 has been established to modernise the class to integrate Aegis Baseline 9 into the Royal Australian Navy's three Hobart Class guided missile destroyers (DDGs), HMA Ships Hobart, Brisbane and Sydney. More.....
07 Aug 2020	Snow hits while on operation Heavy snow was a highlight for many of the 120 Royal Australian Navy personnel deployed on Operation COVID-19 ASSIST in the Alpine region’s town of Jindabyne. Training systems specialist Lieutenant Shaun Logan is part of Joint Task Group 629.1.3. His role is to facilitate the involvement of Navy personnel deployed to the NSW-Victoria border control points. More.....
07 Aug 2020	Sailor turns early tech passion into career Able Seaman Stacey Harrison has always had an affinity with technology. She used to create web pages for her parent's motor inn in Toowoomba, Queensland, and managed a database for the local city golf club. When she joined the Navy in 2018, Able Seaman Harrison was ready to turn her self-taught skills in information technology into a new career. She is now HMAS Choules’ local area network administrator, a role she said fits her geek personality perfectly. More.....
07 Aug 2020	HMAS Watson works to reap local industry benefits Work has started on the $430.5 million HMAS Watson redevelopment, marking a major milestone for a project set to deliver significant benefits and hundreds of jobs for NSW’s defence industry. Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price said the project would ensure HMAS Watson continued to support critical Navy training for up to 1300 students per year. More.....
07 Aug 2020	Morrison Government invests in new anti-submarine training capability The Morrison Government will invest around $11 million to acquire an advanced anti submarine warfare capability for Defence. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the new AUV62-AT, Intermediate Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target will enhance Australia’s warfighting capabilities. More.....
07 Aug 2020	USS Oklahoma sailor killed in Pearl Harbor attack laid to rest in Missouri Nearly eight decades after he was killed in the attack at Pearl Harbor that launched the U.S. into World War II, a Missouri man has been laid to rest next to his parents. KYTV-TV reports that the remains of Navy Seaman 1st Class Orval Austin Tranbarger of Mountain View were buried Wednesday. The TV station said people lined highways and streets from Willow Springs to the cemetery in Mountain View to pay their respects. More.....
07 Aug 2020	75th Anniversary of the End of World War Two (WWII) Victorians are invited to mark the year the war ended. 15 August, Victory in the Pacific Day, commemorates Japan's acceptance of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender, made on 14 August 1945. For Australians, it meant that the Second World War was finally over. Activities to mark the 75th anniversary of this day will recognise and thank living WWII veterans, acknowledge the service of all WWII veterans and explore Victoria’s WWII history and stories. More.....
06 Aug 2020	A nuclear sea-launched cruise missile will help deter nuclear aggression There is no higher security requirement than deterring a nuclear attack against the U.S. homeland or our allies and partners. Today, the United States is in the early stages of comprehensively modernizing the nuclear forces to protect the United States from such an attack. Redeveloping a nuclear sea-launched cruise missile, or SLCM-N, is a vital component of our modernization plan. More.....
05 Aug 2020	Two new providers of psychiatric assistance dogs to support veterans Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will benefit from the addition of two new providers to the Government’s Psychiatric Assistance Dog Program: the Royal Society for the Blind of South Australia and Integra Service Dogs Australia. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said this was an important program to help veterans manage their PTSD and the feedback received so far from veterans and their families was that it was making an amazing difference. More.....
04 Aug 2020	Navy, Marines Locate Sunken AAV, Human Remains The Navy and Marine Corps identified the location of the amphibious assault vehicle that sank off the coast of San Clemente Island last week using a remotely operated search and rescue system. The services announced today that they confirmed the location of the AAV and that the ROV confirmed the presence of human remains at that location. “The Navy has expedited the movement of assets to recover the remains of the Marines and Sailor, as well as raise the AAV. More.....
04 Aug 2020	HMAS Canberra assists in search and rescue HMAS Canberra and its embarked aviation assets assisted in locating the three-person crew of a skiff that had been missing for nearly three days in Micronesia. The men were found on 2 August in good condition on tiny Pikelot Island, 190km west of where they had set off in their seven-metre vessel on 30 July. More.....
04 Aug 2020	Navy assisting at Police checkpoint in Coldstream, Victoria
03 Aug 2020	Practical steps to support veteran mental health General Practitioners (GPs) across Australia now have access to a new 24/7 hotline to assist them in supporting the health and wellbeing of veterans. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the Veteran Mental Health GP Assistance Hotline forms part of a $1.4 million investment in practical steps to meet the needs of the veteran community. More.....
03 Aug 2020	ADF support to Vanuatu's 40th Anniversary of Independence
02 Aug 2020	One In A Million — Recognising our Second World War veterans In the lead up to the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Australians are encouraged to capture and share the stories of our World War Two veterans as part of the Federal Government’s #OneInAMillion campaign. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the campaign is a way for every generation of Australians to learn about our veterans and also about their own family history. More.....
01 Aug 2020	FlyBy A periodical of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia. August issue.....
01 Aug 2020	Navy Undersea Search and Rescue Ship Joins Mission to Find 8 Missing from AAV Mishap A Navy ship specializing in undersea search and rescue has joined the mission to find seven Marines and one sailor missing off the coast of Southern California after their amphibious assault vehicle sank on Thursday, USNI News has learned. Submarine support ship HOS Dominator arrived on Friday to join Navy, Marine and Coast Guard assets looking for the missing service members, officials confirmed. More.....
01 Aug 2020	Anzac360 app explores the Fall of Singapore THE next generation of Australians will now be able to learn about the beginning of a precarious time in Australia’s history during the Second World War, the Fall of Singapore, in an engaging way through the latest stage of the Anzac360 app. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said using virtual reality technology, the Anzac360 app explores the loss and devastation that was suffered by Australia and its Allies for more than three years until the war ended with Japan’s surrender on 15 August. More.....

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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.....

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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.....

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