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Latest News for our Navy Network Download the July edition of our newsletter BROADSIDE |
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27 July Honouring
'Rusty', the last Navy beach commandoPrivate Nicholas Marquis reflects on the colourful life of his grandfather, Alfred 'Rusty' Marquis, one of the first Warrant Officers of the Navy, who died on July 12, at 97. The death of ex-Warrant Officer Alfred James Marquis, believed to be the last living Royal Australian Navy beach commando, is the end of an era. Known by everyone as ‘Rusty’, his friends knew him as a sailor, warrant officer, father and overall a true gentleman. But to me, he was Grandpa. More..... |
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BROADSIDE - July 2023 Edition NOTE: To read Broadside in Flipbook form, click on the "Full Screen" 
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26 July Chinese,
Russian Warships Continue Exercises in Sea of Japan; North
Korea Resumes Missile LaunchesThe People’s Liberation Army Navy and Russian Navy wrapped up their joint exercise “Northern Interaction 2023” in the Sea of Japan Sunday before the combined fleet arrived at Vladivostok Monday, where the PLAN ships are making a port visit. Russia’s Ministry of Defense, which issued statements and updates throughout the exercise on their social media channel, said 20 combat exercises were carried out during the drills, including joint naval firing at sea, coastal and air targets. In contrast to joint exercises in previous years, which had been carried out in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) along with joint sailing near Japan, the Northern Interaction 2023 exercise took place in international waters in the Sea of Japan, with Japan monitoring the exercise, despite the distance. More..... |
25 July Star-spangled
kangaroo adorns USS CanberraAt the commissioning ceremony for USS Canberra, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) presented the ship with a rare gift - star-spangled Kangaroo insignias. Crafted by Australian hands with Australian metal at the Fleet Support Unit at HMAS Kuttabul, the unique insignias will be permanently installed on the sides of the USS Canberra’s superstructure. The idea for the gift began in early April, and while there were plenty of challenges along the way, the team involved, including Leading Seaman Owen Skjeime, could not be prouder of the result. “This is something that will be seen for many years to come,” Leading Seaman Skjeime said. More..... |
25 July Navy
instructor's rewarding jobLead communications technician instructor Petty Officer Christopher Smyth is encouraging people to consider becoming a Navy instructor, describing his current role at the Navy Engineering Systems Centre as the most rewarding of his career. Petty Officer Smyth joined the Navy in 2006 at the age of 18, looking for travel and adventure. He found both in a career that has included conducting anti-piracy operations in the Persian Gulf in 2013 and being involved in the rescue of Indonesian fishermen in the Indian Ocean in 2021, among other achievements. He has previously worked as a damage control instructor (DCI), but it was a 2019 posting aboard HMAS Anzac that really inspired him toward the role of an instructor. More..... |
25 July 25,000
Sailors, Marines to Prepare for Global Conflict in Large
Scale Exercise 2023The Navy and Marines are taking a second crack at an exercise that will simulate a massive global conflict and connect the actions from a single sailor at a radar console up through the decisions made by the Secretary of Defense, service officials announced on Monday. Large Scale Exercise 2023 kicks off next month and will link 25,000 sailors and Marines across 22 time zones, seven fleets, six U.S. combatant commands in a blend of live and virtual training that will test the suppositions of key warfighting concepts for both services. The Marines and the Navy believe the future of maritime conflict will require units to be spread across thousands of miles and have them strike adversaries simultaneously and then disperse. More..... |
25 July Culture
swap a 'shore' thingNavy personnel from Australia and the Philippines deepened their people-to-people linkages and cultural understanding during the shore phase of Exercise Lumbas. Part of HMAS Anzac’s regional presence deployment, the shore phase kicked off in Subic Bay with a visit by Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci, who enjoyed a tour of the ship run by Anzac’s command team. More..... |
24 July Tied
by family and historyLieutenant Ryan Tyrrell and his stepfather Marty Wollins not only share a familial bond but also a service connection. Mr Wollins served with the US Navy in USS Canberra I as a communications sailor during the 1960s, and Lieutenant Tyrrell served in HMAS Canberra III in 2020 as the assistant maritime logistics officer. On July 22, they shared in a once-in-a-lifetime event at the USS Canberra II commissioning ceremony in Sydney. More..... |
24 July Lieutenant
says g'day to new US Navy shipmatesAs long as the USS Canberra is sailing, a Royal Australian Naval officer will be serving on board. Lieutenant Eamon O’Shea is the first. As part of the United States Navy (USN) personnel exchange program, maritime warfare officer Lieutenant O’Shea will spend more than two years building on the strategic partnership, developing an understanding of the United States Navy and building lifelong friendships. The crew welcomed Lieutenant O’Shea in Fiji, taking him ashore and bringing him into the fold before his bags were even in his cabin. More..... |
22 July Talisman
Sabre hosts military first with JapanIn an Australian-military first, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has conducted a live fire demonstration of a Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM) off the Australian east coast. The live fire was part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 and marked the first time the JGSDF has tested the capability in Australia. The Type 12 SSM, which did not include explosive ordnance, was launched from a truck-mounted system at Beecroft Weapons Range and fired at an unmanned target in the East Australia Exercise Area off the coast of Jervis Bay. More..... |
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22 July USS Canberra (LCS 30) Commissioning on 22 July, 2023 |
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21 July Royal
Navy completes record-breaking drug-busting mission in GulfA Royal Navy-led task force has delivered a record-breaking haul of drugs in its six months tackling crime in the Indian Ocean. Twenty-two tonnes of illegal narcotics have been seized by warships of the international Combined Task Force 150, the result of 14 successful ‘busts’ which have deprived criminal or terrorist gangs of at least £161m. Hauls of hashish, heroin, methamphetamine and captagon (fenethylline) tablets have all ended up on the bottom of the Indian Ocean after interdictions by ships from the US and French Navies, US Coast Guard, and the Royal Navy’s HMS Lancaster. More..... |
21 July Official
opening of Exercise Talisman SabreAustralia’s largest bilateral military exercise with United States, Exercise Talisman Sabre, officially commences today with an opening ceremony on-board HMAS Canberra. Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, will join United States Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro for the official opening at Sydney’s Fleet Base East. Over the next two weeks 13 nations will participate in high-end multi-domain warfighting across sea, land, air, cyber and space. More..... |
20 July Navy
divers call out poor ADF culture at Royal Commission into
Defence and Veteran Suicide after horrific shark attackFormer navy clearance divers have criticised a lack of support from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide after a near-fatal shark attack in Sydney Harbour. In 2009, clearance diver Paul de Gelder suffered horrific injuries to one of his arms and legs when he was attacked by a bull shark during a counter-terrorism exercise in Sydney Harbour. Former clearance diver Jeremy Thomas was the supervisor on the dive boat that day and helped save Mr de Gelder's life. More..... |
20 July Sister
ships visit bolsters bondsUSS Canberra personnel welcomed the company of their sister ship, HMAS Canberra, on board for a tour while the ship was alongside Fleet Base East in Sydney, ahead of its commissioning ceremony. From the moment the ADF members stepped on board the Independence-variant littoral combat ship, there was a clear connection between the two crews. Commanding Officer HMAS Canberra Captain Brendan O’Hara said there was “an automatic bond as mariners” between the ships’ crews. This mateship is strengthened by the history behind the name that connects the ships. More..... |
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20 July Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023 Sri Lanka - Law Forum & Clearance Divers Australian Navy divers are conducting bilateral training with the Sri Lankan Navy and a military law forum is being conducted with Sri Lankan navy, Sri Lankan Coast Guard, Sri Lankan Air Force and the Sri Lankan Police. |
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20 July An
underwater cultural exchangeDefence personnel stopped by Sri Lanka and participated in military exercises, workshops, training, sporting events and cultural activities as part of Australia’s flagship regional engagement activity, Indo-Pacific Endeavour. Indo-Pacific Endeavour is visiting 14 countries between June and October, with Defence personnel participating in a range of military activities and engagements involving maritime law, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and gender, peace and security. More..... |
20 July Working
together as oneIn a move to address significant workforce challenges reinforced by the Defence Strategic Review (DSR), Defence Force Recruiting is implementing a new recruiting model following the introduction of an external brand. The new brand, ADF Careers, brings Navy, Army and Air Force recruiting under a single banner in a fresh approach to how the ADF markets itself to potential candidates. Chief of Personnel Lieutenant General Natasha Fox acknowledged there was a need to improve how the ADF workforce is recruited. More..... |
19 July A
journey to remember namesake's sacrificeAfter completing fleet training in the Western Australian Exercise Area, HMAS Sydney V transited north up the west coast of Australia to pay respects to the 645 Australians who lost their lives in the battle between HMAS Sydney II and the German Raider HSK Kormoran. This is the first time Sydney V has been able to make the journey to the final resting place of Sydney II since its commissioning in 2020. Sydney V crew member Midshipman Brock de Winter said he saw the commemoration as a chance to experience naval history early in his career. More..... |
19 July New
era for Australian Defence Force careersThe Australian Government has officially launched ADF Careers, marking a new era for Australian Defence Force (ADF) recruitment. Today’s launch follows the commencement of Defence’s new recruiting capability partner, Adecco Australia and is a key milestone in Defence’s journey toward a modernised ADF recruiting system that supports candidates through a quicker recruiting process and delivers an expanded, ready and enabled ADF. More..... |
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19 July WEBCAST: USS CANBERRA COMMISSIONING Scheduled for 10:00AM AEDT Saturday 22 July 2023 https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/32033 |
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19 July USS Canberra arrives in Sydney Australia welcomed the USS Canberra to Sydney Harbour, with HMAS Canberra guiding the Independence-variant littoral combat ship to berth alongside Fleet Base East ahead of the formal commissioning on 22 July. The crews of HMAS Canberra and USS Canberra will focus on joint activities during commissioning week, including playing sport, ship tours and sharing their countries' culture and traditions. This ceremonial commissioning emphasizes the more than 100 years of mateship built on friendship, history, democracy, and respect. |
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18 July A
new era for Navy’s tall shipCongratulations and welcome to Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Newman as the new Commanding Officer of Navy’s tall ship, Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour. Now known as ‘Captain Libby’ to the young Australians who join a youth development voyage, LCDR Newman is the first-ever female CO of YoungEndeavour in its 35-year history. Farewell and congratulations to outgoing CO LCDR Adam Farley, who has just completed his third posting to Young Endeavour Youth Scheme. |
18 July USS
Canberra in Sydney for momentous commissioningThe United States Navy’s 16th Independence Class littoral combat ship arrived on 18 July ahead of its commissioning on 22 July, before returning to its homeport of San Diego. US Navy officials will also reportedly make a visit to Canberra after commissioning. Canberra is the first US Navy warship to be commissioned in an allied country and the second US Navy ship to bear the namesake of Canberra. The ship, launched in June 2021, was named Canberra after the Australian cruiser HMAS Canberra which was sunk following the Battle of Savo Island against Japanese forces on 9 August 1942. More..... |
14 July What
can we expect from the upcoming naval surface fleet review?As an island nation, Australia’s sovereignty, security, and economic prosperity is intrinsically linked to the stability of our maritime surrounds and the nation’s uncontested and unmolested access to the global maritime commons. This reality is critically important in the light of mounting regional and global naval build ups, serving as the driving force behind the nation’s transformative pursuit of the trilateral AUKUS agreement delivering the nation’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet as the centrepiece of Australia’s strategic deterrence capabilities. More..... |
14 July Senate
Bill Sets Up AUKUS Sub Buy as U.S. Industrial Capacity
Questions LingerThe U.S. Senate took a tangible step forward to supply the Royal Australian Navy with its own nuclear attack boats with a new AUKUS bill that sets a framework to transfer Virginia-class attack boats to Canberra by the 2030s, Sen Tim Kaine (D-Va.) told reporters on Friday. Standing in view of the hulk of the former aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in Newport News, Kaine and Australian ambassador to the U.S. Kevin Rudd outlined legislation that emerged from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday to support Canberra having its own nuclear submarine fleet. More..... |
14 July No
limit to their reachMore than a year after its establishment, the first Information Warfare Officer (IWO) work group graduates will be joining the fleet. The inaugural IWO Course started in January, with 13 officers trained in the broad spectrum of information warfare. The course was held at HMAS Watson within the new Maritime Intelligence and Information Warfare School. The role of an IWO is to generate and synchronise information with other effects to create cognitive supremacy and tactical advantage within the maritime domain. More..... |
14 July Harman
celebrates 80 yearsDrawn swords and beating drums kicked off HMAS Harman’s week-long 80th anniversary celebrations, as personnel proudly paraded in a freedom of entry march through Queanbeyan. It was Harman’s fourth march, and Commanding Officer Harman Commander Glyn Hunter said Navy was proud of the connection to the local community in Queanbeyan. “It’s really important that we do these events so that we keep our connection with the community strong,” Commander Hunter said. More..... |
14 July Historic
first for Navy's 816 SquadronExercise Resolute Hunter has long been a cornerstone in maritime warfare training, bringing together allied forces to share expertise and bolster security. This year, the exercise, stationed in Nevada and San Diego in the United States, witnessed a remarkable and historic new addition – the Australian Navy’s 816 Squadron. The collaboration between the US Navy and Australia’s 816 Squadron on the exercise demonstrates the proven partnership between the two forces in an evolving maritime landscape. More..... |
14 JulyHonouring
the 56th Anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy Helicopter
Flight Vietnam unit Today we pay tribute to the pilots, observers, naval airmen and support staff who served in the Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANHFV) unit. On 14 July 1967, the Australian Government announced the formation of the RANHFV to support allied forces in Vietnam, serving with the United States Army 135th Assault Helicopter Company. The unit was formed in response to a request for assistance by the United States Government. To prepare for their tour of Vietnam, in just eight weeks Australian navy personnel trained for a different kind of mission, concentrating on tactical landing and take-off for the insertion and extraction of troops from dangerous land zones flying Huey helicopters. More..... |
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14 JulyVeteran
Employment Program launch Today the Albanese Government has launched its $24 million Veteran Employment Program, an initiative aimed to boost veteran employment opportunities, as well as help businesses benefit from the diverse skill sets that veterans bring. With more than 6,000 veterans transitioning from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) every year, they can bring fantastic skills gained in the ADF to the civilian workforce. Skills like leadership, teamwork and the ability to work under pressure. The new Veteran Employment Program will support veterans into good quality jobs by boosting recognition of their skills and experience while supporting further education and training for veterans wanting to move into the civilian workforce. More..... |
13 July First
In-Space Laser Power Beaming Experiment Surpasses 100 Days
of Successful On-Orbit OperationsThe U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Space Wireless Energy Laser Link (SWELL) surpassed 100 days of successful on-orbit laser operations on June 29, 2023, coinciding with the NRL’s 100th birthday celebration. Launched on March 14, 2023, this experiment represents the first successful instance of laser power beaming in space. It resides on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the U.S. Department of Defense Space Test Program (STP) H9 mission. SWELL has been providing nearly continuously about 1.5 watts at the power beaming receiver’s output with an end-to-end efficiency around 11%, more than ten times the team’s efficiency goal. More..... |
13 July HMAS
Anzac's Singapore pitstopThere was more than meets the eye to a scheduled maintenance period for HMAS Anzac alongside at the Sembawang Naval Installation in Singapore. While the maintenance itself was routine, a substantial behind-the-scenes effort and close relationship with Singapore and the other Five Power Defence Arrangements partners assisted Anzac to continue operating in the Indo-Pacific, while enabling respite and recreation opportunities for the crew. Commanding Officer HMAS Anzac Commander Barton Harrington said the maintenance period was successful. More..... |
12 July Wreck
site confirmed for USS Ommaney Bay escort carrierThe final resting place of US Navy Casablanca Class escort carrier USS Ommaney Bay has been confirmed by Naval History and Heritage Command to be in the Sulu Sea, south-west of the Philippines. NHHC’s underwater archaeology branch confirmed the ship’s wreck site using survey information provided by the Sea Scan Survey team, video footage provided by a DPT Scuba dive team, and location data provided by Vulcan LLC in 2019. USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) was originally laid down in October 1943 and launched in December 1943. It completed cargo and training missions before joining the invasion of Leyte during the Pacific campaign of World War II. More..... |
12 July Inspiring
the next generationPrimary school students will continue designing submersibles, parachutes, water filters and bridges thanks to a recently extended partnership between Defence and Questacon. The Engineering Is Elementary program was extended this year, with Defence providing $18 million over five years to train about 1500 teachers and encourage them to integrate STEM subjects into their teaching. The program’s ultimate aim is to plant the seed of curiosity so students can see what a STEM career in Defence would be like. More..... |
12 July Engineering
drills go offshoreHMAS Perth recently ventured into the formidable winter seas of the Western Australia Exercise Area in the Indian Ocean over an intense two-week period. Perth proceeded to sea in support of the Marine Engineering Training and Engineering Operator Remediation Plan, better known as Plan METEOR. Plan METEOR coincided with Navy Engineering Week, a fitting time for the students and the ship to conduct engineering drills. More..... |
11 July Navy
clearance diver awarded Federation StarOn a crisp Sydney winter morning in early July, a large group assembled at Fleet Headquarters to celebrate Warrant Officer Clearance Diver Matthew Hurley receiving his Federation Star for 40 years of service. Warrant Officer Hurley’s Navy career started in 1982 when he left Geelong, Victoria, to serve the nation at sea and ashore. Long-time peer, Command Warrant Officer Information Warfare Force Warrant Officer Justin Downey-Price, echoed many of the sentiments of speakers at the event. More..... |
11 July Letters
and laundry bags the fabric of supportAussie Hero Quilts had it in the bag when they reached out to HMAS Adelaide and offered laundry bags for their upcoming deployments on Exercises Sea Explorer, Sea Raider and Talisman Sabre. About 250 laundry bags, known as dhoby bags, were gifted to the sailors, soldiers and aviators on the ship during its transit to Townsville in North Queensland for Sea Series. Aussie Hero Quilts’ gift not only enabled seasoned sailors and officers to replace their ageing dhoby bags, but also gave new personnel from the Australian Amphibious Force their first. More..... |
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10 July Commonwealth
establishes nuclear submarine Early Careers ProgramThe Commonwealth, together with ASC, will help develop tomorrow’s workforce with the new Early Careers Program, providing up-and-coming professionals with the skills needed to build and maintain Australia’s future submarine fleet. The South Australian and Western Australian-run program will see ASC employ more apprentices, graduates, and undergraduates to provide more hands-on training with submarines. According to Defence, more than 70 young Australians will start the program this year. More..... |
10 July Canberra
park honours signals pioneerAustralia’s first female electrical engineer was so brilliant, she was pen pals with Albert Einstein. After discovering the world’s greatest mind was recovering from gallbladder surgery, Florence Violet McKenzie sent him a ‘get well’ letter and boomerang as a gift. Einstein, in return, sent her an autographed photo of himself and their communication lasted until he died in 1955. A park in Campbell, ACT, will be named after the woman fondly known as ‘Mrs Mac’ this month to recognise her dedication to service including the creation of the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS). More..... |
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09 July OUR JULY HERO  Rear
Admiral Guy Richmond GRIFFITHS AO DSO DSC RANGuy Griffiths was born in Sydney on 1 March 1923. He grew up in the Hunter Valley and descended from four pioneering, wine-producing families – Busby, Kelman, Holmes and Griffiths. In 1937 he joined the RAN as one of seventeen 13-year old cadet-midshipmen, selected from nearly 500 applicants. After graduation from the College in late 1940 he and four other graduates were posted for further training to HMAS Australia, which was currently in the North Atlantic. However, by the time they arrived in England and reported to Australia House they were informed that the Australia was somewhere between Cape Town and Fremantle on it's way home. In March 1941 the Admiralty decided the five midshipmen would progress their training in HMS Repulse. The Repulse was involved in the search for the German battleship Bismarck, however, after all the high-speed steaming she was low on fuel and had to detach to top up. Whilst at anchor news came through on the demise of the Bismarck. Guy later recalled "the whole ship fell absolutely flat, and frustrated on not being involved". On 10 December 1941 HMS Repulse was sunk off the east coast of Malaya, by Japanese air attack, while in company with the battleship HMS Prince of Wales. After rescue Midshipman Griffiths was posted to the battleship HMS Revenge. He was promoted to Sub Lieutenant in 1942 and, in early 1943, he served briefly in the destroyer HMS Vivian before joining the cruiser HMAS Shropshire, on commissioning, in May 1943. Continue reading this fascinating story at: https://navyvic.net/heroes/griffiths.html |
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08 July First group of Aussie submariners graduate under AUKUS program The first group of Aussie submariners have officially graduated from the US Navy's 'Nuclear Power School' as part of the AUKUS program. |
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07 July House
lawmakers tee up dueling AUKUS sub transfer amendments
House lawmakers are poised for a debate on what restrictions should be placed on the administration before it can legally send any Virginia-class fast attack submarines to Australia as part of the trilateral security pact dubbed AUKUS. The amendments in question were filed last week with House Rules Committee and will be part of the chamber’s upcoming debate on the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. It is not yet clear when the bill will be brought to the House floor. More..... |
07 July A
cultural exchange on waterHMAS Anzac took on the challenging role of integrating into the USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group during a regional presence deployment. The activity took place in the South China Sea, and involved coordinated manoeuvres and a replenishment at sea with USNS Rappahannock. Ronald Reagan is the flagship of the US Navy’s only forward deployed carrier strike group, and is charged with supporting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. More..... |
07 July Growing
the workforce of tomorrowMore than 70 young Australians will start their nuclear-powered submarine careers this year thanks to a new program. The Government is establishing an Early Careers Program in South Australia and Western Australia to develop the skills and experience needed to build and maintain the nation’s nuclear-powered submarines. Under the program, ASC Pty Ltd will employ more apprentices, graduates and undergraduates, giving them hands-on experience in designing, building and maintaining submarines. More..... |
05 July U.S.,
Allied Forces Conduct Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2023Maritime forces from Royal Australia Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy, and the U.S. Navy are underway July 4, conducting cooperative maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard (PV) 2023. Pacific Vanguard is an opportunity for the four Indo-Pacific navies to strengthen their skills in maritime operations, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, live-fire missile events, and advanced maneuvering scenarios. More..... |
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05 July Joint Technical Trades and Training Services The Australian Navy is excited to implement a new technical training partnership, the Joint Technical Trades and Training Services (JTTTS). The JTTTS offers more courses across widespread locations, allowing military personnel to receive flexible training and professional qualifications. |
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05 July Finally! US 100B$ Aircraft Carrier in NATO is Ready To Beat Russia! Imagine the cutting edge of military technology - a staggering 337 meters of steel and innovation, bristling with state-of-the-art weaponry and capable of carrying up to 90 aircraft and helicopters. This is the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest and most advanced warship. It's making its way into Oslo, Norway to escalate tensions between the West and Russia. It isn't just a naval maneuver; it's a strong response to Russian manipulations to release its sole aircraft carrier – the Admiral Kuznetsov – into the Ukrainian Black sea. If it’s gonna contribute to the war in Ukraine as it did in Syria, it would meet serious NATO competition. |
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05 July Navy
personnel push for betterSailors and officers at HMAS Watson, and their friends, completed a staggering 84,630 push-ups in the name of mental health awareness. The Push-Up Challenge had participants committed to achieving 3144 push-ups each from June 1-23, shining the spotlight on the number of lives lost to suicide in Australia. The Watson team raised $7582 for Lifeline, an effort Leading Seaman Physical Training Instructor Scott Hogan was proud to be part of. “What an amazing outcome we had this year raising over $7000 to support mental health,” Leading Seaman Hogan said. More..... |
04 July Drawings
worth a thousand wordsIn 2017, Petty Officer Lee-Anne Cooper was asked by a shipmate to take a photo of him in full service uniform with a big smile on his face. It turned out to be a photo she could never forget. As an imagery specialist in the Navy, taking photographs isn’t out of the ordinary, but what made this one different from the rest was Petty Officer David Finney ending his life less than two years later. Fast forward to May 2023, Petty Officer Cooper joined the ADF Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills (ARRTS) program to assist with the emotions and trauma, which had compounded over time. More..... |
04 July Carrier
USS Ronald Reagan Back in the South China Sea, Details of
Talisman Sabre Exercise EmergeThe Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is back in the South China Sea after wrapping a port visit to Vietnam on Friday. Meanwhile, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force detailed their participation in the Australian-led multinational exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 held in Australia from July 22 to Aug. 4. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and cruisers USS Antietam (CG-54) and USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) and arrived in Danang on June 25 for a five-day port. “Ship visits are a routine part of key cooperation among partners,” said Rear Adm. Pat Hannifin, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70/Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 stated in a Navy release. More..... |
03 July Uncle
seeks the best from his crewNAIDOC Week When a Torres Strait Islander sailor started calling Chief Petty Officer Barry Watego ‘Uncle’, other sailors were intrigued and asked if they were really related. After explaining it is an acknowledgement of respect from the younger generation, they also started using the term. “It’s kind of caught on now and even the white lads call me Uncle as I walk past,” Chief Petty Officer Watego said. More..... |
03 July Elders
support, mentor, guide and inspireNAIDOC Week This year's theme of ‘For Our Elders’ highlights and recognises the important work of Defence Elders. Highly respected Defence Elders are appointed across all services. They play a key role in strengthening cultural knowledge and building links between Defence and Indigenous communities. These appointments build on the proud history of First Nations’ service within the Australian Defence Force (ADF), which spans more than a century. More..... |
03 July New
role gives personnel direct line to chiefWarrant officers in the Australian Defence Force don’t command, they influence, according to the first Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Chief of the Defence Force (SEAC). Warrant Officer Ken Robertson, who took up the position on July 1, said his role would be to take issues concerning the whole ADF enlisted workforce directly to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF). As part of the ADF senior leadership team, Warrant Officer Robertson will provide advice on issues including culture, ethical leadership and professional military education. More..... |
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01 JulyLaunch
of the Australian Submarine Agency The Australian Government has taken the next step towards delivering Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, with the launch of the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA). With its official establishment today, the ASA will be responsible and accountable for the management and oversight of the nuclear-powered submarine program. The Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead as the Agency’s inaugural Director-General. More..... |
01 July Night
boarding in the Timor SeaThirty-one days into its first sea posting, Navy’s newest patrol boat landed its first catch, a type three foreign fishing vessel (FFV). Australian Defence Vessel Cape Capricorn was deployed in support of Operation Resolute, to the Kimberly Marine Park and Ashmore Island. Approaching sunset, an Australian Border Force aircraft on the southern reef at Ashmore Island located the FFV. More..... |
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