Vietnam War Diaires now Online
29 September, 06
Well if you want to know all the things that you didn't know while in Vietnam … the Commanders' War Diaries for the Australian Army during the Vietnam War have been scanned and are now accessible via the Australian War Memorial's home page at;
http://www.awm.gov.au/
Or the direct link is
http://www.awm.gov.au/diaries/seasia/index.asp
RAR Foundation Annual Dinner
28 September, 06
The RAR Foundation Annual Dinner will be held at the Commonwealth Club, Canberra at 1900 for 1930 on Thursday 19th October 2006.
Dress: Lounge suit, without medals.
At this dinner we will present the inaugural Hassett Trophy to the winner of the 'Hassett Award for Junior Leadership' within the RAR battalions and the School of Infantry .
All who have an interest in the Regiment and what it stands for are welcome to attend.
The cost is $70 for pre-dinner drinks, sumptuous dinner with wines followed by cheese and port.
All who wish to attend are requested to remit a $70 cheque or money order to:
RAR Foundation
GPO Box 3112
CANBERRA
ACT, 2601
(by 4th October please).
RAR Foundation
www.defence.gov.au/army/rar/
Tel/Fax: 02 6265 9842
GPO Box 3112 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Update on Attack on Australian Soldiers in Southern Iraq
28 September, 06
Yesterday, the Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston advised that Australian soldiers serving in Southern Iraq were engaged by Anti-Iraqi Forces and that an intense exchange of fire ensued.
The incident occurred on 26 September whilst elements of the Overwatch Battle Group (West) [OBG(W)] were conducting a meeting at an Iraqi Army Barracks in Al Rumaythah in Al Muthanna Province.
The attack lasted almost an hour and appeared to be well coordinated, including rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire.
The Australian soldiers withdrew from the area - under considerable fire - without loss of life, injury or serious damage to equipment and vehicles.
The Commander of OBG(W), Lieutenant Colonel Mick Mahy said that the soldiers “acted with great discipline, exceptional courage and used well executed tactics” to safely withdraw from the area.
The initial assessment indicates that a number of Anti-Iraqi Forces were wounded in the incident, but there have been no reports of civilian death or injury.
The Bushmaster and ASLAV vehicles played a crucial role in protecting the soldiers and allowing them to safely disengage from the contact and move to safety.
In relation to the current public commentary and the suggestion that not enough protection is available to those firing from the vehicle, during discussion after the action one soldier commented that if he had a gun plate installed on the vehicle, he might not have been able to fire as effectively due to it restricting his view.
The vehicle has been designed to operate in a wide range of operational situations and, that said, these matters are the subject of constant review.
Attacks of this nature against Coalition Forces have been conducted in other parts of Iraq and Al Muthanna Province; however this is the first instance of such a sustained and coordinated attack being conducted against Australian forces.
Air Chief Marshal Houston said this incident was a reminder of the dangerous environment in which Australian Forces are operating in Iraq and Afghanistan and that it illustrates the superb leadership, training and equipment that Australian soldiers receive in preparation for these operations.
Defence is concerned that emails purporting to be from soldiers involved in the incident are being mailed to the media. E-mails read by Defence officials this afternoon are clearly not from soldiers involved in the contact. The detail in these emails is grossly inaccurate in terms of scale, location and description of the incident. The e-mails do no service to our soldiers who performed admirably, with great restraint and professionalism.
Abrams now in Puckapunyal
26 September, 06
On Friday, 22 September, Army took delivery of the first 18 Abrams M1A1 AIM Main Battle Tanks and five Hercules Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARV).
These first 18 Abrams were moved by road, on the Heavy Tank Transporters, to the School of Armour at Puckapunyal, where they will be stationed and used for training. These vehicles were moved via Westgate Bridge , Western Ringroad and the Hume Highway without incident.
In March 2007, the next shipment of 41 Abrams and two ARVs will arrive by sea in Darwin . Army's fleet of 14 Heavy Tank Transporters will be on hand to move them by road when and where required.
Army has been assured by the Chief Transport Inspector of Northern Territory Roads that we will be able to access our normal training areas, as required.
Army is well practiced in deploying tanks by road from Darwin via Katherine to training areas in the south of Australia . Army is well practiced in deploying tanks by road from Darwin via Katherine to training areas in the south of Australia . The current Leopard tank and transporter exceeds 50 tonne and has moved through Katherine with the approval of the NT Chief Transport Inspector without issue.
An extensive rail study has been undertaken and a request for tender will soon by released to obtain the necessary rolling stock to support the movement of the Abrams family of vehicles in Australia . This rolling stock will be delivered in a timely manner and will not only support the Abrams but will also be able to lift a range other armoured vehicles, artillery and heavy engineering equipment.
The Australian Abrams weighs less than 62 metric tonnes in its combat configuration, which includes a full complement of fuel, rations, ammunition and crew. The transit weight without these is far less.
The Abrams is powered by a gas turbine engine and operates on diesel fuel. In its current configuration, fuel consumption and engine-wear has been reduced by around 40 per cent due to improved mechanical efficiency and the use of simulation. Indeed, by using simulation for basic training, the amount of actual driver on-road training can be reduced by 65 per cent.
Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project
19 September, 06
It is my pleasure to announce the Membership Launch for the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project. This Project will be constructing a National Memorial dedicated to the sacrifice, service and valour of Australian Peacekeepers and Peacemakers from 1947 to the present and future.
Please visit the Peacekeeping Memorial Project website on:
http://www.peacekeepingmemorial.org.au
Help support this project by becoming a member online.
We look forward to your patronage to a worthwhile project.
Paul Copeland,
APPVA Representative
Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project Committee
Battle Group Faithful Returns from Timor-Leste
19 September, 06
The final 69 soldiers of Battle Group Faithful will return home tonight, after four months working in Timor-Leste assisting the Government with bringing security, peace and confidence to its people.
The soldiers, primarily from Sydney’s 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) will be welcomed home by their families and Major General Mark Kelly, Land Commander Australia at Sydney International Airport.
Battle Group Faithful commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Mumford says their deployment was successful.
“During our four months in Timor-Leste, the soldiers recovered 1380 firearms and confiscated well over 1500 bladed weapons,” LTCOL Mumford said.
“The role in returning peace to this nation required a high level of training amongst the entire Infantry Battalion Group. The soldiers made crucial decisions in a complex civil environment.”
LTCOL Mumford thanked the families of his soldiers for their ongoing support. “All the soldiers and their families should be proud of the professional level at which these members operated over the past four months.
The rotation of the Infantry Battalion Group was completed on Saturday 16 September during a handover ceremony, when the role was passed to 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), from Brisbane, commanded by LTCOL Scott Goddard.
Around 300 members of 6RAR form the nucleus of the battalion group of approximately 450 to 500 soldiers. The new rotation continues ADF support at the invitation of the Timorese Government to provide a strong and stable environment in Timor-Leste.
 |
Aussie Reconstruction Task Force on the Ground
18 September, 06
The first of around 400 Australian soldiers have arrived in Afghanistan and have begun setting up their base in the Oruzgan Province. The Australian commitment is in partnership with the Netherlands and forms part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force’s Stage III expansion.
Around 100 Aussie soldiers have spent the past two weeks getting to know their Dutch counterparts and have been busy constructing their camp. Commander of the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan said, “This is a good mission. It’s all about us working with our Dutch partners to ensure the local Afghan people get a fair go.”
The Australian contribution will also include skills training for the local population to ensure the benefits of the deployment continue long after our personnel have returned home. Construction of the Trade Training School has already begun. Training courses for the locals will begin in around 10 weeks.
In addition to its almost 400 personnel, the RTF has a number of IMV Bushmaster Vehicles and several Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs). The RTF is comprised of command, engineer, security and support elements.
Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan said, “My soldiers are highly capable, professional, well trained and well equipped for this task.”
Another 100 RTF soldiers that deployed from Australia last week are expected to join those already in Afghanistan soon.
As part of Australia’s commitment to the reconstruction and stabilisation of Afghanistan, Australian Defence Force operations in the Oruzgan Province will help bring stability and security for the Afghan people, through projects that support good governance and stable communities.
|
Eligibility and retrospectivity of the army combat badge
11 September, 06
Department of Defence Minute
1. On 15 June 2006, the CASAC was asked to make a decision on the retrospectivity of the Army Combat Badge (ACB). The CA reserved his decision until he was satisfied with certain amendments to the eligibility criteria. The CA has since determined that the default setting for the eligibility for the ACB should remain with those units whose primary focus is combat operations. Therefore, the eligibility for the award of the ACB will be as follows:
Any member of any Corps who were force assigned to an infantry, armour, artillery, aviation or combat team/battle group or similar unit/sub unit and has given either continuous or aggregate 90 days satisfactory service on warlike operations for a single deployment or operation is eligible for the award of the ACB. The CA may alter the eligibility criteria depending on the operation or deployment .
2. The CA has also decided that the ACB will be retrospective to 1950, in alignment with the award of the Infantry Combat Badge (ICB). Given that the ACB is a dress embellishment and not an award, the responsibility for approval and distribution remains with the Army.
3. If you require further information refer to the new DI(A) PERS 119-1. My POC on this matter is LTCOL Mick Sasse, SO1 Pers on (02) 9339 3430.
M.A. Kelly
MAJGEN
LCAUST
Diggers’ Secret Battles Revealed
EXCLUSIVE by Ian McPhedran
Daily Telegraph
13 September, 06
During nine days of fierce fighting in southern Afghanistan, Australian special forces killed more than 150 Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters, and suffered just six men wounded.
In the most intense battles since the Vietnam War, Diggers from the Special Forces Task Group used superior weapons and overwhelming airborne fire support from USAF AC-130 Hercules Spectre gunships.
Codenamed Operation Perth, the hardest fighting took place in July during search-and-destroy missions in the Chora district, about 40km northeast of the Australian base at Tarin Khowt, in southern Afghanistan.
Despite secrecy surrounding the 12-month special forces deployment, The Daily Telegraph can reveal previously classified details of the Diggers’ campaign.
During the year-long operation the three rotations of the task group have sustained 11 casualties, including several men seriously wounded.
One commando had part of his jaw blown off, another was shot in the buttocks and an SAS specialist was hit in the abdomen. Amazingly, the round missed his vital organs.
In one action, six commandos, including the company sergeant major, who sustained leg injuries, were wounded by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade.
Several men are to be awarded gallantry medals.
The Daily Telegraph can also reveal that at the height of the battle, three AC-130 Spectre aircraft ran out of ammunition.
“That was the first time for some of the crews that they have bled the magazines dry,” a special forces source told The Daily Telegraph.
The task group includes a commando platoon of 50 men from the Sydney-based 4RAR and 40 SAS troopers from the unit’s No.3 squadron. The 100 support soldiers include chemical weapons experts from the Incident Response Regiment.
The commandos and SAS troopers are angry that the task group will not be replaced when it leaves later this month.
“It’s not right to pull out. We shouldn’t just go there for a shoot ‘em up and then come home,” one soldier said.
|
Notice of Annual General Meeting
First Battalion Association Inc – Queensland Branch
12 September, 06
RAR Memorial Walk, Enoggera
Sunday 8th October 2006
10:00am
The meeting will be followed by the usual BBQ.
All members, intending members and friends are encouraged to attend.
Names of attendees should be advised to Bruno Flematti or
Jock Bennett at b1rar@iprimus.com.au before 5th October.
Attached is a nomination form for the NATIONAL COMMITTEE election to be
held at the National Reunion at Twin Towns Services Club 5 November 2006
|
