Edition 1441 May 2, 2019 The soldiers’ newspaper

IN THEIR HONOUR

Commemorating Anzac Day across

the globePages 3-5

Pte Jake Kennedy stands guard in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Last Post Ceremony held at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.Photo: LS Nadav Harel

OUR TEAMDirector David Edlington

Managing editor Myles Morgan

Editor Shane Hendrickson: (02) 6265 2253

Deputy editor Jessica Deotto

Reporters Sgt Max Bree Sgt Mark Doran Sgt Dave MorleyCpl Sebastian BeurichCpl Veronica O’Hara LS Jake Badior

armynews@defencenews.gov.auThe Editor, Army News, R1-GF-C039, PO Box 7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600

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LS Jake Badior

SOLDIERS from 2RAR have swapped the jungles of Sri Lanka for the seas of India as they con-tinue their training mission during Indo-Pacific Endeavour.

Working alongside the diggers aboard HMAS Canberra were some of Sri Lanka’s finest troops, including ground forces of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.

Cpl Patrick Mortimore, a recon patrol commander from 2RAR, said he and his team enjoyed inte-grating and bonding with the Sri Lankans.

“We’ve never worked with some of these Sri Lankan forces before, so it’s really interesting to see how they operate,” Cpl Mortimore said.

“Their drills are different to ours in some aspects, but they are extremely effective.

“It didn’t take us long to estab-lish that they were operating at a very high standard and that we could learn a lot from them.

“Their camouflage and conceal-ment skills were mind-blowing.”

More than 1200 ADF person-nel are involved in Indo-Pacific

IT IS with deep regret the ADF con-firms the death of an Australian Army recruit over the Easter weekend.

Pte Liam Wolf was completing basic training at the Army Recruit Training Centre in Kapooka, when

he was involved in an incident on April 19.

He was transported to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, before being airlifted to Sydney for specialist treatment.

Despite the best efforts of emer-gency services and hospital health care providers, Liam was pro-nounced dead on April 23.

Defence offers its deepest condolences to Liam’s family and

friends and ongoing welfare support is being provided to them.

Defence notes the commendable actions of those Army members and health staff involved in providing immediate first aid.

Statement regarding death of soldier at Kapooka

Side by side with Sri Lankan troops

Endeavour, which marks the larg-est Defence engagement between Australia and Sri Lanka.

“The Sri Lankans were really great to us while we were ashore,

so now we’re returning the favour while we’re at sea,” Cpl Mortimore said.

“It was great to hang out and show the Sri Lankans what life’s

like aboard Canberra.”After Sri Lanka, Canberra

was scheduled to visit Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia.

LCpl Ethan Smith fits an Australian helmet to a Sri Lankan soldier.

LCpl Christopher Barnes, of 2RAR, showcases standard rifleman equipment with a member of the Sri Lankan Navy Marines aboard HMAS Canberra during Indo-Pacific Endeavour.Photos: Sgt Ben Dempster

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ANZAC Day was commemorated throughout the Middle East with a num-ber of dawn services across the theatre.

Australian and New Zealand person-nel stood side by side with counterparts from Turkey and other coalition forces to remember the fallen in all wars and conflicts.

At Camp Baird, the commander of Joint Task Force 633, AVM Joe Iervasi spoke at the dawn service and high-lighted the Anzac spirit of mateship on current operations.

“Mateship is the genesis of the inseparable bond between our two coun-tries. Young of heart, strong of body, clear of vision, they would sacrifice all to help a mate,” AVM Iervasi said.

“Today is about reflection: as nations, as communities, as individuals – an opportunity to reflect and honour those before us.

“As dawn approaches we see a new horizon of hope and promise. I see in your eyes that same commitment, that same passion and desire to pursue all that is good in the defence of our nations.”

Later that day, those not on duty had the opportunity to play cricket before watching the Anzac Day football match-es broadcast from Australia.

Catafalque parties also provided support to locations as far away as the Amman Citadel, Jordan, and with Australian staff in headquarters ele-ments in Kuwait.

In Kabul, commemorations were held at the military base on the north side of Kabul International Airport.

The last of the winter snow was still evident on the peaks overlooking the city when more than 150 ADF members gathered at the service.

Personnel from Britain, Denmark, Germany, Turkey and the US were also there to share in the reflection.

Comd Task Group Afghanistan Brig Tim O’Brien paid tribute to the spirit of Anzac and the members currently deployed. He was joined by Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Nicola Gordon-Smith, and the commander of the military base, Turkish Army Brig-Gen Hasan Hüseyin Kanbur.

The story was similar across Afghanistan at the headquarters of NATO’s Resolute Support mission, in Kabul’s green zone, at Bagram Airfield and Kandahar Airfield. The Kandahar service featured a catafalque party com-

Diggers pay respect across Middle East

posed of two Australian and two US servicemen, which highlighted the close military relationship between the two nations.

At Camp Qargha, to the west of Kabul, and home to Australian men-tors at the Afghan National Officer Academy, the dawn service was attend-ed by members from Australia, Britain, Denmark, Turkey and the US.

Soldiers from Task Group Taji observed Anzac Day in two locations in Iraq.

In Baghdad, there was a dawn ser-vice; and just north of the city, at the Taji Military Complex, the remainder of the task group paused from its training mission to observe Anzac Day.

About 240 members of the ADF, 90 members of the NZDF, 20 members of the Singapore Armed Forces and invited guests participated in the service.

Col Jason Groat, the commanding officer of Task Group Taji, said observ-ing Anzac Day while on deployment was very significant.

“I am sure all of them feel a spe-cial significance commemorating Anzac Day in the Middle East Region not that far from where the Anzac legend was forged,” Col Groat said.

Lt-Col Darren Beck, of the NZ Army, said it was special to observe Anzac Day as an integrated task group.

“We are as strong and as committed as ever,” Lt-Col Beck said.

“The Kiwis and the diggers stand side by side again and remember the sacrifices shared alongside our Turkish allies.”

About 1500 personnel were deployed to the Middle East Region this Anzac Day.

More here: defence.gov.au/Events/AnzacDay/

‘I see in your eyes that

same commitment, that same passion

and desire to pursue all that is good in the

defence of our nations.– AVM Joe Iervasi,

Comd JTF633

May 2, 2019 Anzac Daydefence.gov.au/news/armynews 3

Partnership forged in mud

Capt Carrie Robards

AUSTRALIA and PNG’s part-nership, forged in the mud of the Kokoda Track and still strong today, was highlighted during the dawn service at Port Moresby, PNG, the largest of 12 services held around the country.

The Bomana War Cemetery, the most significant war cemetery in the Pacific with 3824 Commonwealth burials from WWII, provided a fit-ting place of reflection and remem-brance for the sizeable crowd who attended to pay their respects.

During his Anzac Day address, CA Lt-Gen Rick Burr spoke of the brutal fighting along the Kokoda Track for which PNG is renowned, and how Australian diggers were ably assisted by the locals.

“We recall the famous images of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels leading injured soldiers to help. We increas-ingly acknowledge the remark-able acts of those who fought in the Kokoda campaign,” Lt-Gen Burr said.

“Not only did the soldiers of our

two nations fight side by side, we also remember the extraordinary efforts of the local villagers, and the PNG carriers. We know our des-perate logistic situation may well have failed without their courage and support.”

It was this assistance from vil-lagers, who became known for their compassion and loyalty, that established the steadfast partnership between the two nations.

“Australia and Papua New Guinea are forever connected through the service and sacrifice of these soldiers and civilians on bat-tlefields – such a bond cannot be broken,” Lt-Gen Burr said.

While it is important to look back and be inspired by past events and the bravery of our forebearers, CA urged the crowd to “do more”.

“We are reminded of the impor-tance of our investing in our people, of preparing them well,” he said.

“It is people who resolve to hold the line when the situation is des-perate with everything to lose. It is people who innovate, and develop strategies and new tactics to over-

come a tenacious foe.” Chief of the PNGDF, Maj-Gen

Gilbert Toropo, reflected on how his people – the local soldiers in the Papuan or New Guinea Infantry Battalions in Rabaul, Buna or Kokoda – had identified with the Anzac story, providing a common connection with their Aussie coun-terparts.

“There is history which reflects a deep and enduring commitment greatly valued by those of us of the region,” Maj-Gen Toropo said.

From the shared adversity of the Kokoda campaign to our partner-ship now, Maj-Gen Toropo looks to continue working with his closest neighbours to ensure a secure and stable region.

“As Pacific Islanders we see and experience the special relationship [between Australia and NZ] very clearly whether both nations are working in response to disasters in our region or alongside us in region-al security challenges.

“This commitment to each other helped shape our enduring regional partnership today.”

The catafalque party mounts at the cenotaph for the Anzac Day dawn service at the Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby. Photos: Cpl Kyle Genner

RSM-A WO Grant McFarlane, left, and CA Lt-Gen Rick Burr at the Bomana War Cemetery.

For footage Anzac Day in PNG visit video.defence.gov.au/play/6143#

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Flt-Lt Chloe Stevenson

ADF personnel have joined sombre battlefield tours as part of their prepa-ration for Anzac Day in Turkey.

After two days of travelling by plane, bus and ferry from Australia, the excitement from the ADF mem-bers was evident as they arrived at the Gallipoli peninsula.

The laughter and banter among the soldiers, sailors and airmen was tempered when confronted with the sheer scale of the loss of life in the area along Anzac Cove and the crystal blue Aegean Sea.

Walking silently down the rows upon rows of headstones of their Anzac forebears, the tour struck a chord as the members read the names of fallen soldiers at the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair cemeteries.

RSM Anzac contingent WO1 Michael Bates said the tour was an eye opener for many.

“Our tour guide described in detail the amount of effort, manpower and resources that were thrown into the battle with the Turkish Army, only to have countless young men die for only a few metres of ground gained,” WO1 Bates said.

“When you hear such high num-bers, in their thousands, you don’t comprehend how small the battle-grounds were that they were fighting on until you see it.”

He said it was heartening to see how sacred the cemeteries and numer-

ous monuments along the Gallipoli peninsula were for all nations that had fought there.

“I was pleased to see how much meticulous and caring work the Turkish government and Turkish peo-ple have put into the restoration of the

battlefields and surrounding areas in order to preserve the sites.

“I am immensely humbled to be standing in a place of such signifi-cance and importance to Australia. I feel I have reached a pinnacle in my career as an RSM and feel very privi-

leged to play a part in these ceremo-nies.”

The contingent commander, Flt-Lt Aaron Collins, said the battlefield tours were also a powerful introduc-tion to the Gallipoli conflict.

“The thing that surprised me the

Powerful introduction

most about visiting the Gallipoli pen-insula for the first time was the amount of Turkish monuments,” Flt-Lt Collins said.

“We tend to always hear about the Australian sites such as Anzac Cove and the Lone Pine Cemetery but there were hundreds of tourists visiting the Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial to also pay their respects. It gave a sense of shared experience.”

Above: During a battlefield tour of Anzac Cove, an ADF member holds up a photo of the Australians’ landing site. Photos: PO Andrew Dakin

Left: Pte Hannah Bailey, centre, with fellow Australia’s Federation Guard members AB Amanda May and LAC Vincent Lipscombe, stand at the Lone Pine memorial.

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Flt-Lt Chloe Stevenson

CDF Gen Angus Campbell delivered this year’s commemorative address at the dawn service at the Anzac Cove Commemorative Site on the Gallipoli peninsula, Turkey.

Gen Campbell stood at the land-ing site of the original Australian soldiers on that morning more than a century before. Gen Campbell said it was the stories of the soldiers them-selves that brought their legend to life.

“It is the shades of grey which make the Anzacs so compelling,” Gen Campbell said to the silent crowd.

“A century of remembrance, a century of scholarship, has revealed their complexity. They were from

the city and the country, they were young and older.

“They felt fear and anger, sorrow and joy.

“They were individuals who have become a collective group but it is in the detail of their individual stories that we come as close as we can to understanding their experience. I encourage you to seek out those stories.”

Visitors from Australia, New Zealand and all across the world stood shoulder to shoulder in quiet contemplation during the service.

Their presence made a promise of remembrance and to honour the Anzacs and their spirit of courage, endurance and mateship.

“Here, at what was once known as North Beach, we can no longer

see the piers, supplies, mules, field hospitals and aid posts which crowd-ed this area in the latter months of the campaign,” Gen Campbell said.

“The sounds, smells and sights of the war are long gone but the stories remain with us.

“Turkey, New Zealand and Australia are forever connected by our shared history in this place.”

Towards the end of the ceremo-ny, the morning light crept over the water at Anzac Cove and illuminated the silent crowd that stared out to the calm Aegean Sea.

Gen Campbell completed his address with a few key simple words.

“For what they have done, this we will do,” he said.

“Lest we forget.”

Lest we forget

May 2, 2019 Anzac Daydefence.gov.au/news/armynews 5

CDF Gen Angus Campbell lays a rose at a headstone during a ceremony at the 57th Infantry Regiment Memorial at Gallipoli.Photo: PO Andrew Dakin

Catafalque party commander Cpl Damien Marsh, who is deployed with TGT-8, salutes during the Anzac Day dawn service at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Photo: Cpl Oliver Carter

22ER soldiers march through Melbourne. Photo: Pte Michael Currie

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THE Accelerated Warfare roadshow is providing the opportunity for ADF members to engage in the “contest of ideas” on how to be “ready now” and “future ready”.

Director General Future Land Warfare Brig Ian Langford is facili-tating a number of interactive pres-entations across the country explor-ing Army’s Accelerated Warfare futures statement.

“Accelerated Warfare is the con-text that enables us to pull future issues into our current thinking,” Brig Langford said.

Army’s people have been given the opportunity to discuss the chal-lenges that face us as we move into the second quarter of the 21st cen-tury.

These challenges include rapid technological advances, shifting demographics and the changing character of war.

Brig Langford said winning the land battle was going to become a much more dynamic process requir-ing Army to become more strategi-cally aware, highly lethal and opera-tionally adaptable.

“We will need to move away from the linear model of warfare that moves from peace through low level conflict to war; instead considering that we may see cooperation, compe-tition and conflict occurring through-out the region and across the globe simultaneously,” he said.

A key target of Accelerated Warfare is the idea that now, more than ever, winning the narrative becomes critical.

“This begins with a statement of values,” Brig Langford said.

“As part of the joint ADF, we have to be able to be successful oper-ationally, but that objective alone in the future will not be enough.

“When circumstances require it, we also have to protect the innocent; we’re going to have to shelter the weak as well as free the oppressed.”

During the Darwin leg of the tour, SNCOs and officers gathered in the Robertson Barracks officers’ mess to tackle the concept head on.

Lt Lisa Cloke, of 1 Close Health Coy, said she was grateful for the chance to participate in the event.

“It’s been an awesome opportu-nity to be able to engage with one of Army’s senior leaders to gain insight into the future direction and chal-lenges of Army,” Lt Cloke said.

Re-thinking our process

NOMINATIONS for the Soldiers’ Medallion for Exemplary Service are now being accepted for Army members of the rank corporal equivalent and below, who have demonstrated exem-plary service in the past 12 months or noteworthy service over a number of years.

The eligibility criteria is outlined in Army Standing Instruction (Personnel) Part 11, Chapter 2 – Soldiers’ Medallion for Exemplary Service.

Nominations are staffed through the respective functional command headquarters for major gen-eral or equivalent approval.

Functional command headquarters will sub-mit endorsed nominations to Army Ceremonial no later than June 30. Nominations will not be accepted after this date.

Army Joint Staff (formerly Non-Army Group) are to put staff nominations through AHQ for endorsement.

Functional Command Points of Contact: AHQ and Army Joint Staff – ahq-honours and awardssecretariat@drn.mil.au Forcomd – hqforcomdhonoursandawards@drn.mil.au JOC – hqjoc.honours&awards@defence.gov.au Socomd – sohq.ha@defence.gov.au 1 Div – djfhq.honoursandawards@defence.gov.au

Nominations for Soldiers’ Medallion

DG Future Land Warfare Brig Ian Langford delivers a presentation on ‘Accelerated Warfare’ to officers and soldiers of Darwin’s 1 Bde, Robertson Barracks.Photos: Cpl Kyle Genner

Officers and soldiers listen to Director General Future Land Warfare Brig Ian Langford.

May 2, 2019 Newsdefence.gov.au/news/armynews 7

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DEFENCE personnel have several options to ensure their vote is counted in the federal election on May 18.

Where possible, personnel should attend a polling place in the state or territory in which they’re registered to vote on election day. If outside their state on election day, they can go to an interstate voting centre.

Personnel unable to attend a polling place on election day should cast their ballot beforehand at an early voting centre, which opened from April 29.

Deployed and overseas-posted per-sonnel can register for postal voting either as a “general postal voter” for long postings or as a postal voter for a particular election.

Applications for postal voting, which can be found on the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website (aec.gov.au/election/pva.htm), must be received by the AEC by May 15.

Some personnel serving overseas can vote at Australian overseas voting centres at selected Australian embassies and high commissions in places includ-ing the Middle East.

Many ways to make your vote count

Capt Jayne Craig, Director of Military Personnel Policy and Overseas Conditions of Service, said it was important Defence personnel had a variety of options for voting.

“Defence personnel should think about where they are likely to be on

election day and plan the best way to vote accordingly,” Capt Craig said.

“If you know you’ll be at sea or out field, if possible vote early or enrol as a general postal voter. HQJOC is engaged with our deployed units to maximise voting participation of deployed units.

“If you’re travelling away from your home state on election day, have a look at the AEC website and see where the nearest interstate voting centre will be.

“Overseas-posted personnel should make sure they’re enrolled for postal voting if they can’t vote at an embassy or high commission.”

Australian overseas voting centres can be found at www.aec.gov.au/elec-tion/overseas.htm

For further information contact Capt Jayne Craig on (02) 6127 2408 or jayne.craig@defence.gov.au, or Russell Rolfe on (02) 6127 2422 or russell.rolfe@defence.gov.au, from the Directorate of Military Personnel Policy. General information can found on the AEC website: aec.gov.au/voting/defence.htm or aec.gov.au/Voting/ways_to_vote/

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COMMAND-level senior enlisted special operations soldiers from across the Indo-Pacific region have converged on Sydney to develop their strategic knowledge, exchange information and help build closer relationships across the region.

Socomd hosted the inaugural Indo-Pacific Special Operations Forces Summit course for com-mand-level senior enlisted lead-ers from March 4-22 at HMAS Penguin.

The Summit- In ternat ional course is usually conducted by the US Special Operations Command’s Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) in Germany; however, a military education team of four civilian contractors flew to Sydney to deliver the course with a focus on Indo-Pacific security challenges.

SOCAust Maj -Gen Adam Findlay and Comd US Socom Gen Raymond Thomas III, flew into Penguin to speak to the students.

JSOU instructor Blake Edwards said the course was aimed at pre-paring command-level senior enlist-ed leaders to better work with and advise their commanders.

“Everybody who attends the course is going to come away with a much better appreciation for the strategic and higher-level complexi-ties of command at the very senior level,” Mr Edwards said.

“The principal aim is to enable the future senior enlisted leader to be a much better adviser and part-

Socomd the hosts region

ner with the officers they are work-ing for in their commands.”

SM Socomd WO1 John Letch, who completed the course in Germany in 2018, said it exposed senior soldiers to a variety of other opportunities.

“This is an executive-level course and, in addition to provid-ing an invaluable insight into the strategic, cultural, political and vari-ous other complexities that their commanders need to understand, it’s also great for students to share knowledge and develop those deep-er networks across the Indo-Pacific

region to enable senior enlisted leaders to better advise their com-manders,” he said.

This is the first time the summit course has been conducted outside the US or Europe.

Socomd anticipates hosting the course again in 2021 with another Indo-Pacific country hosting it next year.

“This time we managed to get five countries here with a total of seven students, but we’re anticipat-ing there will be a lot more coun-tries trying to get onboard for the next course,” WO1 Letch said.

RSM Socomd WO1 John Letch, centre, greets Comd US Socom Gen Raymond Thomas III, right, on arrival at HMAS Penguin, Sydney. Photos: Cpl Tristan Kennedy

May 2, 2019 Newsdefence.gov.au/news/armynews 9

A Socomd soldier listens to Rob West from the Joint Special Operations University, US Socom, talk about strategic policy.

RHEINMETALL has produced the first of 211 Boxer 8x8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) to be delivered to Army under project Land 400 Phase 2 – Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability.

Head Armoured Vehicle Division Maj-Gen David Coghlan attended the official inspection ceremony of the first Boxer 8x8 CRV at Rheinmetall’s factory in Kassel, Germany, on March 28.

The acquisition contract for this capability was signed in August 2018 and Defence subsequently entered into a support arrangement for the vehicles with Rheinmetall in December.

“I am pleased to see the first Boxer 8x8 CRV produced for the Australian Army, just seven months after we signed the acquisition contract,” Maj-Gen Coghlan said.

The first 25 vehicles are to be assembled at Rheinmetall’s factory in Germany.

This will familiarise Australian com-panies and workers with the manufactur-ing techniques and provide experience on the assembly line for these highly complex vehicles.

The first vehicles will comprise 13 multi-purpose vehicles without turret and 12 turreted reconnaissance vari-ants. These first 25 vehicles will then be shipped to Australia for final assembly, painting and testing in early 2020.

After this initial phase, the remain-ing vehicles will be fully assembled in a facility in Redbank, Queensland, which is currently under construction.

First bout for CRV Boxers

Vehicle assembly in Australia is expected to commence in the third quar-ter of 2019, with the facility to be at full production by the third quarter of 2023. Final vehicle deliveries are expected in 2026.

The Boxer 8x8 CRV will replace the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle, which has seen extensive operational use since its introduction in 1996.

The first unit to receive the Boxer will be 2/14LHR (QMI).

“This is a significant Army capability that will enhance the safety, security and protection of Australian troops for the next 30 years,” Maj-Gen Coghlan said.

“Our focus now is to work with Rheinmetall to ensure the capability Army requires is delivered on schedule and within budget.”

‘This is a significant

Army capability that will enhance

the safety, security and protection of

Australian troops for the next 30 years.

– Maj-Gen David Coghlan, Head Armoured Vehicle Division

The Boxer CRV recently produced in Germany.

v

MAKE THE WORLD YOUR OFFICE AS A

MILITARY REPORTER

If you think you have what it takes to write for Army News and have completed Sub 1 for Corporal, contact Sgt Max Bree at

Max.Bree@defence.gov.au or (02) 6266 7608

Deploy to operations, exercises and ceremonies for Army News and write

about what matters

Leut Todd Fitzgerald

COMMUNICATION and information systems are a vital and rapidly evolving capability for any military operations.

The systems allow a force to respond quickly to an evolving situation, to marshal its resources and manoeuvre cohesively.

But like any system, it requires a team of dedi-cated professionals to be effective.

That team at Camp Qargha in Afghanistan is led by Cpl Cameron Croll.

“Our role is to pro-vide and maintain all the Australian commu-nication and informa-tion systems on base, providing subject matter advice for VHF radio configurations, the elec-tronic counter measures and the entire Information Communication Technology infrastructure for all Australians based at Camp Qargha,” Cpl Croll said.

Cpl Croll and his team support the mis-sion by maintaining the communication lines between Camp Qargha,

the Australian Task Group Headquarters in Afghanistan and Australia.

He said it was a privilege to support the Australian mentors and advisers and the Force Protection Element.

“The train, advise and assist mission is enormously challenging but also very rewarding because you are train-ing another army to take control of their own lives. Australia has some of the best-trained soldiers in the world so why not pass that knowledge on,” he said.

“If I can support that mission, even in the smallest way, then that is very rewarding.”

Cpl Croll said a deployment to Afghanistan could be challenging. However, talking to those around him had proved the best way to ease the stresses.

“The friendships I have made with the infan-try sections and the other support staff, from the logistics guys to the med-ics, and even some of the other nationalities, has been important,” he said.

Communication is keyNews10

Cpl Cameron Croll conducts checks on the electronic counter measure system fitted to the Bushmaster PMV.Photo: Cpl Chris Beerens

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SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

THERE is meaning in a name, as Australian forces deployed on Exercise Balikatan learnt firsthand when they worked

alongside partner forces.The exercise brought ADF and US

personnel to the Philippines from April 2-12 to train with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and build upon shared knowledge.

The Australian contingent command-er, Wg-Cdr Sean Ahern, said Balikatan – the Tagalog word for “shoulder to shoulder” – aimed to build capabilities that enhanced readiness and response ca-pabilities during real-world challenges.

ADF members were spread across the country; engineers supported build-ing projects, a medical team delivered training and community health, chap-lains provided spiritual support and a special forces team trained AFP peers.

“The exercise allows us all to plan, coordinate and conduct operations that can be applied to a range of military capabilities,” Wg-Cdr Ahern said.

“It enhances our military relation-ships and interoperability with our

Pacific partners work together for Exercise Balikatan, writes Cpl Sebastian Beurich.

regional partner forces, as well as sup-porting the AFP modernisation efforts.

“The US, Australia and the Philip-pines have a longstanding relationship dating back to WWII that has strongly contributed to regional security and stability.”

At the exercise opening ceremony, CJOPS Air-Mshl Mel Hupfeld said the ADF’s “ongoing support to the exercise underscores Australia’s commitment to regional security and stability”.

“Balikatan allows us to build our rela-tionship with the AFP and US Indo-Pacif-

ic Command,” Air-Mshl Hupfeld said. “Through that partnership, we aim

to increase our ability to coordinate a multilateral response to a disaster or humanitarian crisis in a complex and ever-evolving regional security environ-ment.”

ADF officers, US soldiers and Armed Forces of the Philippines officers salute during a commemoration ceremony held on Corregidor Island as part of the Philippines Veterans’ Week celebrations. Photos: Cpl Sebastian Beurich

Left: CJOPS Air-Mshl Mel Hupfeld, front and centre, with ADF and US personnel deployed to Balikatan.

Right: AFP officer Capt

Henedino Vergara

demonstrates how to use a breathing assistance

mask.

DELIVERING training in disaster man-agement, basic life support and health, hygiene and sanitation to rural communi-ties in the Philippines was a key task for health professionals during Exercise Ba-likatan.

Personnel from the Philippine, Aus-tralian and US militaries conducted ses-sions at multiple locations around Luzon Island for emergency services personnel and volunteers, as well as families look-ing to pick up some tips.

Providing clinical and technical sup-port to her Armed Forces of the Philip-pines (AFP) counterparts was a fulfilling experience for Flt-Lt Victoria Love-Rain-bow.

“We got a lot of mothers and their kids coming to our presentations and they were always quite full with 30 to 40 people sit-ting in a small classroom,” Flt-Lt Love-Rainbow said.

“I love this sort of stuff – teaching ba-sic hygiene and seeing people respond in a positive manner.

“I particularly like training children because they are the ones who will take the information back to their families and try to help the overall community, which I think makes a real difference.”

The team was ably assisted by “Mr Fuzz”, a puppet brought by Flt-Lt Love-Rainbow.

“We tried to incorporate a lot of props into our presentations to make our topics more exciting and engaging to children,” Flt-Lt Love-Rainbow said.

“We used the ‘Germinator’ – a UV light that you shine onto a gel on your hands to see dirty spots – to teach the kids about proper hand-washing technique.

“And we had Mr Fuzz, who we would ask questions of during the presentations. He was kind of like Harold the Giraffe, which I’m sure most Australians know from their own childhood.”

Rank structures disappeared during the training, according to Leut Christian Aca-Ac, who said the Philippine and American

personnel were easy to work with.“We had a major doing compressions

and a captain who was acting as a training dummy – it was more about delivering the proper way of training to hopefully save lives,” Leut Aca-Ac said.

“Everyone in the community health engagement team were subject-matter ex-perts in their own fields, so it was really good to bounce off each other while we were teaching.”

Leut Aca-Ac also has a deeper connec-tion to the Philippines.

“I grew up in Australia, but my parents are from the Philippines, so I feel like I have a special connection to this country,” he said.

“I think the Filipinos were very com-fortable around me and, because I can speak Tagalog, I could act as a translator when required as well.”

When it comes to cleanliness, US Navy Hospital Corpsman Grade Three (Fleet Marine Force) Simon Rodriguez

said everything mattered, especially in rural areas that did not have access to the same resources as cities.

“Our audiences had a fair bit of prior knowledge about how to handle situations with unhygienic practices, but being able to go into detail and explain why they should do certain things was really helpful to them,” Hospital Corpsman Grade Three Rodriguez said.

AFP Reserve Command Captain Hen-edino Vergara said it was important to undertake disaster preparation and basic life support training to be prepared for anything that may happen.

“Part of the AFP Reserve Command mandate is to serve in our communities, in our case by conducting medical and dental missions for our fellows here in Bataan,” Capt Vergara said.

“I think the townsfolk got the impor-tance of the lectures we shared with them, so in the future if we have disasters or ca-lamities we’re ready to respond to them.”

Health always a top priority

Leut Christian Aca-Ac assists with a demonstration of basic first aid during a community health engagement activity at Pagasa Elementary School.

US Hospital Corpsman Grade 3 Simon Rodriguez and ‘Mr Fuzz’ teach a les-son on sanitation.

Exercise Balikatan

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THREE sappers lived with local communities for a month to help build classrooms and health centres in the

Philippines during Exercise Balikatan 2019.

The engineers worked with Americans and Philippine personnel in hot, tropical conditions as part of the community relations program during the exercise from April 2-12.

O n e o f t h e m , S p r J a m e s McLennan, was awarded the US Army Commendation Medal.

“When I got called up I still didn’t really know what was going on, so it was a really nice surprise,” Spr McLennan said.

“I’ll definitely look back on the team I worked with in the Philippines with some fond memories.”

Counting it among the most sat-isfying projects of his career, Spr McLennan helped construct a one-room special education classroom at the Victor O De Guia Jr Memorial Elementary School in Laguna prov-ince.

“This kind of work is what I signed up for, so Balikatan was a really rewarding experience,” Spr McLennan said.

“Being able to see something tangi-ble at the end and seeing the kids who

would be using the classroom at the closing ceremony and how happy they were was a really special moment.

“You don’t often get that kind of satisfaction in life, so it’s definitely something I’ll take with me for the rest of my life.”

As the only Australian on the con-

struction team, Spr McLennan said he was impressed with the work ethic of the Philippine and US personnel.

“Everyone seemed to work real-ly well as a team. They were a good bunch of people to work with, really fun and loved to joke around a bit, which was really good,” he said.

“The Filipinos were up early clean-ing up the site every day and con-stantly working, chipping away. They didn’t have a rest for over a month, which really impressed me.”

At the official opening ceremony of the new classroom, school princi-pal Feliza Ambrocio said the commu-

nity was grateful for the efforts of the entire building crew.

“Thanks for your hard work, even over the weekends. We’re all very glad for your efforts,” Ms Ambrocio said.

“Your efforts have left a legacy not just for the school, but also for the whole town.”

Building a lasting futureMultilateral effort raises classrooms and health centres for Philippine locals, writes Cpl Sebastian Beurich.

‘You don’t often get that kind of

satisfaction in life, so it’s definitely

something I’ll take with me for the rest

of my life.– Spr James McLennan

Armed Forces of the Philippines, ADF and US Armed Forces personnel stand with local dignitaries in front of the new Victor O De Guia Jr Memorial Elementary School special education class room in Laguna, Philippines.

Mother Supervisor of the Pangil-Pakil District Ruth Valdellon and Municipal Mayor Oscar Rafanan cut the ribbon to open the new classroom. Photos: Cpl Sebastian Beurich

Spr James McLennan discusses operations with the project officer Philippine Army Capt Alger Depositario.Photo: LCpl Mark Fike (US)

Exercise Balikatan14

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COMMUNITY engagements formed a large part of Australia’s activities in the Philippines during Exercise Balikatan.

While a team of four civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) officers conducted regional leadership engagements, which ranged from the police to members of parliament, a pair of chaplains visited local schools and engaged with religious leadership.

Their engagement helped to set the path of future exercises, according to WO2 David Ryan, who said the CIMIC officers were determining how Balikatan could “give communities a better life and bring up their economy”.

“We’ve been identifying tasks the ADF and US can do to help communi-ties – whether that’s infrastructure, water supply, repairs to buildings, schools or health centres, or even just supplying basic first-aid material and giving sup-plies to students,” WO2 Ryan said.

“Some of the barangays [villages] we’ve been to were very poor and what we’ve been able to contribute has made their life a little bit better.

“It’s been a really great experience and I think it’s what being a soldier is all about.”

Both the CIMIC officers and chap-

lains were fully integrated into their US counterpart teams and travelled to mul-tiple regional areas to support AFP civil affairs teams during the exercise.

After a visit to the Don Eulogio Elementary School in Batangas, head teacher Mabel Campang said the staff and students had a great time with the combined forces.

“We really enjoyed having every-one here, the kids were very happy,” Ms Campang said.

“The school supplies that were donated will be very useful to us, as will the new classroom being constructed.”

Chap Cesar Lopez, of 1RAR, said the Philippine people were welcoming to the combined ADF and US commu-nity relations teams.

“The people are fantastic. They’re beautiful people and were very enthusi-astic about our presence,” Chap Lopez said.

“Because the Philippines is most-ly Catholic, we found it very easy to engage with the locals and they were very open with us.

“The activities we did over the exer-cise – whether it was building centres or visiting schools – really helped to bring local communities together.”

Spirited communityChap Stephen Bennett presents school supplies to children of the Don Eulogio Elementary School.

A US soldier hands a gift to a resident of the Gentle Hands orphanage in Manila.

The act of giving is helping to create a lasting bond, writes Cpl Sebastian Beurich.

Chap Stephen Bennett with children of the Don Eulogio Elementary School and donated school supplies.Photos: Cpl Sebastian Beurich

May 2, 2019 Exercise Balikatandefence.gov.au/news/armynews 15

OPERATION Southern Discovery, mounted through Royal Australian Air Force’s No. 29 Sqn

in Hobart, provides transport and logistics to support the Australian Antarctic Program during summer seasons.

Spr Marcus Miller, LCpl Mathew van Rees Hoets (6ESR) and LCpl Bradley Smart, of 19 Chief Engineer Works, recently returned from four months opera-tion in Antarctica providing survey-ing capability to the 72nd ANARE (Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition).

“Working in Antarctica pre-sented a series of challenges unlike anything normally experienced in Australia,” LCpl van Rees Hoets said.

“Extreme cold, gale-force wind, ice and snow require planning beyond normal circumstances.

“The right choice of clothing, extra batteries [cold significantly accelerates battery drain] and food that won’t potentially become a bio-hazard for wildlife become important decisions.”

Before working in the field, all expeditioners must undergo sur-vival training, including a series of lessons on the use of Shellite-fuel stoves, survival tents, sea-ice drill-ing, navigation and other essential skills appropriate to the harsh Antarctic conditions.

“During our training, we spent a night in a bivvy under 24-hour day-light before navigating the featureless terrain of the Vestfold Hills from Brooke’s Hut back to Davy Station.”

With survival training complete, LCpl van Rees Hoets began the range of surveying work he was in Antarctica to do.

“Basic surveying work under-taken in Australia, such as putting a steel stake in the ground, is prohib-

Discovering the secrets of the southFor the few months a year warm enough, soldiers are braving the frosty Antarctic conditions to conduct important research on the remote continent.

ited in Antarctica without approval from the Territories, Environment and Treaties Section,” LCpl van Rees Hoets said.

The Australian Antarctic Division is firmly committed to environmentally responsible activities, meaning that most work undertaken requires detailed plan-ning and a permit.

“In Antarctica, you need to fore-see what may be required, so there are no delays conducting work dur-ing the short summer season.”

In preparation for Australia’s new ice-breaker ship, RSV Nuyina, LCpl van Rees Hoets provided surveying support for the Station Infrastructure Project around the wharf area at Mawson research sta-tion, and for the proposed inclusion of a new container laydown area at Davis research station.

Aircraft access to and from Antarctica is currently only pos-sible during the milder summer season. The Year-Round Aviation Access project intends to imple-ment a paved runway at Davis Station – the first sealed runway in Antarctica.

“In preparation for this, we set out a proposed centreline using

‘In Antarctica, you need to foresee what may be

required, so there are no delays conducting work during the short summer

season.– LCpl Mathew van Rees Hoets

large traffic cones so the alignment of the runway could be visualised from the air,” LCpl van Rees Hoets said.

The 72nd ANARE also involved a variety of surveying studies, including placing tide markers in the lakes and weirs to ascertain the impacts of snowmelt and monitor water flow.

Seventeen 1.5m steel spikes were placed 50cm into the ground of a major valley and surveyed at their top and bottom to capture different movement between the permafrost and sediment.

Rock core, soil, air and noise-quality samples were also taken to estimate possible changes from the implementation of the proposed runway.

The Antarctic working week is five and a half days, but it wasn’t all work and no play.

“The food – prepared by three world-class chefs – was exception-al; there is an indoor rock-climbing wall and a gym; and the social club kept everyone entertained with darts, table tennis and pool compe-titions,” LCpl van Rees Hoets said.

“At most social activities we were also treated to live music by a local band (some able expedition-ers) who gave more than a few ‘revival’ tours due to a shipping delay.”

There was also time set aside for sightseeing and expeditioners enjoyed hikes beyond the station limits to a local lookout, an old elephant seal wallow and across the sea ice on foot to an Adélie pen-guin rookery.

“Before returning to Hobart on the RSV Aurora Australis, the sea-ice had dispersed enough for an iceberg tour in the Inflatable Rescue Boat to the Sørsdal Glacier,” LCpl van Rees Hoets said.

“We snapped a lot of photos, but it’s the memories of our expedi-tion to Antarctica that will last a lifetime.”

‘Basic surveying work

undertaken in Australia, such as putting a steel stake in the ground, is prohibited in Antarctica without approval.

– LCpl Mathew van Rees Hoets

Setting up the GPS base station on the peak of Camp Noll. Photo: Brad Smart

Features16

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REPLACING a wounded ally resulted in an Australian brigadier making history dur-ing one of the most turbulent

periods in Afghanistan’s recent history.Brig John Shanahan became

the first non-US commander of the 11,000-strong Train Advise Assist Command – South (TAAC-S) since the Resolute Support mission began in 2015.

He led TAAC-S for five months and handed command to US Brig General Miles Brown during a cer-emony in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on February 24.

The ceremony brought an end to 18 months in Afghanistan for Brig Shanahan, who originally deployed for 12 months as the Chief of Combined Joint Operations at Resolute Support Headquarters in Kabul.

On October 18 last year, two days before national parliamentary elec-tions, the Kandahar Police Chief, Lt-Gen Abdul Raziq, was assassinated in an insider attack claimed by the Taliban.

Also wounded in the attack were senior local Afghan officials and two US personnel, including the then TAAC-S commander, Brig-Gen Jeffrey Smiley.

Comd Resolute Support, US Gen Scott Miller, then requested that Brig Shanahan take up the TAAC-S com-mand.

“Taking over from a predecessor who was wounded in action gives you focus and clarity,” Brig Shanahan said.

“The elections were delayed in Kandahar by a week in honour of Lt-Gen Raziq, which was a good thing but also put the world’s attention on us. The world was expecting Kandahar to be on fire. I was parachuted on to that drop zone.

Leading by example

“We got the governors and the leaders of the Afghan security forces together and we talked about how we were going to run the elections safely. That calmed a lot of things down.”

Despite the one-week delay in Kandahar, elections across the south went ahead on time, and with fewer disruptions and greater voter turnout than many other provinces around Afghanistan.

How his team at TAAC-S and their Afghan partners handled that period

of turmoil is one of Brig Shanahan’s proudest moments in command.

“I saw the Afghan people, the Afghan security forces and the soldiers of TAAC-S rise up against the Taliban, resilient among sadness and chaos to execute peaceful elections in Uruzgan and Zabul on schedule and Kandahar only a week later,” he said.

He said his time in Afghanistan has been challenging but he would do it again to help the people of Afghanistan.

“I can think of very few things I would have rather have done over the past 18 months,” Brig Shanahan said.

“Helping Afghanistan to develop as a country, helping it to avoid descending into chaos and brutality, developing the Afghan security forces to defend the country and its people – and these are wonderful people – has been hugely rewarding.”

The area of operations for TAAC-S includes the Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgan and Daykundi provinces.

The governors of the four prov-inces and senior representatives of the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and National Directorate of Security attended the transfer of authority ceremony.

Their presence was a strong show of support for TAAC-S and Brig Shanahan.

The new TAAC-S commander, Brig-Gen Brown, said Brig Shanahan had helped shape the Afghan security forces as an effective fighting force and set the conditions for peace.

“Your personal sacrifice and dedi-cation to the people of Afghanistan speaks to your character, competence and commitment,” Brig-Gen Brown said.

“Your style of leadership, laser mission focus and agility has shown you to be the consummate warfighter and has provided momentum for our fight with the enemy.

“Due to your influence, we have a strategic opportunity to bring this to a logical conclusion.”

Brig Shanahan said it had been a “tremendous honour” to lead TAAC-S – which comprised personnel from the US, Australia, Poland, Lithuania, Romania and Bulgaria.

“To all of those at TAAC-S, you have poured blood, sweat and tears into this mission and have worked alongside your Afghan partners to forge relationships of trust, mutual respect and, above all, friendship,” he said.

“To our Afghan partners, we have planned, trained and fought together. We call you our partners and we have learned so much from you militarily and as a nation. Your steadfastness and courage against the outrages of the Taliban is remarkable. I will miss you immensely.”

An Australian brigadier has made history in Afghanistan, writes Leut Todd Fitzgerald.

Features 17May 2, 2019

Brig John Shanahan speaks with Afghan people in Ghorak, Afghanistan.Photos: Maj Angel Tomko

Above: Brig John Shanahan with the Afghan National Army Comd 4 Bde Brig-Gen Shafiqullah during operation planning in Zabul Province, Afghanistan.

Left: Brig John Shanahan with the Afghan National Army 205th Corps Commander Lt-Gen Hamiid at the Forward Operating Base Eagle.

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VCDF VAdm David Johnson opens the conference in Canberra on April 9. Photo: Sean Davey

KEY themes drawn from presentations and case studies at the Rapid Force Projection Conference were the need for speed and the ability to deploy with a high level of confidence and prepar-edness.

VCDF VAdm David Johnston opened the April 9 conference at ADFA in Canberra by highlighting the need to think creatively about how Defence addresses rapid force projec-tion, especially in light of changing global challenges.

“As our environment evolves and more emphasis is placed on our region, we need to think creatively about the opportunities available to Defence, unbound by our current force or plans,” VAdm Johnston said.

“It’s forums like this that allow us to consider the challenges and the opportunities for us to project force decades into the future.”

The conference’s keynote speaker, Brig Richard Iron, discussed readiness and rapid deployment in the UK’s May 2000 deployment to Sierra Leone.

“Although London was taken by surprise by events in Sierra Leone, the person in charge of the response [Brig David Richards] was not,” Brig Iron said.

Professor Craig Stockings, the offi-

cial historian of Australian Operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor, gave an account of the challenges for readiness of the ADF when it deployed to East Timor in September 1999.

While the introduction of platforms such as the C-17A Globemaster and Canberra-class landing helicopter docks have increased the speed and volume of future force projection, the environment will continue to change.

Professor Mark Howden, of the Australian National University, sum-marised the implications of climate change and its calamitous effect on our immediate region.

He said rising average temperatures would lead to an increased intensity and area-of-effect for cyclones in the region, affecting food security and damaging the infrastructure required for disaster response.

But force doesn’t always need to be projected physically.

Lt-Col Mick Cook’s address ana-lysed the use of social media by Daesh to intimidate local security forces off the battlefield.

The closing address was presented by DG Support for HQJOC Air-Cdre Kirrily Dearing, who said speed had become synonymous with modern warfare.

Speed of the essenceMeeting the challenges of projecting force in future

“Certainly, over my career, every aspect of the world has become expo-nentially faster – communication, the media cycle and innovation,” Air-Cdre Dearing said.

“As a result, it is no surprise that the speed at which situations can go

from bad to worse, and the speed with which we, as a regional power, must respond requires adaptation and inno-vation.”

How the ADF resources ‘readi-ness’ for its logistics systems – within Defence and with industry – will be

key to providing rapid force projection into the future.

The Rapid Force Projection Conference was jointly hosted by the Sea Power Centre – Australia, Australian Army Research Centre and Air Power Development Centre.

Features18

From the 15th of April 2019 it became easier for Defence Reservists to access information and advice about reserve service protection, employer support payments and

employer engagement activities.

The following Defence Reserves Support numbers will be transitioned to 1800DEFENCE providing our Reservists with

greater access to information and advice,including after hours and on weekends.

Defence Reserves Support 1800 803 485

Office of Reserve Service Protection 1800 671 998

Employer Support Payment Scheme 1800 001 696

This merge will undergo a transitional period where the current three 1800 numbers will be

forwarded to 1800DEFENCE.

Further information can be sought through 1800DEFENCE.

DPS:APR017-19

Capt Zoe Griffyn

UNSWR Adjutant Lt Declan Herring represented Australian Army Officers and 8 Bde (Army Reserve training) at the Army Change of Banner Ceremony on March 1.

This ceremony saw the final parade for the Army Banner, introduced in 2001, and the inaugural parade of the new 2019 banner.

Lt Herring and four others were chosen to represent the Army and its diversity.

“This was a thrilling and proud moment and something I will remem-ber for the rest of my life,” Lt Herring said.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities my unit and Army as a whole has offered me.”

Lt Herring entered the Army as one of the first cohort to complete the

Australian Army Gap Year Officer Course.

The gap year course is a fast-tracked version of the Reserve officer commissioning course, run over five training blocks culminating in a three-week period at RMC.

CO UNSWR Lt-Col Damian Bushell was also proud of Lt Herring’s accomplishments.

“Lt Herring is a key contributor to the unit’s mission and is a living exam-ple of the success of the Army Gap Year Officer Program,” Lt-Col Bushell said.

UNSWR is one of the key University Regiments under the com-mand of 8 Bde. It has been active since 1952 and in 2018 assumed responsibil-ity for all recruit and initial employ-ment training soldier management, driver training and training for the Army Reserve in NSW.

Representing the Army and UNSWR

Lt Declan Herring with the new 2019 Army Banner.

A SUBURBAN community pharmacist in Melbourne, who wanted to do something challenging, new and differ-

ent, found all that when she joined the Army in 2012.

Capt Marium Hamimi, who is one of 10 serving Army members who fea-ture in the Thank you for your service photographic exhibition, grew up in a conservative Afghan-Muslim house-hold and had always lived, studied and worked in the same area.

Thank you for your service, which showcases the diversity of the ADF, opened at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney, on April 5.

Capt Hamimi said she wanted to move outside her comfort zone, move interstate and work as a pharmacist in different, more challenging settings.

“The people I have met in Army have been inspiring – most people are dedicated and highly motivated,” she said.

“I saw this especially on overseas operations; there was such pride in serving the country and motivation to do a really good job.

“In a challenging setting where you are away from your loved ones in an austere type environment, to see that type of dedication, was inspiring and made me proud to be part of it.”

Capt Hamimi said looking back on the things she has had the opportu-nity to do in Army, the roles she has enjoyed the most, had also been the most professionally rewarding.

“Deploying a field pharmacy on exercise can be logistically challeng-ing, but once set-up, with services provided, not many civilian pharma-cists can say they’ve run a pharmacy in PNG or Iraq,” she said.

“In 2017, I had the opportunity to learn Arabic at Defence Force School of Languages.”

A career highlight for Capt Hamimi was deploying to Iraq in 2018.

She was deployed as a pharmacist as part of the health company support-ing the training of Iraqi forces.

“It was exactly what I imagined joining the Army as a pharmacist would be like and I learnt a lot about logistic processes on operations,” she

said. “Another highlight was working with the defence and armed forces of many other nations and learning how their health and logistics processes worked – I was amazed at how much we had in common and how many similar challenges we faced.”

Capt Hamimi said the ADF ben-efited from having people from diverse backgrounds in its ranks.

“I think having a group of people from different backgrounds, with dif-ferent experiences and perspectives, has the potential to create dynamic teams,” she said.

“Differences mean more ideas, which mean more potential solutions.”

The exhibition is a collabora-tion between the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Defence, the NSW Government and Fairfax.

It features portraits of more than 40 service members and veterans.

The exhibition is free and runs until early July. For more details and to view the imagery, go to www.dva.gov.au and search for Thank you for your service.

Sgt Dave Morley writes on the importance of diversity in Defence.

Thank you for your service

Features 19May 2, 2019defence.gov.au/news/armynews

Capt Marium Hamimi with her portrait at the Australian War Memorial.Photo: CPO Cameron Martin

People20

LCpl Mitchell Wiley and Capt Katherine de Rooy at Taji Military Complex, Iraq.Photo: Cpl David Said

Capt Michael Gallatly at the Headquarters Resolute Support located in Kabul, Afghanistan.Photos: Cpl Chris Beerens

Lt Michael Anderson, of FPE10 at Camp Qargha.

Capt Gerard Donnelly, an Afghan National Army Officer Academy mentor at Camp Qargha.

Afghan National Army Sergeant Major Academy Advisory Team, WO1 Glen Donaldson, Lt-Col Tim Tiller and WO2 Clint Bosworth at Camp Qargha.

Cpl Keegan Smith conducts maintenance on an engine from a Bushmaster PMV at Camp Qargha.

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Test your knowledge

You vs. WildOne season – NetflixEveryone’s favourite urine-drinking ex-SAS soldier is back again, this time with a new format which pits you against the elements as you sit on the couch at home.

You vs. Wild is delivered in a similar format to Bear Grylls’ previous TV shows, except this time it’s interactive, with Grylls taking viewers through some of the more extreme places on the planet, sharing sur-vival tips along the way.

The twist, of course, is that you get to draw upon all of the survival knowledge you’ve previously picked up to make key decisions as Grylls worked towards what-ever the episode’s “mission” is.

While it’s obvious they’re all made up, the missions allow Grylls to deliver the epi-sodes in his signature engaging style.

As for if you can make him drink his pee – you’ll have to watch to find out.

Game of ThronesEight seasons – Foxtel NowThere was heavy debate about the need to let people know the new season of Game of Thrones had started – because let’s be hon-est, who isn’t watching it? – at least in our office, anyway.

Although it was a slow start, season eight kicked off on April 15 with the first two (of six) episodes setting the stage for the upcoming conflict between the living and the dead.

Although there was nothing new revealed for the audience during the two episodes, they brought the majority of main characters together with reunions – some thorny, others tearful – and revelations.

So far it feels like the producers are spinning the wheels to build anticipation for the upcoming battle, which will round out one of the most popular shows of the decade.

Sir Thomas Blamey.

Answers

Best in show

But the lull before the battle gives you the perfect opportunity to start an office sweepstakes on which characters will be killed off, in ever-inventive and surprising ways.

Drunk HistoryFour seasons – StanDid you know that we wouldn’t have Milton Bradley board games if Abraham Lincoln hadn’t grown a beard? Or that President Richard Nixon gave Elvis Presley a Federal Licensed Narcotics Officer badge so he could arrest whoever he wanted?

Neither did I, until I’d watched Drunk History. While we at Army News don’t condone heavy drinking, it can be quite funny watching somebody else partake.

So given a drink and an historic topic, comedians narrate events of the past while actors attempt to re-enact the story to an increasingly slurred voiceover.

While hilarious watching the actors lip-synch to slurred famous speeches, the show delves into a lot of lesser-known and some-times more absurd chapters of history that will leave you checking if it’s true online. And it is.

Learning has never been so fun.

As winter draws closer and the days shorten, we recommend the shows streaming worthy of your time on the couch.

The Hound and Arya Stark reunite in Winterfell on Game of Thrones. Photo: HBO

1. Which country was formerly called Siam?

2. What is the capital city of Belarus?

3. How many times was Henry VIII married?

4. With Essendon, which club has the equal most AFL/VFL premierships?

5. Which planet is sixth closest to our sun?

6. Which Australian has had the most songs reach number one on the ARIA chart?

7. What number is aluminium on the periodic table?

8. Which rapper was born Aubrey Graham?

9. What is the name of the New Orleans NBA team?

10. Sir Thomas Blamey is the only Australian to have reached which rank?

1. Thailand. 2. Minsk. 3. Six. 4. Carlton. 5. Saturn. 6. Kylie Minogue. 7. 13. 8. Drake. 9. The Pelicans. 10. Field Marshal.

INSTAGRAM: CODEYS_ART By Cpl Codey Anderson

May 2, 2019 Fundefence.gov.au/news/armynews 21

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Flt-Lt Chloe Stevenson

THE ADF King’s Cup Team is set to make history in July 5-7, following in the footsteps of the Australian Imperial Force rowing crew members from 100 years before.

A team of 16 ADF personnel will participate in the King’s Cup at the 2019 Henley Royal Regatta in the United Kingdom.

At the end of WWI, Australia par-ticipated in the 1919 Royal Henley Peace Regatta which replaced the nor-mal Henley Royal Regatta, which had been running since its foundation in 1839.

Brig Alison Creagh, ADF King’s Cup Team Manager, said it was very special for the ADF to be taking part in this historical event.

“They ran a peace regatta to hon-our those who had fallen in WWI, to support those who had returned and changed from the harrowing experi-ence of the trenches,” Brig Creagh said.

“The 1919 competition had a num-ber of allied nations competing and the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) First and Second Crews competed.

“It was very exciting because the AIF First Crew won the King’s Cup against stiff competition.”

Pte Owen Hingston, a member of the ADF King’s Cup Squad, said it had been a long road getting to where they were now.

“I’m posted to Norforce in Darwin, so there’s not too much on-water time here, due to the local water inhabit-ants, but we do train really hard at the gym and on the rowing machines to ensure we are competitive,” Pte Hingston said.

“The journey to get here has been pretty long, a lot of long hours in the gym, a lot of sore bodies and a lot of mornings where you wake up and have to mentally push yourself to get out of bed and get the hours done, day after day.

“The team is really good as eve-ryone works together. I think it is that military feel that everyone knows there is a job to do so we all get in and give it a red-hot crack as soon as we can.

“Rowing as part of the re-enact-ment team has actually been quite a challenge; their style compared to ours these days is completely different.

“The wooden-hulled boat we have is 70 to 80 years old and she’s hold-ing together quite well as we put her through her paces.”

As for the most important question surrounding the 2019 Henley Royal Regatta King’s Cup, Pte Hingston had an answer for that as well.

“Do I reckon we’ll keep the Cup? Bloody oath I do,” he said.

For the July 2019 centenary com-petition, the Henley Royal Stewards decided the Henley Royal Regatta will re-race the 1919 King’s Cup.

“This is an opportunity, a cen-

On the row to victory

tury later, for eight nations to send their defence force crews to compete in a re-race of the King’s Cup,” Brig Creagh said.

“What is really special about the King’s Cup competition this year, is for the first time it will have both men and women competing as a mixed crew.

“It is an absolutely fantastic oppor-tunity, we are honoured and privileged that we have the opportunity to repre-sent our country.”

The ADF King’s Cup Squad assisted in making a documentary that reflects the AIF First Crew’s experi-

ence of rowing for the King’s Cup in 1919. Brig Creagh said the filming of the documentary has given the par-ticipating members a sense of realism about the peace regatta.

“It has been really special for us as it allows us to walk in the footsteps of our forebears, it gives us an oppor-tunity to reflect on the experience of WWI and the real challenges that the men who competed in that cup would have experienced after the First World War,” she said.

“So I think for us, it is very mov-ing, very motivational and quite hum-bling.”

Team Capt: Lt-Col Selina Rowland Boat Capt: Capt Nicholas WaughCapt Carl BleimscheinLt Simon GillespieLt Alexander Jack

Capt Mitchell LindsayPte Charles Patterson Lt Casey Piket Cpl Rachel RookCpl Damien RichardsonLt-Col Elizabeth StephensMaj Tom Cregan

King’s Cup team

‘I think it is that military feel that

everyone knows there is a job to do so we all get in and give it a red,

hot crack as soon as we can.– Pte Owen Hingston

Kings Cup squad member

King’s Cup preparation

Sport22

The King’s Cup rowing team with the King’s Cup at the AWM.

Members of the team salute during the Last Post Ceremony. Photos: Cpl Jessica de Rouw

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Leut Ben Willee

TRADITIONAL rivals from within Defence had only a week to form a cohesive women’s Aussie rules unit before falling short of beating a profes-sional-standard Richmond team by the smallest of margins.

The ADF Women’s AFL All Stars lost by only a point – 6.5.41 to 6.4.40 – to a combined AFLW and VFLW team from Richmond in the annual Anzac Challenge.

The game, played at Richmond’s Punt Road Oval, was a precursor to the Anzac eve AFL game between Melbourne and Richmond at the MCG.

Players from Navy, Army and Air Force spent a week training and preparing under coach Leut-Cmdr Elisabeth Quinn – also a coach with the Richmond club – before taking the field in cool, blustery conditions.

All Stars vice-captain LCpl Kate Lutkins said the game, the pinnacle of ADF Australian Rules’ (ADFAR) representative fixtures, was an “unreal experience”.

“They showed so much grit, deter-mination and courage. I am super proud of the girls,” LCpl Lutkins said.

ADF women’s football director Lt-Col Dani Glatz was impressed with the team’s tenacity.

“It was breathtaking and absolutely brilliant to watch. We were right on their heels the whole way. The ADF girls were smooth and composed, and you cannot fault them on their courage, tenacity and how hard they went at the ball,” Lt-Col Glatz said.

ADFAR chairman Maj-Gen Matt Hall said it was a brilliant performance from a team that had formed only a week earlier.

“Just a few weeks ago this group was playing against each other so it’s outstanding to see how far they have come,” Maj-Gen Hall said.

“They didn’t give up and kept attacking against a very professional outfit. We are very proud of what they achieved.

“The standard of AFL in Defence has come on in leaps and bounds in the past few years.

“All our ADF players were at an equivalent standard of AFLW and VFLW players, and that means we have a very bright future for women’s footy in Defence.”

‘It was breathtaking and absolutely brilliant to

watch. We were right on their heels the whole way.

– Lt-Col Dani Glatz, ADF women’s football director

Leaps and bounds

OCdt Jessica Allen marks the ball ahead of her All Stars teammate and vice-captain LCpl Kate Lutkins during the Anzac Challenge against Richmond.

May 2, 2019

SPORT Spr Mollie Emond takes the situation in hand for the ADF

Women’s AFL All Stars during the Anzac Challenge against

Richmond on Anzac eve.

IN FINE STRIDE

ADF women take it to the

TigersPage 23