The official newspaper of the Royal Australian NavyVolume 56, No. 01, January 31, 2013

SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRIDE

NEWS

FINAL PATROL

Navy says goodbye to three of its

long-serving LCHs

PAGE 2

CO’s Australia Day Honour for SIEV 221 rescue

Top award

PAGE 14

Strong memories of the 2003 Canberra bushfires

Dark days

CENTRE

END OF THE LINE: Members of the crew of HMAS Betano

man their ship for the last time. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

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SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRIDE

NEWS

02 NEWSJanuary 31, 2013

LEUT Andrew Ragless

AN LJ Torana or a 500 tonne warship? CO HMAS Betano LEUT Christopher Cockerill will tell you, either way, you never forget that first drive.

Speaking at the decommissioning ceremony, LEUT Cockerill said it was common to compare ships to cars.

“Frigates are usually some varia-tion of high performance vehicle, aux-iliaries might be trucks, but LCHs are invariably utilities; tough, dependable and with a reputation for hard work,” he said.

“My first car was not a ute, but

an LJ Torana made in 1973, just like Betano.”

He said, like so many firsts, a first car was unforgettable.

“Remember your first time without a grown up in the passenger seat next to you? Remember your exhilarating first road trip or your first break-down?” he said.

“You don’t forget your firsts because they teach you all the most important lessons.”

Betano was LEUT Cockerill’s first command and, like his first car, it was an important milestone.

“My first ship, and my first com-pany of men, has taught me more about

Navy and working on the sea than the rest of my 15 years combined,” he said.

“Of course Betano will always be special to me, but she’s special in her own right. Yes she’s old and needs a lot of love. Yes she is difficult, but we are better mariners for it.”

LEUT Cockerill said Betano was more than just a ship to those who served in her.

“Betano is every sailor who has worn her rising sun badge, and lived by the words ‘bravely in difficulties’,” he said.

“Our name, our badge and our motto are as meaningful to us as our service to the nation.”

LEUT Andrew Ragless

AFTER four decades of service, three of Navy’s Balikpapan-class LCHs decommissioned in December at ceremonies in Darwin and Cairns.

Personnel and dignitaries gathered at HMA Ships Coonawarra and Cairns to farewell HMA Ships Balikpapan, Betano and Wewak.

As friends and family looked on the ships’ COs and companies farewelled their vessels in traditional Navy decommissioning ceremonies.

Balikpapan served for 41 years, Betano for 38 years and Wewak for 39 years, conducting countless operational deployments and making a vital contribution to Navy’s overall effort to protect Australian waters.

The COs expressed great pride at having the final command of their respective ships and recounted the long and distinguished his-tory of the vessels, which have operated at high tempo in support of Navy operations at home and abroad.

CO Balikpapan LEUT Justine Archer said commanding Balik, as she’s affectionately known, was a career highlight and she fare-welled her with great fondness.

“Among her many accomplishments, she assisted the people of Darwin in the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy and supported the foundation

of Timor-Leste – for which she achieved a meri-torious unit citation,” LEUT Archer said.

“She has always been ready to respond to the plights of her country, whenever and wherever necessary.”

CO Betano LEUT Christopher Cockerill also expressed fondness for his ship.

“Command is a privilege and I am extremely proud of the professionalism of my ship’s com-pany,” he said.

“We are extremely honoured to have had the chance to be a part of the final chapter of Betano’s long and distinguished history of ser-vice to the nation.”

CO Wewak LEUT Luke Weston said his ship had served Navy with pride.

“Wewak conducted countless operational deployments and made a vital contribution to Navy’s delivery of secure Australian waters,” LEUT Weston said.

“It was my honour and pleasure to command her and it is with great fondness that we say farewell today.”

The three remaining LCHs are due to be decommissioned over the next two years.

They will be replaced by six new heavy landing craft with improved ocean-going capa-bilities able to transport armoured vehicles, trucks, stores and people.

An unforgettable service

Farewell to old friends

LAST TIME: The decommissioning guard from HMA Ships Balikpapan and Betano

march ashore from their vessels. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

PROUD SERVICE: The crews of HMA Ships Balikpapan and Betano man their ships for the last time. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

FOND FAREWELL: HMAS Wewak’s ship’s company cross the gangway during her decommissioning ceremony at HMAS Cairns. Photo: SMNMT Jake Badior

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03NEWS January 31, 2013

LCDR Andrew Stackpool and LEUT Ryan Zerbe

TOP End personnel were among the first to be awarded the new Operational Service Medal – Border Protection (OSM-BP) for their efforts in Australia’s maritime border security operations.

CN VADM Ray Griggs and Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon awarded 37 Navy and six Air Force members and former members of the patrol boat force the new award in front of VIPs, family members and friends at a special ceremony at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin on December 12.

The OSM-BP is the first of its kind to provide long overdue recog-nition for Defence members involved in all areas of border protection since 1997.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Snowdon said it was important to recognise the men and women who protect Australia’s borders.

“This is a significant event for thousands of ADF personnel who have been protecting Australian sov-ereignty under challenging condi-

tions for a number of years,” he said.“This award provides worthy

and just recognition for all of those involved in border protection opera-tions.”

CO Attack Five CMDR Melanie Verho said it was an honour to be among the first to receive the award.

She was delighted by the recogni-tion for her crew.

“This is a very proud moment; we’ve worked hard for years to fulfil the government’s requirement,” she said.

“To be recognised for that in such a big forum is very special, not just for those who are here today, but for everyone else who will be receiving this in due course.

“Every time we’re out there the team works hard, they work well together, and it is only as a team we get the job done.”

Formally announced on July 19, 2012, the OSM replaces both the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) and Australian Service Medal (ASM) for all future opera-tions.

The OSM will be issued to eli-gible ADF members with a unique ribbon for each new operation. The OSM-Border Protection ribbon fea-

tures a central ochre stripe flanked by one blue and one green stripe.

Although personnel who served on opera-tions Relex I, Relex I I and Resolute were among the first to receive the medal, personnel who served on border protection operations dating back to 1997 will also be included as part of a rolling process.

They are Operations Cranberry, Dirk, Stanhope, Mistral, Teebone, Celesta, Sutton and Gemsbok.

The OSM will be awarded to all personnel who were deployed or force assigned for duty as a member of a declared operation for a period of not less than 30 days or who com-pleted 30 sorties from a unit assigned to a declared operation at not more than one sortie a day.

An application form for the OSM (AE 376) can be downloaded from the Directorate of Honours and Awards website or the DRN intranet Webforms site.

LEUT Ryan Zerbe

FAR from the tranquillity of his King Island home, ABET Corey Cook was among the first Australians to be awarded the Operational Service Medal – Border Protection.

ABET Cook received the medal for his contribution to Operation Resolute.

ABET Cook is serving in Darwin-based Armidale-class patrol boat crew Attack Three and said it was a great honour to be recognised for his work.

“Everyone works very hard on patrol so to be appreciated for that feels good,” ABET Cook said.

“It’s a bit different to going on a six-month deployment overseas, but we still have busy days and we are at sea for extended periods which can be hard.

“To receive a medal that acknowl-edges our efforts reminds us that we are doing important work.

“It is definitely rewarding to feel like you’re part of something impor-tant.”

Important role recognised

Proud moment for patrol boat crew

REWARDING: CN VADM Ray Griggs presents an Australian Operational Service Medal-Border Protection to ABET Corey Cook. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

ALL TOGETHER: Navy and Air Force personnel who received the OSM (above) gather with CN and Mr Snowdon for a group photo on completion of the presentation ceremony. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

EVERY day is a new adventure for the sailors on board Spanish ship ESPS Cantabria.

The combat replenishment ship left La Graña Naval Port in Spain on January 3 for her one-year deploy-ment to Australia.

On the 43-day journey, crew members are keeping busy with exercises, social and cultural activi-ties and sharing customs.

With 12 embedded Australian Navy sailors on board, the Spanish sailors are also taking the opportu-nity to brush up on their English.

Cantabria sailor MRO/SMN Javier Rodríguez Redondo said he was lucky to share the experience with an excellent and enthusiastic crew with a desire to learn and to take advantage of the opportunities to practise his English.

“We feel very fortunate to be able to play a role in this experi-ence,” he said.

MRO/SMN Redondo said he had a long list of goals he wanted to achieve on the deployment.

“I said goodbye to my parents before embarking on Cantabria with the excitement and hope of achieving all my objectives,” he said.

“These are to be as efficient as possible during watches, chilling out

Life on board Cantabria brings new adventures, lessons and friendships

during port visits and going out with my mates to recharge my batter-ies, going to the gym and above all, studying and learning English.

“We need to take advantage of this opportunity that the Navy gives us because we are very fortunate.”

He said the journey to Australia was going well and the crew was getting used to the rhythm of the watches and sailing, as well as

speaking in English during the watches. “The Cantabria crew now encompasses the Australians, who we are supporting to make them feel at home,” he said.

“There is a very good relation-ship with all of them and this con-tributes to a very good environment on the ship, which also helps us to make life on board away from our loved ones easier.”

WORKING TOGETHER: CP1 Ort and LSMT Lawrence Perrreira conduct a damage control exercise during action stations on board ESPS Cantabria.

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04 NEWSJanuary 31, 2013

Michael Brooke

HMAS Sydney ’s succes s fu l deployment to Asia and a stint on Operation Resolute in late 2012 will enable her to meet several new and exciting challenges this year.

C O S y d n ey C M D R K a r l Brinckmann said the upgraded ship faced a busy year, which would include her 30th anniversary, par-ticipation in multinational maritime exercises and the International Fleet Review (IFR).

“Sydney has a very exciting year ahead including a major exercise with the US Navy in Japan, Exercise Talisman Sabre and the IFR in October,” CMDR Brinckmann said.

“It will be the nation’s most sig-nificant commemorative naval event in the past 100 years.”

Sydney’s busy year began with her 30th anniversary celebrations on Sydney Harbour on January 29.

CMDR Brinckmann said his focus on seaworthiness would ensure that Sydney achieved all her taskings and objectives safely and efficiently.

“I am extremely proud to be in command of Sydney with her her-alded and proud tradition coupled with her dedicated and professional crew,” he said.

CMDR Brinckmann took com-mand from CAPT Luke Charles-Jones during a handover ceremony

in Darwin on December 13. CAPT Charles-Jones praised his crew for its achievements during 2012.

“The only way that any of these results were achieved so success-fully was because of the sheer hard work of the ship’s company,” CAPT Charles-Jones said.

Achievements last year included a busy docking and maintenance period, the compressed sea trial and unit readiness work-up period fol-lowed by a deployment that includ-ed visits to Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei.

Sydney re turned f rom Op Resolute in time for personnel to celebrate the festive season with family and loved ones.

LEUT Sarah West

CAPT Angela Bond became the first female CO of HMAS Stirling during a low-key, wharf-side ceremony on December 17 at Navy’s West Australian base.

After a successful two-year stint at the helm, CAPT Brett Wolski handed command of Australia’s largest opera-tional naval base to CAPT Bond, who has had a long affiliation with Stirling after previously serving as executive officer.

“I have had a 13-year association with Stirling over my 32 years in the Navy, and this is the position I have always wanted,” CAPT Bond said.

“I have already enjoyed three post-ings to the West and I couldn’t wait to get back here.

“A command like this is a role that many officers aspire to and I’m pretty excited to be here for the next three years.”

CAPT Wolski will move to Canberra to assume the triservice role of Director General of Workforce Planning. He was promoted to commodore on January 14.

He said he had fond memories of Navy’s West Australian workforce.

“I am sad to be leaving Stirling, because this posting has truly been the highlight of my career,” he said.

“The officers, sailors and civilian employees here are some of the best I have ever worked with. They do a tremendous job of supporting the front-line and our Fleet couldn’t achieve its mission without them.”

CAPT Bond experienced a busy start to her command, hosting a farewell ceremony for HMAS Toowoomba on December 28.

“Around 500 family members and friends of the sailors and officers departing were here to farewell them, so it was a pretty important occasion,” she said.

Before departing Stirling for the last time as CO, CAPT Wolski congratu-lated his successor on her appointment.

“As far as commands go, they don’t get much more senior than this. This is looked upon as a pinnacle posting,” he said.

“To be the first female CO of this base is a milestone that CAPT Bond should be really proud of.”

LEUT Karina Cvejic and Michael Brooke

CREW members were praised for their professionalism and dedication during the command handover on HMAS Success on December 4.

After a busy and exciting year, CO Success CMDR Ainsley Morthorpe handed over command to CAPT Allison Norris in a superses-sion ceremony on board Success at Fleet Base East.

The crew formed a guard of honour along the manoeuvring and flight decks to send off CMDR Morthorpe. His wife and daughter were also on board, which he said was a great surprise.

“I was extremely surprised to see them on the gangway, which was a wonderful gesture from the crew,” he said.

The ship’s company cheered as CMDR Morthorpe was driven away from Success.

“I have had a wonderful oppor-tunity to command the men and

women in Success for the past two years,” CMDR Morthorpe said.

“The resilience of the crew, their professionalism and total support will be something I will never for-get.”

In her address to the crew as the new CO Success, CAPT Norris highlighted their past achievements, and said that she was confident personnel could produce the same results this year because of their loyalty, dedication and resilience.

“It is with much pleasure that I have assumed command of Success and I sincerely acknowledge the excellent efforts of the crew for 2012,” CAPT Norris said.

“You can be very proud of your achievements in such challenging circumstances.”

CAPT Norris, Success’ first female CO, said 2013 would be challenging as the ship had just entered another extended mainte-nance period.

“I look forward to working with you all and emulating the feats of

New year, new command and new achievements ahead

All ready for a successful year

HMAS Stirling’s strong Bond

2012, as we face six-month mainte-nance availability,” she said.

CMDR Morthorpe will take up a position in Canberra on the auxil-iary oil replenishment replacement project.

NEW LEADER: CO HMAS Success CMDR Ainsley Morthorpe hands over the weight of command to CAPT Allison Norris during the handover ceremony on board Success.

FAREWELL: CMDR Ainsley Morthorpe leaves Success through a guard of honour. Photos: ABIS Sarah Williams

HAND-OVER: CAPT Brett Wolski hands the ceremonial telescope and command of HMAS Stirling to CAPT Angela Bond at Captains Landing, Stirling in Western Australia. Photo: ABIS Jayson Tufrey

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05NEWS January 31, 2013

LEUT Sarah West

JUST three days before the New Year dawned, loved ones lined the wharf at Fleet Base West to give the crew of HMAS Toowoomba a heart-felt send-off as the Australian war-ship set sail for the Middle East.

A crowd of around 500 family and friends attended the departure ceremony at HMAS Stirling on December 28, braving a sweltering 41 degrees to give Toowoomba’s 190 officers and sailors a fitting farewell.

The Anzac-class frigate will spend the next six months on duty in the Middle East assigned on Operation Slipper, enforcing mari-time security as part of the multina-tional Combined Maritime Taskforce.

Commander Australian Surface Forces CMDR Jonathan Mead was impressed by the crew’s mission readiness.

“The work will be difficult, and the challenges immense, but our sail-ors are world’s best,” CMDR Mead said.

“The men and women of Toowoomba have undergone months of rigorous training to prepare for the mission ahead.”

Representing both the Defence Minister and the Defence Science and Personnel Minister, Senator Louise Pratt asserted the importance of Toowoomba’s mission.

“You will be providing essential naval support to coalition maritime

security operations, counter-piracy, counter-narcotic and counter-ter-rorism activities in the MEAO,” she said.

It is the third time Toowoomba has been deployed on Op Slipper.

CO Toowoomba CMDR Brendon Zilko said his crew had received tre-mendous support from family while preparing for the six-month mission.

“The sheer number of people here today is a representation of how many lives are affected when an Australian warship deploys,” CMDR Zilko said.

“All of these people here today deserve recognition, because we couldn’t do our job without their sup-port at home.”

Families put on a brave face when it was time for the crew to ‘man ship’.

Toowoomba’s crew lined the port side, while family and friends lined the wharf for one last wave.

Once under way, Toowoomba’s first task was to perform a short cer-emony to scatter the ashes of a num-ber of deceased veteran sailors, who had left instructions for their ashes to be scattered into the Indian Ocean.

Then, on January 6, Toowoomba commenced operations, making way for HMAS Anzac to begin her jour-ney home.

Toowoomba is expected to com-plete her mission mid-year, for a June return to Fleet Base West into the arms of some very eager families.

Goodbye and good luck

BON VOYAGE: Friends and family wave goodbye as HMAS Toowoomba departs Fleet Base West. Above, AB Corey Jones blows a kiss as Toowoomba departs. Right, AB Christopher Edge says goodbye to his son Lucas and partner Melanie. Photos: LSIS Nina Fogliani

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06 NEWSJanuary 31, 2013

ADF personnel will march as a formed body for the first time in this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras parade on March 2.

CDF GEN David Hurley has authorised ADF members to march in the parade alongside government organisations such as the Australian Federal Police, State Emergency Services, NSW police, firefighters and ambulance services.

“Not surprisingly, the decision to allow ADF personnel to march in uniform at the Sydney Mardi Gras in 2013 has been supported by some and criticised by others,” GEN Hurley said.

“While I understand not every-one will agree with this decision, if the ADF is to remain a contempo-rary organisation that reflects the community it serves then change is required.”

He pointed out that it was 20 years since Australia lifted the ban on homosexual citizens serving in the military and five years since a recognised group of Defence per-sonnel first participated in the Mardi Gras parade.

VCDF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin said Defence’s participation in the Mardi Gras demonstrated how far the ADF had come in the past 20 years. “Uniformed ADF members

HMAS Sydney has raised more than $1330 for the Tasmania Bushfire Appeal by hosting a charity barbecue lunch at Fleet Base East in which ravenous sailors consumed 40kg of sausages.

The sausage sizzle on January 22 was a roaring success with hundreds of officers, sailors and Defence civilians from fleet units, shore establishments and supporting agencies participating in the event.

Sydney’s cooks grilled the sausages for a lunchtime crowd, which dug to support such an important Navy community engagement activity.

CO Sydney CMDR Karl Brinckmann said he would hand a cheque to Tasmanian Governor Peter Underwood on February 8 during the RAN’s participation in the Hobart Regatta.

“There are two things I enjoy in life, help-ing people in need and sausage sandwiches; this event fulfils both requirements perfectly,” CMDR Brinckmann said

Sydney has been working to support people seriously affected by the recent bushfires and will offer some financial relief in this difficult time. Further internal fundraising will be con-ducted by the crew en route to Hobart.

Thousands of people are returning home after being displaced by a number of devastat-ing bushfires, with many losing their homes and properties.

Police say more than 250 homes and build-ings have been destroyed in the fires, including a school in the small town of Dunalley.

Sydney hosts bushfire appeal

NAVY personnel aboard HMAS Bathurst provided emergency medi-cal transport for a man who suf-fered a suspected jellyfish sting on January 22.

Jason McCarthy, a crew member aboard the fishing vessel Exodus, suffered an Irukandji jellyfish sting about 63 nautical miles north of Melville Island in the Northern Territory.

Bathurst and her crew from Attack Five, led by LCDR Melanie Verho – who were assigned to bor-

der protection operations at the time – responded to a request from the Rescue Coordination Centre - Australia.

HQ Norcom Operations Officer CDR Kylie Beumer said the patrol boat was dispatched from Darwin at short notice and rendezvoused with the fishing vessel in the Dundas Strait early in the morning, return-ing to the patrol boat base at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin by the early afternoon.

“The man was suffering pain

after an Irukandji jellyfish sting, which can be life threatening,” CDR Beumer said.

“The Rescue Coordination Centre deemed that passage on board the Armidale-class patrol boat was the fastest method of getting the man back to Darwin for urgent medical treatment.

“Bathurst, like all Navy vessels, has specially trained personnel who are able to provide a high level of first aid to ensure the safety of her passengers and crew.

“We hope the fisherman makes a full recovery now that he has received the appropriate medical treatment ashore.”

When Bathurst arrived along-side Coonawarra, Mr McCarthy was transported to hospital by emergency services.

The NT News has since report-ed he feared for his life when he couldn’t breathe after being stung, but the Navy gave first-class treatment.

“They’re gold, those guys,” he told the newspaper.

Patrol boat helps after jellyfish sting

SAFE AND SOUND: Injured fisherman Jason McCarthy is evacuated from his fishing boat (inset) and, (left) paramedics Justin Blomeley and Alice Hageman wait for HMAS Bathurst to berth at HMAS Coonawarra so they can transfer him to hospital Photos: LSIS Jo Dilorenzo

FIRED UP: Personnel from HMAS Sydney cook the hundreds of sausages for the Tasmanian Bushfire Appeal at Fleet Base East. Photo: ABIS Nicolas Gonzalez

Sailors can march as a formed body in Mardi Gras

were noticeably absent from this annual Australian celebration of diversity, and this is not appropriate as we seek to promote the ADF’s diversity and acceptance of all members, regardless of their gender, cultural background, religion and/or sexual orientation,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

The chairman of the Defence Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Information Service, SQNLDR Vince Chong, welcomed the change.

“I am delighted that this year any ADF member can proudly march to show united support for LGBTI personnel and workplace inclusion,” SQNLDR Chong said.

Head People Capability MAJGEN Gerard Fogarty said the focus of Mardi Gras was diversity, inclusion and community, which was far removed from the parade’s

origins as a right-to-exist protest 35 years ago.

“I view the ADF’s participation as a means to not only show support for our members, but to demonstrate that the ADF is an employer that welcomes and supports personnel from a wide range of backgrounds.

“This is very important to the ADF’s continual aim to attract high-calibre personnel from across the entire spectrum of Australian soci-ety,” MAJGEN Fogarty said.

The Director General of Cultural Reviews and Response, AIRCDRE Henrik Ehlers, said a uniformed presence in the Mardi Gras march was one of the many initiatives in place under Defence’s Pathway to Change program.

The ADF’s RSM-ADF Ceremonial will coordinate the pro-tocol for the march, including the requirement for members to march in three formed divisions according to service precedence.

For further information about participat-ing, contact SQNLDR Vince Chong (vince.chong@defence.gov.au) or refer to the DEFGLIS website www.defglis.com.au. CDF’s statement on ADF participation in the Mardi Gras can be found at http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/home/docu-ments/data/defpubs/dgm/DG024_13.PDF

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07NEWS January 31, 2013

Help when needed mostTHE Naval Air Station Nowra, HMAS Albatross, became a hub of activity this summer as it supported firefighting efforts in NSW.

With the civil community facing catastrophic fire dangers across east-ern Australia, Albatross hosted civil-ian aircraft and provided aviation fuel for those involved in bushfire support.

XO Albatross CMDR Mathew Bradley said a high level of team-work between agencies was needed to support the firefighters.

“The support Albatross has pro-vided is a real demonstration of partnerships between Navy, Defence Support Group and garrison support services provided by contractors,” he said.

“Not only have we been provid-ing an airfield and associated sup-port including aviation fuel for aircraft, but we are also providing accommodation for firefighters and aircrew.”

At its peak, Albatross provided an airfield facility and refuelling ser-vice for 12 helicopters, including the Erickson Air-Crane as well as fixed wing aircraft for personnel and stores transfers.

“During our busiest t ime, Albatross was also providing accom-modation for 156 rural fire service personnel involved in combating the bushfire threat,” CMDR Bradley said.

Albatross is ready to rapidly

react to changing circumstances and respond to the needs of the rural fire service for aviation fuel, accommo-dation and airfield support, accord-ing to CMDR Bradley.

“While we remain ready to react to any developments, fortunately for the community, we have not experi-enced the catastrophic scenarios that we have prepared for so far,” he said.

The ADF is working closely with Emergency Management Australia to provide assistance to the civil community during the severe weath-er conditions.

Two 816SQN Seahawks are on standby to assist bushfire fighting efforts if required.

The aircraft and crews are capa-ble of conducting water bombing operations using an underslung ‘bambi-bucket’ and polished up their firefighting skills with training before Christmas.

Two RAAF C-17 Globemasters were flown to Tasmania and trans-ported 20-tonne generators after bushfires destroyed power grids.

R A A F B a s e s W a g g a , Williamtown and Richmond and Anglesea Barracks also played host to firefighters and vehicles.

In Tasmania, ADF personnel formed sweep teams to assess dam-age and find property owners in bushfire ravaged areas.

Turn to the centre for a look back at the devastating 2003 Canberra bushfires.

TAKE FLIGHT: An 816SQN Seahawk lifts a load of water in a ‘bambi-bucket’ from Denjera Dam

during water-bombing training. Inset, LCDR

Shane Firkin, the HMAS Albatross

airfield coordinator, speaks to Bruce Davis of the NSW Rural Fire

Service.Photos: LSIS Yuri Ramsey

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09NEWS January 31, 2013

Michael Brooke

SIX former Navy clearance divers have been honoured with a US Presidential Unit Citation more than four decades after their highly dangerous military operation during the Vietnam War.

Members of CDT-3 Contingent Four were presented with the citation in rec-ognition of their “extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty” during Operation SEALORDS.

The award was presented by CN VADM Ray Griggs and US Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich at a ceremo-ny at HMAS Penguin on November 30.

CN said CDT-3 was the only Navy unit or establishment to be awarded a US Presidential Unit Citation.

Signed by former US President Richard Nixon, the citation acknowl-edges CDT-3’s contribution to Op SEALORDS in the Mekong Delta from August 1968 to March 1969, which dis-rupted enemy supply lines.

SEALORDS – an acronym for South-East Asia Lake, Ocean, River, and Delta Strategy – involved Navy divers working in two-man teams to clear the waterways of countless enemy bunkers and booby-traps.

Commander CDT-3 Contingent Four CMDR Clem Littlemore and three of his men, Barry Wilson, Col Darling and Robert Spicer, said they were honoured to receive the award, which was pre-sented in 1975 to all US military per-sonnel involved in SEALORDS.

Mr Darling, who was 18 when he deployed to Vietnam in 1968, said it was an important occasion.

“The award was worth the wait because of the recognition it brings to the clearance diving branch,” he said.

VADM Griggs said the award should have been presented many years ago.

“These men have received a rare honour for conducting their explosive ordnance disposal duties with excep-tional professional competence, disre-gard for their own safety and an unwa-vering devotion to duty,” he said.

“This sets the standard for not only our current Navy clearance divers, but for all those serving in today’s Navy.”

The delay publicly recognising the achievements of CDT-3 was due to gov-ernment policy at the time that restrict-ed Australia’s acceptance of foreign awards from the Vietnam War.

Sadly, the award came too late for team member Robert Cox who died recently.

He was represented at the ceremo-ny by his grandson, Spencer Broom. The final member of Contingent Four, David Rhook, could not make the pres-entation ceremony.

RAN Clearance Diving Association National President Larry Digney said the award recognised Australia’s close relationship with the US.

“The citation reflects the high regard of our US ally, which was earned through clearance diving operations in Vietnam,” he said.

The citation follows the presentation of two US Navy unit commendations to 43 surviving members of CDT-3 by US Chief of Naval Operations ADM Gary Roughead at a ceremony at HMAS Waterhen last year.

ADM Roughead presented the unit commendations to Navy divers who served in the former Republic of South Vietnam from 1968 to 1970.

The two unit commendations were for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Pacific units from January 1968 to December 1970, and Task Force 115.9/Inshore Undersea Warfare Group One, Western Pacific Detachment, from June 1969 to November 1970.

John Perryman

NAVY’S Clearance Diving Team Three (CDT-3) was one of the smallest Australian units to serve in the Vietnam War.

CDT-3 was an elite group of officers and men who established an enviable reputation for courage and innovation while undertaking the dangerous business of explosive ordnance disposal in South Vietnam.

The first contingent of six per-sonnel arrived in Vietnam on February 5, 1967, and was initially attached to a United States Navy explosive ordnance disposal team based in Saigon.

The team later moved to Vung Tau where it became involved in Operation Stable Door – the defence of shipping against enemy saboteur and swimmer attack.

There the team was responsible for searching the hulls and anchor cables of shipping for improvised explosive devices.

Later in the war the role of the clearance divers expanded to include the salvage of downed military heli-copters, the searching of villages for ammunition caches and the demoli-tion of Viet Cong cave and tunnel complexes.

CDT-3 was originally direct-ed not to participate in US Navy Seal-type operations (USN Special Forces) or in operations along the Cambodian border, however, the prohibition was lifted in January

1969, allowing team members to make full use of their unique skills.

Between February 1967 and May 1971, eight contingents of six per-sonnel from CDT-3 were rotated through Vietnam at approximately six-to-seven-month intervals.

Seven personnel were decorated, while others received recognition from the United States and South Vietnamese governments.

One member, ABCD B.K. Wojcik, died as a result of a jeep accident in June 1970.

CDT-3 was disbanded in 1971 and did not reform again until 1991.

The traditions established by CDT-3 personnel in Vietnam have been carried forth by their succes-sors who continue to live up to the clearance diver’s motto: ‘united and undaunted’.

United and undaunted

Citation at last for our divers

COURAGEOUS UNIT: ABCDs Col Darling and R.H. Spencer of CDT-3 enjoy a brief reunion with LSCD H.R. Bankstone, centre, on board HMAS Perth in Vietnam in December 1968. Photo: Courtesy of Australian War Memorial

DELAYED REACTION: Former clearance divers and recipients of the Presidential Unit Citation from left, Robert Spicer, Col Darling, Sally Broom and son Spencer (representing Robert Cox), Barry Wilson and Clem Littleton pose for a photo after receiving the citation. Mr Darling is also picture in Vietnam (right). Photo by ABIS Chantell Bianchi

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10 NEWSJanuary 31, 2013

Michael Brooke

THE thunderous applause of 600 Muslim students was more than LEUT Rachel Bobko bargained for when she went to the Al-Faisal College in Sydney to present Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Awards on December 5.

“I didn’t know what to expect and was overwhelmed by their warm welcome,” LEUT Bobko, of HMAS Kuttabul, said.

LEUT Bobko is one of more than 250 Navy personnel who visited, or will visit, almost 1000 high schools across the country from December 2012 to February to present the annual ADF awards to outstanding students.

Students from Years 7-12 applauded LEUT Bobko for her speech about lead-ership and teamwork in the ADF, which highlighted the importance of equity and diversity.

“These are the qualities that are val-ued with the service community and

those which the wider community asso-ciated with the ADF,” she said.

“More importantly, it is these quali-ties that have built our nation and form the basis of the spirit of Anzac.”

The Long Tan Awards were present-ed to Zeryab Cheema, Houda Boucetta and Mohammad Hamed.

Principal Ghazwa Adra-Khan said like the Navy the school shared funda-mental human values and morals regard-less of cultural backgrounds or faith.

“We value the diversity of back-grounds our students and staff bring to learning and teaching,” she said.

“As Australian Muslims, we are proud we are part of this big family ‘Australia’.”

Navy Coordinator WO Rob Drew said he was proud of the way in which Navy people responded to the call for ADF presenters and speakers.

“We have already received over-whelmingly positive feedback from many of the schools,” he said.

The Long Tan Awards began in 2006.

Michael Brooke

WHEN CPOEW Cheryl Fogg was promoted to warrant officer she achieved the significant milestone of becoming Navy’s first female WO in the Combat Warfare Branch.

The promotion ceremony at HMAS Watson on November 8 last year marked another important step in WOEW Fogg’s career.

“Being the first WOEW is both an honour and a great responsibility,” WOEW Fogg said.

CO Watson and TAMW CAPT Jay Banister presented WOEW Fogg with her new rank-slides and told her of the leadership challenges she would face.

“Today’s ceremony marks a new beginning for the warfare category with the promotion of the first female warrant officer,” he said.

CAPT Bannister said the promo-tion recognised WOEW Fogg’s lead-ership qualities that would serve her well in her new posting as Electronic Warfa re ca tegory manager in Canberra.

WOEW Fogg said she led by example and that her message for women in the Navy was that anything was achievable.

“Do not let gender hold you back, work hard and the Navy and people will reward you for those efforts,” she said.

“Always challenge yourself and don’t settle for second best.”

WOEW Fogg joined Navy as a combat system operator (CSO) and was posted to the Australian Strategic Theatre Joint Intelligence Centre as

an electronic intelligence analyst while awaiting a sea posting to HMAS Sydney in 1998.

While serving in Sydney she con-ducted a South East Asian deployment and an operational deployment in East Timor in 1999.

As an LSCSO she joined Joint Electronic Warfare Support Unit as one of the first Navy members in the joint squadron and was the primary programmer for SLQ 32.

In this role, WOEW Fogg trav-elled to Dahlgren, Virginia to assist in programming issues with the system before Sydney departed for the MEAO after September 11.

She served in HMAS Newcastle and completed Operation Resolute service before returning to the MEAO in 2003.

In 2004 she joined Watson to con-duct the Combat Systems Supervisors course before serving in HMA Ships Darwin and Toowoomba.

“I originally changed from a CSM to EW for the prospect of a new chal-lenge, having already served my time as a CSM on Toowoomba, the chance of returning to sea was limited,” she said.

“The move to EW offered me a chance to specialise in a field that I am and have always been passionate about.”

She has been the Chief Instructor Electronic Warfare since October 2011.

“We have highly motivated sailors and highly capable equipment com-ing on line, so it is a very exciting and challenging time,” she said.

Promotion warrants notice

CONGRATULATIONS: WOEW Cheryl Fogg is given flowers from Indyanna and Morgan Ryan to celebrate her promotion as OIC School of Maritime Warfare CMDR David Tietzel looks on. Photo: ABIS Sarah Ebsworth

Michael Brooke

RAN interpreter AB Bai-Kong Lee was lost for words when HMAS Kuttabul opened her gangway to a Chinese admiral and three visiting Chinese warships.

But AB Lee managed to over-come his nerves to help CO Kuttabul CMDR Todd Willson welcome RADM Zhou Xuming and People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) senior officers to Sydney on a four-day port visit from December 18.

AB Lee said it was the first time he had met anyone so important.“It was a big occasion. I have never met an admiral before,” he said.

AB Lee, who is fluent in Mandarin, was busy for more than

an hour helping CMDR Willson and RADM Zhou exchange pleasantries.

“When I joined the RAN seven years ago I never dreamed that I would be welcoming Chinese Navy top-brass,” he said.

The sailor from HMAS Harman also had a busy morning helping RAN and PLA-N sailors talk to each other about their different cul-tures and conditions of service.

A carnival atmosphere blos-somed at Kuttabul when the war-ships Yi Yang, Chang Zhou and Qian Dao Hu stopped in Sydney on their return to China from counter-piracy duties in the Gulf of Aden.

The Chinese community turned out in large numbers with ceremo-nial dancing lions and dragons while the RAN band performed some con-

temporary rock and Navy classics. CMDR Willson said China was an important partner in the region, with the two nations sharing a positive and constructive defence relation-ship that included frequent port vis-its.

In a sign of the maturing friendship, the RAN and PLA-N exchanged lessons learned from counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and committed to continuing constructive dialogue on maritime security issues.

HMAS Newcastle also opened her gangway to welcome RADM Zhou and senior officers on board for a tour.

The PLA-N delegation also toured HMAS Choules and ADV Ocean Shield.

PLA-N drops in on HMAS Kuttabul

Popular visit for leadership awards

SPEAKING OUT: LEUT Rachel Bobko talks to students at Al-Faisal College in Sydney about leadership and teamwork at the Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Awards presentation.

VIP VISIT: RADM Zhou Xuming visits Choules (above) as (inset) AB Bai Kong Lee takes on the role of interpreter for the visits. Photo: ABIS Chantell Bianchi

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11NEWS January 31, 2013

Michael Brooke

WHEN WO Roderick Robertson, SWO Waterhen, joined the Navy four decades ago in 1972, Australia was still involved in the Vietnam War and man was still flying to the moon.

A lot of changes have occurred during WO Robertson’s career, which was formally acknowledged when CN VADM Ray Griggs pre-sented him with the Federation Star at HMAS Waterhen on December 6.

“The changes you have seen have been significant ones,” VADM Griggs said.

The CN thanked WO Robertson for his service, noting 40 years was a significant achievement.

“The Federation Star is a huge milestone in anyone’s career and you should be justifiably proud,” he said.

WO Robertson said it was rewarding to have served for so long.

He was surprised how quick-ly four decades had passed, and said it was because he had

enjoyed each day, revelling in the mateship.

“Every day in the Navy has provided me with an assortment of challenges and rewards that have made for a very fulfilling career,” he said.

“I’m overwhelmed by the acknowledgement and it just reminds me of how I was able to convince a lot of disenchanted sail-ors to stay in the Navy.

“I’d tell the sailors to go away and make up a list of all the good and the bad things that had hap-pened to them in the RAN.

“Sure enough the great major-ity would come back to say they had changed their minds about dis-charging.”

A ma jo r d i ff e r ence WO Robertson said he had seen was the change to Navy culture through ini-tiatives such as NGN.

“I guess the biggest change for me has been tolerance and patience shown by officers and sailors towards each other,” he said.

WO Robertson said his career highlights included a posting to HMAS Melbourne that included Cyclone Tracy relief, RIMPAC and a deployment to the US to embark Chinook helicopters and the gov-ernment-purchased masterpiece ‘Blue Poles’.

“My other highlights include postings to HMAS Hobart for the Canadian Navy’s 75th anniversary in 1985 and HMAS Adelaide in 1990, which featured a deployment to the MEAO as part of the RAN response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait,” he said.

WO Robertson plans to retire later this year and spend more time on the golf course.

Long service milestone

PROUD SERVICE: CN VADM Ray Griggs congratulates WO Roderick Robertson and awards him the Federation Star for 40 years of service to Navy. Photo: ABIS Jesse Rhynard

‘‘– WO Roderick Robertson

Every day in the Navy has provided me with an assortment of challenges and rewards that have made for a very fulfilling career.

CENTRESPREAD12 13January 31, 2013

Aurora Daniels

FEELING the immense heat from the flames licking high into the turbu-

lent air as 60m gum trees disintegrated below is something that has stayed with then-CO 723SQN CMDR Stuart Harwood for the past decade.

Speaking about the Canberra bush-fires of 2003 brings back painful memo-ries for him.

Now the Navy Aviation Projects director, Mr Harwood recalls receiving a call from Fleet asking him to put aircraft over the fires to conduct air attack oper-ations; mapping and reporting the fire front for the direction of ground crews and directing water bombing aircraft onto ‘hot spots’.

Mr Harwood and his team took up National Parks and Wildlife staff and flew along the fire front, something he said was a nerve-wracking experience.

“Flying over burning landscape didn’t feel natural. We were used to flying over water and I kept saying to myself ‘What am I doing here?’,” Mr Harwood said.

“There were none-too-small branch-es being lifted through the air around

us by the heat, flames and turbulence. It was an amazing sight to see. We realised we had to keep a healthy distance from the fire in the pine forests as the trees were exploding. It was really untidy.

“We had a couple of close shaves flying. The conditions were very chal-lenging.

“The Squirrel is a light helicopter and in the hot, turbulent conditions power margins were limited.

“We were really operating at the edge of capability.”

Operating in the hilly terrain to the south west of Canberra, Mr Harwood’s helicopter entered a valley full of smoke.

Losing sight of the ground he was forced to make the Squirrel climb quick-ly, not knowing if he was going to hit the ground as he climbed through the thick brown smoke.

Mapping the fire front wasn’t easy, with the fire moving so rapidly in the high winds.

Embers from the fire, carried on the wind, started spot fires and a new fire front kilometres ahead of the main fire. The fire was leapfrogging from one side of the valley to the other.

“We fuelled up at the Uriarra

Crossing forward base and then when we flew back past there less than an hour later it had all gone up in flames,” Mr Harwood said.

“It was near bedlam in the sky.”Mr Harwood flew the first Squirrel

flights from Nowra to Canberra and over the fires.

On seeing the conditions pilots were going to face, he quickly decided to restrict operations to senior squadron pilots.

723SQN is a helicopter training unit and the sky over the Canberra fires was no place for newly graduated pilots. This left him flying most days.

“It was hard flying so it was no place for new pilots,” he says.

“I was putting in seven-hour flights each day and we’d have to fuel-up every one-and-a-half hours. There were also the pre and post-flight briefings, so they were long, stressful days.

“From the sky we could see many houses in the west being engulfed by the blaze and it was terribly frustrating. You can’t do anything except watch it all go up and know that it’s someone’s home and life. It all unfolded so quickly and those scenes are forever etched into my mind.”

Sharon Palmer

THE sheer speed of the fires that tore through the pine forests in southern

Canberra on January 18, 2003, destroy-ing just about everything in their paths, is what comes to mind when LCDR Tom Smillie recalls that fateful day.

LCDR Smillie, of 723SQN, was one of two 816SQN Seahawk pilots trying to appease the unappeasable.

“I spent about three days there water bombing and was there on the worst day, January 18,” LCDR Smillie said.

“It was odd because we were pretty laid back in the morning waiting for tasking and suddenly we started get-ting too much tasking as the fire ripped through the pine forest.

“The conditions were really bad, it was hot, windy and visibility was a huge issue.

“The fires were quite odd as they were caused by spotfires jumping off the forest.”

Having had limited experience with rural firefighting before the Canberra bushfires, LCDR Smillie said it was a completely different experience and he and his team really didn’t know the extent of the damage until much later.

“It was right in the suburbs, it was houses and people and you knew you were trying to save people’s homes and possibly lives,” he said.

“Because the visibility was so bad and the fire was moving incredi-bly quickly, we were confined to little areas among the houses and couldn’t get an overall aspect.

“We were fighting a losing battle but just had to keep going, filling up our buckets anywhere we could.

“We were getting water from dams and ponds, even from out the front of the Governor-General’s house.”

LCDR Smillie said while he had trained for such work, firefighting wasn’t high on the Navy’s agenda as things needed to be dire before emer-gency services called in the services.

“We are a last resort as there are a lot of civilian companies that are con-tracted and on standby for emergency situations such as this,” he said.

“Our choppers are not designed for that type of work and because of our size and short line capabilities we are not the ideal solution.

“But these fires had been out of control for weeks so resources would have been stretched beyond capacity.”

LCDR Smillie said he did all of the

flying on the day virtually until dark as he had an inexperienced co-pilot.

“I had SQNLDR Pete Salmon with me who had limited experience with choppers as he had only flown fixed-wing aircraft before. Given the circum-stances and conditions, he didn’t want to take the controls, which was under-standable,” he said.

“But he did a great job as we need-ed to be in constant radio contact with other choppers as we couldn’t see any-thing and needed to let everyone know where we were at all times.

“The RAAFies on the ground were tremendous also as they would manoeuvre the fuel tanks to wherever we needed them so we could fill up that’s not an easy task.”

As to the future, LCDR Smillie said he was happy fulfilling his train-ing instructor role on the Bell 429s and while he didn’t anticipate being involved with the new capabilities, he hoped to stay where he was until he retired.

“By the time the Romeos and MRH-90s come online I’ll be gone or close to going, which isn’t to say I’m not jealous of the younger ones who will get to enjoy them, but it will be time for me to move on.”

Sharon Palmer

AWESOME is more often than not a word associated with positive things.

However, for LEUT Mark Flowerdew, of 816SQN, it’s the only word he can think of to describe the fire that, 10 years on, still has everyone try-ing to characterise.

“I describe January 18, 2003, as ‘hell day’,” LEUT Flowerdew said.

“But no words can describe the fire itself – awesome is the only thing that comes to mind.”

LEUT Flowerdew has had a long association with 816SQN and had previ-ous experience fighting fires in Sydney with 817SQN, but he said nothing could have prepared him for Canberra.

“I have never seen anything like it,” he said.

“At one stage we were flying over Tidbinbilla Valley, and there was a wil-ly-willy of flame hundreds of feet in the air ripping down the valley yanking trees out as it came.

“We could see people there but the next minute the whole place was engulfed. It’s a miracle and a credit to the guys on the ground that not more lives were lost.

“It was absolute mayhem.”Such was the havoc and conditions

that LEUT Flowerdew said they were unaware of the overall damage until the next day.

“We were just so focused on getting the job at hand done and trying to save lives and houses that there was no time for rubber necking,” he said.

“We didn’t have time to think about the life of misery people on the ground were living, or the heartache and damage.

“It wasn’t until we heard the news reports we realised just how bad it was.”

Having started as an aircrewman with 816SQN in January 1998, LEUT Flowerdew was a petty officer at the time of the fires and his job was to look after the utility side of the aircraft from the back seat of a Seahawk.

“I did all the spotting, guiding and water bombing,” he said.

“With Tom and Peter in front (LCDR Tom Smillie and SQNLDR Pete Salmon) doing a fantastic job of pilot-ing, I was responsible for letting them know where we needed to be and dous-ing the houses below with water.”

While the aircraft were doing their jobs in harrowing conditions in the air, LEUT Flowerdew said credit should also go to the whole team.

“It wasn’t just us working hard, everyone pulled together at a time of

year where everyone is usually easing back into the working year or still on leave,” he said.

“The firefighters’ efforts on the ground were phenomenal and saved many many lives, but the people on the ground refuelling and providing us with food and water were also fantastic.

“The maintainers back in Nowra also deserve special mention as they worked all night to turn the aircraft around so we could deploy day after day.”

LEUT Flowerdew is now an aviation warfare officer and is about to deploy to Florida as part of the MH60-R team that will return as 725SQN.

He said his time fighting the Canberra fires would stay with him forever.

“It is something you never forget, some of the sights, things burning, ware-houses, factories and houses going up in flames, those images still come to mind.”

HAUNTING MEMORIES

The bushfires that ripped through Canberra in 2003 left a devastating trail of destruction in

their wake. On January 18, four people died, 530 homes were destroyed and 65,000 hectares of the ACT left blackened. Navy personnel helped battle the blazes with two 816SQN Seahawks

and two 723SQN Squirrels, water-bombing and assisting fire experts map the course of the fast-

moving flames. Ten years on, Navy personnel who helped bring the flames under control

share their still-vivid memories.

Frightening, frustrating and forever in mind

HORRIFIC DAY: CMDR Stuart Harwood, Ian McIntyre

and CPO Greg Huppatz in front of the Squirrel in which they were firespotting during the Canberra bushfire crisis

in 2003. Photo: LSPH Brad Fullerton

REVISITING: LCDR Tom Smillie and former commander Stuart Harwood reminisce about the 2003 fires in front of a Seahawk at HMAS Albatross.Photo: LSIS Yuri Ramsey

Speed and sudden destruction

ON THE JOB: CPL James Russel, of 2Tp Emergency Response Squadron, keeps and eye on fires in the Namadgi National Park during the 2003 bushfires. Photo: CPL Belinda Mepham

WIDE-SPREAD DAMAGE: The Cotter Bridge was burnt to the extent where the steel beams had to be x-rayed before resurfacing. Photo: CPL Belinda Mepham

14 AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURSJanuary 31, 2013

HONOURS LIST 2013Officer of the Order of Australia – Military Division (AO)RADM James GoldrickFor distinguished service as Commander Border Protection Command, Commander Joint Education and Training, and Com-mandant of ADFA, and for outstanding scholarship in the study of Australian naval history.

His distinguished service and devotion to duty in senior command positions have been critical to the effectiveness of the ADF now and into the future.

Member of the Order of Australia – Military Division (AM)CAPT Jonathan SadleirFor exceptional performance of duties as Director Navy Continuous Improvement, CO HMAS Parramatta and Staff Officer Global Operations.

CAPT Sadleir’s leadership and drive as Staff Officer Global Operations, at sea and in the delivery of crucial business reforms across Navy have been extraordinary.

His passion, tenacity and diligence have delivered significant operational, financial and capability improvements.

Medal of the Order of Australia – Military Division (OAM)WO Timothy HollidayFor meritorious service in workforce and personnel career development within the CIS category.

WO Holliday has provided leadership and outstanding professional knowledge to advance communications, workforce planning and training, contributing sig-nificantly to the increased readiness and overall effectiveness of the CIS category.

CPO Arron WatsonFor meritorious service in marine engi-neering.

CPO Watson is an inspirational leader providing outstanding service in the field of naval engineering.

This service has included the development of technical publications in support of the introduction into service of the Armidale-class patrol boats, his excellence as a mentor and trainer for a significant proportion of the patrol boat crews and service as a crew member in both hydrographic and patrol boats.

Commendation for Distinguished Service

CAPT Simon Ottaviano For distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations as Chief of Staff HQ JTF 633 on Operation Slipper from July 2011 to January 2012.

CAPT Ottaviano’s distinguished per-formance directly contributed to the Aus-tralian campaign, particularly with regard to improving the procedures for managing critical incidents and matters of national strategic sensitivity, and the capacity to better sustain deployed, widely dispersed operations.

CMDR Andrew Quinn For distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations as CO HMAS Toow-oomba on Operation Slipper from June to October 2011.

CMDR Quinn’s leadership enabled Toowoomba to achieve an outstanding level of performance in the conduct of coalition maritime operations.

He contributed significantly to the protection of life and security at sea in the MEAO, particularly through operations aimed at terrorism, piracy and other illegal activities.

Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)CAPT Christine Clarke For outstanding achievement as CO HMAS Kuttabul.

CAPT Clarke is an exceptional officer who consistently displayed outstanding, selfless leadership throughout her tenure in command of Kuttabul.

Her application of high standards, demonstrated performance and unwaver-ing commitment underpinned the success of the establishment during a particularly busy period.

CMDR Mitchell Livingstone For outstanding achievement as CO HMAS Pirie, engaged in the rescue of survivors from a foundered vessel at Christmas Island on December 15, 2010.

CMDR Livingstone acted without hesitation and remained calm when he led the Assail Three crew to recover survivors after SIEV 221 broke up on rocks in violent weather conditions.

His focused leadership and decisive-ness inspired the crew to extraordinary acts of bravery and skill to save others.

CMDR Livingstone’s leadership, sound judgement and shiphandling ensured the survival of many who would have other-wise drowned.

CMDR Paul Moggach For outstanding achievement as CO 817SQN from August 2009 until decom-missioning of the squadron in Decem-ber 2011.

CMDR Moggach executed his duties under unique, complex and challenging circumstances.

The squadron provided the maximum level of capability to the ADF until the last day of service due to CMDR Moggach’s professionalism, leadership and loyalty to his sailors, officers and his country.

CMDR Timothy Standen For outstanding achievement as Fleet Aviation Engineer Officer.

CMDR Standen’s innovative and energetic leadership while in charge of the Aviation Maintenance Standards Unit has been inspirational.

His original approach to improving the auditing regime, coupled with his cham-pioning of NGN principles and effective regulatory refinements, have encouraged adoption of a continuous improvement culture and measurable improvement in compliance and safety.

Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)CMDR Rodney Griffiths For meritorious achievement as Assistant Defence Attaché, Australian Defence Staff, Jakarta.

CMDR Griffiths demonstrated out-standing leadership and performance in this role.

His devotion to duty, professionalism and dedication have been exemplary and have established him as a role model for the embassy community.

LS Deakon LewisFor meritorious devotion to duty as a CSO and Tactical Data Link manager in HMAS Sydney.

LS Lewis has significantly contributed to improvements in force warfare and network operations.

His knowledge of the Adelaide-class Combat Data Link Management System is unequalled and is directly contributing to a generational advancement in Link 16 operations.

PO Jay PettiferFor meritorious achievement and contri-bution to Navy by implementing complex security improvements within Garden Island Defence Precinct.

PO Pettifer is an exceptional senior sailor who has consistently displayed professional excellence, diligence and inspirational leadership during the implementation of complex security improvements, including the Enhanced Self-Defence Capability.

He has taken responsibility, used his initiative and worked tirelessly to achieve outstanding results.

WO Michael QuinlanFor meritorious achievement as Sub-marine Escape Training Facility Training Officer at HMAS Stirling.

WO Quinlan ensured the safety of all who train at the facility by designing and implementing a training and certification package for the largest single group of water-working instructors ever trained in Navy.

PO Luanne RuleFor meritorious devotion to duty as the PONPC in Navy’s Recruit School.

PO Rule’s innovative and meticulous work ethic has ensured outcomes are delivered with exceptional efficiency and effectiveness.

She is an integral member of the Recruit School team and encourages all staff to strive for excellence in the training and discipline of Navy’s recruits.

WO William WelmanFor meritorious achievement as CIS Cat-egory Manager in the Directorate of Navy Category Management.

WO Welman is an exceptional sailor who consistently displays professional excellence, diligence and foresight in the complex field of category management.

He played a leading role in the production of the preliminary five year training requirement document, which consolidated data from multiple sources and summarised the anticipated net train-ing liability for every category for the next five years.

LSIS Paul Berry

A CO’s outstanding action dur-ing one of Australia’s largest peace-time maritime tragedies has led to a Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) award.

CMDR Mitchell Livingstone received the CSC in the 2013 Australia Day Honours List for his outstanding achievement as CO HMAS Pirie, lead-ing the Assail Three crew in the rescue of survivors from a foundered vessel at Christmas Island in 2010.

Just after dawn on December 15, 2010, CMDR Livingstone and his crew were thrown into a desperate situation that would mark their lives forever.

Chr i s tmas I s land had been embroiled in severe monsoon weather for several days and conditions were deteriorating.

Responding to a distress call, Pirie rounded North East Point, taking the full brunt of a violent storm as tragedy unfolded ahead.

A wooden fishing boat carrying 92 people – suspected illegal entry vessel (SIEV) 221 – was at the mercy of the churning sea, smashing repeatedly into the low cliffs and rocks of Flying Fish Cove.

CMDR Livingstone said ship handling in the severe sea state and gale force winds proved challenging as Pirie approached the wreckage of SIEV 221.

“Watching the RHIBs disappear into the sea spray and rolling waves ahead of us is an image that remains firmly in my mind as the gravity of the situation was yet to be fully revealed,” CMDR Livingstone said.

Survivors were battling for their

lives, clinging to whatever wreckage they could find.

The nearby beaches and jetties were inaccessible because large waves were breaking over them.

The only option was to recover survivors to Pirie or to Customs and Border Protection Vessel ACV Triton.

“The overriding priority was safety of life for both Navy personnel and those survivors either in the water or clinging to the SIEV 221 hull,” CMDR Livingstone said.

“Each time the RHIBs were recov-ered to off-load the survivors I remem-ber the look of grim determination on the boat coxswains’ sodden faces as they re-launched to head back towards the cliff face and pounding waves slick with diesel to pick up more survivors.”

CMDR Livingstone said his crew reacted without hesitation, displaying selfless courage and absolute profes-sionalism.

“While unfortunately brought about by a tragic incident, the repeat-edly courageous performance by the officers and ship’s company remains the proudest memory of my career,” he said.

“I am determined that the many brave and conspicuous actions that occurred on the day by the officers and ship’s company are also duly rec-ognised as they acted voluntarily and repeatedly risked their lives to save another’s.

CMDR Livingstone further said it was an incredible feat by everyone involved and they should not go with-out recognition.

Of the 42 survivors, 41 were saved from the ocean by Pirie and Triton’s crews.

The Coroner’s inquest into the inci-

Incredible feat rewarded

WORKING HARD: CMDR Mitchell Livingstone last year in Kupang, Indonesia while he was CO Assail Three on HMAS Pirie. Photo: ABIS James Whittle

dent found that if Pirie or Triton had not assisted, it was likely there would have been only one survivor, a pas-senger who was able to jump from the vessel to the rocky shore.

“We walked a fine line through-out the incident with considerable risk of a different outcome,” CMDR Livingstone said.

“The relief when we recovered the final RHIB for the evening with every-

one exhausted but safe was a tremen-dous feeling.

“This CSC is for everyone and will serve as a constant reminder to never underestimate or doubt the bravery, pro-fessionalism, initiative and stamina of young Australian officers and sailors.”

C M D R L iv i n g s t o n e ’s c i t a -tion states: “His focused leadership and decisiveness inspired the crew to extraordinary acts of bravery and skill

to save others. CMDR Livingstone’s leadership, sound judgement and ship handling ensured the survival of many who would have otherwise drowned.”

CMDR Livingstone and his wife are in the final weeks of a 12-month posting to the Indian Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, India.

He will post to HMAS Watson as the Head of Maritime Warfare when he returns to Australia.

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16 PERSONNELJanuary 31, 2013

FLTLT Julia Ravell and Deanna Nott

RESERVISTS can now arrange time away from their civilian workplaces, with a new all-in-one form designed to streamline noti-fications regarding reserve service.

The Office of Reserve Service Protection introduced the form that replac-es ad-hoc individual arrangements with employers.

Director Linda Jelfs said web form AE380, released on November 28, would clarify employers’ obligations and respon-sibilities when reservists needed to be released.

“Before the AE380, only Army reserv-ists were able to hand their civilian employer a form that formally notified of

their requirement to undertake reserve ser-vice and often this was misleading as it was called a ‘training notice’,” Ms Jelfs said.

“The AE380 ensures that employers will be properly notified about deploy-ments and refers employers to the rele-vant ADF contact if the absence of their employee will seriously impact their busi-nesses or organisations.

“Our intent is that the form will help reduce the administrative burden on employers so they can focus on the ben-efits of having highly trained and motivated reserve personnel in their organisation.”

For more information contact the Office of Reserve Service Protection: 1800 671 988, email orsp@defence.gov.au or visit www.defencereservessupport.gov.au

Sunset clause for paymentsStreamlining reserve notifications gives clarity

Increased leave provides flexibility Sue Caddaye

THE number of carer’s leave days for ADF members that can be approved in a calendar year has doubled from five to 10.

The changes came into effect on December 1 last year as part of Defence’s commitment to provid-ing more flexibility to meet family commitments.

Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon said the improvements supported Defence’s Pathway to Change strategy, particularly the rec-ommendations of the Review into Employment Pathways for APS Women in the Department o f Defence and El i zabeth Broderick’s Review into the Treatment of Women in the ADF.

“The reviews encouraged

Defence to provide more assis-tance to serving men and women to balance their work and family commitments,” Mr Snowdon said.

“Extending carer’s leave is one step towards wider cultural reform in Defence.”

Further information is available at www.defence.gov.au/DPE/PAC/

Anjali Skandaraja

AN ADFA midshipman has won a pres-tigious essay competition, beating about a dozen other hopefuls.

In November, MIDN Nam Nguyen, was announced the winner of the 2012 Commodore Harry Adams Essay Competition, held by the Australian Naval Institute.

His essay, Action, Reaction: Are Vietnam’s growing maritime forces pos-tured toward countering China?, focused on Vietnam’s current and future maritime forces, and whether the country’s build-up of maritime forces is increasing tensions with China.

“I felt this topic was important as both countries are two of the most vocal over territorial claims in the South China Sea. It’s a dispute that is at risk of developing into a major military conflict,” MIDN Nguyen said.

“I found that researching this topic gave me a better appreciation for the geo-political climate that Australia is finding itself increasingly involved in.”

CDRE Bruce Kafer praised MIDN Nguyen’s efforts and said ADFA’s junior officers had a thirst for knowledge about issues impacting Australia’s defence.

“We encourage ADFA’s midshipmen and officer cadets to develop and broaden their thinking on relevant strategic issues in their studies at the Academy,” he said.

“This enhances their understanding of the rationale for our national defence strategy, and the role of the ADF in imple-menting that strategy.”

MIDN Nguyen will travel to the UK at the end of the year and spend several days at the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth as part of his prize.

Anjali Skandaraja

FOUR junior Navy officers made a clean sweep of the triservice awards at the ADFA Graduation Parade on December 13.

In a rare achievement, given that mid-shipmen comprise less than 20 per cent of the trainee officers at the Academy, they received four of the six prizes before being promoted the next day to sub-lieutenant.

Governor-General Quentin Bryce pre-sented ADFA’s most prestigious award, the Commander-in-Chief’s Medal, to SBLT Douglas Phillips.

The medal is awarded to the most outstanding graduate in military and aca-demic achievement as well as leadership, personal example and performance of duty.

SBLT Phillips said he was challenged every day at ADFA.

“It’s been a fantastic experience,” he said. “I’m truly humbled to have been recognised as a potential leader.”

SBLT Matthew Bell received the CDF Sword of Honour for Leadership from VCDF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin.

The award recognises the highest standard of leadership and officer devel-opment displayed among the graduating class.

“The skills and lessons that I learned will be invaluable to my career and to me as a junior warfare officer,” SBLT Bell said.

The other two recipients were SBLT Cleo Telford, who received the RSL Sword of Honour, and SBLT James Ferrari, who received the CN's Prize.

Commandant ADFA CDRE Bruce Kafer said the junior officers had worked hard. “They have been positive leaders among their colleagues,” he said.

“Their achievements augur well for their future careers as Navy’s junior lead-ers.”

Top of the class Award-winning words

STANDING TALL: SBLT's James Ferrari, Matthew Bell, Douglas Phillips and Cleo Telford receiving their awards at the ADFA Graduation Parade. Photo: John Carroll

THE second round of changes to the Employer Support Payment S c h e m e ( E S P S ) b eg a n o n January 1, 2013.

These changes strengthen the governance and management of the scheme by ensuring that all claims are considered and decided by the Services to ensure that capability requirements are supported.

The new determination stream-lines and simplifies a previously complex set of arrangements, to support principled-based decision-making vested in the Services.

Importantly, the determination will now contain a sunset clause.

The sunset clause means that Defence will undertake a review of the scheme this year to enable advice to be provided to Government

early next year on the effectiveness of the scheme in delivering a value-for-money, required and meaningful capability to the ADF.

Defence Parliamentary Secretary David Feeney said the Service Chiefs now had full control of both policy and administration of the scheme after 10 years of operation.

“The unique capability require-ments of each service can now be supported in a manner which offers best value for money to the Services, the broader Defence com-munity and the Australian people,” Senator Feeney said.

Deputy CN RADM Trevor Jones said oversight and management of the scheme would continue to be conducted from within Navy People Career Management Agency.

“I welcome this legislative

change which gives Navy greater management and fiscal control over its workforce,” RADM Jones said.

Claims continue to be made through the Navy ESPS Officer in NPCMA and will be decided by Director General Navy People.

This will ensure payments are aligned with capability and the Services can record exactly where reservists, who are the subject of Employer Support Payments, work, and how this contributes to Defence capability.

Senator Feeney also said that having the career management/per-sonnel management areas admin-ister the scheme ensured payments were aligned to capability and had appropriate and adequate perfor-mance assessments.

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17PERSONNEL January 31, 2013

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

CAPT Scott Ritchie Director, Military Discipline Law SOME of the most severe punishments able to be imposed by courts martial and Defence Force magistrates (DFM) under the Defence Force Discipline Act (DFDA) include imprisonment and detention.

Although they may seem similar, imprisonment and detention are fundamentally different and should not be confused as the same punishment.

Imprisonment can apply to all ADF ranks. If sentenced to imprisonment, the member will be required to serve a period in a civilian jail.

The maximum term of imprisonment is determined by the maximum allowable by the offence. For example, theft under the DFDA is punishable by a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

When a member is sentenced to imprisonment, they must also be dismissed from the ADF. This is because a sentence of imprisonment is usually imposed for its punitive effect and where the member is no longer fit to serve.

Courts martial and DFMs cannot sentence officers to detention, while an NCO who is sentenced to detention must be reduced in rank below NCO.

A member who is sentenced to detention cannot be required to serve a period of more than two years. Detention is served at specialised ADF facilities, such as the Defence Force Corrective Establishment in Holsworthy.

A convicted member cannot be sentenced to both dismissal and detention, as one purpose of detention is to rehabilitate the offender.

OfficerGeneral Court Martial One charge of dishonestly causing a risk of loss – DFDA s. 61(3) and Criminal Code Act 1995 s. 135.1(5)Seven charges of obtaining a finan-cial advantage – DFDA s. 61(3) and Criminal Code Act 1995 s. 135.2(1)Five charges of obtaining a financial advantage by deception – DFDA s. 61(3) and Criminal Code Act 1995 s. 134.2(1)

Member accused of dishonestly caus-ing a risk of loss to the Commonwealth, and knowingly obtaining allowances and reimbursements that the member was not entitled to receive.

Member pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Member was found guilty on four charges of obtaining a financial advan-tage and three charges of obtaining a financial advantage by deception.

Member was found not guilty on remaining charges.

Member ordered to pay repara-tion totalling $14,933, to be taken from money already paid to the Commonwealth, was fined a total of $12,937 and forfeited seniority in rank.

NCODefence Force MagistrateOne charge of obtaining a financial advantage by deception – DFDA s. 61(3) and Criminal Code Act 1995 s. 134.2(1)

Member accused of knowingly obtaining an allowance that the member was not entitled to receive.

Member pleaded guilty and was found guilty.

Member was dismissed from the ADF. Member also sentenced to impris-onment in a civilian jail for one month, but to be released upon entering into a recognisance order to the sum of $2000

and be of good behaviour for two years unconditionally.

Other ranksDefence Force MagistrateOne charge of prejudicial conduct – DFDA s. 60(1)

Member accused of taking and being in possession of part of a weapon assigned to another member while on deployment, rendering that weapon inef-fective.

Member pleaded guilty and was found guilty.

Member was sentenced to detention for 28 days and was also severely rep-rimanded for breaching an undertaking to be of good behaviour relating to an earlier charge.

Note: All Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrate trial results are subject to com-mand review and appeal. The results indi-cated are of trials across the ADF.

SERVING TIME: A cell at the Defence Force Corrective

Establishment at Holsworthy. Photo: CPL Nick Wiseman

THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN

Sailors from HMAS Coonawarra and Darwin-based Armidale-class patrol boats undertook additional duties in “beefed up” duty watches over the reduced activity peri-od. Most were volun-teers and all took on the additional tasking in a professional manner. The addi-tional duties/coverage provided a hardened security presence in the Coonawarra basin.

A senior sailor returned a positive test result to a prohib-ited substance while serving in a seagoing unit. The member was issued with a notice of positive test result and elected to provide a state-ment of reasons. The authorised delegate considered the mem-ber’s statement. A decision was made to terminate the mem-ber’s service.

December trial results

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19FEATURES January 31, 2013

Michael Brooke

POPT Ray Bell has been awarded a CDF Fellowship to conduct research that may help lead Generations Y and Z in the military.

POPT Bell received his Masters of Educat ion (Leadersh ip and Management) with merit at a gradua-tion ceremony at Sydney University on November 9.

In recognition of his achieve-ment, POPT Bell received the CDF Fellowship for 2013.

POPT Bell’s academic research will assist senior leadership discussions about management of Gen Y and Z in the military in the interests of recruit-ing and retention.

POPT Bell, who is posted to DFR-Parramatta, said he valued the award.

“I am grateful for the opportunity provided by the ADF and look forward to the challenges of the project,” he said.

“This research is expected to ben-efit Defence by informing recruitment

and retention strategies that effectively attract and support an inter-generation-al military workforce.”

The fellowship will allow POPT Bell to undertake one year full-time postgraduate level research through the University of NSW at ADFA.

The scholarship is awarded to sup-port innovative research that will make a contribution to achieving Defence initiatives.

Navy sponsored both POPT Bell’s undergraduate degrees and postgradu-ate award.

Each year the CDF Fellowship is awarded to a permanent member of the ADF who demonstrates the ability to research and produce a paper at an advanced level in a field relevant to the needs of Defence.

Information about the CDF Fellowship, including nominations for 2014, can be found on the Education Assistance Schemes website at: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/vcdf/sites/PracticeManagement/

Y and Z of research on leaders

PROUD MOMENT: CDF GEN David Hurley presents POPT Ray Bell with the 2013 CDF Fellowship for his research topic “Leadership – Leading Generations Y and Z in the military environment”. Photo: Lauren Black

20 FEATURESJanuary 31, 2013

LEUT Patrick Scott

MORE than 3200 nautical miles from where they grew up in Hobart, LEUT Nicholas Graney and his younger brother SBLT Matthew Graney were reunited in the far-flung Australian waters off Christmas Island.

On December 9, the two took a chance to catch up while their ships HMAS Pirie (LEUT Graney) and HMAS Sydney (SBLT Graney), were deployed together in support of Operation Resolute.

The two siblings joined Navy six years apart.

LEUT Graney attended ADFA before

finishing his officer-of-the-watch training in HMAS Anzac and HMAS Perth. He is now XO Attack Six and is enjoying his role as a boarding officer enforcing Australia’s maritime law in our northern waters.

SBLT Graney joined Navy in 2010 and started his JWAC Phase IV training in Sydney late last year, joining while the ship was deployed at Christmas Island.

LEUT Graney was overjoyed at meeting up with his brother.

“It all makes it worthwhile, being able to see your younger brother following in your ‘footsteps’,” LEUT Graney said.

“I really love what I do and I hope Matt gets as much out of his career as I have so far.”

Brother’s joy at Resolute reunion

For SMN Jess Steane, not even 200 nautical miles of ocean could stop her father checking in on her, LEUT Andrew Ragless reports.

DURING a routine day of mar-itime border security patrols on board HMAS Albany, SMN Jess Steane was piped

to the bridge.“The boarding officer said I could

expect a visitor and I should go to the starboard bridge-wing,” SMN Steane said.

A few minutes later her father, Sam Steane, flew over in a Dash-8.

Mr Steane is an Aviation Mission Coordination Supervisor with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

Based at Headquarters Northern Command in Darwin, his job is to monitor the contracted Dash-8 flights that provide aerial surveillance of Australia’s maritime border.

He flies up to 10 times each month

to check on equipment and ensure crew compliance. “It was during one of these flights that I became aware that Albany was in the area and I knew that Jess was on board,” he said.

“The Dash-8 investigates all sur-face contacts in the area and sure enough, mid-flight we spotted Albany, approximately 200 nautical miles west from shore.

“We radioed Albany and requested a flypast photo run, and then I added ‘please let Jess know’.”

SMN Steane, a CIS sailor in train-ing, said she suspected the visitor might have been her dad.

“I was working in the communica-tions centre on my competency log at the time,” she said.

“As soon as I was piped I knew it was dad flying over to get a photo, so of course, I went up to wave.”

Mr Steane said his daughter came on the radio shortly after the flypast at 200 feet above sea level.

“I just heard a voice that said, with some embarrassment, ‘Hi, Dad’ and people laughing in the background,” he said.

SMN Steane said the crew made jokes about it, but it was just friendly banter.

“They were saying things like ‘Dad’s flying over to check up on his daughter’ and ‘you can’t go a couple of weeks without seeing Dad’,” she said.

“But it was pretty cool knowing he was flying over way out to sea, and it was a good feeling knowing that I was working with him protecting Australia’s borders.

“I don’t think many people could say they’ve had the same opportunity as me.”

One father’s flying visit

HEY DAD: SMN Jess Steane waves to her dad as he conducts a flypast

in a Dash-8, while HMAS Albany conducts maritime boarder patrols

on Operation Resolute.

GOOD MATES: Brothers LEUT Nicholas Graney and SBLT Matthew Graney catch up in the waters off Christmas Island.

FAMILY: SMN Jess Steane and her father Sam reunite at Headquarters Northern Command in Darwin.

Photo: ABIS James Whittle

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21FEATURES January 31, 2013

ABIS Lee-Anne Mack is excited to be one of the last to leave Timor-Leste.

The military imagery specialist has been deployed since October, following a month-long stint in August, to record images and vision that will be used by the public, media and historians into the future.

ABIS Mack said she was enjoying her ro le and the challenge of recording Australia’s military exit from the nation in a mission that dates back to 1999.

“I really love my job and being here has been fantastic in a professional and personal sense as no two days are the same,” she said.

“I find it amazing that it will be my photos that people look back on in years to come regarding Australia’s exit from Timor – it certainly drives me to do the best job I can.

“I have enjoyed the variety of photographic tasks and the opportunity to experience a different culture.”

On her second deployment to

Timor-Leste after deploying in 2006 on board HMAS Tobruk, ABIS Mack said she couldn’t resist picking up the camera during her limited down time.

“I take a lot of photographs of the people and the environment of the Dili area because it is so different and so colourful, it really is a world away from Australia,” she said.

“The kids love having their photo taken – they get super-excited to see themselves in the back of the camera.”

Timor-Leste began an exciting new chapter in its history when the Australian-led ISF ceased security operations on November 22.

After more than six years of supporting the Timorese security forces, the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) role has changed to the redeployment of its people and equipment to Australia and New Zealand.

ISF troops started to depart in late November and bases will be prepared for handover by mid-2013.

From behind the lensRecording Australia’s military exit from Timor-Leste is a task Navy photographer ABIS Lee-Anne Mack is honoured to undertake, LEUT Peter Croce reports.

ALL SMILES: ABIS Lee-Anne Mack shows local children her camera on a visit to the Madabeno district in the mountains behind Dili in Timor-Leste. Photo: LCDR Darren Mallett

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HEALTH22 January 31, 2013

YOU are serving on a mili-tary operation overseas and you’ve just been badly wounded. You hear muffled

voices trying to stem the blood loss before a doctor makes the call for an urgent platelet transfusion.

Platelets are blood cells required to stop bleeding and platelet transfusion can be lifesaving.

Your only hope is with cryo-preserved (frozen) platelets, produced and stored using techniques yet to be approved for widespread civilian use.

This scenario has been very real for Australian, Dutch and coalition person-nel in Afghanistan since 2006, where frozen platelets have been used with very encouraging results.

Why use frozen?The five-day shelf life of convention-

al platelets means they are usually only available in major urban civilian hos-pitals, which has prompted Australia’s first clinical trial of frozen platelets for widespread use.

An initial pilot study involving 90 patients in civilian hospitals will be conducted by a team led by the Defence Professor of Military Medicine and Surgery at the University of Queensland, LTCOL Michael Reade. It is hoped this will pave the way for a larger, conclu-sive study that will provide sufficient evidence for the Therapeutic Goods Administration to assess.

America is trialling a similar technol-ogy in a different patient group, and the results of both studies will be analysed.

LTCOL Reade, a specialist intensive care physician with a raft of experience in military and civilian hospitals as a reservist before being appointed to his current full-time military position, said the US Navy first developed the method to freeze platelets, subsequently refined by the Netherlands blood bank, which allows storage wherever needed, includ-ing deployed ADF hospitals.

“However, there is insufficient clini-cal trial evidence for widespread use, so in collaboration with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and the Australian and New Zealand College of

Platelets on trialAn ADF surgeon leads the research effort on frozen blood, Michael Weaver reports.

PIONEERS: CMDR Anthony Holley and

LTCOL Michael Reade are performing

a pilot study on frozen platelets after encouraging results

in Afghanistan. Photo: Tim Asher

Anaesthetists, the ADF clinical trial, if successful, will be pivotal in the world-wide introduction of this lifesaving tech-nology,” LTCOL Reade said.

Freezing problemsNormal freezing methods destroy

the clotting function of platelets, while studies have shown that up to 80 per cent function is retained using a protec-tive, but toxic, chemical called dimethyl sulfoxide.

LTCOL Reade found out about the technology while deployed in 2009 as the clinical director of the NATO military hospital in Tarin Kot, where it was being used by the Dutch.

A Navy Reserve colleague at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, CMDR Anthony Holley, travelled to the Netherlands as part of a specialist Defence working team and established

a close working relationship with the Dutch military blood bank. “We are now both working very closely with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, which has researched and further devel-oped the Dutch technology,” LTCOL Reade said.

Broader trialsA small trial of cryo-preserved plate-

lets by the US Navy compared the out-comes of patients given fresh platelets with those who received thawed frozen platelets during heart surgery. It found frozen platelets were better at reducing bleeding and reduced the amount of blood transfusions required.

“Up until now, there’s been a focus on short-term outcomes to transfusion products, where people have thought that if something seems to work and the lab tests you do on patients are encouraging,

then that’s probably good enough.“There’s been a movement around

the world that some of the subtle effects of transfusions aren’t apparent when assessed that way, so studies of a few hundred or even a few thousand patients are required to demonstrate things are truly as effective and safe as they seem to be.

“It’s that kind of trial we are going to embark on.

“If the results show what we think they will, this technology can be used everywhere that Defence provides a deployed surgical capability, be it on operations in a combat environment, in a humanitarian assistance role, or even during a major exercise where we set up a field hospital.”

The pilot study will be completed by February 2014, with final results of the trial expected in 2016-17.

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23SPORT January 31, 2013

T H E 2 0 1 2 N a v y S u r f i n g Championships were held in the Meroo National Park, Ulladulla, from December 3-7, with 46 competitors lining up in men’s shortboard, long-board, women’s shortboard and stand-up paddle (SUP) boarding.

Organiser WO Ken ‘Smiley’ McPherson said competition began at a little known spot called Supertubes, which was breaking left and right with a nice 1m wave and a slight south-east breeze.

“The SUPs were busy surfing three times during the day, while LS Chad Poland was a standout on the long-board,” WO McPherson said.

“The shortboard title was also competitive with a host of new talent showing their style and it looked like the judges would have a tough time of it, despite AB Genji Pitt displaying some powerhouse surfing.”

Day two was blessed with mag-nificent 2m waves at Dolphin Point, with everyone charging. The women also took to the challenge, with Natalie Johnston the standout.

Finals day, December 6, saw Dolphin Point with another half metre in size and the swell was a little closer together.

It was decided that while the point was great for shortboarders, the long-boarders would compete in Gay Bay and organisers would search for some-

thing a little more contestable for the women and the teams’ challenge.

“The men’s final was all-time with every competitor charging the barrel-ling lefts. Similarly, the longboard-ers were having a ball with a great show surfing a longboard in big meaty waves,” WO McPherson said.

LCDR Steve Johnson and LS Chad Poland went a little bit further by per-forming two of the most spectacular wipeouts ever witnessed.

The crew then packed up and con-voyed to Mollymook for the women’s final. The swell was a little smaller and straighter and so a number the girls went over the falls, much to the amusement of the crowd.

The last event was the teams’ chal-lenge, which saw surfers running up and down the beach, teams hooting their surfers on, and so it was little wonder a crowd had formed along the beach, also laughing, cheering and taking photographs and video of the action.

Results from this competition will help formulate the team to com-pete against Air Force and Army in the 2013 Interservice Championship at One Mile Beach, Port Stevens at a time and date to be advised.

RESULTS: SUP: LCDR Steve Johnson; wom-en’s shortboard: LSATV Jenny Cartledge; men’s longboard: LSET Chad Poland; men’s shortboard: ABCD Genji Pitt

Swell action for surfers

Tridents stand tallin Hawaiian tourMichael Brooke

THE Navy Tridents Rugby League team is ready to tackle the 2013 competition season after a highly successful tour of Hawaii.

The Tridents defeated the Hawaiian Rugby League team 14-10 and 30-10 during the tour in December.

The team flew into Hawaii on December 3 and within three hours of landing hit the park for the first training run under new coach Danny Bucknell.

T h e f i r s t g a m e o n December 5 saw the Tridents play with great pride and passion to overcome their much larger opponents.

“The RANRL team were clearly undersized but that did not stop the workhorses, ABMT Brendan Mannings and ABSN Phillip Sameulu, from matching it physically with the big Hawaiians,” Mr Bucknell said.

The Hawaiians conceded several turnovers in the first half which led to tries by ABMT Jason Chambers and ABCSOMW Luke McWhirter.

ABCD Luke Woodcroft converted one of the tries for a 10-0 scoreline at half-time.

The Hawaiians played better in the second half, and posted two quick tries and a conversion to equalise with five minutes to play.

ABMT Jason Chambers scored the match winner and also secured his claim to the man-of-the-match award.

Coach Bucknell said the Tridents were equally impressive in the second match, which they won 30-10.

The Tridents were electrifying in attack and defence in the first stanza to post a half-time lead of 24-0 through tries by ABMT Chambers and LSMT Ben Burke.

ABMT Tyrone Smith scored two tries, which ABCD Woodcroft converted.

The Tridents weathered a fightback by the huge Hawaiians, who posted two quick tries and a conversion for a 24-10 score with 20 minutes to play.

The Tridents tackled the resurgent Hawaiians to a standstill with ABCSO Mitchell Morton, LSMT Michael Stead and ABSN Aaron Robinson outstanding in attack and defence.

LSMT Andrew Follan was rewarded for his performance with a try in the last five minutes which was converted for a full-time score of 30-10. Inspirational skipper AB Morton was named man-of-the-match and player-of-the-series.

In late February and early March, the Navy national side will tour Coffs Harbour for an invitational competition and then onto the Sunshine Coast to play another representative match.

LEUT Garrett has issued a call to arms for players to represent Navy in coming competi-tions. For further information visit www.ranrl.com.au.

OUTSTANDING: Navy Trident ABSN Aaron Robinson in action.

LAIDBACK: CPO Muz Green shows his laidback style during the longboard final at the 2012 Navy Surfing Championships at Dolphin Point.

SURFER GIRLS: Women’s finalists in the Navy Surfing Championships at Mollymook (L-R): AB Kiri Summer-Hayes, AB Doerke McKeown, AB Jess Simpson and LS Jennifer Cartledge. Photos: ABIS Dove Smithett

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STORY: Page 23

AB Genji Pitt shows his style in the shortboard competition at the Navy Surfing Championships

Phot

o: A

BIS

Dove

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