Defence Australia’s Post

Search and detect 👀🤿 #AusNavy and #AusArmy are working together to protect Cairns Harbour. 🤝 Navy's Maritime Deployable Robotic Autonomous Systems and Experimentation Unit (MDREU) is supporting Army’s 11th Brigade by providing an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) capability to enhance security operations during Exercise #AustralShield. Team leader Sub-Lieutenant Aaron Venhuizen said MDREU plays an important role in Defence. “We use autonomous underwater vehicles like the Bluefin-9 to search from the surface to the bottom of the ocean,” Sub-Lieutenant Venhuizen said. Exercises like Austral Shield, allow #YourADF personnel to work with state authorities and test the ADF’s short-notice response to a domestic security threat. 📰 Read the full story here: http://spr.ly/6046cX1fr 📸 Corporal Michael Currie #DefenceCapability

Today we commemorate the four Australian Army aircrew lost in the 2023 Lindeman Island MRH90 Taipan incident, on the first anniversary of the crash. On 28 July 2023, an Australian Army MRH90 Taipan helicopter impacted waters near Lindeman Island, Queensland, during a night-time training activity as part of Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2023. Tragically, Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph ‘Phillip’ Laycock, and Corporal Alexander Naggs from the 6th Aviation Regiment were killed in the incident. Commemorative activities included a military service at Swartz Barracks in Oakey on Friday, which saw plaques for each fallen aviator mounted on the Australian Army Aviation Corps Memorial wall. This was followed by a private, on-water memorial for the families of the aircrew at the site of the incident this morning. Commander of Army Aviation Command, Major General Stephen Jobson, AM CSM, paid tribute to Captain Lyon, Lieutenant Nugent, Warrant Officer Class Two Laycock and Corporal Naggs. “The loss of Danniel, Maxwell, Phil and Alexander has left a void in the lives of the entire Army Aviation community,” MAJGEN Jobson said. “These men were determined, quiet professionals, and generous friends. We join together with their families and friends, to honour their memory, their commitment to our nation and their sacrifice. “Army and the Australian community will never forget.” Defence appreciates the support of the public in respecting the privacy of the families and the Defence community.

Aviators put their skills to the test 💪🧐 Aviators from units across Combat Support Group were put through their paces as part of Exercise Stoic Gauntlet 24. The exercise brought units from across the country to RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory to practice airbase operations with 17 Squadron whilst operating under simulated ground and air threat conditions in austere, deployed, and uncertain environments. “Building a better understanding of the unique pressures of operating in northern Australia has been incredibly beneficial, particularly with the growing strategic relevance of this region.” Wing Commander Andre Holmes said. Exercises like this are critical to ensure Defence has the capability to defend and project air power from our northern bases in line with the 2024 National Defence Strategy. 📰 Read the full story: http://spr.ly/6047cPX8L #YourADF #AusAirForce

A monumental moment for the Robinson clan! 🎉👏 Inspired by his father’s aviation career, Craftsman Lee Robinson, one of Aviation Command’s newest aircraft technicians, is set to follow in his footsteps and work on Army’s new fleet of Black Hawks. Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Wayne Robinson stood proudly at the graduation ceremony of his son, Craftsman Robinson, where they now wear the same uniform, same beret and share the same profession. Though few words passed between them, Craftsman Robinson knew it was a watershed moment for them both. 📰 Read the full story: http://spr.ly/6042cHsMG #YourADF #AusArmy #OurPeople

Congratulations! ⚓👏 #AusNavy's newest maritime personnel operators are ready to embark on their careers after graduating from initial employment training at HMAS Cerberus. Seven of the graduates began their Navy journey through the ADF Gap Year-Navy program, the largest number for any single initial employment training cohort. Seaman Caitlin Dawes said the training and gap year experience built a strong foundation for her Navy career. “My gap year experience gave me insight and knowledge into how the military works. It also helped me understand the importance of administration in the Navy, and how it links to a maritime personnel operator role,” Seaman Dawes said. The course includes 13 weeks of residential training at HMAS Cerberus, which covers everything from professional mastery, career pathways and remuneration, to the Defence Force Discipline Act and administrative law. Navy's newest maritime personnel operators are ready to embark on their careers after graduating from initial employment training at HMAS Cerberus. 📰 Read the story ➡️ http://spr.ly/6044iNJBq #YourADF 📸LS Jack Codner

Bringing the noise during Joint Fires Week 🔥 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, along with Aviation Support from the 1st Aviation Regiment spent a week in the Mount Bundey Training area enhancing their skills relating to close air support. #AusArmy #YourADF

The Australian Army's 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), farewelled their 'snout-standing' mascots with a Piping of the Pigs parade! 🐽❤️ Since 2022, the pigs served with the unit, but are being rehomed to the Freedom Hill Sanctuary in SA, following unit re-structuring. A pig was chosen as 7RAR’s mascot when its first commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Smith, allegedly called the soldiers a “mob of pigs” after they trashed their lines during a long weekend in early 1965. A soldier at the back of the next morning parade is said to have shouted “oink oink” and the Pig Battalion was born. “One of our great traditions involves the pigs – they reflect us as a unit – they are rough, determined and no-fuss,” Lieutenant Colonel Lambert said. 📰 Read the full story 👀 http://spr.ly/6040iUjg0 📸 CPL Saar Hayon #YourADF #AusArmy

Congratulations 👏 Defence is pleased to announce the successful applicants for the 2024 Strategic Policy Grants Program! Defence looks forward to working with successful applicants to support independent research, events and activities to deepen the Australian debate, strengthen Australia’s defence partnerships, and enhance Defence’s strategic policy advice. This year’s grant round was highly competitive, with a large number of applications from strategic and defence studies experts from across Australia and overseas. Learn more http://spr.ly/6042iU0zo For future Strategic Policy Grants Program opportunities ➡️ http://spr.ly/6044iU0zq or GrantConnect at http://spr.ly/6046iU0zs #YourADF

Let the knowledge exchange begin! 🧠🇦🇺🇺🇸 Late last month, for the first time, the United State Pacific Air Force 18 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron visited #AusAirForce’s 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (3AES) at RAAF Base Richmond. The knowledge exchange provided a benchmark of understanding between the two squadrons, highlighting the similarities and differences in equipment, structure, and the ways in which each squadron responds to aeromedical evacuation. 3AES regularly participates in mission-ready training and exercises with international partners to share common training objectives and aeromedical evacuation expertise. 📰Full story: http://spr.ly/6045iiomF