MISSION by incursion online

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For this August edition of the year, we’ve cast the bowlines, sharpened the bayonet and taxied the flight line for an approach to the theme of supporting operations. After all, it is the one thing we all work towards – be it directly or indirectly. There was also an endless list of articles to pursue. Navy and Army chefs have revealed some of their not-sosecret recipes, while we’ve also spoken to a Navy supply officer on how much the ship’s company of HMAS Parramatta went through on its recent deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

“The achievement of mission success is a team effort and every person deployed on operations is a contributor to this objective. I know you work hard but the experiences and friendships you develop will stay with you for life.”

Brigadier Mike Whattletree QBE Incursion Australia Director MISSION

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Draconia D

Article by Sally Kristen. Photo by Army.mil

Docks T

The troops tucked into a well earned sausage sizzle, as they caught up with what’s been happening back home. They will have plenty of time to enjoy domestic life as the Draconia will be kept ashore to undergo maintenance, with the plan to Captain Arnold Whistler was return to East Timor early next pleased with all that they have year. achieved in our neighbouring country, saying that there had The troops were treated with a been “…significant progress, hearty reception from family and with our troops working with friends. Lt Jasper Collins was local tradesmen to restore their particularly excited to be home, infrastructure…” and that “…the finally getting to meet his eight tourist trade is picking up again, week old son, Colby. “It is just helping the Timorese rebuild their absolutely amazing to be able lives.” to finally hold my son, and after MISSION AUG09 5 roops operating the HMAS Draconia docked in Williamstown this morning after their 6 month tour of duty in East Timor. They were stationed there to assist with the reconstruction and recovery of small coastal villages after the January floods, as well as providing resources for monitoring sea patterns and flood risks.

seeing so many pictures! That’s all I wanted to do, to just hold him and say, ‘Hey buddy, I’m your dad!’ He is so tiny and so real. It is such a great feeling,” he said as he cooed over the newborn with his wife, Jane.

A force to be

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e reckoned with... By Flight Lieutenant Jaimie Abbott. Courtesy of the ADF. Photo by Army. mil

The Air forceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 92Wing force Preparation Training is a lifesaver.

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ll personnel deploying to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) have to complete pre–deployment training, and for the Air Force Surveillance and Response Group, it means regularly rotating through this training for those assisting with Operation Slipper. Training lectures are conducted biannually at RAAF Base Edinburgh, with personnel required to undertake mandatory lectures before they will be force assigned for deployment. Air Lift Group and Combat Support Group also conduct Force Preparation Training. During the four-day course, personnel receive critical training from varying Defence and civilian presenters in a variety of subjects. They also undergo a range shoot. Officer in Charge, 92WG Force Preparation Cell, Flight Sergeant (FSGT) Shane Armstrong said the 92 Wing members deploying to the MEAO are required to complete all components of Force Preparation by one month prior to their date of departure. “Arranging and facilitating Force Preparation Training for 92 Wing members is relatively seamless given we have been involved in MEAO operations since 2003.” FSGT Armstrong said. “A significant number of both 92 Wing aircrew and maintainers are deploying to the MEAO for their 4th or 5th time and appreciate the need to complete all facets of predeployment training

within prescribed timeframes.” It’s the same situation for 41WG, where operational, maintenance and support personnel are repeating their standardised Force Prep training for another year, before deploying to Kandahar, Afghanistan to work in the Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) Since an Advance Party moved into Afghanistan in April 2007, 41WG staff have completed four or six month stints in the CRC, where they provide air surveillance and air battle management for operations. This has included air-to-air refuelling and safe transit of military aircraft throughout the operational area. These operations are supported and enabled by maintenance, logistic, administrative, legal, ground defence, chaplaincy, and medical personnel. 41WG Force Prep Organiser, Warrant Officer (WOFF) Jamie Mullins said that there are also planned family information nights, where loved ones are given all the information and support they need. “We tell participants at the start of the week that they will pretty much learn everything there is to know about the deployment, both professionally and personally,” WOFF Mullins said.

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Whale watch

Royal Queensland Naval Platoons safety efforts against whale welfare protestors

he Royal Queensland Naval Platoon have been busy defending Australia’s North-Eastern shores from Japanese whaling ships illegally entering Australian territory. The crew are on 24 hour watch, monitoring a patch of water near the Great Barrier Reef, where orca whales are known to visit, and a popular spot for whale hunting. Captain Keith Winston explains that they

“…detect every single illegal vessel that enters into a country, and deal with it swiftly and accordingly.

The platoon are keeping a watchful eye on the Greenpeace vessel, making sure they do not put themselves in harm trying to push their cause, but Greenpeace insist Greenpeace is also on the scene, they are staging a peaceful protest. concerned for the welfare of the whales and staging a protest. Protest organiser Harlowe Canvas is confident their presence will have a positive effect.

[They] work hard to ensure invaders don’t infiltrate Australian shores.”

“The whales need someone to stand up for them, and that’s what we are doing. They are a beauty of nature and the slaughtering are totally unjust and unnecessary.”

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Shrine acquires new war medals Article by Jeremy Bison. Photo by Cordial Boy. The Shrine of Remembrance has received a generous donation from 89 year old war veteran Angus Goodwin, who wants his medals to be seen and enjoyed. “I am proud of the service my platoon and I provided to the defence of our country, and the bravery that was shown. I want the next generation to know and to appreciate what was sacrificed to give them all that they have today.”

The Shrine’s Medal Room Curator, Arthur Worth, was very pleased with the new medals. “It was very generous of Mr Goodwin. They will be an important addition to the Naval portion of the display.” The medals will be catalogued and will appear in the display in the coming week.

“Big Fox” a suspect in brothers disappearance

Article by Danielle Thompson. Photo by Army.mil.

Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Commander William Leahey was identified as a suspect in his brother’s disappearance during operations at a Royal Australian Navy Base in Williamstown. Peter Leahey, went missing on the 26th of April during a covert navy operation at Fort Gellibrand, Williamstown, Victoria. LtCdr William was in charge of operations at the time, and was questioned about the mysterious circumstances surrounding his brother’s disappearance. Some citizens of the Williamstown area claim to have seen a Japanese Submarine, believed to be

an I-27 Class sub, enter the port waters in the weeks leading up to Peter’s disappearance. This and the sudden closure of the Williamstown Fort following damage taken by an explosion on the date in question are leading investigators to believe that the Japanese were planning an operation in the area. William Leahey has now been cleared of charges against him regarded this incident, but the whereabouts of and circumstances surrounding his brother’s death remain un-known. MISSION

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