Special Day for Army RussGibbs Tue, 2022-03-01 14:51 Army marked its 121st year on March 1 with music and cake at Blamey Square near Army HQ in Canberra. One of the main activities on the day was the recognition of the Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award recipients. One of the main activities on the day was the recognition of the Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award recipients.   The day kicked off with a welcome to country by Ngunnawal woman Selina Walker, before an address from Chief of Army Lt-Gen Rick Burr.   “Today we celebrate Army’s 121st birthday. On this special occasion ..read more

New Army Aviation Command Established RussGibbs Thu, 2021-12-02 13:47 The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO, today announced the establishment of a new Army Aviation Command, at a ceremonial parade and helicopter flyover at Blamey Square, Canberra.                                                               Lieutenant General Burr said the formation of Army Aviation Command is a significant achievement for the Aust ..read more

A day to reflect and remember RussGibbs Fri, 2021-11-19 11:53 Each year on Remembrance Day, Australians at home and abroad fall silent to remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service to the nation. One minute’s silence commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who fought and died in conflict. Across the country, soldiers join with the community to remember the fallen, with memorial services and events held from Darwin to Melbourne. In his Remembrance Day message, Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell said this year we also commemorated the centenary of the Air ..read more

Ten years of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin RussGibbs Fri, 2021-11-19 11:50 On November 16, 2011, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and United States President Barack Obama announced an extension of Australia’s existing Defence alliance with the United States.  The United States Force Posture Initiatives (USFPI), including the establishment of the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D), were core to the alliance and a tangible demonstration of the shared interests and deep engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. Ten years on from the announcement of the USFPI, up to 2500 US Ma ..read more

Combat training support strengthens ties RussGibbs Fri, 2021-11-19 11:46 Specialist jungle warfare instructors from the Australia Army’s Combat Training Centre (CTC) have been in Indonesia working closely with the Indonesian Army to conduct the Junior Officer’s Combat Instructor Training (JOCIT) course. The annual JOCIT course offers the opportunity for Australia and Indonesia to increase their capability and interoperability, which is an important enabler of Australia and Indonesia’s strong security and defence partnership. Taking part this year is CTC instructor Captain Gareth Hughes, who s ..read more

Prepared for high-risk weather season RussGibbs Fri, 2021-11-19 11:42 Days before an exercise to test their search-and-rescue skills, soldiers from the 31st/42nd Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment (31/42RQR), found themselves on an urgent community-aid task, assisting police and SES to search for a missing Queensland man near Mackay. More than 40 personnel from the 11th and 3rd Brigades joined a two-day search for the missing man, last seen on October 21, after Queensland police traced the man’s phone. Supported by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and protected mobility vehicles, soldiers sc ..read more

A boost for Army Health RussGibbs Fri, 2021-11-19 11:39 On November 19, Army will take the first steps towards establishing a new health brigade – the 2nd Brigade – which will return to Army’s order of battle in 2023 after being disbanded in 1946.  Four health battalions will be raised in early 2022 in Darwin, Adelaide, Brisbane and Townsville before establishing the 2nd Brigade the following year.  The restructure has been informed by the Army Health Capability review, which began in 2018. As part of the review, the Directorate of Army Health worked closely with key health stakehol ..read more

A message from the Chief of Army to all who served in Afghanistan SusieLeydon Fri, 2021-08-20 15:30 A message to all who served in Afghanistan The unfolding events in Afghanistan in the past weeks have been sudden and distressing. As well as feeling deep personal concern for those we know, these events challenge us as individuals and as an Army. Almost 21,000 Army members served in Afghanistan, and I know for many of our veterans this is a difficult time. I acknowledge your commitment as well as the cost of your service and my thoughts are with you, your families and those who support you. I ..read more

Statement – Private Jason Challis cherie.guest Thu, 2021-09-02 09:35 On 10 May 2017, Private Jason Challis, a Rifleman with the 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, was killed during a training incident at Mount Bundey Training Area, in the Northern Territory. Today, at the Northern Territory Local Court, Defence was convicted under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 for failing to provide Private Challis with a safe workplace and fined $1 million. The tragic and deeply regrettable consequence of this failure was the avoidable death of Private Challis. The Australian Army community ..read more

Army Supports 1000 Miles to Light Fundraising Ultramarathon RussGibbs Wed, 2021-09-01 13:56 The Australian Army recently supported 1000 Miles to Light – a 1000 mile fundraising ultramarathon to raise awareness of youth mental health service ReachOut.  The event was held at the home of Army’s School of Infantry, Singleton Military Area, between 14-24 August. Eight runners from Australia and the United States covered 100 miles per day over 10 days in the challenging relay-footrace around the military base.  Joining Army and the athletes in their fundraising efforts, 2,705 Australians ..read more