Defence News
75 years of the Royal Australian Regiment
Descending on parachutes from an overcast sky above Canberra, members of the Red Berets trailed red smoke behind an unfurled flag of the Royal Australian Regiment. Veterans and soldiers watched as they landed on the Royal Military College parade ground as part of proceedings to commemorate 75 years of the Royal Australian Regiment on 23 November 2023.
Each battalion’s Colours were marched out individually to the tune of their quick march song, played by the Royal Military College band. More than 65,000 soldiers have served on active service in the regiment, with 706 making the ultimate sacrifice. Originally formed in 1948 with three battalions, it now consists of seven and holds a proud history for defending Australia.
Holding close the connections he made, Brigadier Chris Appleton (retd), former commanding officer of 5th/7th Battalion, said it was a ‘magnificent parade’.
‘It was so wonderful to see all the Colours of the regiment on parade,' Brigadier Appleton said. In 25 years, the infantry trainees who were on guard will be at the 100th anniversary, they’ll write the next chapter of this great story.’
Reviewing officer, Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, took the opportunity to award theatre honours for Malaya (Conflict) 1955–1963 and the Malaysia (Confrontation) 1964–1966 to all battalion Colours.
Read the full article on Defence News.
Serving on in semi-retirement
In December 2022, Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Tommy Giles turned 60 and needed to retire from full-time service. However, through ServeOn, he was able to find a flexible role that allowed him to remain connected with Army and embrace semi-retirement.
‘It’s brilliant,’ WO1 Giles said. ‘It’s a great experience working flexibly. I’ve been able to maintain a sense of purpose and it also provides a social aspect where I’m able to keep in touch with people I’ve worked with over the years.’
Having provided more than 40 years of service across the Irish Army and the Australian Army, WO1 Giles was keen to continue serving on his own terms. ‘I’ve always believed that there’s a job for everyone in the Army, if that person wants it,’ he said.
For members who are approaching or have reached the compulsory retirement age for full-time service, but are under 65, WO1 Giles believes it’s worthwhile to reach out to find a flexible service role. ‘People may not be aware of all the roles that are available,’ WO1 Giles said. ‘It’s not too late to find something and stay connected.’
To find a flexible role that suits your lifestyle visit www.army.gov.au/serveon and request a phone call from your local Contingent Workforce Management Cell.
Read the full article on Defence News.
Citation for troops who helped Somalis
Medic Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Joanne Cook hadn’t seen a gunshot wound in real life until deploying to Somalia 30 years ago. Apart from treating several locals injured during the violence, an Australian soldier was accidentally shot in the chest at point-blank range towards the end of their deployment.
‘He was bought into the treatment centre and we began working on him,’ she said. ‘It was clockwork; he received the best treatment that anyone could have.’ Unfortunately, he couldn’t be saved because of the seriousness of the injury and became the only Australian soldier to die in Somalia.
In October 1992, the Australian Government sent a contingent of 211 ADF personnel to Somalia for Operation Iguana. About 1,500 ADF personnel were deployed on Operations Iguana and Solace between 1992 and 1995 to support the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia and contributed to the US-led, UN-sanctioned, Unified Task Force.
At the end of 2023, 1RAR Battalion Group, Australian Service Contingents (ASC I, II, III and IV), and HMAS Tobruk received the Meritorious Unit Citation for their sustained outstanding service in warlike operations.
Read the full article on Defence News.
‘Our Girl’ historic Catalina to be restored
A historic aircraft is being restored to its original wartime configuration after it was handed over to the Royal Australian Air Force. The Rathmines Catalina Association (RCA) formally handed over former US Navy PBY-5A Catalina ‘Our Girl’ during the aircraft’s 80th birthday commemoration activities in Beresfield, NSW.
RCA president Bill Anderson said the PBY-5A model of Catalina was operated in Australia in large numbers between 1941 and 1945.
‘Our Girl’s restoration and future display are important on several fronts,’ Mr Anderson said. ‘Our volunteers are maintaining and using skills learned over many years; the work days provide an avenue for fellowship and an aid to men’s health. Our members, many with family ties to the Catalina squadrons and the public at large are experiencing the rebuilding of an aircraft that was a part of the defence of Australia.’
RAAF Rathmines, best known as a major base for the iconic Catalina flying boats, was a significant part of the Air Force story from 1939 to 1961. The restoration of Our Girl is expected to take about five years. Once restored, Air Force intends to publicly display the aircraft at the RAAF Williamtown Aviation Heritage Centre as a memorial to the region’s Catalina operations during the Second World War.
Read the full article on Defence News.