Des Houghton The Courier Mail

I visited the Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera this week and what I saw was a national disgrace.

A cluster of six older buildings, home to the Army’s decorated 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, were rotting away.

Ludicrously, soldiers have had to don helmets to work there because the ceilings were falling on their heads after the deluge that came with Cyclone Alfred.

Most of the buildings have serious leaks. Water ran through light fittings, entire ceilings had collapsed to reveal rotting wood and rusting pipes, damage from earlier storms. Asbestos and lead paint has been exposed and in three of the buildings I saw large patches of black mould.

Collectively, the buildings are known as the Long Tan Lines named after the 1966 battle in Vietnam where 18 Australian soldiers were killed.

The buildings are especially important because 6 RAR contains the battle-ready combat troops who could be deployed at any hour. The buildings house planning rooms and the quartermaster’s storage areas.

One of them contains a large armoury resembling a bank safe. Long Tan Lines should have been pulled down 20 years ago. Pleas to repair the buildings have been ignored by a series of Defence ministers. The minister is effectively the Army’s landlord at Enoggera where 10,000 people work.

Half are combat soldiers; others offer logistic and clerical support and there are some Defence Department civilians.

Whenever I hear the words Long Tan I always think of a school mate, Francis Brett Topp who died in the rubber plantation there. Although Toppy was ahead of me at school I will never forget his good humour and wide smile. He was 19, the youngest Australian to die on August 18, 1966. He had been in Vietnam for only a month and had been with his battalion for just 24 hours. It was his first time the farmer’s son from Helidon had ventured outside the wire.

His body was found with his fallen comrades surrounded by their weapons. Overwhelmed by the Viet Cong they did not flinch from their task. They fought courageously to the end.

The Krakow Post

Ukraine hit a major Russian missile depot near the city of Saratov, sending a mushroom cloud billowing into the sky. Photo Credit: East2West

Ukraine has executed a significant military operation, striking the Engels airfield deep inside Russian territory with a wave of drones. The attack caused a massive explosion, with footage revealing a fireball so intense that some observers compared it to a nuclear blast.

Engels airfield, located about 700 kilometers from the front lines, is a critical Russian military base housing Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable bombers, known as “White Swans.” The explosion sent debris scattering across the area, leading to the evacuation of nearby residents. Reports confirmed that at least ten people were injured in the incident.

Russia reacted swiftly, claiming its air defenses successfully intercepted 132 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions. However, in Engels, local officials declared a state of emergency, and reports emerged of residents finding drone wreckage in their backyards. The extent of the damage to military assets remains uncertain, but the attack underscored Ukraine’s growing capability to strike deep into Russian territory.

This is not the first time Ukraine has targeted the Engels base. Previous attacks date back to December 2022, when a strike on an oil depot led to a fire that burned for five days. More recently, in January, Ukraine claimed responsibility for an assault on a storage facility containing guided bombs and missiles at the same location.

Ukraine’s ability to penetrate Russia’s defenses and launch precision strikes at such distances represents a significant challenge for Moscow. While Russia continues to bolster its air defenses, Ukraine’s drone strategy is proving increasingly effective in disrupting key military operations.

The attack on Engels airfield signals that Ukraine remains determined to take the fight beyond the immediate front lines. With the war showing no signs of de-escalation, such high-impact strikes could further shift the strategic landscape in the months ahead.

Military Superannuation. Thanks to the efforts of Senator Jacqui Lambie the Senate Finance and Public Administration Reference Committee are about to commence a wide-ranging review of ADF superannuation schemes. This is an opportunity for ex-service organisations (ESO”s) and individuals to make submissions on any of the ADF superannuation schemes. How delightful it would be if all serving and ex ADF members could be represented by ESO’s singing from the same book. Alas that will not happen, everybody involved in ADF superannuation schemes should ask their ESO to provide them with a clear statement of what their intentions are. If we are not heard by this committee we will never be heard.

The Australian Defence Force Retirees Association Inc (ADFRA) have developed a facts-based submission on DFRDB. Our research spans many years, and we are confident the facts presented regarding DFRDB should flow on to other schemes. Due to procedural restrictions, we are not permitted to circulate our submission until it has been accepted by the Senate Committee. Basically, our goals are to have restoration of full retirement pay on the attainment of life expectancy for those who commuted, Have Fair indexation applied to the period 1977 to 2014 and to remove the “notional rate” from the Act for those that did not commute, and this would flow on to spouse’s pensions.

You can read about ADFRA’s efforts at adfra.org and you may consider taking up the offer of free membership. We currently have about 5000 signed up members but we need more to make the pollies listen, We.  need serving and ex ADF members to sign up and give us the numbers. Membership is open to anyone who believes Governments have for too long neglected the post service conditions dished out to those who committed to military service.

If you agree with this post, please post it on any social Media platform you have access to.

Don’t put it off until tomorrow do it today.

There could be outcomes for every member of the ADF since 1 October 1972 and every serviceman/woman needs to be made aware of this inquiry

Thanks for your consideration

Regards

Jim Hislop OAM

President ADFRA

A Long Range Anti-Ship Missile in flight after being released from a No. 1 Squadron F/A-18F Super Hornet. (Image credit: Australian Defence Force)

The Australian government has confirmed the successful live firing of an AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) from a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet. The test, conducted with support from the U.S. Navy, took place off the coast of California in February 2025.

During this period, an RAAF contingent was in the United States participating in exercises Red Flag Nellis 25-1 and Bamboo Eagle 25-1. These exercises, held between late January and mid-February, focused on operational challenges in the Indo-Pacific, particularly long-range strike missions, maritime integration, and multi-domain coordination. This environment provided an ideal scenario for testing the missile system.

Strengthening Australia’s Maritime Strike Capability

The test was part of a broader effort to enhance the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) maritime strike capability. Australia has allocated $895.5 million for the acquisition of LRASM as part of a wider $28–35 billion investment over the next decade to improve targeting and long-range strike capabilities.

The operational testing involved validating weapons preparation, loading procedures, targeting, and successful engagement. A simulated long-range maritime strike scenario included support from an Australian E-7A Wedgetail and EA-18G Growler, along with a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon.

A video released by the Ministry of Defence captured the test, showing the moment of missile release from both the cockpit and an accompanying aircraft. Two Super Hornets were involved in the live fire, each deploying an LRASM.

Following the successful test, the missile has been declared operationally ready. With a range exceeding 370 km, the LRASM will significantly enhance the RAAF’s maritime strike capabilities. Australia intends to integrate the weapon across multiple platforms, aligning with the U.S. Navy’s approach to strengthening maritime defence capabilities.

By Ray Payne – researched by my granddaughter

If Australians use our coal or gas to provide cheap, reliable power for our own families and businesses, it will bring about the end of the planet. But if other countries use the same coal and gas to provide cheap, reliable power for themselves, there’s not a problem.

Aussies are being conned and lied to by BS artists of the first order!

The Australian economy continues to rely on coal as a source of affordable, reliable electricity. In 2022-23, coal supplied 62.6% of electricity to the National Electricity Market, with gas providing 4.5%, hydro 8.3%, and other renewable energy sources—wind, grid solar, and batteries—contributing 24.1%.

Beyond electricity generation, Australian coal is in high demand for process heat, which is essential in the production of alumina, chemicals, paper, machinery, and food manufacturing. It is also a key ingredient in cement and steelmaking. Australia’s high-energy, low-ash coal is perfectly suited for modern, high-efficiency coal-fired power plants being built throughout Asia. Additionally, our high-grade metallurgical coal is among the best in the world for modern steelmaking.

Supplier reliability, proximity to key markets, and solid infrastructure place Australia in a prime position to meet growing demand from nations such as Japan, China, India, Taiwan, South Korea, and Europe, along with emerging buyers in Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Despite this, Australians are being told that coal has no future in our domestic energy supply. We are expected to shut down coal-fired power stations and replace them with unreliable and expensive renewable alternatives, all while exporting millions of tonnes of coal to other countries who will continue to use it for their own industrial and energy needs. If coal is truly so harmful, why are we selling it to others? And if it is a critical resource for our trading partners, why are we being forced to abandon it at home?

In the financial year 2024, Australia’s coal exports were valued at approximately 91 billion Australian dollars. Coking coal exports saw a 3% year-over-year increase in the first half of 2024, reaching 75.5 million tonnes compared to 73.3 million tonnes in the same period last year. This growth was further emphasised by a significant 11% month-over-month surge in June 2024, with exports jumping from 12.97 million tonnes in May to 14.43 million tonnes.

The reality is, coal remains a vital component of both the Australian and global economies. It is undeniable that many of our key allies and trading partners will continue to rely on coal for decades to come. Yet, instead of acknowledging this, Australian policymakers push an unrealistic renewable energy agenda that leaves our citizens with higher power bills and an unstable grid.

The hypocrisy is glaring. We are told that using coal in Australia is unacceptable, yet exporting it to other nations is perfectly fine. If coal is good enough for Japan, India, China, and South Korea, why isn’t it good enough for us? Australians are being taken for fools by those who pretend to care about the environment while happily profiting from coal exports.

It’s time to cut through the nonsense. We must prioritise Australian energy security and affordability over political games. If the rest of the world values our coal, we should too.

ED: From my inbox – Martin Reid 

With growing uncertainty about the reliability of key allies, Australia must prepare to defend itself—potentially alone. This requires a national effort to enhance defence capabilities, as outlined in the Defence Strategic Review (DSR). A key priority is the restructuring of the reserves to create a larger, better-trained, and rapidly deployable force.

The current reserve system is outdated, designed decades ago for supporting distant conflicts rather than responding to regional threats. The 2023 DSR highlighted the need for a more robust force structure, greater endurance, and stronger national resilience. However, the recent Review of the ADF Reserves fails to address these urgent needs. Instead, it offers administrative adjustments rather than a strategic plan for expansion and rapid mobilisation.

As of early 2024, around 41,000 personnel were registered as ADF reserves, but 10,000 had never served. The remaining 31,000 primarily filled specialist roles or gaps in permanent units. The review proposes only minor process reforms, including three categories of reserve service, accelerated entry pathways, and an additional 1,000 personnel by 2030—far from the transformation needed.

Given recruitment limitations for permanent personnel, expanding the reserves must be a priority. Many advanced democracies use different reserve models. Australia follows an expeditionary model, suitable for nations engaging in distant wars but not facing imminent threats. Countries with direct threats, such as Finland, Israel, and Singapore, rely on large, well-trained reserves that can mobilise within days. The United States employs a hybrid model with a sizable reserve force supporting its permanent military.

Australia must transition from its outdated expeditionary model to a homeland defence or hybrid system. The current framework lacks the resilience to expand in time for a major conflict, which could arise within years. A new reserve force must be significantly larger, better equipped, and capable of rapid deployment. Recruitment and training processes must be streamlined, and greater access to national skillsets, particularly in intelligence, cyber, medical, and logistics, should be facilitated.

Achieving this transformation requires leadership, cultural change, and public engagement. The government must articulate the security risks facing Australia, justify the need for these changes, and encourage enlistment in a strengthened reserve force.

A credible action plan is needed now. The time to build a modern, capable reserve force was yesterday. We cannot afford further delays.

From Wings magazine (Autumn 2025), this video explores Australia’s Project LAND156 – Counter Small UAS (C-S-UAS), aimed at neutralizing small drones (up to 25kg) on the battlefield. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) targets cost-effective solutions like DroneShield’s RfPatrol Mk 2 (4km detection) and DroneGun Mk4 (1km jamming, swarm-capable), alongside “hard kill” options like lasers and the M230 Bushmaster. Rival Anduril trials its Lattice OS system at RAAF Base Darwin. Learn how the ADF plans a baseline capability by 2025 and full rollout by 2030.

ED: This ruling sets a dangerous precedent where mythological beliefs are being enforced through legal mechanisms. While respecting cultural heritage is important, prosecuting a local council for emergency repairs based on the alleged disturbance of a mythical creature is beyond rational governance. This is a slippery slope—what’s next, fines for angering the Dreamtime spirits? Western Australia appears to be prioritising superstition over practical governance, and ratepayers are footing the bill.