By APDR

Veterans who served as firefighters at RAAF Base Point Cook between 1 January 1957 and 31 December 1986 are being urged to investigate their eligibility for the ADF Firefighters Scheme. To date, some 268 of DVA’s clients have an accepted eligibility under the scheme, an initiative launched by the Australian Government in 2021.

The Air Force Association (AFA) is encouraging former ADF members who served as ADF Firefighters to determine if they qualify for health care and compensation benefits designed to address service-related challenges.

Deanna Nott, National Vice President and Director of Communications for AFA, highlighted the scheme’s importance, crediting former AFA President Carl Schiller OAM CSM for convincing the Government to agree to its creation.  “A significant part of what Carl achieved for veterans from the three Services was getting this scheme established,” said Nott.

The program targets ADF Firefighters who may have been exposed to risks during their service at Point Cook, offering health care and compensation support. As of 10 February 2025, 161 of the 268 eligible veterans have lodged claims for compensation, a notable number for this specialised group but others may be eligible for health care and compensation. The scheme provides access to fully funded health screenings for conditions like colorectal cancer and melanoma, alongside compensation options for a range of prescribed health issues. For those who qualify, the process is simplified – veterans don’t need to prove every detail of causation and previously rejected claims can be resubmitted for review.

Nott emphasised the need to reach more veterans. “We want to ensure everyone who’s eligible knows what’s available,” she said.

The AFA, which supports serving and former aviators and their families through advocacy, connection and community, is actively working to raise awareness. If you served as an ADF firefighter at Point Cook between 1957 and 1986, it’s worth exploring your eligibility. Contact the DVA at 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or check their website for details at https://www.dva.gov.au/get-support/financial-support/compensation-claims/claims-if-you-were-injured-1-july-2004/australian-defence-force-adf-firefighter-scheme.

 

The F-35 Lightning II has reached a major milestone, surpassing one million flight hours across its global fleet. With over 1,100 aircraft in service across 16 military organizations, these hours include training, operational missions, and combat sorties.

This achievement reflects not only the aircraft’s reliability but also the extensive support network required to maintain its readiness. Thousands of personnel in logistics, maintenance, and operations ensure the fleet remains mission-capable around the clock.

The F-35 program began in 1997 as part of the Joint Strike Fighter initiative, designed to create a versatile, multi-role aircraft. A competitive process led to the selection of the X-35, which evolved into three variants: the conventional take off and landing F-35A, the short take off and vertical landing F-35B, and the carrier-capable F-35C.

In 2001, a contract was awarded for full-scale development, and by 2006, the first production prototype was ready. Since then, the aircraft has exceeded performance expectations, achieving operational status in multiple countries.

Currently, 20 nations have incorporated the F-35 into their defence strategies. The fleet operates from 48 bases worldwide, including land-based and naval deployments. More than 2,790 pilots and 17,690 maintenance personnel support its growing operations.

Despite rapid expansion, the aircraft maintains a low accident rate—around 1.5 mishaps per 100,000 flight hours—lower than older fighter platforms.

With ongoing advancements and expanding roles, the F-35 continues to be the most advanced multirole fighter in service, ensuring air superiority for years to come.

A second nurse has been charged over a disturbing antisemitic video in which threats were allegedly made to harm Jewish patients at a south-west Sydney hospital. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with Australians calling for the maximum legal penalties to deter any further attacks of this nature.

Former Bankstown Hospital nurses Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 26, and Ahmad ‘Rashad’ Nadir, 27, were filmed in a shocking video that was widely circulated online after being shared by an Israel-based content creator. The video, which went viral, has been denounced as deeply offensive and dangerous.

Ahmad ‘Rashad’ Nadir was formally charged with a Commonwealth offence for using a carriage service to menace, harass, offend, or threaten. In addition, authorities discovered a prohibited drug inside his locker at Bankstown Hospital, leading to further charges.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb expressed gratitude to Strike Force Pearl detectives for their relentless efforts in combating antisemitic crimes. “There is a tremendous amount of dedication and hard work going into these investigations. Detectives have faced significant challenges, including immense public expectation, but they remain committed to bringing these individuals to justice,” she stated.

This development follows last week’s charges against Sarah Abu Lebdeh, who is facing three Commonwealth offences in connection to the same video. Authorities were initially unable to question Nadir due to his hospitalisation for mental health concerns, but charges have now been laid despite these delays.

The investigation has been complex, as key witnesses, including the content creator who recorded the video, are based in Israel. The video was captured on Chatruletka, an online chat platform, further complicating the legal process.

The nurses, whose registrations were suspended immediately after the incident, have since issued apologies, initially dismissing their comments as a “joke.” However, the severity of their statements has led to widespread outrage, with many Australians demanding strict penalties to prevent similar acts of hatred in the future.

The public has overwhelmingly condemned the video, insisting that such antisemitic rhetoric has no place in Australia. Many believe that only the harshest punishment will send a clear message that threats against any community will not be tolerated. The case is expected to proceed through the legal system with intense scrutiny as authorities work to ensure accountability and justice.

Written and researched by Ernie Chamberlain

In the Australian Parliament on 18 August 1971, Mr Lance Barnard (Labor – Deputy Leader of the Opposition) referred to Phước Tuy Province (South Vietnam) as: “a quiet 

backwater of the war”.  However, when reviewing VC activity in Phước Tuy in May 1966 – ie before 1 ATF deployed into Phước Tuy, the first Task Force commander – Brigadier David

Jackson, declared that the Province “was not a backwater”.

 

How intense was “”pre-ATF” fighting in the Province ? In very late December 1964 – prior to 1 ATF’s arrival in Vietnam, the VC 761^st and 762^nd Regiments (late retitled the 271^st

and the 272^nd Regiments) launched a multi-regimental attack against the mainly Catholic New Life village of Bình Giã (18 kilometres north of Bà Rịa Town – just east off Route 2 on

Route 327 – ie about 12 kilometres north of the future 1 ATF location at Núi Đất. Three Vietnamese ARVN Ranger battalions (30^th, 33^rd and 38^th) attempted a relief of Bình Giã but

suffered very heavy casualties; and the 428-strong 4^th Vietnamese Marine Battalion also lost 112 killed and 71 wounded in the fighting at Bình Giã. Three US advisers were

captured: a captain, a sergeant (later executed) and a private first class. The VC forces were armed with the first of their AK-47s in the South – delivered by sea in trawlers from the 

North and landed on the Phước Tuy coast north of Phước Hải in readiness for the battles of Bình Giã and Chòi Đồng in north-central Phước Tuy. The VC’s C440 and C445 Companies

– a few months later to become the D445 Battalion, also attacked at Bình Giã, as memorialized in the major monument in Bà Rịa (inaugurated in late November 2025).

 

On 11 November 1965, the 3^rd Battalion on the 275^th VC Main Force Regiment attempted to ambush an ARVN convoy (52^nd Ranger Battalion) on Route 15 about 10

kilometres north-west of Bà Rịa Town. Forewarned by a VC defector, the Rangers repelled the 275^th Regiment’s attack – and the VC force suffered very heavy casualties. A US JUSPAO

Report of 30 November 1965 noted “300” VC (and also “500” VC) were killed in that action at Kim Hải. On 18 November 1965, US President Johnson awarded a citation to the 52^nd

Ranger battalion.

 

On 6 January 1966, MACCORDS (MACV Civil Operations and Rural Development Support) Team 89 – based in Vạn Kiếp (a large ARVN base and training centre on Bà Rịa’s

eastern outskirts), lost three US KIA in a D445 ambush. During subsequent US operations in Phước Tuy Province in the period April to mid-September 1966, US forces reportedly lost 

87 personnel KIA and 408 WIA – in Operations Abilene, Hardihood, Hollandia and Toledo.

 

In the period 9 March – 9 April 1966 – as an element of the 173d US Airborne Brigade during Operation Abilene, the 1RAR Battalion Group operated in southern Long

Khánh Province and Phước Tuy Province as part of the US 1^st Infantry Division (“The Big Red One”) commanded by US General W.E. DePuy. Operation Abilene had the aim of

“destroying the 94th [ie the 274^th] VC Regiment, the 5th [ie the 275^th] VC Regiment, and the attacking the VC’s Mây Tào Secret Zone.” In a “southern” phase of Operation Abilene, on

4 April 1966, two US battalions conducted a search-and-destroy operation north and north-east of the VC- controlled village of Long Tân (while an ARVN force searched the village) – and then moved

the villagers to Đất Đỏ, Long Điền and Hòa Long. 1RAR returned to Biên Hòa from Operation Abilene’s logistic base area at Bình Ba on 8 -9 April 1966 by – road and air, to prepare for Operation Denver in the Sông Bé area of Phước Long Province.

Soon after – on 11 April 1966, Charlie Company/2nd Battalion of the16th Regiment of the US 1^st Infantry Division engaged a VC force that included the 800^th Battalion (ie

1/274^th VC Regiment) in north-eastern Phước Tuy – about 5 kilometres south of the Long Khánh/Phước Tuy border and about 8 kilometres east of Route 2. Initially unsupported by

other US companies, the 134-strong Charlie Company suffered 48 killed in action (KIA) and 58 wounded in action (WIA). Reportedly, the bodies of 41 VC were found on the

battlefield, and 100 -150 VC were assessed by MACV as having been killed or wounded in the battle. That engagement on 11 April 1966 is known as the Battle of Cẩm Mỹ in US

military records – and as the Battle of Tầm Bố in Vietnamese communist accounts.

 

A 33-page history of the fighting in Phước Tuy Province before the Australians arrived in the Province in May/June 1966 was published as Annex D in the 5RAR history “Vietnam Vanguard”

in 2020 (Ron Boxall & the late Robert O’Neill). https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/n6124/html/appendix04.xhtml?referer=&page=31#  

1966 -About 17% Living Under VC Control in Phước Tuy 

According to the US 1^st Infantry Division’s “after action” report following Operation Abilene in March-April 1966 in Phước Tuy and Long Khánh Provinces, of Phước Tuy and

Vũng Tàu’s population of 138,000 (Phước Tuy – 100,000; Vũng Tàu – 38,000): 87,000 lived in government-controlled areas; 22,000 in areas “undergoing pacification”; 12,000 in areas

considered “relatively free of VC”; and 17,000 were “living in VC-controlled areas”. A curfew was in effect between 10pm and 4am – but was “not rigidly enforced” and the “VC 

infrastructure was established down to village and hamlet level.” “Approximately 32% of the population is Pro-GVN, 12% Pro-VC, and 56% are neutral.” The VC had “a high degree

of control over the rural population and had little difficulty moving throughout the province.

 

The US 1^st Infantry Division report summarised VC presence in Phước Tuy Province as: 4,900 personnel – including the 274^th and 275^th VC Regiments, two “Local Force” battalions

(860 Battalion [sic- ie D445 Battalion] – 500 strong; and 310^th Battalion [sic] – 350 strong), one Local Force company (C-25), and five Local Force platoons.

 

 

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has firmly rejected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s suggestion that Australia could send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, arguing that the responsibility lies with Europe.

Albanese’s remarks, made without prior discussion, came after US President Donald Trump paused military aid to Ukraine, urging President Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate with Russia. The suggestion marked a sharp shift from the government’s earlier stance dismissing the idea of Australian peacekeepers in Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for an international coalition to enforce any ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, with France backing the proposal. While Albanese signalled openness to Australia’s involvement, Dutton rejected the idea outright, emphasising that Europe should bear the responsibility for security on its own continent.

“I don’t support boots on the ground in Ukraine,” Dutton said in Brisbane. “The Europeans have that task, and what President Trump has pointed out is that Europe needs to do more in its own defence. That’s a statement of the obvious.”

Dutton reiterated Australia’s ongoing support through military aid and training rather than direct deployment. His position aligns with Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, who stated earlier that such a commitment was not being considered. A government spokesperson also confirmed there was no active proposal for an Australian peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

Trump’s decision to suspend military assistance is intended to push Ukraine toward negotiations, with White House officials stating that the pause allows for reassessment of aid contributions. Military analysts warn that a prolonged halt could weaken Ukraine’s defensive capabilities despite stockpiles from the Biden administration.

Following discussions with European leaders, Starmer declared Britain’s willingness to participate in a peacekeeping mission, potentially deploying troops and air support. However, Zelensky has previously insisted that any peacekeeping effort must include the US, as Europe alone lacks sufficient military strength.

With the situation evolving, Dutton’s stance reflects a pragmatic approach—supporting Ukraine while ensuring that Australia does not overextend its military commitments in a conflict where regional players must take the lead.