Dear Hon. Korean War Veterans and family members;

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea has proposed to invite Veterans and their family members to participate in Revisit Korea 2024 and also Youth Peace Camp inviting descendants of the War Veterans.

1. Revisit Program (in April, July & November 2024)
Unfortunately, the date has not fixed yet, but please choose your preferred month to visit Korea though the program.
Quotas to Australians can be found on the information attached, which is inclusive of carers.
Another matter to note is that this time, the Veterans themselves will receive 100% reimbursement of airfares.

2. Youth Peace Camp (1.7.2024 – 7.7.2024)
Descendants of the Korean War Veterans attending University or soon to enter the University are welcome to join the Camp Program to visit Korea for further engaging in activities, leadership building, and experiential learning.

Having said that, please have a thorough read of the information give, and fill out the application form attached and return it back to me as soon as you can.

For further information, please find the attached documents including application or do not hesitate to contact the consulate.

Inquiry contact details;
Officer:   Ms Kate Kim in the Korean Consulate General in Melbourne
Office:   +61 3 9533 3872
Email:    [email protected]

LEST WE FORGET!

The year 2023 has seen remarkable advancements in military drone technology, driven by the quest for increased autonomy, enhanced stealth capabilities, and improved operational efficiency. As nations strive to fortify their defence mechanisms, drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), remain a crucial component in modern warfare due to their ability to carry out reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeted strikes with minimal risk to personnel.

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Latest Military Drone Technology 2023 (isp.page)

Allegedly, the Minister for Defence was absent from a scheduled video teleconference with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd James Austin III, as disclosed during the recent Senate committee meeting on foreign affairs, defence, and trade convened on February 14th.

This teleconference pertained to Operation Prosperity Guardian; a multinational military initiative led by the US formed in response to Houthi-led attacks on Red Sea shipping in December of the previous year.

US Secretary of Defence Austin initiated the two-hour conference on December 19th to engage international partners for contributions to Operation Prosperity Guardian. Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, clarified during this week’s Senate estimates that he attended the conference in lieu of Minister Marles due to the latter’s prior commitments.

In response to queries about discussions between Minister Marles and the US Defence Secretary regarding the Red Sea deployment, General Campbell stated no knowledge of such discussions. He pointed out that the apparent absence of ministerial activity during the 16-day period following the early December request was a time for understanding the operational approach the United States was considering.

Although Australia eventually decided not to dispatch a warship for the US-led multinational task force, it committed six additional Australian Defence Force personnel to the Combined Maritime Force on December 21st. Notably, this decision was made without convening the National Security Committee.

General Campbell was further questioned about discussions between Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese regarding the Red Sea deployment request. He indicated no awareness of such discussions, stating it was not within his purview to track the Deputy Prime Minister’s engagements with the Prime Minister or colleagues.

During the Senate meeting, Royal Australian Navy Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark David Hammond confirmed that while the Royal Australian Navy possessed the capability to fulfill a Red Sea deployment request, the ultimate decision rested with the government.

ED: I was reminded this morning by many of you that there was no ‘Friday Smile’ yesterday. Sorry about that … to make up today you have two.

A soldier shows up for military training but realizes he forgot to bring his rifle.

The sergeant hands him a stick and gestures to the training field.

“You’ll have to use this, soldier. If you need to shoot someone, just aim your stick at them and shout ‘Bangity bang-bang’. If someone gets too close to you, poke them in the gut with it as though it was a bayonette and shout ‘Stabbity stab-stab’. Now get moving.”

The soldier thinks this is pretty ridiculous, but to his surprise, when he aims his stick at a fellow trainee across the field and shouts “Bangity bang-bang!” the other soldier goes down in a theatrical display. Then, another trainee tries to run past him, so he pokes the guy in the ribs and shouts “Stabbity stab-stab!” and he too goes down, pretending to be dead.

So, the soldier starts running through the mock-battlefield, shouting “Bangity bang-bang” and occasionally “Stabbity-stab-stab”, until eventually, he realizes he’s the last man standing.

He’s feeling pretty proud of himself until another soldier rounds a corner and starts walking toward him. Slowly. Stiffly. Menacingly.

The soldier takes aim with his stick and shouts, “Bangity-bang-bang!”

But the other soldier doesn’t go down this time. He keeps approaching, arms stiff at his sides, boots stomping aggressively into the ground.

The soldier begins to sweat. He clears his throat, adjusts grip on his stick and hollers, “Bangity bang-bang!”

But nothing happens. The other soldier keeps marching toward him.

Now the soldier panics. He pretends to reload his stick and desperately cries out, “Bangity bang-bang! Bangity bang-bang! Stabbity stab-stab!”

But to his dismay, nothing works.

Finally, the other soldier reaches him, kicks him in the shin and knocks him onto the ground.

He stands over the fallen soldier and says:

“Tankity tank-tank.”

********

A famous Naval Officer and an equally famous RSM were fishing together when a sudden storm hit. When it died down both renowned warriors were struggling helplessly in the water.

The sailor floundered his way back to the boat and pulled himself painfully in. Then he fished out the RSM, using an oar.

Catching his breath, he puffed: “Please don’t say a word about this to anyone. If the Navy found out I can’t swim I’d be disgraced.”

“Don’t worry,” the RSM said. “Your secret is safe. I’d hate to have my men find out I can’t walk on water.”

In July 1969, the tranquil shores of Okinawa were disrupted by an alarming incident that would reverberate through history, forever altering the perception of the U.S. military’s presence on the island. It began with a clandestine leak of chemical weapons, shrouded in secrecy, but soon escalated into a public health crisis that could no longer be concealed.

The leak of toxic chemicals on Okinawa’s soil sickened more than 20 U.S. soldiers, sending shockwaves not only through the military ranks but also through the local Okinawan community. This incident ripped the veil off one of the Pentagon’s most closely guarded Cold War secrets: the covert storage of hazardous munitions beyond the borders of the continental United States.

The public outcry following the Okinawa accident reached the highest echelons of government, compelling the White House to take immediate action. Thus, Operation Red Hat was born—a clandestine endeavour aimed at swiftly and discreetly removing the hazardous chemicals from the island, all while keeping the operation hidden from public scrutiny.

For over four decades, Operation Red Hat remained shrouded in mystery, its details locked away in classified archives, its participants bound by strict oaths of silence. Yet, the passage of time has a way of eroding secrets, and now, newly disclosed scientific studies and firsthand accounts from U.S. veterans who participated in the operation are finally shedding light on the truth behind this covert mission.

These revelations paint a vivid picture of the challenges faced by the soldiers tasked with executing Operation Red Hat. They recount tales of navigating treacherous terrain, facing the constant threat of exposure to deadly toxins, and operating under the cloak of utmost secrecy. Despite the risks, they were driven by a sense of duty and the imperative to protect both their fellow soldiers and the local Okinawan population from the looming spectre of chemical contamination.

The newly disclosed scientific studies provide further insight into the environmental impact of the chemicals stored on Okinawa, revealing the extent of the damage inflicted on the island’s delicate ecosystem. They underscore the long-lasting consequences of the military’s presence and its disregard for the environmental and public health risks associated with storing toxic munitions in foreign territories.

As these revelations come to light, they spark renewed debate and scrutiny over the legacy of U.S. military operations abroad and the ethical implications of their actions. Operation Red Hat serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve in the shadows, often at great personal risk, and the profound consequences of decisions made in the name of national security. It stands as a testament to the power of truth to transcend the passage of time and illuminate the darkest corners of history.

Top of Form

AUSTRALIA’S defence preparedness is in its most parlous state since Federation, though those responsible seem incapable of pinpointing the cause or finding a solution.

With escalating tensions worldwide the prospect of international war is only too real.

Nor is the problem helped by the level of ill-informed commentary by self-professed experts, including from both sides of politics.

Defence Minister Richard Marles recently said Defence still had a “way to go” to achieving excellence, making no apologies for butting heads with military chiefs and mandarins.

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Pundits and pollies don’t help our Defence | Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

Our circumstances have changed. The Australian Army is enhancing its power projection in the region. We are modernising how we train, doing more with our regional and global partners. Together, we are increasing our potency and sophistication. We generate land power to be ready to fight tonight. Alongside our partners, we are embracing new opportunities and adapting with what we have. The Australian Army is connected, protected, lethal, and enabled. Innovation comes from our people, who are our strength and our competitive advantage. We remain an Army in the community; an Army for the Nation.

A class action will allege the medical histories of up to 300,000 Australian military veterans have been secretly shared with a university without consent for two decades.

It happened under a program called MATES, which was run by the Department of Veterans Affairs until this week, when it was shut down due to ethical concerns.

The law firm Gordon Legal is investigating a class action against the department, which could pave the way for compensation for the veterans whose privacy has been breached.

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DVA may face class action over privacy breach – ABC listen