Hear from Chief of Army LTGEN Simon Stuart as he shares his start of year message.

Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO, DSC

Lieutenant General Stuart assumed command of the Australian Army on 02 July 2022.

Official Portrait of LTGEN Simon Stuart, AO, DSC. 

Enlisting as a soldier in 1987, Lieutenant General Stuart was commissioned into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps in 1990.  He has over thirty five years’ experience across a range of leadership, operations, training and program management appointments in Australia and overseas.

Lieutenant General Stuart’s regimental experience was in the 2nd/4th and 2nd Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment, culminating in command of the 8th/9th Battalion from 2008-10.

He has commanded on operations on five occasions at the company, Joint Task Force, brigade and force levels in East Timor, Afghanistan and Egypt/Israel respectively. His early career included significant training experience, while his staff appointments have largely been in capability development. He has worked in joint, whole of government, international and multi-national environments for most of the past 20 years. Most recently, Lieutenant General Stuart has fulfilled the role of Head of Land Capability in Army Headquarters after a three year deployment in command of the Multinational Force & Observers from 2017-19.

Lieutenant General Stuart is a graduate of the Royal Military College – Duntroon (1990), the United Kingdom’s Joint Services Command and Staff College (2003), the United States Army War College (2015) and the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program (2022). He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New England and Masters’ degrees in Project Management (UNSW), Arts – Defence Studies (Kings College, London) and Strategy (US Army War College).

Lieutenant General Stuart’s honours and awards include his appointment as Member of the Order of Australia (2011), the Distinguished Service Cross (2014) and advancement to Officer of the Order of Australia (2020). He has also received a number of foreign awards, including those from the United States, Timor Leste, Columbia, Uruguay, Czech Republic, Japan and Indonesia.

Lieutenant General Stuart and his wife Katy are from Perth, Western Australia. They have two teenage children and a labrador retriever. He is also the patron for the Army Drone Racing Team and a patron for the Army Australian Football League.

ED: From my inbox … Thanks Graeme Edwards 

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Recently, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aviators collaborated with their counterparts from the United States and the United Kingdom in a groundbreaking exercise, deploying six F-35A Lightning II aircraft to support the mission for the first time. Accompanied by an air battle management team, this deployment marked a significant milestone in maximizing the capabilities of the F-35.

Wing Commander Adrian Kiely, Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron, emphasized the importance of exercises like Red Flag Nellis in realizing the full potential of the F-35 joint strike fighter. He highlighted that while the F-35A stands as the world’s most advanced operational strike fighter, its true capabilities shine when integrated into a comprehensive network of systems, as demonstrated during the exercise.

“The scenarios in this exercise demand coordination to navigate through sophisticated air defence networks or achieve precise integration across multiple domains to reach distant targets, all while facing live and simulated threats,” remarked WGCDR Kiely. “Red Flag Nellis provided a rigorous environment for participating nations, testing interoperability and enhancing our understanding of each other’s strengths in combat situations.”

Wing Commander Peter Mole, Commanding Officer of No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the unique opportunity presented by Red Flag Nellis for Australian aviators to engage in complex joint air missions alongside the US and UK forces.

“Participating in an exercise of this calibre is a rare opportunity for us to collaborate with the United States and the United Kingdom,” noted WGCDR Mole. “The meticulous recording and immediate debriefing of each mission offer valuable insights into the overall mission dynamics and the effectiveness of our decision-making processes.”

As the exercise concluded, WGCDR Mole expressed confidence in the Australian team’s ability to contribute effectively to modern air campaigns and seamlessly integrate with allied nations in future operations.

In summary, Red Flag Nellis served as a platform for enhancing the interoperability and combat readiness of participating nations while unlocking the full potential of the F-35 joint strike fighter in a realistic operational environment.

When Warrant Officer Class Two Robert Parsons was four, his dad took him on base and showed him a Centurion and Leopard tank, setting him on a path to follow in his father’s tracks.

“Just seeing that raw power, it’s the biggest and baddest thing on the battlefield. I just wanted to be in it,” he said.

“Dad advised me to consider joining RAEME [Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers], get a trade, but I was so influenced by tanks and I think he knew it.”

Thirty-five years later, in 2023, they were the only father and son with the same rank serving in an armoured corps.

Robert’s father, WO2 William Parsons, joined at 17 and learnt how to drive a tank before he could legally drive a car.

“I was driving around 52 tons of main battle tank and I still had to wait three months before I could even apply for a learner permit to drive my dad’s Morris 1000 on Victorian roads,” William said.

“What other organisation places the trust in all its members, of all ranks, to do the job it trains them into the extent we do?

“Serving in the Army means we all get the opportunities to see and do all nature of work in different contexts and environments and operate equipment that is not available to the general population.”

Robert said the best part about having his dad the same rank as him was having someone with experience to lean on.

“He’s seen it all from a different perspective and from a different time as well,” he said.

“The Army is in his veins and in his advice as well, which I think really helped me throughout my career, looking after my soldiers and doing right by them.”

Robert enjoys the tight-knit armoured community, having been in the corps for 20 years, and values the intimacy formed with his crew when in confined spaces.

“I love the fact that I’ve got soldiers that I know personally and I can help them with anything,” he said.

William recently retired after serving 50 years in the corps. It’s believed he was the last serving Centurion-qualified soldier.

He also trained on Leopard, Chieftain and Challenger tanks, and witnessed evolution in design and technology.

“In Centurion we had active infrared spotlights for night vision, now we have thermal imagery. There is no comparison,” William said.

“Trading the Centurion for Leopard was like trading a truck for a sports car.”

One of his favourite memories was testing the limits of the new Leopard by driving full throttle over Spectators Hill at Puckapunyal.

“I proved that 42 tons of tank could fly as she lifted completely off the ground,” William said.

“Landing cost me three broken ribs, but it was worth it. We have always felt encouraged to explore and push the limits of our equipment in order to fully understand the capabilities. I hope that ethos continues.

“The photos of that are still in the tank museum.”

If the U.S. and China ever went to war, the battle wouldn’t solely be fought on the domestic front. It would be a confrontation that draws in the entire world. One that relies as heavily on the military bases each country has set up around the world as the fire and manpower that’s kept domestically. These military bases could prove to be decisive turning points in a potential war. Find out which country has the advantage in today’s epic new video!

Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. We know we take responsibility for all we have done and do not try to blame others.

HOWEVER, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT senior citizens who took:

The melody out of music,

The pride out of appearance,

The courtesy out of driving,

The romance out of love,

The commitment out of marriage,

The   responsibility out of parenthood,

The togetherness out of the family,

The learning out of education,

The service out of patriotism,

The Golden Rule from rulers,

The nativity scene out of cities,

The civility out of behaviour,

The   refinement out of language,

The dedication out of employment,

The prudence out of spending,

The ambition out of achievement or God out of government and school.

And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!

And, we DO understand the meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for our country.

Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts, as they stand at attention, as the Australian Flag passes by in a parade!

YES, I’M A SENIOR CITIZEN! I’m the life of the party…..Even if it lasts until 8 p.m.

I’m very good at opening childproof caps….. With a hammer.

I’m awake many hours before my body allows me to get up.

I’m smiling all the time because I can’t hear a thing you’re saying. I’m sure everything I can’t find is in a safe secure place, somewhere.

I’m wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, and that’s just my left leg.

I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

Yes, I’m a SENIOR CITIZEN and I think I am having the time of my life! Now if I could only remember who sent this to me, I wouldn’t send it back to them. Or maybe I should send it to all my friends anyway. They won’t remember, even if they did send it.

Spread the laughter Share the cheer!

Let’s   be happy While we’re here.

THE BASE OF ONE WIND TURBINE! HOW CAN THIS POSSIBLY BE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY???

While wind power is often celebrated for its cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits, it is essential to acknowledge the downsides and potential drawbacks associated with wind turbines. One significant concern lies in the environmental impact during the lifecycle of wind power generation.

Firstly, the construction and installation of wind turbines require extensive groundwork, including excavations for foundations, transportation of components, and the use of large amounts of concrete. In onshore wind farms, the need for service roads can lead to additional land disruption. Moreover, these construction activities often rely on diesel-powered machinery, contributing to carbon emissions and contradicting the very goal of clean energy.

In densely populated regions, the opposition to onshore wind farms has grown, leading to a decline in installations in some countries like Germany. This resistance raises questions about the feasibility of implementing wind power in areas where people are unwilling to accept the visual and environmental impact, leading to setbacks in carbon reduction plans.

Additionally, the operational phase of wind turbines is not without its environmental concerns. Noise generated by the turbines has been a source of complaints from nearby residents. The impact on wildlife, particularly birds and bats colliding with the turbine blades, is a significant issue. In the United States alone, it’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of birds are killed annually due to wind turbine collisions, a figure that could rise with the anticipated increase in wind energy capacity.

Furthermore, the disposal of decommissioned wind turbine parts poses a challenge. While approximately 85% of a turbine’s components can be recycled or reused, the blades, often made from composite materials like fiberglass or carbon fibre, present a dilemma. Landfill disposal is not environmentally friendly, considering the size and weight of the blades, and alternative methods such as pyrolysis still involve energy-intensive processes.

As wind turbines from the boom period of the 1990s and 2000s reach the end of their lifecycles, the issue of turbine disposal becomes more pressing. Current methods are not sustainable for the increasing number of turbines expected to be decommissioned in the coming years.

While there are emerging efforts to address these concerns, such as using high-strength wood for turbine construction and innovative recycling techniques for turbine components, these solutions are in their early stages and may not fully mitigate the environmental impact.

In conclusion, while wind power undoubtedly plays a crucial role in the transition to clean energy, it’s important to recognize and address the environmental challenges associated with wind turbines throughout their lifecycle. Sustainable solutions and ongoing innovation are necessary to ensure that wind power remains a genuinely green and responsible energy source.

Amidst the ongoing conflict now entering its fourth month, President Biden’s trust in Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu appears to be eroding. Sources familiar with the matter reveal that Biden has criticized Netanyahu, referring to him as a “bad f-ing guy,” and accusing him of eagerly steering the United States toward a full-scale war against Iran-backed terror factions in the Middle East.

Tensions between the two leaders have escalated, reaching a pinnacle in December when Biden reportedly abruptly ended a contentious conversation with Netanyahu. Disagreements persist over crucial aspects of the conflict, including the necessity to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza and the post-conflict vision for the Palestinian enclave.

Despite these frictions, Biden has reiterated America’s backing of Israel, even as forecasts suggest the conflict may persist into 2024, causing consternation among his Democratic support base.

Recent polling data indicates Biden’s struggle to connect with young voters, with a higher proportion favouring Donald Trump. The war in Gaza is believed by many political observers to be a key factor behind Biden’s lagging popularity. Biden’s camp perceives Netanyahu as detrimental to Democratic interests, prompting calls for Biden to pressure Israel into accepting a ceasefire agreement to avoid potential electoral losses in the upcoming November elections.

Ben Roberts-Smith’s appeal challenges a damning finding that he unlawfully killed two insurgents during an Afghanistan raid. His legal team argues that the verdict was based on speculation and flawed logic, emphasizing contradictions in testimony and military documents. Roberts-Smith, a disgraced war veteran, seeks to overturn a defamation loss related to media reporting of war crimes. The appeal questions the judge’s preference for witness testimony over contemporaneous documents, highlighting implausible details in the alleged murders. Roberts-Smith denies involvement in unlawful killings and challenges various findings, including accusations of bullying and ordering executions.

The hearing continues.