I served in the Army from 1959 to 1980 in the Infantry retiring as a Warrant Office Class One, and I retired because of the creation of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) that included the civilising military law a fact introduced by the Hawke government in the mid-1980s.

I believe that this and other changes spawned the troubles experienced in Afghanistan when McBride stole secret documents and gave them to ABC, the catalyst for the Bretherton report on alleged war crimes. There is a report today that Army Senior Officers who were involved in policy doctrine and training policies adopted by our Special Forces refuse to accept responsibility for the alleged war crimes, so, I believe that these policies and doctrine are the reasons that our SF frontline combat warriors are now under scrutiny.

Applying civil law to the military has been a disaster for the members of the ADF when compared to my time in the services. The British and United States military have retained their specific law and regulations because they know that civil laws and justice in the military in not compatible with civil justice, there is no comparison. If you have never worn the boots you’d never understand.

I believe that abandoning the pre-ADF military service conditions has created toxic service conditions that could be the cause of the suicides in the ADF.

Those who served with me agree.

There needs to be a Royal Commission into the ADF, with terms of reference to include the civilisation of laws and regulation, command and leadership, and the comparison of the service conditions applied to the pre-1980s Australian Defence Forces, against those of the Australian Military Forces.

We need to demand transparency and integrity to protect our military warriors, not protect senior officers and politicians who endorse training policies and doctrine, as combatants are our most precious weapons of defence.

Robert (Bob) Buick MM JP

Diggers’ fury as commanders duck responsibility for war crimes, report warns

Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Force chief General Angus Campbell. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

• EXCLUSIVE

By BEN PACKHAM

FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE CORRESPONDENT

• 2:28PM MAY 15, 2024
• COMMENTS

The refusal of the nation’s military leaders to accept responsibility for war crimes in Afghanistan has generated “anger and bitter resentment” among serving personnel and veterans that will take years to overcome, an independent report has warned.

The Afghanistan Inquiry Implementation Oversight Panel’s final report is due to be tabled in the Senate after Defence Minister Richard Marles quietly authorised its release six months after he received the document.

The report, obtained by The Australian, says the panel does not accept the Brereton inquiry’s finding that senior commanders should not be held accountable for the murders of 39 Afghans by up to 25 special forces soldiers.

It says there has been “an unmet need for Defence senior leadership to communicate to the serving and ex-serving ranks of the ADF that they collectively accept organisational responsibility and accountability for part of what went wrong in Afghanistan”.

“There is ongoing anger and bitter resentment amongst present and former members of the special forces, many of whom served with distinction in Afghanistan, that their senior officers have not publicly accepted some responsibility for policies or decisions that contributed to the misconduct, such as the overuse of special forces,” the panel warns.

Special Operations Task Group soldiers undergo training during the Afghanistan war. Picture: Corporal Chris Moore.

The report says the resentment among special forces soldiers was “expressed forcefully and repeatedly to the panel by Defence members of all ranks” during visits to SAS and 2nd Commando Regiment headquarters.

The anger in the Defence and veterans’ community over the issue will “likely to last for a long time”, the panel warns.

The panel led by former Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Dr Vivienne Thom says commanders need to accept accountability to “prevent or mitigate any recurrence” of such crimes.

The report compares the failure of Defence’s senior leaders to accept accountability for war crimes with the actions of company CEOs who face dismissal and even criminal charges after major corporate collapses.

“In the private sector, major corporate failures result in both an organisational and individual responsibility,” the report says.

“Personal knowledge or direct involvement of the senior officers in the causes or behaviour that led to the corporate failure are not required.”

The report comes as Mr Marles sits on recommendations by outgoing Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell on the stripping of honours and awards for commanders for war crimes that occurred on their watch.

Australian Special Operations Task Group soldiers prepare to board a helicopter during the Afghanistan war. Picture: Defence

It says “substantial progress” has been made in addressing special forces cultural issues highlighted by Justice Paul Brereton in his report for the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force.

“While there are still occasions when individuals exhibit behaviours indicative of unhealthy exceptionalism, today the responses from the leadership appear to be rapid, clear and appropriate,” the report says.

But it warns there are still some signs of the “toxic competitiveness” between the SAS and 2nd Commando Regiments that Justice Brereton identified as a contributing factor, with “significant and forceful comments” by some soldiers on their rival regiments in interviews by the panel.

The Albanese government is yet to implement a Brereton inquiry recommendation to compensate the families of Afghans unlawfully killed by Australian Defence Force troops.

But the panel says it accepts the government faces difficulties in identifying, locating and paying those affected since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.

BEN PACKHAM 

 FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE CORRESPONDENT

Ben Packham is The Australian’s foreign affairs and defence correspondent. To contact him securely use the Signal App. See his Twitter bio for details…. Read 

Personnel from 7 Brigade of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) are currently engaged in a four-week training initiative to evaluate the effectiveness of the MantisX training system for Australian military use. The MantisX system is designed to enhance firearm proficiency and attaches to various firearms like pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Similar to dry fire training tools, it monitors each shot and generates useful data to enhance accuracy.

Utilizing a sensor affixed to the weapon, MantisX tracks barrel movement, trigger pull, and weapon stability, providing users with scores and barrel vectors for each shot, akin to the Weapon Training Simulation System. Warrant Officer Class Two Mark Biviano of Land Combat Faculty initially acquired a MantisX in 2016 to enhance his competitive pistol shooting skills and recognized its potential for military applications. In 2019, he conducted a proof-of-concept program with MantisX at 13 Brigade, noting the rapid improvement among users due to its immediate feedback mechanism.

Biviano’s initiative caught the attention of Jemma Coleman from the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), who acknowledged the system’s potential to enhance training effectiveness. Coleman highlighted the importance of considering human factors in weapon design and training, noting that existing trials often overlook such aspects.

The trial, commencing on April 22, involves soldiers from non-combat corps, combat corps, and infantry groups. It begins with baseline dry and live fire assessments, followed by a training program focusing on dry firing with MantisX feedback. Post-training, participants will undergo reassessment to gauge improvements in live fire abilities. Additionally, the trial incorporates high-speed motion capture to analyze body and weapon movements.

Funded through the LAND 159 weapons replacement program, the trial explores how dry fire training can mitigate the costs and resource requirements associated with live firing while still facilitating skill enhancement. Furthermore, it aims to investigate soldiers’ information processing and response mechanisms during room clearances, emphasizing the concept of “perception-action coupling.”

The USAF C-5 Galaxy is a massive military transport aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). Here are some key details about this aircraft:

1. Introduction: The C-5 Galaxy was introduced in 1970 and remains one of the largest military aircraft in the world. It was developed to transport oversized cargo and large numbers of troops over long distances.
2. Size: The C-5 is truly massive. It has a wingspan of 222.9 feet (68.0 meters) and a length of 247.1 feet (75.3 meters). It stands 65.1 feet (19.8 meters) tall. The cargo hold of the C-5 is 121 feet long, 13.5 feet wide, and 13.5 feet high, making it one of the largest cargo compartments of any aircraft in the world.
3. Capacity: The C-5 can carry a maximum payload of over 280,000 pounds (127,000 kilograms). It can accommodate a wide variety of oversized cargo, including tanks, helicopters, and even other aircraft.
4. Range: With its mid-air refuelling capability, the C-5 can fly non-stop for intercontinental missions. Its range exceeds 5,500 miles (8,800 kilometres) without refuelling.
5. Performance: The C-5 is powered by four General Electric TF39 turbofan engines, each producing over 43,000 pounds of thrust. Despite its massive size, it is capable of cruising at speeds of up to 518 mph (833 km/h).
6. Operational Roles: The C-5 is primarily used for strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo to destinations around the world. It is also used for humanitarian missions, disaster relief efforts, and other special operations.
7. Upgrades: Over the years, the C-5 has undergone various upgrades to improve its performance, reliability, and maintainability. These upgrades have included avionics modernization, engine upgrades, and structural enhancements.
8. Variants: The C-5 has several variants, including the original C-5A, the improved C-5B, the stretched C-5C, and the modernized C-5M Super Galaxy, which features new engines and other improvements.

Overall, the C-5 Galaxy plays a critical role in the USAF’s global mobility mission, providing the capability to transport outsized cargo and personnel to anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice.

ED: Advocates will be at the Mount Isa Irish Club on May 17 & 18, if you know veterans in that area, please pass this info on.

Photo: RSL Queensland Vice President Bill Whitburn, RSL Compensation Advocate Darrell Edwards, and RSL North Queensland President Garry Player. Picture RSL Queensland

The Mount Isa RSL Sub Branch is extending assistance to local veterans with their claims and entitlements. RSL North Queensland President Garry Player, along with RSL Advocate Darrell Edwards, will be available at the Isa’s recently established headquarters, situated at the Irish Club, on May 17 and 18.

Navigating the claim process with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) can be complex, and Mr. Player emphasized the importance for veterans to seize the opportunity to meet with Mr. Edwards. Acting as a liaison between ex-defense personnel and the DVA, the advocate facilitates the claims process, providing guidance through its intricacies and the relevant legislation, which spans three different acts based on service details.

In 2023 alone, RSL Queensland lodged 6,712 DVA claims. Compensation advocates play a crucial role in this process, gathering claim details, conducting necessary research, completing paperwork, and submitting claims. They maintain communication with veterans throughout the determination process, offering updates along the way.

Mr. Player expressed his commitment to visiting Mount Isa regularly to connect with veterans, often accompanied by an advocate to assist individuals with their claims, troubleshoot any obstacles encountered, and provide guidance on the best course of action.

The sub branch has settled comfortably into its new location since the official opening in March, graciously provided by the Irish Club. Sub Branch Treasurer Kate Fischer highlighted the importance of raising awareness about their services within the local veteran community, hoping that the new space will serve as a beacon, attracting more veterans to seek support and become members.

Defence funding is set to experience a significant delay in substantial increases, with an anticipated shortfall of 5000 personnel. While an additional $5.7 billion is earmarked for the upcoming years, the majority, $3.8 billion, won’t be accessible until 2027-28. Despite government alerts regarding Australia’s strategic challenges, defence expenditure will gradually climb to $67.4 billion by 2027-28, reaching 2.12% of GDP.

Committing to bolstering defence capabilities, the government has pledged $50.3 billion in supplementary funding by 2033-34, with the aim of surpassing $100 billion in annual expenditure, equivalent to 2.3% of GDP.

Concurrently, Australia intends to amplify its assistance for overseas conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, with an additional $144 million allocated over a two-year period. This includes furnishing military equipment to Ukraine and extending duty-free access to bolster its economy until July 2026.

The Budget has outlined several initiatives for the 2024-25 fiscal year, including:

• Setting aside $17.5 million to institute a new Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence, enhancing parliamentary oversight and comprehension of Defence’s pivotal role in navigating Australia’s complex strategic landscape.
• Committing $166.2 million over the span of five years starting from 2023-24 in grants to fortify small and medium-sized businesses and local defence industries, integral components of the Defence Industry Development Strategy.
• Dedication of $28 million spanning from 2024-25 to 2027-28 for the implementation of reforms pursuant to the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act 2024, aimed at fostering industry engagement and streamlining trade between AUKUS partners.
• Investing $81.9 million into the defence industry to fortify critical job roles, including provisions for scholarships, enticing and enrolling apprentices via the Shipbuilding Employment Pathways Initiative, support for supply chains, and augmenting the defence industrial workforce.
• Allocating $232.3 million for international military support and assistance endeavours from 2023-24 to 2024-25, including an additional $144.3 million earmarked for military support to Ukraine.

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, underscored, “In revitalising the IIP, the Government is delivering the capabilities necessary for the ADF to safeguard Australians, while concurrently strengthening our sovereign defence industry to cultivate jobs and nurture a future shaped by Australia.”

ED: My apology for posting this the other day without the video, thanks to those who let me know.

Leading organisations in the energy space have taken a single minded approach to the energy transition. They view weather dependent renewables as the sole option for a cleaner grid. This unwillingness to look at all alternatives to fossil fuels has led to gaps in the scientific reasoning. Experts Helen Cook, Chris Uhlmann, Adi Paterson and Aidan Morrison spoke at a recent CIS lunch where they laid out a clear path forward for nuclear energy. They looked at what Australia can learn from other countries’ energy transition. And they answered some of the most pressing questions in the nuclear debate: how long and how much? This isn’t just about lifting bans or debating renewables; it’s about envisioning a feasible, practical path to nuclear energy.

Army’s Aviation Command delivers aviation capability to support Army’s generation of land power and enable the integrated force in peace and war. Battlefield aviation is a critical capability that ensures the Integrated Force is connected, protected, lethal and enabled through the provision of tactical speed, reach, access and situational awareness. We are conducting essential training to ensure we are ready now, reinforcing our critical capabilities and introducing new capabilities to ensure we remain future ready.