Picture: A Royal Australian Air Force aviator from Combat Support Group watches as a Hot Refuel is conducted on a F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft during Exercise Talisman Sabre 23 at RAAF Base Darwin. Photo: LAC Chris Tsakisiris

Valued at $76 million, the project was overseen by the United States Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Pacific and constructed by the US-Australian joint venture Nova Nacap JV. The facility, finished in June 2023, enhances operational capabilities and supports training exercises, promoting air cooperation between the two nations under the United States Force Posture Initiatives (USFPI) infrastructure program.

The Enhanced Air Cooperation (EAC) initiative, established in February 2017, aims to deepen air-to-air integration through a range of activities. It includes advanced warfighting capabilities, collaborative airbase operations, combat support, logistics, and regional engagement. EAC creates opportunities for joint engagement with regional partner air forces in training exercises.

The project aligns with the government’s response to the Defence Strategic Review, which prioritizes increasing preparedness, enhancing northern infrastructure, and providing resilient fuel solutions. The review also underscores the importance of the Australian Defence Force’s ability to operate from northern bases.

In line with the Defence Strategic Review’s recommendations, the Australian Army will focus on long-range strike capability and littoral operations in northern land and maritime areas. Meanwhile, the Royal Australian Air Force will support operations in the north, with improvements planned for northern air bases, including runway and apron capacity, fuel supply, storage, accommodation, and security enhancements.

General practitioners (GPs) will be eligible to receive greater incentives to treat members of the veteran community who use their Veteran Card as payment. This is part of the Government’s 2023-24 investment in DVA, to ensure veterans and their families have access to health and wellbeing services they need to live well after service.

The existing Veterans’ Access Payment (VAP) for GPs will be tripled, aiming to boost the number of GPs who treat Veteran Card holders under DVA billing arrangements.

The tripled VAP will apply to general face-to-face consultation greater than six minutes including home visits for people who are homebound, and consultations in residential aged-care facilities.

Additionally, the tripled VAP will apply to video and telephone GP consultations longer than six minutes. For video and telephone consultations longer than 20 minutes, a Veteran Card holder must also be registered with MyMedicare.

If your Veteran Card is accepted, you won’t be charged a gap fee. We encourage Veteran Card holders to confirm their GP accepts their Veteran Card prior to booking an appointment.

We’re proud to work with GPs to ensure veterans have access to health and wellbeing services they need to live well after service. We’d also like to thank the thousands of GPs across the country who accept Veteran Cards for their support and services to our veteran community.

For those Veteran Card holders who don’t already have a regular GP, please get in contact with your local GP practice to find out if they accept DVA Veteran Cards before your visit.

If you’ve served in the Australian Defence Force and don’t have a Veteran Card, please contact us via email at [email protected], or over the phone at 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) to see if you’re eligible.

Picture:  The 72nd TES conducts testing and evaluation of new equipment, software and weapons systems for the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber. Photo: US Air Force/Airman 1st Class Devan Halstead.

The United States has sanctioned the development of an upgraded version of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb in response to the evolving security landscape, as confirmed by the US Department of Defence.

The newly proposed B61-13 aircraft munition will be manufactured under the purview of the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, subject to approval and funding from Congress. This gravity bomb variant is designed to be deployable by contemporary aircraft, reinforcing the deterrence capabilities against potential adversaries and bolstering the confidence of allied nations. It is intended for use against more resilient and larger military targets, serving as a replacement for the existing B61-7 munitions with a similar yield.

Assistant Secretary of Defence for Space Policy, John Plumb, expressed that “Today’s announcement is reflective of a changing security environment and growing threats from potential adversaries. The United States has a responsibility to continue to assess and field the capabilities we need to credibly deter and, if necessary, respond to strategic attacks, and assure our allies. The B61-13 represents a reasonable step to manage the challenges of a highly dynamic security environment. While it provides us with additional flexibility, production of the B61-13 will not increase the overall number of weapons in our nuclear stockpile.”

Both the B61-7 gravity bomb and the new B61-13 are reported to possess a yield of approximately 360 kilotons, while the B61-12 munitions are believed to have a yield of 50 kilotons. The decision to pursue this development comes after an extensive period of review, continuous evaluation, and careful consideration and is not a response to any particular current event, according to Mr. Plumb.

The B61-13 will make use of the existing production capabilities that support the B61-12 and will incorporate modern safety, security, and precision features similar to those found in the B61-12.

The impetus for this munition stems from a complex security environment in which US competitors are expanding, diversifying, and modernizing their nuclear capabilities while relying more on nuclear weapons, as outlined in the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review.

It’s worth noting that the introduction of the B61-13 will not result in an overall increase in the number of weapons in the US stockpile, as the production of B61-12s will be adjusted accordingly to maintain the same total number of weapons.

The US Department of Defence clarified that “Deterrence and assurance are enhanced if the United States can continue to deny an adversary sanctuary from attack. The B61-13 will provide the president with additional options against certain harder and larger military targets, even while the department works to retire legacy systems such as the B83-1 and the B61-7.”

I have had quite a few of you contact me for my email address as they forgot to change it when last notified.

Please, if wish to contact me with a story, article, YouTube video or just to say hi my only email address is [email protected]

Please amend your list now … thanks, because I don’t want to miss a single message.

Ray Payne

[email protected]

THE special military relationship between Australia and PNG has reached the next level of maturity with a PNGDF officer appointed to a competitive senior 3rd Brigade role.

LTCOL Boniface Aruma, will become deputy brigade commander, replacing an Australian officer, LTCOL Ken Golder.

A June 1999 Duntroon graduate, his career has paralleled his military college classmates, attending the Australian Command and Staff College in 2016, plus dual master’s degrees in international relations and defence studies from Deakin University and ANU.

CLICK LINK to continue reading

PNG officer’s appointment strengthens ties | Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

Hi ALL,

I apologise for the abrupt interruption and failing to post over the last few days. Last Tuesday night, after my routine colonoscopy earlier that day, I experienced severe bladder pain that woke me up around 11 PM. Without hesitation, I drove myself to emergency, where I received excellent care. By around 3 AM, I was feeling better, but the doctor decided to admit me for observation due to some concerns.

As it turns out, my heart rate dropped to around 30 beats per minute, which raised some alarms. A cardiologist was called in to evaluate my condition. While my heart was strong, my heart rate was erratic. The cardiologist recommended that I have a pacemaker implanted to stabilise my heart rate.

I’ve been allowed to leave the hospital for the weekend with strict instructions to rest completely. The pacemaker will be fitted on Tuesday, which coincides with Melbourne Cup Day, bummer! If all goes well, I should be discharged late on Wednesday afternoon and back at my desk on Thursday.

I’m actually feeling quite ok but resting as per their instructions.

Cheers Ray

Hi All,

Ray (Dad) is currently in hospital unfortunately. He is doing well but will be off-line for a little while.

Glenn

In the ever-evolving landscape of the digital age, where information flows freely but often without direction or purpose, there stand entities that focus on bridging the gap between need and provision. Frontline is one such beacon, guiding Australian veterans, ex-service members, and active personnel through a quagmire of information, offering clarity and precision.

Yet, every beacon needs a source of light. For Frontline, that luminosity comes from the unwavering support of its donors.

It’s not just about financial contributions. It’s about believing in a cause. It’s about understanding the value of genuine, relevant, and timely information for our diggers, both on and off the battlefield. It’s about being a part of a larger mission – a mission that has, since 2001, been committed to ensuring that no member of our brave community feels lost in the vast expanse of the digital realm.

Each donation we receive is a testament to trust. Trust in our vision, our commitment, and our relentless pursuit of excellence. And it’s only right that such trust is recognised and celebrated.

Today, we’re honoured to present to you our dedicated page that showcases these pillars of strength. We invite you to visit Frontline’s Honour Roll – a space where gratitude meets action. Here, we’ve listed the names of our supporters, those individuals and entities that have chosen to stand with us, shoulder to shoulder, as we march forward.

To our donors: Your belief fuels our journey. Your trust shapes our path. And your support ensures that Frontline remains robust, reliable, and ever-resilient. From the depth of our hearts, we thank you. It’s backers like you who remind us daily of the worthiness of our mission and the importance of our duty.

As we continue to serve, know that your contributions are not just logged entries in our accounts. They are cherished reminders of a community that cares, believes, and supports.

Together, we forge ahead. And together, we ensure that Frontline remains ever bright.