Hello Everyone,

I’ve taken the time to read through all the thoughtful messages, emails, and texts I received during my time in and out of the hospital. It’s impossible for me to individually thank each one of you, but please accept this heartfelt appreciation. Your kindness has truly made me feel special and humble.

On the health front, I’m doing well with no pain, diligently following the doctors’ orders. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have Julie by my side, caring for me with such love and attentiveness. Who knows, I just might keep her for another 55 years!

Once again, thank you all for your wonderful and caring mateship.

Best regards,

Ray

THERE are two distinguishing features of the bronze memorial panels lining the Hall of Memory walls of Australia’s War Memorial.

Firstly, all those listed are equal in death, listed neither by age, rank, race, creed, gender or sexual preference, just surname and initials, ranked only in alphabetical order by unit.

The second is the proliferation of red paper poppies, the symbol of sacrifice in most Commonwealth countries after the poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’ by Canadian medical officer and Boer War veteran John McCrae who would himself succumb during the war, aged 45, to pneumonia.

CLICK LINK to continue reading Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

ED: In the past I have expressed my total support and enthusiasm for nuclear energy in Australia. Nuclear energy is often debated due to its potential benefits, such as low greenhouse gas emissions and high energy density, as well as concerns about safety, radioactive waste disposal, and the risk of nuclear accidents.

My argument is that nuclear power is a reliable and low-carbon energy source, which would contribute to reducing dependence on fossil fuels. It would give us a reliable and sustainable source of power.

I’m very impressed with young Will Shackel and hope you may support the objective.

CLICK LINK  https://www.nuclearforaustralia.com/

The Australian Defence Force is set to embark on a transformative journey as gunners prepare to undergo training in the United States for the nation’s new High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) regiment. This initiative marks a significant development in Australia’s defence capabilities and underscores the strategic importance of investing in cutting-edge artillery technology.

Scheduled to commence next year, the training program will take place at the prestigious US Artillery School in Oklahoma, providing Australian gunners with an immersive and comprehensive learning experience. The focal point of this endeavour is the establishment of the inaugural HIMARS unit, known as the 14 Regiment, stationed at Puckapunyal in central Victoria.

The 14 Regiment will serve as the launchpad for Australia’s HIMARS capabilities, with the first of 20 recently procured HIMARS units expected to be delivered in 2025. The initial deployment will involve one troop of four HIMARS, primarily dedicated to operational tasks, while the remaining units will be utilized for training, maintenance, and certification purposes. Plans are in place to expand the HIMARS battery to three troops by 2027, further enhancing Australia’s artillery capabilities.

Gunner Izaiah Roch of the Royal Australian Artillery 8th/12th Regiment expressed his enthusiasm for the introduction of HIMARS, citing the novelty of the system within the Australian Army as a motivating factor. Roch, who aspires to join a HIMARS troop, highlighted the allure of exploring new technologies in his artillery career. “The fact that it’s new and no one in the Army has used it before gives me the drive to stay in artillery,” said Gunner Roch. “It might not be the be-all and end-all, but it’s good knowing there is more to explore in the job.”

The recent Exercise Talisman Sabre provided Australian troops with a firsthand look at American HIMARS and Korean K9 Thunder vehicles, offering them an opportunity to engage with current operators. Specialist Juan Jimanez of the American 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Battalion, emphasized the excitement surrounding HIMARS, noting its impact on morale. “I was cool with being a rocket man. When the Australians ask me what job I do, I tell them I’m HIMARS and their eyes light up,” said Specialist Jimanez. “It’s good for you guys to see how we operate and shoot. It gets the excitement going, so when you do get them, it’s like, ‘Alright, let’s go play’.”

A notable achievement during this transition to HIMARS was the successful launch conducted at the Lancelin Defence Training Area in Western Australia. The operation demonstrated the system’s prowess by effectively prosecuting a maritime target using advanced integrated targeting technology, showcasing the formidable capabilities that the HIMARS regiment brings to Australia’s defence arsenal.

As Australia ventures into this new era of artillery technology, the integration of HIMARS into its defence infrastructure represents a strategic move towards modernization, providing enhanced capabilities and bolstering the nation’s preparedness for contemporary security challenges.

From Heston Russell

The last few years have seen a turning point in our history as a nation and the way in which we allow our veterans to be treated here at home.

Trials by media over war crimes allegations have caused more damage to the lives and reputations of our Veterans than any enemy we fought overseas. As Veterans, we welcome any and all investigations into any allegations of conduct that goes against our values and the laws of war. However, too many of us have been exposed to actions and agendas by some that have and continue to cause issues for many within our veteran community.

Due process and the presumption of innocence have been replaced with haste to publish any allegations that have yet to be tested against the appropriate laws, and the presumption of guilt has been cast over all named, or implied as involved.

It is time for the voices of everyday Australians to be heard and decide what is needed.

I have developed a motion calling for the establishment of a Veterans’ Protection Act – an Act to better support our Veterans at home, for the current and future generations to come. Please go online to HestonRussell.com/Veterans to read this motion and indicate if you do or do not support this via the options on that page.

I plan to travel to Canberra this month to campaign for this motion, where I will meet with any and all who will support this cause – just like I did to campaign for the Royal Commission.

Please take the time to complete the survey – your support, the real voices of everyday Australian people – is what will help us to achieve this.

Please share this far and wide to anyone you can reach in person and online. Joining our voices and numbers together is how we compel those in Canberra to actually do what the real Australian people want – because we will hold them accountable at the next election.

Please click the link go online to HestonRussell.com/Veterans

The Pacific nation of Tuvalu—long seen as a prime candidate to disappear as climate change forces up sea levels—is actually growing in size, new research shows.

A University of Auckland study examined changes in the geography of Tuvalu’s nine atolls and 101 reef islands between 1971 and 2014, using aerial photographs and satellite imagery.

It found eight of the atolls and almost three-quarters of the islands grew during the study period, lifting Tuvalu’s total land area by 2.9 percent, even though sea levels in the country rose at twice the global average.

Co-author Paul Kench said the research, published Friday in the journal Nature Communications, challenged the assumption that low-lying island nations would be swamped as the sea rose.

“We tend to think of Pacific atolls as static landforms that will simply be inundated as sea levels rise, but there is growing evidence these islands are geologically dynamic and are constantly changing,” he said.

“The study findings may seem counter-intuitive, given that (the) sea level has been rising in the region over the past half century, but the dominant mode of change over that time on Tuvalu has been expansion, not erosion.”

It found factors such as wave patterns and sediment dumped by storms could offset the erosion caused by rising water levels.

The Auckland team says climate change remains one of the major threats to some low-lying island nations.

But it argues the study should prompt a rethink on how such countries respond to the problem.

Rather than accepting their homes are doomed and looking to migrate to countries such as Australia and New Zealand, the researchers say they should start planning for a long-term future.

“On the basis of this research we project a markedly different trajectory for Tuvalu’s islands over the next century than is commonly envisaged,” Kench said.

“While we recognise that habitability rests on a number of factors, loss of land is unlikely to be a factor in forcing depopulation of Tuvalu.”

The study’s authors said island nations needed to find creative solutions to adapt to climate change that take into account their homeland’s evolving geography.

Suggestions included moving populations onto larger islands and atolls, which have proved the most stable and likely to grow as seas rise.

“Embracing such new adaptation pathways will present considerable national scale challenges to planning, development goals and land tenure systems,” they said.

“However, as the data on island change shows there is time (decades) to confront these challenges.”

In contemporary Australia, a growing disconnect between younger generations and traditional values is reshaping the political landscape and influencing national security dynamics. Similar to global trends, Australian Millennials and Zoomers are grappling with economic uncertainties, housing market challenges, and concerns about the nation’s future.

This shift in sentiment is reminiscent of the sentiments expressed by the famous television character Tony Soprano, capturing the feeling that younger Australians may have arrived “too late” to a system that no longer aligns with their aspirations. The intergenerational tension between older generations and their successors further exacerbates the situation, as younger Australians feel misunderstood and unsupported by policymakers who, they believe, have failed to address their unique challenges.

The decline in patriotism and willingness to defend the nation among younger Australians echoes global patterns. Recruitment and retention challenges in the military, as highlighted by former US assistant secretary for defence Owen West and Professor Kevin Wallsten, are mirrored in Australia.

Factors contributing to this shift include the housing affordability crisis, economic transitions, and the impact of artificial intelligence on job prospects. The Australian economy’s shift towards a “knowledge” and services-based model, coupled with concerns about overreliance on mass migration, has left many feeling disillusioned with the system.

This emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach to address these challenges. While some argue for increased migration to boost the tax base, critics contend that such a strategy benefits specific sectors at the expense of the majority. The resulting economic disparities contribute to a sense of disconnection and disillusionment among younger Australians.

In a parallel to the US context, where divisive marketing strategies have been blamed for a decline in military recruitment, Australia faces a similar dilemma. Attempts to appeal to younger generations through progressive campaigns may inadvertently alienate traditional supporters, emphasizing the importance of striking a balance.

The report underscores the significance of fostering national pride and connection to traditional values, drawing attention to the success of the US Marine Corps’ recruitment strategy. In Australia, however, confidence in the nation’s identity and the willingness to defend it appear to be eroding, particularly among the youth.

Research reveals a concerning lack of willingness among young Australians to defend their country. Cultural and media influences, coupled with economic challenges, have led many to question the value of fighting for a nation they perceive as lacking a clear identity and cultural unity.

The implications for Australia’s national security are profound. As geopolitical tensions rise, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, Australia must confront the reality of a disengaged and apathetic younger generation. There must be a comprehensive strategy that addresses economic, cultural, and strategic challenges to rekindle a sense of national identity and purpose among Australians.

In the face of a rapidly evolving global order and increased competition in the Indo-Pacific, Australia is urged to move beyond short-term fixes and adopt a long-term perspective. The question posed is whether Australia will embrace a more independent role or risk remaining a secondary power in an era of escalating great power competition.