In a recent address to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), Australia’s Chief of Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, highlighted the growing threats to Western democracies from the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in spreading disinformation.

General Campbell specifically singled out Russia, emphasizing its use of disinformation as a potent tool in statecraft. “We are in an era where information and, unfortunately, misinformation are more accessible than ever,” stated General Campbell during the ASPI event on 14th September, as covered by The Guardian. He noted, “While we take pride in our open, diverse, and liberal society, it also leaves us vulnerable.”

He underscored the importance of a well-informed public for thriving democracies. “A post-truth era, where emotions often overshadow facts, can be detrimental to informed decision-making,” Campbell added.

Reflecting on the past, General Campbell spoke of Russia’s disinformation tactics during the Cold War, aimed primarily at the US and its allies. He drew parallels between those strategies and the contemporary methods being employed to influence Western perceptions, referencing events like the Brexit vote and the 2016 US elections as examples of Russian interference.

The distinction, he noted, between past and present campaigns lies in the modern tools and technologies employed by the Russian Federation. “Utilizing AI-driven methods such as bots, troll farms, and fabricated online identities, they’ve managed to fuel mistrust, create divisions, and erode confidence in key democratic institutions,” he remarked.

General Campbell also touched upon the evolving menace of AI-generated deepfakes, suggesting a foreseeable future where “distinguishing reality from fabrication becomes an everyday challenge.”

“This technological trajectory can expedite the erosion of collective public discernment, posing significant threats to public trust in leadership and the cohesive fabric of our societies,” he warned.

Furthermore, he acknowledged China’s readiness to deploy disinformation tactics, emphasizing their approach as a method for achieving victory without direct confrontation. “The most sophisticated strategies aiming to ‘win without confrontation’ are evident in non-Western entities, notably in the People’s Liberation Army with its comprehensive Three Warfares strategy,” Campbell concluded.

European settlement brought a level of civilisation to this continent that the original nomadic inhabitants had failed to achieve despite tens of thousands of years living here.

That European-style civilisation continues to thrive today, and provides all Australians – especially Aborigines, through generous grants and concessions from the government – with the opportunity to achieve standards of education and prosperity that are the envy of the world.

Also, our bureaucracies are riddled with advisory bodies and indigenous representatives with tens of billions of dollars to spend.

And yet… we are now being asked to rewrite our Constitution to add another permanent body for, in Alan Jones’ words, “the whinging, whining, ungrateful minority of Aboriginal activists”.

It’s time Australians stood up and said, enough! From the Alan Jones Show, 8pm AEST Tuesdays and Wednesdays on ADH.TV.

We grew up in the 40s-50s-& 60s. 

We studied and dated in the 50s-60s-70s.

We got married and discovered the world in the 60s-70s-80s.

We ventured into the 70s-80s.

We stabilised in the 90s.

We got wiser in the 2000s.

And went firmly through the 2010s.

Turns out we’ve lived through NINE different decades…

TWO different centuries..

TWO different millennia…

We have gone from the telephone with an operator for long-distance calls to video calls to anywhere in the world.

We have gone from slides to YouTube, from vinyl records to online music, from handwritten letters to email and WhatsApp…

From live matches on the radio, to black and white TV, and then to HDTV…

We went to Blockbuster and now we watch Netflix…

We got to know the first computers, punch cards, diskettes and now we have gigabytes and megabytes in hand on our cell phones or iPads…

We wore shorts throughout our childhood and then long pants, oxfords, Bermuda shorts, etc.

We dodged infantile paralysis, meningitis, H1N1 flu and now COVID-19…

We rode skates, tricycles, bicycles, mopeds, gasoline or diesel cars and now we ride hybrids or 100% electric…

Yes, we’ve been through a lot, but what a great life we’ve had!

They could describe us as “exennials” people who were born in that world of the forties, who had an analog childhood and a digital adulthood.

We’re kind of Ya-seen-it-all.

Our generation has literally lived through and witnessed more than any other in every dimension of life.

It is our generation that has literally adapted to “CHANGE”.

A big round of applause to all the members of a very special generation, which are UNIQUE.

Here’s a precious and very true message. 

TIME DOES NOT STOP!

Life is a task that we do ourselves every day.

When you look… it’s already six in the afternoon;

When you look… it’s already Friday;

When you look… the month is over;

When you look… the year is over;

When you look… 50, 60, 70 and 80 years have passed!

When you look… we no longer know where our friends are.

When you look… we lost the love of our life and now, it’s too late to go back.

Do not stop doing something you like due to lack of time.

Do not stop having someone by your side, because your children will soon not be yours, and you will have to do something with that remaining time, where the only thing that we are going to miss will be the space that can only be enjoyed with the usual friends. This time that, unfortunately, never returns…

The day is today!

WE ARE NO LONGER AT AN AGE TO POSTPONE ANYTHING.

Don’t leave it for later!

Picture Caption: RAAF P-8A Poseidon showcases two Harpoon anti-ship missiles and sea mines visible in its weapons bay. Image Credit: ADF.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has announced plans to upgrade its 14 Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to align with the latest US Navy standards.

Scheduled under the initiative “project AIR 7000 Phase 2C” in 2026, this enhancement aims to update the aircraft to the latest Increment 3 Block 2 configuration. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy emphasized the significance of these upgrades, stating they would “strengthen our capacity to safeguard Australia’s maritime domains.”

Having partnered with the US Navy in 2012 for the P-8A’s developmental program, the RAAF has contributed notably to the aircraft’s evolution. Notably, an Australian contribution includes a Search and Rescue kit – a life raft with essential supplies that can be dropped from the aircraft’s weapons bay to aid distressed vessels.

Since 2016, the P-8A Poseidon succeeded the iconic Lockheed AP-3C Orion, which had diligently served the maritime patrol and anti-submarine duties since the 1980s. Though two AP-3Cs still remain active, they’re undergoing modifications for specialized electronic intelligence missions. By 2024, four Gulfstream/L3Harris MC-55A Peregrines are expected to replace them.

Currently, RAAF’s P-8As operate from RAAF Edinburgh near Adelaide and are managed by the No 11 (operational) Squadron and No 292 (training) Squadron.

Born from the commercial Boeing 737 airliner, the P-8A fuses the 737-800’s body with the 737-900ER’s wings. This hybrid features a weapons bay, multiple weapon mounting points, mid-air refueling capabilities, and advanced sensor and communication apparatus. Besides its primary anti-submarine mission, the P-8A is versatile, capable of anti-ship operations, search and rescue, and expansive maritime and terrestrial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles.

Through their developmental partnership, the RAAF ensures that their P-8As remain consistent with US Navy configurations. This harmony enables seamless operations when both forces collaborate and streamlines spare part procurement and maintenance.

The upcoming Increment 3 upgrade introduces the Lockheed Martin AGM-158C long-range anti-ship missile (LRASM), secured under Project AIR 3023 Phase 1. This enhancement will further improve the aircraft’s anti-submarine prowess, acoustic sensors, and data communication systems.

Though the US Navy began integrating the LRASM with the P-8A in 2020, it remains unclear if test flights or weapon launches have been conducted.

Finally, the RAAF is set to harness all three AGM-158 missile variants. The AGM-158A JASSM with a 400km range was previously equipped on the retired F/A-18A-B classic Hornet jets. The 800km-range AGM-158B JASSM-ER is chosen for the F/A-18F Super Hornets, while the LRASM, boasting over 900km range, will be outfitted on Super Hornets, the F-35A, and now, the P-8A Poseidon.

Nearly 20 years before the first US combat troops stepped foot in Southeast Asia, another war in Vietnam began as communist forces rose on the streets of Hanoi to start an all out struggle against French rule. It was a struggle that would last for seven years and be every bit as brutal as the American war to come.

I’ve added some comments this morning to the item by Ross Eastgate yesterday – in which I referred to the remarkable service of Captain Ivan Cahill with the US Marines including in the Khe Sanh area.

Also, Some brief comments of possible interest on Hue, Khe Sanh, and Hamburger Hill.

Regarding “Australian involvement” in the Battle of Hue and the Khe Sanh battles, apparently some supporting 2 Sqn (RAAF) missions were flown and some RAN off-shore gunfire may have been involved – but I don’t have that detail readily to hand.

Regarding “Hamburger Hill” (Hill 937) – 13-20 May 1969 (Operation Apache Snow), located about two kilometres from the Viet-Lao border, I don’t believe that any Australian ground forces/advisors were involved or associated with Operation Apache Snow – but I could be wrong.

Regarding AATTV personnel at the Battle of Hue in February 1968, the Australian Army Journal (No. 237, February 1967, p.4) cites: “At the time, eleven AATTV members were stationed in the Hue area, or were to become involved in the battle.”

No doubt, some AATTV personnel may have visited the Khe Sanh area during the War. More specifically, Captain Ivan Cahill’s remarkable time as a staff officer/company (+) commander with the US Marines in Military Region I is related in an article at: https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/rslnewsletters/pdf/2014/2014-06.pdf – that includes:

“Thus, during his last week with the battalion, Cahill commanded a force consisting of two rifle companies (one from his own battalion and one “on loan” from the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment), as well as the direct support artillery battery, a platoon each of tanks, 81 mm mortars, 4.2-inch mortars, 106mm recoilless rifles and various other attachments; well over 500 Marines in all. During that period, he was responsible for a four-mile stretch of Route 9 near Khe Sanh and an area of operations encompassing some 40 square miles north and south of the highway. While Captain Cahill’s time with the Marines eventually came to an end in May 1968, today he still speaks with great pride of what he terms “the great honour of having led Marines.” “
PS. Ivan Cahill introduced Australian slouch-hats to his company – see the photograph.

photo – Ivan Cahill  (centre) even had some of his troops in slouch hats !

And – separately, in early September 1968, HQ AATTV directed “approval for Australian advisors to accompany their ARVN units into the DMZ, providing that they do not cross the border” – ie into the North.
Regards, Ernie