Picture: The Virginia-class attack submarine Minnesota (SSN 783) is under construction at Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Newport News Shipbuilding/Released)

And on the 8th day, God created seniors. Most seniors never get enough exercise. In His wisdom, God decreed that seniors become forgetful so they would have to search for their eyeglasses, keys, and other things, thus doing more walking. And God looked down and saw that it was good.

Then God saw there was another need. In His wisdom He made seniors lose coordination so they would drop things, requiring them to bend, reach, and stretch more. And God looked down and saw that it was good.

Then God considered the function of bladders and decided seniors would have additional calls of nature, requiring more trips to the bathroom, thus providing more exercise. God looked down and saw that it was good.

So, if you find, as you age, you are getting up and down a lot more times, remember it’s God’s will. It is all in your best interest even though you mutter under your breath.

Nine Important Facts to Remember as We Grow Older:

#9 Death is the number 1 killer in the world.

#8 Life is sexually transmitted.

#7 Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

#6 Men have two motivations: hunger and sex, and they can’t tell them apart. If you see a gleam in his eyes, make him a sandwich.

#5 Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to use the Internet and they won’t bother you for weeks, or months, maybe they won’t bother you for years.

#4 Health nuts will feel stupid someday, lying in the hospital, dying of nothing.

#3 All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

#2 In the ’60s, people took LSD to make the world weird. Now the world is weird, and people take Prozac to make it normal.

#1 Life is like a jar of jalapeno peppers. What you do today may be a burning issue tomorrow.

Please share this wisdom with others; I would do it now, but I need to go to the bathroom.

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My comment – now you understand please show greater respect for your elders

Bob Buick

Mountain Creek Qld 4557

The Guest speaker at the June 2024 meeting of the Naval Historical Society of Australia – Victoria Chapter was Mr Craig Monahan, an accomplished Screen Writer, Director and Producer. Craig’s enduring interest and admiration for those involved in the story of HMAS Armidale now includes an ambition to produce a high-quality feature length documentary covering the story of the Armidale in 1942 and the many facets of this extraordinary tale that long remained hidden. His presentation deals with his quest for this story – an important part of the RAN’s wartime history – to be told more effectively to a wider Australian and international audience through the film medium.

Slashgear – By Chris Littlechild

Those who have only flown in the likes of Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s may never have even seen them in action, propellers are still an important part of aviation and have powered (and continue to power) some truly formidable aircraft. The C-130 military transport is just one example.

The C-130 Hercules, as its name suggests, is a hefty, powerful aircraft, had its prototype take its first flight in 1954 and provided the U.S. Armed Forces some crucial versatility. Not only can it pack a significant 44,000 lb payload in its largest variant, but it was also specialized for airlifting purposes, giving it the kind of utility to serve its purpose that aircraft with 132-foot wingspans can’t typically muster. It’s not as large as the vast C-5M Super Galaxy, but it’s an Air Force icon nonetheless. It’s powered by four turboprop engines, a unique system that means it utilizes propellers but is still powered by a jet engine.

The most notable thing about Lockheed Martin’s Hercules, looking at its exterior (aside from its imposing dimensions), is its propellers. These have been a prominent feature since the very first guise of the aircraft, which boasted Curtis-Wright crafted propellers. This is quite an unusual system in an aircraft of its type, but the long-serving Hercules derives some important benefits from it. Let’s take a closer look at the engines that power the C-130, how they work, and exactly what the turboprop setup has to offer a machine of this type.

A turboprop engine will fly more efficiently than an equivalent turbojet engine during slower flights at a lower altitude. A turboprop engine system features propellers, which generate thrust by changing the air flow through their action, which propels the aircraft forward. Conventional jet engines instead produce that thrust through the use of a turbine and compressed air. The compressed air is combined with fuel and introduced to a flame, blasting the aircraft forward as the gas is expelled out of the turbine. The laws of aerodynamics themselves reduce the top speed propeller-driven aircraft can achieve, and their limited relative thrust means that they tend to cruise at lower altitude.

Fuel efficiency, though, is a matter of designing an aircraft to best suit its purpose, to spend as much of its time in the air as possible in its most efficient operating conditions. This, then, is essentially why the Hercules was fitted with turboprops: It isn’t a slender and stealthy fighter jet that can scream around at Mach 4 or so for short, fuel-costly bursts, but a workhorse designed for the transport and airdropping of heavy cargo loads across longer distances. Turboprops also have the advantage of lower relative weights and the capacity to use shorter runways, huge boons in aircraft of this size. Fuel costs are a huge concern for aircraft. This is ultimately why the makers of the C-130 Hercules are proponents of the propeller, even with the AC-130 gunship variant.

In September 2022, Air Mobility Command was forced to ground a sizable fleet of some C-130H aircraft – an Allison T56-A-15-equipped variant introduced in June of 1974 – when the barrels of its propellers were deemed potentially defective. Nonetheless, overall, the turboprop engines were deemed to be the practical choice for this aircraft family, primarily for reasons of weight and power.

The Hercules was always going to be quite the heavyweight. The C-130J’s hefty 164,000 lb max take-off weight, in combination with its formidable dimensions in any variation, meant that matters of fuel efficiency and performance were paramount. The aforementioned Allison T56 engine offered the primary advantages of being lighter and having a more efficient power output on top of a greater range.

The result of this is a reduction in fuel use and a sign of the virtues that the C-130 would continue to display:  In 2014, the C-130H first flew with a quartet of Series 3.5 Rolls-Royce T56 engines. This powertrain, Rolls-Royce boasted, could keep its turbines much cooler and was around 13% more efficient with its fuel use. While fighter jets might use conventional jet engines as they favour speed, turboprop engines aren’t as fast (offering around 300 knots less maximum speed relatively) but perform better at lower speeds more suited for carrying heavy loads. The C-130J, the fastest variant, topping out at 417 mph, is a perfect example.

ED: We do have a number of former members of 1ALSC on this network if you are one, please contact Ross as it is important that history is recorded.

I am writing after having made contact with Bill Williams and Bob Cockerill, and they referred me to yourself.

I am the author of two books about RAASC Vietnam.

“Peas, Beans and Bullets”, and

“Sustaining the Fight”, and

I am keen to produce a book on the work of the ALSC.

Whilst I have some material from the OC RAEME Wksp, and Mil Police, the only other sources are the unit War Diaries (which are not very personal) and RAAOC-“To the Warrior His Arms”.

I would be grateful if you would let your members know that I am seeking to make contact. You may also pass on my details to them so they can contact me.

Many Thanks,

Russ Morison

Canberra ACT

0408947935

[email protected]

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 dramatically altered the country’s political landscape. Before this seismic event, Iran was a monarchy, ruled by the Pahlavi dynasty. The last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was overthrown, leading to the establishment of the Islamic Republic. This revolution paved the way for Ayatollah Khomeini, who became the nation’s first Supreme Leader. Since then, Iran has remained under a theocratic regime.

The Former Crown Prince of Iran

Reza Pahlavi, son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, holds the title of the former Crown Prince of Iran. In exile since the revolution, he has not faded from the political scene. Pahlavi is actively involved in Iran’s democracy movement and is the founder of the self-proclaimed National Council of Iran, a group opposing the current regime. His calls for change have gained traction among Iranians who seek reform, and his influence in exiled political circles continues to grow.

The Recent Missile Attack on Israel and Pahlavi’s Response

Why mention all this now? On the heels of an unprecedented ballistic missile attack launched by Iran on Israel, Pahlavi made headlines once again. Yesterday, after the attack, Reza Pahlavi took to X (formerly Twitter), addressing Iranians directly in a post that resonated with many.

In his message, he condemned the regime for its long-standing support of terrorism and warmongering, culminating in the rocket attack on Israel. He characterized the attack not only as an act of aggression against Israel but also against the Iranian people themselves.

Pahlavi was clear in his criticism of the Islamic regime, asserting that its very nature stands against the interests of peace, stability, and prosperity for Iran. He argued that reform within the existing regime is impossible, and the only path forward for a brighter future in Iran lies in national unity and the eventual overthrow of the government.

A Call for Change

Pahlavi’s message didn’t stop with condemnation. He called on the Iranian military to resist the ambitions of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His rallying cry for unity and national strength was met with widespread support online.

His supporters, many of whom view him as the rightful leader of Iran, filled the comments section with encouragement. Whether or not this represents a majority opinion in Iran is debatable. What is clear, though, is that Pahlavi still enjoys considerable popularity among Iranians who are fed up with the current regime’s policies, both domestically and internationally.

What’s Next for Iran?

Could this be the start of another political revolution in Iran? Or will it simply become a momentary spark in a nation with a long and complex history? Only time will tell, but Reza Pahlavi’s increasing visibility, particularly in moments of crisis, suggests that the future of Iran may once again see dramatic change. His call for a free, democratic, and prosperous Iran strikes a chord with many who yearn for a departure from the regime’s authoritarian rule.

In the coming days, as Iran and the rest of the world react to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, it will be interesting to see if Pahlavi’s message of unity and resistance gains more traction within Iran. Could we be witnessing the beginning of another chapter in the long struggle for Iran’s political identity? Or will this, like many moments before it, be a fleeting event? Only history will have the answer.

It’s not every day you see a Black Hawk helicopter making its way through the streets of Canberra on the back of a truck.

But that’s what happened when a Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk – A25-112 – made its final journey to the Australian War Memorial after more than three decades of service.

Named ‘Saracen’, the helicopter is the first Black Hawk to be added to the Memorial’s collection.

It was gifted to the Memorial by the Department of Defence and is now housed at the Memorial’s Treloar Technology Centre in Mitchell.

Memorial Director Matt Anderson said the helicopter was a significant addition to the national collection.

“The iconic Black Hawk has been the work horse of the Australian Defence Force for a generation,” he said.

It was introduced in 1987 to replace the much- loved, but ageing Iroquois, and was not without a little controversy surrounding who should ‘own’ battlefield utility helicopters; the RAAF or the Army. “We will now embark on collecting the stories of Saracen and the broader Black Hawk community – both RAAF and Army – to ensure the service and sacrifice of a generation of Australians is told at the Memorial and, ultimately, be better understood and appreciated by all Australians.”

The Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk is a four- bladed, twin-engine, utility helicopter, typically providing air mobility for troops and equipment in a combat zone. Introduced into service with the Australian Defence Force in the late 1980s, the Black Hawk can also carry out aerial reconnaissance, observation, direction of artillery fire, casualty evacuation and aerial fire support.

When required, it plays a vital role in community support tasks such as search and rescue and the provision of humanitarian and natural disaster relief.

Their role in Australian service is very much about transport, whether it’s transport of people, transport of supplies, logistics, or whatever else it has to move. It’s all about getting what is needed, to the sometimes-inaccessible location where it’s needed, at the time when it’s desperately needed.

Australian Black Hawks have had a diverse operational history with the Australian Army’s 5th and 6th Aviation Regiments, deploying on peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, and with specialist domestic counter-terrorism response units.

Black Hawk A25-112 has a significant operational history, having served on peacekeeping operations and humanitarian aid missions in Australia and overseas.

Saracen was one of the most heavily used aircraft – it was involved in a lot of peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, both in Australia and overseas – in New Guinea, Bougainville, East Timor, Pakistan – so it’s really covered the whole gamut. Its extensive deployment history is typical of the role Australian Black Hawks played.

Saracen was delivered to the 5th Aviation Regiment in 1989 and played a high-profile role in the aftermath of the 1999 East Timor referendum, participating in the subsequent deployment of the Australian-led peacekeeping task force, INTERFET.

It continued to support Australian operations in East Timor, deploying there again in 2004, 2008 and 2011, and provided humanitarian aid to Operations Pakistan Assist in 2006 and PNG Assist in 2007.  It also served in Bougainville as part of Operation Lagoon in 1994, and in Fiji as part of Operation Quickstep in 2006. Its last operational flight was in 2019.

Head curator Nick Fletcher at the Australian War memorial said “from a curatorial point of view, the work’s really just starting, we’ve jumped through all the hoops we needed to jump through to get the actual object, now’s the time to start talking to the veterans.

I don’t mean just the veterans who have flown the aircraft, but those who have supported it on the ground, and just as importantly, those who it was in service of, all those personnel who received supplies or assistance as a result of Black Hawk operations.

These large objects often speak to veterans in a way that perhaps just uniform and other things like that don’t. They are very much a touchstone for other stories…

So, there’s lots and lots of work – lots and lots of interviewing and discussions – to be done to find out the amazing stories behind it … and build up a much more complete story of what this aircraft has been up to.”‘

Israel may be plotting a significant military strike on Iran’s vital oil export hub, Kharg Island, in response to a recent missile barrage launched into Israeli territory. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have labelled the attacks, involving nearly 200 missiles, as a “severe and dangerous escalation” and issued a stern warning that “there will be consequences.”

As tensions between Israel and Iran continue to spiral, Israel’s potential target, Kharg Island, stands as a crucial asset for Iran. Approximately 90% of the country’s oil exports pass through this strategic location in the Persian Gulf, making it a pivotal part of Iran’s economy. If Israel strikes and significantly damages the infrastructure on Kharg Island, the disruption in Iran’s oil exports could reverberate across global oil markets.

Given Australia’s reliance on global oil supplies, a military strike of this magnitude could affect Australian fuel prices. A substantial reduction in Iran’s oil exports could lead to tighter global supply, raising crude oil prices worldwide. This could, in turn, drive up fuel prices in Australia, as the country imports the majority of its refined petroleum products.

During the 1980s, the United States was still struggling to come to grips with its involvement in the Vietnam War and as part of that effort, Hollywood churned out a number of movies with the conflict as its backdrop. For younger audiences especially, they provided an insight into what their fathers or older siblings may have experienced during their tours of duty in the jungles of southeast Asia. One of the most seminal pieces produced in this period was 1987’s Full Metal Jacket directed by legendary director Stanley Kubrick.

The film demonstrates the process of turning ordinary young men into weapons to be used in war and how that impacts them when they get to the battlefield. Thus, the movie starts in a US Marine boot camp and then transitions to the battlefield of Vietnam just as the Tet Offensive gets underway, the main characters fighting in the streets of a city called Hue. For countless young people at the time, this may have been the first time they would have heard of Hue or been made aware of the battle that was waged there but for the veterans who fought in its streets in early 1968, its name is as engrained on their memories as Iwo Jima or Inchon was to the generations that came prior. In this episode, we are going to look at the origins of the battle, chart some of the key events and discuss its aftermath. This is the story of the Battle of Hue.