We have received advice of the death on 15 March 2025 of Allan Bradley Henderson. He was 76. Hendo was a National Serviceman who served with 107th Field Battery in Vietnam from May 1970 until May 1971 as a gun number on Alpha gun. He was an active member of the 107 Battery Association and he and wife Lyn attended most or the Association’s reunions.
RIP Allan (Hendo) Bradley Henderson
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company
We have been advised of the death on 14 March 2025 of Robert (Bob) Collins. Bob graduated from RMC Duntroon in December 1969 and served in various RAA appointments including Battery Commander of 102nd Field Battery and later, Commanding Officer of 10th Medium Regiment in Geelong. He spent time as a United Nations Observer in the Middle East during the late 1970s. He will be remembered for his outrageous love of life, his loyalty to his mates and his faith.
Bob was admitted to hospital on Tuesday and multiple cancers were found and he went down rapidly.
RIP Robert Collins
Peter Bruce, OAM
Obituary Resource Officer
Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company
ED: This from my inbox … Thanks John Clarkson
Good morning, Ray,
Well done on your article ‘Nation at a Crossroads.’ That really hit the point. There were no political criticisms, no policy damming statements, just a plea for strong leadership. Many years ago, I read a statement which was written – and read by the Chaplain of the US Senate. This statement was read to the Senate during WW II, and the idea it contained is still current today. Let me know what you think. Could this apply today?
God – Give Us Men.
By Rev Peter Marshall.
God give us men. A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands.
Men whom the lust of office does not kill, Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy,
Men who possess opinions and a will, Men who have honour, men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue and rout his treacherous flatteries without winking;
Tall men, sun crowned, who live above the fog in public duty and in private thinking;
For while the rabble with their well-worn creeds, their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo, freedom weeps. Wrong rules the land, and waiting justice sleeps.
Imagine a strong voice reciting this piece with feeling and intent!!
Kind Regards,
John.
This article appeared in The Strategist and was also published in The Australian
Michael Pezzullo is a former deputy secretary of defence and was secretary of home affairs until November 2023. This article is also published by The Australian.
Image of a USAF B-1B Lancer bomber and an RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet (top picture): Department of Defence.
Image of Royal Australian Navy sailors on HMAS Arunta watching the Chinese replenishment ship Weishanhu and frigate Hengyang in the Tasman Sea (second picture): Department of Defence:.
Map of Australia, East Asia and the Pacific (third picture) Google Earth.
Image of a Chinese H-6 bomber with two fighters (last picture): Chinese Ministry of National Defense.
CHICK LINK to read the article
Australia’s defences must be ready in two years. Here’s what to do | The Strategist
ED: I have provided a brief summary of this article.
China’s recent naval deployment near Australia served three strategic purposes: demonstrating its naval power, testing Australia’s response, and rehearsing potential wartime operations. The task group, led by a missile-equipped cruiser, likely simulated a seaborne missile strike on Australian infrastructure. Future wartime operations would involve a larger force, including submarines and bombers, exploiting gaps in Australia’s defences while US forces remained engaged elsewhere.
China’s military strategy aims to neutralise Australia’s value as a US staging area in a broader conflict. This includes missile strikes, submarine attacks, and securing control over strategic waterways. Australia’s response, initially downplaying the threat, ignored the deployment’s clear intent: intimidation and strategic rehearsal.
To counter China’s growing assertiveness, Australia must enhance surveillance, increase military readiness, and acquire long-range strike capabilities. This includes B-1B bombers, advanced missiles, naval reinforcements, and a stronger air force. Additionally, securing alliances with Papua New Guinea and the Philippines would extend Australia’s defensive reach.
While the likelihood of war remains low, Australia must prepare for future conflict scenarios. Without adequate preparation, it risks becoming vulnerable to coercion. The worsening strategic landscape demands urgent action to strengthen defence capabilities before China fully develops its offensive options.
The Krakow Post
Israel has launched an airstrike on a Damascus suburb, targeting what it claims was a headquarters for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). The attack, the first on the Syrian capital since Ahmed al-Sharaa took power last December, appears to be a strategic warning to the new Syrian leadership.
Israel has stated that the strike specifically targeted a PIJ facility, though the group has denied this, insisting the building was unoccupied at the time. The attack resulted in injuries to three civilians, with one man reported to be in serious condition.
This airstrike is part of a broader Israeli military strategy in Syria. Since Sharaa assumed control, Israel has intensified its operations, targeting Syrian military assets and strengthening its foothold in the southern part of the country. Reports suggest that Israeli forces have also been engaging with local Druze communities, offering aid and assurances of protection.
The political ramifications of this strike are significant. By hitting a target in Damascus, Israel is sending a direct message to Sharaa’s government and other regional players. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has reinforced this stance, stating that any “terrorist activity” against Israel will be met with swift and decisive retaliation.
With tensions rising, the airstrike highlights the fragile and volatile situation in Syria and the broader Middle East. It remains to be seen how Sharaa’s administration will respond and whether this marks the beginning of a new phase in the ongoing regional conflict.
The Times
Vladimir Putin has stated that he “agrees” with the US-proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, but as expected, there are conditions attached. The Russian president is raising questions about what happens during the truce and setting demands that could complicate the deal.
Putin is not committing to the ceasefire without ensuring that certain stipulations are met. He insists that the agreement must address what he considers to be the “root causes” of the war. One of his main conditions is that Ukraine must stop mobilising troops and training during the truce. He has also expressed concerns that Ukrainian forces might use the pause to regroup and prepare for further military action. Additionally, Putin is demanding that Kyiv cease receiving military support from its allies, arguing that continued assistance would undermine the ceasefire. Furthermore, he has questioned whether Ukrainian forces would willingly withdraw from Russian-claimed territories or attempt to hold their positions, potentially leading to further conflict.
The United States and Ukraine are pushing hard for the ceasefire, viewing it as a crucial step toward peace. US envoy Steve Witkoff has travelled to Moscow to engage in discussions with Russian officials. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Putin’s comments as “manipulative” and accused Russia of using the negotiations as a delay tactic. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated that the next move is up to Russia, as the ceasefire agreement requires cooperation from both sides.
Adding further complexity to the situation, tensions remain high in Russia’s Kursk region. Reports indicate that Ukrainian forces launched a cross-border incursion in August 2024, escalating hostilities. In response, Russia claims to have retaken significant territory, including the strategically important town of Sudzha. Putin has expressed concerns about allowing Ukrainian forces to withdraw without facing consequences, which could influence Russia’s stance on the ceasefire terms.
Despite the challenges, the US and Ukraine remain cautiously optimistic while standing firm on their positions. Ukraine has agreed to the ceasefire, but only if Russia adheres to it without violations. Marco Rubio has once again emphasised that Russia must now take the necessary steps to ensure the ceasefire holds. In an effort to solidify the agreement, a US special envoy is continuing discussions in Moscow. Key points of contention in these talks include territorial disputes and control over critical infrastructure, which remain major obstacles to achieving lasting peace.
While the proposed ceasefire presents an opportunity for de-escalation, the numerous conditions and underlying tensions suggest that the path to peace remains fraught with challenges.
The Australian Army is known for its cutting-edge military technology and powerful combat vehicles designed for defence, mobility, and firepower. In 2025, the Australian Defence Force continues to upgrade its fleet with state-of-the-art tanks, armoured personnel carriers, and advanced artillery systems, ensuring superior performance on the battlefield. From heavily armed land combat vehicles to high-tech multi-role machines, these beasts are built to dominate any terrain and mission.
In this video, we take a closer look at the Top 10 most powerful military vehicles of the Australian Army in 2025. These machines are engineered with next-generation firepower, superior armour protection, and advanced battlefield technologies to tackle modern warfare challenges. Some are designed for rapid deployment, while others focus on unmatched firepower and survivability. Stay tuned as we unveil these incredible war machines and showcase why they are among the best in the world!
Rheinmetall has unveiled new footage of its Skyranger35, a 35 millimeter anti-aircraft turret mounted on the reliable Leopard-1 chassis. This genius combination has sparked discussions about the potential evolution of the legendary Gepard anti-aircraft system, leading some to dub this merger “the New Gepard-2”. The concept of integrating a state-of-the-art air defence system into an existing tank chassis is a game changer in modern military defence strategies.
Staff Cadets from the Royal Military College – Duntroon had their leadership tested during Exercise SHAGGY RIDGE, which was conducted at the Majura Training Area near Canberra over 15-19 February 2025. In an arduous environment, the exercise required 158 Staff Cadets to demonstrate their character as leaders and make sound ethical decisions under stress and fatigue, and push the limits of their physical and mental endurance. Exercise SHAGGY RIDGE references the Battle of Shaggy Ridge, which was one of a number of engagements Australian troops fought against the forces of Imperial Japan in Papua New Guinea in World War II. The Royal Military College – Duntroon prepares commissioned leaders of character in support of Army’s contribution to the Joint Force in peace and war.
eWise Blog
Australians are facing yet another punishing increase in electricity bills, with the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) warning that prices will rise by up to nine per cent from July 1. This comes as a crushing blow to households already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and raises serious concerns about the Albanese government’s renewable energy strategy.
The AER’s draft decision outlines increases ranging from three per cent to six per cent in Queensland and South Australia, with New South Wales bearing the brunt of a nine per cent rise. These hikes follow years of soaring energy prices, with some regions experiencing increases of up to 40 per cent in just two years. The reason? A reckless rush towards renewables without ensuring reliable baseload power remains available.
The Albanese government continues to champion a transition to renewable energy, but the reality is that solar and wind power alone cannot provide the stability needed for an affordable and reliable electricity grid. While federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen insists that long-term reforms will eventually bring prices down, Australians are seeing their bills skyrocket in the meantime.
Consumers were promised relief, with the Labor government pledging to reduce electricity prices by $275 per year before the 2022 election. Instead, average power bills have increased by more than $600. Households and businesses are being left to suffer while policymakers push an agenda that is failing to deliver.
The solution is clear: Australia must maintain coal-fired power stations until nuclear energy can be introduced as a viable alternative. While renewables have their place in the energy mix, the premature shutdown of coal plants is putting unbearable strain on the grid and driving up costs.
Despite the government’s claims that keeping coal in the grid raises prices, the opposite is proving true. As affordable coal-fired generators are retired, the wholesale price of electricity is increasingly set by the higher costs of gas, hydro, and battery storage. The result? Power bills continue to climb, and households are left footing the bill.
Nuclear energy presents the best long-term option for Australia’s energy security, offering a clean, stable, and reliable power source. However, establishing nuclear power infrastructure takes time, meaning coal must remain in the mix until nuclear plants can be built and operational.
With another round of price hikes looming, it’s time for the government to rethink its energy policy. Australia needs a pragmatic approach that prioritises affordability and reliability over ideological commitments. Coal-fired power stations must continue operating until nuclear energy is a reality. Otherwise, Australian households will continue to bear the brunt of reckless policy decisions that put politics before people.
The Albanese government must act now to secure energy affordability before it’s too late. The future of Australia’s power grid depends on it.