Stars & Stripes

For the first time in over two years, U.S. B-2 Spirit stealth bombers have been deployed to eastern Australia as part of a strategic bomber task force mission. The aircraft, along with support personnel and equipment, arrived at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley in Queensland last Friday, according to a statement from the U.S. Air Force on Tuesday. The last deployment of B-2s to Amberley for such a mission occurred in July 2022. This month, the bombers were dispatched from the 509th and 131st Bomb Wings stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

These bomber task force missions are a regular occurrence, often operating out of Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. For instance, in March, two B-52 Stratofortress bombers were sent to Diego Garcia, and in June, a B-1B Lancer bomber, operating from Guam, conducted a simulated bombing run on Pilsung Range, located about 100 miles southeast of Seoul, South Korea. The deployment to Australia reflects U.S. military efforts to diversify and disperse its forces in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in light of potential threats from China, which could target U.S. bases in Guam and other locations with a variety of missile systems.

Meanwhile, nearly $450 million worth of U.S.-funded construction is currently underway at air bases in Australia’s Northern Territory, as confirmed by Gen. Kevin Schneider, Commander of Pacific Air Forces, during his visit to RAAF Darwin in July. The upgrades include facilities capable of supporting U.S. B-52 Stratofortress bombers during rotations to RAAF Tindal, located approximately 180 miles southeast of Darwin. Gen. Schneider emphasized that any such deployments would require coordination at the highest levels of both the Australian and U.S. governments. Notably, RAAF Tindal and Darwin are strategically located, being over 1,400 miles closer to Manila than Amberley. Recently, RAAF Tindal hosted U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth fighters during the biennial Pitch Black exercise, which took place in July and August and involved 21 nations, 140 aircraft, and 4,400 personnel across the Northern Territory and Queensland.

 

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The Taliban has introduced new draconian laws in Afghanistan that further restrict women’s already limited freedoms. These regulations, sanctioned by the Taliban’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, are part of the group’s broader agenda to impose their rigid interpretation of Islamic law. While the world is familiar with the Taliban’s oppressive stance on women’s rights, these new laws are particularly chilling, as they extend their control to every aspect of women’s public and private lives.

Under these new laws, Afghan women face even more stringent restrictions on their public appearances:

• Mandatory Veiling: Women are now required to cover their faces entirely when in public. The Taliban’s dress code mandates that women wear loose, non-revealing clothing, leaving no room for personal choice or expression.
• Segregation and Isolation: Women are forbidden from looking at men who are not their close relatives, further isolating them from the broader society. This ban not only curtails women’s freedom of movement but also reinforces their invisibility in public life.
• Silencing Voices: In a shocking move, the Taliban has also banned women from singing or even speaking aloud in public spaces. This silencing is symbolic of the broader efforts to erase women’s presence and participation in Afghan society.

The new laws extend beyond clothing and appearance, infiltrating various aspects of daily life:

• Public Silence: Women’s voices have been effectively erased from public life. Whether through singing, speaking, or any other form of vocal expression, women are barred from being heard.
• Personal Grooming: The Taliban’s control extends to personal grooming practices, with regulations governing how women and even men present themselves, including restrictions on shaving and other forms of grooming.

These new laws are not an isolated development but rather a continuation of the Taliban’s long-standing history of oppressing women:

• Global Condemnation: In July 2024, the United Nations released a report accusing the Taliban of numerous human rights violations, particularly targeting women and girls. The report highlighted the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, where women’s rights have been systematically dismantled since the Taliban’s return to power.
• Taliban’s Response: Despite global outrage, the Taliban dismissed the UN’s findings, insisting that their actions are in line with their interpretation of Islamic principles. The group’s control has only tightened since the United States withdrew its forces from Afghanistan in 2021, leading to a rapid erosion of women’s rights and freedoms.

The Taliban’s new laws represent a further tightening of their oppressive grip on Afghan women’s lives. By enforcing such extreme measures, they are not just controlling women’s bodies but are also attempting to silence their voices and erase their existence from the public sphere. This latest wave of restrictions underscores the need for continued international attention and action to support the women of Afghanistan, who remain resilient in the face of relentless repression.

 

RAAF News

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Wing Commander (WGCDR) Phil Parsons has become the first non-Boeing pilot to complete training on the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, an uncrewed teaming aircraft developed by Boeing. WGCDR Parsons, who has a decade of experience as a remote systems pilot, finished the comprehensive training program on 13 June.

The training included extensive sessions where WGCDR Parsons observed and monitored the Ghost Bat as it executed various commands, such as climbing and descending, accelerating and decelerating, and navigating to specific waypoints. These operations were part of the ongoing advanced testing program, which aims to push the limits of the aircraft’s capabilities.

In his role as a launch and recovery operator, WGCDR Parsons will oversee the crucial stages of the aircraft’s operation, including ground preparation, take-off, and landing procedures. This role is vital to ensuring the aircraft’s safe and efficient operation during missions. Glen Ferguson, Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28 program director, emphasized the importance of this role, stating, “On completion of the mission, the aircraft would be handed back to the launch and recovery operator to oversee landing, deceleration, and complete stop of the vehicle.”

The MQ-28A Ghost Bat, previously known as the Airpower Teaming System, represents a significant leap in uncrewed aircraft technology. It is designed to function as a force multiplier, enhancing multi-mission air combat operations through advanced teaming behaviours, mission systems, sensors, and payload testing. The Ghost Bat’s development is accelerating, with the focus now shifting from testing basic flying and handling qualities to advancing its capabilities in various operational scenarios.

Since its first flight in February 2021, the Ghost Bat has undergone rigorous testing, expanding its flight envelope as the program evolves. WGCDR Parsons noted that while the MQ-28A shares operational similarities with other remotely piloted systems, it incorporates cutting-edge technologies that redefine the interaction between the aircraft and its operators.

Boeing’s collaboration with the RAAF on the Ghost Bat program is at the forefront of modernizing air combat operations, showcasing the integration of autonomous systems in future warfare scenarios. The successful training of WGCDR Parsons marks a significant milestone in this ongoing partnership, as the program continues to advance toward operational deployment.

 

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), recently undertook static live-fire training with the 84mm Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle at the Townsville Field Training Area. The exercise aimed to strengthen the confidence of personnel in handling the weapon system while also serving as a key component of the Section Commander Battle Course, designed to qualify junior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) for leadership roles.

The training involved engaging targets at a distance of 450 metres, providing a practical and challenging environment for soldiers to hone their skills. According to Officer Commanding Charlie Company, Major Lindsay Pritchard, this initial training phase lays the groundwork for more complex range exercises and activities that will be conducted in the coming weeks.

“The 84mm Carl Gustaf is a breech-loaded, percussion-fired, shoulder-controlled weapon known for its accuracy and versatility,” Major Pritchard explained. “It is capable of engaging a wide range of battlefield threats, including armoured vehicles, structures, and even illuminating targets during night operations.”

This phase of the training is not just about familiarization but serves as a refresher on essential skills that soldiers will need as they progress to more dynamic scenarios. “We will soon begin manoeuvre practices, including dismounted manoeuvre and section and platoon live-fire exercises,” Major Pritchard added. “This static live-fire exercise is crucial in ensuring our soldiers are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.”

The Section Commander Battle Course is a vital part of career progression for junior NCOs, qualifying them to supervise the conduct of range practices and lead their teams with confidence and precision. As the program advances, these soldiers will be better equipped to handle the complexities of modern warfare, making them an integral part of Australia’s defence capabilities.

Duty First

Defence image Australian Army soldiers from 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, prepare the 84mm Carl Gustaf for their live-fire practice, Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland.

The Krakow Post

On Wednesday, August 21, Ukrainian forces successfully captured over a dozen Russian soldiers, including members of the elite “Akhmat” unit, often regarded as a highly trained force within Russia’s military.

The operation was conducted by Ukraine’s 22nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, which has been actively involved in the ongoing conflict in the Kursk region. The Ukrainian Ground Forces announced the capture, highlighting the potential strategic value these prisoners might have in future exchanges.

“Our soldiers continue to carry out combat missions in the Kursk region. The capture of these prisoners means that more of our men and women will soon return home,” stated Ukrainian fighters who participated in the operation.

Among the seized items were the chevrons of the Kadyrov “Akhmat” unit, symbolizing the elite status of these captured soldiers within the Russian military.

This is not the first time Ukrainian forces have captured members of Chechen units. On August 17, another group of Chechen fighters surrendered, adding to Ukraine’s growing pool of prisoners for potential exchanges. Additionally, on August 14, a video emerged showing over a hundred Russian soldiers surrendering to Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, further emphasizing the difficulties faced by Russian troops in the area.

According to Ukrainian military leader Syrskyi, the Ukrainian army has advanced 28-35 kilometres into Russian territory, marking significant progress in their ongoing operations.

Copied from the Duty First Magazine

The diggers hugged the ground as the jungle was razed by an invisible sickle.

Machine-guns scythed a plane centimetres above their heads while rocket-propelled grenades sprayed them with red-hot shards of shrapnel.

The jungle was being “chainsawed”, as one soldier put it, by fire from a network of North Vietnamese bunkers.

Overlooked, outgunned and out of ideas, the dozen or so men of 8 Platoon, C Company, of the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, contemplated what appeared to be a bleak and brief future.

Cue platoon commander Lieutenant Mark Moloney, 23, who broke cover to hurl grenades at the closest bunker.

Moloney then gathered his men’s stock of anti-tank rockets and, rising again, loosed them at the bunker.

When he was out of rockets, he continued his one-man offensive with a grenade launcher.

Smoke wafted from the bunker. And Moloney’s men rose to resume their slog up the hill, silencing bunker after bunker – always with their commander in the lead.

When it was over Moloney was covered with blood. Riddled with 27 shrapnel wounds, he would only agree to be evacuated after his wounded men had been spirited away by the choppers.

They said he should have received the Victoria Cross. He was instead recommended for a Military Cross. He got nothing.

Until now. Last month Moloney, now 79 and living in Rivett, ACT, was told he had been awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his valour in the Battle of the Bunkers at Bien Hoa, South Vietnam, on February 7, 1968.

“His gallant actions whilst under fire were instrumental in destroying the bunker complex, routing the enemy and preventing further Australian casualties,” the medal citation states.

“His actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.”

The citation is signed by Governor-General David Hurley’s secretary and was published in the Commonwealth Gazette on July 19.

The medal is the culmination of a decades-long campaign for recognition by Moloney’s comrades, especially his classmates from the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

“It was a team effort by Mark’s classmates to ensure justice was done from him and the diggers,” Colonel (Rtd) John Paget of Blackheath, NSW, said this week.

“Mark is a great leader who is highly respected and all of us are overjoyed to see him recognised.

“It shows that the past doesn’t necessarily have to be history.

“Fifty-five years after the event, the gallantry of Mark, and of the diggers of Charlie Company, 7 RAR, what they did over those several days, has at last been recognised.”

What the diggers did was extraordinary, but nothing was as extraordinary as the uncommon valour of their platoon commander.

Corporal Edward Czerwinski was five to ten metres from Moloney when he embarked on his solo assault.

So heavy was the enemy fire, a bullet shattered Czerwinski’s rifle magazine and another smashed through his hand. Some way to celebrate your 21st birthday.

“There were a lot of bullets flowing our way,” Czerwinski said this week. “I didn’t get a chance to count them.” Them being the bullets or the men firing the bullets.

“We were firing blind. You couldn’t see the bunkers. Thick foliage. We were just getting chopped to bits.

“We couldn’t put our heads up. The branches were getting chopped off a few inches above our heads.

“(Moloney) did something that no-one else was prepared to do. I just don’t know why he did it. Mark just took them on. Fantastic.

“He had blood coming out of him in all directions. (He was) covered head to toe in his own blood. He was a tough bugger.

“I’m bloody rapt that he’s been recognised and got something. He should’ve been recognised 55 years ago. He should’ve been wearing a medal all these years.”

Some say that medal should have been the Victoria Cross.

“Young Mark Moloney, in my opinion, should’ve been awarded a Victoria Cross for what he did,” 7 RAR’s second-in-command during the action, the late Brigadier Alf Garland, said in 2000.

“If you read some of the citations that you see for Victoria Crosses, what he did made some of them pale into insignificance in comparison. Great shame.”

The Royal Australian Regiment Corporation’s Chairman and decorated Vietnam veteran Michael von Berg agreed.

“I’ve been well aware of Mark’s incredible actions on that day for many, many years,” von Berg said this week.

“It should’ve been a VC. If you read the recommendation, it reads like a citation for a Victoria Cross.”

Several theories have been suggested to explain why Moloney did not even receive the lesser award of a Military Cross, for which he was recommended by his superior officers.

Firstly, the action at Bien Hoa happened during the North’s Tet offensive, so the paperwork might have been overlooked in the general confusion of the time.

Secondly, the awards system was governed by a quota and 7RAR had received its allowance of medals. (On this point von Berg said: “How can you have a quota on courage?”)

And thirdly, Moloney downplayed his own role in his official report of the action. An action in which 14 Australians were wounded, but remarkably none were killed.

Moloney is a humble man and declined to be interviewed, other than to say: “I am very proud of the efforts of all my soldiers and their loyalty over the years.”

When the Australian War Memorial asked about his heroics in 1997, Moloney would only pay tribute to his platoon.

“Well, I don’t think I did anything more than that which would be expected of anybody in the circumstances,” he said.

“I think the men themselves did what they had to do in a professional manner, and it was just us working together.

“I don’t think there was any esteem as to one person doing more than another.”

The Defence Department was contacted for comment but had not responded by presstime.

Andrew Faulkner.

Image AWM: South Vietnam. 1967-11. 2nd Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Jim Fitzsimmons of Lithgow, NSW, and 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR), was mentioned-in-despatches for gallantry under fire on operations against Viet Cong in Phuoc Tuy Province. 2nd Lt Fitzsimmons (centre) with 7 RAR Platoon Commander, Lt Mark Moloney of St Ives, NSW (left), and Company Sergeant Major C Company, Warrant Officer Ted Lewis of Wahroonga, NSW. Note their camp in the background.

 

 

 

This one appeared in my inbox – my wife said it would be a good Friday smile – if you don’t smile, I’ll give you her phone number.