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A message from the Naval Association, Queensland

At 10.30am on Thursday 8 February, we will hold a commemoration to honour the survivors of HMAS Voyager as well as those who went down with the ship. It will take place at the Jack Tar statue in the South Brisbane Memorial Park.

The Naval Association of Australia is issuing an invitation to survivors and descendants of the tragedy, current and former RAN personnel, friends and families to attend the ceremony.

This year the Naval Association of Australia is also extending the invitation to former crew members of HMAS Melbourne.

The ceremony will remember the 82 sailors who died on the night of 10 February 1964 and the 232 survivors who carried the memory for the rest of their lives.

At this ceremony, Lieutenant Commander Chris Le Marshall (Retd), son of a Voyager veteran, will tell his story in front of veterans, serving RAN personnel, descendants, and the general public.

For more information, please contact Jayne Keogh 0418 882408

On Tuesday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels issued a warning, expressing readiness for a prolonged conflict with the United States and its allies in the Red Sea. The group’s military commander, Muhammad al-Attifi, asserted unity between his faction and Yemen in opposition to the U.S. and Britain, following a series of retaliatory airstrikes by the allies targeting militants disrupting trade and travel routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Al-Attifi declared in response to the Western-led attacks, “We are prepared for a long-term confrontation with the forces of tyranny. The Americans, the British, and those who coordinated with them must realise the power of the sovereign Yemeni decision and that there is no debate or dispute over it.”

This announcement came a day after thousands of group members and supporters gathered in Yemen’s capital to celebrate recent attacks in a parade. The rebels initiated these assaults in protest against Western allies supporting Israel in its conflict with Palestinian militants in Gaza.

While U.S. and UK officials noted that many of the daily attacks by Yemeni militants miss their intended targets, a Houthi missile reportedly struck a British-linked tanker in the Gulf of Aden on Saturday, causing the Marlin Luanda to catch fire. U.S., French, and Indian naval ships were deployed to aid the British tanker carrying a highly flammable chemical used to dilute crude oil.

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps condemned the attacks, asserting that his nation would not tolerate them and reaffirming Britain’s commitment to combat the Houthi rebels alongside the U.S. In response to the assault on the British tanker, the Houthis claimed, without presenting evidence, that they had attacked a U.S. Navy vessel, the USS Lewis B. Puller, in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. However, American officials denied the claim, stating that no such attack had been reported by the mobile base.

The U.S. and Britain have conducted multiple retaliatory strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, targeting command posts, weapons depots, and training facilities. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi had previously welcomed an all-out war against the U.S. and its allies, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to engage directly with Israel and America.

Curtin University academic Dr. Alexey Muraviev highlights the importance of reevaluating national service for the defence of Australia, emphasizing its positive impact on fostering a sense of duty and unity among citizens. While many young Australians understandably question the prospect of conscription, it is a reflection of their engagement in critical discussions about the nation’s priorities.

In considering the challenges faced by young Australians, such as housing market constraints and economic uncertainties, it becomes evident that their concerns are rooted in a desire for stability and a promising future. Driven by a genuine concern for the well-being of the nation, these individuals question the necessity of potential military engagement and seek reassurance on the relevance of such sacrifices.

It is crucial to recognize that today’s youth, although facing challenges, are not alone in their struggles. The evolving landscape has led to a disconnection from traditional values, including those of community, family, and nation. However, there is an opportunity to rekindle these bonds through a shared commitment to the country’s defence.

In contrast to intergenerational tensions, it is essential to understand that younger generations are not merely seeking entitlement but are actively navigating a complex world. The call for national service is not just about sacrifice but an opportunity to contribute positively to the nation’s security and prosperity.

The global security environment has witnessed significant shifts, with events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific. Dr. Muraviev’s proposal for an expanded Australian Defence Force (ADF) addresses the current geopolitical challenges, ensuring the nation is adequately prepared to safeguard its interests.

Recruitment and retention challenges within the ADF have been longstanding issues, and recent revelations about the Royal Australian Navy’s operational constraints highlight the urgency of addressing these issues. By reimagining national service as a shared responsibility, policymakers can address manpower shortages, fostering a stronger, more resilient defence force.

In conclusion, Dr. Muraviev’s call for reconsidering conscription serves as an opportunity to reinvigorate a sense of national duty and unity among Australians. By reframing the discourse around national service, policymakers can bridge the generational gap, ensuring that the younger population actively participates in shaping the future security and prosperity of the nation.

THE wild weather ride which accompanied this Christmas New Year period was a reminder how perilous and unpredictable Australia’s climate can be.

It’s fifty years since Brisbane and the Gold Coast flooded after weeks of incessant rain.

Among the 16 dead were two Army Reserve (then CMF) members from the recently formed transport corps.

Captain Ian Kerr and Corporal Neville Hourigan were thrown from their amphibious LARC which struck live power lines.

Two soldiers who swam through the flood waters to recover the vehicle and the men received gallantry decorations.

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Lack of planning is disaster in making | Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

If you share my sentiment, you might be frustrated with the constant welcomes to our own country and the obligation to apologize to individuals unaffected by historical actions, especially since we are not accountable for events that occurred so long ago. This nation belongs to each and every one of us, so there’s no need to welcome me to my own country.

A nine-page account by Captain Roger Donlon of the Nam Dong Battle can be found at https://vva.vietnam.ttu.edu/images.php?img=/images/213/2130413003.pdf. He records that an Australian AATTV member was killed in the battle., noting: “Besides the 12 of us in Team A-726, there were only two other westerners in the camp: Kevin Conway, an Australian warrant officer who represented his country the way we did the United States, and Gerald C. Hickey, an American anthropologist expert on the Vietnamese mountain tribes.”

Australian War Memorial Records notes:
13097 Temporary Warrant Officer Class 2
Kevin George. Conway, Age 35.
Australian Army Training Team Vietnam

Attached to US Special Forces. He was killed in action at Nam Dong, Thua Thien Province on 6th July 1964. He was the first combat casualty. He held the Medal of Knight, National Order of Vietnam , Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He was also awarded a Campaign Service Medal with clasp South Vietnam (this is a very rare award only 68 issued, all to the AATTV). He also was awarded the US Silver Star and the Vietnamese Armed Forces Honour Medal, Kevin Conway was recommended for the Victoria Cross, but this was denied at that time, because Australia was not at war. The Australian Government saw fit not to award Conway with anything, but the South Vietnamese awarded him their highest award being the National Order of Vietnam.

Warrant Officer Class 2, Kevin Conway becomes the first Australian to die as a result of enemy action in South Vietnam.

By Ernie Chamberlain

We all need a few extra smiles.

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You CAN’T Lie To Your Wife – Jeff Allen – 1Funny.com

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Understanding The Wife’s Code – Jeff Allen – 1Funny.com

RAAF aviators, accompanied by a C-27J Spartan aircraft, are participating in Exercise Cope North 2024 in Guam. The deployment of 215 aviators aims to enhance combat readiness and interoperability with US and Japanese forces. Training will occur at various locations, including Anderson Air Force Base, Won Pat International Airport, North West Field, Tinian, and Saipan. Canada, France, and the Republic of Korea are also involved in the exercise.

Australian aviators will operate on non-traditional airfields, gaining hands-on experience in large-scale air force operations. The scenarios focus on agile operational concepts, improving force projection and survivability. RAAF Task Group Commander GPCAPT Kylie Green emphasizes the commitment to developing skilled aviators through collaborative exercises with allies.

Additionally, the RAAF has recently participated in Exercise Sea Dragon 2024, conducting anti-submarine warfare missions alongside partner nations, including the US, India, Korea, and Japan. The exercise enhances tactical experience and collaboration in a maritime environment to ensure effective deterrence for Australia’s maritime security.