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The global political landscape is undergoing significant changes, with nearly half of the world’s population participating in elections within the next year. BRICS recently expanded, incorporating new members like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates. Some nations are aligning with the West, while others are asserting geopolitical independence. Australia faces the need to invest in defence innovation to avoid repeating historical mistakes.

The United Kingdom may see a Labour Party majority, but concerns arise over lingering influences from figures like Corbyn. The European Union anticipates a shift to the right, with the far-right Identity and Democracy grouping gaining traction. Austria’s Freedom Party courts controversy, while Pakistan experiences accusations of vote rigging. Russia’s upcoming election might not alter policies, but opposition to the War in Ukraine is becoming more vocal. Elections are also expected in Iran, Syria, India, and Indonesia.

In the United States, the political landscape remains unpredictable. With geopolitical uncertainties looming, Australia is urged to invest in defence capabilities to navigate the evolving global scenario.

Photo: Then-Capt. Roger H.C. Donlon in Vietnam. (U.S. Army)

Upon enlisting in the Army in 1958, Roger H.C. Donlon, already acquainted with military life from a stint in the Air Force in 1953, embarked on a journey that would lead him to become the first Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War. Leaving the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1957 after initially enrolling, Donlon chose to pursue his destiny in the Army. Following Officer Candidate School, he qualified for Special Forces and was deployed to Vietnam in 1964. It was in July of that year that he displayed exceptional courage and tenacity in defending an American training camp, earning him the prestigious Medal of Honor.

Donlon passed away on January 25, 2024, just five days shy of his 90th birthday.

In the early hours of July 6, 1964, Captain Roger Donlon found himself facing a daunting challenge. As the commander of the detachment at Nam Dong training camp in Vietnam, he was thrust into a near-fatal defence when the camp came under attack. The North Vietnamese Army, in collaboration with Viet Cong guerrillas, sought to overrun the American Special Forces training centre. This marked the first instance of such cooperation between the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong in the south.

Amid the intense firefight that ensued, Donlon, leading Vietnamese trainees along with Australian and Special Forces advisers, displayed remarkable resilience. The camp, housing 360 CIDG trainees, 12 Green Berets, and one Australian adviser, was under siege by 800 North Vietnamese troops. Donlon, on guard duty, immediately took charge, orchestrating the movement of ammunition from burning buildings and establishing defensive lines.

Despite sustaining injuries during the chaos, including a severe stomach wound, Donlon continued to lead. He thwarted a Viet Cong attack on the main gate, eliminated sappers, and provided crucial cover for the withdrawal of wounded comrades. Throughout the battle, he endured multiple wounds, including a mortar blast to his left shoulder and shrapnel in his leg.

Undeterred, Donlon crawled through enemy fire, directed mortar fire, and tirelessly moved between positions, ensuring the defence held. When helicopters finally arrived to evacuate the wounded, the toll on the enemy was significant, with about 60 troops dead, along with 57 South Vietnamese, two Americans, and their Australian adviser.

President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded Donlon the Medal of Honor on December 5, 1964, making him the first of 268 recipients during the Vietnam War. Donlon continued his military career, retiring as a colonel in 1988. Reflecting on the honour bestowed upon him, he acknowledged wearing the award on behalf of those who didn’t return, emphasizing the shared sacrifices of his fellow soldiers.

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Twenty-one years before the first Women’s Royal Australian Navy members (WRANs)

entered service due to a shortage of telegraphists during the Second World War, a young

Tasmanian girl was enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy.

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First Female Sailor in RAN

ED: This video was in my inbox this morning it is worth watching and I thank Jay for sending it.

The recent drone attack on a US base, Tower 22, near Jordan’s northeastern border with Syria, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, resulting in the death of three American troops and injuries to dozens more. As the world watches, the incident has thrust US President Joe Biden into a challenging position, with increasing political pressure to take a hard stance and retaliate against Iran, which is suspected to be behind the attack.

While Iran-backed militants are strongly suspected to be responsible for the attack, Iran has categorically denied any involvement. Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, emphasized that groups in the Middle East, though supported by Tehran, do not act on Iran’s direct command. This denial complicates the situation, leaving room for diplomatic manoeuvres in the tense aftermath.

This event marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, representing the first instance of US soldiers facing fatalities since the onset of the Israel-Gaza dispute. The gravity of the situation underscores the need for a measured and strategic response from the Biden administration to prevent further escalation.

The attack on Tower 22 has ignited fury among Republican lawmakers who blame President Biden for allegedly exposing American troops to danger. Calls for a robust military response against Iranian forces, both within Iran and across the Middle East, have gained momentum, with Senator Tom Cotton stating, “He left our troops as sitting ducks.” The pressure on Biden to act decisively is immense, reflecting the broader sentiment within the political landscape.

The delicate nature of the situation raises concerns about potential global implications. A soft response from the United States may lead its allies to question the commitment to their security in future conflicts. Conversely, a severe response could risk escalating tensions into a full-scale war, with far-reaching consequences for regional stability.

President Biden has affirmed that the United States will respond, but the nature of this response remains uncertain. The challenge lies in finding a balance that addresses the concerns of domestic critics, reassures allies, and avoids sparking a wider conflict. The diplomatic toolbox will likely play a crucial role in shaping the response, with a focus on de-escalation and preventing further loss of life.

As President Biden navigates the aftermath of the Tower 22 attack, he faces a complex web of domestic and international challenges. The delicate balance required to address the incident without triggering a larger conflict will test the administration’s diplomatic skills and strategic decision-making. The world watches with bated breath as the Biden administration crafts a response that aims to safeguard American interests, reassure allies, and maintain regional stability.

The past may be a different country but has well-trodden paths and byways.

In 1938 politically peripatetic Winston Churchill seemed a lone voice against British PM Neville Chamberlain’s attempted appeasement with Hitler.

Churchill, seen by some as a warmonger out of touch with reality, had variously belonged to the Conservatives and the Liberals though like Australian politician Billy Hughes, drew the line at one party, in his case Labour.

Churchill warned against the Axis powers who were, he argued, rearming in contravention of the Treaty of Versailles post World War I.

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Australia ignores lessons from WWII | Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

The Australian War Memorial records note:
In 1970 two RAAF airmen of 2 Squadron RAAF were declared missing in action in Vietnam. Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver, both of 2 Squadron, RAAF, were believed killed when their Canberra bomber disappeared while flying a night bombing mission in the northern 1 Corps region of South Vietnam.
On 3 November 1970 Herbert (the pilot and aircraft captain) and Carver (the navigator and bomb aimer) had taken off from Phan Rang at 7.00 p.m., heading for their target in Quang Nam province 65 kilometres south-west of Da Nang. The weather was relatively clear and the flight to the target was without incident. The Australians carried out their bombing run and released their bombs over the target area at 8.22 p.m. After acknowledging a radio message, they switched frequency for the return flight to Phan Rang. Shortly afterwards, the aircraft disappeared from the radar screen which was tracking it.
American and Australian air units mounted an aerial search the next morning. The extensive search involved 67 sorties over an area of over 16,000 square kilometres but it was hampered by poor weather conditions. The search failed to find any trace of the aircraft or crew and was called off after three days.
Pilot Officer Carver had served for only eight weeks in Vietnam. Flying Officer Herbert, who had qualified as a pilot at the age of 16, had only two months to go to finish his tour.
The cause of the disappearance was never determined. Their aging Canberra bomber was flying well above the maximum range of enemy anti-aircraft artillery and there were no known North Vietnamese surface-to-air missile (SAM) launch sites near the flight path. Although discounted by a RAAF court of inquiry, the most likely explanation of the aircraft’s sudden disappearance without trace remains the possibility of a catastrophic mid-air explosion caused by one or more bombs becoming hung up in the rack after release.
For the parents of those lost, the term “missing in action” became increasingly difficult to live with. After years of uncertainty Robert Carver’s parents eventually gave up hope that he would be found alive. Mr Sydney Carver had his son’s name placed on the Toowoomba War Memorial. Every day he passed the memorial and never failed to look at the inscription.”

Nearly 39 years later, the jungle gave up its secret. Major John Thurgar (former SAS Trooper during the Vietnam War), from the Australian Army’s History Unit, and Squadron Leader John Cotterell uncovered the wreckage of Magpie 91. It appears the crash site had been sighted sometime in 1982 by several hunters from the Katu people who reside in eastern Laos and central Vietnam. However, for a range of reasons, not the least being the sheer impregnability of the terrain and the dense jungle near the crash area, the discovery was not investigated.
On August 31, 2009, the caskets with the remains of Michael Herbert and Robert Carver arrived on board an RAAF C130 that had brought them from Hanoi to RAAF Base Richmond. It was an emotional moment in No 2 Squadron’s history and especially for those airmen who served in the Squadron during the Vietnam War.

Ernie Chamberlain

Photo provided by General Dynamics

General Dynamics has recently concluded prototype trials for the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV), a cutting-edge military vehicle specifically designed for the US Marine Corps. The testing, initiated in January 2023, meticulously scrutinized various facets of the ARV, encompassing command, control, communications, and computer (C4) capabilities. Additionally, the evaluation included the vehicle’s integrated drones, land and water mobility, blast and kinetic resistance, as well as its prowess in countering cyber and electromagnetic interference.

Throughout the trials, the ARV effectively showcased its capabilities in ocean mobility and surf zone transitions within littoral beach areas. Richard Trotter, an official from General Dynamics, emphasized that the comprehensive testing and demonstration activities conducted in the previous year provided essential data to ensure the ARV meets and surpasses the Marine Corps’ stringent requirements. Trotter expressed confidence in the ability of the ARV to achieve key performance benchmarks and position itself competitively for the next phase of the program.

Described by General Dynamics as the “quarterback” on the mobile and multi-domain battlefield, the ARV is slated to become the primary combat system in Light Armoured Reconnaissance battalions. Its role encompasses both mounted and dismounted reconnaissance, surveillance, and security operations. Equipped with an automatic medium-calibre cannon, anti-armour capabilities to counter heavily-armoured threats, and precision-guided munitions for effective target striking, the ARV is designed to be a versatile force on the battlefield.

One of the standout features of the ARV is its next-generation swim propulsion system, along with vectored thrust and water safety systems, enabling seamless operations in aquatic environments. According to Trotter, the ARV’s high mobility on land and in the water empowers Marines to sense and communicate in ways previously unattainable. He emphasized General Dynamics’ commitment to delivering present-day capabilities while strategically envisioning and innovating for the future needs of the Marine Corps.

ED: From my inBox. 

During the November 2023 session of Federal Parliament, Senator Pauline Hanson read to the Senate a comment from her Facebook page posted by ‘Rebecca’. Read it and see if you think what “Rebecca” says ought to be headlines all over the country.

“Can we stop using the term Traditional Owners?”  Senator Hanson quotes the post as asking.  “Aborigines did not and do not own Australia. They were original inhabitants, and that is it.   Mother Nature provided all what Aboriginals claim as theirs. They did not build Ayer’s Rock, the Three Sisters, Kakadu, the river systems, the mountains etc.”

“They used the land and its natural resources and structures that were already there. They did not construct or design one single thing and, just as they continue to do today, they used and took whatever was available to them.”

“A lot of Australians feel nothing has changed.”

Senator Lidia Thorpe interjected: “Not all Australians”.

Senator Hanson continued. “‘What people tend to forget, like Senator Thorpe, is that I was born here too and so were millions of other Australians whose parents came as migrants and have made Australia their home All I have asked for is equality for all Australians. If you need it you get that helping hand. If you don’t need it, then fine you don’t. If you work hard for what you need, you can earn it, and that’s been proven by the 11 Senators in this Parliament who actually are of Aboriginal descent, and yet you, Senator Thorpe, want special treatment.”

The shouted interruptions increased until Senate President Sue Lines intervened and told both Senators to take their seats. After a pause she told Senator Hanson to resume but to address remarks to her as the chair.

Senator Hanson resumed and asserted that “Australia does not only belong to the Stone Age hunter gathers discovered by the British explorers and settlers, but to all who have made their home here.”

“I have to ask the question what special or unique contribution entitle Indigenous Australians to special or unique rights greater than anybody else. The answer is none whatsoever,”

“There has only ever been one nation on this continent founded on the first of January 1901 so there cannot be a legitimate treaty and this means there is no requirement for so-called ‘truth telling’ ”

“This is rewriting history to maximize settlements in a treaty, just forget it. We are all Australians together and should be treated equally.”

Earlier in the same speech Senator Hanson had singled Senator Thorpe out for special mention.

“There is no war on Indigenous Australians as Senator Thorpe pretends,” Senator Hanson said.  “That she sits in parliament along with other Indigenous people shows this claim for the lie that it is. Senator Thorpe is no victim on her taxpayer funded salary, and most Indigenous people reject the idea they are victims.”

As part of the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, 2 Squadron RAAF received its tasks from HQ 7th Air Force in Saigon. The squadron’s mission was to conduct eight sorties per day, seven days a week, covering various areas of South Vietnam. This intense operational tempo demonstrated the commitment of the RAAF to the conflict and the vital role of air support in the overall military strategy.

The Canberra bombers filled a significant gap in the United States Air Force (USAF) inventory, as they were the only tactical aircraft in South Vietnam capable of bombing from straight and level flight at about 350 knots. This unique capability allowed the Canberra to deliver accurate strikes visually, making it a valuable asset in the challenging and dynamic environment of the Vietnam War.

Most of 2 Squadron’s sorties were dedicated to supporting the Australian Task Force in the III Corps area. Operating at an altitude of approximately 3000 feet (915 meters) above ground level, the crews aimed to minimize the risk of ground fire while still achieving remarkable accuracy. Despite flying at a relatively low altitude, the Canberra crews demonstrated their skill by achieving accuracies of about 45 meters, showcasing the aircraft’s evolution from a high-level bomber with poor accuracy to a highly effective low-level tactical bomber.

The transition of the Canberra over the years reflected the adaptability and versatility of the aircraft and its crews. The ability to deliver precise strikes in support of ground troops underscored the importance of 2 Squadron RAAF in contributing to the overall success of the allied efforts in South Vietnam. The squadron continued its operations until its return to Australia in 1971, leaving a legacy of professionalism and effectiveness in the challenging conditions of the Vietnam War.

CANBERRA BOMBER HISTORY:

The English Electric Canberra bomber not only served as a long-range jet bomber but also proved itself as a highly capable spy plane, achieving altitude and distance records during its operational history.

Originating from the renowned de Haviland Mosquito, a long-range multi-role fighter-bomber with wooden construction and Merlin piston engines, the English Electric Canberra emerged as a response to the impending age of jets in 1944. Designed by “Teddy” Petter, the Canberra featured two jet engines embedded into the wings, creating an aircraft with a length of 65 feet, 6 inches (19.964 meters), a wingspan of 64 feet (19.507 meters), and a height of 15 feet, 7 inches (4.750 meters). The journey from concept to prototype took five years, with the first Canberra taking flight on May 13th, 1949, showcasing impressive performance despite initial concerns.

Named after Canberra, Australia, as a nod to the British Commonwealth, the Canberra saw production in the UK and Australia, with an additional contribution from the US’s Martin Aircraft Company, producing 403 Canberras for the US Air Force between 1951 and 1959. The versatile aircraft took on various roles, including bombing, high-altitude reconnaissance, aviation test support, electronic warfare, and weather reconnaissance.

The Canberra’s service records were remarkable, with the UK Royal Air Force utilizing it for 55 years, concluding its service in 2006 with reconnaissance missions over Afghanistan. The aircraft’s longevity eventually led to its replacement by the Raytheon Sentinel R1 due to cost considerations and efficiency improvements.

Notably, the Canberra set speed and distance records, exemplified by a journey from Aldergrove, Northern Ireland, to Gander, Newfoundland, covering 2,072 miles in just 4 hours and 37 minutes on February 22nd, 1951. The aircraft maintained an average ground speed of 450 mph (724 kph) at a cruise altitude of 40,000 feet above sea level. This historic flight also served as a test for new high-altitude clothing designed to protect aircrew from extreme temperatures, featuring waistcoats with passive inspiration and active expiration mechanisms.

In addition to distance records, a Canberra conducted a daring altitude test by carrying a Napier Double Scorpion rocket in its bomb bay. Pilots Mike Randrup and Walter Shirley took the aircraft to 44,000 feet on its jets before igniting the rocket, achieving an impressive altitude of 70,308 feet (21km). This feat showcased the aircraft’s capabilities in pushing boundaries and contributing to advancements in aviation technology.