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STORY FROM THE MANDARIN PUBLICATION

Alison Frame had a lot of work ahead of her when she became secretary of Department of Veterans’ Affairs just over 12 months ago.

Not only was there a backlog of claims to manage but a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which began its important work in July 2021.

In this instalment of The Mandarin‘s Secretary’s Sticky Notes series, our annual series in which we ask departmental leaders five questions about their role and what they expect to face this year, Frame explains her biggest priorities and challenges.

CLINK LINK to read the article in The Mandarin …

Alison Frame: Leader looking to make a difference for veterans (themandarin.com.au)

This is just so pertinent and well written…..

From Mike O’Connor/ Courier Mail

As a child I would sit for hours with my grandmother on the wooden bench seats circling the main arena at the Ekka and watch the sheepdog trials.

Occasionally, an errant sheep would prop and stubbornly refuse to be intimidated by the dog’s constant urging and cajoling but in the end the dog always won and the flock allowed itself to be herded into the pen.

We’ve become like the sheep at the Ekka, constantly herded, urged and cajoled into accepting positions that governments tell us are good for us without bothering to ask us what we think. The latest victims of herding are Victorians who with Dodgy Dan Andrews snapping at their heels have been told they can’t have gas stoves in their new houses.

Anyone with an IQ exceeding their shoe size knows that this will have zero effect on the world’s environment, but don’t argue. Just do as you are told.

Farmers throughout the eastern states are being herded into submission by power companies threatening to compulsorily acquire sections of their land holdings to allow the construction of giant transmission towers on their properties. These lines could be run underground but this would be more expensive so, sorry, we’re going to trash the value of your property because it’s cheaper for us that way. Don’t argue. Just get out of the way as we march towards net zero.

Net zero will never happen in the lifetime of anyone reading this but the sheepdogs have worked themselves into an absolute frenzy, racing from one side of the paddock to the other as they herd us into the belief that we can attain the unattainable. All that is required is a blind ­acceptance of the absurd.

In the cities and suburbs, we are being herded into the belief that we need taller and taller apartment buildings, crammed wall to wall in defiance of the planning restrictions imposed by neighbourhood development plans to solve the “housing ­crisis.” Can you recall a city council election in which the parties campaigned on a platform of promising to ignore planning restrictions, cram as many apartments as possible into any given space and comprehensively ignore any effect on the quality of life of ratepayers so that developers could make lots more money and the council could rake in extra fees and rates? Neither can I. Don’t argue. Just roll over and cop it with the council safe in the knowledge that any sheep that refuse to budge will be forced into the pen by the massive expense involved in challenging these decisions in the courts.

The sheepdogs had a great time during Covid, police officers and health officials snapping and snarling at our heels as they herded us into our homes, threatening dire consequences for those sheep who refused to go into the pen, in a blatant, ­nationwide abuse of power.

We are now being gradually herded towards an acceptance of converting place names from English to Indigenous dialects. Why? Is that what the majority of the population wants? I can’t recall being asked.

The sheepdogs have also barked and wheedled us into enduring and accepting endless welcome-to-country ceremonies. Why? It’s my country. I don’t need to be welcomed to it. I was born here. My parents were born here. It’s mine and I object to being treated as a stranger in my own home.

The Voice campaign stands out as one of the greatest herding scenarios since the first sheepdog trotted down a gangplank in old Sydney Town and started harassing terrified sheep way back when. Much to the surprise of the dogs, however, more than one sheep has stood its ground and refused to be herded into the Yes pen. This was not supposed to happen. When the dogs snapped at their hindquarters the flock was supposed to trot into the pen without question. For daring to stare down the dogs, holding their ground and refusing to be cajoled and bullied, they have been branded as very bad, un-Australian sheep.

The extension of government power into our lives, the presumption that we will meekly submit to being told what we must accept without question, has been incremental. We are snowed in with faux science, directed to “do the right thing”, toe the line, feel the “vibe” – whatever that might be – and generally cop anything that Big Brother says is good for us.

Quite frankly, I’ve had a gutful of it.

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.

Top of Form

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.

CLICK LINK to continue reading

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.

CLICK LINK to continue reading.

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.