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Contrary to popular belief, the United States did not stand alone in its efforts to support South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Traditional American allies, including Taiwan, South Korea, and notably, Australia, played crucial roles in containing the spread of Communism in Southeast Asia. While each ally contributed significantly, it was the Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) that left an indelible mark on the conflict, striking fear into the hearts of the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong (VC).

The Australians’ involvement in Vietnam dates back to 1962, but it was in April 1966 that the SASR first set foot in Vietnam. Tasked with conducting long-range reconnaissance patrols in the dense Vietnamese jungles, they swiftly earned a reputation as the “Ghosts of the Jungle” among the NVA. Even the North Vietnamese, accustomed to facing formidable adversaries, regarded the Australians with a mixture of awe and trepidation.

Operating in small, stealthy fire teams of four to six men, the Australians moved deliberately through the jungles, employing slow and quiet tactics that belied the devastating firepower they could unleash upon contact with the enemy. The NVA soon learned that the presence of Australians in the area meant sudden and overwhelming chaos, as their well-coordinated assaults left adversaries disoriented and overmatched.

The Australians’ reputation for instilling fear lay in their ability to create the illusion of larger forces through intense and concentrated firepower. This strategic approach, coupled with their silent and methodical movements, made them the most feared enemy unit in the regions of South Vietnam they operated in. Even the most cautious VC infiltrators risked walking into a relentless Aussie ambush.

The Australian SASR seamlessly integrated with other allied forces, including American Special Forces and Navy SEALs, conducting joint operations throughout Vietnam. Each SASR unit operated alongside a New Zealand SAS trooper, fostering a strong ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) alliance on the battlefield.

Spread across provinces like Phuoc Tuy, Bien Hoa, Long Khanh, and Binh Tuy, the SASR conducted approximately 1,200 combat patrols during their time in Vietnam. Their one-year tours, marked by exceptional discipline and strategic prowess, resulted in one killed in action, one dead from wounds, three accidental deaths, one missing, and one death from illness. An additional 28 men were wounded in action, highlighting the intensity and challenges of their missions.

Before their departure in 1971, the Australian SASR achieved a remarkable milestone by eliminating 600 enemy troops, establishing the highest kill ratio of the entire war. The “Ghosts of the Jungle” had not only haunted the enemy but had decisively shaped the course of the conflict, leaving an enduring legacy of bravery, skill, and unwavering dedication to their mission.

As we reflect on the annals of the Vietnam War, it is imperative to recognize the pivotal role played by Australian special operators in the fight against Communism. Their stealth, precision, and unyielding commitment to their mission solidified their place as one of the most formidable forces in the dense jungles of Vietnam, earning them the enduring moniker of the “Ghosts of the Jungle.”

Recent research indicates a significant increase in the number of senior officers within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) over the past two decades, despite an ongoing decline in overall enlisted personnel figures. An analysis conducted by the Parliamentary Library reveals that the count of star-ranked officers in the ADF has risen from 119 in 2003 to a current total of 219.

The findings, commissioned by the Greens Party, highlight a ratio of one senior ADF officer to 260 lower-ranked officers or regular personnel serving beneath them. Star-ranked officers, also known as ‘flag officers,’ occupy positions at the Commodore, Brigadier, or Air Commodore levels and higher in the Navy, Army, and Air Force, respectively.

In comparison, the United States boasts 863 star-ranked officers, with a ratio of one senior officer for every 1526 personnel, while the United Kingdom has a proportion of one star-ranked officer for every 1252 enlisted members.

David Shoebridge, a Greens Senator and Defence spokesperson, criticizes the perceived “top-heavy” structure of the ADF, especially considering the diminishing overall military personnel numbers. He remarks on the regular appointments of new generals, admirals, or Air Marshals without corresponding advancements in military assets.

The research details the distribution of senior officers within the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force. For instance, the Navy currently has 68 senior officers, including 50 Commodores, 15 Rear Admirals, and 3 Vice-Admirals. The Army, boasting over 27,000 personnel, comprises 58 Brigadiers, 22 Major-Generals, 5 Lieutenant-Generals, and one General, Angus Campbell, serving as Chief of Defence. The Royal Australian Air Force includes 50 Air Commodores, 14 Air Vice-Marshals, and two Air Marshals.

The overall enlisted numbers for the ADF have declined from 62,429 in 1983 to 57,218 full-time members in 2023. Senator Shoebridge criticizes the failure of senior Defence leadership to meet recruiting targets over the past decade while concurrently doubling their own senior ranks. He characterizes this as rewarding failure and emphasizes the disproportionate concentration of senior officers overseeing a diminishing group of enlisted members.

Furthermore, it is noted that Australia’s Chief of Defence will receive a salary exceeding $1 million this year, surpassing the compensation of counterparts such as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the United States, earning $329,304, and the UK Chief of the Defence Staff, who is paid $534,509.

By Rebecca  Williams – Quora

The SR-71 was much faster than the U-2, reaching speeds of over Mach 3 at altitudes of over 80,000 feet. This required the pilots to wear special pressure suits and helmets that limited their mobility and vision.

The SR-71 also had a complex engine and inlet system that needed constant monitoring and adjustment to avoid unstarts, which could cause violent yawing and pitching of the aircraft. The SR-71 also had a very narrow margin between its maximum and minimum speed limits, known as the “coffin corner”, which made it vulnerable to stalls and over speeds. The SR-71 pilots had to fly with great precision and concentration to maintain the optimal speed and altitude for their mission.

The SR-71 was more sensitive to the environmental conditions than the U-2. The SR-71 was designed to operate in a high-temperature regime, where the airframe and the fuel tanks would expand and contract due to the frictional heating and cooling. The SR-71 had to take off with a partial fuel load and refuel in mid-air several times during its mission because the fuel tanks would leak on the ground and only seal properly at high temperatures.

The SR-71 also had to deal with the effects of thermal shock, which could cause cracks and failures in the structure and the systems. The SR-71 pilots had to cope with the extreme temperature changes and the potential malfunctions that could occur during their flight.

The SR-71 was more demanding in terms of the physical and mental fitness of the pilots than the U-2. The SR-71 pilots had to undergo rigorous training and selection, as well as regular medical examinations and evaluations. The SR-71 pilots had to endure high levels of stress, fatigue, and noise during their missions, which could last for several hours.

The SR-71 pilots also had to perform complex manoeuvres and evasive actions in case of enemy threats, such as surface-to-air missiles and interceptors. The SR-71 pilots had to be highly skilled and experienced to handle the challenges and risks of flying the fastest and highest aircraft ever built.

One person is confirmed dead, and seven remain missing after a U.S. Air Force Osprey crashed off southern Japan. The crew member recovered from the ocean has been pronounced dead. The cause of the crash and the status of the seven others are unknown. The Osprey, with eight on board, is an Air Force aircraft, and earlier reports suggested different passenger counts. Ospreys, capable of helicopter-like takeoff and airplane-like flight, have a history of accidents, prompting calls for a suspension of flights in Japan. The crash site, off Yakushima, was reported by a fishing boat. The coast guard found debris and an inflatable life raft. The search continues, and the aircraft had departed from the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Japanese officials seek explanations from the U.S. military.

ED: Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, and its borders are primarily with Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. The Dniester River forms much of the eastern border between Moldova and Ukraine. Transnistria, a breakaway region that declared independence in 1990 but is not internationally recognized, is located on the eastern side of the Dniester River, separating it from the rest of Moldova. The situation in Transnistria has led to political complexities and diplomatic challenges for Moldova. The capital of Moldova is Chisinau.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has revoked the citizenship of Alexandr Kalinin, the leader of the marginal pro-Russian Party of Regions and the Congress of Moldovan diasporas in Russia. The corresponding decree was published on the Moldovan head of state’s website on Tuesday, November 28.

The decision to strip Kalinin of Moldovan citizenship was based on the grounds of “recruitment into the armed forces of a foreign state,” as specified in Article 23.1.3 of Moldova’s Law on Citizenship.

Kalinin assumed the role of chairman of the Moldovan Party of Regions in 2016. In 2020, he garnered signatures in support of a presidential bid but later withdrew voluntarily. Notably, Kalinin is an outspoken advocate of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, evident in numerous photos and videos on his social media accounts where he is seen donning a military uniform marked with the letter Z, used by the Russian army in its conflict in Ukraine…an act prohibited in Moldova.

The politician has actively organized events aimed at assisting Russian soldiers by collecting warm clothing and footwear. Subsequently, these items are delivered to occupied settlements in Luhansk Oblast. Such activities are in violation of Moldovan regulations.

Kalinin’s actions have not gone unnoticed internationally, as he has faced sanctions from both the European Union and Canada for his attempts to undermine the stability of the Moldovan government.

The Vietnam War was one of the most controversial and divisive conflicts in modern history. But how much do you really know about it? In this video, we will reveal some surprising facts about the Vietnam War that most people don’t know. Did you know that the war was not only fought in Vietnam, but also in Laos and Cambodia, or that the lotus became known as a symbol of death? These are just some of the facts that we will explore in this video, so stay tuned and learn more about this fascinating and tragic chapter of history.

The Army Warfighting Experiment has been and remains the flagship experimentation programme for the British Army. It is part of the selection process for hardware and software, preparing the Army for future conflict in an increasingly urbanised world. Forces News were able to see how the Army is testing the urban warfare kit of the future to the max, on a Salisbury Plain monitored by drones trialling new software to sharpen the Army’s skills.

ED: From my inbox: I had a member point me in the direction of the link below. I’m sharing this with you because I spent quite a deal of time reading through this history and found it very interesting. … enjoy.

CLICK LINK

Untitled Document (32smallshipsqn.org.au)

HMAS Hobart (II) positioned on the ‘gun line’ in its initial Vietnam deployment, led by Captain GR Griffiths, DSC, RAN.

The Royal Australian Navy’s significant contribution to the Vietnam War, often overshadowed by the Army’s larger presence, involved various roles, including clearance diving, logistical support, medical services, and fleet operations.

Australian destroyers covered nearly 400,000 miles during the conflict, firing over 100,000 rounds of ammunition. The converted aircraft carrier HMAS SYDNEY, dubbed the ‘Vung Tau Ferry,’ transported around 16,000 Australian troops. Clearance Divers conducted several thousand ship searches for explosives, resulting in eight RAN personnel fatalities and nearly 50 injuries over a decade.

The Navy’s involvement began with goodwill visits in 1962, and as the war escalated, the RAN played a crucial role. Clearance Diving Teams, such as CDT1 and CDT3, were deployed to clear mines and booby traps, conducting about 7,500 ship searches. In 1967, guided missile destroyer HMAS HOBART joined the US Seventh Fleet, initiating a six-month rotation of RAN destroyers until 1971. These vessels fired over 100,000 rounds and travelled almost 400,000 miles, supporting Allied forces on the ‘gunline’ and participating in Operation SEA DRAGON.

Logistical support came from SYDNEY, supported by merchant ships JEPARIT and BOONAROO. The RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam, comprising Fleet Air Arm members, provided airlift and gunship support, with LCDR PJ Vickers becoming the first fatality in 1968.

RAN medical and support personnel served at the Headquarters Australian Forces Vietnam, with Navy doctors aiding hospitals and participating in the Medical Civil Action Program. The RAN’s commitment persisted until the Australian government announced force reduction in 1971, leading to the withdrawal of clearance divers, the RANHFV, and the last gunline destroyer, BRISBANE, returning in 1971.

The final voyages of JEPARIT and SYDNEY1 occurred in 1972, aligning with the Whitlam Labor government’s decision to withdraw all remaining Australian forces and cease military aid to South Vietnam. In the decade of RAN involvement, eight officers and sailors lost their lives, while 46 suffered injuries, showcasing the dedication and professionalism that earned the respect of allies and continued the Navy’s proud traditions.

ED: Request … I’m looking for personal stories from sailors who served on ships during Vietnam, stories that I can share with the membership.

One must recognize the unwavering CAN-DO ethic ingrained in the Chinese approach. In the face of any challenge, no matter how formidable, the Chinese exhibit a resolute determination, particularly when resources—both financial and human—can be mobilized to fulfill the ambitions of their Leader.

Drawing from nine years of experience in constructing islands to support bridges, this expertise has seamlessly transitioned to the expansive South China Sea. The question now arises: could the next monumental endeavour involve linking these constructed islands with a bridge to the Spratly Islands? Remarkably, there seems to be little concern for bureaucratic hurdles, as evidenced by the absence of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

While the world remained oblivious, the Chinese, tirelessly advanced their bridge-building endeavours. The resulting engineering marvel stands as a testament to their technological prowess, placing them among the global elite in this field.

The scale of this achievement is staggering: a 55-kilometer bridge, accomplished in a mere nine years at a cost of $15 billion, without succumbing to the notorious pitfalls of cost overruns. This swift execution is particularly noteworthy, considering the intricacies involved in constructing a six-lane bridge connecting the bustling island of Hong Kong to the mainland at Macau.

The Chinese have effectively demonstrated that their capacity to transform ambitious visions into tangible infrastructure is not only unparalleled but also efficient. The silent progress of the bridge, coupled with its impeccable execution, serves as a testament to the formidable capabilities and commitment embedded in the Chinese CAN-DO spirit.