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From 1970 to 1973, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) utilized 24 McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter-bombers for ground attack missions. These planes were borrowed from the United States Air Force (USAF) due to unforeseen hold-ups in the delivery of the RAAF’s 24 General Dynamics F-111C bombers. Although the F-4Es showcased notable performance, once the F-111s were in service by 1973, the Australian government declined the RAAF’s suggestion to keep the Phantoms.

In 1963, during a search for a replacement for its English Electric Canberra bombers, the RAAF assessed multiple aircraft, including the F-4C Phantom II variant. However, the F-111 was the preferred choice. Yet, ongoing technical issues with the F-111 during the late 1960s prompted the RAAF to see the F-4E Phantom II as the most suitable alternative. Subsequent to the F-111 delivery setbacks, in 1970, the Australian and US Governments struck a deal allowing the RAAF to lease 24 F-4Es, along with their necessary equipment, from the USAF.

The RAAF introduced their F-4Es in September 1970. These aircraft, deployed for air-to-ground missions, significantly aided in training crews for the impending F-111 operations. Additionally, the intensive training sessions with these jets elevated the RAAF’s operational expertise. Unfortunately, one Phantom met its end in a flight mishap in June 1971, while another was salvaged by the RAAF after a harsh landing caused substantial damage. By June 1973, the 23 remaining Phantoms were handed back to the USAF, with most of them later transformed into F-4G Wild Weasel versions upon their return to the US.

On 6 June 1966, eight Iroquois helicopters, belonging to the 9 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), made their descent on the Vung Tau airbase in Vietnam. The Bell UH-1B Iroquois, commonly known as the “Huey”, became an emblematic figure of the Vietnam War. For the subsequent five and a half years, these Hueys of the 9 Squadron backed the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF).

Previously, during World War II, 9 Squadron had been involved in maritime operations. It was later resurrected in 1962 at the Fairbairn air base near Canberra. Alongside 5 Squadron, which had been operating in Malaysia since 1964, they were the RAAF’s primary helicopter squadrons. The initial assumption in March 1966 was that, when a helicopter squadron was designated for Vietnam, it would constitute a new flight unit, mirroring the setup of RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam with its Caribou aircraft. But it was later clarified that the entire 9 Squadron would be deployed to Vietnam, while 5 Squadron would head back to Australia. This led to a restructure at Fairbairn.

In an interesting reshuffle, on 12 April, 9 Squadron transitioned to 5 Squadron. The then-existing 5 Squadron was rebranded as 5 Squadron Detachment C until its disbandment on 29 April. The separate 9 Squadron contingents in Williamtown, NSW, and Darwin were renamed as offshoots of 5 Squadron. Miraculously, 9 Squadron was resurrected on 13 April, adopting eight Iroquois from 5 Squadron. Throughout the war, these two squadrons remained intertwined. Personnel would initially train with 5 Squadron in Australia and subsequently serve in Vietnam under 9 Squadron. 9 Squadron’s journey to Vietnam involved both sea and air, with helicopters and their crews being ferried by the HMAS Sydney, and other personnel traveling via a Qantas chartered flight.

Once stationed at Vung Tau, their primary duty was to facilitate 1ATF by shuttling troops and delivering vital supplies like ammunition, water, and food to units in combat zones. If the Viet Cong (VC) compromised or blocked the Vung Tau-Nui Dat roadway, the squadron partnered with 35 Squadron for resupply operations.

Their missions were multifaceted, including deploying Special Air Service patrols, rescuing injured soldiers, distributing herbicides and pesticides, disseminating leaflets, and executing “people sniffer” recon missions. They played a vital role in all major Australian operations, with a staggering 237,424 missions to their credit. It’s worth noting that from July 1967 to November 1971, the squadron also had 16 officers from the Royal New Zealand Air Force in its ranks.

Despite their commendable reputation and synergy with the army, the early months witnessed some friction, primarily because the air force couldn’t match the army’s anticipations. The Hueys lacked armour, and crews were deprived of flak jackets (which were eventually sourced from American forces). Relations took a positive turn post the Battle of Long Tan in August, marked by the valiant efforts of two squadron helicopters which delivered ammo to Australian forces amid challenging conditions.

By 1968, the squadron’s fleet expanded to 16 Hueys. Four were later adapted into “Bushranger” gunships, equipped with twin 7.62-millimetre mini-guns, rocket launchers, and door-mounted M60 machine-guns, providing pivotal cover and support for landing zones.

Concluding their esteemed service, 9 Squadron executed their final mission on 19 November 1971. The following month saw their 16 Iroquois depart Vung Tau, eventually landing on the HMAS Sydney, marking their journey back home.

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Legal representatives of the former SAS soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, are seeking clarification on how sensitive information from his unsuccessful defamation lawsuit against several newspapers will be utilized by war crimes investigators. These publications had reported allegations of Roberts-Smith’s connection to four murders.

The investigative team from Operation Emerald is keen on accessing certain confidential documents that were presented during Roberts-Smith’s legal battle against the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and the Canberra Times.

Back in June, the Federal Court had ruled that the allegations presented by the newspapers regarding Roberts-Smith’s supposed involvement in the four murders in Afghanistan were predominantly accurate. While Roberts-Smith has not faced any criminal charges yet, he is challenging Justice Anthony Besanko’s judgment.

The court was informed on Monday that the Office of the Special Investigator, in conjunction with the Australian Federal Police, is currently probing 33 allegations of misconduct by defence personnel in Afghanistan spanning the period from 2005 to 2016.

The formation of the OSI was a direct result of an inquiry by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force into the behaviour of soldiers in Afghanistan.

Investigators are particularly interested in parts of the testimony from individuals who were mandated to provide possibly self-incriminating statements during the inspector-general’s inquiry. Some of these individuals also testified in the defamation lawsuit.

Luke Livingston SC, representing the ex-soldier, expressed concerns in court over the protective immunities for any suspect who had been compelled to provide information during the inspector-general’s inquiry. Livingston also requested to cross-question Ross Barnett, the director of OSI investigations.

In response to Livingston’s concerns, Barnett assured the court that there were robust systems in place to safeguard the integrity of the probes and the rights of those under investigation. However, Livingston challenged this, emphasizing the need for concrete proof that these protective measures were both strong and effective.

There were previous concerns raised by lawyers regarding the handling of information, with calls for related policy documents. Livingston indicated the Commonwealth’s lack of a significant response to these concerns. Jennifer Single SC, representing the Commonwealth, mentioned that it’s highly improbable for any non-protected data to be included in the sensitive court records.

Single acknowledged potential human errors in redacting documents but highlighted existing protective measures. Livingston, however, noted that the repercussions of any unintended disclosure would remain severe. He further commented on the possibility of a lack of established protocols, a detail he deemed critical.

However, Single pointed out that divulging further information might raise security concerns. She emphasized that the decision regarding potential leaks or mishandling of materials should rest with criminal courts.

The court will further discuss the Commonwealth’s proposed amendments to the 2020 national security orders and the access to the sensitive data from Roberts-Smith’s defamation lawsuit on September 27 this year.

Soldiers from 13th Engineer Regiment trial new technology Ground Uncrewed System (GUS) during Exercise Talisman Sabre at RAAF Base Curtin, Western Australia. Photo: CPL Janet Pan.

The Australian Defence Force has further tested new ground uncrewed systems (GUS) as advancements in international unmanned technology show promising results. Soldiers from the 13th Engineer Regiment of the Australian Army evaluated these unmanned systems at RAAF Base Curtin near Derby, Western Australia.

In the realm of unmanned land-based robotics, the Australian Army had previously showcased fire and manoeuvre demonstrations featuring two autonomous Australian Army M113 AS4 armoured vehicles at Majura Training Area in late 2019, in front of senior leadership from the Department of Defence. It’s known that in-service R400 EOS remote weapon stations have been integrated onto M113 armoured personnel carriers to function as optionally crewed combat vehicles. The Army plans to conduct weapon system test firing in early 2024.

On the global stage, fully electric autonomous unmanned ground vehicles recently underwent trials, organized by the Estonian Military Academy and the Estonian Defence Forces in Estonia. These trials included obstacle avoidance, speed, and maneuverability challenges, with eleven companies participating over two days. The trials showcased the advancements in autonomous technology, impressing participants from over 20 countries.

Reflecting this progress, a participant in the trials stated, “These trials have shown just how far autonomous technology has come in recent years. We were proud to put our system to the test alongside some of the world’s most skilled developers. We are really pleased with our performance and look forward to seeing how our technology will evolve over the coming years.”

In the United States, recent contracts announced on July 31 focus on the design and prototyping of the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, intended to replace the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The XM30 is the US Army’s inaugural ground combat vehicle crafted using modern digital engineering tools and techniques. Ed Zoiss, President of L3Harris Space and Airborne Systems, expressed enthusiasm about working with partners to produce advanced and secure vehicles, incorporating innovative technologies for superior protection, firepower, and mobility. The vehicle features L3Harris third-generation sights to enhance threat identification capabilities.

Australia is conspicuously lagging in Defence recruitment, with the gap widening annually. The Australian Defence Force and defence industry grapple with substantial workforce challenges, as highlighted in the recent Defence Strategic Review (DSR). The DSR advocates for expediting recruitment processes, aiming for days rather than months, and proposes alterations to the recruitment framework. Additionally, it suggests a comprehensive review of ADF Reserves by 2025 and contemplates reintroducing a Ready Reserve Scheme.

Despite a federal target to increase armed forces to 80,000 personnel by 2040, doubts arise about the nation’s readiness to engage in an Indo-Pacific conflict. The prevailing “she’ll be right” attitude, reliance on colonial powers, and historical isolation from conflicts hinder preparedness. A survey reveals a lack of collective spirit, with 46% inclined to stay and fight, while 28% would leave in a crisis.

Moreover, Australia’s disinterest in defence is compounded by decades of political opposition to civilian defence policies, stringent firearms legislation, and restrictions on combat-style sports. This has resulted in a low rate of licensed gun owners (3.41 per 100 people), limiting the pool of individuals familiar with military skills.

Comparatively, other nations in the Indo-Pacific and Europe successfully implement compulsory military service. Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, and Finland have models ensuring citizens’ participation in defence. In contrast, China and Russia utilize state-run education programs and conscription to boost military recruitment significantly.

Recent developments in China and Russia highlight their commitment to patriotic education, blending ideology, history, culture, and military training in schools and universities. This approach fosters a sense of responsibility and respect for weapons, contributing to a society more amenable to military service.

In conclusion, Australia faces a widening gap in Defence recruitment, hindered by cultural attitudes, legislative restrictions, and a lack of compulsory service. Addressing these issues is crucial to building a robust defence network in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges.

This list is not politically centric; rather, it outlines what I would like to see from present and future Australian Governments.

1. Declare that Australia no longer supports the Net Zero 2050 narrative.
2. Announce the intention to repeal the ban on nuclear energy for power generation.
3. Pledge to implement further migration controls and policies incentivizing domestic births. Prioritise countries of origin for immigrants to enhance assimilation.
4. Avow to discontinue the practice of welcoming Australians to their own country.
5. Commence an audit of the Aboriginal Industry to ensure funds are directed where they can do the best for the most vulnerable.
6. Abolish the Assistant Minister for the Republic portfolio.
7. Launch a Royal Commission into ideological abuses prevalent in tertiary and general education.
8. Revoke the Misinformation and Disinformation Bill. The Government should not be exempt, as dissent with policy should not be automatically labelled as misinformation or disinformation.
9. Initiate a probe into Services Australia, especially Centrelink, to address the growing welfare state. Propose tripling unemployment benefits for the first three months, halving them thereafter, and discontinuing benefits after six months. For those who are infirm and unable to work, transition them to disability pension. Eliminate lifetime unemployment benefits.
10. Agree to better measure foreign aid funding against our domestic economic circumstances.
11. Begin aggressive efforts to revitalize Australia’s sovereign capabilities, including the production of long-range missile deterrents and prioritizing naval shipbuilding, which has been problematic for the past two decades.
12. Affirm that a woman, and nothing else, is a biological female.
13. Withdraw from the United Nations and all associated treaties—a bureaucratic and financial sink that is as useless as those things on bulls.