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Story by Tim Barlass and Peter Jones 

Rear Admiral Guy Griffiths (Ret’d), aged 101, was the last survivor in Australia of HMS Repulse, which was torpedoed and sunk in a Japanese air attack in 1941, along with the Prince of Wales off Malaya as part of the war in the Pacific with heavy losses.

It was an illustrious career. From late 1973 to mid-1975, Rear Admiral Griffiths commanded the aircraft carrier Melbourne, which was flagship of the Australian fleet. In June 1976, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed Chief of Naval Personnel.

Guy Griffiths was born in Sydney on March 1, 1923. He grew up in the Hunter Valley and descended from four pioneering, wine-producing families.

CLICK LINK to continue reading about this amazing man.

Exceptional rear admiral was last survivor of torpedoed HMS Repulse (msn.com)

In the wake of the Dunkley by-election, the Coalition has unveiled a revamped shadow ministry, signalling their readiness for the challenges ahead leading up to the next election.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton expressed confidence that the new appointments would fortify the Coalition team for the crucial tasks on the horizon. The reshuffle comes in the aftermath of the Dunkley by-election, where Labor retained the seat, but the Liberals secured a notable 3.6 percent swing.

Among the key changes, Queensland’s Luke Howarth has been elevated to the position of shadow assistant treasurer and minister for financial services. Melissa McIntosh, a representative from New South Wales, will now shoulder the responsibility of shadow minister for energy affordability, with a focus on Western Sydney. Meanwhile, Victorian Senator James Paterson will assume the role of shadow cabinet secretary alongside his existing portfolio in home affairs.

Further strengthening the lineup, Western Australian MP Andrew Hastie will take on the dual role of shadow minister for defence industry and defence personnel, building upon his existing position within the defence portfolio.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton emphasized the quality of the appointments, emphasizing unity within the Coalition and a continued dedication to addressing pertinent policy issues.

Additionally, several parliamentarians have been promoted to shadow assistant minister positions. Andrew Bragg from New South Wales will now serve as shadow assistant minister for home ownership, while James Stevens from South Australia will focus on government waste reduction. Queensland’s Phillip Thompson will expand his responsibilities to include assistant minister for defence industry and personnel.

Furthermore, Queensland Senator Paul Scarr will take on the role of shadow assistant minister for multicultural engagement, while New South Wales Senator Hollie Hughes will assume responsibility for mental health and suicide prevention, as well as the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

As the Coalition prepares for the forthcoming election, these appointments reflect a strategic reshuffle aimed at addressing key policy areas and presenting a strong alternative vision for Australia’s future.

RSL LifeCare receives $5.445 million in funding provide holistic support for veterans from Hawkesbury Western Sydney

RSL LifeCare, in partnership with RSL NSW and sub-Branches, will today receive a $5.445 million grant from the Federal Government to develop a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub network, connecting the Hawkesbury region to South Western Sydney.

The initiative will establish a corridor of support, bookended by two Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs, one in the Hawkesbury region, and one in South Western Sydney, to ensure that the 19,200 local veterans in the area can access services close to home.

The announcement follows RSL LifeCare successfully completing the final stage of the bid for the new facilities, part of the Government’s $46.7 million commitment to deliver 10 new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country. The development complements the recently successful bids for two new Hubs in Queanbeyan and the Central Coast region, as well as existing hubs in Nowra, the Northern Beaches and the Riverina and Hunter regions.

The new facilities will enable RSL LifeCare to implement a ‘hub and spoke’ model, developed in consultation with the local communities and other ex-service organisations, through the network of RSL sub-Branches. Through this model, the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs act as primary care centres with RSL sub-Branches providing flexible and innovative care solutions for veterans and their families.

RSL LifeCare CEO Janet Muir said that the successful bid was another essential milestone for RSL LifeCare’s commitment to supporting veterans and their families.

“We are thrilled to be able to fulfill our vision of creating a corridor between the Hawkesbury and South Western Sydney that will deliver a comprehensive and efficient support network for veterans and their families across the Hawkesbury and South Western Sydney regions,” Ms Muir said.

“We thank RSL NSW and sub-Branches for their ongoing partnership which helps us collectively bring significant and valuable resources to the delivery of these Hubs.”

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said:“We’re developing Veterans’ and Families Hubs across the country to suit the needs of the local veteran community. This unique network will support the corridor of veterans living in the beautiful Blue Mountains in the Hawkesbury region and in South Western Sydney.

“We’re working to make sure each Hub around the country is easily accessible and available to local veterans, to support them and their families close to home.

“It’s fantastic to see so many organisations join with RSL LifeCare – including Legacy, Invictus, the Defence and Veterans Legal Service, Disaster Relief Australia, Veteran Gaming Australia and many others, come together to provide the best possible services and supports to local veterans.“

Last year, RSL NSW sub-Branches donated $3.3 million to RSL LifeCare to ensure that veterans and their families continue to receive free critical services and support, including access to local Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs.

RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge said “RSL NSW is committed to supporting RSL LifeCare’s Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs because we know they work.

The expansion of Hubs in locations with significant Defence and veteran communities is a strong step in the right direction to bolstering the support we deliver to Australian servicemen and women, and their families.”

RSL LifeCare Veteran Services, Executive General Manager, David Anderson said this accomplishment supported the organisation’s goal to establish centres of support for veterans and their families across NSW and the ACT.

“Thanks to the generous funding from the Government, we can provide support to even more veterans across two of NSW’s major regions. This unique approach to providing one-stop-shops for vulnerable members of our community is a big step toward giving veterans the support they need and deserve.”

RSL LifeCare Veteran Services will work with a consortium of ex-service organisations and local providers to offer a holistic model for the delivery of critical services and support at the centre of the Veterans’ and Families’ Hub strategy.

Lockheed Martin unveiled its ambitious endeavour to bolster the US Army’s short-range air defence capabilities with the announcement of their latest innovation: DEIMOS, standing for Directed Energy Interceptor for Maneuverer of Short-Range Air Defence. Spearheaded by Tyler Griffin, Lockheed’s director of laser and sensor systems, DEIMOS represents a cutting-edge leap forward in military technology. This 50-kilowatt laser weapon is poised to revolutionize the battlefield, offering unparalleled precision and efficiency in neutralizing aerial threats.

With the rapid evolution of modern warfare and the escalating demand for advanced defence systems, Lockheed Martin recognizes the imperative to stay ahead of the curve. The development of DEIMOS signifies a strategic move to anticipate and address future challenges in securing the nation’s airspace.

This ambitious project comes at a pivotal moment, as Lockheed aims to challenge the dominance of the incumbent team comprising Raytheon and Kord Technologies. This summer, Raytheon and Kord Technologies clinched a substantial $123.9 million contract to construct a Directed Energy Maneuverer Short Range Air Defence system (DE M-SHORAD). However, Lockheed Martin’s entry into the arena introduces a formidable competitor, poised to disrupt the status quo and set new benchmarks for performance and innovation in the realm of short-range air defence.

As Lockheed Martin ventures into uncharted territory with DEIMOS, they are not merely building a weapon; they are shaping the future of military defence. With a steadfast commitment to excellence and a relentless pursuit of technological advancement, Lockheed Martin is poised to redefine the landscape of short-range air defence, ensuring the safety and security of the nation for years to come.

The CH-53 is a heavy-lift cargo helicopter used primarily by the United States Marine Corps. It is one of the largest and most powerful helicopters in the U.S. military inventory. The CH-53 has a long history of service, with various models and upgrades over the years.

Here are some key features and specifications of the CH-53:

1. Size and Capacity: The CH-53 is a large helicopter capable of carrying heavy loads. It has a length of around 88 feet (26.8 meters) and a height of around 28 feet (8.5 meters). It can carry a maximum payload of up to 36,000 pounds (16,329 kilograms) internally or externally.
2. Power: The CH-53 is powered by three turboshaft engines, typically the General Electric T64 or the more recent General Electric T408 engines. These engines provide the helicopter with significant power to lift heavy loads and operate in various environmental conditions.
3. Performance: The CH-53 is capable of flying at speeds of up to 170 knots (196 mph or 315 km/h) and has a maximum range of over 500 nautical miles (575 miles or 926 kilometers). It can operate at high altitudes and in hot and dusty environments, making it suitable for a wide range of missions.
4. Role: The primary role of the CH-53 is heavy-lift cargo transportation. It can transport troops, vehicles, artillery, and other equipment both internally and externally. It is also used for search and rescue (SAR) missions, disaster relief, and special operations support.
5. Variants: Over the years, several variants of the CH-53 have been developed and deployed by the U.S. Marine Corps. These include the CH-53A, CH-53D, CH-53E Super Stallion, and the latest variant, the CH-53K King Stallion. Each variant has seen improvements in performance, payload capacity, and overall capabilities.
6. Modernization: The latest variant, the CH-53K King Stallion, features advanced technologies and improvements over its predecessors. It has enhanced lift capability, improved reliability, and reduced maintenance requirements compared to earlier models. The CH-53K is designed to meet the future heavy-lift requirements of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Overall, the CH-53 is a critical asset for the U.S. military, providing heavy-lift capabilities essential for transporting troops and equipment in various operational scenarios. Its reliability, versatility, and impressive lifting power make it one of the finest helicopters in the U.S. military inventory.

Get a behind the scenes look at an Australian Army Artillery Gun Line.

For further information regarding this Class Action;   enclosed is the website address for Gordon Legal, the   Veterans’ Privacy Breach Class Action Investigation Team.

https://gordonlegal.com.au/services/class-actions/veterans-privacy-class-action/

To protect your medical and personal information privacy; I recommend that join me and register your objection with Gordon Legal.

You must also register your protest with DVA, below, please find my letter to DVA, withdrawing my consent of third party access to my details:

Pass this information on to all of your fellow Gold Card Veterans.

For your amendment, Ralph Wollmers’ letter to DVA: 

E:  [email protected]

Dear Department of Veterans Affairs,

The inaugural sea trials for the US Navy’s Virginia Class attack submarine, New Jersey (SSN 796), have been successfully completed, marking a crucial step in its journey towards active duty. Over several days at sea, the vessel underwent rigorous testing of its vital systems and components, as announced by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), the US military shipbuilder, on February 29th.

These tests encompassed a range of operations, including the submarine’s first submergence, as well as high-speed manoeuvres both on the surface and submerged. The Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division will continue to conduct further testing before formally delivering the vessel to the US Navy.

Jason Ward, the Vice President of NNS Virginia Class submarine construction, remarked, “Taking New Jersey out for the first time is a significant milestone and the first major test of the submarine’s capabilities at sea. Both New Jersey and her crew performed exceptionally well. This was truly a team effort between shipbuilders, thousands of suppliers around the country, and the crew. We look forward to delivering New Jersey to the Navy soon so it can begin its service to our nation.”

New Jersey, the 23rd Virginia class submarine, holds the distinction of being the first submarine designed with gender integration modification. It was christened in November 2021 and is slated to be the 11th delivered by NNS.

In December 2023, a historic moment occurred as the US Congress passed the 2024 National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizing the transfer of three Virginia Class submarines to Australia for the first time. This move seeks to ensure Australia’s critical submarine capability leading up to the delivery of Australian-built SSN-AUKUS from the early 2040s.

The NDAA also establishes a national exemption for Australia and the United Kingdom from US defence export control licensing and includes them in the US Defence Production Act. Specifically, it greenlights the transfer of two in-service and one off-the-production-line Virginia Class submarine to Australia, with the option for Australia to seek congressional approval for the purchase of additional submarines.

Furthermore, the act authorizes the maintenance of US submarines by Australians in Australia, coinciding with increased port visits by UK and US nuclear-powered submarines, as well as a rotational presence starting as early as 2027 under Submarine Rotational Force West. The most intricate maintenance activity on a US nuclear-powered submarine in Australia to date is planned at HMAS Stirling in the latter half of 2024.

This significant decision received approval from both the US Senate and the House of Representatives, marking a collaborative effort to bolster submarine capabilities and strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

Radical pro-Palestinian group evades police crackdown after chilling footage emerges of ‘terrorist’ activists in Melbourne

A radical group of pro-Palestinian extremists in Melbourne has avoided any police crackdown despite chilling footage emerging of their leader declaring the activists as “terrorists”.

CLICK LINK to read this article

Radical pro-Palestinian group evades police crackdown after chilling footage emerges of ‘terrorist’ activists in Melbourne | Sky News Australia

The moon, seen from the Arctic Circle, between Russia and Canada. It only lasts a few seconds, but it’s worth seeing.  It’s a spectacular sight. Imagine that you are in a location between Canada and Russia and suddenly and for just 30 seconds, the moon appears in all its splendor and disappears before your eyes. It looks like the moon is going to collide with the earth. Even more impressive AND for just 5 seconds, a total eclipse of the sun takes place. It is unprecedented and spectacular!

The video was shot in REAL-TIME. The phenomenon happens at the “perigee”:  the closest point of a heavenly body’s orbit around the Earth, where the proximity of the moon is so evident that, suddenly, we realise the great speed at which the Earth is moving. This effect is only visible once a year and lasts for just 30 seconds… Astronomers figured out those exact 30 seconds and had the cameras rolling. Fortunately, they had a clear sky. Absolutely amazing!!

Watch this happen on the video. Total sun eclipse is ONLY 5 seconds… within seconds the sun is back. The moon re-appears and moves away in that 5 second interval.