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1. The Paladin M109A6 is a self-propelled howitzer (SPH) cannon artillery system, produced by the ground system division of United Defense LP, now known as BAE Systems Land and Armaments. First fielded in 1994, the system is used by the US Army, Israeli Army, and has been acquired by Kuwait and Taiwan. By June 1999, the US Army had received 950 units, with additional units procured in the subsequent years. The first M109A7 upgraded from the M109A6 standard was delivered to the US Army in April 2015.
2. Operational Features: A crew of four operates the Paladin, comprising a commander, driver, gunner, and loader. This team can autonomously receive mission details, compute firing data, set the cannon, fire, and relocate to a new position, demonstrating its ‘shoot and scoot’ capability. This ability allows them to fire the first round within 60 seconds, safeguarding the team from counterattacks. The Paladin played a crucial role in Operation Iraqi Freedom and other subsequent operations in Iraq.
3. Armament Details: The Paladin is equipped with a 39-calibre 155mm M284 cannon, capable of reaching distances between 24km to 30km depending on the ammunition used. With an automatic fire control system and integrated inertial positioning and navigation, it can achieve a high firing rate, making it a formidable artillery system. Additionally, it’s being updated to fire the Excalibur projectile which boasts a range of 40km and exceptional accuracy.
4. Protection Features: The Paladin’s design focuses on crew safety. The team stays inside the vehicle throughout missions, benefiting from nuclear, chemical, and biological protection systems. Additional enhancements include temperature-regulated air and Kevlar lining in the turret for added ballistic protection.
5. Communication Suite: Paladin’s communications setup is top-notch, incorporating a secure voice and digital system, inclusive of the VIC-1 Intercom and the SINCGARS radio subsystem.
6. Vehicle Propulsion and Power: Propelled by a 440hp diesel engine from Detroit Diesel Corporation, the Paladin can reach a top speed of 40mph and has a range of 214 miles. An electrical power supply rated at 650A, 24V DC supports the system’s operations.
7. M109A7 Development and Delivery: The successor to the M109A6, the M109A7, was first introduced as a prototype in 2007. The US Army has plans to acquire a total of 580 sets of this artillery system. With several contracts awarded over the years for production sets, BAE Systems has been fulfilling the orders, transitioning from low-rate initial production to full-rate production.
8. Upgrades and Improvements: BAE Systems and the US Army initiated the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program to enhance the Paladin system. The upgrade maintains key elements but introduces a Bradley-common chassis, a new 600hp engine, improved suspension, steering, survivability, and an automated loader. Enhanced digital capabilities and power-generation systems have been integrated, ensuring adaptability for future battlefield requirements. The firepower of the M109A7 is also doubled with a longer gun barrel and is fitted with the extended-range cannon artillery (ERCA) system.

Today, we commemorate the 80th anniversary of a pivotal event during World War II – Operation Jaywick. Orchestrated by the Z Special Unit, a joint venture between Australian and British special forces, this covert mission’s primary objective was to sabotage Japanese shipping activities in Singapore Harbour. Its success not only highlighted the potency of guerrilla warfare but also dealt a severe blow to the Japanese war effort, simultaneously elevating the spirits of the Allied forces.

Journey to the Heart of the Enemy Territory

Under the leadership of Major Ivor Lyon, the team embarked on a perilous journey from Western Australia towards Singapore. Their choice of transportation was an ingeniously captured boat, which they renamed the MV Krait to blend seamlessly into the local scenario. Disguised as Malay fishermen, the group sailed with the dual purpose of maintaining cover and avoiding unwanted attention.

Their journey led them to Subor Island, located a mere 11 kilometres from Singapore. Here, they prepared for the mission’s most critical phase.

The Night That Shifted the Tide of War

On the fateful night of 26th September 1943, the team, equipped with folding kayaks, silently infiltrated the Japanese-occupied Singapore Harbour. Their mission was simple yet audacious: place limpet mines on the Japanese ships without getting caught. After completing their treacherous task, they faced yet another challenge – paddling an arduous 80 kilometres to meet the MV Krait, their rendezvous point, which took them six days.

The result of their bravery became evident a few days later. The detonation of the limpet mines caused catastrophic damage. Seven enemy vessels, crucial to the Japanese naval operations, either sank or suffered grievous damages.

Homeward Bound: The Heroes Return

After successfully completing one of the most daring missions of World War II, the team rendezvoused with the Krait. Exhausted but triumphant, they embarked on their journey back home. The Krait, carrying its brave canoeists, made its way back to Australian shores, reaching Exmouth on 19th October 1943.

Legacy of Operation Jaywick

The audaciousness of Operation Jaywick remains a testament to the effectiveness of unconventional warfare. This mission not only demonstrated the strategic brilliance and courage of the Allied forces but also delivered a significant blow to the Japanese, disrupting their naval capabilities. Moreover, the news of the operation’s success spread rapidly among the Allies, serving as a morale booster during challenging times.

Today, as we remember and honour the heroes of Operation Jaywick, their legacy stands as a reminder of the indomitable human spirit and the lengths brave souls will go to ensure victory and freedom.

Images: Group portrait taken after the completion of Operation Jaywick (Australian War Memorial), The original sign for The Krait on display in The Man From Snowy River Museum in Corryong, photo courtesy of Carl Webster.

The Defence Department has recently expressed concerns regarding its increasing dependency on outsourced contractors, prompting strategic moves to bolster its internal staffing. Recent data, sourced through Freedom of Information laws, reveals that the contractor workforce has surged to an unprecedented 37,000 members. Alarmingly, this number surpasses the Australian Army’s enlisted personnel by 18 per cent, raising eyebrows about the Department’s operational sustainability and potential vulnerabilities.

Recognising the growing imbalance and potential risks of an outsized contractor workforce, the Department has clearly articulated its intentions to scale back on outsourcing. A significant part of this strategy is their ambitious commitment to reducing the size of its contracted workforce. In line with this vision, the Department has mapped out comprehensive plans that will:

• Transition 2,000 contractor roles to in-house positions by the end of next year. This move aims to directly integrate external roles, ensuring greater oversight, cohesion, and reliability in key operational areas.
• Expand the Department’s permanent staff base by a staggering 18,000 individuals by the year 2040. This long-term vision not only underscores the Department’s dedication to fortifying its internal resources but also highlights a commitment to providing stable employment and strengthening the core of its operational capacities.

This strategic shift is expected to offer numerous advantages, including better control over training, streamlined operations, enhanced security protocols, and reduced costs in the long run. By prioritising a robust internal workforce, the Defence Department aims to ensure that it remains resilient, self-reliant, and better poised to address the nation’s defence needs in an ever-evolving global landscape.

Will Shackel is the 17-year-old founder of Australia’s first youth-lead campaign for Nuclear Energy: Nuclear for Australia. As a young person concerned about the climate and energy crisis, he decided to research the prospect of the technology collaborating with experts from around the world, determining that nuclear power could be a solution that could benefit Australia.

Through his advocacy he started a petition to legalise Nuclear Energy, sent a letter to the Prime Minister and in May provided evidence to an Australian Senate Committee in Canberra on why he believed Nuclear Energy should be legalised.

In addition to his advocacy, last year he was a winner of Australia’s most prestigious academic competition: The Simpson Prize.

Phuoc Tuy – 1971: a US view of ‘fun-loving’ Australians, their “incredible exploits’, giant lobsters, and ‘not too many Viet Cong’

Perhaps this interesting view by a newly-arrived US captain on Phuoc Tuy Province in 1971 – and the “fun-loving Australians”, might be of interest to the readers of your FRONTLINE website?

A newly-arrived US Officer’s View of Phoenix in Phước Tuy in early 1971  (from p.250 in Chamberlain’s book on the VC underground)

In early 1971, US Army Captain Stuart Herrington arrived in Vietnam to serve as a Phoenix program advisor. Post-War, he described his arrival and allotment to the program:

“Three days in Saigon convinced me that I didn’t want to draw an assignment there. The city was filthy, overcrowded, hectic, and overrun with hustlers of all types. You name the negative modifier, it fit Saigon in early 1971. Not even the graffiti on the latrine walls at the reception centre could dampen my enthusiasm for getting out of Saigon – the sooner the better. … (a pejorative on Vietnamese and their flag has been omitted from this text) …  I had a game plan to get a good assignment, if indeed there was such a thing in Vietnam.

A friend of mine had just returned from a tour in Phuoc Tuy, a coastal province southeast of Saigon best known for its resort town of Vung Tau. He had described duty in Phuoc Tuy in glowing terms—silver beaches, giant lobsters, and not too many Vietcong. There was even a contingent of fun-loving Australians stationed in the province, and my friend told incredible tales of their non-military exploits.

The plan was for me to go to the officer assignment folks at headquarters ((in Saigon)), rattle off a few words of Vietnamese, and Vung Tau, here I come. It didn’t work. The sergeant in the assignments branch merely laughed as he explained that Phuoc Tuy province would not hold all of the men who had volunteered to go there in the defence of democracy. The best I was able to do was to wrangle orders to Military Region III, the area around Saigon. I was to report the following morning to Bien Hoa city, a few miles north of Saigon, for an interview with a colonel who would decide where I would actually be assigned.”

Captain Herrington was assigned to the Phoenix program in Hậu Nghĩa Province – (40km west of Saigon via Route 22) until late 1972.

 Regards, Ernie Chamberlain

Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defence Artillery Regiment are positioned alongside four Directed Energy Manoeuvre-Short Range Air Defence (DE M-SHORAD) prototype systems. Photo: 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defence Artillery Regiment.

The four directed energy manoeuvre-short range air defence prototype systems were delivered to Fort Sill by the US Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office under the DE M-SHORAD Project Management Office.

Personnel have previously prepared for the laser weapon systems during training in 2022 using surrogate M-SHORAD vehicles designed to mimic the DE M-SHORAD prototype’s size, weight, and power; as well as completing a ‘kill chain’ attack using Virtual Crew Trainer Operating Systems equipment.

In addition, a successful live fire exercise was held between crews from 4-60th ADAR and the DE M-SHORAD prototype team in Arizona during March this year.

“The delivery of DE M-SHORAD prototypes to the 4-60th ADAR represents a transformational milestone in the Army’s modernisation campaign. It’s an achievement that adds what was often thought of as a next-generation capability, now,” according to Colonel Steven D Gutierrez, who leads the DE M-SHORAD office.

“These high energy laser systems will be a game changer on the contemporary battlefield, a critical component of an integrated, layered, and in-depth air missile defence for division and brigade manoeuvre formations.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of our team. The Directed Energy Project Office took nascent technologies and accelerated their maturation and development to put hardware in the hands of soldiers in record time.

“This will prove to be a deterrent as well as an effective weapon system against relevant threat sets that requires minimal logistical support versus traditional and legacy systems.”

The US Army plans to employ the prototypes in a Soldier Touchpoint in 2024 in partnership with the Army Test and Evaluation Command. The testing and feedback insight will allow soldiers to determine how tools and equipment under development will be used practically in the field.

“The delivery of the DE M-SHORAD prototypes marks an extraordinary advancement in our military capabilities,” according to former 4-60th ADAR battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Alex Corby.

“Delta Battery etches its name in the annals of military history as the Army’s first-ever tactical directed energy capable unit. With cutting-edge technology at their disposal, they are pioneers, forging a path towards a more formidable and agile future for our forces.”

By: Robert Dougherty – Defence Connect

Photo credit: Army Staff Sgt. John Miller captures Marine Staff Sgt. Matthew Sponagle as he scans the ground for metal indications at a suspected crash location.

30-year-old Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Matthew Sponagle, from Reading, Pennsylvania, is part of a dedicated 25-member unit from the Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency. They’re on a mission in northern Germany, looking for 10 lost airmen of a B-24H Liberator bomber that met its end in 1945.

Sponagle’s dual roles include identifying personal belongings and remains of the fallen crew and ensuring the safe handling and disposal of explosives as the team’s explosive ordnance disposal specialist.

Upon landing in Germany on Aug. 1, Sponagle promptly coordinated with local law enforcement and German bomb disposal teams, preparing them to manage any discovered munitions or explosives.

Sponagle’s journey began in September 2011, post his graduation from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. He then honed his skills for eight months at the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal in Florida. But for him, learning is an ongoing process. “Every site offers a new lesson,” he remarked. For this mission, he meticulously researched the ordnance of the WWII bomber to ensure the team’s safety, studying details down to the 50-calibre machine gun’s ammunition.

He recounts his previous three recovery expeditions: The first was a challenging mission in Panama’s jungles, seeking two naval pilots lost during training. Though some personal items and aircraft fragments were retrieved, the absence of remains made it emotionally taxing. His subsequent missions led him to Thailand, searching for WWII airmen, and then to the Solomon Islands, pursuing the remains of Marines from the Guadalcanal campaign.

Considering his future, Sponagle envisions a long tenure with the Marine Corps, followed by humanitarian work abroad with NGOs.

He expressed his motivation behind volunteering for these missions, “It’s about offering closure to families whose kin made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The Defence Department-affiliated agency conducts searches in 45 nations to locate lost service members from WWII onward, covering events like the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Desert Storm. An estimated 81,000 service members remain unaccounted for. After successfully identifying any recovered remains, the agency informs the family and plans a military burial.

In my recent posting to the FRONTLINE website, I discussed Ross Eastgate’s comments on Australian military involvement in battles at Hamburger Hill (May 1969), Khe Sanh, and Hue.

On Australian participation at “Hamburger Hill”, I stated that I did not believe that our forces had been involved in that engagement close to the Lao border – but that “I could be wrong”. I have now been advised by Ross Eastgate that an AATTV member was involved at Hamburger Hill – ie referring to WO2 Max Kelly (b.26 April 1922) who served with AATTV in the period May 1968 to August 1969. Post-War, Max Kelly collaborated with historian Chris Coulthard-Clark in an article: “An Australian at Hamburger Hill”- see the AWM on-line holdings: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/LIB54111 (an AWM magazine article was published in 2002).

Abstract: “A Vietnam veteran recalls a little-known connection with a famous battle.”

As you may know, I have written and published several books and articles on the Vietnam War – principally focused on NVA/VC in Phuoc Tuy and more broadly on MR3 ie: books include on D445 (two), D440, 33rd NVA Regiment (two), and the 275th VC Regiment – Long Tan (2022). I have also published a 75-page account: “The Fall of Phuoc Tuy – 1975” (with photographs and maps). If you’d like a complimentary copy as an email attachment, contact me at [email protected].

I am still grinding along with my 400+page “opus” on intelligence operations against the communist underground in Phuoc Tuy province.

Regards,

Ernie Chamberlain