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The USAF C-5 Galaxy is a massive military transport aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). Here are some key details about this aircraft:

1. Introduction: The C-5 Galaxy was introduced in 1970 and remains one of the largest military aircraft in the world. It was developed to transport oversized cargo and large numbers of troops over long distances.
2. Size: The C-5 is truly massive. It has a wingspan of 222.9 feet (68.0 meters) and a length of 247.1 feet (75.3 meters). It stands 65.1 feet (19.8 meters) tall. The cargo hold of the C-5 is 121 feet long, 13.5 feet wide, and 13.5 feet high, making it one of the largest cargo compartments of any aircraft in the world.
3. Capacity: The C-5 can carry a maximum payload of over 280,000 pounds (127,000 kilograms). It can accommodate a wide variety of oversized cargo, including tanks, helicopters, and even other aircraft.
4. Range: With its mid-air refuelling capability, the C-5 can fly non-stop for intercontinental missions. Its range exceeds 5,500 miles (8,800 kilometres) without refuelling.
5. Performance: The C-5 is powered by four General Electric TF39 turbofan engines, each producing over 43,000 pounds of thrust. Despite its massive size, it is capable of cruising at speeds of up to 518 mph (833 km/h).
6. Operational Roles: The C-5 is primarily used for strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo to destinations around the world. It is also used for humanitarian missions, disaster relief efforts, and other special operations.
7. Upgrades: Over the years, the C-5 has undergone various upgrades to improve its performance, reliability, and maintainability. These upgrades have included avionics modernization, engine upgrades, and structural enhancements.
8. Variants: The C-5 has several variants, including the original C-5A, the improved C-5B, the stretched C-5C, and the modernized C-5M Super Galaxy, which features new engines and other improvements.

Overall, the C-5 Galaxy plays a critical role in the USAF’s global mobility mission, providing the capability to transport outsized cargo and personnel to anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice.

ED: Advocates will be at the Mount Isa Irish Club on May 17 & 18, if you know veterans in that area, please pass this info on.

Photo: RSL Queensland Vice President Bill Whitburn, RSL Compensation Advocate Darrell Edwards, and RSL North Queensland President Garry Player. Picture RSL Queensland

The Mount Isa RSL Sub Branch is extending assistance to local veterans with their claims and entitlements. RSL North Queensland President Garry Player, along with RSL Advocate Darrell Edwards, will be available at the Isa’s recently established headquarters, situated at the Irish Club, on May 17 and 18.

Navigating the claim process with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) can be complex, and Mr. Player emphasized the importance for veterans to seize the opportunity to meet with Mr. Edwards. Acting as a liaison between ex-defense personnel and the DVA, the advocate facilitates the claims process, providing guidance through its intricacies and the relevant legislation, which spans three different acts based on service details.

In 2023 alone, RSL Queensland lodged 6,712 DVA claims. Compensation advocates play a crucial role in this process, gathering claim details, conducting necessary research, completing paperwork, and submitting claims. They maintain communication with veterans throughout the determination process, offering updates along the way.

Mr. Player expressed his commitment to visiting Mount Isa regularly to connect with veterans, often accompanied by an advocate to assist individuals with their claims, troubleshoot any obstacles encountered, and provide guidance on the best course of action.

The sub branch has settled comfortably into its new location since the official opening in March, graciously provided by the Irish Club. Sub Branch Treasurer Kate Fischer highlighted the importance of raising awareness about their services within the local veteran community, hoping that the new space will serve as a beacon, attracting more veterans to seek support and become members.

Defence funding is set to experience a significant delay in substantial increases, with an anticipated shortfall of 5000 personnel. While an additional $5.7 billion is earmarked for the upcoming years, the majority, $3.8 billion, won’t be accessible until 2027-28. Despite government alerts regarding Australia’s strategic challenges, defence expenditure will gradually climb to $67.4 billion by 2027-28, reaching 2.12% of GDP.

Committing to bolstering defence capabilities, the government has pledged $50.3 billion in supplementary funding by 2033-34, with the aim of surpassing $100 billion in annual expenditure, equivalent to 2.3% of GDP.

Concurrently, Australia intends to amplify its assistance for overseas conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, with an additional $144 million allocated over a two-year period. This includes furnishing military equipment to Ukraine and extending duty-free access to bolster its economy until July 2026.

The Budget has outlined several initiatives for the 2024-25 fiscal year, including:

• Setting aside $17.5 million to institute a new Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence, enhancing parliamentary oversight and comprehension of Defence’s pivotal role in navigating Australia’s complex strategic landscape.
• Committing $166.2 million over the span of five years starting from 2023-24 in grants to fortify small and medium-sized businesses and local defence industries, integral components of the Defence Industry Development Strategy.
• Dedication of $28 million spanning from 2024-25 to 2027-28 for the implementation of reforms pursuant to the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act 2024, aimed at fostering industry engagement and streamlining trade between AUKUS partners.
• Investing $81.9 million into the defence industry to fortify critical job roles, including provisions for scholarships, enticing and enrolling apprentices via the Shipbuilding Employment Pathways Initiative, support for supply chains, and augmenting the defence industrial workforce.
• Allocating $232.3 million for international military support and assistance endeavours from 2023-24 to 2024-25, including an additional $144.3 million earmarked for military support to Ukraine.

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, underscored, “In revitalising the IIP, the Government is delivering the capabilities necessary for the ADF to safeguard Australians, while concurrently strengthening our sovereign defence industry to cultivate jobs and nurture a future shaped by Australia.”

ED: My apology for posting this the other day without the video, thanks to those who let me know.

Leading organisations in the energy space have taken a single minded approach to the energy transition. They view weather dependent renewables as the sole option for a cleaner grid. This unwillingness to look at all alternatives to fossil fuels has led to gaps in the scientific reasoning. Experts Helen Cook, Chris Uhlmann, Adi Paterson and Aidan Morrison spoke at a recent CIS lunch where they laid out a clear path forward for nuclear energy. They looked at what Australia can learn from other countries’ energy transition. And they answered some of the most pressing questions in the nuclear debate: how long and how much? This isn’t just about lifting bans or debating renewables; it’s about envisioning a feasible, practical path to nuclear energy.

Army’s Aviation Command delivers aviation capability to support Army’s generation of land power and enable the integrated force in peace and war. Battlefield aviation is a critical capability that ensures the Integrated Force is connected, protected, lethal and enabled through the provision of tactical speed, reach, access and situational awareness. We are conducting essential training to ensure we are ready now, reinforcing our critical capabilities and introducing new capabilities to ensure we remain future ready.

STOP PRESS

David McBride, 60, pleaded guilty to stealing classified material and leaking it to journalists and faced sentencing today.

Justice David Mossop sentenced McBride to an aggregated five years and eight months in prison for three charges in the ACT Supreme Court today.

McBride will have a non-parole period of 27 months, meaning he’ll remain behind bars until at least August 2026.

David McBride, the individual responsible for disclosing classified military documents uncovering allegations of Australian soldiers’ war crimes in Afghanistan, awaits sentencing following his guilty plea.

McBride, a former military lawyer, admitted to stealing and leaking classified material to journalists. While the prosecution advocates for a minimum two-year prison sentence, arguing the severity of his actions, McBride’s defence asserts his actions were in the public interest, pleading for leniency.

Justice David Mossop of the ACT Supreme Court will deliver the verdict, weighing options ranging from imprisonment to community service.

During sentencing hearings, McBride’s barrister cited his impaired emotional well-being, attributing his decision to disclose the documents to PTSD and substance abuse issues. McBride believed he had a public duty to reveal the information.

Prosecutors countered, claiming McBride’s motivations shifted from personal vindication to challenging defence protocols and breaching legal obligations. They argued that despite allegations of top officials’ misconduct, McBride failed to pinpoint specific criminal activities in his disclosures.

The leaked documents triggered investigations, revealing information about 23 potential war crimes incidents involving the deaths of 39 Afghans. McBride’s defence contended that his actions aimed to expose perceived injustices and prevent undue investigations against soldiers.

As the verdict looms, McBride’s case raises crucial questions about the balance between national security, transparency, and individual conscience.

ED: I know there is a deal of interest from members in Nuclear, if you are interested this video runs for about 60 minutes and is worth watching.

Leading organisations in the energy space have taken a single minded approach to the energy transition. They view weather dependent renewables as the sole option for a cleaner grid. This unwillingness to look at all alternatives to fossil fuels has led to gaps in the scientific reasoning. Experts Helen Cook, Chris Uhlmann, Adi Paterson and Aidan Morrison spoke at a recent CIS lunch where they laid out a clear path forward for nuclear energy. They looked at what Australia can learn from other countries’ energy transition. And they answered some of the most pressing questions in the nuclear debate: how long and how much? This isn’t just about lifting bans or debating renewables; it’s about envisioning a feasible, practical path to nuclear energy.

Richard Marles has admitted there is an “issue of culture” within the broader defence leadership amid reports of a fractured relationship with the ADF and his department.

CLICK LINK to follow this Sky News story

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles admits there is an ‘issue of culture’ within the broader Defence leadership | Sky News Australia

Australia’s decision to support the U.N. resolution advocating for Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations has sparked criticism and disagreement, particularly from allies like the United States and Israel. This move diverges from the stance of key partners, indicating a significant departure in diplomatic alignment.

The resolution, which gained considerable international backing, emphasizes Palestine’s eligibility for U.N. membership without mentioning Hamas or addressing critical issues such as hostage situations. While Australia’s vote aligns with the majority, it contrasts with the abstentions of other nations like the United Kingdom, Canada, and several European countries.

The rejection of the resolution by the United States at the U.N. Security Council exacerbates tensions and underscores the divergent approaches to achieving Palestinian statehood. U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood emphasized the preference for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian authority as the primary avenue for progress, dismissing the resolution as counterproductive.

In defending Australia’s decision, Foreign Minister Penny Wong stressed the resolution’s merits in advancing the goal of a two-state solution, sidelining Hamas’s terrorist activities. However, Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham expressed concerns that the resolution’s support could be interpreted as rewarding violence and terrorism over diplomatic dialogue, highlighting the absence of explicit references to Hamas and Israel’s right to exist.

This divergence in perspectives within Australia’s political landscape reflects broader global tensions and complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, underscoring the challenges of finding consensus and advancing meaningful solutions in the quest for peace and stability in the region.

The resolution the Albanese government supported doesn’t mention Hamas, let alone call for their surrender. It also doesn’t call for the release of hostages held by Hamas and doesn’t make respect for Israel’s right to exist a precondition of action.