All News

The 3rd Brigade have been digging in and establishing a defensive position around the underground command post during Exercise Brolga Run. Establishing a defensive position during military operations is crucial for several reasons:

1. Protection and Survival

Digging in provides cover and concealment, reducing the vulnerability of soldiers to enemy fire and artillery. It enhances the physical protection of personnel from shrapnel, small arms fire, and other battlefield hazards.

2. Force Multiplication

A well-prepared defensive position can enable a smaller force to hold off a larger enemy force. Defensive fortifications, such as trenches, bunkers, and barriers, enhance the combat effectiveness of the defending troops, making it difficult for the enemy to advance.

3. Time for Reinforcement and Resupply

Establishing a strong defensive position buys time for reinforcements to arrive and for supplies to be delivered.

4. Psychological Advantage

A secure defensive position boosts the morale and confidence of defending troops.

5. Strategic and Tactical Control

Controlling key terrain through defensive positions can deny the enemy access to important areas, routes, and resources. It also allows the defending force to control the battlefield environment, dictating the terms of engagement.

6. Preparation for Counteroffensive

A strong defensive position can serve as a staging ground for launching counteroffensives. It provides a stable base from which to regroup, plan, and launch attacks on the enemy.

7. Coordination and Communication

Defensive positions allow for better coordination and communication within the defending force. Establishing a secure area ensures that command and control elements can function effectively, facilitating strategic planning and execution.

8. Disruption of Enemy Plans

A well-established defensive position can disrupt enemy operations, forcing them to change their plans, redirect resources, and potentially make tactical errors. This can provide the defending force with opportunities to exploit enemy weaknesses.

In summary, digging in and establishing a defensive position is a fundamental military tactic that enhances protection, increases combat effectiveness, and provides strategic advantages, all of which are essential for the success and survival of military operations.

Instinct kicked in when Private Tony Stewart and his fellow soldiers were engaged in the Battle for Coral, in Vietnam, 1968. It was the most horrific battle he would take part in but this is what Stewart was trained for and he know he had his mates there to look after him.

In this fascinating video for aviation enthusiasts and new aircraft engines, we cover the new, revolutionary engine from Rolls Royce – the F130 Dual Pod Engine for the B-52! It’s a dual engine that hasn’t been updated in over 70 years! We’ll talk in detail about the specifications, aircraft, aviation, and how this engine will change aviation forever. This is really something new for aviation, as this engine is scheduled to be used as far back as 2050 and was developed in conjunction with the U.S. government. So if you are a fan of aviation, be sure to watch the video to the end and you will learn many facts about aviation, airplanes and airplane engines.

On July 3, 1976 Israel launched the most daring, complicated, long range, logistically challenging and political volatile hostage rescue in history. The raid made history in more ways than one, and proved to the world the lengths that Israel would go to rescue its citizens. Hosted by Colin D. Heaton. Forgotten History is a 10th Legion Pictures Production.

On this day at 1830 hours 28 years ago, during night training operations in the High Range Training Area (HRTA), two Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawks, designated A25-209 and A25-113, collided at a speed of 200 km/h while conducting low-flying tactical operations. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of 15 members of the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) and 3 members of the 5th Aviation Regiment. It stands as one of the most devastating peacetime disasters ever to impact the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The collision and subsequent crash of these helicopters had a profound effect on the ADF and the nation as a whole. Many stories of heroism emerged from that fateful evening, highlighting the bravery and dedication of those involved. However, the heartbreaking reality remains that we lost 18 of our finest servicemen that night. Their sacrifice is a sombre reminder of the inherent risks faced by military personnel, even during training exercises.

The loss of these 18 soldiers is deeply felt within the ADF and the broader Australian community. Their commitment to their duty and their ultimate sacrifice serves as a poignant testament to the dangers associated with military service. The incident has had lasting implications, prompting reviews and changes in training protocols to enhance safety and prevent such tragedies in the future.

As we remember this day, we honour the memory of those who perished and acknowledge the enduring impact of their loss on their families, comrades, and the nation. Their legacy of service and courage continues to inspire and remind us of the profound cost of maintaining our defence capabilities.

LEST WE FORGET

Innovaero Next-Gen “Owl” Loitering Munition (Picture source: Innovaero)

The Australian Army is preparing to deploy the “Owl” loitering munition, an advanced electric-powered drone, by the end of this year. This drone, capable of covering nearly 200 kilometres or loitering in the air for 30 minutes with a lethal payload, has been developed by Innovaero, a Western Australia-based company, in collaboration with its subsidiary Boeing Insitu Pacific. The Owl is currently undergoing testing with an unspecified special operations unit of the Australian Army.

The development of the Owl, a one-way loitering munition (OWL), began in 2022. It is designed to integrate with other drones acquired by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). According to a government tender document, Innovaero, which is partly owned by BAE Systems Australia, has secured over $5.3 million in defence contracts since May 2022 for the design, development, building, and testing of this device. The importance of armed drones has been underscored by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has drawn criticism from military experts regarding Australia’s urgency in acquiring such technology.

A Defence spokesperson, while not specifically commenting on Innovaero’s Owl, confirmed that “the loitering munition capability will be introduced this calendar year.” Following the National Defence Strategy and the Integrated Investment Program, the Defence Department continues to test maritime, land, and air platforms with both Australian and foreign suppliers to ensure the ADF can deploy the latest technologies and maximize its advantage. The introduction of loitering munitions across most combat units of the Australian Army will be guided by the outcomes of these trials.

Despite the defence industry’s satisfaction with the progress of Innovaero’s Owl, there are concerns about significant delays in other critical innovation programs due to a lack of funding. A senior official, speaking anonymously, warned that the services have very little funding, preventing them from financing small programs and meeting the long-term needs of ships and aircraft. It seems a decision has been made to prioritize large, expensive, long-term projects, leaving small, inexpensive, and immediate capabilities underfunded.

By Captain Brittany Evans

Members of 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment completed construction of an underground command post during Exercise Brolga Run at Townsville Field Training Area.

The design process for the 40x20m bunker started in November 2023, and construction began in February during Exercise Brolga Walk.

Bunkers are typically small concrete structures, partly dug into the ground and built in defensive positions.

Project designer Lieutenant Ji-Sang Yu, who oversaw the project, said the construction process took the equivalent of about 15 working days to finish – “two and a half weeks tactical, two weeks non-tactical”.

“We had about 25 members working on the bunker from the construction troop, and support from six tradesman apprentices. What the team has achieved with the amount of people is amazing,” he said.

A newly graduated engineer officer, Lieutenant Yu said he was quite nervous at the start of the project.

“Imagine a fresh mechanical engineer being asked to build a car,” he said.

“We learnt a lot of lessons from this; for example, it ended up being too rocky, so we had to use a rock-breaker to break the whole lot out.

“It’s amazing, seeing my design and being able to walk through it.

“I can’t take all the credit for it – the team have been working really hard to bring this together.”

Bunkers were used extensively during World War 1, World War 2 and the Cold War for weapon facilities, command-and-control centres and storage facilities.

Commander 3rd Brigade Brigadier Dave McCammon said the bunker design incorporated modern-day features such as natural and mechanical ventilation, lighting and power outlets.

“This is World War 1 meets the future, in a trench bunker, and you have a computer server room,” Brigadier McCammon said.

“The server room is air-conditioned because there are so many computers, and it would get too hot.

“This was a big consideration as we were planning.

“It will be a variation getting used to working under here instead of a tent, in particular for the signallers.”

Brigadier McCammon said a variety of skills were required for the construction.

“Everyone has a view that the Army is a bunch of people that drive tanks or shoot rifles,” he said.

“We have signals infrastructure, we’ve got engineers, plant operators are digging, and carpenters on site are in high demand.

“They are smart soldiers and people that can quickly improvise, find solutions and get things done.

“This is why an exercise like this is so important; you see the diversity of skills available within members of 3rd Brigade.”

TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, commenced construction on Monday in Kemmerer, Wyoming, on what is set to be America’s first next-generation nuclear power facility and the world’s most advanced nuclear plant.

“This is a big step toward safe, abundant, zero-carbon energy,” Gates stated during the groundbreaking ceremony. “And it’s important for the future of this country that projects like this succeed.”

Addressing the audience, Gates highlighted the significance of the project, saying they were “standing on what will soon be the bedrock of America’s energy future.”

Co-founded by Gates, TerraPower aims to “revolutionize” power generation. The construction site in Wyoming is being prepared for the installation of a cutting-edge reactor. In March, TerraPower applied for a construction permit for an advanced nuclear reactor that uses sodium instead of water for cooling.

Though non-water-cooling reactor technology has existed for some time, Gates’ initiative in Wyoming marks the first attempt in 40 years by a private company to commercially launch such an advanced reactor.

The new facility is located next to the Naughton Power Plant, a coal-burning plant scheduled to cease coal operations in 2026 and switch to natural gas, which it will phase out around 2036. Naughton plans to source clean energy from the TerraPower reactor.

This groundbreaking project places America in a race against Russia, which is also developing reactors utilizing sodium for cooling.