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Edition 1436 February 21, 2019 The soldiers’ newspaper

Top military dogs recognised

Page 8

Students become the teachers in Iraq

Pages 2-3

Providing support to flood-devastated QueenslandEight-page lift-out

Training in the Afghan mountains

Pages 4-5

A CH-47 Chinook transports fuel as part of the Australian Defence Force’s support to local communities affected by the floods in central and north Queensland. Photo: Pte Brodie Cross

News2

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Students become the teachers

February 21, 2019 Newsdefence.gov.au/news/armynews 3

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Capt Jesse Robilliard

IRAQI instructors from the Baghdad Fighting School have trained more than 1900 of their own soldiers at Taji Military Complex.

It is only the second time the school has led the training, with Australian and New Zealand troops of TGT-8 stepping back from the role to mentor the Iraqi instructors.

Comd TGT-8 Col Jason Groat said he was “immensely proud” of the school’s achievement.

“The Baghdad Fighting School training another 1900 soldiers of the Iraqi Security Forces is a sign of its growing maturity as a training establishment,” Col Groat said.

The training focused on core infantry skills, such as shooting, fieldcraft, and manoeuvre at squad, platoon and company levels.

Cpl Jeremy Drummond, of Training Team Victor, said the cali-bre of the school’s instructors was high.

“Training Team Victor is observ-ing the training and monitoring the instructors by providing feedback where we feel we need to,” Cpl Drummond said.

“They are tracking well. They have got a lot of professional and knowledgeable instructors.”

Students become the teachers

2IC Training Team Victor Capt Steven Moye said the Iraqi instruc-tors were enthusiastic learners.

“The soldier and officer train-ing we have been doing has been easier because the Iraqis are keen

to learn. They enjoy robust discus-sion about tactics and analysis of problems,” Capt Moye said.

In addition to Iraqi Army instructors training their own soldiers, the school has begun to

mentor its own instructors. “We have tried to push some

more knowledgeable instructors in with the junior guys to help them and push them out of their comfort zones,” Cpl Drummond said.

Bdr Peter Graham briefs Iraqi soldiers before a culminating activity at the Taji Military Complex.

Iraqi soldiers prepare to move during a training activity.

An Iraqi soldier secures a room during a training exercise at the Taji Military Complex. The activity is the final stage of an infantry skills package delivered by Iraqi Army instructors from the Baghdad Fighting School with assistance from ADF personnel.Photos: Cpl Oliver Carter

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A COMPANY of officer cadets from the Afghan National Army moves purposefully along a snow-covered mountain on the outskirts of Kabul.

They move quietly while looking down the sights of their raised weapons. There are reports of insurgents in the area.

Automatic gunfire breaks the silence and the soldiers respond immediately. They establish all-around defence before coordi-nating the lay down of suppressing fire while a small group flanks and neutralises the “enemy”.

The exercise ends a successful week of training at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA), where new officer cadets begin their military training.

Capt Gerard Donnelly is one of 12 Australians who mentor at the academy.

“Today we watched a platoon attack on an enemy position. What we are trying to ensure is that the officer cadets are taught how to be the best platoon commander they can be so when they deploy to provinces they have the best skills and are set up for success,” he said.

“Overall, it was a successful exercise. The officer cadets are learning and every day we are seeing progress.”

The Australians join with troops from Britain, New Zealand and Denmark to mentor the Afghan instructors who train the officer cadets at ANAOA.

Maj Mustafa is the executive officer of the company of cadets who participated in the exercise.

He said the mentors continue to increase the capability of the ANAOA instructors to deliver training.

“The Australian mentors are important. Before we start an activity the mentors come down and we talk about the training, planning and running of the training,” Maj Mustafa said.

“We are seeing our knowledge and skills continue to develop.”

Officer cadets are taught military tactics, leadership, combat life-support, drill and physical education over the 12-month course.

Australia’s senior mentor at the academy, Lt-Col Alwyn Payne, said the best Afghan graduates are equal to those from the Royal Military Colleges of Duntroon in Australian and Sandhurst in the United Kingdom.

“They are eager, motivated and intelligent

leaders ready to get out and embrace the challenges of leading their country at war,” he said.

“I respect the fact that in a time of war, these young men and women make that commitment to their nation.”

Afghans who join the ANA do so at great personal risk, but they join “because they see a better future for Afghanistan is worth fight-ing for”, Lt-Col Payne said.

That knowledge drove his team of men-tors to deliver the best training possible.

“We give every bit of our commitment to supporting the Afghan instructors to ensure the best training is delivered,” Lt-Col Payne

said. “If we give these young officers the best training, then the men and women they lead have the best chance of survival and success on operations.”

Lt-Col Payne said the Australian mentors enjoyed close and professional military rela-tionships with the Afghan instructors.

“There are challenges, but even though the culture and the background of the instruc-tors we work with could not be any more different to that of ours, we share a common interest – being military professionals,” he said.

“There is a lot of goodwill that is built into that process and a fair bit of humour. Both

the Afghans and the Australians know how to have a laugh. We take the job seriously but maybe not ourselves too seriously.”

The academy was founded by former Afghan National Army Chief of Staff General Sher Mohammad Karimi, who said he owed his own military success to his experience as the first Afghan officer cadet to attend the British officer academy at Sandhurst in the 1960s.

Since ANAOA began in 2014 its mentors have overseen the training of almost 4000 Afghan officers, including more than 170 female cadets.

Winter warriorsIn the snow-capped mountains of Afghanistan, Australian mentors are teaching local instructors giving their soldiers the best chance of success, Leut Todd Fitzgerald reports.

Capt Gerard Donnelly mentors instructors from the Afghan National Officer Academy in Qargha.

An officer cadet from the Afghan National Army Officer Academy relays information during an exercise in Qargha.

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An officer cadet checks his surrounds on an exercise in Qargha. Photos: Cpl Chris Beerens

An officer cadet crouches behind a mound of snow.

Capt Sarah Adamson during an after-action review conducted by officers from the Afghan National Officer Academy.

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TWENTY-FOUR former cadets were among the December graduat-ing class of RMC-D.

The cadets, representing almost one-sixth of the 151 graduates, are now among the Army’s newest commissioned officers.

The 24 new officers were pre-sented with vouchers to purchase Sam Browne belts on behalf of Comd Australian Army Cadets (AAC) Brig Michael Ashleigh.

Lt-Col Sean Fleming, of HQ AAC, reinforced the strategic importance of the cadets program which enabled Army to maintain a presence in remote areas.

“The Commander and all mem-bers of the AAC are proud of the efforts by the former cadets who have graduated,” Lt-Col Fleming said.

“This level of recruitment is a significant part of the return on

investment in the program.“The Sam Browne belt is an

iconic item of uniform for officers worldwide and it is hoped it will

remind each of the recipients of the role their cadet service played in their pathway to becoming Army officers.”

Cadets transition to regular service

Lt-Col Sean Fleming, centre, with former cadets who recently graduated from RMC-D. Photo: Cpl Nunu Campos

February 21, 2019 Newsdefence.gov.au/news/armynews 7

Visiting the troopsMaj Dougie McGuire

THE soft Irish brogue of the parade MC and the skirl of Scottish bagpipes echoed across a drill square in Egypt as Australian and Fijian soldiers of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) paraded in front CA Lt-Gen Rick Burr, Comd JTF633 AVM Joe Iervasi and an audience representing the 12 MFO nations.

Despite their distinctive terracotta-coloured headgear, the Australian MFO contingent is a little-known part of the ADF’s operations in the Middle East region.

Australians have been a part of the MFO since 1982 which was a key implementation of the 1979 Camp David Agreement that formally ended years of conflict between Israel and Egypt.

The contingent of about 30 Australians works closely with the Fijian battalion based at Sharm-el Sheikh in Sinai which is part of the integrated MFO headquarters.

The multinational flavour was evi-dent throughout Lt-Gen Burr’s six-day visit to the Middle East region.

H i s i t i ne r a ry i nc luded t he Australian contribution to the US-led Coalition operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and a visit to Operation Accordion troops at the main logistics base for the area.

Praising the soldiers, sailors, airmen and women of JTF633 and the MFO, Lt-Gen Burr reminded them to focus on their purpose while deployed on the varied training and advisory missions.

“This isn’t about us, this is all about the people we are here to help,” he said.

“Whether it is in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in the MFO or as part of the ena-blers in a supporting role, we are all about helping people get to a better place.”

Lt-Gen Burr travelled to the Middle East region to visit Australian troops and meet key leaders from February 5-10.

In Iraq, he met with Comd Operation Inherent Resolve Lt-Gen Paul LaCamera of the US Army, and Australian troops deployed to TGT-8 and SOTG632.

During his visit to Afghanistan, Lt-Gen Burr met with the Comd Operation Resolute Support Gen Austin Scott Miller, of the US Army and Chief Mentor at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy Brig Adam Griffiths, of the British Army.

CA Lt-Gen Rick Burr speaks with soldiers deployed to Operation Accordion during his visit to the Middle East region. Photos: Cpl Chris Beerens

Lt Tahnee Farleigh-Hall during the Transfer of Authority parade for Joint Movements Coordination Middle East region.

CA Lt-Gen Rick Burr and Comd Australian Contingent Operation Mazurka Lt-Col Patrick O’Neill depart from North Camp in Sinai, Egypt.

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News8

Capt Dave Cusworth

SPECIAL Air Service Regiment (SASR) special operations military working dogs (SOMWD) past and present were honoured for their opera-tional service during a recent medal ceremony at Campbell Barracks.

Twenty-one dogs, veterans of deployments to Afghanistan and Fiji, received the ADF Canine Operational Service Medal for deployment of 30 days or more.

OIC SASR SOMWD Cell Sgt D said Australia was the first nation to introduce a medal to recognise the operational service of its canines.

“We’re particularly proud to hand out these medals because we were part of the push for the medals to be created and, particularly, the design featuring SOMWD Quake, an SASR dog killed in action in Afghanistan in 2011,” Sgt D said.

Of the 21 special operations dogs operationally deployed since 2006, 16 are deceased and five have retired to live with former handlers.

Four were killed in action and three wounded in action; many served multiple tours.

Handlers past and present attended the ceremony to receive medals on behalf of SOMWDs now deceased, while retired SOMWDs attended with their owners.

SASR deployed its first SOMWD team in 2006 along with the support of Air Force dog liaison officers, who

Top dogs honoured

Special operations military working dogs were honoured for their operational service.

have been an integral part of the unit’s capability.

The ceremony also paid tribute to SOMWDs Devil, Quake, Fax and

Kuga, who died as a result of opera-tional service in Afghanistan.

The most decorated ADF MWD Kuga, posthumously awarded the

PDSA Dickin Medal in October 2018, the Canine Operational Service Medal, the ADF Trackers and War Dogs Association’s War

Dog Operational Medal and Canine Service medal.

Kuga’s medals are on loan to the Australian War Memorial.

FLOOD OF SUPPORT

Troops support clean-up and rescue efforts in flood-devasted

QueenslandEight-page lift-out

Members of JTF658 in inflatable Zodiac F470s search flooded areas around Townsville for stranded residents needing evacuation and to assess damage. Photo: Pte Brodie Cross

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Keeping heads

WITH thick mud underneath and the stench of dead cattle all around, the

thumping hum of an approaching MRH90 brings a vital lifeline to those most in need.

“If it doesn’t come by air, then we’ve got nothing,” grazier Holly Stevens said amidst starving cattle on her remote Cremona property in far northwest Queensland.

Holly and her husband David were just some of the farmers who lost hundreds – if not thousands – of livestock as floodwaters destroyed vast areas across inland Queensland – particularly the shires of McKinlay, Cloncurry, Richmond and Winton.

Massive stretches of road still completely cut-off and submerged, the only way to help is by air.

On hand to assist in some of the hardest hit – and most remote – areas is a massive ADF effort, aided by a staunchly resilient local population determined not to let one of the worst disasters in recent history knock them down.

“We had 30 inches of rainfall in 10 days and more than 12 inches in just one day. It was phenomenal and we just couldn’t do anything,” Holly said.

“The cattle here would’ve been dead by now if the Defence Force didn’t bring some feed in. We really appreciate it, but we’re

not out of the woods yet.” 5 Avn Regt was at the

forefront of the ADF’s operations in the west, delivering 30 tonnes of life-saving feed on three MRH90s to stranded livestock.

“The situation here in central Queensland is dire,” OC B Sqn, 5 Avn Regt, Maj Richard Ward said.

“There are a lot of dead cattle out there but there are also a lot of isolated cattle, and without that food they don’t really stand a chance.

“Our personnel here know how important the cattle are to the survival of these communities. A lot of them have friends and family back in Townsville affected by the floods so for them to come out on a

Our soldiers are on-hand as communities are inundated with MRH90 aircrewman Sgt Kieran Dan helps coordinate the delivery of feed to flood-affected farms near Cloncurry. Photo: Sgt Ray Vance

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above watervery quick deployment and provide such an amazing effort has made me very proud.”

Teams from 9FSB and 10FSB set up refuelling points in the towns of Richmond and Julia Creek, allowing farmers and civilian contractors to get their own helicopters in the air to deliver feed to starving cattle cut off by the floodwater.

Brig Stephen Jobson, Comd JTF646 – Defence’s contribution to the flood response – praised the efforts of local community members in helping his people to be as targeted and efficient with their assistance as possible.

“This is a massive operation from members of all three services that has been conducted shoulder-to-shoulder with members of the

affected communities,” he said.“These people have helped

us be as efficient and effective as possible with our resources. The spirit they’ve shown out here has been incredible and all of the local councils have really pulled together.

“They’ve come up with the plan and priorities of where the fodder is going and so we’ve really managed to develop an excellent relationship with them in this tough time.”

Defence experts in environmental health, logistics, engineering, veterinary science and planning deployed to Julia Creek to help local councils develop and implement a robust long-term recovery plan.

floodwaters, writes Capt Dean Benson.

Floodwaters devastate the landscape near Richmond and Julia Creek in regional North Queensland.Photo: Cpl Nicci Freeman

A CH47 Chinook takes off from Julia Creek Airport to transport fuel.Photo: LS Craig Walton

February 21, 2019 defence.gov.au/news/armynews 11North Queensland Flood Assist

Video of ADF providing critical

lift support to farmersvideo.defence.gov.au/play/6030

ANSWERING THE CALL

North Queensland Flood Assist12 February 21, 2019 defence.gov.au/news/armynews 13North Queensland Flood Assist

FOR days a monsoonal trough be-gan soaking northern Queensland, but by January 31 the situation in Townsville and the broader region

became dire. The deluge was predicted to continue

at record levels and the Ross River Dam was already full.

That’s when the 3 Bde clicked into high gear to help support its local community.

Led by the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG), Towns-ville’s emergency services, including the Army (with further support from Air Force later on), began planning for what was about to happen.

The men and women of 3 Bde started filling sandbags in earnest, loading them onto trucks ready to take them where they were directed.

On the morning of February 1, the official request from the LDMG came.

Within 30 minutes ‘recce’ parties were out the door, surveying the areas where water was rapidly rising.

Work parties accompanied by trucks of sandbags were dispatched and pla-toons of personnel sandbagged threat-ened homes.

As the waters continued to rise and modelling of the impact and potential flooding threat became clear it was evi-dent that sandbagging operations alone would not be enough.

On the morning of February 2, the brigade supported evacuation efforts through doorknocking and providing information.

That evening Air Force flew in more sandbags.

They were filled, stacked and distributed to the community. Defence continued to aid police and other civil authorities in their evacuation efforts.

On February 3 an official request for significant support was received by the government and JTF658 was formed.

With its unique capabilities right on the doorstep, Townsville City Council and the emergency services called on the JTF to assist with evacuations of those caught by the rapidly-rising floodwaters.

Utilising a range of vehicles, such as the long-tested Bushmaster PMV and ASLAV and new-to-service Land 121 vehicles, the JTF assisted civil authorities by ensuring the safety of the Townsville community.

But the rain kept coming. The dam was now overflowing, so its gates were opened to prevent a disaster.

Being in the right place at the right time became imperative.

From noon February 3 to 5am Febru-ary 4, the JTF evacuated more than 600 residents stranded in their homes.

The push commenced with trucks and PMVs followed by ASLAVs. When the floodwaters became too high and the current too dangerous, small boats were used.

In absolute darkness and driving rain,

the task force ferried members of the community to the safe and dry tempo-rary safe area of the Lavarack Barracks gym, which had been converted into a short-term evacuation centre.

The next morning, a new team of boats were out on the water retrieving those who had made it through the night, but were now in sodden homes, with no electricity and no way of getting to safety.

The speed at which the task force was able to react shows the readiness at which all its elements are able to main-tain, albeit in a reset year. The courage of the members and their initiative to act was clear at every turn.

Most of all, the teamwork displayed among the JTF and importantly with

our emergency services colleagues was exceptional.

As the waters began to recede, a harsh reality came to light.

The very troops who were instru-mental in saving the lives of so many in Townsville were facing the daunting realisation that along the way they too had lost their homes.

Not ones to shirk in the face of a challenge the JTF stepped up and began planning for the recovery effort.

The initial focus would be on imme-diate assistance to the civil authorities to gaining access to critical infrastructure.

These efforts were rapidly followed by a systematic approach to getting schools, childcare centres and commu-nity facilities cleaned out and back up

and running. During the final phase of the recovery effort the JTF assisted the council with kerb-side rubbish removal.

With two out of three homes in Townsville affected, this task was bigger than one could imagine.

Further, an internal taskforce to support Defence personnel and their families affected by the floods, led by Air Commodore Sue McGready, was immediately stood up.

This taskforce coordinated the flood relief for ADF and APS members, in-cluding establishing community hubs to provide essential enabling services and support for housing, temporary accom-modation, travel and childcare.

Despite many losing their own homes in the Townsville floods, our soldiers continue to help the

city get back on its feet.

2 Cav Regt and Queensland Police Service assess damage to property caused by heavy floodwaters at Townsville.Photos: Pte Brodie Cross

Gnr Tavis McEwan, of 4 Regt, RAA, assists a Townsville resident in evacuating her home.

4 Regt, RAA, soldiers assist Townsville residents in sandbagging their homes in preparation of rising floodwaters.

Flood relief available for ADF membersADF personnel affected by flooding in Townsville may be eligible for reimbursement of associated costs after a Defence determination.

Following is an outline of the Defence (State of Emergency – Townsville floods) Determination 2019 (No. 1 and Amendment No. 2).

ExpensesMembers or dependants may be reimbursed for relevant expenses incurred before January 31.

Members who receive benefits under insurance cannot claim for those same benefits under this determination.

AccommodationMembers or their dependants are eligible to oc-cupy temporary accommodation if, since Janu-ary 31, they were displaced by flood waters or property damage.

This applies to service residences, rental allow-ance accommodation or private homes. Members or their dependants may occupy temporary accom-modation for a maximum of three months (with the possibility of an extension on a case-by-case basis), or until a service residence, rental accom-modation or a member’s own home is available, or the dependants return to Townsville to occupy a service residence, rental accommodation or their own home.

Members displaced due to the floods can have their contribution towards their home ceased while in temporary accommodation.

Car hireMembers are eligible for the reasonable cost of car hire for the duration of the time they occupy temporary accommodation.

TravelMembers and their dependants are eligible for travel costs from Townsville to a location of their choice in Australia (check the determination for details on air and vehicle travel).

Members or their dependants who are required to travel to Townsville to assess damage to their housing or furniture are eligible for the cost of return flights to Townsville; the cost of accommo-dation up to the amount specified in the Defence Determination – but not more than three nights – and the reasonable cost of car hire for the duration of the stay in Townsville.

PetsMembers are eligible to claim costs associated with the transportation and boarding of household pets.

Transportation is to the place where the dependants are in temporary accommodation, the place a nominated carer for the animals lives, or a kennel, cattery or other commercial animal accom-modation service.

Living-in accommodationMembers required to live on base will not pay a

contribution until the date the requirement ceases.Dependants occupying the same live-in resi-

dence are eligible for meals in the mess and are not required to pay a meal contribution. Displaced members with dependants are eligible to access Member Choice Accommodation if available.

Rent allowanceAny member in receipt of rent allowance before January 31 who must pay rent despite being displaced will have the allowance temporarily changed to the actual rent payable, or the rent ceil-ing that applies, whichever is less.

Furniture hireMembers are eligible for the reasonable cost of furniture hire to temporarily replace furniture lost, damaged or made inaccessible by the flood.

The benefit provided applies until members or dependants are able to access their furniture, the member or dependents have otherwise been compensated, or a date set by command.

Rejoining dependantsMembers with dependants (unaccompanied) whose dependants lived in the affected flood area on January 31 are eligible for a return economy flight from their place of duty to Townsville.

The full determination can be found at www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2019L00108

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North Queensland Flood Assist14

5 Avn Regt soldiers load bottled water on to an MRH90 for delivery to the town of Cungulla, North Queensland isolated by floodwater. Photo: Pte Brodie Cross

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February 21, 2019 Featuresdefence.gov.au/news/armynews 17

SUB-ZERO conditions are no stranger to WO2 Nathan “Red” Winnacott, who will join a team of

Australian and New Zealand Defence Force personnel in a 1500km trek across Antarctica next year.

The group of 10 adventurers will cross the southern continent as part of expedition which aims to raise money for research by Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation on the benefits of adventurous activities. It also seeks to raise awareness of programs for veterans through Wounded Heroes Australia.

Before the team can start their mission, they have to last in a series of training expeditions to complete – three weeks in Norway.

WO2 Winnacott, who worked on the icy continent with the Australian Antarctic Division, said the team came to rely on each other during the harsh conditions

they faced throughout their train-ing. “The team members have varying levels of experience in this sort of environment, but each brings complementary skills and personal qualities to the table and I think we’ve all learnt from each other,” he said.

“It’s difficult, given that we’re geographically dislocated, but we have regular Skype catch-ups to track where everyone is up to, as well as our other training.”

Norway will be the fifth activity for the group, with two weeks of training delivered by polar guide Hannah McKeand before the team sets out on their own for a week.

This, WO2 Winnacott said, will be the first real test of how the group has bonded as a team.

“Trekking in sub-zero condi-tions is hard work,” he said. “It takes a strong bond in the team to recognise when someone is reaching their breaking point, and to be able to provide the support

needed to push them through it.”The expedition is close to the

heart of the veteran explorer and adventurous training leader and instructor, who said he had seen first-hand the benefits experiential learning could provide to soldiers and civilians alike.

“There’s a real sense of accomplishment in the eyes of participants at the end of our adventurous training activities,” he said.

“They’re difficult and they can test what people think they know about themselves, but they also help people to grow.

“That’s why this expedition is so important – that it raises aware-ness of both adventurous activities as a whole, but also of their ben-efits to the wellbeing of veterans.”

For more information on the team, or to track their progress in Norway, visit: thespiritlivesantarctica.com, Facebook or Instagram

The spirit lives

WO2 Nathan “Red” Winnacott, who will join a team of Australian and New Zealand Defence Force personnel in a 1500km trek across Antarctica during his time with the Australian Antarctic Division.

WO2 Nathan Winnacott will brave freezing conditions in the name of wounded veterans, Cpl Sebastian Beurich reports.

ARMY families will be better informed of ADF activities and events once they register for the new ForceNet for Families communica-tions tool.

Users can quickly find informa-tion about the ADF and their sup-port agencies, including the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) and Defence Families of Australia (DFA), and can build personal net-works with other Defence families in a private online community.

Head People Capability, Maj-Gen Natasha Fox, acknowledges the unique demands on soldiers and their families, including the restrictions, pressures and difficulties of Service life that are not generally encoun-tered in the civilian community.

“Defence recognises the need for an effective and secure communica-tion platform that provides a vehicle for ADF leaders, members and their families, to connect and share infor-mation,” Maj-Gen Fox said.

“ForceNet for Families enables commanders and support agencies to connect with registered family members and provide them with an authoritative source of information as well as a channel for discussions when appropriate,.

“It is also accessible from a range of devices such as desktop computers, tablets and mobiles.”

Families can register to use ForceNet at www.forcenet.gov.au or current Defence ForceNet users can invite a family member to register

via their ForceNet profile page.Family users will initially

become members of their sponsor’s parent Service and posted unit’s family groups.

Families will also automatically become members of the DCO and DFA groups, and users may choose, or apply, to join additional groups according to their interests.

For more information, visit www.forcenet.gov.au or download the free ForceNet App from the App Store or Google Play. To see how ForceNet can be used successfully by brigades, schools,units and sub-units visit the pages of 4 Bde, the School of Armour,1 RAR, and Charlie Company 1/19 RNSWR.

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SGT Mitchell Reeves has been an electronics sys-tem technician in the Army for 14 years, but his

deployment to Iraq as an Arabic interpreter for TGT-8 is proving to be the highlight of his career.

“When I joined, I never thought I would end up providing advice in Arabic to another fight-ing force,” he said.

“We are here to advise and assist the Iraqi Security Forces, but it’s the building of relation-ships between the Australian and Iraqi soldiers that makes this deployment so enjoyable.”

Sgt Reeves studied Arabic at the ADF School of Languages before completing a four-month language immersion program in Jordan.

He said working as an inter-preter in Iraq was both rewarding and challenging.

“The hardest part about Arabic is that there is standard Arabic, spoken by the media, scholars and politicians, and there is the Arabic

spoken on the street, so I have to learn a new dialect of Arabic every time I visit a new place,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Sgt Reeves is a valuable asset to TGT-8 and the small advise-and-assist team working with the Iraqi Security Forces.

“Lately, they have been refur-bishing their control centre and that has given us the ability to help them with the provision of trades-men,” he said.

“With my background, I am able to give them a lot of electrical and mechanical advice.”

Sgt Reeves is from Lavington in the Albury-Wodonga region and joined the Army after leaving high school.

“I thought it was a good way to get an apprenticeship,” Sgt Reeves said.

“My old man said if you want to quit school you need to get into something, so I applied for the Army and within three months I was on the bus to Kapooka to complete basic training.”

Power of languagesOne soldier learns the power of language when building international relationships, reports Capt Jesse Robilliard.

Linguist Sgt Mitchell Reeves with Iraqi Army Maj Humam at the Taji Military Complex in Iraq. Photo: Cpl Oliver Carter

Features18

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RESERVISTS have showcased their jungle combat skills to their civilian employers during Exercise Boss Lift in Johor

Bahru, Malaysia, from January 29 to February 4.

The mostly Queensland contingent of 19 employers and business owners were flown to Malaysia in a C-17A Globemaster to see their employees in action during a three-month training rotation to Rifle Company Butterworth.

Boss Lift participant Scott Stewart, of the Brisbane City Council, said the training was a real eye-opener.

“Before coming on Boss Lift, I didn’t quite know what it would entail, but it has been really exciting,” Mr Stewart said.

“Not only have I learnt new things and had the chance to learn more about what reservists do, but I now also have an insight into the Reserve culture and attitude which was really impressive.”

During the exercise, participants were given an insight into military life for their Reserve employees includ-ing demonstrations of jungle survival techniques, firearms and equipment and the opportunity to participate in live-fire weapon activity.

“It was great to see the range of skills our employees are learning when on service and the positive impact it has on their personal and professional lives,” Mr Stewart said.

“From what I’ve seen while

on Exercise Boss Lift, I’m really impressed by how reservists are taught to think strategically in challenging cir-cumstances.

“I’m keen to see how we can do

more to make better use of the Army’s unique training with the aim of improv-ing Brisbane City Council’s opera-tions.”

Exercise participant Queensland

Police Service Steve Gollschewski was impressed with the culture and profes-sionalism of the Army Reserve.

“Particularly their approach to safe-ty, support for learning and encourage-

ment for everyone to be the best they can be,” Mr Gollschewski said.

“They are very professional and they have a great sense of teamwork and commitment to their people.”

Learning like a bossEmployers appreciate what their workers experience as reservists, Jonathan Pavetto writes.

Above: 11 Bde reservists Cpl Lauren Starkey, left, and LCpl Chris Buitendach, right, with Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.

Left: Cfn Curtis Greene, of 9FSB, explains how an EF88 Steyr rifle works to Benjamin Molineux, left, and Adam Granquist at the Army Combat Training Centre, Malaysia. Photos: Cpl Kyle Genner

February 21, 2019 Featuresdefence.gov.au/news/armynews 19

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Features20

An M113 APC from the School of Armour at Puckapunyal travels through fire ravaged Humevale.Photo: LS Kade Rogers

5/6RVR soldiers joined Victoria Police in a detailed search for bushfire victims in the Kinglake area.

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Direct buses to the College are available from most suburbs and neighbouring NSW centres.

To find out more contact the Enrolment Officer Ms Narelle Patrick on 02 6243 4150 enrolment@merici.act.edu.au merici.act.edu.au

ON THE 10th anniversary of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, the effects are still felt, not only by the

survivors, but by those who assisted as well.

Operation Vic Fire Assist began at dawn. The mission was grim, but the Victorian community needed help.

JTF662, mainly made up of 4 Bde soldiers was deployed in less than 48 hours on February 8.

Brig Michael Arnold, of ADFHQ, who was then Comd 4 Bde, led the ADF’s efforts to support Victoria’s emergency services, which included assisting firefighters cut fire lines and helping police clear affected proper-ties and check for human remains.

The task force also fed members of the displaced local population, provided medical and psychological services and even provided showers.

“Seeing the destruction firsthand and dealing with those who had lost loved ones meant we were also act-ing as grief counsellors while trying to get a grip on the devastation,” Brig Arnold said.

“My first priority was to support the Victorian government and the emergency services in the areas with the most need.

“4CER was capable of sup-porting the Country Fire Authority while the infantry with 5/6RVR and 8/7RVR assisted the Victorian Police during their search activities, even in the early days when we were trying to find survivors.”

The Black Saturday bushfires killed 173 people, 120 in the Kinglake area alone. Another 414 people were injured.

More than 450,000 hectares burned and 3500 buildings – includ-ing more than 2000 houses – destroyed when entire communities

and huge areas of forest where rav-aged by flames.

At its peak, JTF662 was about 800 people, with reservists and full-time personnel drawn from across Australia and extra resources were deployed from as far as Townsville.

Brig Arnold said for the people of the affected communities it was a relief seeing soldiers providing assis-tance during the disaster.

“I spoke to a woman early during the operation who said the moment she saw the Army, she knew they were going to be okay,” he said.

“This showed the esteem in

which we are held in Australia and gives us a sense of how much responsibility we have – we simply had to deliver.

“The Victorian com-munities were relying on us – we could not fail.”

Primary medical care deployed from 1, 2 and 3HSBs in the first week and psychology teams along with chaplains sup-ported the ADF personnel and provided counselling to civilians.

Brig Arnold said some soldiers were significantly affected by the devasta-tion.

“It was a major con-cern for me and my staff,” he said.

“But we treated it exactly as a military operation and provided ongoing support followed by post-operational psy-chological screens.

“The best part was all the soldiers under my com-mand had a real sense of

pride and purpose because they were giving back to the local community and making a difference to people in dire straits.

“A lot of us said, although it was disastrous circumstances, it was a professionally satisfying experience and an honour to assist the Victorian community.”

The All-hours Support Line - 1800 628 036 - a confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families is avail-able 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Services you can access include psychol-ogy, medical, social work, and chaplain services

Remembering Black Saturday

A decade on, we remember the Black Saturday bushfires devastated Victoria, writes Sgt Mark Doran.

February 21, 2019 Featuresdefence.gov.au/news/armynews 21

The road to Kinglake, Victoria during the bushfires.Photos: AB Jo Dilorenzo

Lt (then Cpl) Nick Arundell and LCpl (then Pte) Simon Gellert assess the damage of a property in the Marysville region. Photo: FSgt (then Cpl) Ricky Fuller

Brig Michael Arnold spoke to press during the 2009 bushfires.

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Comd Forcomd Maj-Gen Greg Bilton thanks members of Joint Task Force 658 for their assistance to the Townsville community throughout the flood crisis. Photo: Pte Brodie Cross

Smn Keetah Davies, left, LS Nathan Kane and Pte Cody Frost, of Transit Security Element 91, move equipment in a dog exercise yard at the PAWS Darwin animal shelter. Photo: PO Peter Thompson

Above: Lt Michael Anderson, of FPE10, at Camp Qargha near Kabul, Afghanistan.Photo: Cpl Chris Beerens

Right: Comd 11 Bde Brig David Thomae, left, with Deputy Comdt Army Combat Training Centre Lt-Col Hamadi during Exercise Boss Lift in Malaysia. Photo: Cpl Kyle Genner

11 Bde reservists Ptes Sarah Rixon and Emily Turner, and Madeline Dunjey, of 13 Bde, at the Army Combat Training Centre, Malaysia. Photo: Cpl Kyle Genner

Members of the Forces Entertainment Tour at Camp Qargha after entertaining coalition troops. Photo: Cpl Carla Armenti

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FAREWELL Ballymore, the ADF Women’s Rugby Championship will be moving to Canberra in May.

It’s here that Army will look to win their sixth championship in a row.

It should be the fourth competition for last year’s Army team captain Pte Brooke Moselen, who hopes to return.

“The Army team is pretty strong. Based on last year’s scores we should be the hot favourites to take out the championship,” Pte Moselen said.

The Army trials will start three weeks before the first game, with trials also being run through the Inter-Brigade Rugby Competition in Newcastle.

“In previous years when the championship was at Ballymore we trained on the Sunshine Coast,

travelling down for the matches,” she said.“With some seasoned players and others just

starting out, the standard of training comes down to the overall skill set of the team.

“An average days training consists of about two hours in the morning, followed by a recovery ses-sion at the beach or pool, then a further few hours after lunch.”

Pte Moselen said Army was always looking to improve their team.

“I believe it’s a great experience to get involved in to represent your service outside of the working environment,” she said. “Not just for the sporting aspect, but also meeting new people from the three services.”

National Operations Manager of the ADF Women’s teams, Sqn-Ldr Esther Suh is looking forward to the games.

“We will be taking our championships to Viking Park, Tuggeranong; the last time we played there was in 2011,” Sqn-Ldr Suh said.

“The championship is an opportunity to repre-sent your service. They’ll take all members at any level, those who’ve never played before to sea-soned players,” Sqn-Ldr Suh said.

“Keeping fit is not the only benefit, it also gives you an opportunity to meet women outside your current workplace for networking opportunities.”

From May 12-18 three games will be played between the services then an ADF team will be selected to play against Australian Police on May 21.

Anyone interested in joining the ADF Women’s Rugby can contact Sqn-Ldr Esther Suh via email esther.suh@defence.gov.au

Battle of the services

‘I believe it’s a

great experience to get involved in to

represent your Service outside of the working

environment.– Pte Brooke Moselen,

Army captain

Pte Terri Ellis clears the ball from a ruck during last year’s ADF Rugby Union Championship.Photos: Sgt Peter Borys

Cpl Nikki Hall breaks the tackle of LS Kirsten Wilson.

Sportdefence.gov.au/news/armynewsFebruary 21, 2019 23

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February 21, 2019

SPORT

KICK OFF

Services to compete at ADF Women’s Rugby

ChampionshipPage 23

Cpl Laura Fletcher is tackled during last year’s ADF Rugby Union Championship.Photo: Sgt Peter Borys