Hi ALL,

You would have noticed that over the past eight days, no email posts were delivered, unfortunately, it was three days before I realised as it turned out the problem was with the mail distribution company (Zoho) that delivers my bulk mail had a complete outage. This meant that my posts were not delivered to your inbox, post were available to the website as I post directly to the site.

Zoho fixed the problem, slower than I expected, and the mail went out yesterday afternoon. As usual, when something like this happens a lesson is learnt we will now know immediately if there is an outage on their end.

Been a busy morning … up at 2:30am to enjoy a beautiful morning in a Hotair Balloon. Could not have had better weather conditions as we travelled from Canungra out over Scenic Rim – outstanding. We finished with an enjoyable breakfast at O’Rielly’s Vineyard.

Cheers

Ray

NSW drivers and visitors (don’t yet) start your engines because you’re about to get the schooling that may surprise you.

Did you know that some of your seemingly innocent driving habits might be landing you in hot water with the law? To save you some serious wallet damage and demerit points, we’ve rounded up some of the road rules you may not know you’re breaking while driving in NSW.

Speeding up to yellow traffic lights

When it comes to traffic lights, many Aussie drivers mistakenly believe it’s ok to gun it and pray to the traffic gods. But Yellow actually means stop. Next time you see a yellow light, remember to hit the brakes or pay the price.

It’ll cost you $469 fine and 3 demerit points, and just so you know, it’s $587 and 4 demerit points if you’re within a school zone.

Using high beams

It’s not just annoying, it’s dangerous to use your high beams when driving less than 200 metres behind a vehicle in the same direction or an oncoming vehicle.

It’ll cost you $112 fine and one demerit point.

Not keeping safe following distances

All drivers have experienced them, but the truth is, no one likes a tailgater. And for good reason. Drivers must keep a good amount of distance behind the vehicle in front of them to avoid a collision. Not sure whether you’re staying far away enough from the car in front? Try selecting a mark or object on the left-hand side of the road and count “one thousand one, two thousand two, three thousand three” as the rear of the vehicle ahead passes the object.

Plus, don’t forget to increase your distance during poor driving conditions, such as rain or dim light. It’ll cost you $469 fine and 3 demerit points.

Beeping the horn and waving

An innocent beep to say goodbye after visiting family or friends could put you at risk of not one but two fines. Honking the horn is one thing, but if you think waving your hands or arms out of the window is a good alternative, think again!

It’ll cost you $349 fine for beeping the horn and $349 for waving.

Throwing an apple core from a car Biodegradable?

Feeding the local fauna? Right? Wrong. Throwing food scraps is not only seen as littering in the eyes of the law (not a normal part of the surroundings or environment), but it can be dangerous to wildlife and other drivers by encouraging animals to come to the edge of the road for food.

It’ll cost you $450 and no points

Driving with an animal or child on your lap

Sounds like a good idea at the time, but not so good when you cop a hefty fine. It’s a serious road violation as a driver must have proper control of the vehicle, and having an animal or another person on your lap while driving is not considered to have proper control.

It’ll cost you $481 fine and three demerit points, with harsher rules in school zones.

Though they may seem innocent, they’re not in the eyes of the law. You’ll thank us next time you go to commit any of these common offences on the way to your next destination! Happy (and safe) driving.

By Thomas Bywater

The FBI has handed us another reason for travel paranoia.

Airport public charging stations are a lifesaver. If, like me, you travel with a perpetually half-drained phone – the ubiquitous USB charging ports are the difference between catching a flight, and not.

Carrying virtual boarding passes, itineraries and travel documentation on your phone requires keeping an eye on battery life. However, last week, the Federal Bureau of Investigations put out a warning for travellers to think twice before plugging in.

“Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centres,” the FBI said in public service messaging last week.

The Denver branch of the organisation sent a tweet last week that rattled travellers. Although the warning was not believed to be linked to any specific threat, several government agencies issued similar warnings for travellers to be mindful of their “cyber hygiene” when charging phones in public places.

It’s increasingly possible for “bad actors” to access data, or introduce malware and spyware on travellers’ devices via public ports.

USB ports are hard to avoid. You’ll find them, free of use, at international airports, cafes and hotels. However, experts are warning that people could be using their convenience to gain access to users’ information.

New Zealand’s cyber security agency CERT says it also advises travellers to avoid charging phones in public places.

Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centres. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead. pic.twitter.com/9T62SYen9T

— FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) April 6, 2023

Cert NZ spokesman Hadyn Green says “do not plug your devices into unknown USB ports.”

Cert was aware of scammers using devices, posing in public places as charging ports.

The only way to be sure you aren’t exposing your device is by using a mains adaptor.

“This can be difficult as new phones are sold without a power plug and only the USB cable. So before you travel it’s worth buying a plug so you’ve got a safe option for charging your device.”

Travel adaptors with USB fittings or multi-plugs can be a good way of keeping devices charged safely, on the go.

Has my phone been infected?

Losing battery life quickly, overheating or higher data usage can be a sign your device might be infected. Spyware working in the background of your phone can slow down operations.

Cert advises keeping your files and mobile data backed up – using services such as iCloud – and keeping your phone up to date.

Public charging ports aren’t the only cyber trap targeting travellers. Public Wi-Fi can also expose your devices and data to potential scams.

“Be careful about what you do online when you’re using a hotspot or free Wi-Fi. These networks are untrusted, meaning that it’s possible that others could see what you’re doing when you use them.”

Travellers should avoid online shopping or accessing Internet banking on public Wi-Fi.

 

Photo: New Zealand Chief of Army Major General John Boswell (right) and Australian Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart signing Plan Anzac in Wellington. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand’s army has announced a new plan it says will strengthen its relationship with Australia.

Chief of the New Zealand Army, Major General John Boswell, has called the plan – dubbed Plan Anzac – “a significant step forward” in their partnership with our friends across the Tasman.

“As close neighbours and allies, we have a mutual commitment to support each other’s security, closely coordinate our efforts in the South Pacific and maintain a shared focus on the security and stability of our wider region,” Boswell said.

“This plan ensures our armies can continue to effectively contribute to that.”

Co-operation between the two nations’ special forces was specifically mentioned in the announcement as being continued with the plan.

The plan is said to create a “formalised framework” for already established work streams, including sustained cooperation across strategic engagement, capability, training, readiness and common personnel issues.

New Zealand and Australia have shared a long military history, dating back to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps fighting in the Gallipoli campaign during World War I which forged the Anzac legend in both countries.

Boswell added the agreement will ensure the relationship between the two armies is kept open, based on mutual respect and is enduring.

“This agreement will make sure both armies can work as efficiently as possible, complementing each other’s capabilities and capacity,” Boswell said. The strategy will strike a compromise between maintaining sovereign capability and the ability to operate in support of independent joint force operations, as well as the enduring traits of the Anzac alliance, such as close integration in capabilities, training and readiness.

The cooperation of the two countries in support of shared goals for increased inter-operability and standards as participants in the American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand armies’ Programme is another significant result of the strategy.

In order to improve long-term operational inter-operability between a New Zealand Special Operations Task Group and an Australian Special Operations Task Force on combined or multinational special operations missions, cooperation between the nations’ special forces will also continue as a part of the plan.

“Our armies have a deep history of operational service, organisational co-operation, regional partnerships and mateship. For more than a century, we have served our nations, supported global peace and upheld regional stability – together. We will continue to do just that,” Boswell said.

Last month, Australia also confirmed it will purchase US-manufactured, nuclear-powered attack submarines to modernise its fleet amid growing concerns about China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

“It provides a focus and framework to take ongoing conversations and engagements between allies and mates and formalise these to improve existing cooperation.

“We will be able to better share lessons across capability development, doctrine for training and many other areas related to the generation, and in the New Zealand Army’s current case, the regeneration of land combat capability.”

Photo: Australian Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart receiving a formal welcome at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington. Photo / Supplied

The strategy will strike a compromise between maintaining sovereign capability and the ability to operate in support of independent joint force operations, as well as the enduring traits of the Anzac alliance, such as close integration in capabilities, training and readiness.

The cooperation of the two countries in support of shared goals for increased inter-operability and standards as participants in the American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand armies’ Programme is another significant result of the strategy.

In order to improve long-term operational inter-operability between a New Zealand Special Operations Task Group and an Australian Special Operations Task Force on combined or multinational special operations missions, cooperation between the nations’ special forces will also continue as a part of the plan.

“Our armies have a deep history of operational service, organisational co-operation, regional partnerships and mateship. For more than a century, we have served our nations, supported global peace and upheld regional stability – together. We will continue to do just that,” Boswell said.

Last month, Australia also confirmed it will purchase US-manufactured, nuclear-powered attack submarines to modernise its fleet amid growing concerns about China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The purchase agreement for Virginia-class submarines was announced when US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met in San Diego for talks on the nuclear partnership known by the acronym Aukus.

China accused the Aukus alliance of stirring up an “arms race”.

Photo: A US Virginia Class submarine that visited Western Australia recently. Photo / Supplied

 

The largest-ever military operation involving some 30,000 military personnel will be hosted across multiple Australian states.

By Elena Couper

This military operation – described as the “largest ever” in its history – involving some 30,000 military personnel will be hosted across multiple Australian states.

Now in its tenth iteration, the biennial Exercise Talisman Sabre will run from July 22 through to August 4, taking place primarily in Queensland.

CLICK LINK

Australia to host ‘largest ever’ Exercise Talisman Sabre with ADF, US military | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site

Photo: Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Corey Hardy on board HMAS Choules during the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter first of class flight trails. Story and photo by Able Seaman Rikki-Lea Phillips.

From dancing with his people to dancing for his people, Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Corey Hardy is proud to be representing indigenous culture in the Navy.

Joining the Navy in August 2019, Able Seaman Hardy served in a number of ships before posting to HMAS Choules. He joined as he wanted something better for himself and wanted to travel the world.

 Able Seaman Hardy is an Aboriginal Tiwi Islander and has been an Indigenous dancer since he was eight. He continues his passion for dance in the Navy.

 “I grew up in Eden, NSW, which is Yuin country, and was brought up by the Dhawa people, so I am a proud Tiwi-Yuin man,” he said.

Being a part of the Bungaree Dance Mob for the Navy has given Able Seaman Hardy the opportunity to perform at the Sea Power Conference in Sydney and open a statue in the Brisbane Royal War Museum, with hopes of many more experiences to come.

 “I think it’s good that the Navy has respected and honoured the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Defence Force and we are able to dance and show our culture,” he said.

“I went to Arnhem Land and was given a skin name of ‘Bürralung’ by a famous aboriginal painter, an elder of Baniyala NT Djambawa Marawili, so when I travel around Australia and speak to elders or other aboriginal people I go by Bürralung.”

As a boatswains mate, Able Seaman Hardy’s day-to-day jobs could include being bridge look out, steering the ship, rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) evolutions, boarding party member, handling weapons or whole-ship evolutions such as damage control.

He enjoys the adrenaline rush and his favourite things are being in the RHIB and shooting weapons.

 “I enjoy the people at sea. You learn many different walks of life and it doesn’t matter whether you are rich, poor or what colour you are because at the end of the day we are all here and we are all one.”

HMAS Choules has been conducting first-of-class flight trials with the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and will soon return to her home port of Garden Island, Sydney, where Able Seaman Hardy will spend time with friends and family.

 “I am looking forward to getting home and seeing my partner, and my best friend with a young baby, who I am really excited to meet.”

Officially, the cause of the ditching of a Taipan helicopter with ten people on board on March 22 is still being investigated.  Unofficially, details have emerged suggesting the cause is likely to be the failure of Army to implement a fleet-wide software fix to the problem, which first emerged in 2010.

The fundamentals of the accident are known – a night flight that was part of a Special Forces training exercise.  While over Jervis Bay the helicopter experienced an engine failure while at low altitude and the pilot carried out what has been called a textbook response, deploying the emergency floatation system, and landing the Taipan on the surface of the sea.  This enabled all on board to evacuate safely.

Engine failure on a Taipan is very rare.  Each helicopter has two RTM322 Rolls Royce Turbomecca powerplants that are in widespread use not only on the 500 members of the Taipan family, but also on Augusta Westland AW101 transport helicopters and the U.K. Apache fleet – amongst others.

As reliable as they are, in April 2010 a Taipan experienced an engine failure while flying near Adelaide.  It was able to return and land at RAAF Base Edinburgh on one engine, but this caused the entire fleet to be grounded for more than three months while an investigation took place.  It transpired that the problem was not with the engine itself but rather around the process of restarting it during a mission.

Helicopter turboshaft engines are not meant to be switched on and off repeatedly during an operation.  Ideally, you power them up at the start and shut them down at the end – and any idling that might be required in between does not use a huge amount of fuel.

Unfortunately, this had not been communicated to Australian Army pilots – or at least not in the 2010 case – and the helicopter had been subjected to a “hot start” a short time before the in-flight failure.  Heat causes metal components to expand at different rates and what had occurred in this case was that moving parts rubbed against each other when they were not meant to, damaging bearings and seals.

This would not have happened if the engines had been allowed to cool down in between missions or if a different process had been followed for their restart, or if they had been running continuously.

By July 2010 the prime contractor Airbus Helicopters and Safran – the corporate parent of the engine – had developed a software fix that would make it impossible for a pilot to incorrectly perform a “hot start.”  The Taipan is a complex helicopter with a modern fly-by-wire flight control system using multiple computers, and having the latest software is a vital ingredient for their performance.

This means that software updates are a regular part of supporting the Taipan fleet – but bizarrely Army only agreed to the engine fix being applied to an initial small number of helicopters, apparently because of concerns about the cost.

Engine failure in flight is an extremely serious event, putting the lives of all on board at risk.  The 2010 software fix should have been applied to all 47 Australian helicopters, irrespective of how much money was involved.  At the very least this should have been done for reasons of commonality – it’s a problem waiting to happen if pilots believe they are flying one version of a helicopter when it turns out that they are at the controls of something different.

It seems highly probable that the Taipan forced to ditch into Jervis Bay had not received the vital software update that should have been installed a decade ago.  It is understood that it underwent just such a “hot start” prior to the ditching.  Thanks to its emergency floatation system not only was everyone able to get out, but the helicopter itself was towed to a beach – to the delight of the media – fuelling more stories about the unreliability of the Taipan fleet, with pictures to match.

The Blackhawk helicopters being purchased to replace them do not have emergency floatation systems and if they ditch, they quickly sink.

Another perversity in the Australian system is that the performance-based logistics contract imposed on Airbus means that Defence makes money every time a helicopter is grounded.  This gives the customer a financial incentive to keep the helicopters on the tarmac because penalties kick in for every flight hour that has been lost.

Combined with inherent problems in Army logistic systems and a failure to retain experienced mechanics, a picture emerges that is completely at odds with the common view that there is something inherently wrong with the helicopters.

This reputational damage has resulted in ridiculous events such as flights being stopped while Army investigated the use of cadmium for the helicopter’s external hook.  Cadmium is a metal in widespread use throughout military and commercial aviation and in solid form poses no risk to humans whatsoever.  Despite this, Army insisted on the construction of a unique cadmium-free hook.

By this and other devices – such as simply not ordering enough spare parts – Army has been able to drive up the cost per flight hour of the Taipan fleet either deliberately or through error to truly astronomical levels.  These inflated costs have provided the justification for retiring the entire fleet about 20 years ahead of schedule.

This is not to say that the Taipans have been trouble free.  They have not been, especially in their early years – but this is quite common with modern, complex platforms.  As APDR has frequently reported, most international customers have been happy with their fleets – though Norway is trying to return theirs, with Sweden and Belgium possibly in the same boat. The majority of users, including France, Germany and Italy have not experienced abnormal difficulties.

Let’s hope that the findings of the current investigation are made public – but don’t hold your breath.  Army has form in this regard – in 2016 Defence organised an independent review into the reliability of the Taipan and Tiger fleets.  Known as the Houston Review, it is believed to have been critical of Army processes because its findings were instantly classified and have been buried ever since.

Only a handful of people have ever seen the document and if Army has its way it will be hidden forever.  It seems that nothing will be allowed to deflect the $11 billion process of replacing Taipan and Tiger with older-generation U.S. helicopters.

An outline of this story was provided to Defence more than a week ago in the hope of receiving answers to several questions.  After deadline, the following official response was received:

“The investigation into the MRH90 ditching is ongoing.”

18 APRIL 2023

Australian Defence Force personnel who served in Somalia in the 1990s performed extraordinary work in very challenging conditions.

They should be recognised for that.

The Australian Government has accepted the independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal recommendations for unit recognition for Australian Defence Force (ADF) service in Somalia.

The Tribunal recommended the award of a Meritorious Unit Citation for the following ADF units who served in Somalia between 1992 and 1995. ”

• The four UNISOM Australian Service Contingents (ASC) – ASC I, ASC II, ASC III and ASC IV
• 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Group and
• HMAS Tobruk.

In this 30th anniversary year of ADF operations in Somalia, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh, said it is fitting these individuals receive the recognition they have long advocated for.

“I have accepted the Tribunal’s recommendations and have informed the Governor-General,” Minister Keogh said.

“The Meritorious Unit Citation will recognise the service, contribution and sacrifice made by those ADF members that were deployed in Somalia. I express my deepest gratitude to all those who served.

“Service in Somalia represented the ADF’s largest land and sea operation since Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

“I thank the Tribunal for their work and those who have advocated for this unit recognition.

“As we approach ANZAC DayI encourage all Australians to acknowledge and pay tribute to all our service personnel who have engaged in conflict, peacekeeping or humanitarian operations, they each embody the Spirit of the ANZAC.

The Government will make an announcement later this year on how current and former ADF members can receive the insignia of the Meritorious Unit Citation.

The Meritorious Unit Citation may be awarded to a unit for sustained outstanding service in warlike operations. It is not an individual honour or award. Further information about the Meritorious Unit Citation is available via https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/honours-awards/honours-decorations/australian-gallantry-distinguished-service-awards/meritorious-unit-citation

A copy of the Tribunal’s report can be found on their website https://defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au/inquiries/

Imagery of the ADF’s operations in Somalia is available at: https://images.defence.gov.au/S20230909

• Why is it that when archaeologists find human remains, they always determine that they are either male or female and none of the other dozen genders?
• How is it that the government can’t control petrol prices…but the weather is something they can fix?
• We’re churning out a generation of poorly educated people with no skills, no ambition, no guidance, and no realistic expectations of what it means to go to work.
• Why were we told to lower our Air Conditioner usage on hot days to prevent overwhelming the electric grid while simultaneously being told to trade in our petrol cars for electric vehicles?
• Why is cancelling student debt a good idea?  Does it make sense to reward people who do not honour their financial commitment by taxing the people who do?
• Are we living in a time when intelligent people are silenced so that stupid people won’t be offended?
• Why is talking sexually in the workplace considered sexual harassment to adults…but talking about sexuality to children in 3rd Grade at school is considered education?
• If your electric car runs out of power on the motorway, do you walk to a charging station to get a bucket of electricity?
• Why are we running out of money for Medicare and not for welfare?
• Mice die in mouse traps because they do not understand why the cheese is free.  Just like socialism.
• The most powerful governments on earth can’t stop a virus from spreading…but they say they can change the earth’s temperature if you pay more taxes.
• If you don’t want to stand for the National Anthem, perhaps you should give your legs to a veteran who lost his.  That way a real man can stand in your place.

 

All ranks should be aware about what’s coming

BEN Fernencz, the last Nuremberg War Crimes trials prosecutor died on April 7, aged 103.

Fernencz successfully prosecuted dozens of Nazis accused of committing war crimes and then advocated for decades for the creation of an international criminal court.

The International Crime Commission, to which Australia subscribes, now sits in Den Haag, The Netherlands.

The Nuremberg Trials set a precedent defining what was allowable as a defence to war crimes.

Under Nuremberg Principle IV, a plea of obeying “superior orders” was not an acceptable defence for war crimes.

That a person might claim to have acted pursuant to the orders of his Government or of a superior did not relieve him from responsibility under international law.

A subsequent codification of the so-called Nuremberg defence declared orders to commit genocide or crimes against humanity were manifestly unlawful.

Also this week Australia’s CDF-for-life General Angus Campbell warned Australians to expect more charges against Defence personnel over alleged war crimes.

Speaking on Tuesday to the Lowy Institute in Sydney General Campbell, no doubt with a straight face, cautioned there could be some “very, very uncomfortable” days ahead.

There could, although more than just junior ranks should be concerned about any further Australian prosecution of alleged war crimes.

Concurrently with the European war crimes trials, alleged Japanese war criminals faced justice for atrocities committed in several campaigns to establish The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.

From Prime Minister General Hideki Tojo to the lowest private, identified war criminals faced justice and execution.

Only Emperor Hirohito, whose deity status to his subjects made him useful for governing post-war Japan was exempted.

Those trials also established legal precedents.

The International Military Tribunal for the Far East established the Yamashita Standard of criminal liability, whereby “if vengeful actions are widespread offences, and there is no effective attempt by a commander to discover and control the criminal acts, [then] such a commander may be held responsible, even criminally liable.”

Simply put, the Yamashita Standard established that operational commanders cannot cede operational command to a subordinate officer; and must fully exercise their authority to prevent the commission of war crimes — neither failure to supervise subordinates nor ambiguous orders exculpated the commander.

Since General Campbell held senior in-theatre commands when some offences were alleged to have occurred, he would be advised to keep his pyjamas, a pannikin and toothbrush packed in the event there’s a knock on his door.

© Ross Eastgate MMXXIII