RAW FOR AFRICA - Military skills applied in a new fight:
The illegal trafficking of wildlife and dead-animal products is the third largest criminal industry in the world. But, according to two Aussies intimately involved, for every one organisation dedicated to animal protection across the World, there are 738 organisations, set up for the benefit or advancement of the human species.
Where is our focus, they ask?

Words CONTACT
Pics supplied by the International Anti-Poaching Foundation

Chief of Defence Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston saluted another SAS man in January following the awarding of a second Victoria
Cross to a current-serving member of the ADF.
In the most dangerous and demanding of situations– when his patrol was outnumbered and his life and the lives of his mates were under extreme threat – Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith cast aside concern for his own safety and placed his mates' lives above his own.

Words and Pics ADF

The retirement of the F-111 fleet marks a significant milestone in the history of Australian military aviation. The long-range strike bomber has supported Australia’s national security interests by providing a potent strategic deterrent for nearly 40 years.

Pics ADF

Australia’s first squadron of F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets is ready for duty following the arrival of four new aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley early in December.
Initial operational capability status involved establishing a squadron of 12 aircraft with supporting training and maintenance
systems – and the RAAF’s Number 1 Squadron is the first to achieve that status.

Pics ADF

Did you know that Avalon Airport was founded when the Commonwealth government purchased the land as a site for the construction of the Canberra Bomber in the 1950s – and that this year, the Australian International Airshow is celebrating its 10th
event – or 20th anniversary – at the site? This year’s event will also celebrate 100 years of civil aviation in Australia – and the 90th birthday of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Fittingly, therefore, to mark the first and fourth of these major milestones, the organisers of the iconic airshow will unveil a newly restored sample of the iconic RAAF bomber, which will be on display as a centerpiece at this year’s event.

Words and Pics Brian Hartigan

Living conditions at a forward operating base in Afghanistan can be rough for soldiers of Mentoring Task Force Two (MTF 2), but after a lot of hard work they are getting better.

Pics ADF

Navy frigate HMAS Melbourne helped thwart a pirate attack on Merchant Vessel CPO China in the Arabian Sea in January. CPO China had been boarded by pirates at about 1.45pm local time and had issued a distress call. HMAS Melbourne responded to the call and closed the 267km gap between the two vessels in just over six hours.

Pics ADF

“It is with deep regret the Australian Defence Force announces the death of Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson during operations in Afghanistan” – the all-too familiar words sitting heavy with the Acting Chief of Defence Lieutenant General David Hurley as he delivered the news to a small audience in Canberra on 3 February.

A call to service can lead an individual in many directions, but for Padre Ren McRae, service has gone full circle – from a young man who served in the elite Special Air Service Regiment during the 1980s to an older, wiser man deployed to Afghanistan as an Australian Army chaplain.

Words US Army Specialist Jennifer Spradlin
Pics ADF

About 2500 soldiers from the Brisbane-based 7th Brigade (7 Bde), including roughly 1700 officers and soldiers who had recently returned from operations, and soldiers from one of Australia’s oldest units, marched in a combined welcome-home/birthday parade on 20 November last year.

Pics ADF

Defence was called upon to assist when devastating floods hit large parts of Queensland just after Christmas. While flooding was widespread, the south east – especially the ranges west of Brisbane were particularly hard hit, with the waters rushing headlong into many of the city’s suburbs and the CBD.

Pics ADF

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• Medal of Honor
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• Sarbi
  

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• The Big Picture - Masters of the Globe
  
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• Military Fitness by Don Stevenson
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