Anzac Day 25th April

Our troops in action

March 26, 2008 12:00pm

Article from: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23483235-5016687,00.html

AUSTRALIA currently has approximately 4000 Australian Defence Force personnel involved in 11 operations in Australia and overseas.

AUSTRALIA DEFENCE FORCE OPERATIONS IN AUSTRALIA

Name: Operation Testament
Where: Sydney
Event: World Youth Day 08 (July 2008)
Mission: To host 'military pilgrims' from around the world and provide personnel and equipment "in support of WYD08 objectives".

Name: Operation Outreach
Where: Northern Territory
Start date: June 27, 2007
Numbers: Up to 100 soldiers in first 3 months
Mission: To support the Australian Government’s emergency indigenous initiative by providing logistical and communications support and assisting police and civilian health teams, among other things.

Name: Operation Resolute
Where: Offshore / Australian waters
Start date: July 17, 2006
Mission: The ADF's domestic maritime security activities are conducted under Operation Resolute. Operation Resolute's objective is to support the Australian Government's efforts to protect the country's resources from illegal fishermen, people smugglers, drug traffickers and other transnational criminals.

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE OPERATIONS OVERSEAS

Name: Operation Astute
Where: East Timor
Numbers: About 750 (January, 2008 data)
Mission: To assist the United Nations and the Government of East Timor in restoring peace and stability to the country.

Name: Operation Tower
Where: East Timor
Numbers: 4
Mission: To support the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) which was established in August, 2006.

Name: Operation Azure
Where: Sudan
Start date: UNMIS was established in March, 2005
Numbers: 15 (April, 2007 data)
Mission: To support the United Nations peacekeeping operation in Sudan known as the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

Name: Operation Mazurka
Where: Sinai
Start date: 1982
Numbers: 25
Mission: "Australia's contribution to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai. The MFO was established in 1981 to oversee the Camp David Accords of 1978 and the Egypt/Israel Peace Treaty of 1979. ADF personnel assist in the peace process by monitoring the border, preparing operational briefings and supporting headquarters."

Name: Operation Paladin
Where: Israel / Lebanon
Start date: 1956
Numbers: 12
Mission: "Australia's contribution to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) that was established in 1948 to supervise the truce agreed at the conclusion of the first Arab/Israeli War."

Name: Operation Catalyst
Where: Iraq
Numbers: 1540 (March, 2008 data)
Mission: To assist in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq. ADF personnel are helping develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq, assisting national recovery programs and facilitating the transition to Iraq self-government.

Name: Operation Slipper
Where: Afghanistan
Numbers: 1025 (January, 2008 data)
Mission: To assist the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Operation Slipper "is an important component of the Australian Government's commitment to working together with the international community to help prevent acts of terrorism around the world."

Name: Operation Anode
Where: Solomon Islands
Start date: 2003
Numbers: Approx 140
Mission: "Operation Anode is the name of the ADF contribution to the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). RAMSI's mission is to assist the Solomon Islands' Government in restoring law and order, economic governance, and improving the machinery of government."

SOURCE: The Australian Government's Department of Defence

Korea

Two months for parcels to reach Iraq

Paige Taylor | April 21, 2008

FAMILIES' care packages of magazines, coffee and biscuits to Diggers in Baghdad have been delayed and will take at least two months to reach them, troops have been told.

Perth businessman Derrick Twiggs said he was disappointed that three small parcels of treats that he had sent his son Gaz since the rifleman's deployment to Baghdad two months ago had not arrived.

In an email from the 32-year-old private last week to his father, Gaz spoke enthusiastically about the job he loves, but said he and fellow Diggers in the Iraqi capital were unhappy that parcels from home were not getting through.

"Tell everyone not to send me anything any more because we probably won't receive it," Gaz said in the email.

"We have been informed the Australian army (has) changed its mail contract and it can take two months or more for mail to reach us.

"Even mail that was sent previously is affected ... needless to say everyone is pissed off about that."

The Department of Defence was unable to provide an explanation yesterday.

Mr Twiggs said a Defence Department spokesman told him by telephone on Friday that personal parcels were often removed from Australian planes to make room for other items.

"It's not the end of the world, but I do think there's something wrong when you can't send your loved ones a small packet of their favourite coffee from home or the Australian newspapers," he said.

"Gaz has his own small coffee pot over there, he loves his special brand of coffee.

"His sisters were hoping he'd get to drink a cup of it on Anzac Day."

Mr Twiggs's son is among Australian combat troops expected to remain on security duty in Baghdad, defending Australian embassy personnel, after the withdrawal of elements of Australia's 550-strong battle group in southern Iraq begins in eight weeks.

But because the "drawdown" is phased, some of the battle group in al-Muthanna will still be in Iraq in August. Mr Twiggs said the delays in the post were ironic considering that parcels from his own parents in Bristol, England, had reached him easily between 1954 and 1968 when he served in the Royal Navy.

"My mum would send me cakes and biscuits and I loved getting them - the packages came by sea and it took six to eight weeks to reach me wherever I was in the world," Mr Twiggs said.

Australia's contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq is named Operation Catalyst and currently comprises up to 1540 Australian Defence Force personnel, according to the Defence Department's website.

It includes an Australian Security Detachment, Baghdad XII, made up of a combat team of about 110 personnel.

Despite the delays on care packages, most Diggers are able to keep in regular contact with their families via email.

It is not known if postcards of encouragement to the troops, promoted by the Defence Department on its website, have been getting through.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23571493-31477,00.html

WW2

As we pay tribute to the fallen in this 90th year since the end of World War I, almost 4000 Australians are on active duty around the world.

http://www.news.com.au/feature/ranked/1,,5016619,00.html

Australian Special Forces in Vietnam.

News.com.au - Tribute:

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