On this day in 2010 a platoon from D coy 6 RAR, mentors and their ANA counterparts set off for patrol into the village of Derapet.   Three and a half hours later it became one of the defining battles of our deployment. In it we lost one of finest, LCPL  Jared “Crash” MacKinney. A […]

From Evernote: Battle of Long Tan Cross – Australian War Memorial ABC TV | Aussies At War Clipped from: http://aussiesatwar.com.au/battle-of-long-tan-cross-australian-war-memorial-abc-tv/ Posted on August 17, 2012 Written by Trevor DixonLeave a Comment(Edit) Governor General of Australia Quentin Bryce along with Long Tan veterans Lt Col Harry Smith OC of D Coy, 6RAR, 11 Platoon’s Bob Buick, […]

We all communicate with each other in a myriad of ways, Tony Williams has kindly agreed to his post on Facebook being re-printed here: “The Vietnam Vets in this group are very humble and sometimes awkward when we praise them or openly say we admire them. We do this because, make no mistake you were […]

The first signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between a private sector employer and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) regarding part time Defence personnel, has been signed at Victoria Barracks, Paddington. Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, says the MOU will help further develop ties between the two organisations. Qantas’ Head of Government […]

Many members of the Defence family are angered and dismayed with the PM’s responses to David Jamison’s questions on fair indexation of military superannuation on the recent online forum program, “Hangout with the PM”. In this video, AVM Peter Criss (Retd) reflects their concerns with his insightful comments on the PM’s remarks.  Misha Schubert the moderator, who has a […]

From Evernote: WEAPONS-MAKER DROPS A BOMB Clipped from: http://www.brisbanebusinessnews.com.au/article3433/WEAPONS-MAKER%20DROPS%20A%20BOMB.html ASX-LISTED Metal Storm (MST) today entered voluntary administration with debts exceeding $11.9 million. The decision came less than a fortnight after the Darra firearm-maker secured an equivalent $1.43 million engineering-services contract with military-defence contractor Colt Canada. Adam Shepard and Adam Farnsworth, of Dean-Willcocks Shepard Recovery and […]

See http://veteransretreatsofwesternaustralia.org.au/ An old cattle station in Western Australia’s Pilbara region has been transformed into a camping getaway for war veterans and servicemen and women from all around the country. Along the banks of the Nullagine River, near Marble Bar, is the new Meentheena Veterans Retreat. Vietnam veteran Bill Thompson describes it as beautiful country. […]

Dave Sabben, Commander 12 Platoon, D Company, 6 RAR at the Battle of Long Tan has gone live with  a page on his website that traces the history of the Long Tan Cross in pictures.   The page is not meant to be a Masters Thesis – just a collection of photos (with or without people). […]

Russell Robinson-
Herald Sun   -July 17, 2012 PUB bars over the years have been infested with sad, lonely men who dishonestly lay claim to military service, hoping for some form of social acceptance. ARTHUR ‘REX’ CRANE WAS OUTED BY A MILITARY HISTORIAN WHO REALISED HIS CLAIMS WERE RIDICULOUS. PICTURE: NEWS LTD HWT IMAGE LIBRARY   They […]

Vietnam vets … not forgotten Bob Meehan was a young man when he was required to register for National Service in 1969.  He served most of his two years compulsory military service as an infantryman within 12 Platoon, Delta Company of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (4 RAR). During that time he was […]