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The weekend political break-down in the Netherlands is expected to see the 1600-string Dutch contingent marching out of Oruzgan province in Afghanistan, where the main body of Australian forces is located. … Read More »
The first of the Australian and British soldiers to be re-enterred in a new cemetery at Fromelles has been laid to rest with full military honours. … Read More »
The body of Private Benjamin Ranaudo, 22, the eleventh Australia killed in the fighting in Afghanistan, was returned to Melbourne (26.7.09) – greeted by family members and representatives of his unit, the Townsville-based 1st Battalion RAR. He was killed by a bomb set off as troops approached a compound.
A second soldier, Private Paul Warren, 30, from Toowoomba, was seriously injured in the same incident, and three Afghan civilians including a child were killed.
Reference: ADF, “Private Benjamin Ranaudo returns home”, MPSA 234/09. www.defence.gov.au, (17.7.09). Picture: Benjamin Ranaudo, ADF
The new Australian Defence Minister, John Faulkner, is this week in Europe (9-14.6.09), to attend to “issues of importance to Australia’s Defence interests” – focused on the NATO-led commitment in Afghanistan.
In the Mediterranean, an Australian warship has come to the aid of a boat, crowded and adrift. … Read More »
Heads of state and of government headed the celebrations beginning at Normandy for the 6th June, 60th anniversary commemorations of D Day.
The military code-name for the great amphibious operation became a signal for a decades-long campaign, to roll back despotism and untruth.
American leadership played a part, then, and today in the person of President Barak Obama. … Read More »
The Australian government has confirmed it will send an extra 450 soldiers to Afghanistan.
The new forces, increasing the country’s commitment by nearly one-third, will be comprised of a Company group to assist with security during the forthcoming national elections, and more soldiers to work in mentoring and training roles with the Afghanistan army.
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, said (29.4.09) the overseas military commitment was becoming unpopular but was needed to help protect Australians from terrorist attack and to honour commitments to the American alliance.
The increase in troop numbers comes at the same time as additional commitments by Britain and the United States; the international force operating under a NATO command structure is stepping up its level of operations.
Dark skies this year and dark economic times did not keep away the crowds attending ANZAC Day commemorations at the Australian memorial, at Villers Bretonneux, in France. … Read More »