Indo-Pacific: The Region of Global Connection Synthesis The first session of the Chief of Army Land Forces Seminar (CALFS) looked to establish an understanding of the complex and volatile operating environment in the Indo-Pacific. The session, and the seminar, was opened by the Chief of Army (Australia) Lieutenant General Rick Burr AO, DSC, MVO. He was followed by the newly appointed Minister for Defence, the Honourable Christopher Pyne, MP. Presenting after the opening remarks were the Commander of the …

The Honourable Christopher Pyne, Member of Parliament,  Minister for Defence ‘Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. ‘To members of the international military leadership who are here today; to the Chief of the Australian Defence Force, General Angus Campbell; to current and former members of the Australian Defence Force, particularly the leadership of the Australian Army: the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr; the Deputy Chief of Army, Major General Jake Ellwood; Head Land Capability, Major General …

Abstract Identification of military casualties resulting from a disaster or mass fatality event while deployed to an area of operations is facilitated by the Mortuary Affairs Forensic Response Team (Mortuary Affairs) using methodologies such as DNA, fingerprints and dental examination. These scientific methods have been successfully used in many civilian disasters to identify victims; however, military environments present extra logistical challenges that need consideration. Preservation of bone and soft …

Abstract Conflict in arid and austere environments presents many challenges for sustaining a deployed force over long distances. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has a long and continuous history of working with animals, all providing companionship and support in the harsh working environment; and, by fate, we are custodians of the last great herd of wild camels. The reintroduction of animal transportation may present opportunities for innovative patrolling and transportation options for our Indigenous …

Abstract One of the essential requirements for Army training is the creation of a contemporary and relevant training adversary which allows tactics, techniques and procedures to be tested and weapons and equipment to be evaluated. This is an important part of Army’s value proposition to government that it can provide directed capability. In most cases, the training adversaries developed by the Australian Army in the past have represented opponents the Army was actually fighting or generic opponents it was …

Abstract Toxic leadership, and the management of toxic leadership, remains a significant challenge for militaries and public service agencies around the world. The focus of management activity is typically on identifying and removing the toxic leader. By comparison, there is little discussion of how best to manage a workforce that has survived toxic leadership. Part of the reason for this is an assumption that removal of the toxic leader is an end in itself. However, an ethical analysis of this and other …

Abstract The 2016 Defence Industry Policy Statement (DIPS) emphasises that ‘Australia’s defence industry is essential to the operations of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and to the capability we need to protect Australia and our national interests’. 1 This is an admirable and logical aim, and perhaps it is actively progressing in the larger Defence–industry partnerships that build ships, submarines and armoured vehicles. However, for addressing the challenges of the individual soldier, the Defence and …

Abstract In an era of fiscal constraint and competing priorities across and external to the Defence portfolio, Army modernisation efforts are challenged by a number of financial and capability pressures. Ranging from the increased cost of technological sophistication in our equipment to the exclusion of capability replacements under the Defence Integrated Investment Program (IIP), these challenges have a dual and compounding impact on Army’s modernisation. Future equipment may consequently be inadequately …

Abstract In May 2017, Islamist insurgents laid siege to the city of Marawi in the Mindanao region of southern Philippines. This siege led to a five-month campaign by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to retake Marawi and restore order to the region. The experiences of the AFP have broad relevance to the Australian Army across a number of corps and disciplines, including close combat, offensive support, mobility and survivability, urban sniping and counter-sniping, and logistics. The aim of this …

Abstract This article invites readers to contribute to a professional debate about the capability required for urban operations: does Australia have it—and does Australia need it? In exploring what that might mean, it starts from an accepted position that urban operations are increasingly likely. It examines in some detail the nature of the limitations imposed on military operations by urban terrain, which is particularly important in understanding the dependence on the use of firepower to conduct …