Tiny ADF Footprint in Western Australia

Need for a Second Army

Introduction

The original paper “Tiny ADF Footprint in WA – Need for a Second Army”, I wrote in January 2020 and circulated it far and wide ever since, It was posted by CONTACT PUBLISHING in October 2020 in its entirety.

An edited version to fit the word number restrictions was published in the NCC News Weekly journal No.3116 dated May 14^th 2022.

This is a hybrid version of the both above two versions with also actual Army numbers in WA updated.

Also I have written many papers painting the real picture of ADF presence in WA in several other papers that I have listed hereunder and would ask, if you are interested to read them all in conjunction with this paper:

BUILDING A SECOND ARMY IN WA
ARMY STRENGTHS AND UNITS IN WA
ANALYSIS OF ARMY NUMBERS IN WA
INACTION AND DECEPTIVE POSTURING
EXTRACKES FROM ADF DOCUMENTS
ARMY CADET APPRENTICES SCHOOL

Alternatively my nine part series in NCC News Weekly (No. 3108 to 3116) is an edited presentation on the 80-year story of our Defence and Training Debacle.

Again if you are interested, it will be a pleasure to send all parts of the series via pdf files.

Opening Statement

The numbers show the total ARMY manpower in WA (Permanent and Reserve soldiers is 2010 which is about a third of the states Police Force.

In the event of a natural disaster or catastrophic occurrence, how could such a small group cope and/or contribute in a real meaningful way.

Let alone provide security to WA in general and the Critical Minerals and Resources particularly

Suppositions

There are many who still argue that a great expanse of water (Indian Ocean) is more than adequate as defence and security of WA. Some even add, and in addition there is the massive land area of half a continent of desolation.

But hang on a bit, isn’t that half a continent (ie: WA), what we are talking about.

Then there is an inference towards those who support a greater ADF presence (Footprint) in WA as basically not having much knowledge on the subject.

This clearly is not correct as if it were, all those countless security / defence experts who have written masses of papers and articles over the years, also must not have it right.

An estimate could be that there are 15,000 to 20,000 pieces of “defence and security” articles, papers and general talk fest documents across the past 80 years. A very large percentage of these are centred on this very topic – defence and security of North and North Western Australia.

The perception and misunderstanding of the ADF and particularly the Army that it’s sole and only roll is Military.

The fact is that is the principal roll but equally important and binding on the ADF is the task to:

Contribute to the Safety of the Immediate Neighbourhood

Operations supporting wider interests

c) Contribution to National Support Tasks in Australia

Structure of the ADF

The current Defence Personnel strength in Australia (ADF):

Service Permanent Reserve Total

Navy 13,657 2,823 16,480

Army 30,161 13,801 43,962

Air Force 14,838 5,070 19,908

TOTALS 58,656 21,694 80,350

Composition of Defence Personnel in Western Australia,

Service Combined Permanent & Reserve Percentage in WA

Navy 2675 16.2 %

Army 2010 4.57 % Army

Air Force 602 3.0 %

TOTAL 5287 6.58 % ADF

The ratio of Permanent Soldiers to Reserve Soldiers is like this:

Permanent Reserve Total Ratio P to R

Army Other 29,297 12,307 41,604 1 to 0.42

Army WA 825 1,185 2,010 1 to 1.44

Army ADF 30,122 13,492 43,614 1 to 0.45

Geographical perspective comparing WA to the rest of Australia:

Location Land Area M Km2 Soldiers / Km2 Coastline Km

Other States 4.861 M 0.008 Km2 38,893 WA 2.827 M (34.4 %) 0.0007 Km2 20,788 (34.8 %)

Australia Total 7.688 M Km2 59,681

A quick appraisal of these simple analyses does not take one long to see there is very good point here, that Western Australia is not just being been left behind but pretty much being forgotten.

To push the point real hard, there has to be something serious take place and that could and should be Australia having a two (2) Army policy

ARMY No. 1 – the existing Army (Eastern States and NT)

ARMY No. 2 – new Army for (the entire state of WA)

Introduction

So the best way to tell any story and paint the picture clearly is to not reinvent the wheel.

That is, why spend time when countless numbers of experts have told and retold the same story in the past. Most of experts may be far more qualified than me anyway, so why not use some of these articles as a step to present comments and perspectives that add to the story.

To this end the passage directly here under is an extract from a paper, The Australian Defence Force in northern Australia 9th July 2015 by Dr Nathan Church (Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Section)

The issue of a military presence in northern Australia has been an enduring one for Australia’s parliamentarians.

In 1940, Adair Blain (Member for Northern Territory) declared in the House of Representatives that:

In a spirit of political complacency we are burying our heads in the sand and leaving the north-west to defend itself.

We are relying upon its remoteness for security …

There are cogent reasons why the Government should concentrate upon the effective control and defence of the north-west of Australia, particularly when we realize that the influence of the Axis powers may extend, and we may even have more enemies than we have today.

More recently in 2014, the Minister for Defence noted ‘we have hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of investment in offshore developments, particularly in the north and northwest of Australia’.

Both statements infer that Australia not only needs naval assets to appropriately provide national security, but also appropriate defence facilities located in the region to support the required defence assets.

Ditto Dr Nathan Church’s introductory Executive Summary section, with comments in bold and underlined added, as follows:

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) regards northern Australia as strategically important, both for national defence and as a forward base for regional engagement.
The ADF presence in northern Australia also directly contributes to the economic and social development of the region. (This may have truth in Darwin but is not the case for a blanket statement as there IS VERY LITTLE ADF presence in the NW of WA.)
A substantial amount of new ADF assets will either be based or operate in the vicinity of northern Australia, requiring new or upgraded facilities. These include new strike and patrol aircraft as well as the Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs),
Australia’s largest ever warships. (Not sure that huge warships are necessary, but great number of Helicopters and Drones both manned and unmaned YES )
The increasing presence of US Marine rotations within northern Australia will also require additional infrastructure and base capacity.
However, future growth in the ADF’s northern Australia presence is constrained. (The only constraint is that Governments and ADF heads have not made decisions and expended in any meaningful way across eighty (80) years, that has had any effect on Australia’s ability to defend the NW of WA. That is the ADF Footprint has not increased in WA, and if anything it has actually diminished.)
Climate factors affect the ADF’s ability to operate in the region and maintain its infrastructure, (Really, this SHOULD NOT be the case, as the same climatic conditions affect private industry such as mining, resources, pastoralists, etc. and they run hugely successful operations in these conditions / environment
While northern Australia’s distance from major population centres increases resource costs and can impede retention of personnel. (Garrison town and other FOB towns should be created and built in the NW of WA just as the mining industry has built mining towns like, Tom Price, Newman, Dampier, and Paraburdoo.)
Accordingly, the most cost-effective improvements will likely come through more efficient defence sustainment provided by local northern Australia defence industries

(This is a good proposition but the Federal Government and the Department of Defence Industries has to be the leaders here and set up a means of private companies to engage— Presently the ADI does not see nor canter for this roll. The ADI in WA seems totally fixated on NAVAL maintenance programmes and nothing else)

Again the passage directly here under is an extract from a paper, The Australian Defence Force in northern Australia 9th July 2015 by Dr Nathan Church (Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Section). Comments have being added as before.

All three ADF services have multiple northern Australia bases. The Army operates from Larrakeyah and Robertson Barracks in the Northern Territory, as well as Lavarack Barracks in Queensland. The Navy is based at HMAS Coonawarra in the Northern Territory and HMAS Cairns in Queensland. The Air Force has RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory and RAAF Base Townsville in Queensland. (NOTE: All of these bases are located in Queensland and the NT)

Two of the Army’s three multi-role combat brigades are based in northern Australia; with the 1st Brigade predominantly located at Robertson Barracks and the 3rd Brigade—consisting of more than 4,000 personnel—located at Lavarack Barracks. Notably, 1st Brigade was moved to Darwin in 1992 following the 1991 Force Structure Review’s recommendation to have more regular units based in northern Australia. (NOTE: Again all of these units are in Queensland and the NT)

The Army also operates three Regional Force Surveillance Units in northern Australia; the Pilbara Regiment (This unit is based in Karratha WA and is made up of a fluctuating number of men never any greater than 150 strong, all of which are Reserve Soldiers) (Also please see section Pilbara Regiment in this discussion paper).

51st Battalion (Far North Queensland Regiment) and the North-West Mobile Force (NORFORCE). Although NORFORCE is based at Darwin’s Larrakeyah Barracks, its personnel (60 per cent of which are Aboriginal soldiers) patrol 1.8 million square kilometres spanning the Northern Territory and Western Australia’s Kimberley region.(NORFORCE is just a word, in reality it is has no real “on the ground” Structure, Manpower, Presence or Capability. It is a Posture

In order to increase the operational capacity of the ADF’s northern bases, various potential upgrades of their facilities have been suggested. These include extending the wharf at HMAS Coonawarra to appropriately dock a larger replacement of the existing Armidale class patrol boats (10 of which are stationed there) and providing further accommodation for the LHDs with a second deep-water port east of Darwin… These upgrades would be significant, as commentators have noted that Darwin’s commercial port has often been required to facilitate berthing for large warships. Compounding this strain is the suggestion that the increased US Marine presence in Darwin would likely require additional wharf infrastructure. In response to these pressures—particularly relating to support for the LHDs—the Government announced in June 2015 that a Multi User Barge Ramp Facility would be constructed in the Port of Darwin, to be completed by mid-2016. (None of this relates to any ADF presence or FOOTPRINT in the NW of WA)

In addition to these permanent facilities, the Air Force operates three ‘bare bases’: RAAF Bases Curtin and Learmonth in Western Australia and RAAF Base Scherger in Queensland. These facilities hold limited caches of defence stores, bedding and catering equipment; however, deterioration due to poor storage conditions has led to reforms being undertaken to reduce these cache holdings by 25 per cent. This has allowed more stock to be maintained at a centralised location to facilitate better maintenance and stocktaking. (This passage really rams home JUST HOW BASIC AND BARE THESE BASES ARE. Pathetic is a word that covers this situation)

The authors of the CSBA report, Gateway to the Indo-Pacific, specifically noted the strategic benefits of greater use of these bare bases, (OMG what an amazing idea) despite acknowledging the logistical challenge of supplying remote locations. (Really) However, greater use of remotely operated unmanned systems may offer a solution. (What a flippant closer to a passage that started out with the context of almost boasting about our defence capabilities?)

Leadership and Governance

There has been an incredible dalliance by Governments on both sides of parliament and the ADF Leaders across the last 80 years.

With no decisions of any consequence being made over this time, it has left the whole of the North West of WA and its mineral and resource industries and infrastructure vulnerable and defenceless.

Not one of our Chiefs over this time has formulated a detailed plan of the entire ADF, on a base by base, basis.

Every paper, initiative, proposition, etc., etc., has been in terms that never set down location or quantified assets and manpower.

There has been an endless stream of hyperbole produced and published.

An estimate could be that there are up to 50,000 pieces of “defence and security” articles, papers and general talk fest documents.

Ineptitude of Defence Governance

The leadership of both the ADF and Federal Governments for decades on decades has been abominable and totally non-existent in regard to the defence of our NW.

The massive build and investment in the defence and security of WA and in particular the North West of WA, now just has to happen.

It has been put off and duck shoved for over eighty (80) years, it must be commenced now.

The cost now is absolutely irrelevant, as plans, decisions and expenditure should have been progressive across the years as for all ongoing Federal Government commitments.

Ultimately, a country will have the military capabilities that it’s prepared to pay for.

Still, it’s what the spending delivers, rather than the spending itself which really counts.

The bottom line is that our military forces should always be funded, supplied and supported to at least be in a position to be capable of providing security and defence across the entirety of the country.

Australia’s Current Economy

Australia is in a pickle at the moment due to the impact of the CV pandemic.

A recovery strategy with numerous legs has to be planned and put in place to generate jobs and reduce the extremely high level of unemployment and build the economy and drag the country back up.

In the past there have been many examples of huge projects being tackled to both create jobs and deliver a facility or service for the betterment of the country and the people.

The biggest and most relevant project that Australia took on and achieved was the Snowy Mountain Hydro scheme.

Australia needs a massive project starting right now that can replicate the effects of the Snowy Mountain Scheme had on the economy and employment.

The building of an entire Second Army in Western Australia is just that project.

If ever a Federal Government and the ADF should make this decision and commitment, it is now.

It is a decision that should have been made decades and decades ago anyhow, but now it is paramount and critical for not just the current economic situation but the total future security and survival of this country.

Agreement of the NEED for a SECOND ARMY

The first hurdle is getting the perspective of where Australia, Western Australia and the North West of WA sits in the scheme of all things Defence and Security.

Australia is in a bad position and has been for decades. But unless the whole population of the country together with both sides of Parliament does not recognise, accept and admit this, there is no way forward.

Australia is and again has been for decades, in a catch 22 situation the same as a drug addict or alcoholic (ie: They cannot be helped or change until they admit they have a problem.)

So let us say we all agree that we have a Defence and Security problem in WA and the North West of WA and it is agreed a Second Army is required. And that this Second Army is to be entirely based, operated and controlled within WA.

Please note that the ADF has not been mentioned and should not be included in the process of this decision to agree on the establishment of a Second Army.

There are many reasons why the ADF should not be involved in this process or even part of the discussion in the process.

The most important is that it is a democratic decision.

If made by the people it must be free of any interference by an organisation that is part of the public service and should not be able to veto anything that the public agrees to be impimented.

The ADF will be advised, ordered and instructed on and about the decision and will be part of the organising body of stake holders.

The inference here is specific and that is the ADF per se should not and will not be the leaders of and/or controllers of the plan and building phase of this proposition.

Again there are many reasons for this; not the least being is that the ADF has had 80 years to come up with a plan for the Defence and Security of WA and our North West.

Confidence to Plan and Build SECOND ARMY in WA

This could be seen as a task bigger than the production of “Ben Hur”, but in reality it is no more difficult or complex than any large scale project.

In the past our fore-fathers took on, set about and delivered projects in times with only a little of the technology and equipment we have at our disposal today.

Historical Proof of a Great Achievement

The greatest WA example of such achievements in the past was the building of the Water Supply Pipeline to Kalgoorlie.

This project was commissioned in 1896 and completed in 1903.

The pipeline continues to operate today, supplying water to over 100,000 people in over 33,000 households as well as mines, farms and other enterprises.

During the early 1890s, thousands of settlers had travelled into the barren and dry desert centre of Western Australia in search of gold, but the existing infrastructure for the supply of water was non-existent and an urgent need arose.

Prior to the scheme, water condensers, irregular rain, and water trains were part of the range of sources. Railway dams were essential for water to supply locomotives to travel to the goldfields.

Throughout the 1890s, water availability issues in Coolgardie and in the Kalgoorlie – Boulder region were causing concern to the population. On 16 July 1896, the Premier of Western Australia, Sir John Forrest introduced to Western Australian Parliament a bill to authorise the raising of a loan of £2.5 million to construct the scheme: the pipeline would convey 23,000 kilolitres (5,100,000 imp gal) ofwater per day to the Goldfields from a dam on the Helena River near Mundaring in Perth.

The scheme consisted of three key elements – the Mundaring Weir, which dammed the Helena River in the Darling Scarp creating the Helena River Reservoir; a 760 millimetres (30 in) diameter steel pipe which ran from the dam to Kalgoorlie 530 kilometres (330 mi) away; and a series of eight pumping stations and two small holding dams to control pressures and to lift the water over the Darling Scarp.

The scheme was devised by C. Y. O’Connor who oversaw its design and most of the construction project. Although supported by Premier Forrest, O’Connor had to deal with widespread criticism and derision from members of the Western Australian Parliament as well as the local press based on a belief that the scope of the engineering task was too great and that it would never work. There was also a concern that the gold discoveries would soon dry up and the state would be left with a significant debt to repay but little or no commerce to support it.

Sunday Times editor Frederick Vosper – who was also a politician, ran a personal attack on O’Connor’s integrity and ability through the paper. Timing was critical, Forrest as a supporter had moved into Federal politics, and the new Premier George Leake had long been an opponent of the scheme.

O’Connor died by suicide in March 1902 less than 12 months before the final commissioning of the pipeline

Australians and in particular Western Australian have the skill and ability, all they need is the will which comes with support and approval.

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The following is a combination of key words, points and summations of various components within the topic.

All of which should be included in discussions and debates to bring a fresh and clear perspective to the topic of the need for a substantial ADF presence in Western Australia and in particular a greater Army Footprint .

With the aim and hope being to contribute and actually arriving with a possible blue print for the defence and security of Western Australia’s North West.

Such a blue print should describe, locate and plan all facilities and manpower requirements as they are deemed needed on the ground, throughout WA and more so the NW of WA.

Critical components / areas to be addressed will include but not be limited to:

Comprehensive plan and details of all components, facilities and infrastructure required to establish an Army build up in WA along the path of a an ARMY No.2

Overall strength of the ARMY No.2 presented on each individual unit and location

Initial and substantial component of the Second Army be made up of Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). This is to facilitate the Second Army to have a capability of constructing much of its own infrastructure, particularly accommodation buildings.

Airforce upgrades and additional facilities as required to service the ARMY No. 2

Benefits, jobs and rolls created that will be filled by transitioning and damaged Soldiers and other Ex Services persons

Fact finding and presentation of individual issues, particularly some of the horrendous procurement disasters and failures.

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Planning and Building SECOND ARMY in WA

As every plan has to have a thumb nail sketch or floor plan of a house made at the kitchen table so too does every project whether big, small or even huge.

Because this is a new concept I will set an agenda of items and components as I see them in the overall plan to deliver and operate a Second Army in WA.

All of these points of view, topics, opinions, proposition, suggestions, criticisms, and the like that make up my agenda are needed, as I see it, to enable and generate discussion and debate to achieve a real plan of Facilities, Equipment and Feet on the Ground Soldiers that are required to form and build a Second Army needed to actually achieve the Defence and Security of the NW of WA,

So here is my plan, and it starts with a:

“Garrison” Town

An all capabilities massive “Garrison” town should be established in the Pilbara.

Located on the eastern side of the Exmouth Gulf at or about the same latitude as RAAF Base Learmonth (currently a Bare Base).

This Garrison town will have every Corps and aspect of the Army. It will be planned and constructed around the principals and requirements of an entire Army.

It will be the HQ of Australia’s Second Army and that its responsibility will be the entire state of WA

The strength envisaged for this SECOND ARMY is in the order of 10,000 Soldiers.

Any less that this would to be detrimental to the structure and capability of the SECOND ARMY carry out its state wide task.

In addition to the Garrison town’s military facilities, the concept of a normal large scale town anywhere in Australia shall be followed and all amenities required will be incorporated in the Garrison town.

The creation of many town’s in our NW by Mining Companies in the past shown that it is very achievable. Not meaning to be critical of our mining industry but some of them (particularly the big boys) are over blow beaurocracies that waste money endlessly but still they got these towns up.

The largest of these towns include:

Tom Price – RIO (Pop 4000)
- Paraburdoo – RIO (Pop 2000)
- Newman – BHP (Pop 4000)
- Dampier – RIO (Pop 3500)

All of these towns were planned, build and provided with every amenity and facility equal to and in many cases better than many towns in Australia.

That includes: Schools, Shops, Hospital, Policy Station, Bank, Ambulance, Playing Fields / Footy Oval / Club House, Swimming Pool, Town and Community Halls, Petrol Station, Garage, Tyre Shop, Corner Shops, Bakery, Bottle Shop, Motel, Hotel, and of course Houses, Boarding’s or Lodgings to accommodate the population.

FOB / FSB Locations

Several Forward Operational or Fire Support Base’s throughout WA.

These bases will be structured and maned around the principal of quick and effective battle response to any situation within their area.

Air Cavalry

Helicopter groups in place of or complimenting Armour.

It has been well proven that heavy armoured vehicles and tanks especially find the going tough where ever they are, let alone in our extreme geographical conditions.

Main base for the whole Helicopter wing in the Second Army to be part of Garrison town.

FOB’s to have at least four (4) dedicated Helicopters with all back up, maintenance and replacement from Garrison HQ

Personnel Carrier Vehicles

The manufacture and supply of PCV’s to the Australian Army appears to be finally under control with manufacturing proceeding under contract with a private company.

Apparently the Australian Army has ordered 1052 of the Bushmaster vehicle from the French company THALES, with the manufacture taking place in Bendigo Victoria.

There is a significant story around the PCV, which is the subject of a separate paper.

To manufacture our own PCV’s in WA is an example of an Australian Defence Industry (ADI) opportunity that should be considered and implemented.

Small Patrol Boats – Fleet

Main HQ base to be in the Exmouth Gulf.

Several FOB’s of say three (3) boats at each.

Indicative location would be: Onslow, Dampier, Port Headland, Broome, and Derby.

Total boats required equal to at least six (6) base, three (3) at each FOB and six (6) to cover rotation, servicing and maintenance.

Observation and Recognizance Posts

Several ORP’s, especially in the Kimberley coastal areas which have no port facilities and ground vehicle movement is restricted, need to be established.

These bases to have high speed troop carrying inflatable boats (2) per base and an all-weather helipad.

Each base to be made up of at least a platoon, comprising Signals, Engineers, Infantry and Navy.

Suggested base locations being: Beagle Bay, Cockatoo Island, Cape Bougainville, and Cambridge Gulf.

Control and support HQ to be from Garrison Town

RAAF (BARE) Base Learmonth

To be upgraded and build to be a stand along fully operational air base equal or better than Tindale

RAAF (BARE) Base Curtin

To be upgraded and built to be a fully operational air base.

Perhaps the Air Cavalry could be based and operated from both Learmonth and Curtin

Fuel Dumps

Underground concrete storage tanks across the whole NW for both air and ground vehicles.

NORFORCE – North-West Mobile Force

Presently the NORFORCE is pure Posture and propaganda

NORCOM – Northern Command

Posture and propaganda

Pilbara Regiment (Karratha)

History

In the late 1970s and early 1980s the need for a military presence in the north was recognised, with an integrated land, sea and air surveillance network developed in response. Part of this involved the raising of reserve infantry units that would act as “eyes and ears” in the north

The Pilbara Regiment was raised for operations in the Pilbara region of north-west Australia, whilst others were raised in the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland. The regiment was originally formed as a company on 26 January 1982, as the 5th Independent Rifle Company, The Pilbara Regiment, under Major David Hudson. It was subsequently redesignated as a full regiment in 1985.

Today the regiment’s mission is: “To provide the Australian Army with information by conducting surveillance operations to contribute to an effective Australian Defence Force surveillance network in the North West of Australia (Pilbara Region)”

It is responsible for an area of 1.5 million square kilometres from Port Hedland to Geraldton in Western Australia, and from the coast to the border with the Northern Territory; being approximately one-sixth of the total Australia mass.

A detailed knowledge of its Area of Operations is maintained by conducting reconnaissance patrols by foot, vehicle and watercraft; surveillance from static observation posts; and by systematic communication and liaison with police, customs, other regional authorities, and with local landowners.

On 1 March 2010, Pilbara Regiment became part of the re-raised 6th Brigade

On 4 October 2018, all three RFSUs were grouped together as part of a new formation headquarters, the Regional Force Surveillance Group. The new formation came into being at a parade held at Larrakeyah Barracks in Darwin.

Current organisation

As at 2017, The Pilbara Regiment comprises three squadrons, a regimental headquarters and two support squadrons. The regiment’s sub-units are:

Regimental Headquarters
1 Squadron
2 Squadron
3 Squadron
Training Support Squadron
Operational Support Squadron

The Regimental Headquarters is located in the town of Karratha and most other elements of the regiment are spread across the Pilbara region. 3 Squadron is located in Perth.

Current Manpower

There is a fair amount of “smoke and mirrors” going on here when trying to get a handle on the real number of men in the Pilbara Regiment.

It is hard to find who might know.

So my best guess would be to say there has never been at any stage a number greater than 250 Soldiers.

Right now I would doubt it would be anywhere near that.

Good luck covering one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) square kilometres

Synopsis

The claim that the Pilbara Regiment could actually cover the designated area in any meaningful way is a joke.

Defence Personnel in Western Australia (2016)

Although subsumed by an east coast-focussed policy establishment, WA does have some ADF presence even if it is miniscule in relation to the vast area of WA which it has the responsibility to defend.

The total of all ADF personnel in WA represents 7.1% of the total number of Department of Defence personnel in Australia

Composition of Defence Personnel in Western Australia (2016)’,

Service Combined Permanent & Res.Soldiers Percentage ADF in WA

Army 2010 5.4 percent

Air Force 602 3.2 percent

Navy 2675 15.5 percent

Defence APS 493 2.6 percent

Harbours and Wharfs

Several harbour / wharfs (fixed or floating) need to be established along the North West coast with a many base philosophy centred on Exmouth Gulf

Indigenous Soldiers

Indigenous Education Safe Place to Live and Learn Indigenous Soldiers is the title of a paper I have written on this issue. The following is a very small extract.

Something new has to be tried in the entire area of education and training of all teenagers and young adults and particularly the Indigenous peoples of Western Australia

The present approaches to trying to gain Indigenous peoples interest and participation in the Army, is clearly not working.

There are just so many bits and pieces advertised on that many websites, it is just a dog’s breakfast. For a teenager or young adult with a reasonable level of education it would be a nightmare to navigate.

For the Indigenous teenagers and young adults with limited education, it would be almost impossible to comprehend.

None of the “such it and see” type initiatives and programs have realistic / adequate durations and therefor do not cover sufficient content / aspects of real Army life to be of much benefit in enticing and recruiting.

Army Cadet Apprentice School

This is a proposition based around an Alternative High School method that incorporates life, living, learning, security and belonging.

Our view is that all young people need routine, boundaries and a sense of belonging.

A huge part of this being to get kids to want to belong to something and want to care for what they are being provided in this type of School. Encouragement to look after everything around them, which includes all other people and property.

The proposition is that we embrace and develop the idea of a High School System that is foremost based on military type rules, principals, discipline, dedication, personal pride and belonging.

Therefore we are proposing that such a school could be run under the banner of the Australian Army Cadet Brigade and for the point of discussion this proposed college/school could be called, Army Cadet Apprentice School.

Unmanned Drone Squadrons

Drone surveillance and attach craft are becoming a very advantageous proposition in the world today.

This aspect of defence capability should be advanced as soon as possible.

With long range Drones could provide surveillance over the vast areas of our North and North West.

Australian Defence Industry (ADI)

On the 12^th August 2019 a Defence Conference took place in Perth WA.

The event was titled Western Australian Indo-Pacific Defence Conference.

This conference could be seen as a gateway for the IT, Science and physical defence component manufacturers and suppliers of the world to come and set up business in Western Australia.

Should it transpire that International and National defence industry organisation wished to set up their facilities in WA, how can their security be guaranteed.

At the time I proposed a question to the speakers of how they intend to cover the lack of security of the entire state of Western Australia?

There are only two (2) permanent Australian Defence Force (ADF) facilities in operation in Western Australia and it has been this way for several decades (ie; Campbell Barracks and Garden Island).

Why it is not considered critical that the ADF have a real and substantial presence in Western Australia.

Also I suggested that if such defence industry organisations were to come to Western Australia, from where would they source their workforce?

Certainly not from Western Australia’s existing ledger of tradespeople, technical people and professionals, as the state does not seem to even have sufficient to keep abreast with the construction/building and mining/resource industry’s needs.

Therefore why is it not a priority of the Federal and State Governments, perhaps in conjunction with the ADF to invest in such areas?

To this another question is needed and it is very important as it is the key to creating another branch or part of the Australian Defence Industry.

Question:

Why are there no partnerships or Joint Ventures set up by the ADI with private industry organisations to facilitate the development and delivery of infrastructure and equipment so desperately needed in the NW of WA?

Surely this is or should be a big part of the ADI’s mantra.

The building of all the key facilities, towns, base and RAAF bases all lend themselves easily to this manner of procurement.

Right now there is a huge opportunity to team up with mining industry in WA as there is a drive to reduce FIFO costs. That is workers in the Easter States are being told to move to WA or have no job in the very near future.

The Garrison Town and FOB’s could well be a solution for mining industry and the Government of WA.

What could be better, a brand new town right in the middle of the Pilbara and other areas, etc., etc.

This proposition needs to be advanced, but like everything, the right pair of ears is required and has to be found.

Jobs and Rolls for Ex Service ADF Persons

With the establishment of some of the new initiatives within this discussion paper, an explosion of job rolls and opportunities would evolve.

Many of these jobs and rolls would be ideally suited to the already trained soldier and many others could be easily fulfilled with a minimum of training/ education.

Garrison Town

Every civilian job and roll throughout the Garrison Town, the same as for that of any other Australian town.

FOB

Any and all rolls and skills that can do not need an “active” ADF person to fill.

Army Cadet Apprentices School

Every position and roll as for any High School, can be filled by an equally qualified and trained ex ADF person.

In addition of course the Cadre Staff for the Army Cadet aspect would be made up entirely of ex ADF persons.

Small Drone Surveillance – Operators

Entry and Parameter Security of all ADF Bases in Australia

Clerical and Public Service Rolls in the entire ADF

Building, Asset Management, and Maintenance of all Bases in WA

DVA

The entire Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) should be reserved for exiting ADF persons. This would give confidence to the Veteran and make their transition into civilian life and job more achievable without hardship.

People who have not served should not be speaking to Veterans let alone giving them advice and making decisions on the validity or otherwise of the Veteran’s issues.

Open Conclusion

The length and breadth of the discussion and needs surrounding and within the topic of DEFENCE and SECURITY of WA is massive, so this little effort does no more than scratch the surface or rattle the tin, so to speak.

To write a section, entitled CONCLUSION, at this very point in time could only state that the conclusion is that WA and the North West are DEFENCELESS in both senses of the word.

That is, as a result of having little or NO DEFENCE the entire state is NOT DEFENDABLE.

In addition the impact of having no ADF / ARMY in any numbers in WA, leaves the state incapable of dealing with any force majeure such as fire, floods, cyclones, earth quacks, drought, pandemics or any other disasters such as, terrorist acts, massive explosions, large scale arson, industrial failures, maritime disasters, aeroplane crashes and accidents..

Closing Statement

There is much here to talk about, discuss at length and generally get our head around but the singular most important thing is that PROCRASTINATION has got to stop.

We need to make decisions that will significantly increase our ARMY numbers and most importantly in WA.

Refer to Australian Government / Department of Defence / 202 Force Structure Plan / clause 10.8 “Army is entering a period of significant modernisation, while also balancing an expanding commitment to regional partnerships. Under the 2020 Force Structure Plan, Army will initially experience modest growth of around 50 personnel to 2024. Government will consider additional growth beyond 2024 to strengthen a wide range of Army capabilities including intelligence, cyber and electronic warfare, aviation and land combat capabilities, special operations,; and vital health, engineering and logistics support functions”

This recent announcement saying the ARMY will be grown by fifty (50) over the next few years to 2024 is PATHETIC.

Simply and realistically the total ARMY strength needs to increase by no less than ten thousand (10,000) PERMANENT SOLDIERS, over the next five (5) years.

Cheers from Man Up Australia

PB and DL 10/3/2023