Australian Defence Force personnel operating in Uruzgan continue to receive vital support from the RAAF’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle detachment. Heron operators conduct daily missions inside the province in order to provide real time intelligence and imagery analysis to commanders on the ground. The information captured by Heron is now also helping shape Afghan National Security Force operations in the region.

Nine female Indigenous students taking part in this week's RAAF Indigenous Youth Program (RAAFIYP) were today welcomed to RAAF Base Richmond by Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Mel Hupfeld. "It is a great privilege for me to meet young Indigenous people so passionate about aviation and this program provides them with the opportunity to experience Air Force life in general," Air Vice-Marshal Hupfeld said. "Students will also participate in a number of planned activities and will be given the chance to explore the different trades available should they wish to pursue an Air Force career once they complete their schooling." The RAAFIYP is a collaborative effort between Air Force and Boorowa Aviation (BA), an Indigenous employment program operating through the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation. RAAFIYP participants are selected by BA through their extensive connections with Aboriginal communities in eastern Australia. In 2012, Uncle Harry Allie was appointed as the first Air Force Indigenous Elder, having served in the Royal Australian Air Force from 1966 to 1989. "We are honoured to have Uncle Harry represent Air Force on official occasions and appreciate his advice on ways to increase participation of Indigenous people in Air Force," Air Vice-Marshal Hupfeld said. This is the third RAAFIYP to be held and aims to encourage young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people towards career opportunities associated with aviation and Air Force.

ANZAC Day messages from Seaman Dylan Carew, Able Seaman Hayley Smith, Able Seaman Jenna Assenbruck and Able Seaman Chris Kleehammer.

Over 1,000 Australian Air Force cadets and staff from around the country converged on Point Cook in Melbourne this week for the annual Air Force Trophy parade held on Sunday, 24 March. The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, attended the parade as the guest of honour and Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Gavin Davies, presented the award on behalf of Air Force. The Air Force Trophy is awarded each year to the most proficient Australian Air Force Cadet Wing. This year’s winners were the Victorian based Number 4 Wing. The award was accepted on behalf of Number 4 Wing by Wing Commander (AAFC) Elizabeth Flanagan, the first female Officer Commanding in the Australian Air Force Cadets. The Australian Air Force Cadets is a community-based youth development organisation open to all young Australians. The organisation seeks to stimulate young Australians’ interests in both the Air Force and aviation in general whilst providing them with the opportunity to develop their personal and team qualities within a military setting. Further information on the Australian Air Force Cadets can be found via their website www.aafc.org.au.

More than 200 representatives from the Australian Defence Force and the national security community attended the inaugural Gender in Defence and Security Leadership conference in Canberra. Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley and US Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mark E. Ferguson III addressed the conference along with former Queensland premier, Anna Bligh.

More than 200 representatives from the Australian Defence Force and the national security community attended the inaugural Gender in Defence and Security Leadership conference in Canberra. Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley and US Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mark E. Ferguson III addressed the conference along with former Queensland premier, Anna Bligh.

In a series of exercises Army personnel have demonstrated the new physical employment standards assessments (PESA) developed by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the University of Wollongong. Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Alex Zelinsky and Head People Capability, Major General Gerard Fogarty attended the demonstration at Russell Offices in Canberra. The demonstration was a curtain-raiser for the “The First Australian Conference on Physiological and Physical Employment Standards” being held on 27-28 November at the Australian War Memorial.