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ADF Refutes Afghanistan Digger Drug Use Claim |
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Monday, 23 November 2009 |
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) refutes the claim in today’s Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Mail Brisbane that members of the ADF are using illicit drugs while deployed on tours of duty in Afghanistan and are returning home addicted. The ADF had recently provided detailed responses to the journalists responsible for this article and deplores the fact that they chose to omit much of the information provided to them in search of a headline.
The ADF has conducted Prohibited Substance Testing in Afghanistan since 2005. Since testing commenced all test results for members of the ADF deployed on operations in Afghanistan have been negative.
“On the basis of these results today’s story is completely baseless,” the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said.
Tests conducted under the Prohibited Substance Testing Program include both random testing (where personnel are randomly selected for testing) and targeted testing (where information is considered and personnel are targeted for testing on the basis of information brought to the attention of the command).
The Prohibited Substance Testing Program is conducted in accordance with the appropriate Australian/New Zealand Standard and tests for the following five drug classes: Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Methylamphetamines, Opiates (including heroin) and Cannabis. In addition, the Australian Defence Force members may also be tested for the use of steroids.
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I Love the Sound of Blackhawks in the Morning |
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Tuesday, 17 November 2009 |
 Blackhawks over Brisbane
Where did they get all these flying hours, you can hear the matrons of Milton ask each other as they soak the lawn with their rainwater tanks.
Last week there was some general low-level navigation exercises through the Brisbane city centre. Today, there were multiple Blackhawk runs into Suncorp Stadium as a four-ship.
The
four ship flared over the Stadium, and then practiced hovering for
about a minute or so. Probably enough time to insert a few soccer fans
via fast-rope.
Tonight there were multiple, and I mean multiple,
runs from the south eastern suburbs (which just so happen to be in Kevin Rudd's electorate), of Brisbane towards the general
direction of Suncorp Stadium. Maybe the crews were trying out some new night-vision
goggles?
It was a four-ship again, the last helo in the form had an
anti-collision light flashing. Height?, maybe 500 to 1000 feet AGL. In any case it was pretty low and impressive.
Anyway, it's all good. I suspect
taxpayers don't mind this sort of display, it's concrete evidence of
their tax dollars at work.
Fly Army |
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