Australian IEDD Operations 1971-1994
Donation protected
From 1971 to 1994 specialist Australian ARMY Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) ‘bomb disposal’ personnel protected Australia’s people from domestic and international bomb terrorism.
Over the course of our 23-year Operational campaign, our IEDD Operators undertook more than 200 incidents. All of these involved the interdiction and render-safe of a dangerous 'bomb' threat and often saw an Operator place his or her life in direct threat.
You might remember the high profile incidents such as 1971 QANTAS 'Mr Brown' bomb extortion, the Hilton Hotel bombing during CHOGRM in 1978, the bombing of the Victorian Police Headquarters in Russell Street in in 1986 or even the attempted bombing of the Lucas Heights Nuclear Reactor in 1983. However many of our jobs went unrecognised - mainly due to our operational charter and anonymity. IEDD incidents like the Family Law Court bombings in the mid-1980s, the Albury Bookshop attempted bombing in 1982 or the 20-hour Liverpool Siege (involving 'body-bombs') in 1991 remain relatively unknown to the Australian public. Yet the Australian Government (especially the Defence department) are fully aware of all the IEDD actions undertaken.
On the majority of our IEDD actions DEATH was a very real & present threat for our people. This is now shown through the impact of PTSD that has ravaged our ranks. We are currently seeing a PTSD occurrence rate of around 46% amongst our Claimants, which is well above the 'normal' combat rate of 30%.
We have applied to the Australian Government on many occasions for the approval of ACTIVE/WARLIKE Service status for our operations in protection our Nation. However the Government refuses to approve our request; and even worse, continue to deny that what we did was either DANGEROUS or LIFE THREATENING.
What we did in protection of our Nation was put our lives on the line to ensure the freedoms we enjoy in Australia were maintained. And all we are after is the 'normal' Service status and medallic recognition for our Operational service ... nothing more-nothing less.
It is now time for the Australian Government to fully recognise and approve our 'Australian IEDD Operations 1971-1994' as full ACTIVE/WARLIKE Service.
We need your help!
Over the course of our 23-year Operational campaign, our IEDD Operators undertook more than 200 incidents. All of these involved the interdiction and render-safe of a dangerous 'bomb' threat and often saw an Operator place his or her life in direct threat.
You might remember the high profile incidents such as 1971 QANTAS 'Mr Brown' bomb extortion, the Hilton Hotel bombing during CHOGRM in 1978, the bombing of the Victorian Police Headquarters in Russell Street in in 1986 or even the attempted bombing of the Lucas Heights Nuclear Reactor in 1983. However many of our jobs went unrecognised - mainly due to our operational charter and anonymity. IEDD incidents like the Family Law Court bombings in the mid-1980s, the Albury Bookshop attempted bombing in 1982 or the 20-hour Liverpool Siege (involving 'body-bombs') in 1991 remain relatively unknown to the Australian public. Yet the Australian Government (especially the Defence department) are fully aware of all the IEDD actions undertaken.
On the majority of our IEDD actions DEATH was a very real & present threat for our people. This is now shown through the impact of PTSD that has ravaged our ranks. We are currently seeing a PTSD occurrence rate of around 46% amongst our Claimants, which is well above the 'normal' combat rate of 30%.
We have applied to the Australian Government on many occasions for the approval of ACTIVE/WARLIKE Service status for our operations in protection our Nation. However the Government refuses to approve our request; and even worse, continue to deny that what we did was either DANGEROUS or LIFE THREATENING.
What we did in protection of our Nation was put our lives on the line to ensure the freedoms we enjoy in Australia were maintained. And all we are after is the 'normal' Service status and medallic recognition for our Operational service ... nothing more-nothing less.
It is now time for the Australian Government to fully recognise and approve our 'Australian IEDD Operations 1971-1994' as full ACTIVE/WARLIKE Service.
We need your help!
Organizer
Gordon Hooker
Organizer
Wentworth Falls NSW
