- by Denis Doherty
- The Guardian
- Issue #2195
US Navy Establishes NSA Stirling near Perth
This announcement should send a chill down the spine of all Australians. It is time to redouble our efforts to get the AUKUS agreement torn up.
“As of 30 May, the US Navy has established a new naval support activity in Perth, Western Australia as part of AUKUS, the enhanced trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This move follows the trilateral Joint Statement on 30 May confirming that key milestones continue to be met for Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West). “Establishment of NSA Stirling with our AUKUS partners demonstrates our command mission to support the Fleet, warfighter, and family,” said Vice Adm. Scott Gray, Commander, Navy Installations Command. “By providing essential services to US personnel and their families, NSA Stirling will enhance rotational submarine force readiness.’ ”
Pine Gap and Anti-Bases Campaign
In July Pine Gap, just outside of Alice Springs NT, will be the focus of protests just as the world has come to appreciate that the presence of US Bases on your soil paints a target on your back. Iran has rightly decided that any use of US Bases on the soil of countries around the Gulf to attack Iran means that these countries are combatants. This is exactly what has happened to the Gulf States in the present conflict.
Pine Gap has had a long history of protests and campaigns. In the 1970s a Maoist group staged protests there, and in 1983 a women’s camp at the gates of the base was quite a spectacular event. These actions were great efforts and made a mark, but in 1987 the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition (AABCC) was established for a year-in-year-out actions against bases. This campaign continued until around 2020.
The AABCC were at the forefront of US Bases in SA, NT, WA and NSW. Whenever Australia staged the Ausmin talks in Australia the AABCC was there and attempted through countless actions to oppose all aspects of the US/Australia military alliance whether it was the bases, the military exercises, participation in US wars, and in the opposing Australia’s support of US and Israeli aggression in International forums. It was a very comprehensive campaign of many years standing and on many fronts and this organisation deserves to be remembered.
Iran vs Israel/USA war
A note to be remembered – the US army hunted down members of the Apache tribe in the Arizona almost to extinction. They have since named their most vicious helicopter ‘the Apache.’ This dubious distinction hardly compensates for the loss of Apache culture, people, and land.
There is some discussion whether Iran shot down an Apache helicopter over the Straits of Hormuz. Most reports confirm that a drone lodged in the cockpit of the helicopter causing it to make flying impossible, and forcing the crew to ditch the Apache. An unarmed drone rescued the pilots, and they are safe and unhurt. This was seen as an extraordinary moment in world history. Also significant is that the US Navy was too scared to approach in a ship as it would have been an easy target for Iranian drones and missiles.
The US retaliated by attacking Iran who responded with heavy barrages against US bases in Bahrain and Jordan. In Bahrain, Iranian missiles destroyed a priceless US radar system and other assets of the US Fifth Fleet base. In Jordan the US airfield hosting the US refuelling planes was hit by missiles again causing massive damage to the planes and fuel equipment.
