Courses Conducted - 2006

The following courses were conducted by the APCML in 2006 at HMAS Penguin, Balmoral, Sydney:

• 3-7 April 2006. Civil Military Cooperation Course (HMAS Penguin, Balmoral, Sydney).
• 9-20 October 2006. Command and Staff Operations Law Course
  (HMAS Penguin, Balmoral, Sydney).

APCML COMMAND AND STAFF OPSLAW COURSE
HMAS PENGUIN
9-20 OCTOBER 2006

The APCML conducted its fifth Command and Staff Operations Law course at HMAS Penguin in Sydney during the period 9-20 October 2006. The course was attended by officers from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Fiji, Malaysia, Philippines, New Zealand, Switzerland and Vietnam, as well as Australian Defence Force operators and legal officers.

The course program covered the spectrum of operations and included the following legal topics: Sources and Content of the Laws of Armed Conflict; the Law of Targeting; Maritime Zones and Naval Operations; Air Operations; the Law of Occupation; Information Operations; the Legal Framework for Peace Operations; Laws of Armed Conflict and International Human Rights Law on Peace Operations; Use of Force on Peace Operations; Command Responsibility; Enforcement, Counter-Terrorist Operations; Status and Treatment of Detainees; and Military Support to Law Enforcement Operations. As the course emphasised the practical application of laws and norms to military operations the program also included topics such as: Operational Level Planning – An Operator’s Perspective; Operational Level Planning – A Legal Officer’s Perspective; Coalition Operations – Interoperability Issues; and Rules of Engagement. A day was also devoted to civil-military co-operation. Finally regarding the program, the 2006 course program included for the first time a module on Military Leadership and Ethics.

Select to view a copy of the course program.

A feature of the course was the number of high calibre presenters who willingly give of their time and expertise to support the course. For example, the course was opened by the Commander Special Operations Command, MAJGEN Michael Hindmarsh AM CSC, and the Director General of NZDF Defence Legal Services, BRIG Kevin Riordan, kindly presented on the course. The APCML is indebted to these two officers as it is to all those who contributed to the course.

The next APCML Command and Staff Operations Law course is to be conducted in the period 8-19 October 2007, again at HMAS Penguin.

2006 APCML Civil Military Co-Operation Course
HMAS PENGUIN 3-7 APR 2006

The Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law (APCML) conducted its fourth Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC) course at HMAS Penguin in the period 3-7 Apr 2006. The course, which was formally opened by MAJGEN Ian Flawith, COMD 2 Div, brought together Australian and international participants from armed forces, Defence ministries and International and Non-Government Organisations. Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Iraq, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand were represented. The attendance of two representatives from Iraq was particularly welcomed as was the attendance of the Iraqi Defence Attaché at the course closing ceremony.

The objective of the Course was to equip participants with a knowledge of the planning factors that are critical to the conduct of successful CIMIC operations and to familiarise them with each others' perspectives, operating procedures, methods, limitations and advantages in this respect. Consequently the course program included presentations on the doctrine, policy and practice of key military and civilian organisations and agencies such as the ADF, NATO, DPKO, OCHA, UNHCR, and the ICRC. Case studies were also an important part of the course program with Iraq (presented by LTCOL Roger Noble), the Solomon Islands (presented by MAJ James Watson) and Afghanistan (presented by WGCDR Carl Nixon and CAPT Mirjan Grandia) being featured.

A significant aspect of the course, as with past courses, was the diversity and quality of the presenters, a number of whom were based overseas. The overseas-based presenters included: Mr Dennis McNamara - UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; Mr Tony Craig - UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations; Mr Roland Bigler - International Committee of the Red Cross; CAPT Mirjam Grandia - NATO CIMIC School of Excellence; WGCDR Carl Nixon - NZDF; and Mr Doug Brand - Head of the EU Police Support Mission in Darfur.

The APCML CIMIC course has been developed continually in the four years of its operation and has now become an internationally recognised effective training forum.