Enhancing its continuing education for military and civilian workforces, Combat Support Group held the Gender in Military Operations (GiMO) symposium at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland from April 30 to May 1.
GiMO is in the process of integrating a gender perspective across all stages of operational planning, execution and assessment, which allows for a greater understanding of the operating environment.
Commander Combat Support Group (CSG) Air Commodore Robert Graham said the symposium was developed to enhance CSG gender, peace and security capabilities.
“As we see from conflicts in other parts of the world today, understanding how conflict affects civilian populations in different ways is of critical importance to the way we prepare, plan for and conduct military operations,” Air Commodore Graham said.
“By getting on the front foot and delivering this symposium, CSG is gaining the collective insight and experience from within the organisation to shape our pathway forward.
“This is a critical step in ensuring that our professional growth is built-in and not bolted on.”
‘Aviators of CSG have a significant role to play in achieving GiMO [Gender in Military Operations] outcomes.’
Symposium organiser Manny McAuley is the Gender Peace and Security Lead at Headquarters CSG, responsible for overall implementation of GiMO across the group.
He said CSG has established a network of GiMO specialists throughout the various units within the organisation.
The symposium aimed to enhance the capability of these specialists in leading unit-level preparedness activities and providing the tactical commander with advice on relevant GiMO considerations.
“Making sure our units are supported with GiMO specialists and resources [gives] commanding officers a valuable addition to the way they lead airbase operations and manage relationships with civilian stakeholders, agencies and populations,” Mr McAuley said.
The symposium covered the full range of GiMO subjects. Delivered by DFAT, Air Command, Air Mobility Group and CSG, it included case studies of Operation Beech, both from an overseas perspective and the Defence Aid to Civil Communities flood responses (domestic).
Held at Amberley’s Astra Centre, it also included a series of presentations and interactive workshops.
“Aviators of CSG have a significant role to play in achieving GiMO outcomes,” Air Commodore Graham said.
CSG incorporates GiMO into its operational planning and training, as it is often called on to project air power for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, non-combatant evacuation operations, the transport of internally displaced people and aeromedical evacuations.
This better prepares CSG for any future threats to Australia’s security and its ability to respond to crisis.
This is particularly crucial in a time when contemporary armed conflict sees 90 per cent of causalities as civilian, while sexual and gender-based violence is frequently used as a tactic of war.
GiMO is a key part of ADF responsibilities under the Gender, Peace and Security Mandate, which is drawn from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325: Women, Peace and Security.
