No one in the Australian government or Army could have predicted that in the 25 years following the end of the Cold War Army personnel would be deployed to Rwanda, Cambodia, Somalia, Bougainville, East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Solomon Islands. In a constructive critique of the modern Australian Army, On Ops examines the massive transformation that has taken place since troops were deployed to East Timor 1999. After decades of inactivity and the long peace' of the 1970s and 1980s the Army was stretched to the limit. Contributors include John Howard and Peter Leahy as well as Craig Stockings, David Horner and an impressive array of military historians, academics, intelligence experts and ex and current Army.--Amazon.

Lessons and learning / Tom Frame -- Part 1 : The Bigger Picture: The Army and national interest / John Howard -- The emerging strategic environment / David Horner -- Combat ready? / Peter Leahy -- Part 2 : Views From the Other Side of the Hill: Lessons from East Timor / Craig Stockings -- Islander perspectives: Bougainville and the Solomon Islands / Reuben Bowd -- Part 3 : Operational and Ready?: Afghanistan, Iraq and the war on terror / Amin Saikal -- Improvements and challenges for Army's ISR enterprise / Scott Gills, Ben Alward and Tim Rutherford -- Logistics and the failure to modernise / David Beaumont -- Logistics and emerging technology / Allison Sonneveld -- The costs and complexities of health support / Anthony J. Chambers -- Part 4 : Views From the Media: The military and the media / Brendan Nicholson -- Balancing information and reputation / Leanne Glenny -- Public interest and Defence information / Michael Harris -- Part 5 : On Ethics and Morality: Intervention - a duty to protect? / Stephen Coleman -- The challenge of moral injury / Tom Frame -- Part 6 : Final Assessments: The Army and government objectives / John Blaxland -- Postscript / Albert Palazzo.