True Blue Conversations Podcast

On todays episode of True-Blue Conversations, I am joined by former Australian
Special Forces SASR veteran Dr Dan Cooper. After underperforming at school, Dan
joined the Army and posted to 3 RAR, deploying to Timor in 1999. A short time later,
Dan attempted SASR selection in 2001 and completed the selection course.
After Reo and 9-11, Dan (qualifying as a water operator) deployed straight away on
the 2nd rotation to Afghanistan in 2002. Dan served in all 3 Sabre SQNs and OSS
during his career. Between 2002 and 2016, Dan conducted dozens of operations in
Afghanistan and other parts of the world. In 2008, Dan started what would grow into
the SASR Human Performance program and the foundation program for SOCOMD
and the Army to develop their Human Performance and gained an undergrad degree
in Sports Science a double masters in Strength and Conditioning and conducted
research into cognitive and physiological performance.
After qualifying for a research scholarship, Dan has gone on to further studies and
has completed a PhD on the Human Factors to improve transfer of training and
performance in high-threat combat environments.
On leaving SASR, Dan spent 2 years working with the QLD Reds high-performance
program. Dan now uses his experience and research to develop a Critical response
performance and innovation initiative to provide free education, training, and
development to front-line performers/organisations.
Between 2010 and 2022 Dan completed a range of activities including a 250km multi
day ultra in the Aussie desert, several 100km ultra's, coveted at the Cross-fit
regionals and masters games, the Yukon Arctic Ultra 750km foot race, a 24hr
obstacle course race, the Iditarod trail invitational 550km and 1600km foot race and
currently looking into an attempt at a solo South Polo expedition.
This is a raw, powerful and deeply honest conversation about sacrifice, resilience
and the realities of life as an elite Australian Special Forces operator.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Dr Dan Cooper
Editor: Kyle Watkins

On today episode of True-Blue Conversations, I am joined by Adam Smith, a
veteran of the 2nd Commando Regiment and the Victoria Police Special Operations
Group.
Adam joined the Australian Army in 2005 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal
Australian Regiment (2RAR). During his time with 2RAR, he deployed twice to East
Timor before successfully attempting and completing selection for the 2nd
Commando Regiment in 2008. After completing the demanding Reinforcement
Cycle, he earned the coveted Sherwood Green beret.
Throughout his Special Forces career, Adam deployed on multiple Special
Operations Task Group (SOTG) rotations to Afghanistan and Iraq and served on
Tactical Assault Group EAST ( TAG- EAST). He shares his firsthand experiences of
modern warfare, including being on the ground in Afghanistan in 2011 when his
mentor and friend, Brett Wood, MG DSM, was killed in action. Adam opens up about
the raw emotion of losing a close mate in combat and reflects on the deaths of fellow
Special Forces operators Todd Langley and Sapper Rowan Robinson, and the
lasting impact those losses have had on him and those who served alongside them.
Adam also speaks candidly about the tragic training accident in 2014 during an
extreme Alpine climate exercise that claimed the life of one of his fellow commandos.
He discusses the invisible wounds of service, his battle with PTSD, and the true cost
that war and military service can have on those who answer the call.
Following his military career, Adam laterally transferred to Victoria Police and, after
graduating from the academy, went directly into the elite Special Operations Group.
Even after discharging from full-time service, he continued serving Australia as a
member of the 1st Commando Regiment, Australia Army Reserve Special Forces
capability, based in Melbourne.
This is a raw, powerful and deeply honest conversation about sacrifice, resilience,
grief, mateship, and the realities of life as an elite Australian Special Forces &
Victoria Police Special Operations Group Operator.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Adam Smith
Editor: Kyle Watkins

Welcome back to True Blue Conversations, where we preserve the stories of the men and women who have shaped Australias history through service, sacrifice, and resilience.
Todays guest is nothing short of extraordinary. Henry Young is one of the last living links to the Greatest Generation. At an incredible 102 years of age, Henry served as a Royal Air Force Spitfire pilot during the Second World War, taking to the skies at a time when courage was measured not in words, but in actions. He belonged to a generation of young men who answered the call without hesitation, knowing every mission could be their last. But Henrys remarkable life didnt end when the war was over. Returning home, he forged an outstanding career as a professional tennis player, proving that the determination and discipline that carried him through combat also drove him to excel in sport. His life has spanned more than a century of extraordinary change, from the darkest days of World War II to the modern world we know today.
In this conversation, well explore Henrys childhood, his decision to become a fighter pilot, the realities of flying the legendary Spitfire in wartime, the mateship and sacrifices of those who never returned, and how he rebuilt his life after the war through professional tennis. Well also reflect on the lessons hes learned across more than 100 years of life—lessons on resilience, purpose, gratitude, and what it truly means to serve something greater than yourself. It is an absolute privilege and honour to welcome one of the last surviving World War II Spitfire pilots.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Henry Young
Editor: Kyle Watkins

Today on True Blue Conversations, I sit down with an extraordinary Royal Australian Navy
veteran whose career spans more than 35 years of service, multiple operational
deployments, and a lifetime of leadership—Fred Campbell OAM.
Fred joined the Royal Australian Navy on 8 January 1982 through the Naval Apprentice
Scheme as an Air Technical Aircraft fitter. From the flight lines at HMAS Albatross to serving
aboard some of Australia's most iconic warships, Fred built an exceptional career supporting
the Fleet Air Arm and mentoring generations of sailors.
His operational service took him to some of the defining conflicts of the modern era,
including Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Kuwait, Afghanistan following the
September 11 attacks, the Solomon Islands, and Iraq in 2004 aboard HMAS Stuart. During
that deployment, Fred was involved in one of the most significant naval incidents of the Iraq
War—the USS Firebolt incident—a dramatic and little-known event that tested leadership,
courage, and decision-making under extreme pressure. In this conversation, Fred takes us
behind the headlines to share what really happened, what he witnessed, and the lessons
that have stayed with him ever since.
Throughout his distinguished career, Fred served as Command Warrant Officer at HMAS
Cerberus, HMAS Creswell, HMAS Melbourne, and HMAS Parramatta, becoming one of the
Navy's most respected senior leaders. 
His outstanding service was recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in
the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours, along with numerous Australian and international
operational medals and commendations.
But service didn't end when Fred hung up the uniform in 2017.
Today, he continues to fight for those who have served as the President of the Keith Payne
VC AM Veterans Benefit Group, working alongside Australia's only living Victoria Cross
recipient from the Vietnam War to support veterans and their families. His commitment to the
veteran community, advocacy, and ensuring no veteran is left behind has become his new
mission.
Beyond service, Fred is a proud husband to a fellow Navy veteran, a father, grandfather,
rugby tragic, Harley rider, knife maker, guitarist, barbecue enthusiast, and someone who
believes in giving back to the mateship that shaped his life.
This is a conversation about leadership, combat, resilience, transition, and continuing to
serve long after the uniform comes off.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Fred Campbell OAM
Editor: Kyle Watkins

G'day, and welcome back to True Blue Conversations.
Today's guest is Lucas Atkins, a former Australian Federal Police Close Protection Officer whose 12-year career placed him at the very centre of some of Australia's most significant security operations. Lucas began his policing career protecting high-profile dignitaries, including the
United States and Israeli Ambassadors, as well as international VIPs such as the Dalai Lama. His professionalism and dedication soon earned him a position within one of the AFP's most elite close protection teams, where he became responsible for the full-time security of Australian Prime Ministers Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd. Lucas was on the ground during the dramatic events of Australia Day 2012, when protests marking the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy escalated into a major security incident. As the threat rapidly intensified, Lucas played a key role in the emergency evacuation of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition from a Canberra venue surrounded by hostile protesters.
After leaving the Australian Federal Police, Lucas continued working in close personal protection operations across the globe, protecting clients in some of the world's most demanding environments. Today, he has taken that wealth of experience and founded his own business.
But this conversation goes far beyond protective operations and high-profile missions. It's a raw and honest discussion about identity, purpose, and the challenges that so many veterans and first responders face when the uniform comes off. We talk about transition, rebuilding life after service, and finding a new mission beyond the job.
This is an episode filled with stories from behind the security cordon, lessons forged under pressure, and a powerful reminder that the toughest battles often begin after the career ends.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the True-Blue Conversations of former Australian Federal Police Close Protection Officer, Lucas Atkins.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Lucas Atkins
Editor: Kyle Watkins