True Blue Conversations Podcast

Welcome back to True Blue Conversations. Today, I'm joined by someone whose journey through the Australian Defence Force spans service, deployments, communications, international operations, and an enduring passion for defence, intelligence and geopolitics. Darwin Fermo enlisted in January 2000 as a Reservist, marching into 10th Light Horse Squadron as a Driver/Crewman before transferring to the Australian Regular Army in February 2001 as an Operator Specialist Communications Signalman. He was posted to the School of Signals, where he was completing his training when the world changed forever with the September 11 terrorist attacks. From there, Darwin was posted to Brisbane's 1st Joint Support Unit, serving with Radio Troop. His career would soon take him well beyond Australia, including a deployment to the Solomon Islands in 2003, participation in the first Talisman Sabre exercise aboard USS Boxer in 2005, and deployment to Iraq with AMTG2 later that year. He would go on to serve in Darwin with HQNORCOM, supporting Operation Resolute, while simultaneously undertaking university studies in Security, Terrorism and Counterterrorism. Darwin ultimately made the difficult decision to leave the Army in 2008, choosing to pursue his university studies full-time. But the ADF never really left him. He was offered the opportunity to re-enlist in 2018, which he declined while preparing for his wedding. Then, in 2019, he sat an Officer Selection Board for the Maritime Warfare Officer role. Despite being assessed as highly suitable, an unexpected medical classification issue prevented him from progressing. Today, Darwin continues to maintain a deep interest in the ADF, international relations, security and geopolitics. But his service didn't end when he left the Army. Darwin went on to serve as an Australian Federal Police officer, bringing together his military communications background, operational experience and passion for security and national service. In this conversation, we're going to explore Darwin's journey — from a young Reservist joining the 10th Light Horse, through the School of Signals and the post-9/11 military, to the Solomon Islands, Iraq and Talisman Sabre, and ultimately his transition from the ADF into policing and transitioning out of the AFP. We talk about the decisions that shaped his career, the opportunities he pursued, the ones that didn't work out, and what it means to continue serving in a different uniform and finding purpose again after the uniform comes off.
Host: Adam Blum
Guest: Darwin Fermo
Editor: Kyle Watkins

On today's episode of True-Blue Conversations, I am joined by Mike Durant, a
former 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, aka Night Stalkers. Mike's
deployment to Somalia was portrayed in the Hollywood movie Blackhawk down.
Mike was a member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night
Stalkers) as a Chief Warrant Officer 3. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Chief
Warrant Officer 4 Blackhawk helicopter Master Aviator in the 160th SOAR after
participating in combat operations Prime Chance, Just Cause, and Desert Storm,
and also Gothic Serpent, in which he was briefly held prisoner for 11 days in 1993
after a raid in Somalia.
During Operation Gothic Serpent, Mike was the pilot of Super Six Four, the second
MH-60L Black Hawk helicopter to crash during the Battle of Mogadishu on October
3, 1993. The helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in the tail, which led to
its crash about a mile southwest of the operation's target. This is a raw and honest
chat, an episode not to be missed!
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Mike Durant
Editor: Kyle Watkins

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