Edition 1311 August 15, 2013

Joint exercise

SPECIAL LIFTOUT

Making historyTroops attend launch event as

Australian War Memorial unveils its Afghanistan exhibition

US and Australian forces take hold of Shoalwater Bay in

Ex Talisman Saber 2013

PAGES 6-7

SOLOMONS SEND-OFFTroops depart Solomon Islands as Combined Task Force 635 mission draws down Page 3, Centrepiece

Grateful nation: A Solomon Islands farmer greets LCpl Joshua Edwards (main image) in 2011. Inset, the bulk of the troops deployed with CTF 635 board a C-17 for the flight back to Australia as the mission comes to a close. Photos by Sgt Mick Davis and Cpl Amanda Campbell

Army August 15, 2013NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews2

The Soldiers’ Newspaper

Acting DirectorSimone Liebelt: (02) 6265 2253EDITORIALEditorJohn Wellfare: (02) 6266 7609Deputy EditorJohn Lilley: (02) 6266 7611Coordination and sportMichael Weaver: (02) 6266 7707ReportersWO2 Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614Sgt Dave Morley: (02) 6266 7613Cpl Max Bree: (02) 6266 7608Cpl Mark Doran: (02) 6265 1304Cpl Nick Wiseman: (02) 6265 4140 LS Helen Frank: (02) 6266 7606Michael Brooke: (02) 8335 5231

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Fatal helicopter crash inquiry completeDEFENCE has finalised an inquiry into an ISAF helicopter crash in Afghanistan on August 30 last year which claimed the lives of two Australian special forces soldiers.

Pte Nathanael Galagher and LCpl Mervyn McDonald, of 2 Cdo Regt, were killed when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed in Helmand Province. An ISAF aircrewman was also wounded in the incident.

The incident occurred on the morning of August 30, 2012, a force element of the SOTG was involved in a mission in Helmand Province with Afghan National

Security Forces and other ISAF elements.

As with all Australian combat deaths, an inquiry officer was appointed to examine the circum-stances surrounding the deaths.

The inquiry officer found that the pilots were attempting to land the helicopter in the mission area when they lost situational awareness. The crash was the result of flight errors combined with environmental conditions.

There was no evidence that mechanical failure or enemy action contributed to the incident.

The inquiry officer made six recommendations, all of which

have been accepted and are being implemented by Defence.

Five recommendations relate to operational matters, none of which caused the crash. The other recommendation was that a Commission of Inquiry into the incident was not warranted.

Two parallel ISAF investiga-tions were conducted in addition to the Australian inquiry.

An air accident investigation looked at the aircraft’s airworthi-ness and the other investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the incident.

An ADF representative from the Directorate of Defence

Aviation and Air Force Safety attended the air accident investigation and assisted the inquiry officer.

The families of LCpl McDonald and Pte Galagher have been briefed on the findings of the Australian inquiry and received copies of the inquiry officer report.

The Defence Minister con-sidered advice from the CDF, the wishes of the families, and the public interest in the release of the report and has decided not to release the Australian inquiry officer report.

Red alert challenge Blood donors can help their service win the annual Red Cross eventCpl Nick Wiseman

THE 2013 Defence Blood Cha l l enge was o ff i c i a l ly launched by VCDF AirMshl Mark Binskin at the Canberra Donor Centre on August 2.

The challenge marks an impor-tant time for the Red Cross, with one-third of all donations through-out the year coming during the challenge period.

Army and Air Force were presented their awards for their results in last year’s challenge, with Army placing first and Air Force winning in a new category based on per capita donations.

As a donor himself, AirMshl Binskin said he would look to this year’s ambassadors to increase donations to 4000.

“I ask everyone who can donate to help achieve this goal,” he said.

“If I can give blood, anyone can.”

Starting on September 1, this year marks the fifth challenge of its kind and is held when the Australian community is most in need of blood.

Anyone, including friends and families of Defence members, can donate blood or plasma by making an appointment at a donor centre or mobile donor centres nation-ally and then nominate their cho-sen service to make their donation count towards the challenge.

Army’s 2013 blood ambas-sador, WO2 Graeme Reynolds, donated on the day of the launch and said he donated plasma every fortnight with the knowledge his single donation could benefit up to 17 lives.

“I feel very honoured and privileged to have been chosen as the ambassador this year,” WO2 Reynolds said.

“Part of that responsibility now is to ensure Army wins and is the premier service. I look forward to the challenges in achieving that for the organisation.

“I encourage everyone to get behind this challenge and make sure all those donations are recorded for Army.”

The competition will be close. This year’s other blood ambas-sadors are PO Cartrena Skinner for the Navy and Sqn-Ldr Andrew Greaves for the Air Force and Joe Guarnieri will represent Defence public servants.

The challenge is due to conclude on November 30.

To find out more and to make a donation to the challenge, go to www.donateblood.com.au/defence

Dropping in: Defence Force blood ambassador WO2 Graeme Reynolds and DCA Maj-Gen Angus Campbell with Billy the Blood Drop at the official launch of Australia’s largest blood donation event at the Australian Red Cross Blood Service Donation Centre in Canberra. Photo by David McClenaghan

“Make sure all those donations

are recorded for Army.

– WO2 Graeme Reynolds, Blood Ambassador

Cpl Max Bree

R.M.WILLIAMS will supply the new Army parade boot after a contract was signed in Canberra on August 8.

Soldiers will be issued the new footwear over the next three years to replace the current patent leather parade boots under a standing agreement with R.M.Williams.

CA Lt-Gen David Morrison is proud the Army has partnered with the Australian brand.

“With the Australian Army’s 112 year history, it is fitting that we will now also carry over 80 years of Australian tradition in our boots,” he said.

“Over the next three years Army will replace the lace-up style patent leather boot with the new parade boot, which is a fully stitched, elastic-sided boot with a full grain leather design.”

R.M.Williams CEO Hamish Turner said the agree-ment would support Australian manufacturing and the company’s footwear production skills in Adelaide.

“We are proud to see our world-class Australian-made boots on the feet of those whose job, day in day out, it is to protect this great nation and the people who reside within it,” he said.

The boots, to be worn with general duty and cer-emonial dress, went through a one-month trial with Australia’s Federation Guard as part of DMO’s selection process.

Under the agreement, R.M.Williams will visit units across Australia to individually fit boots to soldiers over three years starting in October.

RSM-A WO David Ashley said, “my dad once told me that you can tell a lot about people by the boots they wear. Today Army and DMO have delivered. We are providing our officers and soldiers with the best boots in the country because they deserve them.”

New R.M.Williams parade boot to be rolled out over three years

New boot: R.M.Williams chairman Ken Cowley discusses the features of the new parade boot with CA Lt-Gen David Morrison at the contract signing in Canberra. Photo by WO2 Andrew Hetherington

Army August 15, 2013 NEWSwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 3

Medals presented before departure

Gunners shine on last rotation

Home ground: Members of 4 Bde parade at Simpson Barracks, Watsonia, after returning from Solomon Islands as part of Rotation 30 on Op Anode. Photos by LS Paul McCallum

Home from Anode

Sgt Dave Morley

VICTORIAN gunners were well represented on Operation Anode’s final rotation, with two of them receiving CTF 635 Commander’s Commendations during their deployment.

Seventeen members of 2/10 Lt Bty, 5/6RVR, took part in the deploy-ment, with three running the CIMIC team, one working as an operator supply and the remainder serving in rifle platoons.

LBdr Gavin Hunt said the deploy-ment was the first time he had ever been overseas.

“I feel very proud to serve my country on an overseas operation,” he said.

“My great-grandfather was in the Victorian 4th Light Horse Regiment at Gallipoli and my grandfather was in the Army during WWII.”

Gnr Thomas Patterson, at 19 the youngest member of Rotation 30, said he felt it a privilege to receive his Australian Service Medal (ASM).

“I made a decision last year to deploy instead of completing my Year 12 exams, and receiving my medal makes the experience all the more special and worth the sacrifice,” he said.

Gnr Patterson plans to complete Year 12 at TAFE before studying international relations at university.

Gnr Sean McKellar said Op Anode was “a fantastic opportunity for diggers who participated from 2/10 Bty”.

“I count myself really lucky to have been deployed as a reservist at 21 years of age,” he said.

Gnr McKellar received a Commander CTF 635 Commendation for his professionalism throughout the deployment.

Gnr Andrew Prentice, who also received a commendation, said the amount of quality training he had received as a reservist during the deployment had been worth every second.

“I am confident I can return to my home unit with a new set of expertise in order to contribute more as a soldier,” he said.

THE FINAL rotation of Australian troops has completed its mis-sion with the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and returned home from Operation Anode.

About 90 reservists, mostly from Victoria’s 4 Bde, arrived home on an Air Force C-17 on August 1, ending the 30th rotation of Australian per-sonnel to the Pacific nation.

Chief of Joint Operations Lt-Gen Ash Power said their return home from the Australian-led Combined Task Force 635, which included per-sonnel from New Zealand, Tonga and Papua New Guinea, capped a suc-cessful mission by Rotation 30.

“These soldiers have performed extremely well during their deploy-ment and their return home as part of the final infantry rotation deployed to Solomon Islands shows the big steps forward that have been made

in improving security and stability,” Lt-Gen Power said.

“All of these reserve personnel have taken at least four months out of their lives, away from their families and away from their civilian jobs to serve Australia and lend a hand to our Pacific neighbours.

“They have done an outstanding job, just as those who have contribut-ed since 2003 as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands have done.

“After a successful 10-year com-mitment to RAMSI, the country is now secure and stable enough for the military element to leave Solomon Islands.

“I wish all those remaining as an element of the AFP-led Participating Police Force every success as they continue their vital work with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.”

The personnel were farewelled

RAMSI’s Rotation 30 rounds up mission

Sgt Dave Morley

IT WAS an immensely proud group of diggers who stood on parade for the last time at HQ CTF 635 on Honiara’s outskirts on July 23.

With their rotation at an end, they lined up to receive their Australian Service Medals (ASM).

The Commander of the first CTF 635 rotation, Brig John Frewen, and Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Matt Anderson attended the ceremony.

SSgt Anne Court, of Melbourne University Regt, received her ASM from Brig Frewen, now commander 1 Bde.

She said she was very happy to get her first deployment after 33 years in the Army Reserve.

“It’s been an honour and a privi-lege being here doing my bit,” she said. “It’s topped off a long-standing career in the reserve.”

Pte Stephanie Moncur, of 4/19

Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regt, said she felt privileged to have received a medal and had the oppor-tunity to serve on deployment.

“It will be a moment in time for me that will never be forgotten, the first time receiving a medal,” Pte Moncur said.

Pte Mark Hua, of 5/6RVR, said he felt honoured being awarded his medal.

“It’s my first medal and it was a special moment being awarded it on an overseas operation knowing that it was for service to Australia and its interests,” he said.

Together: Capt Jason Law, of 4th Bde, is welcomed home from his rotation to Solomon Islands as part of Operation Anode, by his 18-month-old daughter Elisabeth.

Milestone: Troops board a C-17 in Honiara for the flight home. Photo by Cpl Amanda Campbell

from Honiara by Commander CTF 635 Lt-Col Brenton Gasteen, who congratu-lated the troops on a job well done.

“Your mission is now complete and you can be proud of your efforts in Solomon Islands and the hard work that each and every one of you dis-played during your rotation,” he said.

“You can go home to your families and friends with an enormous sense of satisfaction that we are leaving Solomon Islands in a good state.”

A Defence element has remained in the Solomon Islands to prepare the remaining military equipment for return to Australia.

Army August 15, 2013NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews4

Connect anywhere Network allows key work and admin tasksLisa Smallacombe

A NEW e-portal that provides the ADF community with access to information any time, anywhere, is on track for delivery later this year.

ForceNet, being developed under Project Suakin, will have blogs, live forums, bulletin boards, webcasts and community events. It will also house a password-protected private zone providing access to Defence systems.

It will also provide access to administration features so members can edit their personal details and enter and view their pay through the portal.

Project Suakin Director General Brig Iain Spence said ForceNet would help reduce the physical and structural impediments associated with working outside core hours, such as a lack of physical access to Defence IT equipment.

“ForceNet will be protected much like internet banking, a pretty simple secure system, but it will really ena-ble many more members of Defence to stay connected with the organisa-tion,” Brig Spence said.

“It will enable members to search for internal jobs, access unrestricted

Campus training and connect with colleagues and groups in a secure environment.

“It will also make it a lot easier for reservists to stay in touch with their units and for units to contact them, which will allow more effec-tive use of the reserve.

“Most importantly, ForceNet wi l l he lp to rea l ly open up communication with the reserve component of the ADF workforce. It will simplify administrative processes, improve reserve data and improve delivery of accurate and targeted communications.”

Brig Spence said ADF members who were familiar with the Defence Alumni Network (DAN) would see similarities between the DAN and ForceNet because ForceNet would build on the existing DAN platform.

“ForceNet is merging with the DAN, so this is actually an enhancement of existing Defence ICT solutions,” he said.

“The DAN had a lot of the func-tionality required of ForceNet, so it made sense to bring these two capa-bilities together, building on the solid foundation of the DAN.”

“In its final form, the DAN will be an integral and important part of

Logged in: ForceNet will have blogs, forums and webcasts. Photo by WO2 Andrew Hetherington

ForceNet. However, this is a tran-sition that will take some time, so DAN users can expect to see no change for a while yet.”

The Suakin team will launch

the portal later this year and other features will be delivered by June 2014.

Project Suakin is a workforce reform that will transition the nature

of Defence service by delivering an enhanced employment model for the whole of the ADF that offers a range of full-time, part-time and casual service options.

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Army August 15, 2013 NEWSwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 5

Surrounded by history, inspirationLS Helen Frank

AS INFANTRYMAN LCpl Neil Bautista stood in Kapyong Memorial Park in South Korea, he looked up at the hills surround-ing him and tried to imagine what the soldiers of 3RAR experienced as they fought against the North Koreans and Chinese in April 1951.

LCpl Bautista is a guardsman with AFG and has previously served with 5RAR. He admires what 3RAR achieved during the Korean War.

“I’m really proud to be here in Korea with my infantry forefathers and sharing these moments with them,” LCpl Bautista said.

“I really respect what the

and to see that is so inspiring,” LCpl Bautista said.

“I was thinking about the hard-ships, what it would have been like for the infantrymen in Korea. It’s very hard terrain, surviving that really amazes and inspires me.

“I’ve been to Iraq, East Timor and Afghanistan. Each had its own hard moments but nothing compared to what those men were up against. To be honest I can’t even compare it.”

Korean War veterans achieved. Men like Stan Starcevich; he is in his 80s and he did six years in the Army and 76 [parachute] jumps and he is still walking around like he is in his 40s.”

Mr Starcevich joined 3RAR in Korea in May 1951 and later fought at the battle of Maryang San in October 1951.

“Mr Starcevich still goes out bush and does hard yakka stuff,

Forgotten War recalled Memories and tributes flow as veterans and guardsmen mark the Korean War Armistice’s 60th anniversaryLS Helen Frank

FROM laughter to tears, the members of Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) felt a range of emotions while taking part in memorial services in the Republic of Korea.

J u l y 2 7 m a r ke d t h e 6 0 t h Anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice that brought the hostilities of the Korean War to an end. The AFG provided catafalque parties and other ceremonial duties at memorial ceremonies throughout Korea.

Thirteen guards made the trip with 15 Korean War veterans from the three services.

Army Principal Chaplain Chap Geoff Webb, RSM Ceremonial-Army WO1 David Lehr and Musn Kaid Normington from Army Band-Melbourne also supported the mission.

Members of the AFG shared stories with the veterans and the generation gap was bridged as ex-servicemen and women spoke to current personnel.

Guardsman Cpl Ben Redman said he felt privileged to meet the men who fought in Korea.

“It was a great honour to stand beside vets and heroes of the past,” he said.

“To see their raw emotion and the camaraderie they still have between each other was amazing.”

The mission visited the sites of the battles of Kapyong and Maryang San, where Australian troops played vital roles in the outcome of the war.

The group also visited the UN

Note of sadness: Musician Kaid Normington, of Australian Army Band-Melbourne, at the Australian commemorative service at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, South Korea. Photos by LS Helen Frank

Memorial Cemetery in Busan, south of Seoul, the only UN cemetery in the world.

“Looking at the grave sites it’s hard to comprehend the magnitude of the loss the veterans must feel,” Cpl Redman said.

“I can only imagine how they must feel seeing their mates’ names on the graves,” he said.

Australia committed about 18,000 troops to the Korean War, including infantrymen from the newly formed Royal Australian Regiment.

From the beginning of the war on June 25, 1950, until the Armistice on July 27, 1953, Australia suffered about 1600 casualties, including 340 killed in action.

During the war, 30 personnel were captured and one died in captivity.

There are still 43 personnel registered as missing in action from the Korean War.

“Coming to Korea, visiting the sites and speaking to the veterans has opened my eyes to what happened in the Korean War,” Cpl Redman said.

Journey to a mate’s resting placeSgt Dave Morley

A FORMER 3RAR soldier who spent almost two years fighting in Korea has returned from his second trip there 60 years after the signing of the Armistice.

Former LCpl Dudley Goodwin, 84, of Padbury, Western Australia, was part of a DVA-sponsored tour to com-memorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War.

Mr Goodwin said he joined the Army with five mates after seeing an Army recruiting table set up on William Street in Perth.

“I said to my mates, ‘let’s give it

a go and see what happens’,” he said.“Thirty-three years and three

months later I got out.”Mr Goodwin deployed to Korea

from Japan in September 1950 with B Coy, 3RAR, as it advanced through Korea almost to the North Korean border with Manchuria.

“We thought it would all be over pretty quickly the way we were going, but it didn’t happen,” he said.

Mr Goodwin said he remembered the night the CO, Lt-Col Charlie Green, was killed.

“I hadn’t met him personally, but it was bloody lousy losing your CO,” he said.

The other enemy in Korea was the cold.

Mr Goodwin said all their clothing was WWII vintage.

“We were pretty cold until the Yanks gave us warm clothing,” he said.

He said the best part of the DVA tour was seeing his mate’s final resting place.

“It took me 60 years to get back to Korea and see my mate’s grave,” he said.

“It was very sad. When you have been mates for a long time before you joined the Army and after and then you see him killed alongside you; it really knocks you around.”

Reflection: Former RAAF 77 Sqn member Walter Perkins, of Georgetown in Tasmania, and former 3RAR infantryman Dudley Goodwin, of Padbury in WA pay their respects at the commemoration of the Battle of Maryang San.

Generations: Korean War veteran Stan Starcevich, of Esperance in WA, with LCpl Neil Bautista, of Australia’s Federation Guard, at the UN Memorial Cemetery.

Army August 15, 2013NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews6

Telling the Exhibition opens at the Australian War MemorialWO2 Andrew Hetherington

THE Australian War Memorial has unveiled its latest tribute to ADF personnel who served in Afghanistan and the Middle East Area of Operations.

The exhibition, Afghanistan: the Australian Story, was officially opened by CDF Gen David Hurley on August 6.

Gen Hurley said the exhibition told the stories of ADF personnel through their own eyes and in their own voices.

“It captures all aspects of Australia’s Afghanistan campaign; the equipment and the evolution of our tasks, the humour and sadness, and, most importantly, our people and their families,” Gen Hurley said.

“The exhibition, like a conflict itself, will evoke a range of opinions and emotions.

“It speaks to our successes with-out ignoring the challenges, particu-larly those that lie ahead.”

Gen Hurley said the exhibition also recognised the ongoing battles faced by ADF personnel wounded in the conflict.

“It also pays tribute to those we have lost,” he said.

“These men remind us that this place is not only about the sacrifices of generations past but about the sacrifices of our generation, of the modern-day Anzacs who will not be forgotten.”

The exhibition features body armour, an IED blast-damaged Bushmaster side stowage bin, a Scan Eagle UAV and a Black Hawk engine cowling from the aircraft in which Ptes Tim Aplin, Ben Chuck and Scott Palmer were killed during a mission in Afghanistan on June 21, 2010. It also includes uniforms, artwork and an audio-visual display telling the stories of more than 30 ADF personnel and their families explaining what their Afghanistan and MEAO experience meant to them.

The initial idea for the exhibi-tion and its name came from AWM Director Brendan Nelson.

In October last year, just after it was announced he would become the director of the AWM, Dr Nelson was visiting Afghanistan as the Australian Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO.

“During my visit a soldier there said to me, ‘thanks for looking after the family jewels’, I said it’s an hon-our it’s just another way of me try-ing to serve you,” Dr Nelson said.

“He then said to me, ‘I go to the War Memorial quite a bit and I take my son and I can show him what his great grandfather and grand-father did in the wars, but I can’t show him what I’m doing here in Afghanistan’.

“When I started my job in December last year I went for a walk around to see what we had on display for Afghanistan.”

Dr Nelson was not impressed with what he saw.

“I was embarrassed, I then went to our senior staff here and asked them when were we going to tell the story of Afghanistan and the MEAO?

“They told me we were collect-ing artefacts, relics, diaries and we have sent people there to interview personnel.

“I couldn’t believe it and I then decided we were going to tell the story in 2013.”

There were two main reasons for the immediacy of putting together an exhibition on Australia’s longest conflict at such short notice.

“ We w a n t e d t o e d u c a t e Australians on what has been done there and to understand the price that has been paid by ADF person-nel,” Dr Nelson said.

“The second reason was to allow

the soldier I spoke to in Afghanistan and others to bring their children here and show them what they have done working in the MEAO.”

As part of putting together the exhibition more than 30 AWM staff, led by co-curator Rebecca Britt, worked tirelessly to piece together a showcase in less than half the time it usually took.

“We usually take more than two years to put together something like this, but for this one it’s been pulled together in five-and-a-half months,” Ms Britt said.

“It was an enormous challenge for us, but also a privilege to work on.

“Nearly every department in the memorial has worked on it.”

Although there are not a large number of objects or artefacts on display, Ms Britt said they were not intended to be the focal point of the exhibition.

“The main focus is the multime-dia audio visual production featur-ing the interviews and images of the Afghanistan veterans and their families telling their story,” Ms Britt said.

“We also have interviews of Afghans living in Afghanistan, g iv ing the i r impress ions of Australians.”

The exhibition will stay in its current location in the AWM for up to five years and it will likely move to a larger memorial space as more artefacts become available.

Open: The entry to the AWM’s Afghanistan exhibit is flanked by silhouettes of soldiers. Photo by Cpl Nick Wiseman

Respect: Before the official opening of the exhibition, a special Last Post ceremony was held in the Memorial’s Commemorative Courtyard. CA Lt-Gen David Morrison and RSM-A WO Dave Ashley read the 40 names on the Afghanistan Roll of Honour and The Ode of Remembrance. Photo by WO2 Andrew Hetherington

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Afghanistan storyCOL Jason Blain deployed to Afghanistan three times and was CO of Mentoring Task Force 1 and Deputy Commander of Combined Team Uruzgan in 2010.

He was present at the launch of Afghanistan: the Australian Story, and was impressed with how the exhibition told the story of the ADF’s involvement in the conflict.

“The exhibition has used items such as a yellow palm oil container, which to most people would be just a piece of plastic, but as we know could be a weapon of destruction and death used by the Taliban as an IED, to tell the human dimension to the story of Afghanistan,” Col Blain said.

“It also shows the stories from those who have carried the physical and mental burden and to me that was extremely important.

“We haven’t had their stories told in the public arena enough, allowing them to say it through their own words on what they went through.”

Col Blain knew there would always be an Afghanistan exhibi-tion at the AWM, but he said for

it to have been created now was special.

“The fact it has happened while we are still serving in Afghanistan was significant,” Col Blain said.

“This will be a place I and others can bring our children to show them where we served and why Mum and Dad were away for so long, what we did there and to explain the mission.

“We’ve helped grow the future of another nation.”

He said after seeing the exhibi-tion it took him back to his time in the country.

“When I saw some of the items it brought it right back to me,” Col Blain said.

“The exhibition is part of my own emotional Afghanistan journey and I really think it will be a place to help many of us who are still going through mental and emotional healing.

“We can come here and reflect and understand why and what we were doing in Afghanistan.

“This is a very intelligent and significant outcome from the War Memorial and I commend them for what they’ve done.”

Exhibit brings back memories

Cpl Nick Wiseman

A BATTLE-damaged Bushmaster storage bin recovered from the site of an IED attack in Afghanistan has been donated by the Army to the Australian War Memorial (AWM) to be part of the new Afghanistan exhibition.

The storage bin was donated at a small ceremony on behalf of the Army by Brig Shane Gabriel of AHQ to AWM Assistant Curator Tim Sullivan.

Brig Gabriel said the Army and the AWM had a long history of cooperation.

“I think this is a fantastic opportunity that Army is making another presenta-tion to the Australian War Memorial of our contemporary conflicts,” Brig Gabriel said.

“In particular the war in Afghanistan, where so many Australian soldiers have served in recent times and con-tinue to serve, which is important to remember.”

The Bushmaster the storage bin belonged to was damaged on November 7, 2012, while operating in Afghanistan with soldiers from the 3RAR Task Group.

Three Australian soldiers suffered relatively minor wounds as a result of the incident. The vehicle was new and

had travelled about 500km in 47 hours of use.

Mr Sullivan said the AWM had estab-lished the tradition of collecting items for the national collection.

“One of the reasons we like this piece in particular is because the call sign is still intact on the object,” he said.

“We can identify that to a vehicle, so we know the time, place and people, giv-ing us the opportunity to tell the story of that experience.

“The fact that it is battle damaged is such a graphic example of the impact and consequences of IEDs, which have taken so many lives of Australian per-sonnel in Afghanistan.

“It’s going to be a piece that is very powerful in telling the Australian story in Afghanistan.”

Brig Gabriel said the damaged Bushmaster bin would make an impor-tant part of the Afghanistan exhibit.

“It represents something that soldiers who have served there can show their families of things they have experi-enced,” he said.

“I also think it’s important that the Australian people without a direct con-nection can see these objects and get some understanding of what it is like to be a soldier in these conflicts.”

IMPORTANT ARTEFACT

Confronting: The artwork titled Captain S, After Afghanistan by war artist Ben Quilty is displayed in the exhibit. Photo by Cpl Nick Wiseman

Realism: Displays in the new exhibit show uniforms and combat equipment used by troops in Afghanistan. Photo by Cpl Nick Wiseman

Looking back: On a tour of the Afghanistan exhibit at the Australian War Memorial, Col Jason Blain inspects a section of a Bushmaster damaged in an IED blast last year. Photo by WO2 Andrew Hetherington

History: Brig Shane Gabriel presents a battle-damaged Bushmaster storage bin to AWM Assistant Director Tim Sullivan with Thales Australia’s Nigel Blunden. Photo by Cpl Nick Wiseman

Army August 15, 2013NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews8

“THE coveted beret worn for almost 45 years by Australian airborne personnel has been awarded to five soldiers who have completed their training and proudly joined the ranks of the parachute riggers.

A small, important and specialised trade, the parachute rigger provides vital support to Socomd, which has taken responsibility for all Army parachute operations.

Parachute Rigger Trade Conductor WO1 Phil Thamm said the first course for 2013 included more female trainees than male.

“This makes it the first ever where women were the majority,” he said.

“It was also the first course with the T11 stat-ic-line parachute, which replaced the T10 after 35 years of service.”

The parachute rigger course is an intensive five months of training where trainees learn how to pack, repair and maintain a wide range of parachutes and aerial delivery equipment.

One of the five recent trainees to graduate, Pte Erika Tognolini, said she was happy to qualify as a rigger.

“The instructors were excellent and I had little difficulty packing parachutes as we packed multiple times until we became proficient,” she said.

“In fact the whole rigger course was great.”

Pte Tognolini said a highlight of the course had been the final jump into Jervis Bay in full combat equipment.

“After being picked up in a Zodiac, I was able to watch the other trainees

descend silently into the water on a perfect moonlit night,” she said.

“I am looking forward to arriving at my first rigger unit packing parachutes for live drops with confidence knowing paratroopers rely solely on my skill.”

As part of their trade and learning to trust in their own abilities, parachute rigger trainees must complete the basic parachute course held at the Parachute Training School in Nowra.

Due to the physical nature of parachute oper-ations all trainees must pass a fitness barrier test. Pte Tognolini said she found it a challenge, but her lead-up training had worked to her advantage.

“Our fitness improved on the course and the women showed up some of the other trainees from parachute units,” she said.

Fellow trainee Pte James Matterson said he

found the repair phase of the course to be the most difficult, but used his spare time practising sewing and making other items to gain proficiency.

“I really want to complete the free-fall course and my ultimate goal is to become a parachute jump instructor,” he said.

WO1 Thamm said Pte Matterson had every chance of achieving his goal as a number of riggers were currently employed as instructors at the Parachute Training School.

Parachute Riggers are in a dynamic technical trade offering many challenges and exciting opportunities. For more information go to the Stay Army website or contact WO2 Robert MacLachlan at the Army School of Ordnance by email to robert.maclachlan@defence.gov.au

Specialists don berets Riggers graduate trade course

I am looking forward

to packing parachutes for live drops with confidence ...

– Pte Erika Tognolini, parachute rigger

Responsibility: Pte Erika Tognolini packs a T11 static-line parachute during the parachute rigger course. Inset, trainees don their berets for the first time after graduating.

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DEFENCE personnel have defied the heat and humidity to rapidly com-plete tasks assisting the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea.

About 60 ADF personnel assigned to Joint Task Force 638 have been deployed or have direct ly sup-ported Operation Landscape after an announcement by the Australian Government on July 19 to increase the capacity of accommodation facilities on Manus Island.

On a mission to Manus Troops support efforts to expand Manus Island facilities at short notice

tion, ship-to-shore transport capability along with logistic and general opera-tional support.

Acting Chief of Joint Operations Cdre Aaron Ingram commended the efforts of all personnel who he said showcased the capabilities of the ADF in a joint environment.

“We have a lot of very smart, talent-ed and hard-working people in the ADF and this is another example of how we can assist other agencies in achieving important tasks as part of a wider team,” Cdre Ingram said.

“The ADF has now completed all construction and remediation works requests on Manus Island and handed over the delegated projects to DIAC.

“Planning will commence shortly to return personnel and equipment back to Australia while continuing to sup-port our people who remain working in PNG, our aviators in Port Moresby and our sailors at Manus Island in HMAS Choules.”

Defence will not be responsible for managing or providing security to the DIAC facilities.

Commander JTF 638 Wg-Cmdr Kirrily Dearing said the operation had initially used specialist logistic, survey and engineering personnel from Army and Air Force.

“What we have seen so far is our ability to stand up a very professional and capable response to important tasks at very short notice to a distant loca-tion,” Wg-Cdr Dearing said.

“The personnel were predominant-ly Air Force and Army logisticians, engineers and surveyors undertaking detailed survey and remediation of sites for construction of living and working accommodation by DIAC contractors.”

The deployed Army personnel were mostly from 6 Bde.

“Our main works focused on the Manus Island site with trade and sur-vey tasks, however other personnel were used for the logistics task at Port Moresby airport and other jobs.

“At one stage we had 49 person-nel deployed to PNG working in quite arduous conditions.”

HMAS Choules has also arrived to support.

It will provide afloat accommoda-

At one stage we had 49 personnel

deployed to Papua New

Guinea working in quite arduous

conditions.– Wg-Cdr Kirrily Dearing,

Commander JTF 638Clean up: Personnel deployed on Op Landscape clear ground as part of refurbishment activities at Manus Island. Photo by Sgt William Guthrie

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Sharp view puts team on the map Trio behind CTU’s geospatial intelligenceCpl Mark Doran

“WE DO more than just make maps – modern software lets us analyse and display geospatial information in new and evolving ways in order to provide intelligence and planning support needed for mission success.”

This is how Combined Team Uruzgan’s Geospatial Intelligence (Geoint) Supervisor WO2 Pat Austine describes the role of his team at Multinational Base Tarin Kot.

Geoint is intelligence derived from the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information about features and events, with reference to space and time.

Three Army geospatial technicians in Tarin Kot are responsible for the col-lection, analysis and dissemination of geospatial intelligence for CTU.

WO2 Austine said data sources for Geoint included commercially avail-able imagery collected by satellites

and aircraft, existing mapping data and databases and could also include infor-mation collected by the soldiers on the ground.

“We supply the most accurate and up-to-date maps we can so the CTU commander and his staff, in particular those venturing outside the wire, can complete their missions successfully,” he said.

“Most of the software we use is off the shelf, such as ArcMap, which is an ESRI geospatial processing program used worldwide to view, edit, create, and analyse geospatial data.

“I have a young team of two tech-nicians on this deployment, whose training at the School of Military Engineering has definitely provided them with the skills required for this challenging environment.

“They have good computer skills and are proficient with the software applications we use on our high-end workstations, servers and the printing systems as well.”

Products and services provided by the Geoint cell to support CTU include route studies, line-of-sight/threat analy-sis, geospatial data and mapping prod-ucts.

One of the basic analysis maps produced by Geoint is called a line-of-sight or viewshed product which shows what is visible at different heights from

different vantage points. These maps inform planning for overwatch positions and can be adapted to analyse radio transmission and reception ranges.

WO2 Austine said there was a high operational tempo and workload in sup-porting forces in Uruzgan.

“Our reach-back capability to Australia includes 1 Topo Svy Sqn and

the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation, and is used to supplement our production capabilities,” he said.

“I deployed with Reconstruction Task Force One in 2006, which pio-neered Australia’s reconstruction mission. So it is a highlight to be in Tarin Kot again as we end our mission in Uruzgan.”

On the level: Spr Travis McGarry (left), LCpl Emily Goeman and WO2 Pat Austine of the CTU Geospatial Intelligence Cell at Multinational Base Tarin Kot analyse an aerial map. Photo by Cpl Mark Doran

Army August 15, 2013 WORLDwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 11

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Transfer milestone in Kabul A logistics training and advisory team has completed a successful stint meeting the ANA’s needs

Team effort: LTAT 2 in Kabul with its American Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. Back row (left to right): Sgt Andrew Robertson, WO2 Mark Regan, OC Maj Steve Betterton, LCpl Todd Peronchik, Cpl Chris Atturo and Lt Olivier Delaruelle. Front row (left to right): LACW Abigail Murray, LACW Hayley Lynn, Cpl Paul Daniels and Cpl Anthony Cocuzzoli. Photo by PO Phil Cullinan

Capt Sean Childs

AUSTRALIA’S Logist ics Training and Advisory Team 2 (LTAT 2) transferred its author-ity to LTAT 3 at the Afghan National Army’s central supply depot in Kabul on July 13.

The transfer of authority marked the end of LTAT 2’s six-month deployment and its ANA logistics advisory effort.

LTAT 2 enabled the fielding of 12 kandaks with $17.5 mil-lion worth of equipment.

OC Maj Steve Betterton said his team implemented a number of successful stratagems in the process.

“We built enduring processes for the fielding of new kandaks with move, shoot and communicate equipment,” Maj Betterton said.

“We’ve seen great improve-ment since the time we arrived.

“The ANA has improved a lot in the area of logistics.

“Over the six months we’ve managed to achieve a great deal and we helped them achieve an 85 per cent work rate.”

Australia’s contribution to the ISAF’s LTAT is ensur-ing Afghan National Security Force’s logistics needs are met.

LTAT 2 drew 10 members from 1CSSB in Darwin and two logisticians from the Air Force.

Army August 15, 2013 WORLDwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 13

Signing off on the handover Environmental surveys clear the way for a fresh start in UruzganCPL Mark Doran

COMPREHENSIVE environmental surveys are being conducted at Multinational Base Tarin Kot as troops prepare to complete their mission in Uruzgan.

The surveys, conducted by the Force Extraction Unit (FEU), aim to ensure Defence meets its environmental man-agement obligations before the base is handed back to the Afghan Government.

The base in Tarin Kot has been occupied by coalition forces, including Australian troops, continuously since 2004, when it was first known as US Forward Operating Base Ripley.

Environmental officer Travis Collins, from the Defence Support and Reform Group (DSRG) working with the FEU at the base, provides environ-mental advice and conducts surveys for the ADF extraction operation.

“I will be investigating if there is any environmental contamination on the base at Camps Holland and Russell and if so, formulate and implement the plan to deal with it,” Mr Collins said.

“In the most recent Strategic Environmental Plan, HQJOC commit-ted to implementing better environmen-

Mr Collins said initial environmen-tal closure surveys involved taking soil samples to check for any contamination issues on the base.

“We have taken soil samples from 37 targeted sites across Camp Holland and Camp Russell looking for contami-nation related to fuel and other contami-nants,” he said.

“Soil samples to be tested for con-taminants are sent to an accredited labo-ratory in Dubai with a strict chain of custody process and the results tell us if any remediation is required.

“Everyone I speak to and work with in Afghanistan is receptive to ensuring we do the right thing in the environ-mental space here just as we would at home.”

Mr Collins said he joined DSRG through the Defence Graduate Program 10 years ago and has worked in envi-ronmental management and policy development areas, particularly with Exercise Talisman Saber.

“I’m an environmental scientist and by working with Defence it has been clear to see how conservation of biodi-versity and military activities go hand in hand regardless of where we operate,” he said.

tal management on deployed operations.“The actions by HQJOC and

Australian forces on the ground dem-onstrate that Defence’s environmental policy is embedded within its opera-tional doctrine to ensure we don’t leave a lasting negative environmental legacy.

“By the time the ADF leaves Uruzgan, any environmental hazards will be appropriately treated and we will hand over a site to the Afghans which will be fit for use by its owners.

“We will ensure waste disposal and infrastructure remediation avoids creating an environmental hazard for Afghanistan later on.”

Check-up: Soil samples to be tested for contaminants are sent to a laboratory in Dubai.

Close scrutiny: Travis Collins, the Environmental Officer with the Force Extraction Unit at Multinational Base Tarin Kot, takes a soil sample for later testing. Photos by Cpl Mark Doran

“

Army August 15, 2013 CENTREPIECEwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews14 15

THE LAST BOOTS ON THE GROUNDAs troops return home from Solomon Islands, Sgt Dave Morley meets some of the people who made up Operation Anode’s final rotation.

OPERATION Anode R o t a t i o n 3 0 h a s returned home as the ADF’s contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon

Islands (RAMSI) has come to an end.Personnel on the last rotation, made

up mostly of Victorian-based reserv-ists from 4 Bde, spent four months in Solomon Islands after deploying at the end of March.

Commander 2 Div Maj-Gen Steve Smith said he was proud of the soldiers’ efforts during a demanding deployment.

“Throughout your mission, you have embodied the Army’s core val-ues of Courage, Initiative, Respect and Teamwork,” he said.

“You have done much to enhance the reputation of 2 Div in particular and the ADF more broadly.”

Commander 4 Bde Brig Michael Annett said the soldiers’ deployment, along with previous 4 Bde rotations in 2007 and 2010, had played a significant role in supporting the return to normal life for Solomon Islanders.

“Security in the Solomon Islands and the ability of its government to re-estab-lish law and order and build public con-fidence has improved markedly since the ADF first arrived to assist in restoring public order,” Brig Annett said.

“Soldiers from 4 Bde have played an important part in that process. You should be very proud of the part you have played in this operation.”

OC Rotation 30 Capt David Manzin said his troops could look back on a job well done.

“It is important that we recognise the support of all of our families, and our civilian employers. Without having their backing for the past six months of train-ing and during the deployment we sim-ply could not have done this,” he said.

The ADF mission to support RAMSI ceased on July 1. More than 7000 Australian soldiers have deployed over the past 10 years. Of those about 2100 were reservists.

A Defence element has remained in Solomon Islands to prepare military equipment to return to Australia. The Australian-led Combined Task Force 635 has included rotations of military per-sonnel from New Zealand, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.

Security in the Solomon Islands and the ability of its government to re-establish law and order ... has

improved markedly since the ADF first

arrived ...– Brig Michael Annett,

Commander 4 Bde

Upholding family service traditionSgt Dave Morley

TO MANY 4 Bde diggers on Operation Anode’s final rotation, Solomon Islands seemed half a world away from home.

But to one digger the distance from his former home could only be measured in years.

Pte Ab Gadi, an infantry company signaller, was born in Somalia and arrived in Australia as an 11 year old in 1994.

He joined the Army because he came from a military family.

“My grandfather, my mother and father and my uncles were all in the Army in Somalia because we had national service there,” he said.

“I arrived in Australia on February 13, 1994, and joined the Regular Army on February 13, 2007.

“I was the wild child of the family.”Pte Gadi completed a deployment

to East Timor with 2RAR in 2008 and transferred to 5/6RVR as a reservist in 2012.

One of the highlights of his Operation Anode deployment was see-ing and experiencing different cultures.

“We’d go in to a village and we’d give the kids chocolate and they’d give us pineapple, bananas or some other fruit,” he said.

The final month of Pte Gadi’s deployment coincided with Ramadan, which for him meant fasting between sunrise and sunset; not an easy task with the local humidity.

“I’ve been doing it since I was 10 so my body is used to it,” he said.

“But I had to get permission from the CO to grow my beard for the month.”

Pte Gadi said he planned on staying in the Army Reserve when he returned to Australia, but was thinking of a change in his civilian career.

“I’ve been thinking about joining the AFP,” he said. “We’ve interacted with them quite a bit over here and I’ve liked what I’ve seen of them.”

Sgt Dave Morley

THE last place you would expect to find a Melbourne barrister is in Solomon Islands as an infantry pla-toon commander.

But Lt Nikola Dragojlovic swapped his wig and gown for DPCUs for four months during the final rotation of Operation Anode.

Lt Dragojlovic joined the Army Reserve as an SSO legal officer in 2005.

He was in a non-corps posting as an instructor at Melbourne University Regt in 2008 when he picked up some additional competencies as part of the officer training continuum.

“I liked what I saw and decided to become a general service officer,” he said.

Although Lt Dragojlovic was involved in legal training for Operation Acolyte, Operation Anode was his first deployment.

He said the broad life experience he received working in Solomon Islands would help him become a better barrister.

“I’ll benefit from working with

a broad range of people, especially reservists, and getting to know how people perform in different circumstances.”

Cpl Matthew Lynch was another member of Melbourne’s legal fra-ternity enjoying a break from court appearances to become an acting platoon sergeant halfway through his deployment.

A solicitor with a small legal firm at Williamstown, Cpl Lynch specialises in commercial and property law.

He said he joined the Army Reserve while he was studying law in 2003.

“It was just something I’d always wanted to do – my great-grandfathers were in the Army in WWII,” he said.

Cpl Lynch said his legal training helped him with the administration work he had to do as an acting platoon sergeant.

“The advocacy skills I have as a solicitor have helped me when giving orders,” he said.

“The firm will benefit from the leadership and management skills I’ve achieved over here.”

Legal pair in leadership roles during deployment Sgt Dave Morley

WO2 Bruce Dunlop celebrated 30 years in the Army Reserve during the final deploy-ment of Army personnel on Operation Anode.

CSM of A Coy, WO2 Dunlop said it was a good feeling celebrating three decades in uniform while deployed overseas.

“I’d always had an interest in the Army when I joined in 1983 and I thought I’d give it a try for three years and I found I liked it,” he said.

“My grandfather, a country boy from Warrnambool, was a driver in 5 Field Company Engineers in WWI on the Western Front so that influenced me a bit too.”

Celebrating the milestone while deployed wasn’t hard.

“Some of the sergeants made me a cake, so that was a good way to celebrate 30 years.”

WO2 Dunlop said after this deployment he might start looking for a training position to assist the next generation with his experience after a long commitment.

“I hate to admit it but I’m not sure the body can handle much more of this. I always thought ‘33 and a third’ had a good ring to it.”

WO2 Dunlop is looking forward to returning to his civilian job as Coordinator Vis i to r Serv ices a t the Shr ine o f Remembrance, where he facilitates visits for ex-service associations and interested groups.

Celebrating a milestone overseas

In the lead: Cpl Matthew Lynch and Lt Nikola Dragojlovic (at right) safety supervise range shoots during the last Ex Boss Lift to Solomon Islands. Photos by LAC Oliver Carter

Long service: WO2 Bruce Dunlop celebrated 30 years as a reservist during his deployment on Op Anode as part of the last rotation of Australian troops.Photo by Cpl Amanda Campbell

Making a difference: Pte Ab Gadi meets local children during a civil-military liaison task in Solomon Islands.Photo by Cpl Amanda Campbell

Saying goodbye: Members of CTF 635’s

last rotation proudly display the Australian Flag on the tarmac in

Honiara on the day they are due to return home.

Photo by Cpl Amanda Campbell

Army August 15, 2013FEATURES www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews16

Facing the challengeThe right attitude has helped a sergeant stand out, WO2 Andrew Hetherington reports.

Reward for effort: Maj-Gen Michael Slater presents Sgt Matt Hines with his student of merit certificate for his performance in the Subject One for Warrant Officer Course.

SUBJECT ONE FOR WARRANT OFFICER COURSE

A POSITIVE attitude and an inspirational instructor were two motivators which kept RAAOC Sgt Matt Hines on

track for success in his Subject One for Warrant Officer Course.

The Chief Clerk of UNSWR was awarded student of merit for his per-formance on the five-week course, held at the Warrant Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer Academy Canungra, which he completed on July 5.

Sgt Hines said promotion courses were a good way for him to gauge his ability against his peers in an all-corps learning environment.

“My expectations of this course were based on previous courses, but in all honesty, it was like no other I have completed,” Sgt Hines said.

“The instructors treat you as if you are a warrant officer already.

“Early in the course my syndi-cate group warrant officer, WO2 Jason Moriarty, set the standards we were to reach during our time at Canungra.”

Sgt Hines sa id he had to overcome a few challenges during the course.

“Not having a combat arms background, the biggest challenge for me was the operations phase and understanding how best to use arms corps soldiers and assets within their capabilities at a combat team level,” he said.

“Having combat corps sergeants in my syndicate helped, as they were always willing to answer my ques-tions when our instructors were not around.

“Overall the course provided chal-lenges I wouldn’t normally encoun-ter in my current work environment and I was forced to learn new skills and adapt to unfamiliar situations to produce workable outcomes in short time frames.”

What advice does Sgt Hines give to future participants of Subject One for Warrant Officer Courses?

“Students need to go into the course with a positive attitude and an open mind,” he said.

“Some people go on the course with the wrong attitude and they’re beaten before they’ve tried some-thing.

“They end up having a battle with themselves.”

THE five-week course is tailored to produce for students 10 learning outcomes to prepare them for work as an all corps warrant officer.

The course covers the military justice system, leadership in the workplace, communication for leaders, interpreting policy, legislation and regulations, risk

management tools, supporting sub-unit operations, producing a tactical plan, explaining explosive hazard awareness and protection, conducting sub-unit ceremonial activities and planning sub-unit training.

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Army August 15, 2013FEATURES www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews18

Joint effort in bridging gap AN INTELLIGENCE Corps

captain is enjoying a two-year attachment to a Royal Marine unit that can trace

its roots back to legendary spymaster Ian Fleming.

Capt Lindsay Melville post-ed to 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group, Royal Marines, Plymouth, as the Intelligence and Security Officer in January last year and will return home in December.

Capt Melville said the posting was e s t ab l i shed to deve lop ex p e r i e n c e i n i n t e l l i g e n c e , surveillance and reconnaissance support to amphibious operations.

“ T h e g e n e r a t i o n o f a n amphibious capabil i ty within the ADF has necessitated the establishment of exchange positions such as this to produce knowledge and experience that can be fed back into training and development,” she said.

“The steepest learning curve has been developing an understanding of amphibious operations in a joint battlespace and how intelligence supports this.

“Understanding the link between the sea and the land, and bridging the gap between the two, is one of the key areas of successful amphibious operations.”

Capt Melville said 30 Cdo’s role was to achieve information superiori-

An Army captain is working with the UK Royal Marines on smarter amphibious operations, Sgt Dave Morley reports.

THE IAN FLEMING CONNECTIONBEFORE March 2010, 30 Cdo was known as United Kingdom Landing Force Command Support Group.

One of the lesser-known com-mando units during WWII, 30 Cdo was inspired in the great tradition of copying good ideas, whatever their source, by the Wehrmacht’s “Abwehrkommando”.

This was a formation which provid-ed specialised troops who advanced with, or ahead of, leading fighting

elements exploiting information from captured documents, equipment and personnel.

The idea was not initially well received by the Joint Intelligence Committee, but Ian Fleming, per-sonal assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence, and independently a staff officer from MI5, Maj WG Cass, suggested it and persisted in apply-ing pressure. This resulted in the unit being created in September 1942.

Similar ethos: Deputy Chief of Staff 3 Cdo Bde, Lt-Col Robert Baxendale, and Australian Intelligence Capt Lindsay Melville. Photo by LA Dean Nixon, Royal Navy

distinction between gender, only a focus on professional competency.”

Capt Melville said the experience of working within the brigade had been rewarding, both personally and professionally.

“The Royal Marines share a similar ethos and outlook to the Australian Army, which combines a hard working professional attitude in a laid-back environment,” she said.

“The variety of tasks in which the brigade is currently involved has exposed me to a large number of varying capabilities, which I could never have imagined being a part of had I not undertaken this posting.”

Capt Melville said the posting had also enabled her to visit a num-ber of countries, which ordinary employment in Australian Army units would not usually provide.

“It’s allowed me to interact regu-larly with personnel from a variety of militaries including the French, Dutch, Latvian, Swedish, Albanians, Canadians and Americans,” she said.

But it hasn’t all been plain sail-ing.

Capt Melville said there was always that competitive Australia-UK relationship to be aware of when it came to sport.

“Particularly with the British and Irish Lions tour and the Ashes tour – I’m hoping we get one over the Brits so I can reclaim some lost ground.”

ty in the battlespace and contribute to joint information activities to enable brigade operations.

“The unit ensures the brigade commander has superior situational awareness, allowing him to make quicker, more accurate decisions and to target his adversary’s key capabilities,” she said.

Capt Melville said members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines had been extremely welcoming.

“There are a lot of positive relationships between the ADF and the UK military that have been forged throughout the history of our two nations working alongside each other on the battlefield,” she said.

“Despite the Royal Marines being an all-male organisation, and 3 Cdo Bde having a very small number of female personnel, there is no

There is no distinction

between gender, only a focus on

professional competency.

– Capt Lindsay Melville, Intelligence and Security Officer

Army August 15, 2013 LETTERSwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 19

Few health choices on the menu AAFCANS food selection questionedI AM writing this letter in regards to the services offered by AAFCANS, chiefly the food choices on offer.

As I walk into Frontline on a regular basis, I am bombarded with a variety of food and beverage displays. Most of these contain high-sugar soft drinks and the food is mostly deep-fried fatty food with a minimal amount of healthy food. And the healthy food on offer leaves little choice.

In an environment where physical fitness, a key part of being physically tough (an I Am An Australian Soldier tenet), is supposed to be held in a high regard, there is this shop which pumps soldiers full of fatty, unhealthy food instead of diet-conscious options.

Also if someone wants to eat some-thing healthy (and hot), the choices are severely limited, for example a fruit salad, a sandwich or a salad wrap. I know that everyone enjoys some fatty food on occasion but if soldiers want to pump themselves full of fatty food, it shouldn’t be made so convenient for them.

I am unaware of exactly how AAFCANS selects the food it puts out for sale, but surely it being a contract-ed service there are ways to enforce a higher standard for the nutritional well-being of serving ADF members.

A potential fix would be for healthy food options to be made cheaper and the fattier options more expensive as an incentive to eat better.

This is basically a duty-of-care issue. Soldiers can’t wear a beret because of potential skin cancer; why should soldiers eat fatty food and face cardiac issues in their future due to ser-vice in the ADF?Cpl Jeremy Wikner6RAR

Lt-Col John Findlay, AAFCANS Advisory Committee Secretary responds:THANK you for your request for infor-mation regarding food choices on offer in the AAFCANS canteens. I have con-sulted with the AAFCANS Managing Director in order to provide the follow-ing response.

As you may be aware, the Army and

Air Force Canteen Service, trading as AAFCANS, delivers canteen services to members of the Army and Air Force on bases throughout Australia.

AAFCANS is a not-for-profit organisation and operates under the Commonwealth Authority and Companies Act 1997. Its Board of Management governance is provided under the Army and Air Force Canteen Service Regulations 1959 via the Defence Act 1903.

AAFCANS’ objective is to enhance the living conditions and social environ-ment in a commercially viable manner.

AAFCANS regularly undertakes surveys and continually monitors formal feedback so it can tailor the services to the needs of our soldiers, airmen and women, including their families on base.

In June this year AAFCANS con-ducted a national, in-store survey, which highlighted the importance of adding more healthy snacks to its menu, with 65 per cent of respondents expressing an interest in these items.

Over the past year, AAFCANS has significantly reduced the range of fried foods it offers and has increased its healthy food options.

AAFCANS continually receives feedback from customers and chang-es the range of products accordingly. Thus the current range of products enables ADF members a choice to suit their lifestyle.

AAFCANS undertakes product development across most states and is now looking to introduce a develop-ment chief who will promote product development across all AAFCANS

operated bases. It is anticipated this person will commence as soon as pos-sible, however the challenge is finding the right person for the role.

That said, AAFCANS makes the following menu items available to its customers: made-to-order ome-lette, Greek yoghurt and muesli, fruit salad, tubs of mixed fruit and nuts, quiches, pre-made and made-to-order sandwiches and wraps, pre-made and made-to-order salads (from the sand-wich bar), protein revival drinks and more.

AAFCANS takes this opportunity to thank you for raising your concern on its food offerings and welcomes any further feedback, as it endeav-ours to serve the soldiers, airmen and women on our bases.

Balanced diet: Does AAFCANS make enough healthy options available to soldiers on base?

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Army August 15, 2013 JUSTICEwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 21

NCODefence Force MagistrateOne charge of using insubordinate language – DFDA s 26(2)

One charge of creating a disturbance on service land – DFDA s 33(b)

The member was accused of using insubordinate language in the presence of a superior and grabbing the superior by the shirt. The member pleaded guilty to both charges and was found guilty of both. The member forfeited senior-ity, was fined $1000 (to be paid in fortnightly instalments of $100), and was severely reprimanded.

Defence Force MagistrateOne charge of using insult-ing or provocative words on service land – DFDA s 33(d)

The member was accused of using insulting words against another member while on ser-vice land. The member plead-ed not guilty to the charge and was found guilty. The member was severely reprimanded.

Capt Scott Ritchie Director Military Discipline Law

WHEN a member is alleged to have breached the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 (DFDA), he or she will usually be dealt with by a service tribunal, although sometimes the matter will be dealt with by civilian authorities.

Which service tribunal will try a charge will depend on a variety of factors.

The trial of serious service offences is conducted through formal legal proceedings by a court martial or Defence Force Magistrate (DFM).

In certain circumstances, members may elect to have less serious offences heard by these tribunals.

Court martial or DFM trials are usually conducted in public. They predominately deal with acts intended to cause injury, sexual assault and related offences, and fraud offences.

Punishment includes imprisonment or dismissal from the Defence Force.

T h e D F DA a l s o p r o v i d e s for matters to be heard by the more expedient and flexible, less legalistic approach of summary authority proceedings, conducted by commanding officers, superior summary authorities or subordinate summary authorities.

These proceedings are generally held in private. As a general rule, the jurisdiction of a summary authority to try a member will depend on

JULY TRIAL RESULTS

Note: All Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrate trial results are subject to command review and

appeal. The results indicated are of trials across the ADF.

several factors, such as the rank of the summary authority and the accused, and the type of service offence.

A further option available is the Discipline Officer (DO) Scheme, which is an efficient and quick disciplinary process relating to

infringements, which are minor breaches of the DFDA.

The DO Scheme is limited in jurisdiction and punishments. Only members at or above NCO and who are authorised as a “relevant officer”, can issue infringements.

Members of or below the rank of captain may be dealt with by a DO for issued infringements such as absence without leave.

Regardless of the service tribunal, all matters are heard in accordance with the provisions of the DFDA.

Jurisdiction options

Photo by PO Paul Berry

Mr Phillip NelsonLEPDP ManagerForces CommandVictoria BarracksPaddington NSW 2012Ph: (02) 8335 5903Fax: (02) 8335 6506phillip.nelson@defence.gov.au

Army August 15, 2013PERSONNEL www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews22

THE Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) has been running for five years and helped more than 24,000 current and former ADF members and their families buy homes.

Defence launched the scheme on July 1, 2008 as a recruitment and reten-tion initiative.

It pays a monthly subsidy into eligi-ble members’ DHOAS home loans and is designed to reward loyalty by offering higher subsidy payments the longer a person has served.

Directorate of Relocations and Housing senior contracts manager Tony Job said the scheme had proved very popular.

“When DHOAS turned five on July 1, it had issued more than 40,000 sub-sidy certificates,” he said.

In June, subsidy payments were made into more than 17,500 DHOAS home loans provided by one of three Defence-nominated home loan providers – ADCU, Defence Bank or NAB.

“Members who have taken up DHOAS are from across all the ser-vices and ranks, and from throughout Australia,” Mr Job said.

The most popular locations for

DHOAS home loans are Queensland and NSW.

“DHOAS keeps pace with current housing costs by paying subsidies on loan limits that are reviewed every year in line with changes in Australia’s medi-an house price,” Mr Job said.

“This financial year, the median house price increased to $520,271, a substantial increase from $483,440 last financial year, and a low of $429,073 in 2009.”

Defence marked the scheme’s fifth birthday with the launch of DVA’s new DHOAS website.

The site provides information in easy-to-follow steps, to help members to learn more about the scheme. It also includes additional search options on the home page, such as key issues high-lighted in the rolling banners and other features.

At the five-year milestone, Defence confirmed the continued appointment of the DVA as scheme administrator.

DVA helps members with their appli-cations for subsidy certificates and pays the monthly subsidies.

For more information contact DHOAS on 1300 434 627 or email dhoas@dva.gov.au

Five years providing low-cost home loans

Expanding cams DPCU maternity wear more comfortable than polysCpl Nick Wiseman

“THEY are the most comfort-able clothes I currently own,” says AHQ’s Maj Rebecca Lacey about her maternity camouflage uniform.

The new maternity DPCU is indi-vidually tailored and allows women to remain in their dress of the day throughout their pregnancy instead of having to wear the polyester maternity uniform.

At first glance the uniform is identical to the standard DPCU. Discrete velcro tags on either side of the shirt allow it to be adjusted throughout the pregnancy for the perfect fit.

According to Maj Lacey, the DPCU maternity pants make the big-gest difference. Like civilian mater-nity pants, they now feature a cotton and elastic waist allowing a comfort-able fit throughout the pregnancy.

Maj Lacey said she was surprised at how practical the uniform was when she wore it for the first time.

“They have been very well

TO GET maternity DPCU members must obtain a medical certificate (PM101) confirming their pregnan-cy. A member can start the process of ordering the maternity uniform when eight weeks pregnant.

The PM101 should be pre-sented to any area clothing store as early as possible after eight weeks for the ordering process to begin.

It is suggested women order their normal size of DPCU or one size up. The uniform can also be specifically made to measure.

In the future, personnel will be able to log onto the DRN and order maternity DPCU online by search-ing for “Project COOL” at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dmoweb/sites/CLOSPO/

After completing the ordering process a member should receive the uniforms in six to eight weeks.

For more information contact the Army point of contact for clothing issues, WO2 Greg Hays, on (03) 9282 6602 or email gregory.hays@defence.gov.au

designed and are better than most of the civilian maternity clothing I own. The one size will last through-out your pregnancy and it really is a great design,” she said.

“I want to get the word out there as many women still don’t know about the maternity cams even though they have been available for issue since the start of this year.

“It’s great to be able to continue wearing the same uniform as eve-ryone else in the workplace. Some people hadn’t even noticed I was pregnant until recently and I’m only a month out from my due date.”

Pregnant women are entitled to two sets of maternity DPCU even if they have been previously issued maternity polyester uniforms.

HOW TO ORDER THE UNIFORM

House hunt: DHOAS has helped 24,000 ADF personnel buy homes since its inception five years ago.

Good fit: Maternity DPCU is hard to distinguish from the standard uniform and includes several features for comfort and expandability. Photos by Cpl Nick Wiseman

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Army August 15, 2013 LIFESTYLE PEOPLEwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 23

Healthy focus: Senior psychological examiner Sgt Nadine Tyrrell, of FSU, interviews a soldier at Multinational Base Tarin Kot in Afghanistan. Photo by Cpl Mark Doran

Forefront: Maj Marcos Medina, of HQ Forcomd, leads from the front during the pack march in the HQ’s recent PESA test. Inset far left, Lt-Col James McGann and Col David Smith complete the jerry can carry. Inset left, Capt Matthew Dirago, listens to instructions while catching his breath.Photos by WO2 Jeremy Anderson

End of mission: Pte Ray D’Lima

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Photo by LS Paul McCallum

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Army August 15, 2013www.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsLIFESTYLE FUN24

DIKKO By Bob Dikkenberg

SAY AGAIN, OVER

If you can think of a clever caption for the picture at left, email captioncomp@defencenews.gov.au with “caption comp August 15” as the subject. Keep entries under 25 words and include your name, rank and unit.

Last edition’s winning entry“Does this count towards my flying hours?”Sgt Chris HawkesP&EE Graytown

We also liked“Well okay, but I don’t think this will convince Mum I’m a pilot.”

Andrew Foskett Former sergeant, RAInf

Kia Sorento SLiEngine: 2.2-litre diesel engine, 145kW and 436Nm between 1800 and 2500rpmTransmission: six-speed automatic (manu-matic) transmissionFuel use combined: 7.3L/100km (claimed)Price: $43,990 before on-road costs Warranty: 5 year unlimited kmReviewer: WO2 Andrew

Hetherington

ANYONE in the market for a seven-seat four-wheel-drive wagon is spoilt for choice at the moment.

Most manu-facturers these days offer mod-els with a num-ber of different transmission and engine combina-tions. KIA has the Sorento.

The SLi diesel test vehicle is propelled by a punchy 2.2 litre engine, which expels its torque from 1800rpm.

Traffic light take offs and overtaking on the highway are tasks this engine is made for even though the Sorento weighs nearly 2000kg.

Planting the right foot is not disappointing and at times addic-tive. At 110km/h the engine is just ticking over at a lazy 2000rpm.

On the road, occupants are perched on leather-clad pews and have a commanding view of traffic.

The ride is surprisingly com-posed, compliant and comfortable. Roundabouts can be tackled with

verve normally only reserved for a sports car test and no noticeable understeer or excessive body roll is evident.

The interior of the SLi is packed with all the features you would expect from a vehicle of this price and more. It features dual zone climate control and a decent sound system with a 4.3 inch colour screen which doubles as a viewing screen for the reversing camera.

It includes an easy-to-pair Bluetooth func-tion which played all of my music seam-lessly from my phone and allowed me to make and take calls with the touch of a button on the steering wheel. There’s also a generous

amount of storage space up front provided by a large centre console.

The seven seats would be great for a large family or someone with a lot of friends to lug around, but without much luggage. Once the sixth and seventh seats are up, they cut rear luggage space from 1047 litres to 258. Although this is nothing a trailer or a roof-mounted storage container won’t solve.

The 2013 KIA Sorento sur-prised this tester with the way it performed on the road and in cor-ners as well as the build quality.

At first glance the price tag just under $44,000 seems steep, but after spending some time with the Sorento, it makes sense to consider it a serious contender in its class.

Good value in this class Kia’s seven-seat Sorento offers an impressive driving experience and level of interior quality for a budget brand

... occupants are perched on

leather-clad pews and have a commanding view of traffic.

Complete package: The Kia Sorento offers a high-quality drive and interior at the budget end of the seven-seat four-wheel-drive category. Photos by WO2 Andrew Hetherington

TELL US YOUR STORY

If you have an interesting story to tell, get in touch with Army and get it in print.Contact the editorial team by email to

armynews@defencenews. gov.au

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Army August 15, 2013www.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsLIFESTYLE HEALTH26

Testing times for personnel

THE ADF has a zero-tolerance policy on the use of banned substances.

Personnel can be tested through the Prohibited Substances Testing Program (PSTP), and if results are positive, administrative action will be taken.

Personnel may also be subject to civilian charges if the substance is not legal within Australia.

Military Personnel Policy Staff Officer Sqn-Ldr Shane Moloney said the PSTP allowed for testing of ADF members anywhere and any time.

“Testing, which may be either random or targeted, is based on a minimum of 25 per cent of the ADF and 100 per cent of initial trainees annually,” Sqn-Ldr Moloney said.

Testing for steroids is targeted within all three services. Targeted members are selected through the identification of the signs and symptoms of steroid use.

Those tested for steroids count towards the annua l min imum number of ADF members tested under the PSTP.

In the third and final part of our supplements series, LS Helen Frank looks at ADF policy and what you need to know if you are tested.

Sample: This is what you will be presented with under the Prohibited Substances Testing Program, which allows for testing of ADF members anywhere and any time. Photo by LS Helen Frank

“Supplements purchased

overseas or over the internet are

likely to be more risky.

– Dr Mathew Klein, Senior Medical Adviser

for Occupational and Environmental Medicine

“The survey reported that within the wider Australian community, 14.7 per cent of the Austral ian population had used an illicit drug in the previous 12 months,” he said.

Defence’s Senior Medical Adviser for Occupational and Environmental Medicine Mathew Klein said the best way ADF personnel could avoid pro-hibited substances was not to take any supplements and concentrate on a well-rounded diet.

“Supplements purchased overseas or over the internet are likely to be more risky,” Dr Klein said.

“Products that are not well-known branded products are also likely to be risky.

“ C o n s u m i n g a n y p r o d u c t when you are not fully aware of what is contained in the product is dangerous.”

He said by purchasing supplements of low quality or containing unknown ingredients, personnel not only risked their health, but their careers.

Further information on the PSTP is available in DI(G) Pers 15-5.

Between July 1, 2010, and January 31, 2013, 54,896 prohibited substance tests were conducted, which produced 307 positive results (0.56 per cent).

Sqn-Ldr Moloney said the result was favourable when compared with the 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.

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SPORTwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsArmy August 15, 2013 27

Breaking records in two-day runMichael Weaver

IF PREVENTION is the best medicine, then WO1 Kevin Muller has the cure.

The course manager in preven-tive medicine at the Army School of Health at Latchford Barracks in Victoria became the first person in Australia to run more than 400km after winning the 48-hour National Championship on July 19-21.

Held on a 500m circuit through the historic Caboolture village on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, WO1 Muller ran about 815 laps for a total of 407.560km, which surpassed the previous Australian record of 393.504km.

WO1 Muller is now one of only 10 people in the world to have gone past the magic 400km mark in a 48-hour event.

It was also a possible world record (yet to be ratified) for his 40-44 age group, averaging seven-minute kilometres for two days of running.

The effort also pushed his claims for a spot at next year’s world championships in Europe.

For WO1 Muller though, running fixes everything.

“I have broken 16 bones over the years, with the most serious injury being two crush fractures to my spine after falling down a cliff,” he said.

“After six weeks lying flat on my back in hospital, the orthopae-dic surgeon told me I wouldn’t have any trouble with my back as long as I stayed fit. I have recov-ered quickly from most injuries by being very proactive with rehab.”

The event was also WO1 Muller’s first attempt at a 48-hour event, with just 17 runners (including three from overseas) fronting for the two-day test of endurance.

As a warm up for the 48-hour National Championships, WO1 Muller won the Adelaide six-hour event just six days prior. He became the current 24-hour Australian champion after running 228km at Coburg earlier this year.

“I didn’t realise I had broken any records until the Australian record-holder Mar t in Fryer

Iron man: Aaron Davey, of the Melbourne Football Club, works out at Robertson Barracks gym during the lead-up to an AFL game against the Brisbane Lions in Darwin. Photo by LS Jo Dilorenzo

Dees test their resolve at Robertson BarracksGemma Haines

MEMBERS of the Melbourne Demons Football Club tested their resilience during training sessions at Robertson Barracks in the lead-up to their round 17 clash against the Brisbane Lions in Darwin on July 20.

The players made use of the gym and pool facilities at the barracks as they acclimatised to the local conditions.

The Demons’ General Manager of Football Operations, Josh Mahoney, said the club hoped to build its relationship with the Army and 1 Bde.

“There’s definitely more interaction between the soldiers and our players,” Mahoney said.

“When you walk into the lunch hall, we’re all in our Melbourne gear and people recognise the fact we’ve been up here before and so it’s not just a one-off thing.”

In December last year, the Dees spent

10 days in Darwin and trained with members of 1 Bde, testing their resolve in exercise sessions to develop their leadership skills.

Mahoney said the players also spent time with wounded members at the Soldier Recovery Centre, resulting in some special bonds.

“As frustrating a time as it is for the Army people going through rehab, our players feel exactly the same thing when they’re out for a knee injury and they’re out for the whole season,” he said.

Mahoney said the club was eager for its Army fan base to grow.

“We’d love for the Army to get behind us when we play up here, because certainly the noise they gener-ate would make a big difference for our players,” he said.

The support couldn’t come soon enough, as despite a gutsy performance by the Demons, the Brisbane Lions won by 19 points.

Warrant officer runs more than 400km in 48 hours

(who was crewing for another competitor) came onto the road and shook my hand. I didn’t know beforehand what the records were as I wasn’t planning on running that far,” WO1 Muller said.

“I had a goal of 330km, as looking at past results, only one person had run further than this at this event.

“The thing that kept me going was to break it down into smaller achievable goals by aiming for a certain amount of laps each hour depending on how I felt at the time.

“Once I passed 400km, I walked the remainder of the event and felt surprisingly alert and ener-getic at the finish. I felt as though I could go on for a few hours.

“It took me 14 more hours until I had some sleep though.”

An Army colleague initially challenged WO1 Muller to run the Melbourne Marathon in 2008. His sisters also volunteer at aid stations for some of the ultra-marathons in Victoria, and in 2011 he competed in his first ultra-marathon (clas-sified as any event longer than a standard 42.195km marathon).

The Wodonga athlete also still plays Aussie rules on Saturdays and for an over-35 team every sec-ond Sunday. A Western Bulldogs supporter, he occasionally plays two games on the Saturday and ends up playing three games in a weekend.

“I have done some ultras on a Sunday after playing footy the day before, but I haven’t run them as well as I would have liked.”

Then there’s the occasional triathlon and athletics in summer.

WO1 Muller is also eyeing off a couple of shorter races, with four 100km events, a couple of shorter ultra-marathons and two marathons during the next three months. His main event this year will be the Coast to Kosciuszko 240km ultra-marathon on December 6.

It’s a pretty rare day when WO1 Muller doesn’t go for a run.

“It’s been a long time since I haven’t felt like going for a run,” he said.

“If I’m feeling low on energy I will go out for a shorter run, but often feel better during the run and end up going longer than planned.”

On the run: WO1 Kevin Muller runs through the night during the 48-hour National Ultramarathon Championship in Queensland. Photo provided by Dreamsport Photography

August 15, 2013

BORNTO

RUN

Enduring: WO1 Kevin Muller, of the Army School of Health, puts

in a record-breaking effort at the 48-hour national championships at

Caboolture in Queensland. Photo provided by Dreamsports Photography

Meet the only person in Australia to have run

more than 400km in 48 hours

Page 27

TALISMAN SABER 13 SPECIAL LIFTOUT

AT THE SHARP

ENDAussie and US troops team up

to take over Shoalwater Bay in Ex Talisman Saber 2013

Ready to fight: Soldiers from 2RAR prepare to defend against

an enemy armoured assault.Photo by Cpl Bill Solomou

We've been where you are… We've been where you are… We've been where you are… Now we are where you will be.Now we are where you will be.Now we are where you will be. When we finally took off our uniforms we thought When we finally took off our uniforms we thought When we finally took off our uniforms we thought our fighting days were done…. our fighting days were done…. our fighting days were done…. We were wrong.We were wrong.We were wrong. Today, we are helping to protect your Service Today, we are helping to protect your Service Today, we are helping to protect your Service conditions while you protect us, and we are fighting conditions while you protect us, and we are fighting conditions while you protect us, and we are fighting for your better future when your Service is done.for your better future when your Service is done.for your better future when your Service is done.

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Army August 15, 2013TS13 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews2

Cpl Max Bree

NEW digital radios and battle-field tracking systems provided by 7CSR gave opposing forces the edge on Ex Talisman Saber 13.

CO 7CSR Lt-Col Steve Frankel said the red force was decked out with new Harris radios and satellite Battlefield Management Systems (BMS).

“It’s not every vehicle (fitted with BMS) but all kinds of ele-ments are carrying it,” he said.

“In two infantry companies it’s down to section commander level.

“It provides us with a really val-uable opportunity to see what capa-bilities a mobile infantry force can bring when it is digitised.

“And it tells us how a digital force can stack up against a larger analogue force.”

Replacing the old Raven radi-os is a suite of new smaller Harris gear, which use digital carrier waves. Some models can automati-cally tweak their frequency to suit different atmospheric conditions.

“We’ve had better performance

out of a small VHF radio than we have been seeing from a man-pack radio,” Lt-Col Frankel said.

“It just appears to be bet-ter technology, newer technology. The radio just seems to be more efficient for communication.”

The new radios were first used in limited numbers on TS11 but were expanded this year.

“The battle group from across 7 Bde is fully digitised,” Lt-Col Frankel said. “This is the first time that the Army has done this.”

The BMS electronically tracks units in the field.

“We can see each node with a radio and BMS terminal on the dig-ital map,” Lt-Col Frankel said.

“It can pass orders, it can place enemy positions on the map, which it can share with everyone else in its chain of command. It’s an improvement in situational awareness, command, control and reporting.”

About 150 7CSR soldiers deployed on TS13 where they also provided retransmission for exer-cise control, Green Force and back-

up to the exercise civilian safety net.

“We are providing constant communication to a range of areas, like the hospital and helicopters, so that if something should go wrong, we can take up comms to save lives.”

Several signal operators, such as Cpl Anthony Hill, ran 24-hour shifts keeping an ear out in the exercise control room.

Lt-Col Frankel believed TS13 would help ready his unit before becoming the onl ine s ignal regiment next year.

“This provides a really good training opportunity for us so I can focus soldiers on their primary communication skills as we look towards the ready year,” Lt-Col Frankel said.

The unit also celebrated its sec-ond birthday during the exercise on July 20.

“We have two new squadrons raised this year – 140 Sig Sqn and the HQ Sqn,” he said.

“We’re now a full CSR just like the ones at 1 Bde and 3 Bde.”

Cpl Max Bree

IF YOU can’t get hold of a Bushmaster command vehicle in future, you might get your hands on a modified 6x6 G-Wagon Mobile Command Post (MCP).

Cpl Daniel Brumley, of 7CSR, tested the only prototype during Ex Talisman Saber 13.

“It’s planned to be part of the Army’s raise, train, sustain strategy,” he said.

“In instances where you can’t have a Bushmaster for the unit commander you would have an MCP.

“There’s only one right now and when they handed me the keys they said ‘don’t break it’.”

The command radios in the back take the vehicle’s weight up to six-and-a-half tonnes, but Cpl Brumley said the turbo engine could handle the load.

“With this you can control all the radios you see in the pod and do all your command and control from the cabin,” he said.

“Unfortunately I’m not using it as a command vehicle; I’m using it as retrans.”

The cab boasts two Battle Management System control screens, one for the front passenger and one in the back seat.

“A commander can have control from in here,” Cpl Brumley said. “When trav-elling from point A to point B he still has awareness of the battlespace.”

This would give the commander flexibility while moving around.

“A lot of the capability can be remoted out; controlled from the cabin or controlled from CP.”

Cpl Brumley said the commander could also decide what levels of access people could have to the network.

“It can allow and restrict people. The commander can say, ‘this person can listen but not talk or this person can have full access to everything’,” he said.

The MCP is on an eight-week trial and Cpl Brumley was told it could be available to the wider Army about 18 months after the trial.

“Talisman Saber is the testing ground for it,” he said.

“It’s the best opportunity to test as many of the functions as we can.”

Prototype’s clean set of wheels

Better lines of communication New digital radios and battlefield tracking systems trialled

Masters: Pte Yunfei Chang (left) and Cpl Dan Brumley raise a Clark communications mast at a retransmission site in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. Inset, Lt-Col Steve Frankel, left, and the regiment’s youngest member, Sig Jarrod Ritchie, cut the cake to celebrate the regiment’s second birthday at Camp Growl. Photos by AB Lee-Anne Mack and Cpl Bill Solomou

Linked up: Cpl Dan Brumley, a signaller from the 7th Combat Signals Regiment, sits at a Mobile Command Post in the modified G-Wagon 6x6 at a retransmission site.Photo by AB Lee-Anne Mack

Army August 15, 2013 TS13www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 3

B Coy takes the shore 2RAR troops put emerging amphibious skills to the test in Shoalwater Bay beach landingCpl Max Bree

BLACK Hawks thunder through the darkness over Sabina Point as Zodiacs carrying members of 2RAR’s B Coy tear through the water towards their landing beach.

After launching from HMAS Choules, the mostly B Coy soldiers flew to landing zones near Sabina Point to secure the area for an amphibious landing after sunrise on July 20.

The soldiers in Zodiacs hit a nearby beach but slogged through an unexpected amount of mud before they linked up with their chopper-borne mates to form a perimeter around the main landing beach.

B Coy commander Maj John Eccleston was in charge of the initial 2RAR forces that arrived in the morning darkness.

“Everything was on time as planned,” Maj Eccleston said.

“We had to adjust the plan as a few things were complicated with the LZ.”

Coming in via Black Hawk before making his way to the beach was Sgt Richard Bushnell from the mortar platoon.

“We put our mortars into location to provide fire support to B Coy,” he said.

But Sgt Bushnell didn’t see any opposing forces to warrant a fire mission.

“I’m hoping it will be pretty unlikely we’ll see them,” he said.

“But there’s a good possibility they have heard us come in overnight and will start to put a reconnaissance screen out towards our lines.”

As the 2RAR soldiers position themselves around the landing beach, an LCM-8 arrives and an LX-120 rolls out a white corduroy road fol-lowed by a bulldozer and the rest of the Army beach team.

Driving the LX-120 is Pte Ryan Ruf, a terminal operator from 30 Water Tpt Sqn.

“We just make sure we control the boats that come in and out,” he said.

“Boats don’t have permission to come and go until we give them permission.

“We control all the stores and vehicles that go back to the ship, but once they cross that line of departure, HMAS Choules has them.”

Pte Ruf said keeping the beach under control could get people on edge.

“We get the odd occasions where people just want to get going but we have to do it as safely as possible.”

The five beach team soldiers are joined by the crew of two LARC-Vs that soon arrive as the team starts putting up red beach markers.

Bushmasters arrive on another LCM-8 before a Navy maxi-float delivers a pair of Land Rovers and a Mack truck.

The beach team begin to dig fighting pits in the sand, while 800m

down the road 2RAR starts putting down gun pits. The landing area stays open for the next 48 hours to receive follow-on forces during the next series of high tides.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to get in with the Navy and the helicop-ters,” Maj Eccleston said.

“It’s providing a bit of extra dif-ficulty to our job.

“We are good at our jobs on the land, now we’re working together with the Navy to enhance our skills.”

Step ahead: 2RAR soldiers wade ashore from a landing craft at Sabina Point during the “invasion” for Ex Talisman Saber 13. Photos by Cpl Jake Sims

In sight: WO2 Adam West, of 2RAR, stands watch for the enemy as troops and equipment continue to come ashore from HMAS Choules.

Cpl Max Bree

AFTER sappers finished building barbed-wire obstacles, they dug in on a hill overlooking a road through Pyri Pyri sector and waited for an attack.

Sprs Ryan O’Driscoll and Michael Clarke were part of 3CER’s support to 2RAR, dug in on one hill while infantry were set up on hills to their front-right and left when the enemy attacked on July 26.

“The convoy came down the road with a few ASLAVs and APCs and heaps of dismounted troops,” Spr O’Driscoll said.

“There were a few Yanks from Darwin as well.”

But the sappers had a long wait, after being stood-to since 10.30pm the night before.

“We were all geed-up at 10.30 ready to fight but it didn’t kick-off

until 7am,” Spr O’Driscoll said. “I had a 66 with me and I hit the lead vehicle, an ASLAV, with it.

“The infantry had 84s (Carl Gustavs) up on the hills that were firing down on them as well.”

The lead vehicle stopped in front of the sappers’ position and enemy infantry started moving up a hill to the sappers’ right.

“They had sections dismount and push up this ridge and attack this hill,” Spr O’Driscoll said. “Then the dismounted guys came out to our flank and hit us in the rear.”

But Spr O’Driscoll wasn’t sure he would have been alive that long.

“They were already hitting us with a .50 cal,” he said.

Though the attack seemed to end badly for the sappers, they were sure things wouldn’t have deteriorated in the real situation.

“I’m pretty sure a lot of them

Sappers hold high ground in ambush

were blown-up further away before they got through,” Spr Clarke said. “The infantry had Javelins.”

And their positions on the high ground would have been too much for the attackers.

The sappers were proved right, with the umpires finding 14 enemy vehicles destroyed, 30 infantry killed and 59 captured whi le de fend ing pos i t ions sustained seven casualties from the engagement.

Kill zone: Sprs Michael Clarke and Ryan O’Driscoll wait in depth in a 2RAR ambush on a road at Shoalwater Bay.Photo by Cpl Bill Solomou

“

Army August 1, 2013 CENTREPIECEwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews4 5

BATTLE OF THE BAYTHE last blank rounds were

discharged on July 28, as the manoeuvre phase of Exercise Talisman Saber 2013 drew to a close at Shoalwater Bay.

The “Blue” and “Red” forces ceased hostilities as many soldiers involved packed for the trip home.

With numerous battles in the train-ing area, exercise spokesman Brig Bob Brown said it would be a while before a “victor” was identified from various scenarios.

“I guess if you talk to the opposing force, they would say they won,” he said. “And that’s particularly 2/14LHR and other elements of 7 Bde who have been a particularly aggressive OpFor, which is what we want.

“There was some free play but gen-erally it has to be scripted to a degree to make sure that we get all the lessons out of it that we want.

“In a sense we all win because the idea on these exercises is to take advan-tage of the unique opportunity to oper-ate at this level with the US and learn a lot of lessons.”

Before two beach landings and a parachute drop, 2 Cdo Regt and US special forces soldiers were on the ground doing reconnaissance.

“At the start of the exercise they did a lot of the shaping and preparation of the battlefield for the airborne assault,” Brig Brown said. “Then in the mid-dle of the exercise there was more spe-cial forces activity up at the Townsville Field Training Area.”

Brig Brown said the amphibious ele-ments were still learning as they devel-oped the capability on the exercise.

“Integration of the air elements in particular is one thing I heard CO

In the closing stages of Ex Talisman Saber 2013, Cpl Max Bree asks exercise spokesman Brig Bob Brown for the final word on this year’s largest training activity.

2RAR talking about,” he said. “I think he’s learnt a lot about the way the air assets off the platforms are integrated into the land lodgement.”

Soldiers from 2RAR also learnt about potential problems getting across the beach after a platoon from B Coy was temporarily stuck in the mud after arriving on Zodiacs in darkness.

“That’s realistic isn’t it,” Brig Brown said. “This is a pretty ideal training area, so that’s going to be one of the elements you’re going to face when you come across the beach.”

Tiger helicopters were getting exten-sive use at night hunting red force tar-gets with their flying arsenal of preci-sion weaponry.

“We all know how potent a force the Tigers are,” Brig Brown said. “They’ve proven how decisive they are in the land battle and certainly you’d rather have them on your side than with the enemy that’s for sure.”

US Marine Ospreys from the USS Bonhomme Richard turned a few heads as they came through Rockhampton.

“To be able to morph a helicop-ter with its vertical take-off charac-

teristics into a fixed wing aircraft with all the advantages of speed and range is just incredible,” Brig Brown said. “I think everyone’s been a little bit in awe of that.”

It wasn’t just a military operation at Shoalwater Bay this year, Brig Brown said AusAid, USAid, Foreign Affairs and US State Department personnel were also involved.

“The scenario played out that once stability was restored there was a huge problem with displaced persons, refu-gees and the way the force had to inter-act with other government agencies,” he said.

“We even had the FBI and AFP there conducting some scenarios, so it wasn’t just Army and it wasn’t just Defence.”

The exercise was also designed to certify 3 Bde, but Brig Brown said that would not be finalised until exercise controllers analysed the results.

About 30,000 personnel were involved overall, including the US 7th Fleet with 20 naval platforms, and 11 Australian ships and submarines.

Brig Brown said US participation in major exercises such as Talisman Saber was an important aspect of the broader regional security framework in which the ADF operates.

“They’re our closest military-to-mil-itary alliance,” he said. “And exercising with them builds real interoperability.”

Although Brig Brown was certain there would be another Ex Talisman Saber, he couldn’t provide too many details.

“We know there is going to be a TS15,” he said. “At the end of this exer-cise there is a very large after-action review up in Cairns.

“It is there they will decide where we want to go for TS15 but where and how is still a bit early to say.”

We all know how potent a force the Tigers are. They’ve

proven how decisive they are in the land

battle ...– Brig Bob Brown,

TS13 spokesman

Capt Jay Ellul

NAPOLEON once said “In war there is but one favourable moment; the great art is to seize it”. This was the inspiration for 3 Bde during Exercise Talisman Saber 13.

The multirole combat brigade seized the operational objective – population centre Raspberry Creek – within 34 hours of the exercise starting.

Senior observer trainer for the activ-ity, Maj-Gen Michael Krause, described the brigade’s unique plan for the seizure of Raspberry Creek as “genius”.

Endowed with the combat power of the Armoured Cavalry Regiment and airlift support from 5 Avn Regt, the bri-gade’s Battlegroup-plus attack was led by 1RAR.

The unprecedented blitzkrieg-style attack took the enemy by surprise, achieving tactical and operational success.

Commander 3 Bde Brig Shane Caughey said the mission achieved sev-eral key results, including:

The isolation of the enemy’s main effort.

Creating an enduring physical wedge between the enemy and the population 3 Bde was tasked

to protect, which enabled early engagement by AusAid and Department of Foreign Affairs representatives with the population.

Exposing the enemy’s headquarters to destruction less than 24 hours after the seizure of Raspberry Creek and forcing the enemy’s catastrophic attempt to break through a battle-group block maintained by 2RAR.

Forcing the enemy commander to use his remaining weakened combat power to conduct raids against 3 Bde’s rear area, which was protected by tanks, infantry mounted in APCs and two 11 Bde combat teams which guarded the HQ and maintenance area. Brig Caughey said his focus from the

outset was to protect the civilian popula-tion against enemy activity.

“I was focused on isolating the population from the enemy and both physically and temporally dislocating his main effort on the eastern side of the Polygon ranges within the first 48 hours of joint land combat,” he said.

“The teamwork and courage shown by the soldiers and officers of the bri-gade was commendable.

“Their ability to seize the opportuni-

ty and achieve the decisive action within the original time frame was inspiring.”

Brig Caughey said the 3 Bde plan to seize Raspberry Creek in the initial 36 hours of the exercise incorporated the features of the manoeuvrist approach and sought to optimise the brigade’s capacity to act, understand and adapt using intelligence, reconnaissance, com-bat support and combat service support.

“These capabilities underpin the potency and versatility of the multirole combat brigade and a number of these featured in the exercise for the first time,” Brig Caughey said.

“This included the use of artillery and mortar sensing radars and Shadow unmanned aerial systems.”

The exercise was the first deploy-ment of mortar-sensing radars by helicopter and the first deployment of RBS70 anti-aircraft weapons by heli-copter in several years.

The brigade was also equipped with civilian military cooperation teams led by Maj Douglas Perrers and US Army psychological operations experts led by Maj Fernando Montoya.

The integration of these assets helped the 3 Bde Information Dominance and Influence Team shape, strike and shield during the joint land combat phase.

The 3 Bde plan hinged on extraordi-nary secrecy and deception measures, with key personnel informed as required to ensure operational security was main-tained. This required a thorough under-standing of how to dislocate the enemy’s design for battle.

It was the first time dual night vision goggles were used by infantry in Australia on such a large scale.

The night vision provided an appre-ciable edge, according to the 1RAR sol-diers who fought through and secured Raspberry Creek at night.

The other government agency rep-resentatives attached to 3 Bde said they gained a lot from the experience.

AusAid short notice reaction team leader Lara Franzen said she gained a much greater insight and appreciation of what the Australian military faced when deployed on overseas operations.

Brig Caughey said the exercise pro-vided the brigade with knowledge in key areas that required ongoing improvement.

These improvements will be addressed over the coming months as 3 Bde finalises its preparations to receive the “ready” mantle and work with Forcomd and 6 Bde to plan the road to Ex Hamel 2014.

Brigade blitz breaks enemy

Cpl Max Bree

GETTING bogged during an advance probably saved the crew of an Abrams tank in a simulated fire fight at Shoalwater Bay on July 25.

Tpr Oliver Bill was driving through the training area during an armoured push when his Abrams ran into trouble.

“If we didn’t get bogged yes-terday; chances are we would be dead,” he said. “Everyone that kept pushing forward ended up dying.”

But it didn’t take long to get the 61-tonne tank free.

“If a tank gets bogged you know the ground’s not very good,” he said. “It was like quicksand we went into yesterday.”

Tpr Bill’s tank and 15 other Abrams are operating as part of a new organisation, in conjunction with cavalry to support 3 Bde during Ex Talisman Saber.

“They’ll send cavalry up to recon and if they need us to support, we’ll start pushing up and engage the enemy from there,” he said. “Cav are the quite ones and we go in guns blazing.

“It’s a good system, the Armoured Cavalry Regiment. We were at High Range about a month ago just testing it out; that went pretty well.”

The opposing force also had four Abrams fighting in Talisman Saber.

The Abrams and many of the troops on the exercise were equipped with a laser system that recorded hits by anything from rifle rounds to tank shells.

Tpr Simon Brack, an Abrams gunner, said the laser system pre-vented some contentious exercise umpiring decisions.

“It’s better than doing things the old way; this way you actually know who got the kill first,” he said. “In the past they would ‘kill’ us with an 84mm Carl Gustav, but in the real world an 84 can’t kill us. It’s only the heavy stuff that can now.”

The Abrams uses about 1900 litres of fuel in eight hours and 20 litres on start up, but the gas-turbine engine helps keep fuel use constant, according to Tpr Bill.

“It’s supposed to use the same amount of fuel no matter what you’re doing,” he said. “But we get refuelled pretty much every day or every day and a bit.”

There was plenty of power to keep the tank moving along.

“It gets pretty quick for how heavy it is and it’s got all that horsepower as well.”

Tpr Bill found driving around in a tank could attract a share of attention.

“People are pretty intrigued with us,” he said “They take a lot of photos.”

Cpl Max Bree

CHANCES are you won’t be getting into Shoalwater Bay without the Joint Movements Coordination Centre at Camp Growl knowing about it.

The team received cargo coming into the area and made sure what was on the paperwork was actu-ally in the truck, as well as tracking shipments going in and out.

Pte Angela Stokes and the team also controlled movement of personnel in and out of the training area.

“We’re helping coordinate the chaos,” she said. “Well, what probably would be chaos if there wasn’t somebody there to control it.

“We booked movements and booked flights for those returning before the end of the deployment.

“We also had some guys on the airfield doing freight as it was coming in on flights.”

After deploying to the MEAO last year, Pte Stokes was happy to get out on an exercise.

“It’s really good; you learn something new every day,” she said. “On deployment it’s all air. Road freight is one thing I’ve never done before.”

The movements cell employed two Air Force personnel, including an Air Force logistics officer as platoon commander.

“It’s different,” Pte Stokes said. “They know a lot about Air Force stuff and we have to work with the RAAF a lot so it’s good to have an insight.

“We think something could go on an aeroplane but it won’t, so it’s good to have a RAAFie to tell us it’s not going to happen.”

Pte Stokes was also learning to translate some of the RAAF “lingo” into her Army-speak.

“We’ll be talking about the same thing but we will have no idea,” she said. “Plus we speak in kilos and they speak in pounds.”

A US military mover was also in the cell with Pte Stokes at Camp Growl.

“They’re always happy to help us and we’re always happy to help them,” she said. “The way they track cargo is different to the way we track cargo; the way they track people is different to the way we track people.

“Ours is such a small Army compared to theirs; they are employed in such a niche. We can learn from their specialisations and experience.”

Pte Stokes recently finished a degree in International Relations and Chinese and is hoping to become an intelligence officer.

She was originally attracted to being an Army mover to get some time out of the office.

“It looked like the most exciting job out there for female reservists at the time,” she said. “I didn’t really want to be a clerk in an office job; I preferred one where I could get out more.

“I do like organisation and coordination and it just seemed like it was for me.”

Keeping the movements on schedule

Heavy armour puts up fight for control

Secure: Soldiers from 1RAR patrol through the town of Raspberry Creek after securing it within 36 hours of the exercise start. Photo by Cpl Max Bree

Liftoff: US Marines prepare to board Ospreys on the flightline at Samuel Hill Airfield. Photo by US Marine LCpl Matthew Bragg

Combat power: Crew commander Sgt Dean

Mosedale leads his Abrams during the exercise.

Photo by Cpl Bill Solomou

The crew: From left, Cpl Luke McLauchlan, Tprs

Grant Denahy, Josh Higgins and Adam Hamilton.

Photo by Cpl Jake Sims

Hitting the slopes: Soldiers from A Coy 2RAR secure a hillside at Shoalwater Bay. Photo by Cpl Max Bree

Move out: A truck transports M113 APCs from the Shoalwater Bay Training Area after the exercise. Photo by Cpl Jake Sims

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Cpl Max Bree

FOUR types of Army helicop-ters were beating the sky over Shoalwater Bay as part of Battle Group Pegasus during Exercise Talisman Saber 13.

Tigers, Black Hawks, Chinooks and MRH-90s helped 3 Bde with its manoeuvre and targeting opera-tions over the training area.

Battle Group Pegasus CO Lt-Col Dave Haufner said TS13 would help ensure the aviation ele-ments could effectively integrate with 3 Bde.

“We’ve participated in the reconnaissance battle, the targeting of the enemy, airmobile operations, re-supply and simulated casualty evacuation operations,” Lt-Col Haufner said.

He said some of new the chop-pers were also finding their place in the rest of the Army.

“We’re seeing the further inte-gration of the Tiger capability and its attack capabilities as well as the understanding and employment of the Tiger by the wider Army,” he said.

“We’re also seeing advances into service of the MRH-90, which will eventually replace the Black

RAINING down Hellfire missiles, rockets and 30mm rounds on Kamarian targets, the ARH Tigers of Battle Group Pegasus may have been a little too effec-tive on the battlefield at Shoalwater Bay.

Tiger pilot and troop commander Capt Phill James said Ex Talisman Saber 13 could have finished early if umpires had awarded all their hits on targets.

“If we went out and they gave us 100 per cent of the hits on targets we said we got, then the enemy would have been destroyed on July 25,” he said. “But it’s not fair if we go out and take eve-ryone off the map just because we have precision-guided weapons.

“It’s been accepted that most enemy targets that we have destroyed get resurrected anyway.”

The seven Tigers based at Williamson Airfield provided close air support and armed recon to 3 Bde in the field.

“Most of our day missions would be

quick reaction force,” Capt James said. “There are some deliberate missions by night.

“The Tiger is basically an intelli-gence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform and when targets of opportunity present, we can engage those targets.”

A troop of Tigers is made up of three aircraft with enough crew to fly four, Capt James said. But on missions, Tigers fly in pairs.

Capt James said the Tigers destroyed a range of targets, including motorised and mechanised defensive positions and the opposing aircraft.

“We found the enemy airfield and destroyed the enemy aircraft on the ground,” he said.

The Tigers sustained only minor “damage” from the opposing force.

Capt James said umpires reviewed the Tiger’s camera footage and decided if a kill should be awarded.

Rotors keep turning with round-the-clock supportCpl Max Bree

WITHOUT them, pilots are pedestrians and Hellfire missiles are relegated to an armoury or underground bunker.

The aircraft tradesmen from 1 Avn Regt worked round-the-clock to keep rotors turning on the Tiger helicopters at Williamson Airfield.

Cfn Byron Milne was one of the 40 tradesmen fine-tuning the Tigers.

“A Black Hawk is like the Land Rover of the fleet,” he said. “It can go for thousands of kilometres without needing an oil change.

“The Tiger is more like an F1 racing car in that it needs lots of stuff done to it after the race.”

But Cfn Hayden Bermicham

believed the main issue was getting his head around the French manuals that were translated into English.

“They’re pretty simple to work on,” he said.

“They designed it well, so it’s sim-ple, except for the ‘Frenglish’.”

Cfn Simon Jessep said two shifts of tradies were needed to cover the Tiger’s round-the-clock operations.

“All we do is work and sleep,” he said.

“We get up when it’s dark, we go to sleep when it’s dark.”

The tradies on Ex Talisman Saber 13 were governed by aircraft safety rules that dictated they must have at least 12 hours off after a 12-hour day, Cfn Jessep said.

Fine-tuning: Cfn Hayden Bermicham (left) and Cfn Rhys Johannessen take the cover off a Tiger helicopter for pre-flight servicing at Williamson Airfield. Photo by Cpl Max Bree

Army August 15, 2013TS13 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews6

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Hawk. We’re conducting some test and evaluation for some of the role equipment.”

About 500 personnel were part of Battle Group Pegasus to support the flying operations.

“Between its logistics support and its maintenance organisations, it can operate in an austere envi-

ronment without the reliance on any other infrastructure,” Lt-Col Haufner said.

“Talisman Saber 13 really allowed us to go out and test both our tactical ability along with our logistic planning and ensure we’re effective at integrating with our elements within Army.”

Many choppers make light work Battle Group Pegasus provides potent air power

Clean sweep for Tigers

All aboard: Aircrewman Sgt Daniel Carter conducts a safety brief for US Army personnel before a flight. Photo by Cpl Bill Solomou

Line up: Black Hawks and MRH-90s from Battle Group Pegasus on the flightline at Williamson Airfield. Photo by Cpl Bill Solomou

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Cpl Max Bree

AFTER landing at Sabina Point, 2RAR’s B Coy moved down the road and waited in ambush on the 10 Mile Gap Track into the Pyri Pyri sector.

The soldiers were in position to block the road and prevent an attack on the brigade’s eastern flank and rear.

After a few days in posi-tion, Kamarian forces moved out of Raspberry Vale and attacked B Coy’s position on July 26.

CO 2RAR Lt-Col Chris Smith said three platoons plus mortars were waiting for them on the high ground.

“The two dismounted platoons were sited on some very good terrain, primarily with anti-armour weapon systems focused into a killing ground on the track,” he said.

Blocks and ambushes Troops from 2RAR hold back enemy forces

“The track at that point comes very close to the high ground and it’s very narrow and difficult for anybody to get vehicles through.”

Mounted platoon was 3km for-ward in a standing patrol for early warning.

“It was there to perhaps destroy a couple of armoured vehicles before withdrawing back to the main position where the main fight would occur,” Lt-Col Smith said. “And in fact that is exactly what occurred with quite a successful result.”

Lt-Col Smith said the Kamarian force was smashed by B Coy’s anti-armour weapons as the enemy moved down the road.

“It’s quite restrictive and dif-ficult terrain for them to move through,” he said. “B Coy man-aged to destroy about 14 enemy armoured vehicles, kill about 30 enemy, take about 59 prisoners and force the remaining 17 vehi-cles and enemy to turn around and withdraw out of the 10 Mile Gap.

“They literally destroyed about a quarter of the enemy’s force and prevented the enemy from getting through and attacking into the rear of the brigade.”

After helping 1RAR clear the urban operations training facility, 2RAR’s A Coy was placed in an

anti-armour position on the main supply route (MSR).

“Up to this point, during the last 48 hours, the enemy had managed to get a number of armoured vehicles to conduct raiding and ambushing along the MSR,” Lt-Col Smith said. “So I had A Coy sitting there with about six 84mm anti-armour weap-on systems to provide some degree of protection along that route.”

Ex Talisman Saber 13 formed an important part of 2RAR’s first year of amphibious training.

“It’s the second time we’ve exercised with HMAS Choules,” he said. “We managed to get the force ashore within a 24-hour period using a maxi-float, which was the first time that apparatus from the ship has been used.

“We very rapidly moved down in good order into the blocking position.

“We’ve got a lot of very good training out of it and from the soldiers’ point or view it’s been quite successful.”

B Coy managed to destroy about 14 enemy armoured

vehicles, kill about 30 enemy,

take about 59 prisoners

and force the remaining 17 vehicles and

enemy to turn around ...

– Lt-Col Chris Smith,

CO 2RAR

A COY AMBUSHEDCpl Max Bree

AFTER helping 1RAR secure Raspberry Creek for a few days, the men from 2RAR’s A Coy received a nasty shock on their way back to company HQ.

Pte Anthony Hamilton was trav-elling in the convoy on the night of July 25.

“Most of last night was spent driving, but we got ambushed along the way by a couple of LAVs,” he said. “It was interesting though, it woke us up.”

The ASLAVs were acting as

Kamarian BMP 3s trying to harass Australian forces in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.

Capt Andrew Titcume, the acting OC A Coy, survived the ambush.

“My OC is ‘dead’ at the moment so technically I’m the man,” he said. “The enemy is conducting harassing actions against the bri-gade’s rear.

“They ambushed our convoy, we responded and fought them off, but we sustained some casualties.”

Apart from the OC, two of his sigs were lost, as well as the direct fire support weapons platoon.

MORTARS DROP INCpl Max Bree

TWO sections of mortarmen were in position to drop rounds down tubes from the time 2RAR arrived at Sabina Point on July 20.

Mortar section commander Cpl Brant Logan and his men were choppered off HMAS Choules and took up an indirect fire support position to defend the beach landing.

The mortarmen later moved into the Pyri Pyri sector, where they were called in to support the defence of 2RAR’s positions on July 24.

“We were firing on targets as they were coming up the road,” he said.

While fire missions were called in and elevation and bearing was dialled into the sights, the mor-tarmen dropped dummy rounds down practice tubes.

“We can fire on all the notional targets we want but whether they

get adjudicated, that’s the thing,” Cpl Logan said.

“With our fire missions they get called through high HQ with our grid and they’ll say ‘15m around, that’s dead’.”

The 81mm rounds can reach out to 5.8km, but Cpl Logan said they plan for a shorter distance.

“We get the commanders to plan for 5.3km and if commanders adjust or the enemy withdraws, we have got that 500m buffer,” he said.

Cpl Logan and his section were floating around on HMAS Choules as part of the Amfib Task Group and conducted Zodiac landings on islands near Shoalwater Bay before Ex Talisman Saber 13 started.

“Some of the guys love the ship and some of the guys not so much but the food is good,” he said.

“We get to do a lot of stuff like going in Zodiacs doing raids.”

Lookout: Pte Tyler Jones, of 2RAR, waits to ambush enemy forces moving along the main supply route in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Ex Talisman Saber 13. Photos by Cpl Bill Solomou

Dialled in: Mortarmen Ptes Lemeki Brooks-Seru and Kyle Ellis prepare for a fire mission.

Army August 15, 2013TS13 www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews8

Cpl Max Bree

HOVERCRAFT, Bushmasters and paratroopers arriving at Shoalwater Bay didn’t escape the attention of Kamarian special forces during the main Talisman Saber landings.

From concealed observation posts, reservists from the Recon Force Surveillance Unit (RFSU) in the enemy role radioed back details for tracking on their battle management system.

OC RFSU Sqn Maj Mark Woodhouse said his men near the Kapyong drop zone counted most of the 400 US paratroopers on their way in.

“They counted 350 parachutes in eight lines, which was pretty close to the total,” he said. “The activity they reported was pretty close to what happened.”

Recon soldiers from Norforce, Pilbara and 51FNQR arrived in position five days before the main landings on July 20.

They took-up positions watch-ing Sabina Point, the US landing at Freshwater Beach and Kapyong drop zone, but things weren’t all uneventful before the landings.

In what Maj Woodhouse believed was the first engagement of the exercise, 2RAR snipers

stumbled upon a concealed obser-vation post at Sabina Point before the main landing.

“They came into the position unexpectedly,” he said. “The snip-ers weren’t expecting them to be there.”

After counting parachutes and reporting back, a five-man surveil-lance patrol at the Kapyong drop zone was hunted down and pushed off the high ground by a company of US airborne troops.

“The company became aware that there was a patrol up there,” Maj Woodhouse said. “Our patrol heard the Americans coming, there was an engagement and the patrol withdrew.

“A five-man patrol is very hard to find. So the Americans needed that many men to find out where the patrol was.”

During their field time, the 76 RFSU soldiers used newly issued Harris radios and operated out-side their normal patrol areas in Northern Australia.

“We don’t normally, in our environment, get to see the big-ger Army; the tanks, the aircraft, the helicopters,” Maj Woodhouse said. “And we don’t normally put together a squadron-sized element in the field.”

Recon experts act as enemy

Bad guys: As soldiers from 7 Bde provided a mounted and armoured enemy force for Ex Talisman Saber 13, regional force surveillance unit personnel came together as a squadron-sized enemy special forces component. Photo by AB Lee-Anne Mack

Commandos take down urban operations facilityMany units assaulted, defended and patrolled the Shoalwater Bay urban operations training facility during Ex Talisman Saber 2013, but few could match the precision and ferocity of a daring joint night assault by Australian and US special forces personnel.

Infiltration: Black Hawks carrying Australian and

US special forces personnel come in to land at the Shoalwater Bay

urban operations training facility.

Photo by Sgt Mick Davis

Strike: Special forces personnel disembark on the main road running through the facility.Photo by Cpl Bill Solomou

High ground: Commandos move into an overwatch position during the raid.

Photo by Cpl Bill Solomou

Moving in: Troops advance on a target

building.Photo by AB Lee-Anne Mack