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The Importance of Constabulary Operations
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NCAGS became operational for the first time in many years during the
1999 East Timor Crisis (Operation WARDEN). NCAGS officers were
continually rostered through HQNORCOM for the period September 1999
until February 2000 when OP WARDEN ended. 17
NCAGS officers have an excellent track record when it comes to contributing to
operational and exercise planning, none more so than Exercise TALISMAN SABRE
(formerly Exercise TANDEM THRUST) and Exercise BELL BUOY.
It is important that joint exercises, such as those mentioned above, involving both
merchant and RAN personnel continue, particularly in the areas of communications
and security. Furthermore, because of the wealth of experience and knowledge of the
maritime and merchant shipping industry, NCAGS officers are in an ideal position
to provide advice on matters pertaining to the security of our ports and associated
infrastructure, thus filling a major void when it comes to protecting ships and vessels
from any terrorist attacks.
Tinkers, Tankers, Containers, Ports ‘o’ Call and Terrorist Bomb-
Makers
We live in an ever-changing world where globalisation knows no boundaries. When
on the Internet, the tyranny of distance has no meaning, planes fly faster to overseas
destinations, and ships move more goods more quickly from one country to another.
It is easy nowadays to move goods and people quickly and efficiently, and with the
help of the right mode of transport and technology, movement can be achieved either
legally or by stealth.
The means of transporting and complementing terrorists’ tools of trade such as bombs
and other explosives devices, by way of hijacking modern-day shipping vessels, is
unlimited.
Detecting, let alone combating and destroying, the terrorist threat with minimum
damage to human life and minimal destruction of property, will take a concerted effort
by members of the maritime fraternity as well as the ADF, the AFP, counter-terrorist
organisations and alike.
The Olympic Games in Sydney was a classic example of how the RAN together with
other members of the ADF, SAS, and federal agencies, such as the AFP, played a
pivotal role in providing security in a domestic role in support against terrorists or
other asymmetric threats. This support included divers, communications (command
and control) and response to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks.