Edition 1204, December 11, 2008 - Department of Defence

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16 TRAINING Reputation & Results Our national military compensation team provides specialist advice on military compensation claims. Free call ✆1800 339 148 www.slatergordon.com.au Army December 11, 2008 Tanked in the USA Home on the range: An Abrams tank partipicating in an exercise on a Californian range. By Cpl Adam Lea FORTY-FIVE Australian soldiers from 1 Armd Regt travelled to the United States and experienced the only thing in nature that can stop an Abrams tank in its tracks. The range in the Californian desert was the highlight of the exercise for most of the Australians but the desert revealed a secret weapon that had major strategic implications – the desert tortoise. Troop Leader Lt Brendan Thomas said he couldn’t believe it when they received the briefing. “When we came across a tortoise we had to stop, call it in, then wait for it pass by,” Lt Thomas said. “It’s a real tank stopper.” The visit was part of Exercise Gold Eagle, a reciprocal com- pany group exchange between the Australian Army and US Marine Corps. The exercise tested the tank crews and other trades including heavy rig drivers, mechanics, clerks, medics and recovery crews in the unfamiliar conditions of both nations. The soldiers from 1 Armd Regt were based in California to train with the marines at their state-ofthe-art training area. The urban environment training facility allowed infantry and mobility units to cooperate and engage multiple targets in a real-time live-fire exercise. SSM WO2 Dale Wallace said it provided a great, unique, live-fire opportunity in an urban environment. “We got to trial kit we are looking at getting back in Australia, including the Tank Urban Survival Kit (TUSK),” WO2 Wallace said. A month earlier, 50 marines from 1 Tank Bn, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force were on exercise at Mt Bundy in the Northern Territory with 1 Armd Regt. The Americans passed on their expertise in armoured operations and demonstrated their skills and combat experience gained from operations in Iraq to their Australian peers. Troop Leader Lt Mackay Gair said it took a little while for the Americans to adapt to driving around trees. “While the operating conditions were different, it was great to combine aspects of tank mobility and combined arms to improve both individual and troop level operations,” Lt Gair said. Gunners target audience By Maj Antoni Furman THE gunners of 7 and 23 Fd Regts experienced extreme weather conditions at Singleton during their final artillery live-fire exercise for 2008 held on November 14-16. In blustery conditions, the two artillery regiments battled the elements to achieve artillery tactical deployment and technical training objectives. The exercise objectives were to reinforce artillery trade training and exercise HRR Joint Offensive Support Team (JOST) capability. Friendly rivalry between the two units reinvigorated a competitive spirit on the gun-lines and unit pride was at stake for detachments conducting their drills better and faster than their competitors. Bdr James Lunan, 7 Fd Regt, said the exercise was an opportunity to do something they didn’t usually do – having two call-signs on the ground. The gun-lines conducted 24-hour operations, responding to calls for fire in between direct and deliberate deployments. The exercise paused for a few hours with unit RAA associations and cadet units visiting the regiments in the field to witness a demonstration of the guns deploying into action. Seventy-five members from AACC were given opportunities to see the regiments participate in a live fire of their 105mm Hamel guns. Most of the cadets had not seen the artillery operate before, making the experience of all the regiment’s guns operating in unison special. The cadets were also shown the other end of the operations and the roles undertaken by the forward Look see: The guns conduct a fire mission. Cadets at the range in Singleton (inset). Photos by Sgt Jon Lowe and Andy Kerr observers. The cadets were surprised at the complexity involved in the roles of the forward observers, and were told about the importance of their role in the broader spectrum of the defence force and integration with other corps and services. Seventeen potential recruiting candidates also attended as part of a ‘try-before-you-sign’ initiative. www.darcyssolicitors.com.au NEW SOUTH WALES • QUEENSLAND • VICTORIA • SOUTH AUSTRALIA • WESTERN AUSTRALIA • AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Army December 11, 2008 Wet and wild: Pte Amini Soko, 6RAR, trudges through the water obstacle. Under wire: LCpl Sean Gerrity, 6RAR, shows the strain in the final stages. Military might By WO2 Graham McBean JUST 10 points separated first and second place in a cliff-hanger 2008 7 Bde military skills competition at Canungra on November 12-13. 6RAR held out 2/14 LHR (QMI), accumulating 716 points over the 38hour competition narrowly holding off a cavalry assault in the last river crossing of the confidence course challenge. Soldiers from 7CSSB revelled in the rain-soaked Canungra environment to take third place with 684 points. 8/9RAR finished first in the Military Skills Shooting Trophy held as part of the competition – with 7CSSB placing second and 6RAR in third position. 6RAR section commander Cpl Marcus Randall said the section was confident. “Everyone knew they had put in 100 per cent, so winning is a good reward,” Cpl Randall said. “We were confident in all the guys’ abilities and knew we had smashed most of the stands. We just had to wait and see how the other sections went.” Ten stands were contested during the 38 hours with the competition culminating in the newly reconstructed LWC confidence course. Stands represented a cross section of all-corps skills and knowledge from weapon tests and rules of engagement to first aid and field firing. RSM 7 Bde WO1 Joe McIvor said the competition was closely contested and, importantly, that the level of allcorps military skills in the brigade was high. “The competition did highlight TRAINING 17 PLACINGS � First – 6RAR, 716 points � Second – 2/14 LHR (QMI), 706 points � Third – 7CSSB, 684 points Learning the ropes: Pte Scott Walker and Pte Clancy Townsend, 6RAR, tackle the ropes. Photos by WO2 Graham McBean strengths and weaknesses, but overall the competition was very successful,” WO1 McIvor said. “The knowledge level within the sections is generally very good and regardless of the situation they were put in, they worked through the problems and always came up with workable solutions.”
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Page 3 and 4: Army December 11, 2008 Storm ruins
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Page 11 and 12: Use your Defence Home Ownership Ass
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Page 19 and 20: 20 LETTERS PERSONNEL who have been,
Page 21 and 22: 22 FEATURES Sourcing superior accom
Page 23 and 24: 24 PERSONNEL Reserve training chang
Page 25 and 26: 26 PERSONNEL Ready for take off: Tp
Page 27 and 28: 28 PEOPLE Old mates: International
Page 29 and 30: my December 11, 2008 AMES Visceral
Page 31 and 32: my December 11, 2008 HEALTH Overind
Page 33 and 34: Army December 11, 2008 34 SPORT Hoo
Page 35: GAME OVER December 11, 2008 Strong

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