13 MP Pl - Townsville

“Short Notice to Move”

The year for the Platoon ended as it started, flat stick. The start of the year saw a lot of members posted out, courses, Op Relex and conducting operations in Iraq and Pakistan.

The first hit out for the year was in March with Exercise First Rock/ Harden Up which was conducted at Mount Stuart training area. This exercise was to concentrate on basic MP skills with 9mm, F88 and F89 range.

The Platoon has also supported and facilitated PPC training for the Infantry and deploying TSE elements. It was at about this time that things went pear shaped. The trouble in the Solomon Islands saw the deployment of some of our members to the troubled land to assist the AFP in restoring the peace. The Platoon also supplied members for the Company Team for the BOOTS competition. Numbers were short due to personnel deployed or on course.

Once the Solomons had settled down another little hot spot to our north decided that it was their turn to grab the world stage by causing havoc. Again members from the Platoon ramped up with the Ready Battalion Group MPST deploying with the 3 RAR Battalion Group. Due to the short notice deployment this left the remainder of the platoon to continue with Garrison Policing tasks. This operation has continued to draw down personnel from 13 MP Pl with additional personnel deployed as reinforcements.

August saw the departure of the SM as he prepared for his deployment on OP Slipper and the arrival of the new SM from AMTG and into the chair as PLSM. COther members commenced their MRT as they prepared to deploy with 3 RAR Secdet10. We were again down in numbers so much that you could of thrown a hand grenade in the building and hit no one due to members deploying. We were relieved with the march in of 6 personnel from the Service Police Basic Course that significantly lightens the load.

Overall, it has been a very busy year for the Phantoms with the platoon remaining focused on effective training and supporting 3 Bde in order to best prepare personnel for the challenges that will lay ahead in 2007.

Photo Gallery

13 MP Pl members undergoing HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training)

a 13 MP Pl member is promoted to CPL by the Prime Minister - John Howard