1 MP Coy - Townsville
“In Location, On Line”
“Living on the Edge”
2006 and the focus is very much on individual readiness, force preparation, mission rehearsal and actual operations. Exercises are cancelled due to lack of available manpower and resources. In the first 6 months of this year, 1 MP Coy found itself spread around the world supporting operations in such diverse places as Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, The Solomon Islands, East Timor and Malaysia, Germany and last but by no means least our ongoing support to Op Relex in Australia's northern waters.
Operational Overview
The primary role of 1 MP Coy is to provide military police and equipment on short ‘notice to move' in order to support military operations within the Australian strategic area of interest. This role encapsulates numerous contingency plans and scenarios.
The primary focus of the unit is ‘readiness'. This year alone has seen numerous members deployed on operations with only an hour or two notice. It has seen members return from one operation and within days redeploy on another operation. This is our bread and butter. Listed below are deployments that 1 MP Coy has supported in the past 12 months:
Op Anode. With the significant escalation of violence in Honiara in April 2006, 1 MP Coy provided support to a rapid deployment force sent to assist current RAMSI operations in the Solomon Islands. Of the three members sent to support this short duration task, one was sent on operations to Timor Leste within a week of RTA whilst another had only just RTA from Iraq and is presently preparing for Timor Leste. The third member was preparing for service in Iraq and deployed some four months later.
Operation Catalyst. 1 MP Coy has supported Op Catalyst in Iraq since its inception in 2003. This much sort after deployment can only be realised by personnel who have undertaken the Close Personal Protection (CPP) Course. Members are deployed as a member of the Security Detachment (SECDET) and are responsible for the security of Australian Diplomatic Staff in Iraq.
Operations in Iraq have recently expanded to include the Al Muthanna Task Group (AMTG) which includes a senior Military Police advisor for detention management issues as well as integral command support. 1 MP Coy presently support this role.
Op Slipper. Australian operations in Afghanistan have been ongoing since 2001. In mid 2005, a Special Forces Task Group deployed to Afghanistan to continue anti-terrorism operations. Members of 1 MP Bn have deployed on this task to assist the deployed elements in detention management operations. 1 MP Coy currently support this role.
On 8th May 2006 the Prime Minister announced the composition of Australia 's contribution to the Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Afghanistan. 1 MP Coy have been tasked to provide support to this activity.
Op Pakistan Assist. The ADF provided medical aid to earthquake victims in Pakistan from Oct 2005 to Mar 2006. This team included a section minus of MP from 1 MP Coy that provided security to the primary healthcare facility at Dahnni as well as many other tasks in support of the operation. Most members of this team have since deployed to Timor Leste.
Op Astute. The ADF presently provides a security force in Timor Leste at the invitation of the Timorese government to help restore law and order after a period of civil unrest. A large proportion of 1 MP Coy is currently deployed on Op Astute providing a detention management capability to the force. Additional members of the Company have recently deployed in a CPP role for the protection of Australian and local dignitaries.
Rifle Company Butterworth / Op Relex – Op Relex II – Op Resolute / Ex Longlook. Without placing less emphasis on these important roles, 1 MP Coy, at time of writing has personnel deployed on duty in the Germany, Malaysia and in our northern waters. These tasks have been standard for some time and will be ongoing for the foreseeable future, a task to which 1 MP Coy continues to provide invaluable expertise.
Conclusion
Life in 1 MP Coy is demanding. If you have joined the RACMP for rewards of job satisfaction, mateship and the opportunity to serve the nations interests overseas, 1 MP Coy is were you need to be. Those who have done their time, wear the badge with pride and will regale you with many a story of time spent in ONE.
