Annual Report 2004-05

Outcome Three: Army Capabilities

Capability Performance Information

Output 3.3 Capability for Light Combined Arms Operations

The light combined arms operations capability contributes to the strategic tasks of supporting wider interests, securing our immediate neighbourhood, defending Australia and supporting peacetime national tasks. The capability for light combined arms operations is achieved by providing light, air-mobile forces available for immediate deployment and is supported by components drawn from aviation, fire support and logistic units. It uses strategic, operational and tactical mobility to exploit its flexibility, adaptability and utility across the spectrum of conflict. The capability achieves this through surprise, rapid action and the ability to seize and hold ground.

The light combined arms operations capability provides forces at high readiness. These forces can be deployed in combined arms teams from company to battalion size. These combined arms teams are drawn from an armoured sub-unit, light infantry units, light artillery, combat engineers and combat support units and can also be supported by armoured and aviation units from other Army, Navy, and Air Force outputs. This capability is based on the 3^rd Brigade in Townsville, Queensland.

	Performance Targets	Performance
	Achieve levels of preparedness directed by the Chief of the Defence Force for military response options with a warning time of less than 12 months, including the provision of a battalion-sized group within 90 days readiness.	Achieved. The light combined arms operations capability met the levels of preparedness for all military response options. It provided force elements for the Baghdad Security Detachment and operations in the Solomon Islands. The capability also provided personnel, as the transit security element, to border protection operations in the apprehension of illegal immigrants.
	Achieve a level of training that maintains core skills and professional standards across all warfare areas.	Substantially Achieved. Most training requirements were met. Some airborne and amphibious training was restricted due to reduced availability of joint assets as a result of operational commitments in Iraq, the Solomon Islands, and relief efforts in Sumatra.
	3rd Brigade, comprising: - a brigade headquarters; - an armoured personnel carrier squadron; - a field artillery regiment; - a combat engineer regiment; - a command support regiment; - three infantry battalions; and - a combat service support battalion.	This target was achieved. Personnel and equipment availability for units in this output were sufficient to meet preparedness requirements.