Image Gallery: June 2009
24 June 2009
Exercise Diamond Dollar
Brisbane's 7th Brigade (7 Bde) conducted its biggest exercise in more than a decade from June 1 to 28 2009 with around 2000 soldiers training in a range of combat environments at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Rockhampton.
Exercise Diamond Dollar, last conducted in the 1990's, is designed to hone soldier and officer combat skills. It involves urban operations, bridge demolition and infantry and cavalry manoeuvres.
"The Brigade is well into preparations for a range of possible operational environments. Diamond Dollar is a critical phase of those preparations" Chief of Staff 7 Bde, Lieutenant-Colonel Simon Hardy said.
In 2007, 7 Bde became a fulltime motorised brigade and expanded under the Chief of Army's Hardened and Networked Army (HNA) initiative. Further expansion under the Enhanced Land Force (ELF) initiatives has delivered more units, more personnel, and more equipment.
"Under HNA and ELF, 7 Bde has enhanced its capabilities. We will test these capabilities on Diamond Dollar" Lt-Col Hardy said.
Diamond Dollar will deliver considerable economic benefits to the Rockhampton area. Defence spending includes perishables, other goods, and services such as port-a-loo hire and fuel.
"We estimate that between $750,000 and one million dollars will be spent in the Rockhampton area on purchases from local suppliers" Lt-Col Hardy said.
Purchases include approximately half a million dollars spent on around 5,500 kg of fresh meat, 10,000 litres of milk, 8,000 kg of fresh fruit and veg, 3,600 kg of bread, 1,200 dozen eggs, 3,300 kg of potatoes, and other goods from the local suppliers.
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Corporal Dan Colquhoun (left) and Corporal Michael Groseumar (right) from 7th Combat Services Support Battalion (7CSSB) cook up a storm each day in the field kitchen at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Rockhampton.
(Date taken: 20 June 2009)
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Private Brad Fowles from 7th Combat Services Support Battalion (7CSSB) prepares for the next meal and chops up mushrooms in the field kitchen at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Rockhampton.
(Date taken: 20 June 2009)
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Electronic Techinicians from 106 Workshops, 7th Combat Services Support Battalion (7CSSB), Lance Corporal Chris Eslick (left) inspects a circuit board while Sergeant Chris Smith (right) checks the schematics on the computer inside the Medium Repair Facility (MRF) at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Rockhampton.
(Date taken: 20 June 2009)
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Recovery Mechanic, Craftsman Ross Henderson from 106 Workshop, 7th Combat Services Support Battalion (7CSSB) gets into his Mack truck to head out and recover a vehicle at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Rockhampton.
(Date taken: 20 June 2009)
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Corporal Paul Farrell from 139 Signals Squadron scrubs up and does his dirty laundry in a hand-driven washing machine at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) built by Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) from 7th Combat Services Support Battalion (7CSSB).
(Date taken: 20 June 2009)
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Signaler Brendan Keegan from 139 Signals Squadron maintains communications in the Commander 7 Brigade's Bushmaster Protect Mobility Vehicle (PMV) at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Rockhampton.
(Date taken: 21 June 2009)
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M2A1 Abrams Tank Operator Lance Corporal Dante Loquias from B Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Rockhampton.
(Date taken: 21 June 2009)
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1st Armoured Regiment provided a Firepower demonstration to 7 Brigade, showing off the ability of the M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT) at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Rockhampton.
(Date taken: 22 June 2009)
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1st Armoured Regiment provided a Firepower demonstration to 7 Brigade, showing off the ability of the M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT) at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Rockhampton.
(Date taken: 22 June 2009)
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