Tpr Ashley Rogers with wife Sonya and children Aaron, 1, and Sarah, 3, with him at High Range.

LCpl Chris Salter shows Branden Morris, 9, over an APC. Photo by Cpl Jason Weeding, 1JPAU(P)

By WO2 Wayne Preedy
MEMBERS of B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt recently had the chance to show their families and friends what they do during their many frequent periods away from home.

The unit held a family day in the MOUT facility at High Range near Townsville in conjunction with a memorial service for the Battle of Long Tan.

The family day enabled soldiers from the squadron to show their families how they live and work in the field with displays.

Family and friends had the opportunity to watch as the APCs entered the MOUT facility where they were resupplied by Replishment Tp with fuel, water, rations and spare parts.

LCpl Paul ‘Morrie’ Morris was busily pumping diesel while Sgt Jason Rogalewski-Slade provided cover with his .50 cal machine gun.

The personal hygiene display scraped the scum-on myth about crew members’ personal hygiene.

21 Sect Cdr Cpl Kent Sparke demonstrated different methods APC crews use to clean themselves.

These methods included bird baths – a very basic wash in a plastic wash basin, a bush shower using the shower bucket and the luxurious ramp bath.

The bath is constructed using the small access door on the ramp, jerry cans and a tarp.

The kids thought it was a great way to wash, although Tpr Howard Lincoln, who demonstrated the bathing technique said he would have liked some hot water as it was a chilly day by Townsville standards.

Eating and resting was displayed by 22 Sect, led by Cpl Stephen ‘Stewie’ Stewart. The jaffles – the staple diet of APC crews – was very popular.

The hammocks that crewmen sleep in the rear of the APCs sparked new ideas about camping in the bush to the children.

The men of 23 Sect, which is commanded by Cpl Shane ‘Kerro’ Keighran, carried out track maintenance and basic repairs.

The men from TST or ‘spanners’, as they are affectionately known within the squadron, displayed their technical prowess by carrying out an engine lift using the fitters variant of the M113 APC.

A mock-attack on the bank at the MOUT was carried out by members of 3 Tp mounted in APCs with dismounted troops from SHQ.

The families were quite surprised by the speed and aggression displayed by all involved.

The day then took on a more sombre atmosphere as Tpr Andrew Lawn provided a presentation on the Battle of Long Tan, which was fought on August 18, 1966, and marked with a memorial service.

The day ended with a mass firepower demonstration.

Some families accepted the invitation to spend the night with their fathers, husbands, brothers and friends, slept either in the APCs or in the buildings within the MOUT.

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