Capt Andrew Clark sets a smoke grenade to detonate via remote control. Photo by Cpl Jason Weeding, 1JPAU(P)

From Cpl Alisha Carr in Bougainville
PEOPLE who thought ammunition technicians (AT) were a dying breed should think again – this is the message from three soldiers serving with the Peace Monitoring Group (PMG) on Op Bel Isi.

Sgt Anthony Gilchrist, who recently joined the PMG, said as an AT in Bougainville his main role was to assist with the weapons disposal program.

“My main task is to accompany the patrols to aid in weapon identification as well as destroy or render safe any ammunition or explosives that are handed in as part of the weapons surrender,” he said.

“A lot of people don’t actually understand who we are or what we do – we belong to RAAOC and explosive ordnance disposal is the main part of the trade.

“An AT course runs for about nine months and they are held biannually.”

Sgt Gilchrist said the trade was not imploding.

“We are expanding and the trade is now focused towards Land Command – there are a number of good job opportunities.

“The Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal is set to undertake a review of the pay level for ATs in the near future. Currently we are on pay group five but they are looking at increasing this.”

Capt Andrew Clark, who is posted to the Army Aviation Centre at Oakey but is serving with the PMG, said his role was to provide advice to the Commander on what should be done with explosives found by patrols.

“As the weapons disposal information officer I manage the Commander’s database, which lists what weapons have been contained,” he said.

“I also keep him updated on all the statistics and how the PMG is progressing with the weapons containment program.”

He said one of the most rewarding experiences he has had while on Op Bel Isi was when he helped remove a number of weapons from a village.

“We headed up to the village after a patrol returned saying a local had been injured by a weapon.

“It turned out the man had blown off one of his fingers while teaching his daughter how to use a weapon. Needless to say he had no hesitation in handing in all of his weapons and this turned out to one of our most successful containments.”

Sgt Garry Fletcher, Op Bel Isi’s outgoing AT returning soon to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Control Centre at JALO Holsworthy, said throughout his deployment he was responsible for the containment of explosives and weapons.

“We have also been destroying all of the WW2 explosive ordnance found on the island in addition to the explosives handed in while patrolling,” he said.

“ATs back in Australia work with the public helping in the disposal of weapons such as home-made bombs.

“While we’re on operation, we do everything the engineers do when it comes to weapons disposal – this is why people get the trades confused.”

He said the feeling of reducing the number of weapons in villages was excellent.

“If you walk into a village and the locals hand you a pile of home-made weapons for you to take away, they hold a ceremony and put on a good feed – basically treat you like kings.

“It really emphasises the importance of the job the PMG is doing over here - it makes it all worth it.”

In 2003 a course will be run – for further information on how to become an AT contact WO1 Peter O’Connell on (02) 6055 4646.

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