By Capt Paul Stanton
6RAR was put through its paces recently, undertaking a 35km route march and river crossing during Exercise Long Strike in the Wide Bay Training Area.

Deploying to the fictitious island of Taliba, the soldiers followed up their arduous approach by launching a battalion attack against a Musorian-held airfield.

The 6RAR Pnr Pl conducted the crossing in very cold conditions, after which the battalion paused for a hot brew and steak sandwich before continuing the march with an additional load of mortar and DFSW ammunition.

The enemy, provided by 2AFDS, had sited their main defensive position in the vicinity of the Taliba airfield using heavily-fortified bunkers, while a second platoon-sized position provided good fields of fire from the north-west.

Thanks to the cunning and stealth of the 6RAR Recon Pl, the Australians were undetected during the occupation of the FUP and the successful attack- supported by direct and indirect fire and snipers-was launched just after first light.

Exercise Long Strike gave many 6RAR soldiers their first taste of battalion attacks and reflected the unit's current focus on mid-intensity operations.

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