| eyes
and ears |
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of
the |
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north |
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Island
warriors
The island warriors
of Cape York and the Torres Strait are as rugged as the terrain
they patrol
By
Cpl Belinda Mepham
THE patrols sit together in circles on the ground and talk in
native dialect about who-knows-what giving a rugged and real impression
of the work they do at 51FNQR.
This
month, after a lot of planning, the unit formed up in Townsville
for a week of weapons, surveillance equipment and patrol procedures
practise and qualifying.
Simply
qualifying and having time on the range as a unit is a geographical
near- impossibility for 51FNQR.
CO
51FNQR Lt-Col Paddy Hallinan said the battalion had brought together
members from BHQ, Admin and Training Coy in Cairns with most of
the patrols from the four surveillance companies at Weipa, Thursday
Island, and Mt Isa.
“Many
of our GRes members are drawn from the Aboriginal and Torres Straight
Islander communities as well as a range of other locals in the
far north and gulf region, giving the battalion its unique character
and great strengths,” he said.
“There
are 500 personnel in the battalion. Seventy of those are ARA members
and we rely on them to conduct up-to-date training, they are critical
for conducting the cradle-to-grave element of the training.”
Lt-Col
Hallinan said it was common for the part-time soldiers to spend
their entire Army career in 51FNQR, conducting all courses and
patrols in their local and neighbouring areas.
Specialist
six-man patrols are the core of the battalion’s operations.
“Our
main capability lies in its patrols, which in just about all cases
are manned by highly trained and motivated GRes soldiers,”
he said.
“Each
member is cross-trained in a number of specialities including
command, communications, surveillance, reconnaissance, combat
medical, combat vehicle and small craft tactical operations.”
“The
patrols are all highly mobile and interoperable, trained to operate
in a combined and joint environment with RAN, RAAF assets and
other Army components.”
Each
patrol is also capable of self-deploying by tactical vehicle and
small craft.
Riding
in fully modified RFSVs, GS Land Rover 110, the patrols are equipped
with the latest surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities available
in the ADF.
At
Mt Stuart and High Range Training Areas near Townsville, the battalion
trained in the use of some of the newest additions to the patrol’s
equipment.
Lt-Col
Hallinan said a bullring of activities gave each company an opportunity
to monitor the training on laser range-finding equipment, GPS,
the early warning device, Classic.
There
were also lessons on the technical nature of some specialist optical
equipment.
“Already
each patrol are equipped with image capturing equipment, Ninox,
communications data transfer – these are the latest surveillance
and reconnaissance devices.
“To
be effective in the AR we must all be trained and practised to
a high standard. This week in Townsville will bring everybody
to the same standard and give us a benchmark for future training.”
51FNQR
achieves its mission through a consistent schedule of training
and courses.
Lt-Col
Hallinan said the real time role of the battalion was what made
service in 51FNQR so challenging and rewarding for both ARA and
GRes members.
“Ask
any member of 51FNQR and they will probably tell you they are
the eyes and ears of the north.”
On
November 9, 2002, 51FNQR has invited all past members of the battalion
to return to Cairns for a ‘Bolds and Olds’ Day.
The
day is designed to inform, entertain, and update members on 51FNQR’s
capabilities and role.
