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Old
Faithful returns home from AUSBATT 6
By
Pte John Wellfare
In a recent parade at Kapyong Lines at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney,
3RAR Bn Gp was welcomed home after their second tour in East Timor.
Plenty
of families and friends were on hand for the parade, attended by
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Dana Vale, former CGS
and former CO 3RAR Gen Sir Frank Hassett (Rtd) – who commanded
3RAR at the Battle of Maryang San in the Korean War – Commander
1 Div Maj-Gen Mark Evans and Commander 3 Bde Brig Mark Kelly.
The
soldiers of 3RAR Bn Gp deployed to East Timor as AUSBATT 6 in April
this year, taking over from 2 RAR Bn Gp.
Addressing
the soldiers before their departure, the-then CA Lt-Gen Peter Cosgrove
highlighted the outstanding success of the Peacekeeping effort in
East Timor and stressed the need to remain vigilant.
“Your
job is to produce that day after day, week after week, for the months
of your tour – to maintain the peace,” he said.
Gen
Cosgrove’s expectations were met, with the battalion group
handing a stable area of operations over to 5/7 RAR Bn Gp in October.
Mrs
Vale praised the soldiers of 3RAR Bn Gp, and described their work
as a stewardship role at the birth of a new nation.
“You
are not just soldiers,” she said.
“You
take your lineage directly from the Anzacs. You are Australian soldiers
and you are the pride of the nation.”
Towards
the end of the parade, the 3RAR soldiers removed their blue UN headdress
and donned the distinctive maroon beret, a symbol of airborne forces
worldwide.
The
change of headdress signified the conclusion of 3RAR’s service
with the UN as AUSBATT 6 and the return of the Parachute Battalion
Group.
During
the parade, Gen Hassett presented the Infantry Combat Badge (ICB)
to CO 3RAR Lt-Col Quentin Flowers.
Platoon
and company commanders then presented ICBs to their commands.
Tough
conditions endured in East Timor
Tough
conditions, including a lack of rain, ensured 3RAR Bn Gp had little
relief during its second rotation in East Timor, according to its
CO, Lt-Col Quentin Flowers.
Now
home after handing control of the AUSBATT to 5/7RAR Bn Gp, the soldiers
of Old Faithful are enjoying a well-earned break before returning
to duty next year for a another high-tempo 12 months of training
and exercises.
Many
members of the battalion group were veterans of the first tour during
INTERFET in 1999, returning to familiar places such as Moleana and
Bobonaro.
Lt-Col
Flowers said the battalion group had occupied the Sector West border
position AO Matilda from April 13, taking over from 2RAR Bn Gp.
Battalion
HQ, Spt Coy and some support elements had occupied the new barracks
facility at Moleana, purpose-built for the Australian troops.
Each
company had their own forward operating base positions.
Of
all the new positions that were occupied by the Battalion Group
only the headquarter position located at Moleana, and one other
were purpose built by Australians.
He
said 3RAR Bn Gp’s role was to maintain peace and security,
ensuring a stable environment so the citizens of East Timor could
rebuild the newly independent state.
“The
battalion group’s main focus was to complete intensive patrolling
– traditionally the men are quite good at what they do,”
he said.
“Patrols
had been carried out on a daily basis with up to two-thirds of 3RAR
conducting these activities on a rotational basis, during patrols
members would conduct static defence by manning vehicle check points
and key facilities when required.”
The
men had had little relief as limited rain was experienced during
the deployment so conditions were tough.
But
there were some highlights, especially when East Timor became an
independent nation.
After
arriving back in Australia, 3RAR Bn Gp led the UN Parade in Sydney
on November 8.
Lt-Col
Flowers said the battalion’s main focus after returning from
Christmas leave would be to prepare for its primary role as part
of 3 Bde.
“The
unit will look at individual soldier training through to battalion
operations, which will include high-tempo lead-up training, insertions
and live-fire exercises at Shoalwater Bay and High Range Training
Area.”
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