Members of 4RAR(Cdo) embark in Sydney for the Middle East as part of Operation Bastille. Photo by Pte Ben Peardon, 4RAR(Cdo)

Task force steps up to the line

By Cpl Sean Burton
Land Command Reporter
FINAL elements of the 500-strong Special Forces Task Group were farewelled during a ceremony at Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney, as they prepared to deploy as part of Operation Bastille.

The 4RAR(Cdo) Quick Reaction Support Force, a nuclear and chemical defence detachment from IRR and a combat service support troop from the LSF will be part of the 2000 ADF personnel pre-deployed to the Middle East.

Defence Minister Robert Hill, Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Dana Vale, Opposition Defence spokesman Chris Evans, CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove and CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy spoke to the departing soldiers, their families and friends at the ceremony.

Defence Minister Robert Hill told departing troops they would join the international military force backing diplomatic efforts to disarm Saddam Hussein.

“The Australian Government has decided that we need to be part of this unfinished business,” he said.

“Our pre-deployment is, in part, to give Saddam Hussein this last message that we want this issue to be peacefully resolved.

It is also to ensure the ADF is well prepared in the event of military action.”

CDF told the families their service personnel were up to the job and that they stood in the front rank with any soldiers in the world.

The sentiment was echoed by the CA who told the families and friends of the departing service personnel that they were in good company.

“These people are strong and powerful and part of a powerful group,” he said.

CO 4RAR(Cdo) Lt-Col Greg De Somer said he was proud of his unit’s hard work to meet the operational requirements and convinced that they were well prepared for the task in hand.

“I’m very confident of their abilities, they have been well resourced by Government and Defence and we have been a priority for personnel and equipment,” he said.

“We have left behind about 550 people in the unit who are supporting them but also maintaining homeland security and other tasks this unit has responsibility for.”

He said that the welfare of families has been integral in the deployment planning and he was pleased with the feedback he had received, which was reflected with the almost festive feel to the ceremony.

“The families are administratively well prepared because DHA, DCO and the other agencies have been supporting us, which has been great.”

The soldiers themselves were prepared and understandably keen to get on with the task in hand.

Section Commander Sgt Matthew (surname withheld) said the lead-up training had been intense and comprehensive but there was still more to do in-country, such as interoperability training with the coalition forces.

Another Section Commander, Sgt Henry (surname withheld) said it was great to have the support of the general public but there would always be someone who wouldn’t agree with the alternatives once diplomacy had broken down.

“We have a job to do and we’ll reap the consequences when we come back, whatever they are,” he said.

“The boys are very keen to prove to the Army community what 4RAR(Cdo) is about.

“We’ve worked hard and we are going to do a good job.”

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