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Members
of 1 Cdo Regt operate Zodiacs on Lake Burley Griffin during
a training exercise in the national capital, focussing on
the unit's new RRF responsibilities.
Photo by Pte John Wellfare, Army newspaper
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Capital
response
By
Pte John Wellfare
COMMANDOS from 1 Cdo Regt hit Canberra recently to train for their
new role as part of the Reserve Response Force (RRF).
Comprising
everything from low-risk cordons and searching to counter-terrorist
operations, the week-long Exercise Strike Shield aimed to practice
commandos in skills they may need to employ if deployed to assist
civil authorities during a security emergency.
CO
1 Cdo Regt Lt-Col Anthony John said the unit was part of a broader
range of military capabilities available to the civil power.
"We
would expect the regular Army to be used first," he said.
"What
we are is the Commando Reserve Response Force ... a backup to the
regular units in terms of domestic security operations."
Lt-Col
John said 1 Cdo Regt's commitment to the RRF did not detract from
the unit's primary role.
"Our
major role is and remains commando war-fighting, in which we back
up our regular units with the commando capability.
"We
started off [Ex Strike Shield] unarmed, in low-level scenarios with
compliant detainees.
"By
the end of the week we'll have non-compliant detainees, hard-core
terrorists, we will be fully armed ourselves, with rules of engagement
and orders for opening fire."
Lt-Col
John praised the soldiers of 1 Cdo Regt for their dedication to
the part-time commitment.
"They
are twice a citizen; they serve, both in their civic responsibilities
as shopkeepers, government workers, policemen, in all walks of life
and they also spend their own time, where others might be doing
more leisurely activities, in the service of their nation."
Pte
Kris Iskov, 1 Cdo Coy, said the unit offered an experience completely
separate from any nine-to-five job.
"It's
pretty challenging and exciting, you have to think on your feet,
make decisions very quickly, but in the end you get a lot of satisfaction
from it," he said.
He
said working in public environments during Ex Strike Shield was
more than just good training and public relations.
"I
think [Ex Strike Shield] ultimately says to the Australian public
that 1 Cdo Regt is ready to be there to assist in a time of crisis."
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