Soldiers from 105 Fd Bty man a Howitzer during Croc 03, in which the battery provided indirect fire support as part of the enemy force. Photo provided by 1 Fd Regt

OPFOR support
1 Fd Regt performed with distinction on Croc 03



By Capt Rob Tierney and Lt Aaron Smith
105 FD BTY, 1 Fd Rgt, has performed with distinction during the recent Exercise Crocodile 2003 (Ex Croc 03).

The only RAA unit assigned to the Opposing Force (OPPFOR), it was credited with halting BLUEFOR's advance on several occasions, causing delay and forcing it to modify its courses of action.

OPFOR are an essential element of any major exercise. Without them BLUEFOR would get only limited participation value.

For Croc 03, OPFOR manoeuvre elements comprised 2 Cav Regt, elements of 9RQR mounted in 2/14 LHR(QMI) APCs, and Fox Company, 3 Marine Expeditionary Battalion, USMC. They were supported by 103 Mdm Bty's Command, Liaison and Observation Group (CLOG), Rapier detachments from 110 AD Bty and the Gun-line from 105 Fd Bty, 1 Fd Regt.

105 Fd Bty deployed to the Shoal Water Bay Training Area where it was assigned in support of 103 Mdm Bty CLOG attached to a highly mobile combined arms battle group.

This was different from its usual role of supporting a motorised infantry battalion. The battery did not know what Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) were planned and had to adapt quickly to work with this high- tempo organisation.

For the exercise, the battery was notionally fielding Norinco 155mm self-propelled guns. This meant that the battery was capable of engaging targets at 39km, as opposed to the 105mm towed gun's range of 11km. The greater range and air defence coverage provided by 110 AD Bty, definitely enhanced 105 Fd Bty's ability to survive.

105 Fd Bty was the only supporting battery for OPFOR. In the finest exercise traditions, BLUEFOR had five times the artillery capability, weapon locating radar and fighter and strike aircraft from the RAAF, all ready to pounce. This capability constrained the OPFOR Commander to selective engagement of BLUEFOR targets by 105 Fd Bty.

The wide range of threats led to changes in 105 Fd Bty's TTP. Selective use of cam nets, guns selectively engaging targets and fast redeployments after firing were some.

A very effective tactic was the use of a well-prepared dummy gun position.

Flexibility in TTP became the dominating principle of war during CROC 03.

But the final outcome was inevitable. The battery was destroyed along with other high value targets such as the OPFOR tank reserve, thereby clearing the way for BLUEFOR's ultimate victory.