Soldiers from 5/7RAR engage in a live-fire practice at the Mt Bundy Training Area. Photos by Cpl Neil Ruskin, 5/7RAR.

Soldiers from 5/7RAR returned to war-fighting basics recently with a mortar course and live fire in the Northern Territory's Mt Bundy Training Area, following a year of lead-up training and deployment on peacekeeping operations in East Timor.

Twenty-five soldiers and officers from 5/7RAR, and a lone rep from 6RAR, spent four weeks on the Basic Mortar Course, learning how to operate the battalion's 81mm mortar, while others already qualified on the mortar were qualified on the Army's latest Denel mortar ammunition.

The Basic Mortar Course was part of 5/7RAR's renewed focus on its manoeuvre warfare capability after returning from its second deployment to East Timor, this time as part of Op Citadel, at the end of May.

Mortar Pl Commander 5/7RAR, Capt Charlie Di Santo praised the efforts of students on the course, all of whom passed.

"The overall standard was very high, with only a few points separating the top five positions," he said.

Students on the course said some of biggest challenges included the fire planning lessons and battling the heat at Mount Bundy.

The course was the first time 5/7RAR used the new Denel ammunition, which has several advantages over the old ammunition, including extended range and lethality.

The mortar course also provided an opportunity for the senior soldiers and junior NCOs within the Battalion to conduct All-Arms Call for Fire.

Capt Di Santo said the course was the latest successful activity for Mortar Pl in an extremely busy year.

"Mortar Pl had a security role in East Timor, although it did conduct exercise live firing while deployed. Still, specialist skills like ours require constant practice, and we haven't always had the chance to practice our skills this year," he said.

"This means that we've taken every opportunity to practice infantry core skills while maintaining our mortar capability by supporting other units. For example, Sgt Dennis Dukarich and Sgt Andrew Thompson deployed to Townsville to assist 4RAR(Cdo) with their mortar shoot as part of Croc03.

"In October, the platoon participated in simulation training with the Combined Arms Battle Wing, to develop a virtual reality training system.

"In November and December, the platoon will provide the offensive support for the Officer/NCO Mortar course and will then join the rest of the Battalion for the Presentation of New Colours Parade in early December.

"The varied experiences, professionalism, hard work and continuous training conducted by Mortar Pl this year means it's well-placed to capitalise on its mortar role next year, when the battalion assumes command of 1 Bde's Battle Group Tiger."

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