While the CATA is away

Pte Steve Love, C Coy, 1RAR, keeps a look out during 3 Bde’s Combined Arms Training Activity (CATA). Photo by Jason Weeding

By Capt Marianne Phillips

MORE than 3500 soldiers recently participated in the 3 Bde Combined Arms Training Activity (CATA) conducted at Townsville Field Training Area (TFTA).

The CATA involved a number of units exercising their elements simultaneously, allowing for units to support other units while, at the same time, conducting their own activities, hence the name CATA.

Commander 3 Bde Brig David Morrison said the CATA had been a feature of brigade training in the past decade but because of the high operational tempo that the brigade had sustained over that time, it had been difficult to conduct large activities.

“This year, with both a lower tempo and a focus on getting back to basics, the CATA has taken on a major role in the rehabilitation of capabilities within 3 Bde,” he said.

Across the six-week period, nearly every soldier from 3 Bde deployed and focussed on combined arms and services training.
The three objectives of the activity set by Brig Morrison were to practise all units of 3 Bde in aspects of combined arms, increase knowledge of command at all levels on capabilities resident in other corps and provide opportunities for combined arms training that would not be available on Ex Swift Eagle 2004.

This activity allowed for a focus on the essential elements required to maintain and satisfy government standards. The activity incorporated artillery, engineers, infantry, logistics, medical and support elements as well as the headquarter elements, thereby exercising and improving soldier skills.

“I’ve been delighted with the outcomes of the activity. The brigade has conducted regimental exercises for 1RAR, 2RAR, 3CER, 4 Fd Regt, 3CSSB and 3CSR. In addition, brigade headquaters conducted deployments as well as providing overall control to the activity,” he said.

“The CATA incorporated many new features and technologies. For example a new capability focused on expedient air points of entry to be used on airfields that might have been barred to us,

“It also included infantry live-fire activities utilising the new anti-materiel rifle in combination with night-vision equipment and infra-red lasers and the support elements included new heart-starters and transportable dental units.

“It takes a lot of work to set these activities up but the training value is immense when we do.

“Feedback that I have received from soldiers from all of the units has been very positive and they have appreciated the opportunity to learn or revisit the skills required for more conventional operations.”