Testing the air

A paratrooper from Recon Pl, 3RAR, descends into Exercise Arnhem 04. Photos by Cpl Darren Hilder, 1JPAU

Pte Martin Church, Sniper cell, 3RAR, prepares for action on Drop Zone Docha after safely landing at the start of Exercise Arnhem 04.

By Lt Delizia Costa

Exercise Arnhem 04
(MPEG video 3.56 MB)

The ADF’s long-range parachute capability has been successfully tested again by 3RAR and the RAAF Air Lift Group on Exercise Arnhem 04.

XO 3RAR Maj Paul Prickett said the exercise had been a huge success and demonstrated how progressive the ADF was in its training.

It had showcased the ability of 3RAR, the RAAF and supporting units to deploy the Parachute Company Group (PCG).

“It is an example of joint cooperation and the efficient coordination of strategic and offensive capabilities,” he said.

“It includes the parachute air assault of an infantry company group and culminates in a coordinated live-fire attack using live ammunition and explosives within the Singleton Range training area.”

More than 200 Defence personnel took part in the exercise, which ran between May 18 and May 25 at Holsworthy Barracks, RAAF Richmond and Singleton Range in the Hunter Valley, NSW.

As the paratroopers jumped from the C130s, the sight of a company-sized group breaking up a clear blue sky at sunrise was hard to beat.

“Kevlar helmets on!” said the platoon commander from C Coy. Observing from the ground meant that on the horizon, aircraft was approaching and equipment and troops were about to fall from the sky.

Each soldier looked up and their gaze was fixed on the horizon anticipating the show of parachutes speckled across the sky.

Pte Lucio Da Rocha, 1 Sect, C Coy, 3RAR, who watched the paratroopers descend, said the best part of being a paratrooper was the thrill of being free.

RAAF aircraft conducted one low-level parachute drop every day until May 21. This included the preliminary insertion of ground reconnaissance forces, and offensive fire-support coordinators.

These were followed over subsequent days by the main ground assault force with its command and control, fire support, and immediate combat supply stores and equipment.

Dispatchers from 176 AD Sqn then inspected the equipment dropped to assess the success of the landings.

On another drop zone, paratroopers were conducting their landing drills of “bend, force, swing” trying to achieve as soft a landing as possible.

After the stores and personnel had been dispatched, the grand finale of the air capability show ended with a loud roar as an F-111 cut swiftly across the sky.

After he had watched the main drop, Pte Sean Armstrong, 2 Sect, C Coy, 3RAR, said the most challenging thing about the exercise had been the weather and the mental strain, however, it was rewarding nonetheless.

The parachute insertion was followed immediately by the tactical rally of ground forces, the registration of objectives by indirect fire assets, and a live fire exercise involving artillery, mortars and F-111s.