Lancers take on TESS

Real-time friction: Tpr Chris Linich,12/16 Hunter River Lancers, with his Minimi. Tpr Joe Seymour is in the background.

NEW England-based 12/16 Hunter River Lancers made the most of modern technology when they used the Tactical Engagement Simulation System, better known as TESS.

TESS, which is designed to simulate the effects of direct fire and land mines on the battlefield, enabled C Squadron to conduct dismounted training in defence to qualify soldiers in core competencies in March.

Night and day live firing practices were conducted at Loomberah Rifle Range during the initial phase, which included using night fighting equipment.

In the second phase the squadron redeployed to Manilla where they conducted patrolling and defensive routine against a free-play enemy.

Exercise facilitator WO2 Michael Joliffe specifically designed training objectives for crewman grade two in a realistic environment, which would have been unachievable without TESS.

Using TESS with the combination of casualty cards improved the realism of the training by inducing realtime friction and it improved reality by removing ambiguity for umpires when opposing forces interacted.

“TESS is unforgiving for those in the line of fire, [which] allows the battle to unfold with members experiencing the consequences of their actions,” WO2 Joliffe said.

“C Squadron had the training benefit of going through a complete re-org with a real-life battlefield casualty evacuation, including full combat support services procedures.”

Training exposure

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