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Patrolling
the Pilbara
By
Sig Mike McSweeney
ARMY’s
regional surveillance capability has been employed in Australia’s
north-west in a four-week operation that will benefit other government
agencies.
Regional Force Surveillance Unit (RFSU), the Pilbara Regiment, conducted
the patrols as part of an annual training period which included
the running of a recruit and patrolman course at the regiment’s
headquarters in Karratha.
OC 3 Sqn Maj Steve McConnell said the patrols conducted surveillance
and reconnaissance in support of civil agencies to identify any
suspected illegal activity, as well as continuing to familiarise
themselves with their area of operations.
For the first patrol, the six-man team was inserted onto an island
by regimental patrol craft during the night, and then stomped to
their line up point.
Once in position, they established comms before setting up their
observation post.
As communications during this operation were critical, 3 Sqn was
joined by a detachment from 109 Sig Sqn. Although 109’s role lies
with 13 Brigade, the signallers gained valuable experience working
in an operational environment.
Maj McConnell said that working in an operational environment was
excellent training for both patrol members and support staff as
it “provides that necessary motivation to switch on to what we do”.
He said the patrols were “well equipped with the latest cutting-edge
technology and equipment,” which included secure radio and satellite
communications, image capture and transfer systems, and thermal
surveillance equipment.
The regiment maintains interoperability with the Air Force and Navy.
Maj McConnell said numerous civil agencies would benefit from the
information 3 Sqn patrols gather.
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