Readying for Iraq
5/7RAR personnel step up their training for AMTG2

Prepared: Lt Luke Dawson, 2 Cav Regt, delivers his orders during junior officer training. Photo by Cpl Crissy Williams

By Lt Simone Heyer

PREPARATION for the deployment of AMTG2 was moving in to its second phase, according to CO 5/7RAR Lt-Col Peter Short.

“From August 2 onward we are putting together training collectively at the section, platoon and company level,” Lt-Col Short said.

Since the announcement of the second rotation, training within the regiment has been under way to best prepare soldiers for the task ahead.

Lt-Col Short said the focus in phase one was to work on individual qualifications.

“Conversion courses were run, as well as driver training, language training and junior leadership training,” he said. “We’ve had to bring forward career courses such as subject and specialised courses and have been working on conventional skills.”

The CO said a series of exercises would keep AMTG2 operating on a high tempo until the deployment to Iraq.

“Tiger’s Roar would be the first exercise, with troop-level live firing, moving up to combat team-level dry manoeuvres,” he said.

“The task group exercise, held later in the year from September 4-9, will train soldiers in task group-level procedures. Incidents and tasks that are encountered in the AMTG will be replicated.”

Lt-Col Short said the regiment had access to daily sitreps from the AMTG that shaped their training.

“It’s an unprecedented opportunity to shape training. And we can think about how we might do things differently.”

2 Cav Regt soldiers from A Sqn moved over to the 5/7RAR lines on August 2.

Lt-Col Short said other components of AMTG2 from outside Darwin would be in the area by August 16.

“All our training is on track for the next rotation to the Al Muthanna province,” he said.