Mercury rises
Troops trump terrorists in training

Hawk’s eye view: A soldier of the TAG (E) looks over Melbourne city. Photo by Sgt Michelle Lucraft

Sneaks and ladders: Boat assault force members board a vessel. Photo by Sgt John Carroll

Terrorists’ lair: Members of TAG (E) fast rope onto the Queenscliff-Sorrento ferry. Photo by Sgt Michelle Lucraft

By Cpl Cameron Jamieson

THE ADF has reacted decisively against the threat of terror attack during the recently conducted Exercise Mercury 05.

Ropeable: Members of TAG (E) unhook fast roping equipment from a Black Hawk.Photos by Sgt Michelle Lucraft

Naval vessels, aircraft, and Army units including Special Forces and Reserves were deployed in the annual multi-jurisdictional exercise held across three states.

Ex Mercury 05 was coordinated by the Federal Attorney General’s Department to support the Australian Government’s response to terrorist threats or incidents.

This required the ADF to support civil agencies in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales during the exercise.

CDF ACM Angus Houston said the ability of the ADF to respond effectively to terrorist incidents required constant training and regular coordination with federal, state and territory authorities.

“You don’t get this training in isolation,” the CDF said.

“Responding effectively to terrorist threats is a team effort and we all need to come together regularly and practise our procedures and processes within a realistic scenario.”

In Victoria a Tactical Assault Group, supported by Army Black Hawk helicopters assisted the Victorian police in terminating a mock hostage seizure at Bendigo, while more soldiers searched the sporting venues to be used in next year’s Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Further north a suspect merchant vessel was identified off the New South Wales south coast.

The 30,000-ton bulk carrier had been identified as carrying dangerous chemical material and two terrorists were known to be onboard.

In a coordinated action involving the three services and federal agencies, counter terrorist forces boarded and took command of the vessel, allowing the ship to be taken into custody by the Australian Federal Police.

In South Australia the 9 Bde Reserve Response Force (RRF) was also called out to support the civil authorities.

The RRF conducted security, search and protection operations around the Santos oil and gas exploration site at Moomba.

The CDF said the exercise demonstrated that the ADF has capable forces available to respond quickly to Government requests for assistance following terrorist threats or terrorist incidents.

“I have always been confident in the ability of our Defence Force personnel to safeguard the Australian public,” the CDF said.

“The results and lessons drawn from this exercise will better position us for our role in providing security support to major events such as the 2006 Commonwealth Games.”

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