Rapier finale

Last blast: The final rapier missile is fired at Lake Hart, Woomera. Several of the firing systems and missiles will be kept for display.

Final firer: Gnr Jamie Wolf, right, who fired the last-ever missile. As the Rapier passed into military history he felt pleased to be part of the occasion. Photos by LBdr Adam Worcester

By Pte Andrew Hetherington

TWENTY-FIVE years of Australia’s air defence history ended when 16 AD Regt fired the Rapier Air Defence missile system for the last time at Lake Hart, Woomera.

Maj Richard Watson, BC of 110 Air Defence Bty, said Exercise Remember Rapier was held to farewell the Rapier Air Defence System and to expend remaining ordnance.

“The battery deployed to Lake Hart with seven Rapier kits and with 92 personnel. We fired 25 missiles during the exercise and scored six direct target hits, 16 tactical target hits and three missiles malfunctioned or what we call ‘went rogue’,” Maj Watson said.

About 140 people witnessed the final firing, included the Deputy Chief of Army, the Land Commander and past members of the regiment.

“The exercise was very successful and the blokes enjoyed themselves immensely. They worked hard to get the best out of the equipment,” Maj Watson said.

CO of 16 AD Regt Lt-Col Inger Lawes, who began his career at the regiment in 1982 as a Gunner working on the Rapier system, said it was fitting for the Rapier to be farewelled at Woomera.

“The UK service evaluation trials for Rapier were conducted at Woomera in December 1967. The first Rapier firing took place about 50km from the site of the final firing of the Australian Rapier,” Lt-Col Lawes said.

He said the Rapier would be missed, but not by everybody in the unit. “I think it will primarily be missed by those people who have been at the unit since the introduction of the Rapier system to the Army,” he said. “To some of those soldiers the passing of the system will be a good thing, as it can be very difficult to work with – should I say it was a beast at times.”
Of the 25 missiles fired on the exercise, the shot everyone wanted to be present to see was the final one. Gnr Jamie Wolf fired that missile.

“I was very nervous before firing. It was a buzz, very exciting,” Gnr Wolf said. “For me it was a great honour to fire the last ever Rapier missile in service with the ADF. This firing will go down in history and I guess I will be a part of history also.”
Replacing the Rapier missile system is a new generation of the RBS-70 system, which will go into service next year.

“It is the beginning of a new era for the regiment with a new weapon system and a unit restructure. It will mean that 16 AD Regt will be more versatile and agile to continue providing a leading edge capability for the ADF,” Lt-Col Lawes said.

“Most of the Rapier equipment will be destroyed, but the Army will keep a number of complete systems which will be deactivated and displayed in museums at 16 AD Regt and at ALTC Bandiana.

“Rapier introduced hundreds of officers and soldiers to radar and guided weapons technology, creating a highly skilled unit that is today 16 AD Regt.”