Water works wonders

Rushing: LS Darryl Adamson gives the thumbs up during his descent of a waterfall.

Splash time: Sgt Adrian Luke guides his crew through rapids.

Tight rope: Cfn Jason Hoare negotiates a waterfall.

Spring in your step: The drop on the 40-45m abseil at Read Creek.

By Cfn Bob Godfrey

TECH Spt Sqn, 5 Avn Regt, has been put through the waterworks during their recent adventurous training exercise in and around the Tully River and Atherton Tableland areas in Far North Queensland.

During the planning stage it was decided that a single-discipline activity wouldn’t develop the wide range of qualities required by personnel on operations. As a result a number of teams were put through a three-day activity that used the disciplines of abseiling, canyoning and whitewater rafting.

The initial training focus was on developing each individual’s physical and moral courage, self-confidence and determination.

Over the first day-and-a-half personnel were required to trek and canyon through dense rainforest in the Misty Mountain area on the Atherton Tablelands.

Three major abseiling tasks were negotiated en-route, and the task was made more difficult when participants had to abseil down the waterfall features throughout the canyon carrying their packs.

On the completion of the first phase they were given pre-activity training for their group challenge. This included defensive rapid swimming techniques in preparation for the rafting phase on the Tully River on the last day.

The 8km section of the river contained grade one, two and three rapids. Teamwork was crucial to the successful completion of the task, especially in regards to communications.

Individuals had to respond instinctively to the commands of the raft guide to ensure the rafting expedition didn’t turn into a swimming event.

There were many anxious moments, but all who took part felt a keen sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when they finally felt land under their feet at the end of the ride.

The value of the training was emphasised two weeks later when the squadron was called on to assist in the rapid deployment of personnel and equipment to Pakistan.

Forward Repair Teams and supporting elements raced against the clock to prepare four Black Hawks for the deployment, and their success was in part credited to the positive influence of the adventurous training that proved what they could achieve in the face of adversity.