Delta joins Deployable Battle Group

DELTA Coy has joined 1 Bde’s Deployable Battle Group (DBG) Leopard.

Before deploying as CO AMTG2 in Iraq, CO 5/7RAR Lt-Col Peter Short handed over tactical command of Delta Coy 5/7RAR to Lt-Col John Mackenzie, CO 1 Armd Regt, for its inclusion as part of the short notice DBG Leopard.

Lt-Col Mackenzie said having Delta Coy join 1 Armd Regt ensured 1 Bde could continue to provide its DBG for combined arms operations.

“Grouping Delta Coy 5/7RAR under command of 1 Armd Regt enables us to develop a much closer combined arms cooperation, especially for our urban operations training,” Lt-Col Mackenzie said.

DBG Leopard now includes soldiers from 1 Armd Regt, 8/12 Mdm Regt and D Coy 5/7RAR, who will soon be exercising together.

“Together we will conduct a series of combined arms training activities starting early in the new year, and progressing quickly from individual live-fire to Combat Team live-fire field exercises,” Lt-Col Mackenzie said.

Delta Coy will remain a sub-unit of 1 Armd Regt until June 2006, and will continue to conduct Corps specific skills training and courses, but will take part in barracks training activities with 1 Armd Regt and DBG Leopard field exercises.