Tanked up
THE Hardened and Networked Army initiative received extra steel when the first Abrams tanks and Hercules Armoured Recovery Vehicles arrived in Australia on September 21.

Tribute to Capt Lawton
WHILE the Army celebrated the arrival of the first Abrams, it was also a day to recognise the service of Capt Paul Lawton.

SF troops in most intense fighting since Vietnam
AUSTRALIAN Special Forces were involved in almost daily contacts and some of the most ferocious fighting since the Vietnam War during their 12-month deployment to Afghanistan.

Fierce battle in valley
TOWARDS the end of the SFTG’s deployment, Australian forces led a 10-day offensive operation to clear a large ACM enclave in the Chora Valley, 15km from Camp Russell.

Attackers hit OBG-W force
SOLDIERS of Overwatch Battle Group-West (OBG-W) came under attack in Al Muthanna province on September 26.

Effective servicing
SERVICING of B vehicles and trailers would be more efficient should an initiative by JLU (SQ) prove successful.

More bang for WTSS facilities
TROOP training has been boosted by the introduction of $460,000 worth of 66mm M72A6 and Browning Mk 3 SLP simulators at WTSS sites around Australia.

March of the machines
Right marker: After suffering from subsidence and a badly cracked surface for the past few years, the RMC parade ground has undergone a face-lift.

ADF health examined
THE long-term health issues of Army personnel, who have deployed overseas, will be the focus of a new ADF research project launched this month.

Super base set to save
ABOUT a million vehicle hours will be saved when Army combat service support elements move into purpose-built facilities at RAAF Amberley next year.

Faithful return
AFTER successfully contributing to the restoration of law and order in Timor-Leste on Op Astute, the final 69 soldiers of Battle Group Faithful returned to a heroes’ welcome at Sydney Airport.

Ramp up after op
AN AFTERNOON tea at Sydney’s Victoria Barracks for the 120 ADF personnel who deployed on Op Ramp served as “food for thought” on the ability of Australian service personnel to respond to short-notice crises.

On border patrol
SOLDIERS in Overwatch Battle Group-West (OBG-W) are gaining valuable experience in a new and challenging part of their 51,000 square kilometre area of responsibility.

Health care gets more mobility in Al Muthanna
THE Australian Army has helped improve living standards in Al Muthanna with the opening of two CIMIC projects by CO Overwatch Battle Group-West Lt-Col Michael Mahy.

Good fist of it
ONE of the most difficult things to achieve when deployed to a country that does not have English as a common language is providing people on the street with information about ourselves.