Preparation makes perfect

Volume 11, No. 56, November 16, 2006
By Capt Lachlan Simond

In range: Personnel from 6RAR during weapons training in Oruzgan Province. Photo by PO Damian Pawlenko

SOLDIERS serving with 1RTF in southern Afghanistan spend hours in training before each mission.

The engineers and security personnel practise with their equipment, rehearse their drills, make their detailed plans and prepare to move out into the Oruzgan Province to start the long process of helping those who have fared far worse than most Australians could imagine after decades of war, civil strife and oppression.

In the hot, dusty days the soldiers practise on the range with these vehicles and the variety of weapons at their disposal.

They continue into the night, with the addition of NFE, including NVGs and NADs.

As well as their practical training, every member of 1RTF receives briefs and presentations on the latest situations in Afghanistan and the lessons learnt from the Special Forces who have already served here, as well as other coalition forces.