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IN the pre-dawn, with the Army and Navy working together with quiet efficiency, Cowley Beach was rapidly transformed into a site resembling a mini D-Day invasion during Exercise Sea Lion 2.
Forces involved in the exercise practised amphibious procedures for lodging a land force by sea and air on March 29.
Professionals always make challenges look easy and this activity was no exception. With many moving parts perfectly synchronised, 2RAR, 3RAR and 3CSSB came ashore with their equipment on landing craft and just as rapidly exited the beach for training inland – a process helped by innovations such as an automated beach roller.
Operating the equipment were the “termites”, specialists from 30 Terminal Sqn, 10FSB, who can be found anywhere that cargo and troops are on the move. This can include beach landing sites, transit areas, airports and ports.
With such a wide range of tasks to fulfil, soldiers by necessity need to be versatile. Lt Ben Ireland said the operator terminal trade was a small trade with soldiers constantly deployed.
“Soldiers need to be able to operate independently from a HQ in a small detachment,” he said.
On the morning of the beach landing they began at 0300h.
It’s no surprise then that competence and work ethic are the attributes Lt Ireland values most in his soldiers – essential with so much heavy equipment rolling ashore in the pre-dawn.
“Our safety record is enviable and I put that down to the quality of our soldiers and their training,” he said.
“If you’re willing, self-motivated and work well in small teams, we may have the job you want.”
First on the beach and last off – just another successful day at the office for the “termites”.
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