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A Fd drops first bombs |
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Battery SM WO2 Tony Kennedy said exercise Semper Paratus ’07 – named after the unit’s motto “always ready” – was designed to hone the gunners’ trade skills. “We’re sharpening our artillery coordination and drills on the gun line and at the JOST,” he said. “The Joint Offensive Support Team has a lot more responsibilities than the traditional Forward Observer. Their job is to coordinate fire support for their manoeuvre-arms commander and that can include all aspects of indirect and offensive support through employing artillery, mortars, strike aircraft or gun-ships.” In addition to conducting their own training, the gunners also supported a Joint Terminal Attack Controller Course. “The battery is firing in support, firing mark missions for the strike aircraft, both F/A-18s and F-111s,” WO2 Kennedy said. “The JTAC will identify a target, call down a mission and then we’ll fire white phosphorus, smoke or sometimes HE rounds. “The JTAC will then call in the aircraft and give them directions using that smoke as a reference point.” WO2 Kennedy said that although JTACs could use whatever tools they had available to them, the battery exercise was designed to practice artillery fundamentals. “The traditional role of artillery hasn’t changed, and recent events around the world have proven that it’s still relevant on the battlefield – indirect-fire support is still a requirement.” Det Comdr Bdr Mathew Green said exercise Sempre Paratus ’07 was a good chance to practice in the traditional artillery role following more recent infantry-like tasks. “A lot of the lads went to Timor last year, and with this our first battery exercise for the year, we’re back to our normal trade,” Bdr Green said. WO2 Kennedy said A Fd Bty was proud of its heritage – which dates back to the 1800s – and of its parachute capability. “We’re capable of hitting the DZ and being quickly brought into action to support the battalion as it moves off the drop zone,” he said. |
