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Sniper course a hit
By Cpl Corinne Boer

Edition 1167, May 31, 2007
 
Lt Jarrod Brook, 2RAR, accepts a trophy as leader of the winning 3 Bde sniper team from Commander 3 Bde Brig John Caligari.
 
Head shots: Snipers from throughout the Army celebrate a successful Sniper Concentration at Tully
HOT shots were identified at the recent Recon Sniper Concentration at the Jungle Training Wing (JTW) in Tully, Queensland.

The concentration consisted of presentations, seminars and a field exercise and provided an opportunity to identify the most proficient recon patrol, sniper pair and overall recon platoon.

Sixty members practised the fine arts of stealth, infiltration and observation techniques during the competition phase in the field.

The top sniper team was Pte Andrew Kennedy and Pte Matthew Clothier, 2RAR, and the most proficient recon patrol was one from 5RAR commanded by LCpl Nathan Meers. The overall winning brigade was 3 Bde and consisted of 2RAR recon members commanded by Lt Jarrod Brook.

Sniper activities involved a live-fire stalk at the JTW, and a long-range observation post task and training on insertion into AOs from small watercraft at Cowley Beach Training Area.

Wet, humid jungle conditions proved difficult but the masters of stealth still fired deadly shots, with some snipers achieving impressive long-range hits.

Maj Leonard Tracey, OC JTW, said the concentration increased members’ awareness and enabled them to address doctrinal issues.

“It allowed the participants to measure themselves against a mission profile in a demanding and complex environment and it also provided feedback up the chain of command on the standard of the recon and sniper disciplines in the Australian Army at the moment,” Maj Leonard said.