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Raptor sharpens skills
By Capt Stacey Harvey
Edition 1168, June 14, 2007 |
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Night light: Lt Bob Cussion and Tpr Prindon Sadriu, both 3/9 LH (SAMR), crew a .50 cal machine-gun and provide fire support during Exercise Raptor Rising’s firepower demonstration.
Photo by Tpr Michael Franchi |
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EXERCISE Raptor Rising has provided the first opportunity for 9 Bde to raise and train a combined arms team as a prelude to High Readiness Reserve (HRR) capability development.
Elements of the brigade’s South Australian and Tasmanian units deployed to Cultana Training Area for a combined arms training activity from May 19-27.
The Exercise focused on motorised operations for a combined arms team in the advance phase of war. Maj Tony Watson, 2IC of 12/40RTR, said the “realistic phasing of the exercise was very beneficial for our soldiers”.
Individual and collective training was conducted before starting motorised operations.
The combined arms team then set about the task of clearing an axis of advance, incorporating urban clearance tasks and dealing with civilian threats, IEDs and a persistent and agile opposition force.
The opposition, comprising soldiers of 3/9 LH (SAMR), gained valuable lessons in the employment of their new range of vehicles since their migration to the light cavalry role.
144 Sig Sqn provided communications support for the exercise while 9CSSB supported the combined arms team with a combat services support team. The team’s CSM, WO1 Chris Holmes, said the build-up of intensity during the exercise was a good experience for many of the soldiers who had not previously provided such close support to a mobile element in the field.
“The guys worked hard with over 15,000km driven and over 2800 meals delivered over the nine days,” he said.
A highlight for the team was the set up of a DZ to receive stores delivered by Caribou aircraft from 38 Sqn, which also supported the redeployment back to Adelaide at the end of the exercise.
Exercise Raptor Rising culminated in a live-fire activity conducted in a company defensive position by day and night.
16 Fd Bty and 48 Fd Bty disrupted the enemy utilising preparatory fire. As the enemy advanced their armoured vehicles were engaged by 3/9 LH (SAMR) using 84mm HEAT and .50 cal machine-guns. After enemy forces dismounted and started fire and movement, they were engaged by infantry sections from 10/27RSAR, 12/40RTR and a composite section from 9CSSB.
9 Bde currently has personnel deployed in support of Operations Anode, Mazurka, Catalyst and Slipper. Exercises such as Raptor Rising are giving reservists in South Australia and Tasmania excellent insight into the type of training that will be conducted for the HRR elements that will deploy on such operations.
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