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Busy time for termites
By Cpl Andrew Hetherington and Cpl Tara Gleeson
Edition 1168, June 14, 2007 |
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Top up: Termites at work during Exercise Merlion’s Bite.
Photo by Cpl Tara Gleeson |
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MEMBERS of 30 Terminal Sqn got their teeth into a series of exercises dubbed Merlion’s Bite in Queensland from May 1-16.
Maj Dana Alexander, OC of 30 Terminal Sqn, said the exercise had two main objectives.
“The first was trade training, where section commanders were given control of detachments working on section level taskings and to also give them experience working in transit areas and trans-shipping points,” she said. “The second purpose was to run courses, which included a Mack drivers’ course, a five-week 30-tonne crane course and other conversion courses.”
After the newly coded cargo specialists – known as termites – passed their testing, the unit ran a mock transit area to put their skills to use.
Maj Alexander said the exercise culminated in a 36-hour activity called Exercise Sleepless Termite.
“We ran an extended operations exercise, with a transit area and a trans-shipping point, where we created a flow of equipment and scenarios at the Macrossen Training Area near Charters Towers,” she said.
“This was designed to accustom members to real-life situations of load tasks and shift work for extended hours, which they may encounter during the sub-unit’s unique roles in high-tempo operational support.”
Like their insect namesakes, the termites made quick work of dismantling and cleaning up after the exercise.
The ultimate goal for the unit was to have its soldiers trained before participating in Exercise Talisman Saber and in preparation for deployments overseas. Maj Alexander said Talisman Saber would “raise the profile of the cargo specialist trade within the ADF”. |
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