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Parade marks change
of eras
By Cpl Corinne Boer
Edition 1171, July 26, 2007 |
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| Fall out: A retiring Leopard tank makes way behind 1 Armd Regt’s new M1A1 Abrams tanks after firing its last rounds at the Mount Bundy Training Area. Photos by Gnr Shannon Joyce |
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1 ARMD Regt celebrated its 58th birthday by farewelling the Leopard and welcoming the Abrams at this year’s biggest parade at Robertson Barracks on July 7.
An impressive show of 10 Leopards and 29 Abrams lined the sun-soaked parade ground, both fleets radiating pure strength.
The parade signalled the end of the era of the Leopard and marked the operational readiness of the Abrams. The audience was entertained as the troops clambered on to the tanks and fired a Feu-De Joie.
Sgt John Hensler, 1 Armd Regt Trg Sgt, was a crew commander of the Leopard for 27 years and served when the Leopard replaced Centurion. He rode in the last Leopard that clattered off the parade ground to the applause of the audience.
“Being the only member to see the two parades is quite significant. It was a nice honour to take the tank on to the platform for the final parade. It was driven by Cpl Craig Glassford, who did 10 years on the Leopard, so between us there was 40 years of experience. It was a good day,” Sgt Hensler said.
“From an older sergeant’s point of view, it was a full cycle for me. I never thought I would see 30 years of the Leopard, let alone the Centurion and now the Abrams.”
This year 1 Bde has hit the highest operational tempo since it was the first Australian Task Force in Vietnam and Bde Commander Brig Craig Orme looks forward to embracing the technology and the power harnessed by the Abrams.
“The parade really marks the occasion where we can now say that the Abrams tanks are ready to be used on operations,” Brig Orme said.
“The deployment of the Abrams is a decision for the government, but it gives the government a world-class capability of operating with our major coalition partners in any threat environment around the world, and to do it effectively and safely for our soldiers.”
The new tanks provide a greater level of capability for the regiment’s increased commitments.
They are equipped with the latest technology, including thermal imagery, laser range finders, battle management systems, and a complex and sophisticated turret that provides the Abrams with improved accuracy and speed to engage targets.
Regiment members experienced mixed emotions on the day. Many were sad to lose the Leopard, but they were also looking to the future.
1 Armd Regt CO Lt-Col Duncan Hayward said saying farewell to the Leopards was like losing an old friend.
“The Abrams is very different from the Leopard; it’s faster, it’s more lethal, it fights at night, it’s more comfortable and, most importantly for our soldiers, it’s incredibly survivable,” he said.
Soldiers young and old celebrated the day with their families and friends. A barbecue was held at the end of the parade where past and present members could get together. Tpr Matthew Sheahan enjoyed the day swapping stories with the old boys.
“It’s good to see the old guys out here still living it up and inspired by what we’re doing and the younger guys having a drink with them,” he said. “I’ll be back here in 30 years time too. I’m a lifer.”
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