Opening with a bang: 4RAR Commandos conduct an urban assault demonstration at the new SFTF in Holsworthy. Photo by Cpl Chris Moore
A NEW $94 million Special Forces Training Facility (SFTF) at Holsworthy is one of four of its kind in the world providing leading-edge training to counter-terrorism forces.
Governor-General Maj-Gen Michael Jeffery officially opened the SFTF on July 24.
Maj-Gen Jeffery and Defence Minister Brendan Nelson inspected the new facilities and farewelled Sydney-based members of the Special Operations Task Group preparing to deploy into Oruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper.
The new facilities will include indoor and outdoor multi-level electronic and live firing ranges as well as a variety of training environments for 4RAR (Cdo).
The facilities will be used to train for counter-terrorism scenarios and other specific Special Forces roles.
Special Operations Commander Maj-Gen Mike Hindmarsh said the SFTF would greatly benefit 4RAR and complement existing training facilities in Western Australia for the SASR.
“The SFTF includes an urban environment for our troops to hone their skills within a realistic and demanding environment,” Maj-Gen Hindmarsh said.
“It also includes a state-of-the-art mock-up aircraft and other indoor shooting ranges which will allow Special Forces to train for a broad range of counter terrorism contingencies.”
The new SFTF is part of a larger project that includes the construction of new office accommodation and an upgrade of infrastructure at Holsworthy.
