By
Graham Davis
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Twelve
commandos fast rope from two Black Hawk helicopters on to
the forecourt of Building 78 at Garden Island before they
enter the building with machine guns at the ready. Others
dropped into the Harbour and were picked up by various vessels.
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Photo:
POPH Bill McBride and ABPH Yuri Ramsey
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The
Royal Australian Navy’s Garden Island base in Sydney came under
attack the other day.
All three armed services along with Defence civilians and outside
contractors took part in the evolution, which saw 12 Army commandos
parachute into Sydney Harbour from an RAAF Hercules and saw another
12 fast rope from two Army Black Hawk helicopters.
On the harbour soldiers in a variety of craft collected the parachutists
before racing in formation past the northern end of the island
where several troops, armed with the latest weapons, scrambled
ashore.
Then two heavily-armed Landrovers and a quad bike similar to those
used in Afghanistan and Iraq made their way to the headland.
Finally there was a surprise flyover of two RAAF Hawk fighters.
With the media, one of the largest contingents seen at a Defence
activity in Sydney this year were new Minister Assisting the Minister
for Defence Mr Mal Brough, Special Operations Commander Australia
MAJGEN Duncan Lewis and RAN’s Commander Flotillas CDRE Matt Tripovich.
The occasion was for the Minister to launch Defence’s new Special
Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme (SFDRS).
In pursuance of the Government’s pledge to boost the Special Forces
a total of 334 new members are required. Until now the Special
Forces members have been drawn from people already serving in
the Navy, Army and Airforce.
This recruitment will continue. Under the new scheme recruits
can now join the Special Forces direct. Mr Brough said the SFDRS
will target young men aged between 19 and 30 of exceptional fitness
and intelligence who may not have considered service in the wider
ADF.
“Direct recruitment has been practised with great success by the
Army Reserve commando companies in Sydney and Melbourne for decades
and now we are extending this scheme to the Regular Army.
“A similar program has recently proved very successful in the
United States and we think it will have similar results here.”
He said most of the direct intake soldiers recruited during this
three-year-old trial initiative will serve with the Sydney based
regular commando battalion the 4RAR.
(The bulk of those who took part in the Garden Island demonstration
were from the regiment). MAJGEN Lewis said the Special Forces
soldiers are proficient in parachuting, amphibious operations
and a range of other specialist skills, including counter terrorism.
“We are primarily looking to recruit commandos and Special Forces
signallers for service at 4RAR but we are also seeking a few high-grade
applicants for service in the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR),”
he said. “Applicants who fail to make the grade as a commando
during their training will have the option, at a number of decision
points, to pursue another role in the Army or to return to civilian
life,” he said.
Any Navy News readers interested in direct entry should call Defence
Recruiting on 13 19 01 or use the website www.defencejobs.gov.au
From there Manpower will process your inquiry directing you to
one of the 17 Defence recruiting centres around Australia.
Acceptance and training could see the newcomer operational in
about 18 months depending on the unit (4RAR or SASR) involved.
