Performing military tasks taught and practised throughout 2000 as part of IDF training was the basis for the 383ECSS Military Skills Competition. Photograph courtesy of 86WG Imagery.

Late last year, 386 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron (ECSS) conducted a Military Skills Competition before deploying to East Timor to take over the duties of the Comoro Airfield Support Group based in Dili. The competition included all available IDF personnel from RAAF Base Richmond.

Performing military tasks that had been taught and practised throughout 2000 as part of IDF training was the basis for the competition. The tasks were spread over seven stands and nine activities around a nine-kilometre route around RAAF Base Richmond and were conducted in patrol order with weapons.

Scored activities included camouflaging a vehicle, first aid, orders for opening fire and prisoner of war handling, range practice, fire fighting and weapon assembly, including foreign weapons. The aim of the competition was to test the level of skill and fitness acquired and development of teamwork. More than 80 personnel took part in the activity.

The CO of 386ECSS, Wing Commander Corrie Metz said: 'The result was that the aim of the competition was met with complete success, everyone learned a lot from the exercise and, more importantly, everyone enjoyed the experience'. 'We will now use the things we learned from this exercise to validate our training. Also, those members going to East Timor should now feel comfortable with the level of training they have received and are ready to take on the challenge.'

By the way, the competition was won by MEOMS Two.