Active ADGs

By PLTOFF Sean Jobson

Leading Aircraftman David Johnson wears a “yowie” suit to aid concealment.

Leading Aircraftmen Jonathon Hampton and Brad Traeger man MAG-58s.

Corporal Gary Kilday on the move during Exercise Long Haul.

Leading Aircraftman Daniel Ten Berk De Boer explains the operation of an MP5 to Flying Officer Julie Tzvetcoff during a capability display at RAAF Base Glenbrook.

Leading Aircraftman Murray Spiers keeps a lookout during a training scenario. Photos by AC David Gibbs

Leading Aircraftman Pat-rick Ryan keeps guard.

NO. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley has conducted its annual fitness tests, a capability display for HQAC and its first Squadron level exercise for 2004 – all in the space of a month.

The major exercise was Long Haul, a field skills exercise conducted at Canungra in March. The aim was to test 2AFDS’s sections in the conduct of individual skills and section level tactics, techniques and procedures.

Exercise Long Haul was designed to put personnel under physical stress and test the section commanders’ command and control in challenging and realistic scenarios. Personnel were required to carry battle-order heavy weapons, helmets and sufficient rations and water to last the duration of the exercise. The sections were forced to march distances of up to 8km over night to reach stand locations carrying weights in excess of 35kg.

Twelve activities were conducted at various locations over four days. They consisted of some physically challenging activities, including tactical water crossings, stretcher carrying and section attacks.

Other activities were more mentally challenging and required more planning and the application of basic ADG skills, including weapons tests, laws of armed conflict scenarios, ambushing and setting up command posts.

The sections found that the exercise was challenging and rewarding.

In addition to the busy training schedule, personnel from 2AFDS conducted a capability display at RAAF Base Glenbrook for HQAC to demonstrate the complete operational capability that Airfield Defence Wing offers the Air Force.

The display included weapons, vehicles, communications, support assets and night fighting equipment used by AFDW.
Some of the specialist capabilities on show included a team equipped to conduct aircraft security operations, a Quick Reaction Force, recon and snipers and assault pioneers. The display demonstrated how 2AFDS could shift from non-lethal to lethal force to provide flexible response options.

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