Our first bushman

By Leesha Furse

SGT Phillip Johnston in front of a Titan fire truck, which has a similar running gear to the Bushmaster.

Photo by AC David Gibbs

A Bushmaster splashes through water during reliability testing.

SERGEANT Phillip Johnston is the first Air Force member to train on the Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles that will transform the Air Force’s quick reaction force in future years.

The Air Force will receive 12 vehicles at RAAF Base Amberley, evenly divided between Nos 2 and 3 Airfield Defence Squadrons.

Six vehicles will be given priority within a “fleet loan pool” for No. 1 Airfield Defence Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

SGT Johnston, who runs the fire maintenance hangar as part of No. 382 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron at Amberley, said he was selected to do the training because of the similarities between the Bushmaster and the Air Force’s Titan fire engines, which have identical running gear.

“It’s a tremendous bit of equipment. It’s big, fast, noisy and they do the job. They have incredible speed,” he said.

Completing the instructor driver course and maintenance instructor course means he can drive the vehicle and fix it too. SGT Johnston said it was a good idea to train drivers to be maintainers as well because they would be multi-skilled.

Unit-level training is scheduled to start in May 2005 at the Army’s Motorised Combat Wing at Puckapunyal. The Air Force will receive its vehicles in February 2006.

SGT Johnston said the ADGs were keen to use the vehicle. “It’s like, ‘Hey, they’re great, they’re light years ahead of what we’ve got, so let’s run with it’.” Squadron Leader Simon Sauer, CO of 3AFDS, said the Bushmaster would allow ADGs to be more effective on the battlefield.

“The squadrons of AFDW will be required to adjust tactics, techniques and procedures to ensure the vehicle is used to its fullest potential,” SQNLDR Sauer said.

“This vehicle will provide a much greater degree of protection for the assault component of the quick reaction force. The assault personnel will now be able to move around the area of operations in a safer and more comfortable environment.”

Land Rover 110s and the 6 x 6 interim infantry mobility vehicle currently fulfil the protected mobility component of the quick reaction force.

The Army will complete testing the Bushmaster’s manoeuvrability, reliability and protection later this year.

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