Volume 48, No. 19, October 19, 2006
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| ON FIRE: 3AFDS XO FLTLT Neil Wright (centre) explains the weapons and tactics used by ADGs to SQNLDR Gary Lewis (holding weapon) and other course members of the Australian Command and Staff College during Exercise Blue Warrior in Canberra. |
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LOOK: LAC Josh Oliver from 3AFDS instructs course member SQNLDR Jon Keily on the Minimi weapon.
Photos by SGT John Carroll |
FUTURE Air Force COs got to experience ground defence capability first-hand when 3AFDS visited the RAAF component of the Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC) for Exercise Blue Warrior recently.
The annual exercise involved 36 ADGs and ground defence officers, who travelled from RAAF Bases Amberley and Richmond to Canberra to provide ground defence education and training to students undertaking the 11-month tri-Service course aimed at the ADF’s future commanding officers.
3AFDS XO FLTLT Neil Wright said the short exercise involved weapons training and static and live fire demonstrations at Canberra’s Majura Range to showcase the complete suite of equipment available to ADGs, including small arms, surveillance, thermal imagery and remote sensor
equipment.
The students also got to experience an ADG’s job up close by donning full body armour, helmet, pack and webbing and taking a ride in a Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicle.
“The exercise involved a series of demonstrations to give students an understanding of ground defence capability and what these new COs should expect from their base ground defence section when they take command,” FLTLT Wright said.
“The way we do our job has a direct link to the way an air base operates safely and securely but it’s hard for COs to appreciate this link, as they often don’t get to see us on the job. Our static and live fire demonstrations are the closest we have to the real thing, so it’s an important awareness-building tool.”
He said the exercise also provided junior ADGs, permanent and Reservist, the opportunity to practice and promote their skills to an important and attentive audience.
“This exercise is an informative process but also provides a clear relationship benefit; we aim to be able to give incoming COs a good impression of our professionalism and relevance in support of air power.
“If we can walk away [from the exercise] doing that, it’s a fundamentally important achievement.”
