24 July 2009
Parachute drop into Shoalwater Bay
One-hundred-and-fifty soldiers have parachuted into Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) in a large-scale tactical drop, as part of Exercise Talisman Saber 2009.
In the early morning light, six Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules made their approach to Drop Zone Kapyong, one by one releasing their packets, which included a bulldozer and equipment, and soldiers from 3RAR, 176 Air Dispatch, as well engineer and transport support elements.
The static line jump was one of the culminating events of Talisman Saber 09. It also had special significance for 3RAR, according to Recon Platoon Commander, Lieutenant Jonathan Wick.
"The parachute capability of 3rd Battalion has transferred from a Airborne Battle Group to an Airborne Combat Team (ACT), and the significance of this is it's a highly mobile and versatile force which can insert via parachute into remote areas and areas well above the capability of conventional forces," Lieutenant Wick said.
It was a long day for the soldiers, who had a four-hour flight out of RAAF Base Richmond to reach SWBTA for a drop which only lasted 30 to 40 seconds, but it had its rewards.
"As you see, I’ve still got the adrenalin pumping through me; so 1000 feet, not too bad of a rush, and I get paid for it,” Lance Corporal Michael Quilty, 3RAR, said.
"It all happened pretty quick, a big rush; it was good fun and not too hard a landing, so excellent," Private Gopal Staples, 3RAR, said.
A C-130 dispatches stores over Kapyong drop zone within the Shoalwater Bay training area.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
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A Blackhawk helicopter waits for another sortie as troops parachute from a C-130 over Kapyong drop zone.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
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Paratroopers jump from a C-130 Hercules over Kapong drop zone as a Blackhawk helicopter waits for it's next sortie.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
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Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, walk off the Drop Zone after jumping at Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
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A Soldier from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, carries his parachute pack off the Drop Zone after landing at Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
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A solider from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, retrieves his parachute after landing on the Drop Zone at Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
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Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, parachute into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
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Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion,The Royal Australian Regiment, parachute into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
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A Soldier from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, walks off the Drop Zone after parachuting into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
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Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, land on the Drop Zone at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
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Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, land on the Drop Zone at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
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Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, parachute into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
Low Res | High Res
Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, parachute into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
Low Res | High Res
Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, parachute into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
Low Res | High Res
Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, parachute into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
Low Res | High Res
Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, parachute into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
(Date taken: 24 July 2009)
Low Res | High Res
Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, parachute into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 09.
