28 March 2006
6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment

Part of the largely unseen but very important security element of Operation Acolyte is the Response Force (RESFOR). RESFOR is a high-readiness mobile force of infantrymen with engineer support. Based on A Company, 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, RESFOR can quickly move into an area and cordon it off while other Operation Acolyte troops carry out whatever task may be required.

The key element of the task group’s mobility is its fleet of Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV). Currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Bushmaster is a world-class Australian designed and built IMV that has drawn considerable interest from overseas Defence Forces.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF), as part of the overall Australian Government contribution, is providing support to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. This support is being provided under the title of Operation Acolyte. Acolyte is Latin for ‘helper’ or ‘assistant’ and was chosen to symbolise the ADF’s supporting role in the staging of the Commonwealth Games.

Operation Acolyte involves 2,600 Australian Defence Force personnel from across the three services, performing a range of specialist roles such as security, ceremonial and general support. The forces assigned to Operation Acolyte are divided into various task groups, which come under the control of Joint Task Force 636, which is commanded by Brigadier Andrew Smith.

20060326adf8267338_004 Vehicle of choice: The Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle is popular with the soldiers of A Company, 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, who have brought their vehicles south with them from Brisbane for use on Operation Acolyte. These A Company Bushmasters are seen here during cordon training at Puckapunyal during the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 23 March 06) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060326adf8267338_023 Mobile muscle: A pack of Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles from A Company, 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, move off from their field base during cordon training at Puckapunyal. (Date taken: 23 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060326adf8267338_099 At the ready: Private Dean Rothera, from the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), mans a Minimi Light Automatic Weapon mounted on the cupola of a Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle. The Bushmaster is popular with the 6RAR infantrymen, who have brought their vehicles south with them from Brisbane for use on Operation Acolyte during the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 23 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060326adf8267338_114 On guard: Private Louie Merimba, from the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), stands guard at a simulated vehicle check point during cordon training at Puckapunyal, Victoria. Behind him is his section’s Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle. The Bushmaster is popular with the 6RAR infantrymen, who have brought their vehicles south with them from Brisbane for use on Operation Acolyte during the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 23 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060326adf8267338_119 On guard: Private Matthew Uppman, from the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), stands guard at a simulated vehicle check point during cordon training at Puckapunyal, Victoria. Behind him is his section’s Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle. The Bushmaster is popular with the 6RAR infantrymen, who have brought their vehicles south with them from Brisbane for use on Operation Acolyte during the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 23 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060326adf8267338_127 Moving out: Soldiers from the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment disembark from their Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle during continuation training at Puckapunyal, Victoria. The Bushmaster is popular with the infantrymen, who have brought their vehicles south with them from Brisbane for use on Operation Acolyte during the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 23 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060324adf8115969_045 In their element: Two Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles from A Company, 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, pause during cordon training at Puckapunyal. (Date taken: 23 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res