Our People in QLD
David McHenry - Warrant Officer Class Two
It’s been a few years since Warrant Officer David McHenry, 42, tacked and jibbed his way around Sandy Bay down in Hobart.
“I love it in Townsville,” David said, “And after 17 years of not seeing the grandkids my mum and dad have moved to Carlyle Gardens. Now they love it here too.”
Not that David’s parents, wife Jo, or their kids Sean and Cassandra, have been seeing much of him over the last couple of months. David has been on the Army’s High Range Exercise Area.
“I started as a Cadet, then a Reservist before I joined the Regulars. On the High Range I’m responsible for feeding around 1600 soldiers,” said David, “Not to mention accommodation, vehicles and fuel.
“1550 of the soldiers will be in Afghanistan by the end of June, so it’s important they are able to concentrate on their training.”
“I arrive three weeks before they do and leave two weeks after, and we do this for every rotation. They start by going over the basics, and end with a ‘freeplay’ exercise.
“But, while the training is happening, it’s as though we are overseas. No one goes home until it’s over.
“Then I’m going to have a week’s leave and do absolutely nothing!”