11 August 2025
If you ever have the misfortune of finding yourself stuck at the bottom of a cliff, look up … you might see Army personnel about to lend a hand.
The Army now has a dozen qualified tactical rope rescue supervisors, after an intense two-week training course in Sydney.
Combat rescue operators from across the country attended the course, conducted at Holsworthy Barracks and in the Blue Mountains under the expert eye of instructor Bill Proctor.
“We're trying to give them a broad scope of concepts and techniques and systems without making it bewildering, because they've got enough to do already, across vehicle extrication, and everything else within their role,” Mr Proctor said.
Formerly of 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, Mr Proctor is one of Australia’s premier rope rescue and abseiling experts, working as a consultant and special effects adviser for films and television.
“It's all about having a broad suite of equipment techniques and hopefully one day, if they need to use it in the real deal, they can pick the right system, keep each other safe and make it work under what will likely be less-than-ideal circumstances,” Mr Proctor said.
Combat rescue operators from 6 Aviation Regiment hosted the course, acting as trainers, safety supervisors and mentors.
'Tactical rope rescue will be a vital skill for our trade to have moving forward.'
Sapper Joshua Ezzy, one of three participants from 3 Combat Engineer Regiment in Townsville, said the training stressed the importance of teamwork.
“Obviously there is a lot of communication, from people on the edge, people going down to rescue the casualty, and those guiding the casualty up the haul line,” Sapper Ezzy said.
Course participants also explored the capabilities of their new rescue kits issued earlier this year by Army’s Land Survivability Program to units across Australia.
“The gear they have is cutting edge. They have some of the best equipment money can buy,” Mr Proctor said.
“There is significant compatibility between the scope of equipment they have and other associated agencies for interoperability.
"So in the eventuality they have a mission with police rescue, ambulance special operations, the fire service or any of the other agency, they could be on site and have the same equipment.”
Captain Saverio Rollo, from Land Survivability Program, said regular inspections, including after each call-out, were essential for keeping the equipment in optimum condition.
The newly qualified supervisors will return to their units to oversee the training of their peers.
“Tactical rope rescue will be a vital skill for our trade to have moving forward,” Sapper Ezzy said.
