While their expertise is in the use of small unscrewed aerial systems (UAS), soldiers from 9th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, recently perfected their basic soldier skills in Jervis Bay.

Comprising mainly reservists, soldiers from 7th and 23rd Battery conducted Exercise El Adem at the Beecroft Weapons Range.

During the exercise, the batteries formed themselves into three joint capability teams that included a combination of artillery observers and UAS operators. They conducted various drills using the Teal II, Black Widow, Puma AE and Wasp AE UAS.

For Battery Commander 23rd Battery Major Michael Robinson, an important component was basic warfighting.

“There was an increased focus on field craft and soldier skills, including tactical casualty care in the battlefield and various fire and movement drills,” Major Robinson said.

“We were also able to employ our platforms to observe and provide intelligence through surveillance onto key areas of interest.”

Major Robinson said the various platforms offered a range of capability in support of the 10th Fires Brigade and the 1st Division, but also for domestic tasks under the 2nd Division.

“The fixed-wing options provide a greater range and duration, while the smaller multi-rotor drones support small tactical surveillance tasks,” he said.

'These exercises are valuable as we don’t have a considerable amount of time compared with the full-time soldiers.'

Gunner Kwame Asante recently joined the Army Reserve to experience unique opportunities outside of his daily life as he works towards a PhD in chemistry.

“Outside of initial training, this is my first field exercise with the regiment,” Gunner Asante said.

“We have been working on patrolling and basics of soldiering including navigation, Army first aid, as well as fire and manoeuvre.

“These exercises are valuable as we don’t have a considerable amount of time compared with the full-time soldiers. Being out field and utilising the tools and equipment is one of the big takeaways.”

Lance Bombardier Toby Spring was part of the team employing the Puma AE fixed wing UAS, and despite heavy rain during the nights, the conditions were perfect for flight.

“The launch site today has been pretty close to ideal. There’s a slight decline and a solid headwind allowing decent airspeed over the wings to launch,” Lance Bombardier Spring said.

“When you’re launching it, you can almost feel it lifting out of your hand and that’s the moment to shot-put as hard as you can.

“During the exercise, these systems are looking along the coastline and identifying suitable landing craft sites that could be used. At 1000 feet it can provide clear imagery that can be used towards building an intelligence picture.”