Military convoy on a warpath to Mingela
A CONVOY of military vehicles left Townsville last weekend, deployed 90km south along the Flinders Highway to Mingela for an exercise to test their soldiering skills.
They were taking part in Exercise Silicon Brolga, the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment’s Warfighter Exercise.
Commanding officer of 1RAR Lieutenant Colonel Ben McLennan said the exercise was designed to thoroughly test the training standards and readiness of the men and women of the 1 RAR battle group.
“Given the 1RAR battle group will soon be entrusted as the Army’s largest, highest- readiness contingency force, robust testing is essential,” he said.
The exercise focuses on training, command, control and interoperability, and will help to prepare 3rd Brigade and its units for Exercise Talisman Saber that will be run next year.
The major exercise will certify 3rd Brigade as the Ready Combat Brigade assigned to support Australia’s operational land force commitments and contingency requirements. It is the brigade’s first major training activity for the year.
Commander of 3rd Brigade Brigadier Chris Field said his units had been active early to ensure their tactics, techniques, procedures, troops and equipment were meeting the required standard.
“We are moving confidently forward and will achieve our reinforced combat brigade readiness requirements by July 2017,” Commander Field said.
He said those requirements would enable the brigade’s operations with the Navy and Air Force, coalition partners and other gov- ernment agencies on combined operations internationally.
A number of units and specialists from other formations — including the 16th Aviation Brigade, 17th Combat Service Support Brigade and 6th Combat Support Brigade — supported 3rd Brigade in the exercise.
The Queensland- based Army Reserve 11th Brigade and Western Australian based 13th Brigade also contributed to the Battle Group Cannon.
In 2017- 18 the battle group will support 3rd Brigade as it takes on the role of Australia’s ready combat brigade.