SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
BRAVING the elements, fighting hunger and fatigue, Australian Defence Force personnel are exercising their survival skills in a training area north of Townsville.
The Royal Australian Air Force Combat Survival Training School is holding one of its eight two- week courses at Paluma Lease Training Area, testing tri- service students drawn from the army, navy and air force in their ability to survive and be located if needed.
The 18 students were placed into small groups of no more than four for a “group location exercise”, a scenario of an emergency aircraft incident where they are in a survival situation until they can be recovered.
They were given access to survival equipment similar to that found on an ADF aircraft including rations, a knife, a basic survival kit and a radio.
The students were expected to showcase their ability to construct adequate shelter and a signal fire, and practise a rescue scenario.
Commanding Officer of the Combat Survival Training School Squadron Leader Jay Nicks said the groups were performing to the expected standard and were in high spirits despite the challenging conditions.
“It depends on personalities, but the isolation aspect can seem quite daunting to people – having all of those re- sponsibilities, with no one else to assist,” he said.
Sergeant Abiela Walker said by the second day her team was starting to feel the effects of the training.
“We are starting to feel fatigue but it’s manageable, and we are still completing the task that we need to do,” she said.
Sgt Walker said the exercise was “extremely effective” in teaching the necessary survival skills.
“I’m loving it; it’s unlike anything I’ve ever done,” she said.
“It’s challenging but it’s very rewarding as well.”
Chief Instructor Flight Lieutenant Zac Smit said he was looking at how the trainees implemented the theory taught to them in the classroom.
“They’ve gone through seven days of theoretical training, going through the principles of survival, and the different methods and techniques that they can utilise to survive out in this type of environment,” he said.
“Now we’ve moved into the practical phase and we’re looking at how they apply that without much direction from the staff.
“Each group responds differently to the challenge that they get and what we enjoy from an instructional perspective is seeing those different reactions and how each group progresses differently through the course.”