Port in storm during exercise
The Port of Townsville became a battleground across the weekend as more than 400 soldiers and 40 military vehicles used the infrastructure as the setting for a fight against a fictional force.
Exercise Septimus Stride involved soldiers from 1RAR battalion training to expel an invading force that had taken control of the port.
Major Laura Fitzpatrick said the soldiers relished the chance to challenge themselves in a new setting as part of their training.
“We’re progressing our training in environments outside of conventional land combat as we prepare for the Sea Series of exercises later this year,” Major Fitzpatrick said.
“We’re moving from the basic skill set ... to more complex areas involving functioning urban environments, civilians and maintaining key infrastructure.
“The main restriction with this scenario is gaining control of the port and keeping the infrastructure intact at the same time.
“This is an excellent transition exercise where we see soldiers coming straight off Exercise Brolga Run with two weeks of hard conventional war fighting, then refitting to fight, then at the port completing the first phase for this exercise within 48 hours.”
The exercise did not only make use of the port’s buildings and surrounds, but also the staff, who were vital in making the entire 48-hour training session function.
Port of Townsville security manager Dwayne Morgan helped co-ordinate the training session, as well as playing a vital role within the fictitious scenario.
“I role-played as a trusted insider recruited by the simulated enemy. In the lead-up to the assault, the soldiers asked me for access and inside information about the port,” Mr Morgan said.
“Coming from a military background, I can see the necessity to train in this type of environment and we were happy to help make it happen.
“It was great fun being involved.”