AR MY
Welcome to the Jungle EXERCISE READY FIST Soldiers from 3RAR’s B Coy took on the north Queensland jungle while conducting air mobile and stability operations on March 11 for Exercise Ready Fist. After a surprise early morning recall, soldiers deployed to the Combat Training Centre – Jungle Training Wing in Tully on Chinooks from 5 Avn Regt, and had their infantry skills put to the test in a noncombatant evacuation operation. B Coy Section Commander Cpl Tiernan Zanoni-Jones said he embraced the opportunity to lead his section and test their skills in a uniquely challenging environment. “The training conducted was relatable to an activity we would have conducted as the Ready Combat Team in a real situation,” Cpl ZanoniJones said. “Being supported by 5 Avn Regt gave our newer guys exposure to working with outside assets. The activity itself was quite rewarding as it was not something they would get to do in everyday training.” As a foundation-level activity,
Exercise Ready Fist assessed B Coy’s readiness and preparedness to complete mission-specific tasks, as well as its ability to operate effectively as a combined-arms team. B Coy Platoon Commander Lt Johnathon Taylor said he was pleased to see his soldiers effectively conduct soft-knock clearances, key point protection, vehicle checkpoints and escort duties for persons of interest. “The platoon achieved all learning outcomes and demonstrated a good ability to act independently when communications were limited,” Lt Taylor said. “The most valuable aspect of the activity was the interorganisational integration. Being able to work with 5 Avn Regt, 3CSR and members of 4 Regt, RAA, demonstrated our ability to operate in a joint environment and the challenges that come with it.” Cpl Zanoni-Jones said his soldiers relished the chance to get out in the field and display their warfighting capability after a period of restricted training because of COVID-19. “The highlight for me was seeing my section doing what they have been taught and applying that in real
Cpl Tiernan Zanoni-Jones, of 3RAR patrols throug the jungle during training. Defence image.
time; being able to remain flexible and conducting different jobs at short notice and still being just as effective,” he said. “It shows that the work my peers and myself conduct achieves the goal of keeping our soldiers at their A game.”
EXERCISE BROLGA CRAWL
Soldiers from 3RAR travel from Lavarack Barracks to Combat Training -Jungle Training Wing. Defence image.
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AUSTRALIAN PEACEKEEPER
Townville’s 3 Bde kicked off the 2021 training year with Exercise Brolga Crawl from March 8 to 26, which ensured every soldiers’ foundation warfighting skills were of the highest calibre. The exercise was conducted at troop and platoon level to develop individual technical skills as well as basic soldiering, leadership and collective team building within the tactical environment. For many 3 Bde soldiers, this was the first exercise with their posted unit after recruit training. Tpr Zoe Shipley, of 2 Cav Regt, said she relished the opportunity to experience training in the field environment.
