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TheRoyal Australian Artillery
Spring Edition 2013
LIAISON LETTER
The Official Journal of the Royal Regiment of Australian ArtilleryIncorporating the Australian Gunner Magazine
First Published in 1948
Exercise Talisman Sabre 2013
Publication Information
Front Cover: Exercise Talisman Sabre 13
Front Cover Concept by: Major D.T. (Terry) Brennan, Staff Officer to Head of Regiment
Compiled and Edited by: Major D.T. (Terry) Brennan, Staff Officer to Head of Regiment
Published by: Lieutenant Colonel Dave Edwards, Deputy Head of Regiment
Desktop Publishing: Michelle Ray, Combined Arms Doctrine and Development Section, Puckapunyal, Victoria 3662
Front Cover & Graphic Design: Felicity Smith, Combined Arms Doctrine and Development Section, Puckapunyal, Victoria 3662
Printed by: Defence Publishing Service – Victoria
Distribution: For issues relating to content or distribution contact the Editor on email: [email protected]
Contributors are urged to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in their articles. The Royal Australian Artillery, Deputy
Head of Regiment and the RAA Liaison Letter editor accept no responsibility for errors of fact.
The views expressed in the Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter are the contributors and not necessarily those of the Royal
Australian Artillery, Australian Army or Department of Defence. The Commonwealth of Australia will not be legally responsible in
contract, tort or otherwise for any statement made in this publication.
RAA
LIAISON
LETTER
Spring Edition
2013
NEXT EDITION CONTRIBUTION DEADLINE
Contributions for the Liaison Letter 2014 – Autumn
Edition should be forwarded to the Editor by no later
than Friday 14th February 2014.
LIAISON LETTER ON-LINE
The Liaison Letter is on the Regimental DRN web-site –
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/Sites/RRAA/.
Content managers are requested to add this to their
links.
CONTENTS
Editor’s Comment 1
Letters to the Editor 2
Regimental 7
Operations 19
Capability 21
Professional Papers 23
Around the Regiment 33
Personnel & Training 43
Associations & Organisations 47
Incorporating the
Australian Gunner Magazine
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Liaison Letter Contributor
'Big Sky Publishing'Incentive Prize
Big Sky Publishing provide an incentive prize to encourage individuals to contribute to
the Liaison Letter. The winner is judged by the Editor.
I am pleased to announce that the prize for this edition goes to Colonel Sean Ryan,
Commandant Combined Arms Training Centre for his contribution outlining his
experiences as a Forward Observer in Bosnia. His article can be found in the
Professional Papers section.
Colonel Sean Ryan will receive a copy of Lonesome Pine by Simon Cameron …
published by Big Sky Publishing.
Congratulations to Colonel Ryan – I look forward to receiving more quality contributions
from individuals across the Regiment for the Liaison Letter 2014 – Autumn Edition.
Editor's Comment
Welcome to the Liaison
Letter 2013 – Spring
Edition. As always I trust
you find it an informative
and enjoyable read. I had
contemplated making
this edition my last as
editor, however it was
not to be and assisted by
the persuasive 'lobbying'
from Colonel Ian Ahearn, Colonel Commandant
Eastern Region and Deputy Chair of the RAA Historical
Company, I am pleased to soldier on for a while yet.
I had contemplated making this
edition my last as editor …
The death of any member of the Royal Regiment
whether serving or retired is always a sad occasion.
At times this can be especially so when they are a
colleague you have worked closely with and have
known throughout most of your career. One such
person from my personal perspective was Major
Tony Thwaites. I was not simply very saddened – I
was shocked – to hear of his untimely death. I only
spoke with him late last year and he was a man that
regardless of the time lapse between meetings
made it always feel like it was only yesterday that
you were last talking. He was a man full of life who
could light up a room with his deep distinctive voice
in conversation and with laughter, whilst his large
physical stature towered over everyone in a non
threatening jovial and friendly manner.
In the Vale Section there is one of a number of
eulogies delivered at Tony Thwaites funeral. This
one was written and delivered by Major Gus Pallot
who graduated in the same class, served with him
and became a life long friend. As I read through the
eulogy I was moved from laughter to tears and back
as Gus described the person who we all knew as
'Thwaitesy'.
It may just be my age or the stage of life that I have
reached combined with the shock of Tony Thwaites
death but it started me thinking about friendships
and more importantly taking the time to listen
when talking to friends and colleagues. Those of us
who are of the male species have a reputation for
avoiding the doctor / dentist and most importantly
not discussing issues and concerns that may be
troubling us and nor are we good listeners. I know
for one that I have to plead guilty.
One such person from my
personal perspective was Major
Tony Thwaites. I was not simply
very saddened – I was shocked –
to hear of his untimely death.
Whilst serving we are a little protected from
physical neglect through the need to do annual
medical and dental checks as well as attend physical
training and pass a range of physical and strength
tests. The one thing I felt during my time in the
full-time Army was that collectively we had no
trouble understanding and dealing with physical
injuries and being supportive of those individuals
during their treatment and recovery.
I do not believe the same can be said for emotional
well being, especially mental illness – I believe up
until recently it has been the silent injury that
slipped along under the radar. Whist the
recognition, understanding and treatment of
mental issues has been steadily improving within
Defence I firmly believe there is still a stigma
attached to those who admit problems and seek
treatment. I believe the book 'Exit Wounds' by
recently retired Major General John Cantwell has
assisted in highlighting that mental illness respects
no boundaries. A review of this book is in the
Professional Papers Section.
As I read through the eulogy I was
moved from laughter to tears and
back as Gus described the person
who we all knew as 'Thwaitesy'.
Although we have improved our support I believe
we as an organisation still have a way to go to
understand and respect those who seek assistance
and most importantly appreciate that the
individuals can recover and generally like any other
injury depending on its severity re-enter
mainstream employment within Army.
A highlight of this edition is the 'Five Minutes With ....
section' which contains excellent contributions from
Major General Paul Symon, Director of the Defence
Intelligence Organisation, and Warrant Officer Class
One David Lehr, RSM Ceremonial - Army. I believe
everyone will find their responses to my questions
frank and insightful and in some instances
educational.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
In the Professional Papers section Colonel Sean
Ryan, Commandant Combined Arms Centre, who is
a major supporter and regular contributor to the
Liaison Letter has provided a paper on his
experiences as Captain serving as a forward
observer with the British Army in Bosnia. I
encourage everyone to take the time to read the
paper.
I believe the book 'Exit Wounds' by
recently retired Major General
John Cantwell has assisted in
highlighting that mental illness
respects not boundaries.
In the Around the Regiment section there are a
range of articles from units on topics such as
Exercise Talisman Sabre 13, whilst in the Capability
Section there is an article on the development of
the Amphibious Ready Element. 16th Air Land
Regiment has provided an article on the final C-RAM
rotation in the Operations section.
As always I would like to thank everyone for their
support of the Liaison Letter, particularly
noteworthy are those individuals who have found
the time in their busy lives to make a contribution. I
encourage everyone to consider taking up your pen
or keyboard, especially if you have not previously
done so, and express your opinion; or comment on
issues be they contemporary or heritage; or record
your operational experiences for others learn from
as well as to preserve Gunner history.
Finally take a moment from you busy life, seek out a
friend and ask them how they are going? Most
importantly listen to what they have to say – you
never know it may make all the difference!!!!
D.T. (Terry) BRENNAN
Major
Editor
Tel: 07 4651 0939 (h) Mobile: 0419 179 974
Email: [email protected] or
Postal: ‘Stratford’ BLACKALL QLD 4472
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/Sites/RRAA/
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
EDITOR’S NOTE:
To add your name to the Liaison Letter mailing list or to
remove it, contact the editor.
Letters to the
Editor
Royal New Zealand Artillery Update
Congratulations to all involved on the content,editorial standards and publication quality of yourfine Gunner liaison letter. It is an interesting andtopical publication which generates a good deal ofinterest and discussion on this side of the Tasman.
We have been following the equipment andorganisational changes that have been underway inthe last year or so in the RAA. It is an interesting andchallenging time for you. You have the benefit ofsome years of operational Artillery experiencewhich we have been lacking recently in the RNZA.Like us, you have had to cut your cloth to suit thebudget, at least to some extent, in a period ofconsiderable financial constraint.
In all likelihood New Zealand is now moving out ofthe period of substantial cuts as our economycontinues to improve, so it is unlikely that there willbe significant reduction changes in the RNZA in theforeseeable future.
By 2020 the intent is that the
Defence Force will be capable of
conducting amphibious military
operations and responding to
emergencies in our region.
To provide some information and material fordiscussion I thought it might be useful tosummarise where the RNZA is at.
Firstly the setting from the current White Paper. NZDefence focus until 2015 is re-orienting existingunits and assets into a joint amphibious task force,capable of responding to threats and tasks in NewZealand and its region; to security challenges in theSouth Pacific; and, challenges to New Zealand's andAustralia's common security interests.
By 2020 the intent is that the Defence Force will becapable of conducting amphibious militaryoperations and responding to emergencies in ourregion. This would be either on our own or as partof a wider coalition. We would still maintainselected forces capable of participating inoperations elsewhere in the world.
The army has been reconfigured around the abilityto quickly form a combined arms task group. Thisincludes retaining existing light gun and mortarcapability to meet the requirements of the taskgroup.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
16th Field Regiment is therefore organised intothree fire support batteries: two regular force, andone territorial force; and, a headquarters battery.The establishments of the fire support batteries areidentical, each with six 105 millimetre L119 lightguns and twelve 81 mm mortars. As well as thenormal quota of observation parties, the Regimentalso mounts two Joint Fires Teams in LightArmoured Vehicles.
The territorial force battery trains to individualskills levels and provides manpower for the tworegular force batteries as required, as well asundertaking sub unit level training as a gun battery.
The light guns have just gone through a completerebuild taking their life out to 2030. The firesupport batteries have re-equipped with astate-of-the-art fire prediction system. Targetacquisition and meteorological equipments are alsobeing upgraded.
In addition to new equipments the RNZA has beenmade responsible for the conduct of non lethalinfluence operations (CIMIC and InformationOperations). These new competencies are addingto the RNZA's utility. Gunners have alreadydeployed to a variety of theatres as CIMIC and IOstaff.
The RNZA is developing an operating conceptwhere the battery is capable of deploying a varietyof lethal and non lethal capabilities to support a NZBattle Group within the Pacific. Key to the successof this concept is the agility with which the Batterycan transition between capabilities and forceposture as the intensity of conflict varies.
In a more severe threat setting, the concept is thatthe gun battery would initially deploy over a beachwith mortars to provide support for the deployedinfantry. As logistics, the threat environment andbeachhead permitted, the L119s would deployeither in place of or as well as the mortars.
Currently both regular force fire support batteriesfrequently deploy on live firing exercises with theirsupported infantry or mounted rifles, using bothmortars and guns for live firing. Command andtactical elements have started training andexercises for amphibious operations, and this willcontinue as the joint force capacity develops.
The indications are that New Zealand will retain alight gun capacity through until at least 2030, andbe capable of deploying mortars and/or guns as partof RNZA operational requirements for theforeseeable future, into the South Pacific region.
Ubique
Barry DreyerColonel Commandant
Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery
Editor: Thank you for your positive feedback and advice
that the Liaison Letter is generating discussion in your
country. On behalf of the Liaison Letter readers I would
like to thank you for taking the time to provide this
comprehensive update on the Royal New Zealand
Artillery.
Leadership
In reading Field Marshal Sir William Slim's address(RAA Liaison Letter - Autumn Edition 2013), where heexplained that in Army one talks of 'leadership', not'management', I was reminded of a particular day in1998 (when I was still in the Army); I was over at theArmy Headquarters' Orderly Room, speaking to itsChief Clerk. To my surprise and horror, he informedme that it was not an Orderly Room, but a'Shopfront', and that he was not the Chief Clerk butthe Office Manager. I was later advised that theArmy now had, in some units, 'fleet managers'instead of commanding officers.
I was later advised that the Army
now had, in some units, 'fleet
managers' instead of
commanding officers.
As a result of this I spoke to a number of seniorofficers about my concerns as to where the Armywas heading with regard to this matter and I thenhad a letter published in the Army Newspaperaddressing these 'changes' (for which I received agreat deal of support from a number of warrant andcommissioned officers). It seemed to me that, withthis type of civilian mentality, the Army appeared tobe losing the 'plot' and its direction. I now see,reading the latest edition of the RAA Liaison Letter,that the Army currently has a number of WO1sserving as 'managers', with some six Gunner WO1sposted as: Manager Operations Offensive Support,and I'm informed that the former Warrant OfficerGunnery Course has been 'civilianized' to theManager Operations Offensive Support Course!
I agree that members of the Defence Force are apart of society in general; it is, however, a fact of lifethat the Australian Defence Force (not theDepartment of Defence) is a different organizationto anything else out there in the civilian world; ithas a different psyche, lifestyle and purpose.
Speaking now, as a civilian (and yes, I know I'vebeen out of the Army for some 15 years), it seemsthat the Army has gone even further 'down-hill';where is this going to end?
Yours sincerely
Christopher Jobson
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Editor: Sadly in these days of corporatisation, civilian
accreditation, justifying pay cases and increasing
civilianisation within the Department of Defence and
the involvement of outside agencies, in order to
demystify 'military service' there are occasions when the
'jargon and terminology' that you and I take for granted
have to be replaced with more urbane terms to assist
non military people gain an improved understanding of
the 'Profession of Arms' for our mutual benefit.
History and Heritage Matters
Thank you for publishing my letter of 4th February2013 in the Autumn Edition of the Liaison Letterand for your detailed comment. I must say howeverthat I cannot agree with the whole content of thecomment. I am one who believes that Napoleonstruck the right note when he said, or is reputed tohave said, 'God is on the side of the big battalions'.
Referring now to your interest, history andheritage, can you or your readers provide answersto the following two questions?
Question One. Following the reorganization ofReserve artillery what has been the fate of 113 FieldBattery, a sub unit of 7 Field Regiment? This batterywas originally a coast battery and as such was theonly coast battery in the whole of our history toengage a hostile war vessel. I am not talking about'bring to' rounds fired across the bows of merchantships.
Question Two. In the days of the RAA NationalMuseum the late Arthur Kennedy during one of our'learned' lunch time discussions asked 'Where is theRoyal Warrant that authorized the formation of theRoyal Australian Artillery Regiment'? Of course no oneknew but the question still remains, where is thewarrant today.
Yours sincerely
Laurie Hindmarsh
Editor: In answer to your first question I am sorry to say
but in the reorganisation of the Army Reserve
component of the Royal Regiment 113th Field Battery
was been removed from the order of battle. With regard
to your second question my knowledge of our history
and heritage does not extend to being able to provide
you an answer. I would like to very quickly side step the
query and invite any readers who may have knowledge
to write in with the answer which I will gladly publish in
the next edition.
Poem - The Guns of the Regiment
Firstly, thanks for all the work you have done on theLiaison Letter. It's great to see what's happening inthe Regiment and more importantly, who's stillaround that I know! It's even better to see that you
hold no punches when it comes to those curious /bizarre / nugatory changes that seem to crop upwith monotonous regularity!
I therefore decided to try my hand
at penning a poem that summed
up the whole Australian 'Gunner
Experience' …
On another matter, poetry! I decided to surf the netfor some good Gunner poems and, whilst therewere some excellent Commonwealth offeringsfrom different eras, there was a dearth of anythingfrom Australian Gunners with even our brethrenacross the ditch having produced quite an array.
I therefore decided to try my hand at penning apoem that summed up the whole Australian 'GunnerExperience' as I saw it from my readings of ourGunners at war and peace and my rather limitedexperience on the gun line. I will leave the poem inyour capable hands to determine whether it hasmerit, would be relevant in this modern, digital,Gen Y world and would warrant publishing. Theonly thing I ask is that, if published, it be listed asANON.
The Guns of the Regiment
She's a cold, hard bitch who's been served
by many men in her life
yet none hold regret for their time with
this gun of The Regiment.
He's cursed her when she exacted
her due in sweat, tears and blood
yet lavished her with loving attention
his gun of The Regiment.
He called her 'Dog' with affection
served her through peace and through war
his mistress, his colours, his life,
his gun of The Regiment.
He fed her with high explosive
fighting for breath in a gunpowder haze
in deserts, jungles and snow,
his gun of The Regiment.
And when the medals were issued
when the pats on the back arrived
he knew it had been a team effort
of the whole of The Royal Regiment.
April and sporting a suit now
medals and red on blue tie
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
he forms up with mates of old
the Gunners of The Regiment.
Every year the ranks grow thinner
but those who march really know
that the fallen still march alongside them
the Ghosts of The Regiment.
In his twilight years he shuffles
through a park where the children play
a tear in his eye, a proud nod,
past a gun of The Regiment.
And when St Barbara calls him
to Take Post for one last time,
he'll be borne to his well-earned rest
on a gun of The Regiment.
Editor: Many thanks for your very generous feedback. I
congratulate you for taking the time and most
importantly making the effort to 'craft' your poem. I
publish it with pleasure in the Liaison Letter and
welcome any others that you may wish to contribute in
the future. I am happy to meet your request for
anonymity.
Feedback Snippets
Credit to you for all your excellent work as editor ofthe RAA Liaison Letter. Receiving it over the yearshas always provided me with an insight into RAAmatters.
Best WishesBrigadier Peter Kilpatrick (Retd)
Congratulations on the further improvements inquality and content of the Liaison Letter: a reallyoutstanding medium for Gunner news and views.
SincerelyWalter Reed
Thanks for the latest issue of the RAA Liaison Letter,insightful and a good read as always.
RegardsColonel Shane Amor (Retd)
DATE CLAIMER
LIAISON LETTER
Next Edition Contribution Deadline
Friday 14th February 2014
QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY
HONOURSMEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
IN THE MILITARY DIVISION
Warrant Officer Class One Christopher
Walton MAYFIELD
For meritorious service as Master Gunner Proof
and Experimental Establishment Graytown and
as the Regimental Sergeant Major 8th/12th
Regiment, the Royal Regiment of Australian
Artillery.
Warrant Officer Mayfield's leadership,professionalism and work ethic have beenexceptional. He has excelled in themaintenance of the highest technicalstandards and demonstrated foresight andinitiative in managing the seamlessintroduction of new Field Artillery trades.
These achievements have enhanced thecapability of the Royal Australian Artillery.Warrant Officer Mayfield's ability to motivateand inspire others is commendable, and he iswidely respected among those with whom hehas served.
STOP PRESS STOP PRESS
Liaison Letter Contributor
Incentive
Big Sky Publishing is pleased to support an
initiative to encourage all members to contribute
to the Liaison Letter.
Big Sky Publishing will provide contemporary
publications from their military title range to
reward selected contributor(s) as chosen by the
Editor.
6
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Representative
Colonel
CommandantBrigadier A. G. (Gerry) Warner, AM, LVO (Retd)
Dear Fellow Gunners
As you read this edition of the
Liaison Letter, the long
Australian Defence Force
commitment In Afghanistan
draws to a close. Although
Australian guns were not
deployed, Gunners served
with courage, distinction and
initiative in a wide range of
roles and delivered a number of critical capabilities.
Amongst other tasks RAA members served on the
guns of our allies, controlled fire support from
mortars, close air and artillery, provided early
warning and force protection with the Counter
Rocket and Mortar (CRAM) system, and operated
the Shadow 200 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System.
In previous editions the Liaison Letter Editor and
his contributors have provided excellent coverage
of the RAA operations.
Clearly the RAA will identify many
lessons from the Afghanistan
experience and work will be
required to optimise and further
develop equipment, processes
and tactics.
Clearly the RAA will identify many lessons from the
Afghanistan experience and work will be required
to optimise and further develop equipment,
processes and tactics. I congratulate and thank all
those who have served and continue to serve in this
difficult and costly campaign, and express our
Regiment's appreciation for their contribution to
the rich history of the RAA.
In early August at the invitation of its Board, I
attended an information seminar conducted by the
Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company. The
seminar was designed to inform and engage with
pivotal and interested parties within Army, the
Gunner community and other Canberra
stakeholders. The event was well attended and I am
confident it gave the RAAHC some serious issues
for consideration and development.
The RAAHC is working hard to progress the
planning and development of a combined Armour /
Artillery Museum at Puckapunyal. In the meantime
the Army History Unit has advised that an interim
artillery display will be established in buildings
adjacent to the existing RAAC Tank Museum at
Puckapunyal. The display is expected to be
operational by the end of March 2014. The AHU will
seek to manage the interim display with Army
Reserve staff and anticipates employment of a
volunteer support group in future.
Sadly this year I have needed to write a number of
sympathy letters following the deaths of members
of the RAA family. In doing so I have been exposed
to sometimes interesting or unique aspects of the
service of a fellow Gunner. Mindful of the
importance of such information and the risk of it
being lost, I refer to the announcement by the
RAAHC in the last Cannonball on the creation of the
'Australian Gunner Obituaries' resource. This is a great
initiative with significant potential value and utility.
Please give it your support and contribute if and
when appropriate.
Head of Regiment and I recently discussed RAA
Standing Orders, particularly their currency,
accuracy and relevance. We agreed that some
revision was necessary before a new publication
and distribution, and that revision will commence
shortly. In a related matter, an article and
correspondence on the accuracy of aspects of the
Regiment's history, in recent RAA LL, has raised
issues deserving further consideration. I will
explore a way ahead with the members of the
Regimental Committee and the History
Sub-Committee.
Good Shooting
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Regimental
Head of RegimentBrigadier Peter Gates, CSM
Fellow Gunners
This Spring Liaison Letter
provides the opportunity
to reflect on achievements
of the Regiment this year
and turn our mind to some
of the opportunities and
challenges that lie ahead.
I continue to be impressed
by the professionalism and
positive attitude displayed by Gunners involved in
the introduction or development of new capability.
Coupled with our ongoing training and operational
roles, 2013 has been another busy and productive
year.
This year had 4th Regiment (4 Regt) with
attachments from 20th Surveillance and Target
Acquisition Regiment (20 STA Regt) and 16 Air Land
Regiment (16 ALR) deploy on Exercise Talisman
Sabre / Hamel 13 at Shoalwater Bay. They were
pitted against an enemy Battle group that included
a battery from 1st Regiment (1 Regt). It was the first
time the RAA has had all of its new capabilities
exercising together. In particular we saw the Giraffe
– Angle Multi-Beam (G-AMB) radar, Light-weight
Counter Mortar Radar (LCMR) and the Shadow 200
UAS deployed and integrated into the Joint Fires
and surveillance plan along with the M777A2,
RBS-70 and AFATDS C2 system. The School also
supported the exercise with the provision of
observer-trainers and umpires.
More enhanced capabilities are being delivered to
units now and in the near future. The Digital
Terminal Control System (DTCS) has commenced
initial training at the School, AFATDS continues to
develop our battle management, Land 136 will be
examining new mortar fire control systems, JP129
and the Shadow UAS capability continues to
impress and challenge us as combat aviators, Land
19 moves ever forward and the remainder of the
M777A2 fleet arrive in Australia very soon.
Although our commitments to the Afghan Artillery
School and the Mobile Training Team have been
completed, a number of the Gunner community
remain heavily committed to operations in the
Middle East. 20 STA Regt continue to fly the Shadow
200 UAS in support of our forces, 16 ALR continue
to support Air Land integration and force
protection at Tarin Kowt and we have a number of
personnel from all ranks serving in staff and
mentoring roles in Tarin Kowt, Kandahar and Kabul.
We also have members in other operational areas
around the world in a variety of roles.
The thoughts and support of all Gunners are with
those of the Regiment that are deployed or are
about to deploy and with their families.
I would also like to acknowledge the members of
the Reserve for their ongoing work to convert to
Mortar Batteries. There are significant practical
challenges in doing so, coupled with more nuanced
issues of culture, heritage and maintaining the
collective sense of what it is to be a Gunner in new
command structures. What I have been particularly
impressed with is the dedication and
professionalization of those involved in this work
to realise capabilities required by Army under Plan
Beersheba.
I was struck by the confidence
and maturity of our young
Gunners.
I had the opportunity to join the young officers of
the Regiment at the ROBC Dining In Night in April
which was a great success and notable for the
significant numbers in attendance. Whilst chatting
with members of the Gun and GBAD IET courses at
the School I was struck by the confidence and
maturity of our young Gunners. 53rd Battery was as
busy yet assured as usual. All of these together
purport well for the health and strength of the
Regiment's future.
On behalf of the Regiment I would like to
congratulate the recently announced Commanding
Officers and Regimental Sergeant Majors for 2014.
On behalf of the Regiment I wish them every
success in their new appointments.
The Regiment has a bright future
built on the commitment and
professionalism of current and
former Gunners. I look forward to
seeing as many of you as possible
over the coming months.
I join with all members of the Regiment to welcome
the new mid year RMC graduates. I was unable to
attend the presentation of awards ceremony;
consequently I would like thank Brigadier Graeme
Finney for deputising for me. On behalf of the Royal
Regiment he presented the Royal Australian
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Artillery Prize to SCDT Gerard Hinchcliffe. The
following graduates entered the Regiment from
RMC; Cameron Smith (20 STA Regt), Gerard
Hinchcliffe (8/12 Regt), Harrison Williams (1 Regt),
Matthew Armstrong (16 ALR). With them are two
officers from AustInt who are completing their
Regimental experience with the RAA; Thomas
Muarry (16 ALR) and Robert Pike (8/12 Regt). On
behalf of the Gunners I wish you the best at the
outset of what I trust will be a rewarding career.
I would also like to acknowledge Warrant Officer
Class One Chris Mayfield who was recognised for
his service in the Queens Birthday Honours List.
Such recognition is a reflection of the important
contribution he has made to Defence.
Lastly, I can report that real progress is being made
in preserving and displaying our Artillery Heritage. I
would like to acknowledge the work of the Royal
Australian Artillery Historical Company, the Army
History Unit and School of Artillery to progress
these initiatives. I hope by the next Liaison Letter to
report the opening of an interim location near the
School of Artillery at Puckapunyal.
The Regiment has a bright future built on the
commitment and professionalism of current and
former Gunners. I look forward to seeing as many of
you as possible over the coming months.
Ubique
Deputy Head of
RegimentLieutenant Colonel Dave Edwards
It has been another busy
year at the School and
across the Regiment in
general. There has been a
great deal of work done by
many people to reach a
workable interim solution
for the RAA Museum to be
established in Puckapunyal
alongside the RAAC
Museum. This will allow for
a number of the pieces to be displayed and taken care of
as well as allowing the School access to an important
training resource for equipment principles and learning
about our heritage. The RAAC Museum has a good
number of visitors through its gates and external other
students from Defence seeking to learn about the
evolution of military technology. I hope that the RAA can
contribute to this body of learning as well. I would
encourage any of our Associations planning a trip, or any
Gunner who is travelling nearby to come in to visit the
interim Museum. It is just around the corner from the
School and you would be more than welcome at the
'Home of the Gunner'.
It would be remiss of me not to recognise the work of
the 2nd Divisional RAA Light Batterys as they continue
to roll out a quality mortar capability. I have been very
fortunate to have had the support of 2nd/10th Light
Battery (5th/6th Royal Victorian Rifles) for Exercise
Chong Ju and very shortly they will be supporting
RMC Duntroon for combined arms live fire activities at
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Lieutenant Gerard Hinchliffe was presented theArtillery Prize by Brigadier Graeme Finney, OAM onbehalf of Head of Regiment. Lieutenant Hinchliffe
was also presented the Queen's Medal for Highestaggregate marks in First and Second Class by
Lieutenant General David Morrison, AO Chief ofArmy and the Raytheon Prize for being first in
Defence and Strategic Studies Essays by Mr PaulStraghair. All graduates were presented theircommissions by the Chief of Army Lieutenant
General David Morrison, AO.
Puckapunyal. The performance of the Light Battery
gunners has been great and I hope they get
something out of the activities as well.
While I remain in support of
change and modernisation I
would like to highlight the need to
retain and reinforce our basic
technical and tactical principles
and skills.
The School has had a strong focus on supporting
the introduction into service of so many of the new
capabilities. Communications and Support Wing
has now adopted the full suite of digital
communications equipment for Basic and Specialist
Combat Communicator Courses, Joint Fires Wing
has continued the M777A2 and AFATDS training,
GBAD Wing (soon to be renamed Air-Land Wing)
has been incorporating many of the new systems
and into existing training in order to support 16th
Air Land Regiment. STA Wing has just completed
the first Operator UAS course to be held in Australia
and the second is already underway. These two
courses have only been able to be conducted due to
the heavy cooperation, patience and understanding
of 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition
Regiment (20 STA). My thanks to 20 STA Regt for
allowing the School to deliver quality individual
training for UAS pilots / operators. The New
Equipment Training Team has continued its
development and testing of AFATDS in the
Requirements Centre and we are introducing the
new suite of observers' equipment associated with
DTCS. This includes new laser range finders, laser
designators, thermal imagery systems as well as the
digital communication suite itself. This equipment
should be in all Regiments by April 2014.
Change appears to be the new norm with more on
the way. The School will hand over the Bushmaster
PMV training at Motorised Combat Wing to the
Army School of Transport at the end of 2014. I am
very proud of the MCW Team and the Bushmaster.
They have provided some outstanding courses to
the ADF over the years and I hope this continues
under the RACT stewardship. There is also some
work underway to examine where the UAS
capability best sits in Army. I, for one, have seen
great work by the RAA in this area and I think it may
be best served where it is now.
While I remain in support of change and
modernisation I would like to highlight the need to
retain and reinforce our basic technical and tactical
principles and skills. It is easy to focus on the new
and advanced equipment, but we must continue to
understand how and why things happen to guns,
launchers, radars, rounds, missiles, lasers and
aircraft. Digital systems do not mean the end of
disciplined radio procedures and fire discipline.
Take time to train and review your individual skills
and technical knowledge. It has proven to be a
source of great strength of the RAA for some time
and is the foundation for timely, accurate and safe
Joint Fires, Surveillance and Air Land operations in
the future.
Regimental
Master GunnerWarrant Officer Class One Bob Thompson, OAM
'Gunners will always fight together, drink together,
laugh together, and morn together.'
Greetings Fellow Gunners
As I write this contribution
I have just been informed
of the passing of another
member of our Gunner
family who has left us to
rest permanently at the
Gun Park in heaven. Sadly
2013 has seen the passing
of Colonel Mike Kingsford,
Major Tony Thwaites, and Warrant Officer Class One
Phil Robertson. On behalf of all ranks of the Royal
Regiment of Australian Artillery I extend condolences
to their families and friends.
It has been a very busy year so far for the Regiment
embedding new structures and equipment as we
move forward to establishing Multi-Role Combat
Brigades (MCB) or like brigades within the framework
of Plan Beersheba.
I recently participated in Exercise Talisman Sabre 13
and had the unique opportunity to observe and report
on the RAA capabilities attached to the Armoured
Cavalry Regiment (ACR) Battle Group (BG) which was
also being trialled and evaluated prior to its formal
initial establishment in January 2014 within the 1st
Brigade.
It was encouraging to see within the ACR although
very much in its infancy the coordinated collective
effort at all levels of command working together to
understand what each capability brings to the
organisation and how to make best use of these
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
assets. Seeing the ACR on the ground for the first time
as opposed to on an establishment slide reminded me
of the formation battle groupings of the 80s and 90s
however with far greater mobility plus surveillance
and target acquisition capability delivering far
superior coordinated and accurate fire power.
I spent the duration of the exercise within the BG HQ
within the BG Joint Fires and Effect Coordination
Centre (JFECC) provided by 109th Battery, 4th
Regiment observing its offensive support
coordination function and the interoperability of the
BG force enablers through mission planning,
rehearsals and execution. At the same time I was able
to observe and engage soldiers and non
commissioned officers from 4th Regiment, 16th Air
Land Regiment, and 20th Surveillance Target
Acquisition Regiment providing support to the BG.
I believe that in the manner in
which the soldiers, non
commissioned officers, and
officers of the Royal Australian
Artillery applied their trade skills,
knowledge, and attributes to
foundation war fighting the future
of the Regiment is in good hands.
While I was impressed with the ACR, BG JFECC and
supporting enablers and what they had achieved in six
months and will continue to improve as it matures
what really stood out for me was the way the non
commissioned officers and soldiers presented
themselves and the capability that they provided.
When engaging the BG operational planning staff the
JFECC staff, RBS-70 and Lightweight Counter Mortar
Radar (LCMR) detachment commanders confidently
provided sound advice regarding the deployment of
their respective assets. Their advice was well received,
convincing, and very informative for the BG planning
staff.
Although I did observe some minor all corps soldier
field craft deficiencies which can be easily addressed
through fault correction and practice I believe that in
the manner in which the soldiers, non commissioned
officers, and officers of the Royal Australian Artillery
applied their trade skills, knowledge, and attributes
to foundation war fighting the future of the Regiment
is in good hands.
'The Colours of the Royal Regiment of Australian
Artillery are the Guns'
Recently the retired guns of the Regiment located
within the School of Artillery were vandalized by
members from the Royal Australian Regiment who
were attending a mortar course at the School. Apart
from not demonstrating respect towards another
unit's property and the customs and traditions
associated with this property they also lacked the
courage to initially come forward and be held
accountable and take responsibilities for their actions.
Unfortunately this incident has not been the first
occurrence at the School and similar incidents have
occurred throughout unit locations around Australia.
Remember these retired guns are not merely garden
guns. I believe they should be viewed as laid up
colours are and should at all times be treated with
dignity and respect.
During the early years of the Royal Artillery, the
equivalent of today's Queen's Colour was carried on
one of the guns in the artillery train. Normally the
Colour was carried on the largest gun of the train,
which became known as the Colour Gun or Flag Gun.
The practice of carrying the Colour on the gun ceased
towards the end of the eighteenth century, when the
guns themselves came to be known as the Colours.
The general procedure for paying compliments to the
colours is as follows:
• When no less than a battery with its guns is
parading on a ceremonial occasion, the leading gun
represents the Colours of the Royal Australian
Artillery. Compliments and respect due to Colours
are to be paid when this gun passes the immediate
front. The exception to this is the Reviewing Officer
during mounted parades who in taking the salute
of each detachment commander salutes all guns.
• A pennant should be flown from the lead missile
launcher vehicle.
• On other occasions, it is impractical to pay
compliments to 'guns', but they should always be
treated with dignity and respect. Such practices as
smoking or lounging on or near guns, decorating
them on social occasions and leaving them
unprotected are unacceptable.
• Units and sub-units whose principle equipment is
not a 'gun' do not have colours. The Banner of
Queen Elizabeth II is to be used in lieu on
ceremonial occasions.
The 'guns' take precedence over the Banner of Queen
Elizabeth II when they are paraded together.
On a brighter note, congratulations to Warrant Officer
Class One Chris Mayfield whose service was formally
recognised in the 2013 Queen's Birthday honours.
Chris was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia
(OAM) for meritorious service as Master Gunner Proof
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
and Experimental Establishment Graytown and as the
Regimental Sergeant Major 8th/12th Regiment, the
Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery.
With the end of 2013 approaching units around
Australia will be conducting promotion and
appointment parades on or around St Barbara's Day. I
would like to congratulate all Gunners who will be
promoted and or take up new appointments in 2014.
Thankyou for efforts this year, stay safe over the
Christmas leave period, keep your powder dry and
enjoy your well earned break.
UbiqueSt Barbara of the Artillery Corps,
Be at the bursting of the doors of doom,
And in the dark deliver us,
Amen.
Irish field Artillery poem
Joint Fires Cell
Headquarters 2nd
DivisionLieutenant Colonel Warwick Young &
Warrant Officer Class One Shaun Graham
The 2nd Division Joint Fires Cell and all six of the
Divisions Light Batteries (Lt Btys) have been busy
with the ongoing tasks of completing their
conversion to mortars and in the Lt Btys' case,
integrating into their new battalions.
All six Lt Btys have conducted live fire activities this
year either as part of a battalion activity or
independently. While the focus of most activities is
to trade qualify personnel, the Lt Btys have taken
advantage of the extra ammunition provided for
mortar conversion and are putting it to good use.
The Lt Btys are beginning to develop SOPs, and
tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) as well as
being able to provide some very realistic training
for their JFTs.
The combined effect of qualifying personnel and
developing our TTPs is also preparing the 2nd
Division Gunners to be embedded with an ARA
Multi Combat Brigade as part of an Army Reserve
Multi Role Battlegroup which will take part in
Exercise Hamel 2014. The embedded Lt Bty will be
formed primarily from elements of 11th and 13th
Brigades but with keys functions being drawn from
both 5th and 8th Brigades.
2nd Division Joint Fires Cell has also been busy with
Major Stu Seabrook racking up some serious
frequent flyer points supporting activities all over
the country. The cell will also be conducting a
number of courses during September 2013,
including the Light Artillery Command Post,
Observation of Fire Mod 1 and a combined
Regimental Officer Gunnery Course Mod 5 / SPRV
Mod 3.
Warrant Officer Class Two Dave Carter has
commenced the huge assignment of reviewing all of
the Lt Arty Training Management Packages (TMPs)
in order to provide suggestions and advice to
Headquarters Combined Arms Training Centre on
future Lt Arty course content. By combining the
outcomes of the review with work already
completed on the RAA Army Reserve Trade Model,
the RAA within the 2nd Division will receive
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
6th-13th Light Battery Stoney Head
3rd Light Battery
challenging and most importantly, relevant training
which will form the basis Joint Fires capability
within the Division.
The Division will farewell several Australian Regular
Army Staff in December. Captain James Tarpley is
posted from 3 Lt Bty to 16th Air Land Regiment (16
ALR); Captain Adam White is posted from 6/13 Lt
Bty to 16 ALR; Captain Aaron Cook is posted from
6/13 Lt Bty to Headquarters 5th Brigade; Captain
Brett Sprague is posted from 7 Lt Bty to
Headquarters 2nd Division; Captain David
Schweinsberg is posted from 23 Lt Bty to long term
schooling; SMIG 5/11 Lt Bty, Warrant Officer Class
Two Shaun Jolley is posted to the School of Artillery;
SMIG 6/13 Lt Bty, Warrant Officer Class Two Toby
Organ is also posted to the School of Artillery; OPS
SGT 6 /13 Lt Bty, Sergeant Craig Cousins is posted to
the Royal Military College and finally SMIG 23 Lt Bty,
Warrant Officer Class Two Mark Green is posted to
1st Regiment. SO1 Joint Fires, Lieutenant Colonel
Warwick Young and the staff of the Joint Fires Cell
wish all those members being posted the best of
luck with their new appointments and thanks them
for their hard work, vigilance and commitment
during their current posting.
Five Minutes with
Major General
Paul Symon, AOMajor General Paul
Symon was born in
Melbourne in 1960, he
graduated from the
Royal Military College,
Duntroon, in 1982 as
recipient of the Sword
of Honour and its
senior cadet. He was
allotted to the Royal
Regiment of Australian
Artillery and has seen
service with the gunners in many postings,
culminating in command of the 1st Field Regiment
in 1998–1999.
Major General Symon has served on operations four
times. His most important joint command was in
late 2005 until mid 2006 when appointed
Commander Middle East. This appointment gave
him national command responsibility for all
soldiers, sailors and airmen/women in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
He advised the United Nations Special
Representative in East Timor in the four months
prior to the deployment of INTERFET. This entailed
close liaison with the Indonesian military, Falantil
and militia leaders prior to, during, and after the
vote for independence in 1999. For his leadership in
East Timor and in command, he was named a
Member of the Order of Australia in the 2000
Queen's Birthday honours list.
In 1997 he served with the United Nations in South
Lebanon and the Golan Heights in a period of great
tension between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defence
Force. And in 2003, he was appointed as the senior
military adviser for the Regional Assistance Mission
to the Solomon Islands. It was in this period that a
significant number of militia leaders were jailed and
a very successful gun amnesty organised.
Major General Symon has taught at the Royal
Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the UK, has served
as Army's Director General of Personnel, its Director
General of Preparedness and Plans and as Director
General Pacific in International Policy Division. He
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
2nd-10th Light Battery Exercise Chong Jul 13
has also served as the Chief of Staff of Army's 1st
Division in Brisbane.
Major General Symon served as Deputy Chief of
Army for three years from December 2008 until
November 2011 before assuming his current
appointment as Director of the Defence
Intelligence Organisation.
Academically, Major General Symon holds two
Master's degrees: from Deakin University and from
the University of New South Wales. He is a graduate
of Army's staff college and of the Centre for Defence
and Strategic Studies in Canberra.
He was promoted to Officer of the Order of
Australia (AO) in the 2007 Australia Day honours list
in recognition of his operational service in the
Middle East.
Major General Symon is married to his wife of 25
years (Kate) and they have two teenage children. He
gains pleasure running half marathons and in the
company of his family and friends.
• Congratulations on your appointment as Director
of the Defence Intelligence Organisation. If my
memory is correct you are the first Gunner to
have held the position. Having now been the
incumbent for sometime from a senior
uniformed leadership perspective what are the
key differences you have encountered between
this appointment and those specifically within
Army including your last as Deputy Chief of
Army?
There are some things we take for granted in Army.
We assume our next posting will be subject to
considered thought by someone. We generally assume
that our career is secure. We assume that promotion
relies on solid foundational knowledge with increasing
dollops of strategic sense as time goes by. We assume
appraisal reporting will occur on an annual basis. We
assume it is understood and accepted that discipline
matters. I could go on.
DIO, in contrast, comprises a predominately civilian
workforce. I arrived in October 2011 and quickly
realised that none of the earlier assumptions
necessarily hold true. They would only become truths
when dictated as such and implemented with vigour.
But some analysts in DIO are subject matter experts
and simply don't want further promotion. Some see a
disciplined mind as a path to 'group think'. Some have
great strategic nous but no practical, foundational
knowledge. In other words, it's a broad church. It
requires different leadership skills to get the best out
of everyone. In some ways, the job is even more
demanding than the DCA job.
• As DCA you were involved in initiating and
implementing many of the Strategic Reform
Program changes some of which were strategic
whilst others were of a 'house keeping' nature.
Some of these 'house keeping' decisions were in
areas that whilst not related directly to
'warfighting' were very emotive and often
unpopular as they focused on heritage and
tradition eg uniforms and messes. From a Gunner
perspective one of these decisions was the
closure of Australian Army Artillery Museum at
North Head. On reflection since leaving that
appointment and with the benefit of hindsight is
there any particular decision that you would have
made differently?
Terry, a very loaded question. One we have discussed
before (and agreed to disagree on). There were two
elements to the Artillery Museum (North Head)
decision as I recall. One was the simply exorbitant rate
that was about to be levied on Army by simply
maintaining our presence there. Frankly, we were
being financially 'squeezed out' of the Sydney
foreshore by a very ungrateful group of people at a
time when Army's discretionary funding was at a low
ebb. Second, the Chief of Army had desired that
museums be co-located with schools – a very
defensible position at a time when we were hard
pressed to justify funding for museums. Remember,
Army was being required to find its share of $20.4
billion in savings. My job as DCA was to balance the
books. At the same time, we were on operations in
four different theatres. Uniforms and messes were
simply held to a priority commensurate with the many
other competing priorities; falling behind operational,
equipment and training priorities. As for popular
decisions, it is rarely the lot of a DCA to find himself in
such glorious company. And finally, are there any
decisions I would have made differently over a three
year period as DCA? Yes. But I'll need more than five
minutes to go through them!
• You have extensive operational service as a
senior officer in varied appointments. What do
you consider are the key influences from these
experiences that have enhanced your command
and leadership skills?
I have been exposed to a considerable number of
positive and negative experiences on operations. This
admixture of experience leaves me still pondering the
hardest question still to be resolved: should a
commander stand back and let subordinates blossom,
or should they forever probe into the detail? The
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
answer lies, on occasion, at both extremes, and
sometimes at neither extreme. Judgement improves
over time, but sometimes hubris can kick in as well.
So, I like your use of the term 'enhance' – that is all we
ever achieve, I think, as we attempt to lift our game.
To think otherwise is hubris of the highest order. By
nature, I tend to silently applaud those who are
hardest on themselves. They are normally the ones
who progressively 'enhance' their command and
leadership skills.
• As you have gained experience and seniority how
has your leadership style evolved and what are
the fundamental principles on which you base
your conduct and related decision making?
It is best for others to comment on my leadership style.
I'm not sure what to say. I do think that I deal with and
treat poor performance, poor discipline and wayward
ethics in the workplace much better now than I could
in the past. I struggled in this area in the past. But
generalship and years in service forces your hand. It's
like the BSM/RSM appointments. You are
fundamentally pivotal to Army's standards. That
means developing the good performers and
admonishing the lazy or poor performers. As for a
fundamental principle, 'respect' does it for me. It's my
philosophical start point to everyone (and every
organisation) that I encounter. People start off high in
my estimation – that's how I base my conduct and
decision making – so there's only two directions people
can go in as a result of their own words and deeds:
lower in my esteem, or even higher.
• What part do you believe that your Regimental
training, background and experiences played in
preparing you for higher appointments?
Attention to detail and knowing how to advise seniors
is the significant tactical advantage gunners have
over others. I have already touched on the nexus
between detail and letting people blossom. But
because gunners are required to take detail so
seriously right from the outset, that provides an
excellent foundation upon which to base subsequent
leadership judgement. As for advising seniors, I have
done so every day since being appointed to star rank.
On the gunnery front, I provided advice to manoeuvre
commanders from Captain rank onwards. And, of
course, Bombardiers do so too. So we gunners are well
practiced.
• Given your experience with the United Nations
and peace keeping what have you observed as
the organisations key strengths and challenges?
The moral authority of the UN is its greatest strength.
It provided some comfort to me in the four months
preceding the arrival of INTERFET in 1999 as things
started to fall apart. But it presented a great
challenge too, because the moral authority of the UN
had little meaning to some of the protagonists.
Indeed, quite the opposite – UN peacekeepers were a
soft target, relying on the ballistic qualities of a blue
beret, unarmed and easily taunted. I could write a
book on this question and yet we only have five
minutes.
• You are an avid runner, as a senior commander
with ever increasing demands on your time and
conflicting priorities how do you maintain the
appropriate work life balance that is regularly
referred to within Army? Further do you have any
particular advice to Gunners, especially those
still serving with regard this personal challenge?
I work hard to clear leave, or get it to as low a figure
as possible. I run every morning. I avoid bringing work
home (actually I can't in my current job!) I set myself a
simple goal: that of running one half marathon per
year from 40–55 years of age and keeping the result
to +/- 5 minutes. A simple but effective goal. I never
take myself too seriously. And I remind myself of how
many mistakes I made when I was younger (some of
the readers will be able to elaborate)! Finally, I care
deeply for my family. All of this keeps me reasonably
grounded – I think.
• If you had the opportunity and the resources to
make one major change in Army for the better
what would be that initiative?
I would advocate an increase in Army's size (regular
and reserve). This is not based on a hunch. This is
based on two facts. One, we still fall short of fully
implementing, sustaining and being balanced as an
Army of 'threes'. An Army of 'threes', including all the
enablers, will be important one day for operations in
our near region. Two, we have been forced to resource
the low-end options of capability reviews over the past
decade, when many of the very clever ideas reside
dormant in the growth options. We need to liberate
and resource these clever ideas.
• As the Army addresses the post Afghanistan era,
what level of training should Army and in
particular the RAA focus on in preparation for
future contingencies?
High-end joint and combined warfighting. The
gunners should lead the way in Army through the
ARTEPS process, just as we did in the 70s and 80s. We
need to train in urban, jungle and desert
environments. We need to ensure a high level of
currency in specialist skills. And we need to know how
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
to fight in a basic, 'dirty' environment (see next point
below).
• 'Digitisation' is on the lips of everyone including
the Chief of Army who consistently emphasises
that the Royal Australian Artillery and its new
capabilities are at the forefront of these changes
in Army. As a senior commander what do you
believe are the key 'force multiplier' benefits
digitisation brings to the battlefield and
'warfighting' including the artillery?
Speed and accuracy. But we must not lose sight of
operating in a 'contaminated' environment too.
Gunners must be able to provide lethal direct and
indirect fire support in a GPS-contaminated and
digitally-dirty environment. Our ARTEPS of the future
needs to have punishing joint and combined serials in
all of these demanding environments.
• What do you consider your three most
memorable career highlights not related to the
RAA?
Service in East Timor. Working in Southern Lebanon.
And instructing at Sandhurst. All for different reasons.
The first for the relief factor and sheer exhaustion of
worry and responsibility that was involved over a
protracted, dangerous period. The second in
observing deep-seated hatred first hand and realising
how lucky we are in Australia. And the third, for
appreciating that we live in an egalitarian society,
unencumbered by schooling and social standing. We
have good junior officers from all sorts of
backgrounds and we let them advance as far as they
can, untarnished by whether they have family wealth
or not.
• As a senior Army Commander do you subscribe
to the old adage 'Once a Gunner always Gunner'?
Why?
Yes, of course. I never wished that I joined a different
Corps. I made the right decision, for me, in 1982. It's
in my pedigree. It still feels family to me. I have met so
many inspiring individuals, officers and NCOs, in the
last 31 years – starting with RSM Arthur Bretherton
at RMC.
• What do you consider as the highlight or
pinnacle of your Regimental service?
Commanding the Premier Regiment in 1998/99. As an
integrated unit, 1st Field Regiment was shooting
extremely well. We had a batch of great officers and
NCOs. Graeme Lakey was an outstanding RSM. With
few resources we were a simply excellent unit (there's
perhaps a bit of bias in that comment but I'll leave it
for others to comment). Our demolition of the ovals in
the pouring rain for our anniversary parade, with
Frank Roberts as Brigade Commander, Peter Cosgrove
as Divisional Commander and Des Mueller as parade
guest, is etched forever in my mind.
• What single piece of advice would you offer
young officers and soldiers commencing their
career as a Gunner?
Respect yourself and those you lead. They will respect
you in turn (except the bad ones, and give them short
shrift).
• What guidance do you have for the RAA as it
embarks on a significant period of change
structurally and capability wise?
Our capability will be used one day in anger. And you
are the custodians of a tradition that is obliged by
design to employ the capability wisely and
competently on operations. You have to train the next
generation to do likewise. Enjoy the privilege!
Five Minutes with
Warrant Officer
Class One
David Lehr, OAM• As a senior RSM do you subscribe to the old
adage 'Once a Gunner always Gunner'?
I believe senior officers and soldiers should never
forget their past origins of service, and the key
individuals who influenced and shaped them for the
person they are today. Along with other senior RAA
RSMs, we are still engaged with the Regiment on a
range of matters and speak regularly with RAA units
and principle staff.
• In your current appointment as RSM Ceremonial
– Army what is the single most pressing issue /
proposed change that that you would like to see
implemented?
As the author of the Army Dress Manual, the most
consistent issue is dress policy. Dress in the Army is a
very emotive issue that attracts all types of
correspondence from various rank levels and
ex-military members.
I am regularly asked about the return of the beret.
However, a change that I would like to see in my
current appointment is the rank insignia for all mess
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
dress orders of dress return to the upper arm for
warrant officers, staff sergeants and sergeants.
The other key change is the new Army Ceremonial and
Protocol Manual, scheduled for release in 2014. This
publication has more detail in relation to ceremonial
procedures updated policy guidance.
• The Royal Regiment has only had one RSM Army
in Warrant Officer Peter Prewett. How do you
believe the Royal Regiment can improve the
competitiveness of its senior RSMs who are
aspiring for this sought after appointment?
I believe it is up to the individual and not the
Regiment. Gunner RSMs need to aspire and compete
for high profile / tempo Tier B appointments that will
enable them to be considered for progression to Tier C
RSM level. Like anyone else, there is no reason why
another Gunner RSM can not achieve RSM-A. The
Chief of Army selects such a person so those persons in
consideration for the position, need to be realistic
towards their goals and desires.
• In your current appointment you have been able
to observe the inner workings of the higher
levels of defence especially within Army. Has this
experience altered the views you developed as a
Regimental soldier about Army and in particular
soldiering?
One of the topical issues is the employment growth of
females in Army and its task to retain and increase
their capability over the next 18 months. This has
presented Army individuals with many mental and
physical challenges. One of those is that combat male
soldiers need to accept and learn to work with their
female counterparts in a battlefield environment.
• 'Digitisation' is on the lips of everyone including
the Chief of Army who consistently emphasises
that the Royal Australian Artillery and its related
new capabilities are at the forefront of these
changes within Army. From your perspective how
will these changes affect the 'traditional' gunline
including the qualities and skills required of the
'new' gunline members?
I was the 'traditional' gunline gunner. The forefront of
training in that era was always technical and tactical
gunnery excellence as a result of endless dry training
and command post exercises. The manual gunnery
prediction process using (technical firing table and
graphic firing tables) and an old computer that took
-up all of the allocated space in the back of a landrover
enabled us to understand the gunnery problem. Gun
regiments were able to allocate sufficient time to
balance gunnery training with tactical ground
fighting skills. The same approach can be applied in
the modern era.
• What will be the effect on career progression and
in particular non Gunner RSM appointments with
the demise of Artillery Army Reserve RSM
positions?
Although some RSM positions have been
disestablished, the RAA has not lost regimental WO1
positions with the demise of Army Reserve gun
regiments. The establishment of unit master gunner
positions has maintained an avenue of promotion for
first level regimental WO1 appointments. The only
difference is that there are less 'stick carrying'
appointments within the Regiment but not in the
wider Army.
• As you have progressed in your career as a senior
soldier how has your relationship and interaction
with your various commanders evolved?
I have been very lucky to have worked for four
excellent and approachable commanding officers. I
have learned from all of them and enjoyed the
partnership that is unique in the regimental command
team. Having completed Command and Staff College
it developed my skills that have made me more
effective when engaging at senior rank groups.
• What will be the impact on the Royal Regiment
and the Army more broadly of the post
Afghanistan era from a soldier's perspective?
Soldiers need to learn life in the Army after
Afghanistan. For example, they need to adapt by
deploying to the field for longer periods without the
expectation of going on operations overseas.
Commanders will need to learn the art of retaining
soldiers in a peace-time Army and make soldering fun
and interesting. Dry fire and movement and command
post exercises never hurt anybody. This discipline
made us 'traditional' gunners excellent at our trade
and skills. Competitive sport and inter-battery rivalry
needs re-energising, and places to develop it is on the
sporting field and conducting gun drill training near
another battery's gunline.
• What are the key implications of women in
combat for the Royal Regiment especially in the
provision of fire support?
As long as female combat soldiers can maintain the
same level of battle fitness, flexibility, adaptability
and technical competence, they are then suitable to
serve alongside their male counterparts.
• Since 1999 elements from across the Regiment
have been constantly on operations often 'out of
role'. Does this recent experience have
implications for the Regiment in retaining
technical gunnery skills into the future?
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
The technical and tactical expertise of the RAA has
significantly suffered since 1999. Overnight we
became riflemen to enhance the battalions and deploy
our soldiers. I like my peers were a part of this era that
witnessed its demise. Then along came Operation
Herrick, which reinvigorated the RAA and provided
the gunners with a means to achieve technical and
tactical gunnery excellence and deploy 'in role'.
Unfortunately, this was not enduring and the RAA was
tasked to standown with its support to Royal Artillery
regiments. In the long term, the RAA is recovering
from this period with the implementation of
digitisation. The introduction and employment of new
technology has enabled the RAA to shape and develop
tactical and technical procedures, and deliver a
standard of excellence in the application of offensive
fire support.
• What guidance do you have for the Royal
Regiment as it embarks on a significant period of
change structurally and capability wise?
The RAA has always adapted and delivered capability
in all environments. Commanders at all levels are
urged to maintain a view of flexibility and believe that
providing an offensive fire support capability to a
manoeuvre group on the battlefield is our core
business, if we need to restructure batteries to provide
this outcome, a change is most necessary.
• What are your fondest recollections of serving as
a young soldier in the Regiment?
Greens, the SLR and Bren Gun, and endless memories
of barracks and field life!!
The Army provided me with an opportunity and being
a young gunner posted to 4th Field Regiment as it was
titled then in 1983, set me up for the rest of my life.
The discipline and regimental approach of the Royal
Regiment was hard, mostly fair, sometimes
uncompromising but above all, it was rewarding and
fun.
Other memories include playing gunner Rugby and
going overseas for the first time as a young gunner.
Serving in the Royal Regiment is the most significant
part of my career as it has shaped me for the solider I
have become. Making a host of life-long mates as a
result of 30 years service is a stand-out.
• What do you consider the highlight or pinnacle of
your service in the Royal Regiment?
As previously mentioned, making life-long mates.
Being appointed as the Battery Sergeant Major of
107th Field Battery (my very first battery). Being
employed as a Regimental Sergeant Major in varying
levels of appointment.
• What single piece of advice would you offer
young officers commencing their career as a
Gunner?
Young officers have been privileged with a school
education and graduated from an exclusive military
training establishment. This does not immediately
translate into those officers knowing everything about
life or understanding the experiences that soldiers
have achieved; therefore, if you have trustworthy and
mature non commissioned officers, listen to their
voice. Learn from your Battery Commander and
Battery Sergeant Major. Demand respect but return it
generously. Take the hard right over the easy wrong.
Bad news travels fast and does not get better over
time.
Young gunners need to quickly learn about Army life
from their immediate supervisor. Look to your lance
bombardier or bombardier for guidance. There is no
need to hurry for promotion, enjoy your experiences as
a young soldier before learning about junior
command and leadership. Learn from your mistakes
and don't make them into big ones.
• Are the soldiers of today better prepared for their
first appointment than you were when you
completed your recruit and initial employment
training?
I believe soldiers are better informed but believe that
we had more commonsense and knew the
consequences of poor and unacceptable behaviour. I
think there are too many distractions for soldiers of
today. We were not in tune with policy nor did we have
easy access to doctrine. We learned by repetitive
practical application and 'by the numbers'. Today
soldiers have more information to prepare them for
training and have more options towards employment
that interests them.
When I was a recruit, I thought a mortar man was a
bloke that pours concrete and mortar to lay bricks!!
• Growing up did you always have a desire for a
career as a soldier or did you consider other
vocations?
I was a private educated school kid who loved playing
schoolboy Rugby. I joined the Army to escape
Wollongong because I didn't want to study at
university or work in the Port Kembla steel works. I
thought that I would serve for six years, elect
discharge from the Army and do something else, but I
was a sergeant at about the same time and figured
that I was onto a good thing.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
CRAM-5
The Final Tour
In September 2012, 111th Battery was again
established as a line Battery within 16th Air Land
Regiment (16 ALR), having been employed purely as
a staging base for Counter Rocket, Artillery and
Mortars (CRAM) rotations conducting
pre-deployment prior to deploying in support of
Combined Team – Uruzgan (CT-U) on Operation
Slipper since December 2010. The Battery was
stood-up to begin the developmental work that
would set the conditions for it to assume the ADF's
Sense, Warn and Locate (SnWL) capability. For the
officers and soldiers selected to form the new
Battery, it was an exciting opportunity to begin
growing the new capability with new equipment. As
additional motivation, it was clear that the next
rotation of 16 ALR members to deploy on Operation
Slipper would be sourced from the Battery, and that
this would be the final CRAM rotation on Operation
Slipper.
The period was busy, but fuelled
by the knowledge that it would
lead to an opportunity to deploy
on warlike operations, in role.
The three months from October to December 2012
were spent completing the CRAM course, which
was run entirely by unit members who had
previously deployed on a CRAM rotation or by
personnel who had conducted a CRAM operator
course in Australia or overseas. The quality of
instruction was high and was tailored to ensure that
all 111th Battery members were ready to deploy, if
required, or to remain and progress the SnWL
capability within the unit.
In January 2013, CRAM-5 was formally raised, and
the men of B Troop, 111th Battery began preparing
to deploy. This period had a dual focus, with all
CRAM-5 members preparing for a rigorous
certification exercise while also completing the raft
of pre-deployment training required to deploy
safely to Afghanistan. The period was busy, but
fuelled by the knowledge that it would lead to an
opportunity to deploy on warlike operations, in
role.
… it became clear to CRAM-5 that
previous CRAM rotations had
established a very strong
reputation within the Area of
Operations.
The team was eclectic, ranging from 19 year-old
junior Gunners, to a 51 year-old ex infantryman /
para-rigger and a warrant officer class two of 27
years experience. Of the 22 personnel who finally
deployed, 19 were on their first deployment to
Afghanistan and many had never left the shores of
Australia. Just prior to the deployment, one of the
team members was diagnosed with cancer and was
not able to continue training; this had a profound
effect on the team, grounding them in the
realisation that life is fragile but also bringing them
closer together as a team.
On arrival at Multi-National Base – Tarin Kowt
(MNB-TK), it became clear to CRAM-5 that previous
CRAM rotations had established a very strong
reputation within the Area of Operations. Having
previously supported Australian call-signs at a
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Operations
Frontage to the CRAM Compound in Tarin Kowt
number of patrol bases in the province of Uruzgan,
the CRAM responsibility had been reduced to
defend those at MNB-TK only. This was the first in a
number of significant changes that would shape the
CRAM commitment as CRAM-5 began the complex
withdrawal from TK.
The retrograde of capabilities out
of Afghanistan hit fever pitch
shortly after the arrival of
CRAM-5.
The retrograde of capabilities out of Afghanistan hit
fever pitch shortly after the arrival of CRAM-5.
Entire task units were sent home, in some cases
much earlier than planned, and all other units were
furiously working to reduce their footprints to a
bare minimum. The fact that CRAM was one of a
small number of capabilities slated to remain in TK
until December 2013 is testament to how effective
and important the capability had become.
Progressively, the established multi-sensor defence
was reduced to a single-sensor defence, with one
Giraffe Agile Multi-Beam (GAMB) radar remaining in
TK from mid-September. The majority of the
Light-weight Counter Mortar Radars (LCMRs) were
sent home, and the WAVES warning system and
Command and Control systems were reduced.
Similarly, most of the comfort and life support
capabilities were withdrawn, and conditions were
quickly becoming more austere.
The retrograde of capabilities out
of Afghanistan hit fever pitch
shortly after the arrival of
CRAM-5.
Throughout the tour, CRAM-5 has been able to
integrate the capability to increase the
effectiveness of other key functions within CT-U.
The local air picture, as represented on the Forward
Area Air Defence C2 (FAAD C2) system was provided
to both the Airspace Control Element (ACE) and the
Shadow UAV detachment. The provision of
accurate, real-time airspace information enabled
the ACE to exercise local control of the airspace
beneath the co-ordinating altitude, which meant
more responsive support to coalition force units in
the province. Similarly, the ability to monitor
activity within the local airspace enabled Shadow
operators to de-conflict their operations with other
air platforms, significantly reducing the risk of
collisions and fratricide. It was integration such as
this that displayed just how valuable the new
systems is and will continue to be for an evolving
Army, who increasingly needs to operate in close
concert with other capabilities and services to
achieve success on the battlefield.
The work done by successive CRAM rotations in
support of Operation Slipper, as well as the ongoing
work being done in Woodside, has ensured that the
capability which 111th Battery provide to Army is
regarded as essential and dependable.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Drawing of the Chapel at Tarin Kowt byGunner Weightman
Amphibious
Ready ElementCaptain J.J. Butler
4th Regiment RAA
108th Battery is the direct support battery to the 2
RAR Battle Group, who are leading the
implementation of the Amphibious Ready Element
(ARE) concept for Army. Whilst the concept is not
something new, HMAS Choules, HMAS Canberra
(due to come into service in mid 2014) as well as the
suite of supporting capabilities are new
developments.
The structure of the Battery is significantly different
from that of other 4th Regiment sub units, due to
the complexity of operating from multiple
platforms, across significant distances. The Battery
consists of a four man Battery Commander's Tactical
Party, an eight man JFECC (including BK, BSM, FSO
and ACSO BDR) and three, five man JFTs (one JFT
filling the role of Brigade JFT). The Battery does not
hold any M777s due to the manning constraints on
the ARE; therefore fire support is provided buy the 2
RAR mortar platoon, ARH and coalition fixed-wing
platforms.
The structure of the Battery is
significantly different from that of
other 4th Regiment sub units, due
to the complexity of operating
from multiple platforms, across
significant distances.
The ARE 'block training' series has been an effective
stepping stone in pulling all the elements across the
Australian Defence Force together to form a
cohesive functioning organisation. 108 Battery has
worked closely with the Amphibious Task Group
SACC staff, led by Lieutenant Colonel Nick Wilson
to co-ordinate the efforts of the white lanyards in
the ARE construct.
ARE development block one was the first step
which was a command post exercise conducted in
March 2013. The activity was designed to have all
elements located in the one place to test our
procedures, command post layouts and most
importantly, introduce ourselves and establish
working relationships in a static environment prior
to boarding the HMAS Choules.
If the ARE has demonstrated one
thing, it is that new capability
comes with a significant training
impost.
ARE development block one was quickly followed
up by Exercise Busu Landing, designed to integrate
the recon elements from all the different
organisations, including a JFT, 2 RAR RSS platoon,
Navy Clearance Divers and 2 RAR Pioneer Platoon
who crew the Zodiac boats. These small forces
comprise the Preliminary Landing Force (PLF), a
force tasked with identifying targets and landing
sites in equal measure.
ARE development block two was a three week
exercise run off of Cowley Beach Training Area. This
activity was significant, as it saw the land force
embarked on HMAS Choules. C/S 22 (attached to B
Coy 2 RAR) and Battery Commanders Tactical Party
were embarked on HMAS Choules to facilitate joint
fires and effects planning as well as oversee the
execution of multiple mission sets including CT
airmobile operations, PLF operations, TRAP and
Raid tasks. The remainder of the 2 RAR BG, were
'embarked' on the 'Land ship' an interesting construct,
designed to replicate the HMAS Canberra. This
development block saw some steep learning
curves, but overall the ARE construct was put
through its paces and found to be an adaptable and
promising model.
ARE Development Block two had a short turn
around before Exercise Talisman Sabre. The ARE
was tasked to secure Sabina Point the SPOD in order
to facilitate the road move of the remainder of the
3rd Brigade. The conduct Amphibious Operations
against a live enemy.
If the ARE has demonstrated one thing, it is that
new capability comes with a significant training
impost. As well as the ARE exercises, 108th Battery
has continued regular Gunnery training, up to and
including BG Danger Close battle runs on Exercise
CATA 2013. Various other training courses have
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Capability
punctuated the spaces in between exercises in the
training program, these courses have included
Rappel/suspended extraction and the new BDCCC,
two courses that have greatly added to capability
that the Battery can provide.
The next big stage for the ARE is early next year
with HMAS Canberra trials and exercises to RIMPAC
later in the year. Amphibious Operations are an
exciting new direction for 108th Battery which we
look to meeting the challenges of now and in the
future.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Outlining strategy and mission, Mr Smith said long termsupport to Afghanistan was an important signal that theinternational community would not walk away at the end of2014.
'This long-term support was an important safeguard againstthe inevitable pressure the Taliban will seek to bear onAfghan institutions of state and the Afghan security forceswith transition to Afghan security responsibility,' he said.
'Similarly, a continued special forces contingent would beimportant to maintain an active deterrent against are-emergence of internal terrorists.'
Mr Smith said in the field of international collaboration,Australia had shared experiences with traditional partners,regional partners, NATO and had enhanced relationshipswith non-traditional partners.
'Australia and the US would emerge from our commitmentin Afghanistan with closer practical ties than ever before',he said. 'We had developed heightened intelligence sharing,and our special forces, having worked side by side with theUS Special Forces, were held in the highest regards.
'Australia's relationship with NATO had strengthened inrecognition of our common values, our experience ofworking together in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, andour share vision to promote stability and peace throughcooperation.'
Mr Smith said in developing Australia's framework for themanagement of detainees, Australia had two priorities.
'The first priority was the critical need to remove insurgentsfrom the battlefield, where they endanger Australian, ISAFand Afghan lives,' he said. 'The second priority was theneed to ensure humane treatment of detainees, consistentwith Australian values ad our domestic and internationallegal obligations.'
Force protection proved to be a challenge in Afghanistan.Mr Smith said the ADF now employed a suite of forceprotection measures to enhance the safety of deployedpersonnel.
'Our personnel have utilised constantly evolving tactics,techniques and procedures to enhance their protectionlevels,' he said. 'On the home front, the ever-evolving threatof IEDs had required scientific innovation, high-endengineering skills and indigenous capabilities from ourdefence industries to counter effectively.'
Care and support for wounded, injured and ill veterans wasa high priority for the Government. Mr Smith said amemorandum of understanding (MOU) signed betweenDefence and DVA in February ensured the Governmentwas ready to meet the needs of current veterans.
'The new MOU was aimed at better coordinating thedelivery of care and support services between Defence andVeterans' Affairs,' he said. 'Put simply, it is to stopwounded, injured and ill veterans from falling between thecracks in the system.'
Mental health and post traumatic stress disorder are alsobeing addressed. Mr Smith said significant improvementshad been made to the provision of mental health care as partof a more than $90 million investment into Defence andVeterans Affairs by Government.
'Awareness and education in relation to mental health issueswas a key factor in preventing future problems,' he said.
Mr Smith said although we had achieved much inAfghanistan we still had much to contribute.
Army Newspaper, 4 July, 2013
Many lessons from
decade in AfghanistanSgt Dave Morley
DEFENCE Minister Stephen Smith tabled his third reporton Afghanistan this year to Parliament on June 19. He saidAustralia's experience over the past 10 years inAfghanistan has highlighted a number of 'lessons learnt'.
'It has reinforced the well-known point that it is the easiestthing in the world to get involved in major commitments,but it is substantially more difficult to get out,' he said.
'That is why, when a government makes a decision about amilitary intervention, it must very, very carefully considerwhether that intervention is required in a country's nationalsecurity and national interests'. Mr Smith said internationalcommunity focus shifted from Afghanistan to Iraq in thelatter half of 2002.
'This allowed the Taliban to regroup in theAfghanistan/Pakistan border region and reassert andrebuild its influence in southern Afghanistan from 2003through to 2005,' he said. 'As a result, from 2006 onwards,ISAF forces faced fierce opposition from a resurgentTaliban in southern Afghanistan.'
Mr Smith said when focus shifted back to Afghanistan in2008, six valuable years were lost to the mission there. Hesaid as far as international decision making was concerned,Australia had been forthright from the earliest days indemanding a place at the international table when keydecisions were made regarding Afghanistan.
'Australia insisted that strategic level decisions onAfghanistan were taken by the International SecurityAssistance Force (ISAF), not just by NATO,' he said.
Forward
Observing during
Peace Keeping
Operations –
Bosnian
ExperienceColonel Sean Ryan
who served as a Forward Observer N Battery
3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
A thin blue line of peace keepers often stands as the
difference between a horrific war and a progression
to peace. The thin blue line is deployed to make a
situation better and relatively normal for the people
in the former warring nation. This was certainly the
case in Bosnia in 1999. After almost a decade of
ethnic fighting prior to and during the deployment
of United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR),
and discontent post the Dayton Agreement's
Implementation Force (IFOR) and the subsequent
NATO Stabilisation Force (SFOR), it was still clear
the war was not over for many in the country.
Former warring factions of Serbs, Bosniaks
(Indigenous Muslims) and Croats were still
challenged with their new order. Into this mire of
uncertainty, a Czech mechanised infantry company
was placed to keep the peace and to protect the
return of refuges to villages in Northern Bosnia
around Prijedor, and to protect the civilian
companies rebuilding local villages. It was a place
where the Czech rifle company employed an
English speaking forward observer or joint fires
team to support this outcome. It was a mission that
demonstrated the importance of the forward
observer to a peace keeping force because of the
capabilities it brings to the force.
A thin blue line of peace keepers
often stands as the difference
between a horrific war and a
progression to peace.
In Bosnia the forward observer represented the
vital link between the ground troops and the reach
back elements available to the Divisional
commanders. The forward observer supported this
effort with day and night surveillance regardless of
season weather or terrain, the all important
communications to speak to fighter ground attack
aircraft and rearward headquarters to ensure the
response options were rapid and all important
battlefield liaison functions. This paper will
demonstrate the value of the forward observer
party, joint fires team, to peace keeping or
operations other than war. The end of the 20th
century and beginning of the 21st century have
been filled with military operations that centre on
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
ProfessionalPapers
Australian led RHA Forward Observer party –Callsign: Bravo Two Zero Golf
stabilising a nation post a conflict. These are
operations that are known as stabilisation
operations. By definition a stabilisation operation is
"an overarching term encompassing various military
missions, tasks, and activities conducted … to maintain
or re-establish a safe and secure environment, provide
essential governmental services, emergency
infrastructure reconstruction, and humanitarian relief".1
They are usually operations that occur at the point
between the end of hostilities and the return to
normalcy. Peace keeping operations are the main
type of stabilisation operation. In the case of Bosnia
the peace keeping mission was that awkward
transition from war between the former warring
factions and Bosnian defined normalcy. In 1999
underlying tensions between former warring
factions remained despite the combat between the
Serbs, Croats and Bosnians ending in 1995. These
circumstances were certainly present in the village
of Kozarac where former Bosnian residents were
returning after the war and in accordance with the
1995 Dayton Agreement. Violence in the village
remained with regular bombings and violence
between Serbs and Bosniaks a regular occurrence.
In most cases the violence stems back to grudges
created during the Serbian ethnic cleansing of the
Bosnians in the village.
This paper will demonstrate the
value of the forward observer
party, joint fires team, to peace
keeping or operations other than
war.
It was a tense environment which required constant
surveillance, a force being posturing to respond to
any deterioration in the environment and a force to
communicate the international narrative to the
locals, troop contributing nations and the
international community. A vital tool in making this
happen was the Australian led British forward
observer party attached to the Czech mechanised
infantry company assigned to keeping the peace in
the area.
One of the forward observer's core skills is to
conduct battlefield surveillance. It is a skill they
need to exercise by day and night, and increasingly
using remote sensors to support this function.
Normally the purpose of this surveillance function
is to find, fix and destroy targets. But in the
peacekeeping operation environment this
surveillance effort was focused on normalcy
patterns and supporting human targeting efforts to
support intelligence collection. In Kozarac in 1999
surveillance was undertaken through a mixture of
day and night observation post tasks in support of
ground patrols and independently to support
intelligence collections. Supporting the
surveillance effort was the NATO helicopter force,
which served as effective night and day surveillance
platform, especially the Royal Canadian Air Force
Bell CH-146 Griffin and the British Army Westland
Lynx AH.1.
Targeting was more than just
support to intelligence in peace
keeping operations. Targeting
work supported the posturing for
offensive operations should the
former warring factions chose to
go back to fighting against each
other or against the peace
keeping force.
Their overt night and day surveillance coordinated
with ground troops was a critical factor in the
conduct of key leader engagement and support
surveillance pull ground operations. The white
light, Infra-Red light, thermal and full motion video
generated by these helicopters all contributed to
the ground picture. The direct communications to
the ground troops in platoon houses or more often
the forward observer meant the surveillance
missions could support patrols and observation
posts in a coordinated manner. In a covert
surveillance role using their stand-off thermal
cameras and sights they could monitor movement
and report immediately to troops. All of these tasks
were coordinated through the forward observer
and supported the targeting effort.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Coalition forward observers conducting a targetinspection
Targeting was more than just support to
intelligence in peace keeping operations. Targeting
work supported the posturing for offensive
operations should the former warring factions
chose to go back to fighting against each other or
against the peace keeping force. The targeting
efforts in Bosnia were essential to the mission from
a deterrence perspective. In this respect the
campaign and tactical targeting efforts merged to
ensure the peace keeping force was prepared to
deter should conflict break out. The forward
observer had a key role in this mission. The forward
observers were responsible for inspecting each
target on a regular basis, normally monthly, for
location confirmation and collateral damage
assessment, and developing and confirming target
packs for the coalition targeting cycle. In the Czech
tactical area of operations this task was undertaken
on a monthly basis by the battalion forward
observers. In each case the forward observer
needed to conduct field survey of each target to
confirm location and target dimension, and then
'mensurate'2 the targets against other survey devices
such as GPS and aerial photography. This data was
processed, along with collateral damage
assessment, into a target report that was submitted
to the divisional headquarters and onto the NATO
air operations centre monthly. In one the case, the
target was a 'Republika of Srspka' (VRS) electronic
listening post. This target was nestled on a
mountain with a commanding view over the Czech
tactical area of operations. Not far away on a
connected knoll, was a friendly force radio relay
station. So the target assessment required not only
a precise location of the target but a very clear
explanation on friendly troop locations to ensure
coalition air would hit the right target. An
important fact when in March 1999, in a show of
force mission, NATO fighter aircraft overflew the
wrong target because they did not follow the target
pack or confirm the target location with ground
troops. This only served to confirm the importance
of the forward observer in the targeting chain, not
only in confirming the target before the air mission
but also as peace keeping force's independent
check mechanism for preventing fratricide.
The nature of a peace keeping mission invariably
means liaison skills are essential for success. Liaison
skills are needed to communicate with flanking and
reinforcing units. Liaison capabilities are essential
for communication with former warring factions
and locals. Finally the capabilities to liaise with
reach back fires, fire support, to reinforce company
and battalion operations as the situation changes.
All capabilities core to the forward observer. In
Bosnia and in the Czech battalion much of this
liaison function fell upon the forward observer and
the battery commander's party for three reasons.
This only served to confirm the
importance of the forward
observer in the targeting chain,
not only in confirming the target
before the air mission but also as
peace keeping force's
independent check mechanism
for preventing fratricide.
The first was the British Army battery under
operational control of the battalion provided an on
hand array of English speakers to speak to coalition
partners. Regularly the forward observers would be
called upon to brief NATO generals and coalition
partners on the situation in the tactical area of
operations and the key focal points. The eclectic
group of Australian officer and British soldiers were
constantly called upon by the Czech commanders
to brief on the Division's resettlement main effort of
Kozarac including NATO Commander in Bosnia and
the British Foreign Office under secretary. The
second was the forward observers provided an
impressive communications capability to the
battalion. The forward observer's communications,
both voice and BATES digital systems, provided a
powerful all informed network across the divisional
area of operations. He helped in passing up to the
minute information to the divisional headquarters
the evolving situation across the area of operations,
and aided in informing flanking battalions of
operations on their boundaries. In one case, when
the VRS Army called out its Army causing it to swell
by 300% overnight, the forward observers
communications network was core to keeping the
Divisional Commander up to date on an potentially
hostile situation. Thankfully nothing came of the
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Warrior Observation Post Vehicle in Overwatch
situation but the provision timely information over
the 'Gunner' net was an important factor in a
balanced, whole of division response. The final
aspect was forward observers are trained in the
important skills of liaison. Liaison is more than
exchange of information it is a function that
demands very good social skills to feel for the
environment where the liaison was occurring. In
Bosnia forward observers could be briefing the
flanking commanders, like the Commanding Officer
of the Household Cavalry battle group, on one day
followed by an in depth liaison visit and discussion
with VRS brigade commander on disarmament the
next. All this was in a day's work for the forward
observers in Bosnia but only reinforced their
importance of their role in the peace keeping
mission.
In the end it's the ability to respond to a
deteriorating situation or providing a powerful
deterrence effect that remains the essential task for
the forward observer or joint fires team in a peace
keeping mission. A peace keeping situation doesn't
always progress to a peaceful solution. Former
warring factions can and sometime do go back to
fighting either locally or across the whole operation.
Being able to respond is a key risk mitigation factor
for the force and the forward observer represents
this insurance policy with its capability to call upon
reach back fires like artillery and close air support.
In Bosnia this function was carried out on several
occasions. The first was on the eve of the NATO
intervention into Kosovo in early April 1999. In this
case the VRS Army threatened to break out and
reinforce their Serbian brothers in Kosovo. NATO
response, and by association the forward
observers response, saw the full battle procedure
for the peace keeping force to move from peace
keeping into combat. The battle procedure efforts
included the detailed planning for the application of
artillery fire and close air support through the
selection of targets and production of Defensive
Fires lists, technical and tactical reconnaissance of
observation posts to confirm observation zones
and Named Areas of Interest, and fire support full
rehearsals to support a military response. This
tense environment promoted the best in forward
observer skills and training. Another approach was
to use artillery in a deterrence role through a
combined arms firepower demonstration of what
the NATO peace keeping division could generate.
The Glamoc range complex in central Bosnia was
used to demonstrate the firepower available to the
divisional commander to warring faction
commanders.
The centre piece of the demonstration was the
application of artillery fire and close air support
from fighters and attack helicopters. All this was
coordinated by the half a dozen forward observers
available to the division who targeted and
coordinated the fire from all these systems in a
unified and concentrated manner. All this left a clear
impression in the minds of the former warring
factions' commander's heads of don't mess with the
NATO peace keeping division. Again the forward
observers were a central force multiplier for the
peace keeping force.
Peace keeping is not a defensive activity. It is an
offensive mission to bring peace and normalcy to a
situation where a government or domestic security
forces cannot. In this environment, especially in
Bosnia, the forward observer and their party are an
integral part of the peace keeping force. Their day
and night surveillance capability, linked with their
broad joint communications capability to talk to
helicopters and fighter aircraft, meant they were an
essential element of the peace keeping mission's
success. The forward observer brought to the
company and in many cases the battalion, the vital
targeting skills to identify, locate and assess targets
for an appropriate and proportionate response
should the situation return to war. Linked to this
important offensive task, the forward observer
brought the critical liaison function to support the
company commander with flanking units and units
entering the company's tactical area of operations
to reinforce. Underlying all this effort was the
capacity to escalate quickly to counter any moves to
return to war in an environment where the peace
keeping troops were out numbered. The rapid
reach back to artillery and close air support aircraft
was essential. So when it is all said and done the
core capability of the command liaison observation
group, the forward observer party, joint fires team, is
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Rotary Wing Close Air Support in Overwatch overKozarac
an essential element of any peace keeping force as
demonstrated in Bosnia. Keeping the forward
observer party core skills at the highest standard is
and will need to remain central to artillery training
to ensure this support is delivered.
Endnotes
1. http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/stability-operations-dod-
instruction-300005 dated 8 Mar 13
2. Definition, 'to measure' http://www.thefreedictionary.com/
Mensurate dated 31 Aug 13
Book Reviews
The Soldier from IndependenceBy Mr Dennis. M. Giangreco
Reviewed by Colonel Sean Ryan
Commandant Combined Arms Training Centre
ISBN 978-0-7603-3209-2; ZENITH PRESS
MINNEAPOLIS; PUBLISHED 2009: 286 PAGES;
ILLUSTRATIONS; MAPS; NOTES: INDEX
What kind of man can make
the decision to drop a
nuclear bomb? The answer
is a 'Gunner'. More
specifically it is President
Harry S. Truman, US
Commander-in-Chief at
one of the (if not the)
critical moments in
American – and global –
military history. This book
looks at Harry S. Truman
the artillery officer. It provides a valuable account of
Truman's early military career through to the end of
World War I.
What kind of man can make the
decision to drop a nuclear bomb?
The answer is a 'Gunner'.
The Soldier from Independence adds a whole new
dimension to the already fascinating character of
the thirty-third US President. This book specifically
looks at his life as an officer in the Missouri Field
Artillery on the Western front with Black Jack
Pershing's dough boy Army.
Giangreco looks at Truman's life as a National Guard
soldier in Kansas City, Missouri. It speaks about how
he enjoyed his weekly and monthly parades. The
deep relationships that formed during those
parades and the civilian life, as a haberdasher, that
was built around his militia life. It touches upon his
undying love to Bess during some long term
separations.
When World War I broke out, although over-age,
Truman joined the Army and was commissioned in
the artillery. This was a change from his infantry
National Guard days. Mobilisation saw him deploy
with his field artillery battalion, 2nd Battalion 129th
Field Artillery to Ft Sill, Oklahoma – Home of the US
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Profile
Colonel Ryan is currently the Commandant of
the Combined Arms Training Centre in
Puckapunyal. He has broad set of Regimental
experiences with service in 1st Field Regiment,
8th/12th Medium Regiment, and
Headquarters Land Command Artillery.
He commanded the School of Artillery in 2007
and 2008. He served in Bosnia-Herzegovina
from January to July 1999 as a Forward
Observation Officer in N Battery 3rd Regiment
Royal Horse Artillery as part of the NATO
Stabilisation Force (SFOR). During that time he
was attached to the 7th Czech Mechanised
Battalion patrolling Northern Bosnia-Herzegovina
around Prijedor.
gunner. It was here in the boiling hot or freezing
cold prairie of the mid-West that Truman began to
shine as a military administrator. As the adjutant he
was commended for making the 2nd Battalion
129th Field Artillery the 'home of account efficiency'
and the best unit in personal and unit
administration in the whole of the 35th US infantry
Division, as well as turning a tidy profit for the
Regimental funds.
After months in Oklahoma, the 2nd Battalion 129th
Field Artillery and Truman deployed to France in
August 1917 where the battalion re-equipped with
the French quick firing 75 mm gun. Giangreco
speaks of Truman's promotion to command D
Battery. It was a command full of the meanest bunch
of New York Irishmen every assembled. The author
speaks in detail of how the 'four eyed' Truman tamed
these wild men and turned them into the most
battle ready battery in the Regiment. The way he
does this is a great read in battery leadership.
Author Dennis Giangreco shows how, as a battery
commander in World War I, Truman was already
making the hard decisions that he knew to be right,
regardless of personal consequences. Giangreco
describes how Truman saved a neighbouring
infantry regiment at the Battle of Muese Argonne
from a surprise German attack with deadly and well
directed artillery fire, only to be rebuked by his
regimental commander. In fact the battle is a great
cameo for modern day battery artillery fire in the
synergy between technical and tactical artillery.
Truman rose to the rank of Major by war's end and
drove an impressive de-mobilisation program that
was poorly supported by the US Army Office.
In telling this tale, Giangreco not only gives us a
look at one of the millions of ordinary Americans
who served in the Great War, giving us a soldier's
eye-view of the American Expeditionary Force and
life in the trenches, but also the Army's
mismanagement of the National Guard. The book
describes Truman's time in uniform as a formative
experience that shaped his business and political
life. A political life that leads to the most difficult
strategic decisions war has ever seen.
Truman is the last president to have served as
soldier, and equally significant he saw more ground
combat than any president since President
McKinley. This is a valuable look at the shaping of
one of the most notable US presidents.
Exit Wounds
One Australian's War On Terror
By Major General John Cantwell
with Greg Bearup
Reviewed by Major D.T. (Terry) Brennan
Editor RAA Liaison Letter
ISBN 9780522861785 (PBK); MELBOURNE
UNIVERSITY PRESS; PUBLISHED 2012; 374 PAGES;
COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS
Everyone's experience
of war or for that matter
any operation, is unique
and seen from a very
personal perspective –
this is John Cantwell's
story. After reading a
range of interviews and
reviews in the media
following the release of
this book I purchased it
just as soon as I saw it. It
may have been these
reviews or perhaps it
was I had briefly served on course with John
Cantwell in 1993 at command and staff college, Fort
Queenscliff however it was almost a year later
before I decided to read the book and immediately
found it an enthralling raw and very honest account
of his experiences.
I had mixed feelings about the
story especially his leadership
style as a senior officer at war
particularly in Afghanistan …
For the non military reader it is well written and
tells a story in which you cannot help but become
engrossed, sympathetic and supportive towards the
author and his journey as a military officer as well as
his battle with PTSD. As a military reader I had
mixed feelings about the story especially his
leadership style as a senior officer at war
particularly in Afghanistan where he was the
Australian National Commander. This is not a
manoeuvre commander's appointment but rather
the Australian Government's senior military
representative on the ground to ensure our ADF
interests are addressed and assets are utilised as
agreed. I have to ask myself did John Cantwell see
himself as having a different and more expansive
role.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Whilst at staff college we were in the same
syndicate towards the end of the course for a short
period, however I never really got to know him on a
personal level. I found his demeanour although
distant, extremely professional, competent and
most importantly espoused the persona of an
extremely self-confident and self assured officer
who would simply breeze through the course
without a challenge or care in the world. My
assessment was confirmed by the fact that at the
end of the year he was awarded a grading as the top
student. I am not exactly sure why but I hesitated in
reading the book – perhaps it was that it had been
written by a member of my era and his apparent
success made me feel a little incompetent and / or it
reinforced in my mind a sense of failure personally
in terms of my career – here we were 19 years later
after staff college I was still a major serving now in
the Army Reserve and here was John Cantwell one
of the most senior officers in the Army writing a
book about his wide and challenging experiences in
a range of war zones. A number of my peers
described my operational opportunity in East Timor
as having been to the 'non shooting' war. Therefore
from my perspective my 'limited' operational
experience paled into the background compared to
that of this 'stellar' career officer.
I found his demeanour although
distant, extremely professional,
competent and most importantly
espoused the persona of an
extremely self-confident and self
assured officer who would simply
breeze through the course
without a challenge or care in the
world.
I was particularly perplexed by his constant desire
to go out on patrol with soldiers on the ground and
into areas of danger in Afghanistan. It reflects the
nature and scale of how our troops were being
employed that a major general could and would
participate in fighting patrols as a 'riflemen'. My
personal view is that this placed an unnecessary
burden of responsibility on the junior officers and
non-commissioned officers and not only would
have been a distraction for them but could have
also increased the danger to the patrol. This desire
to be with those out on patrol leads to an
interesting contribution to the book's style where
he describes in detail a range of contacts,
engagements and firefights to set the scene for the
reader to gain a better understanding of the
conditions on the ground and the dangers faced by
our troops. The encapsulation of the dangers and
subsequent bravery displayed by our troops is
riveting and delivered with clarity for the reader. I
found his description of a number of firefights to be
very absorbing reading including the contact that
resulted in John Cantwell recommending Corporal
Ben Roberts-Smth from the SASR for the Victoria
Cross for Australia. However I just wonder why John
Cantwell decided to go into such detail in his book
about the incident given that he was not anywhere
near the firefight.
It reflects the nature and scale of
how our troops were being
employed that a major general
could and would participate in
fighting patrols as a 'riflemen'.
On the surface it has most probably been put there
to enhance the story and more importantly
highlight the constant and significant war fighting
that our special forces were engaging in on a daily
basis. I just wonder what it really had to do with
John Cantwell and his personal story of war. In my
mind his description of a fighting patrol that
essentially at the first sign of trouble appeared to
avoid its task and immediately returned to its patrol
base gives rise to question the overarching scheme
of manoeuvre for our troops. From a force
protection perspective I understand the decision
however from an operational perspective I just feel
that the enemy were being telegraphed an insight
that we really did not have the will to fully
prosecute offensive operations against them. This
observation is easy for me to make sitting in the
comfort and safety of Australia however I feel it
must be said.
I also understand and empathise with John
Cantwell's observation as national commander of
having to field inane queries from Australia as I
witnessed my boss and at times even myself in
similar situations in East Timor.
Although there are examples of leadership at
various levels woven throughout the book in my
view this not is a book about leadership nor does it
attempt to deliver any real strategic insights into
the military execution of the conduct of the wars
that the author was involved. Many years ago Gary
McKay wrote a book entitled 'In Good Company'
about his experience as a platoon commander in
South Vietnam which became mandatory reading
for aspiring officers at the Royal Military College – I
am not sure if it remains on the reading list. I draw
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
this as a parallel to 'Exit Wounds' as I would be very
surprised if it was deemed mandatory reading at
any college.
One facet I particularly appreciated was his
explanation and descriptions of the challenges
faced when dealing with the political and military
leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan. I found his views
and thoughts refreshingly honest especially as they
were the views of a senior officer. I very much doubt
that there would many other modern day Australian
generals who would give such frank appraisals and
assessments of the situation when trying to deal
with these people.
I found his views and thoughts
refreshingly honest especially as
they were the views of a senior
officer.
I also appreciate that we have finally recognised the
benefits of applying lessons learned from our
deployments, an example I noted with interest was
Cantwell's explanation of the procedure whereby as
soon as there was an 'incident' where Australians
were killed in action there was a communication
blackout to prevent the news being leaked to the
Australian media before the next of kin could be
advised in Australia. I witnessed in East Timor a
situation where a soldier was wounded and before
this could be passed back to Australia – there were
media representatives outside of the soldier's
house – the power of mobile telephones and social
media! It is great that we have learnt from our
previous operational experience.
This sense of responsibility and
obligation to be chief mourner
was odd to say the least …
Another refreshing aspect of the book is the way he
explains that the nature of Australia's deployment
meant that people posted to a range of
headquarters appointments either at our national
headquarters or that of our allies, generally the US,
had not been trained for the specific role they were
required to carry out including himself to some
extent. I was pleased to hear that generally these
people performed to a high standard however I
note he does not shy away from the fact that some
people did not perform and were sent home. The
cynic in me says that they would have returned to
Australia and 'soldiered on' without any penalty and
in most cases probably were promoted not long
after returning.
On reflection an insight into the state of John
Cantwell's mind was his reaction to the death of
Australian soldiers whilst he was on leave at home.
Rather then having faith in his deputy commander
to deal with the situation on the ground in theatre
his immediate response was to end his leave and
return to Afghanistan to oversee the repatriation of
the bodies of those killed including personally
needing to oversee the positive identification. This
sense of responsibility and obligation to be chief
mourner was odd to say the least and one can draw
a parallel to the various prime ministers of Australia
who since 1999 have attended every funeral of
servicemen killed on operations. This very public
and heart felt and symbolic gesture is unsustainable
in any conflict where the casualties continue as an
escalating rate. In my view John Cantwell's actions
almost certainly would have undermined the role
and authority of his deputy commander.
… he does not shy away from the
fact that some people did not
perform and were sent home.
A key thread of the book that deserves special
mention is the role and influence that his wife Jane
had on him personally and professionally. There is a
slightly outdated, but still well used phrase 'Behind
every successful man there is a women' or words to that
effect. John Cantwell is unlimited in expressing and
describing the love he has for his wife and the part
she has played in shaping all aspects of his life and
especially the 'rock' she has been throughout the
years he has struggled with PTSD.
I must admit I have not drawn any particular lessons
from the story – it is exactly as the sub title of the
book states 'One Australian's War on Terror'. I feel he
captures the feelings of all modern soldiers with
regard the need to experience some form of
deployment as part of putting to bed personal
doubts about how they would perform when using
their many years of training in an operational
environment. People like John Cantwell have
proven it to themselves in very challenging
situations on many occasions. I found the book a
little odd overall, however I hope that it has
assisted John Cantwell in dealing with his personal
demons. I encourage everyone to take the time to
read the book and form their own opinion.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Combined Joint
Live Fire ExerciseCaptain Max Williams
4th Regiment RAA
On 28th July 2013, members of 107, 108 and 109
Battery completed their contribution to Exercise
Talisman Sabre 2013 and prepared for deployment
to Townsend Island for the conduct of the
Combined Joint Live Fire Exercise (CJLFX). The aim
of the CJLFX was to test and adjust existing TTPs in
the combined joint environment, as well as the
development of new ones.
The tempo was high and saw the
JFECC engage in some of the
most complex mission profiles of
the year.
Movement to the island was coordinated through
the use of LCM8, LCH and air mobile assets. The
majority of Joint fire Teams (JFTs) moved to the
island via rotary lift, with the remainder arriving
over the following days by sea. Units involved
included 4th Regiment, 16th Air Land Regiment, the
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as well as additional
Navy and RAAF liaison officers.
Initial activities conducted included safety briefs,
MEL analysis and synchronisation between the
Australian JFECC and USMC Fire Support
Coordination Centre (FSCC). The live fire exercise
commenced with calls for engagement being
coordinated between both the FSCC and JFECC
simultaneously. This involved the coordination of
both Australian and US fixed wing and rotary wing
aircraft, combined Naval Gunfire Support, US Fire
Support Teams (FSTs) utilising the Australian JFECC,
Australian JFTs utilising the FSCC and combined
joint fire planning with both Australian and USMC
Gun lines. 107 Battery fell under the command of
Major Thomas Drew with the Australian JFECC
being coordinated by Battery Captain 107 Battery,
Captain Max Williams. The supervision of air serials
was coordinated by Captain James Wood
throughout.
After a period of two days, the Australian JFECC
took the lead for the prosecution of all targets. This
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Around theRegiment
Townshend Island
Landing Craft Heavy on return from TownshendIsland
involved the coordinated direction of all calls for
engagement through the JFECC from USMC FSTs,
Australian JFTs as well as mission profiles received
by observer qualified pilots. The tempo was high
and saw the JFECC engage in some of the most
complex mission profiles of the year. Subtle
differences did exist between Australian and US
observer teams' fire discipline, however with some
interpretation the intent of the originator was able
to be met.
Despite the relatively busy nature of the exercise,
ample time existed for soldiers and officers alike to
mingle with our American allies as well as members
of other Australian Defence Force services. Weather
on the island throughout the activity was relatively
mild with only small periods of rain and fog
influencing live fire activities. The USMC departed
two days prior to the remainder of force elements
and allowed the Australian men and women who
had participated to consolidate on lessons learnt.
The 2013 CJLFX was a success and thoroughly
enjoyable, beneficial and worth while training
activity for not only the Regiment, but our allies
too.
Combined Arms
Training ActivityCaptain N. Gould
4th Regiment RAA
This year's Combined Arms Training Activity (CATA)
officially began between 12th and 20th May, with
actual start dates fluctuating based on which unit
was deploying. 107, 108 and 109 Battery Joint Fires
Teams (JFTs) and Joint Fires and Effects
Coordination Centres (JFECCs) were attached to
battle groups from 1 RAR, 2 RAR and the
trial-construct 1st Armoured Cavalry Regiment (1
ACR), respectively.
Meanwhile, the gun lines of 107 and 109 Battery
deployed directly and immediately began preparing
themselves for live firing, in support of the
upcoming danger close assaults and battle runs that
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
CH47 Preparing for a Personnel Lift
Air Mobile Operations
CH-47 'Chinook' Preparing to Lift a 107 BatteryM777A2
would mark the successful culmination of the
exercise.
The live fire activity involved dismounted attacks
from 1 RAR and 2 RAR, and a battle run from 1 ACR.
4th Regiment supported all elements of the activity
with live high-explosive rounds directed by the JFTs
to impact danger close within 250 m of the
advancing units. The JFTs and the guns performed
to a high standard throughout, with accurate
shooting and effective coordination ensuring that
the practice remained safe but highly effective.
… live firing, in support of the
upcoming danger close assaults
and battle runs that would mark
the successful culmination of the
exercise.
Adding to the complexity of the scenarios was the
addition of the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter
platforms providing close air support to the troops
on the ground. These were controlled by 4th
Regiment JTACs. Each unit's support weapons
assets, such as 1 RAR and 2 RAR's 'Javelin' anti-tank
missiles, sustained fire machine guns, and 1 ACR's
M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, were controlled by
4th Regiment's Battery Commanders for the
duration of the activity. In doing so the Battery
Commanders could integrate them with indirect
and close air support into an effective and
synchronised fire plan.
The exercise allowed the Brigade JFECC and
Battalion Group JFECCs to utilise the AFATDS in its
ability to conduct synchronised planning and
mission processing. This was the Regiment's first
opportunity to have a digital Brigade JFECC
integrate with the Brigade Headquarters. This
allowed for the remainder of the Brigade to become
familiar with the system and what the JFECC
requires for planning.
The exercise also allowed the
Regiment to execute its new
AFATDS live fire TTPs including;
Timed and Event Based Fireplans.
During this integration the Brigade JFECC was able
to effectively coordinate both air and indirect
support to the Battalion Group conducting its
activity. The exercise also allowed the Regiment to
execute its new AFATDS live fire TTPs including
Timed and Event Based Fireplans. Overall the
Regiment provided fires on time, on target and safe.
The tactical phase of CATA marked the first time in
2013 that the Regiment's JFTs and JFECCs
integrated with their supported infantry or
armoured units. 107 Battery integrated with 1 RAR,
108 Battery with 2 RAR, and 109 Battery with 1 ACR.
Another highlight of the exercise was Bombardier
Freckleton having terminal control over the live
release of six Hellfire missiles from the ARH.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Detachment Commander Lance Bombardier Aaron Spicer moving Ammunition on the Gun Line
Exercise Talisman
Sabre 13 –
Regimental Air
Land EffectFor the first time since its inception in 2012, 16th
Air Land Regiment (16 ALR) deployed all of its
capabilities simultaneously to support Coalition,
Joint and Army operations. This realisation of a
Regimental Air Land Effect occurred on Exercise
Talisman Sabre 13 (Ex TS13). The Regiment was
used to provide GBAD, Sense Warn and Locate, and
Air Land Integration at all levels of command – from
Battle Group (BG) to Combined Joint Task Force.
The Regiment provided two troops from 110th Air
Defence Battery to provide Ground Based Air
Defence (GBAD) to support the 3rd Multi-role
Combat Brigade (3 MCB), protecting them from air
attack and enemy ISR for all phases of their
operations. 111th Sense, Warn and Locate (SnW&L)
Battery provided a SnW&L Troop of Lightweight
Counter Mortar Radars (LCMR) and a Giraffe Agile
Multi-beam (G-AMB) Radar. The LCMRs were
deployed forward with 3 MCB to warn the force and
locate enemy IDF attacks and positions. The G-AMB
performed the SnW&L function but also generated
an Air Surveillance capability for 3 MCB to warn of
enemy air attacks, provide early warning to the
GBAD Detachments for engagement and to track
friendly aircraft movements for enhanced
situational awareness. Throughout the three major
phases of the exercise, both 110 and 111 Battery's
provided protection to 3 MCB by detecting and
warning of threats and cueing the subsequent
engagement with organic or coalition / joint assets.
For the first time since its
inception in 2012, 16th Air Land
Regiment (16 ALR) deployed all of
its capabilities simultaneously to
support Coalition, Joint and Army
operations.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
A Detachment of RBS-70, protecting 3 MCB fromatop their Protected Mobility Air Defence Variant
(PMADV) Bushmaster, in the Shoalwater Bay
A G-AMB providing a Locating and Air-Surveillancecapability to 3 MCB, in the Shoalwater Bay Training
Area
The BALIC, providing air planning and airspaceplanning, Locating, GBAD and Sensor Fusion
advice to 3 MCB
The 1st Air Ground Operations (AGO) Battery
deployed a Brigade Air Land Integration Cell (BALIC)
at HQ 3 MCB. They provided the hub for air support
and airspace planning, to accommodate the
effective employment of a variety of coalition and
joint platforms in support of manoeuvre. This work
was executed closely with 4th Regiment RAA. With
the plan in place, the Air Force personnel attached
to 3 MCB were able to control the air platforms in
the local airspace, handing off to JTACs amongst the
BGs. The BALIC also acted as the hub where all of
the information from 16 ALRs organic GBAD and
LCMR sensors fused into HQ 3 MCB. This ensured
that 3 MCB was accurately warned about
Surface-to-Surface fires events and locations of
enemy guns and mortars. This data was passed from
the LCMR and G-AMB detachments digitally over
the Joint Fires / AFATDS network for engagement by
Joint and Coalition offensive support assets. The
BALIC also provided the control of the assigned
GBAD assets, ensuring that they had the most
updated and accurate situational awareness to
ensure the enemy was neutralised and fratricide
avoided.
by detecting and warning of
threats and cueing the
subsequent engagement with
organic or coalition / joint assets.
The Regiment also provided the core of the
Deployable Joint Force Headquarters Joint Fires
Element (DJFHQ JFE). With US Army and Marine
Corps augmentation, the DJFHQ JFE was
responsible for deliberate targeting, the
synchronisation and execution of effects across
4/25 ABCT, the Amphibious Task Group and 3 MCB,
and the provision of Offensive Support advice to
the JTF Comd.
Ex TS13 provided an opportunity to test the ALR
concept in a live environment. To achieve the
deployment of the Regt as a whole involved the
provision of digital communication links,
integration to existing command and control
systems, the establishment of sound planning
procedures and the interaction and support of
many ADF agencies outside of Army; this included
the DMO, RAAF and LNIC. The Regiment is now
confident that the concept of the ALR is sound and
achievable, providing ready, deployable capabilities
to the ADF. The focus for the Regiment will now
shift from establishing the capability to migrating
concepts into sound doctrine and TTPs, further
refining the communication solutions and
examining the Unit structure, in light of lessons
learnt.
Visit to 16th Air
Land Regiment1st Lieutenant Ola Svärd
Swedish Air Defence Regiment
There were a couple of things that I wanted to
experience whilst in Australia: I wanted to see all of
the exotic animals of your beautiful country
(hopefully even killing one or two of them and
eating them); I wanted to see the culture and life of
a soldier / officer in the Australian Army; and I
wanted to learn how to surf. From my time with
16th Air Land Regiment, I got so much more than
that.
The first thing I noticed on arriving in Adelaide was
the weather. I was in Australia in your winter and,
for me, it was a case of 'best winter ever'. One day it
was +25 degrees Celsius – I loved it. Despite
deploying with 111th Battery to 'Murray Fridge', I
had a very welcome reprieve from Swedish weather.
I had heard a lot about the Australian wildlife,
especially about the drop bears. Naturally, I was
terrified whenever I walked under a tree. I actually
had a close encounter with a drop bear and
survived. The drop bear was waiting outside of my
door in the officers' mess and attacked me, but I
survived having sustained only a couple of bruises
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
and scratches. Fortunately, I had my camera and was
able to take a picture of the beast. I was pretty
shook up though and shall forever warn my fellow
countrymen of the dangers of the Australian drop
bear.
I wanted to see the culture and
life of a soldier / officer in the
Australian Army; and I wanted to
learn how to surf.
I soon learnt that it was not only the drop bears that
could kill you. It was also the numerous poisonous
animals, including sharks, crocodiles and kangaroos
that could tear you to pieces. Despite being
surrounded by some of the most dangerous wildlife
in the world, I didn't see much of it, other than the
drop bear. Probably the most dangerous beast that I
saw the most of was actually the Giraffe (AMB). This
beast could detect you at 125 km, chase you at
100 km per hour, go cross country after you and
could be very temperamental. I soon learnt a
golden rule – do not feed the Giraffe.
I was very anxious to learn about the Australian
culture and, specifically, the culture of the
Australian Army. I had been informed about Anzac
Day, just before I left Sweden. It was Anzac Day on
my second day in Australia and, I must say, it was an
experience of a lifetime. The whole community of
Adelaide was part of these celebrations, in such a
way that the Swedish society would never be
involved in. There was a respect and admiration for
the armed forces in Australia that was great to be a
part of. People honoured the armed forces for their
actions and sacrifices in a way that was respectful
and thoroughly deserved. Needless to say,
whenever it is a celebration for any armed forces, in
any country, there is going to be a large amount of
alcohol involved – in this area, the Australian and
Swedish soldier are both equally well trained. It was
a perfect welcome party for me and while the
alcohol flowed freely so did my rusty English. I
woke up the next day with a lot of new friends.
Australia is truly blessed with a
wide variety of experiences of
nature that are both powerful and
beautiful. In Sweden we have our
mountains, our cold weather and
our beautiful women. I guess
Australia can't have everything.
Having observed them, this is my perspective of the
Australian officer they:
• love abbreviations and are not afraid to use them;
• love to write elaborate orders and are not afraid
to issue them;
• have a love for the Australian wildlife and are not
afraid to kill it;
• are very hospitable and are not afraid to get
Swedish officers intoxicated;
• have a good moral and work ethic but are not
afraid to get down and dirty with 'the boys';
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
L-R: Captain O. Griffiths, Lieutenant O. Svärd andCaptain K. Smith, atop the escarpment at Cultana
Range, during the Regimental Exercise
• have respect and consideration for their soldiers
but are not afraid to lecture them; and
• like beef jerky and they're not afraid to share it.
From everything I had previously learnt about
Australia, I knew that I wanted to learn to surf. I
managed to surf both the south coast and the east
coast of Australia. It was when I 'surfed' the east
coast that I thought I saw a shark – but it was a
dolphin. This was a much different experience than
surfing in Sweden – I would have risked bumping
into a cod, rather than a dolphin. Australia is truly
blessed with a wide variety of experiences of nature
that are both powerful and beautiful. In Sweden we
have our mountains, our cold weather and our
beautiful women. I guess Australia can't have
everything.
For me, the trip was a great opportunity to make
friends across the other side of the world – it was
truly an experience of a lifetime. I also learnt a lot
about your Air Defence – there is so much in
common between your forces and our Swedish
forces. I was greeted with open arms and open bars.
I felt well taken care of by all in 16 ALR, from the
soldiers, to the lieutenants, to the commanding
officer. Everywhere I looked in the Regiment, I saw
professional and driven officers and soldiers. Thank
you 16 ALR, my sincere apologies for the dried fish
and Ikea furniture.
Far Northern
Gunners
Exercise Thunder RunLieutenant Dion Paull
The first major gunnery exercise for the 2013
training year was held during March when 8th/12th
Regiment deployed to the Cultana training area to
conduct Exercise Thunder Walk / Run in the lead up
to Exercise Kite Hawk in April.
Offensive support sub-units deployed to the field as
101st Composite Battery with a gun troop of six
M777A2 Howitzers, while Combat Service Support
deployed to establish a tactical patrol base.
Commanding Officer 8th/12th Regiment Lieutenant
Colonel Julian West said the exercise provided a
great opportunity to practise gunnery across the
spectrum of conventional operations. 'This involved
training from the coordination and execution of joint
fires, including Danger Close and Direct Fire serials, to
the tactical deployment of the gun line, small-arms
live-fire practices and a regimental route march,' he
said.
Thunder Walk focused on joint
fires teams training with the
groups conducting live-fire
immediate neutralisation
missions as well as infantry minor
and small-team tactics.
The Regiment successfully completed a road
self-deployment of military and civilian vehicles
from Robertson Barracks to the Cultana Training
Area for the exercise.
Thunder Walk focused on joint fires teams training
with the groups conducting live-fire immediate
neutralisation missions as well as infantry minor
and small-team tactics. The gun line conducted
live-fire and movement and was tactically tested
through a complex enemy scenario. Elements from
the Adelaide-based 102nd Coral Battery also
deployed to Woomera to successfully conduct a
trial of the Excalibur Precision Guided Munitions.
Exercise Thunder Run consolidated the live-fire
training with a focus on the speed of response after
a call for fire, and culminated in the conduct of
live-fire danger-close missions which had
high-explosive rounds impacting 175 m from dug-in
friendly troops.
The exercise allowed the regiment to enhance its
digital gunnery procedures with the newly acquired
M777A2 Howitzer and the Advanced Field Artillery
Tactical Data System.
Soldiers certified to deploy on Advisory Task Force
2 and 8/12 Regt is postured to conduct further field
training in 2013.
Exercise Thunder Run 2
Thunder Shakes the Ground
Gunners from 8th/12th Regiment showed what they
were made of during Exercise Thunder Run 2 at the
Mount Bundy Training Area recently. The unit
deployed for a live fire exercise to train joint fires
teams and gun troops up to danger-close practices.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Over two weeks the unit was put through the full
range of conventional war fighting activities it
could reasonably be expected to conduct in
combat. Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel
Julian West said one of the highlights of the exercise
was firing danger close missions at night in support
of dug-in infantry with 155 mm HE rounds
impacting 175 m from his own troops.
'Two weeks isn't a long time in the field, but under the
leadership of hardworking junior non commissioned
officers, the Regiment successfully conducted realistic
and high-tempo joint fires coordination and execution by
day and night,' he said.
Over two weeks the unit was put
through the full range of
conventional war fighting
activities it could reasonably be
expected to conduct in combat.
Lieutenant Colonel West was also happy with the
performance of the M777 A2 howitzer. 'The M777 is
an excellent gun; it has a good rate of sustained fire
providing consistent and accurate indirect fire support,'
he said.
Detachment commander Bombardier Adrian
Broadhead said the unit had an active enemy
probing and ambushing the gunners constantly. 'We
had to pay attention, we had to make ourselves a hard
target and know our drills and procedures,' he said.
Lieutenant Nathan Small, 103rd Battery command
post officer, said the post-battle procedure
immediately after an intense contact with the
enemy was an eye opener. 'We trained a lot to conduct
our correct processes during a quick attack, but dealing
with casualties and handling back-loading and resupply,
while still providing indirect fire support, was difficult at
first,' he said.
'However, due to our robust training and operating
procedures we quickly learnt to plan for this, execute and
move on.'
Bombardier Chris Saetta said the live fire and
movement ended with danger close missions in
support of 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment
(5 RAR) final activity, a clearance of an enemy main
defensive position. 'We brought the rounds into 175 m
from 5RAR's forming up point,' he said. 'The infantry
boys weathered it really well – it created a lot of energy
for the attack.'
Exercise Kite HawkSergeant Michael Smith
Joint fires teams (JFT) from 8th/12th Regiment (8/12
Regt) deployed to the Mount Bundey Training Area
to conduct live-fire training with Tiger helicopters
from 161st Squadron, 1st Aviation Regiment, from
15-19 April.
Before Exercise Kite Hawk, the JFTs spent time in
the 161st Squadron flight simulation centre. This
gave junior soldiers exposure of the aircraft's
capabilities and an opportunity to meet and discuss
tactics with the pilots.
The missions were conducted in
late afternoon and evening, which
presented an opportunity for the
pilots to focus on their night flying
and mission procedures.
Commander of the JFT for 103rd Battery,
Bombardier Michael Krek, said the exercise
provided a great opportunity for the soldiers. 'They
were able to practise their observation skills and target
talk-on using the Tigers during both day and night
controls,' he said. 'It was good to have the attack
helicopters on for the week as this gave the lads multiple
controls and plenty of ammunition to destroy targets.'
The combined exercise focused on JFT training with
the Tigers conducting live-fire attacks from several
different battle positions, engaging targets with
70 mm rockets and the 30 mm cannon.
The missions were conducted in late afternoon and
evening, which presented an opportunity for the
pilots to focus on their night flying and mission
procedures.
During their training, the JFTs used infrared
pointers to help the aircraft identify and engage
targets out to 4 km. Focusing on the speed of
response after a call for fire, the exercise
culminated in live attacks from the Tigers.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
ADF Pathfinder
JTAC of the YearMajor R. Wehby, Officer Commanding
JTAC Troop, 16th Air Land Regiment
Warrant Officer Class Two Matthew Dawson, Troop
Sergeant Major, Joint Terminal Attack Control (JTAC)
Troop, 16th Air Land Regiment (16 ALR) was
recently announced as the recipient of the annual
Air-Vice Marshal (AVM) Don Bennet award for the
ADF JTAC of the year.
The award's history is based on the scarcity and
valued capability of air power that must be focused,
prioritised and employed in a safe and efficient
manner. The successful integration of these air
assets with surface force objectives is not a new
challenge, having first presented itself during World
War One. On the modern battlefield JTACs are the
critical enablers between air power and ground
commanders at the tactical, operational and
strategic levels that allow this integration to occur.
The award was raised to recognise the ADF JTAC or
Combat Controller who has made the most
significant and lasting contribution towards the
advancement of the ADF JTAC capability and related
air surface integration within the ADF over the
previous twelve months. The recipient will have
demonstrated professional mastery of Joint
Terminal Attack Control and will have embodied the
elements of mutual trust, respect and training
required within the joint environment to achieve
successful air surface integration.
Warrant Officer Class Two Dawson has been posted
to JTAC Tp and 4 SQN previously as a JTAC instructor
and has been the TSM at JTAC Tp since 2011. JTAC
Tp is a small entity of 16th Air Land Regiment
located at RAAF Williamtown. With a posted
strength of eight its purpose is fourfold: firstly to
maintain a pool of qualified, trained and combat
ready JTACs to augment conventional and special
operations deployments; secondly to augment
units for major exercises within Australia; thirdly to
provide dedicated assistance to 4 Sqn (RAAF) JTAC
Courses; and fourthly to screen and prepare
candidates for JTAC course and uphold JTAC
standards throughout FORCOMD units.
Warrant Officer Class Two Dawson's award citation
states, 'As a senior FORCOMD JTAC, WO2 Dawson is
respected amongst the CAS community and a role model
for junior soldiers. His role, as interface between the
services, adds balance to instructor experience, and is
fundamental in 4 SQN maintaining US accreditation.'
The recipient will have
demonstrated professional
mastery of Joint Terminal Attack
Control and will have embodied
the elements of mutual trust,
respect and training required
within the joint environment to
achieve successful air surface
integration.
Warrant Officer Class Two Dawson has been
instrumental in a number of areas with regard to
the JTAC capability. This has included: setting and
maintaining the standard for other JTACs to
emulate; harnessing operational experience and
capturing lessons learnt based on the recent tempo
and experience ADF JTACs now have; working
effectively in the joint environment; maintaining a
focus on combat application and readiness; and
cultivating the growth of the capability to ensure
world's best practice amongst partner nations.
The award was presented to Warrant Officer Class
Two Dawson at the annual Pathfinder Association
Day on 19th September 2013 at RAAF Amberley.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
DSCM-A
By Captain Chris Lingard &
Warrant Officer Class One Grant Boyce
Greetings from the Directorate of Soldier Career
Management-Army (DSCM-A) formally SCMA until
2012, we hope you have all had a productive and
rewarding year to date. This year for DSCM-A has
been a very busy and challenging one. As most of
you will be aware at the start of the year DSCM-A
re-located from the seafront tourist scene of Fort
Queenscliff, Victoria to the shiny new digs at the
Brindabella Business Park (Airport precinct),
Canberra. The exciting new changes at DSCM-A has
not stopped with the joys of the re-location, as
there has been some fundamental developments in
the way DSCM-A conducts business. The aim of this
article is to give an overview of the most significant
of these developments; the recently endorsed
Enhanced Career Management (ECM) model and
the new Personnel Advisory Committee (PAC)
process.
Enhanced Career Management for Soldiers
The Enhanced Career Management model for
soldiers, as seen in Figure 1, has been signed off by
the Chief of Army and will provide a more modern
approach to career management for Army's
soldiers. The ECM model links in with the Officer
ECM, it sets the framework for the Warrant Officer
Class One Career Management Strategy (WO1 CMS)
and will be complimented by the new Soldier
Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) to be released
for the 2014 reporting period.
The ECM Model has five lines of operation:
• Average time in rank
• Talent management
• Flexible workplace
• Development of Career Advisors and Command
Teams
• One career – many jobs
The Model will enhance soldier career management
by setting the conditions for flexible and rewarding
career opportunities that meet the expectations of
the soldier, while providing the chain of command
more options to meet Service needs (see Figure 1)
Average time in rank (ATiR)
The ATiR has officially increased to five years to
align with current reality and remove false
expectations. Five years allows at least two
postings at each rank and enables our junior leaders
to gain the experiences and knowledge required to
advance to the next skill and rank level. It also
enables the chain of command and career advisors
to better assess a soldier's potential. Naturally, it
will also allow an increased return on investment
for those employment categories with extensive
training requirements. It is important to remember
that five years is the average, and that it is not a one
size fits all solution. Some will be longer or shorter
depending on service need, talent management or
personal circumstances.
Talent Management
Unique, personalised and focussed talent
management will support the development and
retention of Army's most talented soldiers. These
soldiers are to be identified by the chain of
command and DSCM-A as suitable for more
demanding appointments. Talented individuals will
be given the opportunity to conduct outplacements
within civil industry to ensure that we develop a
greater understanding of inclusivity and diversity
into our workforce, as well as introduce technical
elements.
Outplacements are managed by DSCM-A, and will
be coordinated in consultation with the chain of
command.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Personnel &Training
Flexible Workplace
Flexible Workplace Arrangements (FWA) is the
collective term used for a number of different
initiatives that have been in place, formally and
informally, for many years.
They may include, Part Time Leave Without Pay, Job
Share, Variable Work Hours, Temporary Home
Located, and Alternate Located Work
FWA aims to achieve the best possible match
between the needs of individual soldiers and Army,
all the while maintaining capability. FWA allows
Army to better use and retain the valuable skills and
experience of its existing soldiers. The modern
soldier has competing priorities that change
throughout their career. To keep the right people
Army must provide options to support different life
circumstances at certain periods in a soldier's
career.
Development of Career Advisors and
Command Teams
Management for GNR-LBDR will be moving to the
unit level. Once a CO has assessed a soldier as ready
to be promoted to BDR, the soldier will be
individually career managed by a career advisor at
DSCM-A. Soldiers can normally expect to remain
within the same unit until the rank of BDR; however,
there are GNR and LBDR positions at the SoArty,
Australian Federation Guard (AFG) and RMC that
must be filled. Every soldier represents a capability
to Army. DSCM-A is developing a guide to support
unit command teams in the management of their
junior soldiers. It will also be taught on pre
command, RSM and other key career courses.
DSCM-A will work with command teams and
PMKeyS administrators to ensure the right access is
given to units to manage GNR-LBDR ranks. DSCM-A
will continue to transact postings, pay and
promotions at all ranks.
As a result of this change in career management, the
first PAR to be submitted to DSCM-A will be from
worn rank BDR. Units will write PARs on JLC
qualified GNR(P) - LBDR as an internal development
tool, however they will not to be submitted to
DSCM-A.
One Career – Many Jobs
Army is proactively targeting soldiers to fill critical
vacancies in other trades. This initiative is part of
the Stay Army initiative (also includes Project
Boomerang and selected targeted retention
bonuses). In the past, vacancy targets were adjusted
six monthly, now it's every fortnight. This allows
Army to offer positions to existing trained soldiers,
whereas previously these targets were given to
recruiting and DSCM-A had to wait until they failed
to recruit enough people before a call for
nominations went to serving soldiers. A webpage
will be maintained of jobs that Army needs to fill
and DSCM-A will work with the Trade Transfer and
Retention Warrant Officers (TTR-WOs) located at
each major barracks to support the identification
and placement of trade transfers into these
positions.
The New Personnel Advisory Committee (PAC)
Process
The Personnel Advisory Committee (PAC) is the
process used to determine the order of merit for
promotion at the rank of SGT, WO2 and WO1 in
each trade in Army. The result is a ranked list of
soldiers against their peers in a Final Order of Merit
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Figure 1 – Enhanced Career Management Model
List (FOML) that shows who is next in line to be
offered promotion in to the next available vacancy.
The PAC period for all ranks is conducted from
September to late November each year with up to
five PAC rooms running at the same times. Each
individual soldier takes approximately 20-30
minutes to be reviewed and up to 60 soldiers will be
presented per PAC for each of Army's 90 ECNs.
The soldier PAC process has undergone these
changes to ensure soldiers receive the best possible
representation by the Committee. The main
changes to the PAC process are the number soldiers
being presented at PAC and the number of annual
reports that are to be considered for each soldier.
The PAC process now considers a soldier's last four
annual reports, including the current year, which is
why it is vital that soldier's PARs are submitted on
time.
When will I be presented at PAC?
Once as soldier has completed their average time in
substantive rank they become eligible to be
considered for promotion. However, only those
soldiers who meet the promotion criteria and
achieve a Group 1 rating will be considered in detail
by the PAC. The method to determine which
soldiers will go to the PAC is done through a process
of category and group allocation, based on
performance history as seen in Figure 2.
DSCM-A has introduced a two-step process to
support every soldier being presented. The first,
allows the career advisor to raise a member to
Group 1, regardless of PAR scores, and the second
allows a CO to request a soldier to be raised. This
ensures that there is an independent check to
ensure that the right people are presented for
detailed consideration at PAC.
For those who are familiar with the old process,
DSCM-A has removed the Promotion Eligibility
Zone (PEZ). Now, soldiers will enter in their fourth
year in a rank, and will remain in that rank until
either promoted or allocated Band 4 at PAC.
It is important to note that being made Band 4 does
not necessarily mean a soldier is performing poorly;
it can simply mean that they have a very strong
performing cohort and they are simply not
competitive with their peers.
What happens in the PAC room?
Once the Group 1 candidates have been determined
they will be presented for detailed consideration at
PAC. PAC is held in two parts which determines the
FOML and allocates a soldier's banding.
PAC Part 1 – The Career Advisor presents the last
four PARs for all their Group 1 candidates and the
committee assesses the suitability and
competitiveness for promotion to the next rank. At
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Figure 2 – The New PAC Process
the conclusion of Part 1 all personnel considered
are allocated a position on the FOML. The PAC
consisting of a Chairperson (CAPT to MAJ) and a
voting member (WO2-MAJ) pending the target rank
of the PAC.
PAC Part 2 – The PAC Part 2 determines whether or
not a soldier is to be cleared for promotion,
approves the FOML and allocates the banding for
promotion. PAC Part 2 comprises the members of
the Part 1 board with the addition of the Part 2
Chairman, normally a LTCOL, and is the decision
maker for the FOML and allocates the soldier one of
the following bandings:
• Band 1 – Soldiers suitable and likely to be
promoted in the target CMC.
• Band 2 – Soldiers suitable, but promotion will
depend on availability of positions in their skill
grade.
• Band 3 – Soldiers performing effectively at
current rank but not competitive for promotion
in the target CMC unless a service need arises.
• Band 4 – Soldiers performing effectively at
current rank, but will not be considered for
further promotion.
All soldiers considered by the PAC will be notified of
their results via their unit Chain of Command.
In a nutshell some or all of these developments will
affect those currently serving members at some
stage in their careers, especially those junior and
future leaders in the RAA. If you are still craving
more information on the ECM or the new PAC
process and how it may shape your career please
refer to the DSCM-A intranet webpage:
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/sites/DSC
MA/ComWeb.asp?page=105099
To all have a fantastic end to the year and we look
forward to seeing those serving members early
next year when DSCM-A conducts the annual Career
Guidance Interviews starting in February 2014.
Artillery Trade &
TrainingWarrant Officer Class Two M.V. Mlikota
Trade Manager Ground Based Air Defence
Introduction
As Spring is apparently approaching (here in Pucka)
Artillery Trade and Training (Arty TT) cell continues
the daily grind of TMP development, recognition,
releasing exported training TMPs, category reviews
and the continuous steam of Employment Category
Testing Officer appointments.
With the current manning diminished as the OS
Trade Manager on Long Service Leave and the OS
TD absent, Arty TT is actively recruiting to fill these
positions. Until this occurs the work usually
conducted by those positions has been shared
across the cell with input from the SO3 and RMG as
the current OS SMEs, both who were employed as
umpires on TS 13.
Trade/Employment Management
Employment Specifications for all the trades have
been all been reviewed and are awaiting DWM-A
approval prior to being loaded onto the DRN and
the Arty TT web site.
Significant work has been conducted and is still
continuing with the STA Category review to ensure
its success at ECREM this year, for sustainability of
the trade with its current UAS capability and
termination of ECN 271. The OPUAS TMP has been
used to conduct the first Australian based UAS
training.
OS Trade is continuing to monitor and report on
ongoing GORPS 2009 implementation plan. GBAD
TT has assisted in the conduct of the GAMB Course
at 16 ALR and with joint Co-operation with GBAD
Wing, ARTY TT is in the early stages of preparing for
trade model reviews prior to ECRM next year.
Some of the milestones reached so far this year are
as follows:
• PESA has been introduced into all IET TMPs and
soon to be introduced on ROBCs TMPs;
• Deploy Landing Mat TMP has been signed off;
• Digital Terminal Control System (DTCS) TMP will
go into PILOT once the Train the Trainer IIS
courses are completed;
• SOFIE hand held thermal imager TMP is in draft;
• Shadow Mission Commander's Course has been
modified and is in PILOT; and
• Currently ARTY TT has seven TMPs awaiting
endorsement.
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Contact ListRAA Regimental Fund
SO2 HOR School of Artillery
Bridges Barracks, Puckapunyal, VIC 3662
Phone: (03) 5735 6465
Mob: 0400 854 323
Email: [email protected]
RAA Historical Company
P O Box R1638, NSW 1225
Phone: (02) 98249275
Website: http://www.artilleryhistory.org
[See Membership Form]
Cannonball (Official Journal)
Australian Army Artillery Museum
Currently CLOSED.
Battery Guide (Newsletter)
RAA Historical Society WA (Inc)
President - Bruce Campbell
Phone: (08) 9221 2494 (Bus)
Secretary - Stan Davies
P O Box 881, Claremont, WA 6910
Mob: 0418 903 722
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.artillerywa.org.au
Take Post (Quarterly Newsletter)
4 Field Regiment (Vietnam) Association
R. J. (Gabby) Hayes
Unit 40, 276 Handford Road, Taigum, QLD 4018
Email: [email protected]
Peter Bruce
Phone: (03) 5752 2114
Mob: 0419 349 317
Email: [email protected]
7 Field Regiment Association
President - Captain Steve Flower
Secretary - John Balfour OAM
Email: [email protected]
Mob: 0418 412 354
Correspondence to:
P O Box 206, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086
Website: 7fd-regt-raa-association.com
10 Medium Regiment Association Inc
P O Box 1915, Geelong, VIC 3220
President - Pat Eldridge
Mob: 0415 098 046
The Big Gun (Newsletter)
12 Field Regiment (Vietnam) Association
President - Graham Floyd
Email: [email protected]
Vice President - Rob Costello
Email: [email protected]
Secretary - Trevor Bryant
Phone: (08) 82707130
Email: [email protected]
23 Field Regiment Association
President - Barry Willoughby
Phone: (02) 9533 3215
Mob: 0417 400 902
Email: [email protected]
Secretary - Peter Merlino
63 Penshurst Road, Penshurst, NSW 2222
Phone: (02) 9570 2776
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.23fd-regt-raa-association.org
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Associations &Organisations
A Field Battery Association Inc
President - Ron (Tex) Bassan
Secretary - Ron (Tex) Bassan
6 Harveys Road,
Beaconsfield, QLD 4740
Phone: (07) 4942 5433
Email: [email protected]
A Field Battery National Newsletter
Editor - Ron (Butch) Slaughter
6/8 St Ives Drive, Robina, QLD 4226
Email: [email protected]
Website:http://afdbty.australianartilleryassociation.com/
101 Battery
Secretary - Jim Booth
104 Edinburgh Drive, Mt. Hallen, QLD 4312
Phone: 07 5424 6506
Mob: 0417 731 393
Email: [email protected]
Website:http://www.homepage.powerup.com.au/~
assoc101bty
101 Battery (Malaya 1959-1961)
President - David Troedel
36 Murphys Creek Road,
Blue Mountain Heights, QLD 4350
Phone: (07) 4630 8787
Email: [email protected]
102 Battery
Don Tait
Mob: 0419 287 292
Email: [email protected]
Ian Ahearn
Mob: 0417 691 741
Email: [email protected]
103 Battery
Doug Heazlewood
10 Tarhood Road, Warrnambool, VIC 3280
Phone: (03) 5561 4370
104 Battery
John Sullivan
P O Box 34, Taralga, NSW 2580
Phone: (02) 4840 2283
Mob: 0417 298 925
Email: [email protected]
Germ Journal
105 Battery
President - Graeme Maughan AFC
Phone: (07) 3266 6646
Email: [email protected]
Secretary - Greg West RFD, ED
14 Marral Street, The Gap, QLD 4061
Phone: (07) 3300 5303
Email: [email protected]
Tiger Rag (Newsletter)
Editor - Arthur Burke OAM
7 Aspley Court, Aspley, QLD 4034
Phone & Fax: ( 07) 3263 6025
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.105bty.asn.au/
106 Battery
Contact Information Required
107 Battery
President - Warren D. Feakes
Phone: (02) 6231 8369
Mob: 0417 209 360
Email: [email protected]
Secretary/Treasurer - Hilton Lenard
Mob: 0418 695 345
Email: [email protected]
Correspondence to: 107 Field Battery RAA
Association, P O Box 199, Erindale, ACT 2903
Ram - Ramblings (Newsletter)
Editor - Warren D. Feakes
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.107fdbty.com
108 Battery
John Wells
P O Box 407, Beaconsfield, VIC 3807
Phone: (03) 5944 3157 (H)
Email: [email protected]
The Journal With No Name (Newsletter)
RAA Association (QLD) Inc
President - Colonel Vern Mullins RFD ED
Secretary - Lieutenant Colonel Ron West
P O Box 174, Lutwyche, QLD 4030
Mob: 0408 073 944
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.artilleryqld.com.au/
Gunline (Newsletter)
48
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
RAA Association (NTH QLD)
President - Paddy Durnford
362 Carlyle Gardens, Condon, QLD 4815
Phone: (07) 4755 1005
Mob: 0412 411 928
Email: [email protected]
Secretary - Michael Dinnison
18 Mango Ave, Mundingburra, QLD, 4812
Mob: 0467 799 583
Email: [email protected]
Gunners Gossip (Newsletter)
Editor - Steve Wilson
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ozatwar.com/raa-nqld.htm
RAA Association (NSW) Inc
President - Colonel Don Tait, OAM
Mob: 0419 287 292
Email: [email protected]
Secretary - Michael Carrodus
G P O Box 576, Sydney, NSW 2001
Email: [email protected]
‘Gunfire’ (Magazine)
Editor - P O Box W1034, West Cessnock, NSW 2325
Phone: (02) 4990 8560
Mob: 0417 680 617
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.artillerynsw.asn.au/
RAA Association (NSW) NewcastleSub-Branch
Secretary - Grant Nicholls
P O Box 918, Charlestown, NSW 2290
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.raaanewcastle.com
RAA Association (ACT)
President - Lieutenant Colonel Nick H. Floyd
Phone: (02) 6266 0351
Email: [email protected]
Shot Over (Newsletter)
RAA Association (VIC) Inc
President - Major N. Hamer RFD
Phone: (03) 9702 2100
Email: [email protected]
Secretary - Mrs Rachel Decker
8 Alfada Street, Caulfield South, VIC, 3167
Phone: (03) 9578 5205
Email: [email protected]
‘Cascabel’ (Magazine)
Editor - Alan Halbish, 115 Kearney Drive,
Aspendale Gardens, VIC 3195
Phone: (03) 9587 1676
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.artilleryvic.org.au
RAA Association (SA)
President - Geoff Laurie
12 Chatsworth Grove, Toorak Gardens, SA 5065
Phone: (08) 8332 4485
Email: [email protected]
RAA Association (NT)
The Secretary - Dr Tom Lewis
G P O Box 3220, Darwin, NT 0801
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (08) 8981 9702
RAAANT Newsletter
National Liaison Officer,
RAAANT - John Johnston
Email: [email protected]
Mob: 0419 836 669
RAA Association (WA) Inc
President - Lieutenant Colonel R.B. Farrelly RFD
Phone: (08) 6488 3223 (Bus)
Mob: 0417 981 615
Vice-president - Major P.J. Mahoney RFD
Phone: (08) 9268 8072
Mob: 0428 198 707
Secretary - Major J. Blylevens RFD
P O Box 881, Claremont, WA 6910
Phone: (08) 9461 6001 (bus)
Mob: 0438 695 711
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.artillerywa.org.au
Artillery WA (On-line Newsletter)
RAA Association (TAS) Inc
President - Colonel Stephen Carey RFD, ADC
Honorary Secretary - Norm Andrews OAM
Tara Room, 24 Robin Street, Newstead, TAS 7250
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 6344 8307
Mob: 0409 539 430
Website: www.tasartillery.com
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
The Artillery News (Newsletter)
Editor - John McIntee
14 Craig Street, Waverley, TAS 7250
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 6329 1819
Australian Air Defence Association Inc.
President - Glynn Potter
Email: [email protected]
Secretary - Alan Mears
AADAA, P O Box 41, Rosedale, QLD, 4674
Email: [email protected] or
Phone: (07) 4156 5215
Website: http://aadaa.asn.au
Locating Artillery Association
President - Major Joe Kaplun CMC, JP
Phone: (02) 9774 1471
Mob: 040774 1473
Email: [email protected]
Vice President - LTCOL Phil Swinsberg
Phone: (07) 3353 5210
Mob: 0425 000 370
Secretary - Bob Morrison
Phone: (02) 4861 6463
Mob: 0417 447 504
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.locatingartillery.org
LOCREP (Newsletter)
Editor: Major Allan Harrison (see above)
131 Locators Association Inc.
Eyes & Ears (Newsletter)
Editor: Paul Dickson
Email: [email protected]
18 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Association
Secretray - Alan Lark
1 Manor Hill Road, Miranda, NSW 2228
Phone: (02) 9522 4815
Mob: 0428 461 621
Email: [email protected]
9 HAA/LAA Regiments Association
President - Phil Easton
29 Michael Crescent, Kiama, NSW 2533
Phone: (02) 4237 6087
Email: [email protected]
13 Battery Association Inc
President - Paul Scarborough
Mob: 0418 872 324
Email: [email protected]
Secretary - John Parnell
13 Bty Assoc Inc SITREP (Newsletter)
41 Battery/11 Field RegimentRAA Association Inc
President - Graeme Fitzpatrick
25 Manakin Ave, Burleigh Waters QLD 4220
Phone: (07) 5535 1211 (H)
Email: [email protected]
Gunner Ear (Newsletter)
Fort Lytton Historical Association (QLD) Inc
President - Maurice McGuire, OAM
P O Box 293, Wynnum QLD 4178
Phone: (07) 3399 3198
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.fortlytton.net.au
'The Custodian' (Newsletter)
Editor: Harry Lynas
Fort Scratchley Historical Society
Website: www.fortscratchley.org.au
RA Association
Website: www.forums.theraa.co.uk.php
RAA Unit Websites
RAA and other unit websites maybe accessed via
the Australian Army website.
http://www.defence.gov.au/army/RRAA
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/Sites/RRAA
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RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Important Websites
‘Australian Artillery Association’
Website:
www.australianartilleryassociation.com
Email:
‘Royal Australian Artillery HistoricalCompany’
Website:
www.artilleryhistory.org
Email:
50
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Regimental Fund BenefactorsCorrect as at 1st September 2013
LTGEN D.M. Mueller
LTGEN B.A. Power
MAJGEN J.E. Barry
MAJGEN M.P. Crane
MAJGEN P.J. Dunn
MAJGEN G.J. Fitzgerald
MAJGEN G.P. Fogarty
MAJGEN T.R. Ford (see note)
MAJGEN S.N. Gower
MAJGEN J.P. Stevens (see note)
MAJGEN P.B. Symon
BRIG M.G. Boyle
BRIG D.P. Coghlan
BRIG J.R. Cox
BRIG G.W. Finney (see note)
BRIG W.L. Goodman
BRIG N.D. Graham
BRIG J.G. Hughes
BRIG J.A.R. Jansen
BRIG P.R. Kilpatrick
BRIG R.A. Lawler
BRIG I.G.A. MacInnis
BRIG T.J. McKenna
BRIG I.J. Meibusch
BRIG K.B.J. Mellor
BRIG K.J. O'Brien
BRIG M.F. Paramor
BRIG D. I. Perry
BRIG M.L. Phelps
BRIG S. Roach
BRIG K.V. Rossi
BRIG G.T. Salmon
BRIG W.M. Silverstone
BRIG G.B. Standish
BRIG B.G. Stevens
BRIG R.A. Sunderland
BRIG D.J.P. Tier
BRIG P.J. Tys
BRIG A.G. Warner
BRIG D.D. Weir
BRIG V.H. Williams
BRIG P.D. Winter
COL S.P. Amor
COL B.M. Armstrong
COL B.J. Bailey
COL J.F. Bertram
COL J.P.C. Black
COL R.V. Brown
COL A.R. Burke (see note)
COL D.L. Byrne
COL S.R. Carey
COL S.E. Clingan
COL F.G. Colley
COL M.C. Crawford (see note)
COL J.A.L. Fairless
COL C. D. Furini
COL R.N. Gair
COL S.T. Goltz
COL G.C. Hay
COL E.D. Hirst
COL C.B.J. Hogan
COL J.H. Humphrey
COL C.H. Hunter
COL A.G. Hutchinson
COL W.T. Kendall
COL J.C. Kirkwood
COL P.J. Lawrence
COL M.G. Lovell
COL I.A. Lynch
COL R.M. Manton
COL N.H. Marshall
COL R.V. McEvoy
COL B.H. Mitchell
COL R.B. Mitchell
COL D. J. Murray
COL R.A. Parrott
COL P.R. Patmore
COL A.T. Piercy
COL A.A. Plant
COL J.C. Platt
COL G.G. Potter
COL D. Quinn
COL S.T. Ryan
COL S.M. Saddington
COL G.M. Salom
COL R.H. Stanhope
COL B.J. Stark
COL D.M. Tait
COL A.D. Watt (see note)
COL W.A. Whyte
COL B.A. Wood
LTCOL S.D. Aldenton
LTCOL C.W. Andersen
LTCOL B.J. Armour
LTCOL J.D. Ashton
LTCOL R.M. Baguley
LTCOL N.K. Bolton
LTCOL J.E. Box
LTCOL D.N. Brook
LTCOL M.A. Cameron
LTCOL J.H. Catchlove
LTCOL I.D.S. Caverswall
LTCOL S.G. Condon
LTCOL R.J. Crawford (see note)
LTCOL C.F. Dodds
LTCOL D.M. Edwards
LTCOL L.D. Ensor
LTCOL E.P.M. Esmonde
LTCOL J. Findlay
LTCOL N.H.B. Floyd
LTCOL R.J. Foster
LTCOL A.W. Garrad
LTCOL I.D.W. George
LTCOL R.G. Gibson
LTCOL G. Gilbert
LTCOL K.R. Hall
LTCOL M. Harvey (RNZA)
LTCOL B.N. Hawke
LTCOL P.L. Hodge
LTCOL B.G. Hurrell
LTCOL J.R. Jauncey
LTCOL D.J. Kelly
LTCOL S.N. Kenny
LTCOL J.F. Kerr
LTCOL P. Landford
LTCOL S.F. Landherr
LTCOL B.L. Lloyd
LTCOL J.L. Macpherson
LTCOL R. Maurice
LTCOL J.H. McDonagh (AALC)
LTCOL P.D. McKay
LTCOL K.W. MacKenzie
LTCOL P.D. Monks
LTCOL J.E. Morkham
LTCOL S.G.T. Mott
LTCOL D.M. Murphy (see note)
LTCOL S.W. Nicolls
LTCOL T.C. O'Brien
LTCOL G.F.B. Rickards
LTCOL L.F. Searle
LTCOL M. Shaday
LTCOL C. Taggart
LTCOL R.A. Vagg
LTCOL W.R.C. Vickers
LTCOL D.H.R. Wilton
LTCOL B.J. Winsor
MAJ W.C. Barnard
51
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
MAJ G.K. Bartels
MAJ G.F. Berson
MAJ P.E. Bertocchi
MAJ D.T. Brennan
MAJ P. Cimbaljevic
MAJ C.T. Connolly
MAJ S. Denner
MAJ P.K. Dover
MAJ M. Dutton
MAJ J.B. Evans (see note)
MAJ M.J. Finnerty
MAJ C.A. Flear
MAJ A.O. Fleming
MAJ W.J. Francis
MAJ T.J. Gibbings
MAJ W.H. Grimes
MAJ N. Hamer
MAJ M.R. Hartas
MAJ L.P. Hindmarsh
MAJ S.A. Hompas
MAJ D.A. Jenkins
MAJ G. Johns
MAJ D.E. Jones
MAJ J. Kaplun
MAJ J.B. Kelly
MAJ D. Klomp
MAJ M.D. Laurence
MAJ H. Lenard
MAJ R.S. McDonagh
MAJ M.W. Middleton
MAJ G.K. Milic
MAJ D.R. Morgan
MAJ L.W.L. Partridge
MAJ P.J. Prewett
MAJ V.J. Ray
MAJ S.G. Rohan-Jones
MAJ W.A. Ritchie
MAJ P.S. Richards
MAJ K.F. Schoene
MAJ L.J. Simmons
MAJ A.H. Smith (see note)
MAJ A.E.R. Straume
MAJ M. Taggart
MAJ W. Tapp
MAJ M.L. Van Tilburg
MAJ A.C. Turner
MAJ T.W. Vercoe
MAJ M. St C. Walton
MAJ C.V. Wardrop
MAJ P.R. Widelewski
CAPT J.P. Casey
CAPT J.M. Costello
CAPT J.M. Groves
CAPT M.S. Hodda
CAPT A.M. Ludlow
CAPT S.R. Nebauer
CAPT D.T. O'Brien
CAPT M.A. Pasteur (AAAvn)
CAPT A.E. Sheridan
CAPT P.J. Smith
CAPT M.C. Squire
CAPT P.J. Watkins
CAPT P. Wertheimer
LT J.F. Henry
LT S.L. Shepherd
WO1 D.G. Annett
WO1 D.W. Bowman
WO1 K.J. Browning (see note)
WO1 L.A. Cooper
WO1 B.A. Franklin
WO1 G.A. Jebb
WO1 M.I. Johnson
WO1 M.A. Johnston
WO1 T.L. Kennedy
WO1 D.R. Lehr
WO1 P.A. Matthysen
WO1 B.J. Stafford
WO1 R.J. Thompson
WO1 M. Vandyke (see note)
WO1 P.T. Washford
WO1 C.F.J. Watego
WO1 G.J. Webster
WO2 D. Bannerman
WO2 M. Broughton
WO2 P. Carthew
WO2 M.R. Dawson
WO2 R.T.B. Hay
WO2 J.J. Hennessy
WO2 D.G. Ogden (see note)
WO2 A. Pavlovich
WO2 R.N. Skelton
SSGT R.W. Morrell
SSGT E.J. Paddon
SGT J. Nield
SGT G.V. Saint
SGT D.H. Wood
Mr C.J. Jobson
Note:
COL M.C. Crawford, COL E.D. Hirst
and MAJ A.H. Smith have paid three
life subscriptions.
LTGEN B.A. Power, MAJGEN T.R.
Ford, MAJGEN J.P. Stevens, MAJGEN
J.D. Stevenson, MAJGEN J. Whitelaw,
BRIG G.W. Finney, BRIG R.K. Fullford,
BRIG J.R. Salmon; COL A.R. Burke,
COL A.D. Watt; LTCOL D.M. Murphy;
LTCOL G.K. Phillips; MAJ J.B. Evans,
WO1 K.J. Browning; WO1 M.
Vandyke and WO2 D.G. Ogden have
paid two life subscriptions.
Associations
RAA Association (Tas)
RAA Association (Qld)
RAA Association (North Qld)
RAA Association (Vic)
RAA Association (SA)
RAA Association (NSW)
RAA Association (NSW) - NewcastleBranch
105th Field Battery Association
107 (Field) Battery Association
Fort Lytton Historical Assoc
RAA Retired Officers of South EastQueensland
Australian Air Defence ArtilleryAssociation
13th Battery Association
Deceased Benefactors
Sir Roden Cutler
MAJGEN T.F. Cape
MAJGEN G.D. Carter
MAJGEN P. Falkland
MAJGEN R. G. Fay
MAJGEN J.D. Stevenson (see note)
MAJGEN J. Whitelaw (see note)
BRIG R.K. Fullford (see note)
BRIG A.G. Hanson
BRIG R.Q. Macarthur- Stranham
BRIG J.R. Salmon (see note)
COL M.J. Kingsford
LTCOL R.H.E. Harvey
LTCOL P.L. Overstead
LTCOL G.K. Phillips
LTCOL G.W. Tippets
MAJ M. Dawson
MAJ A.A. Thwaites
RAA Gunners
Fund – Needs
Your Support
Introduction
The RAA Gunners' Fund is designed to provide a
source of funds that can be utilised for the benefit
of all Gunners. One of the most important uses for
these funds is to support requests from RAA units
and organisations to assist in the ongoing
preservation and promotion of the Regimental
heritage. Other worthy goals that this funding
supports, is not limited to, but includes:
• support RAA extra-Regimental activities,
• encourage RAA Officers and Soldiers who excel in
their profession,
• support activities that benefit RAA personnel,
not normally funded by public money,
• safeguard, maintain and purchase items of RAA
Regimental property,
• preserve RAA heritage and history, and
• record RAA Operational service since
deployments began in the 1990s.
The Regimental Committee cannot achieve these
very worthy goals without the support of individual
members and organisations within the Gunner
community. All officers, warrant officers and
sergeants are encouraged to make a financial
contribution to the Gunners' Fund or take up the
option of a ‘Life Subscription’ which then absolves
the subscriber from being asked for any further
subscriptions. The list of life subscribers is
published in the Liaison Letter and they
automatically receive a complimentary copy.
Recent Projects
Over the years the Gunners' Fund has supported a
wide range of requests for financial support,
including some of which are ongoing such as
insurance and maintenance of the AIF and Mount
Schank Trophies. It is worth noting that the sums of
money requested from the Fund are generally
significant and therefore can only realistically have
any chance of being provided if each and everyone
of us support the Fund. Projects supported by the
Fund include the allocation of:
• $2,500 to 8th/12th Medium Regiment to assist
the Regiment to build a Regimental Memorial to
coincide with the Regiment's 30th anniversary
celebrations;
• $500 to 131st Surveillance and Target
Acquisition Battery to improve the Battery
memorial and add a plaque to mark the 50th
Anniversary of the unit and its name change from
131st Divisional Locating Battery;
• $1,000 to 1st Field Regiment for its 50th
anniversary celebrations;
• $1,000 to 4th Field Regiment for its 40th
anniversary celebrations;
• $1,500 for shield to be held by winner of Mount
Schanck trophy;
• $1,000 to 1st Field Regiment to mark 50th
anniversary of 105th Field Battery, 50th
anniversary of committment to Malaya and 40th
anniversary of committment to South Vietnam;
• $1,000 to complete the Major General T. Cape
Bequest to the Regimental officer’s mess;
• $5,000 to commission a painting to mark the
withdrawal from service of Rapier;
• $6,000 to support commissioning a painting to
mark the RAA/RA deployment in Afghanistan;
• $2,500 towards the Anti-Aircraft and Air Defence
Memorial at 16th Air Defence Regiment;
• The on-going Royal Military College Graduation
Artillery prize which is approximately $100 per
graduation; and
• Annual Regimental Officer, Warrant Officer and
Sergeant farewells.
Subscriptions
The recommended new rate of contribution is
deemed as $155 for a life subscription and the
following sliding scale based on rank for an annual
subscription for Army Reserve and Retired
Members:
• LTCOL and above – $30,
• MAJ and CAPT – $25,
• LT and WO – $20, and
• SGT – $15.
It is understood that some individuals may not be in
a position to meet the suggested scale, therefore
any contribution will be gratefully appreciated in
helping to continue the good work the Fund has
provided the Regiment over many years.
52
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
53
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
RAA Gunners' Fund
Subscription
Rank/Initials: ___________________________ [BLOCK letters please]
Surname:
__________________________________________________________________
(or Association)
Address:
__________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________ P/Code:__________
Email Address: _____________________________________________________
Telephone: _________________________ Mobile:_________________________
� Enclosed is my/our contribution to the RAA Gunners' Fund
� A receipt is required
Please return this form with a cheque made out to 'RAA Regimental Fund':
Major Greg Metcalf, SO2 HOR, School of Artillery,
Bridges Barracks, Puckapunyal Vic 3662
or to pay by electronic funds transfer using a bank or credit union, the followingis required:
Credit Union: Australian Defence Credit Union (ADCU)Account Name: RAA Regt FundBSB: 642 170Account Number: 526805
The description or reference must include Organisation (i.e. mess or association)or Initials and Surname and the word 'subscription'.
For further information contact Major Greg Metcalf on (03) 5735 6465
Annual Subscription for Army Reserve and Retired Members:
� LTCOL & above: $30.00 � MAJ and CAPT: $25.00
� LT and WO: $20.00 � SGT: $15.00
Life Subscription:
All Ranks: $155.00
54
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Do Unto OthersCounter Bombardment in Australia's Military Campaigns
Alan H Smith
Since 1899, the significant role Australian gunners have played in supporting theAustralian Military Forces' campaigns has been well-documented. They havegallantly and whole-heartedly supported Australian, British, New Zealand andIndian armies in both World Wars, the Korean and Borneo Confrontation Warsand most recently the Vietnam War.
Most Australian military historical accounts focus onthe support role gunners played to cavalry andinfantry rather than counter bombardment activities,where they used artillery fire to locate and destroyand/or neutralise enemy artillery and mortars. DoUnto Others is a comprehensive history of the useof counter bombardment from the inception of thistechnique in the First World War, through to theVietnam campaign.
The 'art of counter bombardment' originated duringthe First World War, when an Australian scientist,William Bragg, a lieutenant in the Royal HorseArtillery, along with Australian physicists andenthusiasts, developed a method of locating enemyguns using the physics of sound, called 'soundranging', and meteorology. From this time theAustralian Military Forces in their campaigns have
been major beneficiaries of counter bombardment, which became increasinglymore sophisticated with the advent of radar location during World War 2 and thelast big artillery war of the 20th century in Korea.
Counter bombardment reached new heights with the Vietnam War, the first timethe Australian Army deployed its own locating battery to a war zone, allowinggunners to achieve outstanding results and an enviable reputation for locatingskills. Vietnam culminated in a triumph for the 'scientific method' across manydisciplines and the efforts of the many dedicated gunners involved in counterbombardment over the 58 year period since introduction of this technique.
Do Unto Others is a comprehensive account of the history of counterbombardment, including the development of Australian techniques, equipmentand procedures through the campaigns up until Vietnam, with references to thetechniques and actions of the British and American artillery included whereappropriate to place the Australian experience in perspective. It is also the storyof the brave men behind the artillery and their outstanding efforts and resultsacross these varied campaigns.
Do Unto Others is available online www.bigskypublishing.com.au & in all good bookstores
55
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery
REGIMENTAL SHOPNEW STOCK
Check out all the latest deals on the SOARTY web pagehttp://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/Sites/ARTYSCH/
• Field Equipment
* Sleeping Mats
* INOVA AA Torch, Photon Micro Light, Mag Light with Filters
* Customised Field Packs, Day Packs and Webbing (can be ordered)
� Day Packs
* Bivvy Bags
* Nomex Field Gloves (DPCU)
* Leatherman Knives
* Silva Compasses
• Plaques and Presentational Items
� RAA Regimental Plaque
� School of Artillery Plaque
� RAA Cyphers
� Prints and Artwork
� Statuettes and Action Figures
� Desk Sets
� Canes and Stands
� Decanter and Whiskey Sets (can be engraved)
� Medal Boxes (can be engraved)
• Things to Wear
� Jewellery (including Cuff Links, Tie Pins, Lapel Pins)
� Polofleece Casual Jackets (with RAA Regiment embroidered badge)
� Regimental Ties
� RAA Caps
• Models – L119 and M198 resin kits and assembled kits available
For Information and Orders:
School of Artillery, Bridges Barracks
WO2 Daniel Stewart- [email protected]
Telephone: (03) 5735 6129
Trading Hours:
12.30 –13.15 hrs every Thursday and Friday on Pay Weeks
Regimental Publications Index
Liaison Letter
Ser Title
1 Director Royal Artillery Technical Liaison Letter 1/48+
2 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 3 June 1954#
3 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 18 October 1954+
4 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 24 November 1954+
5 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – February 1955+
6 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 31 May 1955+
7 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 30 September 1955#
8 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 20 January 1956+
9 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 18 June 1956+
10 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 26 November 1956#
12 Director Royal Australia Artillery Liaison Letter – 24 February 1957+
13 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 26 November 1957#
14 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 30 April 1958#
15 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 28 November 1958+
16 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 17 June 1959+
17 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – January 1960#
18 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 29 July 1960#
19 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 17 February 1961#
20 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – 6 November 1961+
21 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – July1962#
22 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – October 1962#
23 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – February 1971#
24 Director Royal Artillery Liaison Letter – September 1972#
25 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – February 1973#
26 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – September 1973#
27 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – March 1974#
28 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – September 1974#
29 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – March 1975#
30 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – September 1975#
31 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – March 1976#
32 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – September 1976#
33 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – March 1977#
34 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – September 1977#
35 Royal Australian Artillery Personnel Notes – October 1977#
36 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – May 1978#
37 Royal Australian Artillery Personnel Notes – 1978#
38 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – March 1980@
39 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – December 1980@
40 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – May 1981@
41 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – November 1981@
42 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – 1982 (Issue One)@
43 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – 1983 (Issue One)@
44 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – 1983 (Issue Two)@
45 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – 1984 (Issue Four)@
46 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – 1986 (Issue One)#
47Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – 1986 (Issue Two) –
4 November 1986#
48Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – Issue One – 1987 – 18 June
1987#
49Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – Issue Two – 1987 –
11 November 1987#
50Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – Edition 1 – 1988 – 23 June
1988#
51Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – Edition 2 – 1988 –
14 November 1988#
44 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – Edition 1 – 1989#
45 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – Edition 2 – 1989#
46 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – Edition 1 – 1990#
47 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – Edition 2 – 1990#
Ser Title
48 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – Edition 1 – 1991#
49 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – 1992 – First Edition#
50 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – 1992 – Second Edition#
51 Royal Australian Artillery – August 1993 – Liaison Letter#
52 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – 1996 – First Edition#
53 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter – 1996 – Second Edition#
54 1997 – Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter#
55 1998–99 RAA Liaison Letter+
56 RAA Liaison Letter – 2000+
57 RAA Liaison Letter – 2001+
58 RAA Liaison Letter – 2002+
59 RAA Liaison Letter 2003 – Autumn Edition+
60 RAA Liaison Letter 2003 – Spring Edition+
61 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2004 – Autumn Edition+
62 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2004 – Spring Edition+
63 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2005 – Autumn Edition+
64 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2005 – Spring Edition+
65 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2006 – Autumn Edition+
66 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2006 – Spring Edition+
67 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2007 – Autumn Edition+
68 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2007 – Spring Edition+
69 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2008 – Autumn Edition+
70 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2008 – Spring Edition+
71 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2009 – Autumn Edition+
72 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2009 – Spring Edition+
73 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2010 – Autumn Edition+
74 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2010 – Spring Edition+
75 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2011 – Autumn Edition+
76 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2011 – Spring Edition+
77 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2012 – Autumn Edition+
78 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2012 – Spring Edition+
79 Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter 2013 – Autumn Edition+
Australian Gunner Magazine
Ser Title
1 Australian Gunner – Vol. 1 No. 1*
2 Australian Gunner – Vol. 1.No. 2*
3 Australian Gunner – Vol. 2 No.1 – September 1979*
4 Australian Gunner – March 1980*
5 Australian Gunner – December 1980*
6 Australian Gunner – May 81*
7 Australian Gunner – November 81*
8Australian Gunner – The Official Journal of the Royal Regiment of
Australian Artillery – March 1997*
Miscellaneous Regimental Publications
Title
1 DARTY Personnel Notes – December 1969#
2 Royal Australian Artillery Personnel Notes – 1978#
Note:
*Copy held by SO to HOR
# Copy held by Puckapunyal Area Library
+ Copy held by HOR at School of Artillery
@ Not available to HOR at School of Artillery
56
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition
RAAHCRAAHCNEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Companyneeds Your Help to Support the Preservation and Promotion of
Artillery History and Heritage and the Management of the RegimentsCollection Nationally
How Do You Join?A membership form can be found in this publication
Submit a form and start supporting a very worthwhile cause
How Much Does It Cost?$30.00 (1 year), or $120 (5 years)
All Gunners and friends of the Regiment are invited to join
RAAHC THANKS YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
What You Get In Return?RAA Liaison Letter and Cannonball twice annually
Free access to the Artillery Museum (temporarily closed) and most othermuseums in the Australian Army Museum network
Use of the Artillery Museum’s library resources
Personal satisfaction in supporting the preservation of Artillery heritage
How Does The Company Benefit?They can add your weight to the membership numbers when seeking
grants and other assistance from public and non-public sources
Your subscription assists with ongoing administration costs