Building trust in the NT dust

Personnel from 1 Bde and the US Marine Corps rehearsed combined-arms operations across the Northern Territory during Exercise Predator's Walk.

The first in a series of brigade-level training activities, held from May 18-June 12, showcased the cooperation and interoperability between the two.

In a key activity at Dundee Beach, engineers from 1CER and the US Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) constructed and refined a corduroy road.

Lt Georg Lange, of 1CER, said the experience strengthened technical skills and teamwork.

“We’ve rehearsed different points of entry operations, expedient timber road construction techniques and conducted route remediation works, but more importantly we’ve built trust. That’s what makes combined operations effective,” Lt Lange said.

US combat engineer Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Pitzer said the experience had been rewarding.

“We’re all out here working together towards the same goal sharpening our skills. The environment here is tough, but that’s what makes this training so valuable and realistic,” Staff Sergeant Pitzer said.

At Mount Bundey Training Area, gunners of 8/12 Regt, RAA and MRF-D Fury Battery provided fire support coordination and sensor integration for lethal effects across a dispersed battlespace.

8/12 Regt, RAA Bdr Tristan Williams said the exercise allowed the refining of skills, coordinating fires in a combined environment.

“It’s about building a shared understanding so when it matters we can deliver accurate and timely fire support,” Bdr Williams said.

Meanwhile, infantry from 5/7RAR executed dismounted offensive and defensive operations and live-fire training serials, focusing on small-team tactics, battlefield shooting, combat fitness and night fighting.

CO 5/7RAR Lt-Col Ash Zimmerlie said the purpose was to bring together specialist components of the combined arms fighting system to produce a whole battlefield effect that was greater than the sum of its parts.

“For the battalion, this activity focused on rehearsing the light infantry team’s unique contribution – close combat and dismounted lethality,” Lt-Col Zimmerlie said.

Battlefield clearance team commander Lt Carmen Saftenberger, of B Coy, 5/7RAR, said urban assault training sharpened their effectiveness.

“Operating in this realistic training environment gives us a different perspective on how to approach problems,” Lt Saftenberger said.

“It’s challenging but it makes us a better, more capable team.”

Cmdr 1 Bde Brig Rob Haertsch said the exercise marked an important step in the brigade’s training progression.

“Exercise Predator's Walk rehearses the brigade’s readiness through tough training whilst at the same time reinforcing the shared commitment between Australia and the United States to regional peace and security through shared interests,” Brig Haertsch said.

“By integrating across all skillsets with our MRF-D partners, the activity has delivered realistic, mission-focused training that reflects the demands of the security environment.”

The focus for 1 Bde now shifts to July.

“We will take the lessons learned from this activity into execution for our next key rehearsal, Exercise Predator's Run, where we will advance in complexity and scale,” Brig Haertsch said.