2RAR Amphibious Army trainees fight the surf

TOWNSVILLE soldiers have taken on the rough surf of the Gold Coast as they continue their transition to becoming one of the nation’s premiere amphibious force units.

TOWNSVILLE soldiers have taken on the rough surf of the Gold Coast as they continue their transition to becoming one of the nation’s premiere amphibious force units.

The 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, has transitioned from a traditional infantry battalion as the Australian Army’s specialist amphibious infantry battalion.

Private Dale Tattersall at Main Beach. Photo by Richard Gosling

As part of the new role, the 2RAR, provides the ADF with an amphibious capability specialised in the provision of a pre-landing force – the eyes and ears to a commander of an amphibious mission, landing first in support of ADF tasks.

The Australian Army use small crafts to enhance mobility along inland waterways and in coastal areas that would be difficult to negotiate by other means.

About 30 soldiers from the unit this week undertook the Advanced Small Craft Operator’s Course, which qualifies them in advanced small craft operations.

The course includes rocky landings, surf negotiation, parent craft drills, approach swimmer drills, beach landing site preparation and reception, advanced marine navigation, and tactical operations.

The 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment conducted surf negotiation training as part of an Advanced Small Craft (boats) Operators course at Main Beach. Photo by Richard Gosling

Advanced Small Craft Operators (ASCO) course senior instructor Lieutenant Tom O’Farrell said while Townsville beaches like Pallarenda provided good training grounds, surf beaches on the Gold Coast took training to the next level.

“Surf negotiation for insertion and extraction is a key component of the course,” he said.

“The teams did really well and everyone took the training on board.”

The 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conducted surf negotiation training as part of an Advanced Small Craft (boats) Operators course at Main Beach. Photo by Richard Gosling

2RAR Lance Corporal and course trainee Billy McLoughlin-Wilden said working in the craft in challenging surf conditions was something new to the unit.

“It’s certainly rough but it’s good training,” he said.

“Teamwork is an integral part of our job so that part comes naturally to us working in small teams.”

LCpl McLoughlin-Wilden said he was embracing 2RAR transition from a land-based infantry unit to amphibious.

“I heard about the move to becoming a specialised unit four years go and now its coming into fruition so it’s great to be a part of a journey of this magnitude,” he said.

The course is being conducted in southeast Queensland due to the availability of training areas.

The 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conducted surf negotiation training as part of an Advanced Small Craft (boats) Operators course at Main Beach. Photo by Richard Gosling

Originally published as 2RAR Amphibious Army trainees fight the surf