ADF Exercise Capital OTP Townsville Field Training Area in photos
The shock and awe of the Australian Army’s armoured corps has been on display as part of Exercise Capital OTP in Townsville. See the photos.
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The shock and awe of the Australian Army’s armoured corps has been on display in support of infantry troops as part of Exercise Capital OTP in Townsville.
Soldiers from the Australian Army’s 3rd Battalion and 2nd Cavalry Regiment have been taking part in the exercise at the Townsville Field Training Area at High Range over the past week.
Central to the task was mechanised infantry and M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks fighting together to defeat a simulated enemy force.
The exercise is one of the final training activities for Townsville-based soldiers as the 3rd Brigade prepares for upcoming Exercise Talisman Sabre with the US military and other partner forces.
Commander 3RAR Lieutenant Colonel Jake Westhorpe said the purpose of the combined exercise was threefold.
“The first and primary (aim) is to prepare the team for operations, the second is to build confidence within the Combined Arms team,” he said.
“The third is to prepare the force for exercise Talisman Sabre, which commences next month, a key joint coalition activity for the region.”
The Lieutenant Colonel said it was critical for infantry soldiers to be able to work alongside tanks.
“These assets provide us protection, mobility and survivability on the battlefield, but also allow us to achieve our task in closing with our objective,” he said.
“From my perspective, the tank provides a force multiplier on the battlefield for an infantry soldier in building confidence in our ability to achieve that.”
He said the exercise had been a capstone for the battalion this year.
“Ahead of exercise Talisman Sabre, we are very comfortable with where the level of integration is for the team and where we need to be moving into the next phase of our training.”
Troop Leader from C Squadron, 2nd Cav Lieutenant Levi Ross, said the primary purpose of tanks was to break through enemy lines and build momentum for supporting soldiers.
“The tank provides a level of protection and lethality that no other system in the joint land combat area does,” he said.
“That system can go forward and operationally achieve effects that other systems simply can’t do.
“Tanks’ ability to manoeuvre, fire upon the enemy, or close ground with the enemy is something that’s unparalleled.”
Lt Ross said a Troop Leader had one of the best jobs in the Australian Defence Force.
“The crew of a tank becomes one of the most tight-knit teams that you’re going to have in the ADF,” he said.
“Once you’re working together in that crew and you’ve got that seamlessness together, that tank goes forward and it’s probably the most competent piece of equipment that you have on the ground are there,” he said.
“Tank troop leading has been for me, is probably the best choice that I could have made.”
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Originally published as ADF Exercise Capital OTP Townsville Field Training Area in photos
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