GC 2018 to be protected by 1000 crack troops

A HIGHLY trained contingent of 1000 defence force personnel will be deployed to the Gold Coast to protect Australia from terrorism during the Commonwealth Games.

• No g’day at PC Games
• Not a drop of local wine
• Fed up with Games ‘bashing’

A HIGHLY trained contingent of 1000 defence force personnel will be deployed to the Gold Coast to protect Australia from terrorism during the Commonwealth Games.

Operation ATLAS will include counterterrorism specialists, who will be armed with semiautomatic assault rifles favoured by the US Army and the Marines.

As experts warn that the Games could be a soft target for terrorism, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and Defence Minister Marise Payne will today reveal the ADF will be on top of a boosted presence of federal police and Border Force personnel at the Gold Coast airport.

Mr Dutton said Queensland police were the lead agency for Games’ safety, however, they would be supported by a “nationally integrated security plan”.

The Courier-Mail understands the majority of the khaki contingent will be unarmed and the public will mostly see unarmed soldiers roaming the city and in the sky.

However, during a significant threat, specialist soldiers and their immense firepower could be called upon.

Their weapons of choice likely include AuSteyr F88IW, the Colt M4a1 carbine-rifle, both chambered for 5.56mm ammunition, the Heckler and Kcoh HK416 assault rifle and the Blaser 93 precession rifle.

Mr Dutton said the security plan would ensure spectators and events “are as safe as possible”. Australia’s terror alert has remained at Probable since 2014.

“We cannot be complacent. Security arrangements for the Commonwealth Games remain under constant review, to ensure we are best-placed to meet any challenges,” Mr Dutton told The Courier-Mail yesterday.

Carrara Stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

“Our law enforcement and security agencies are among the best in the world and are working tirelessly with event organisers to deliver a safe and secure Games.”

Senator Payne said the ADF would provide operational, logistic, and transport personnel.

“An essential part of the ADF’s security preparations for the Commonwealth Games involves training and familiarisation activities,” Senator Payne said.

“This training includes integrated planning and combined exercises around key infrastructure. Soldiers will be visible on the streets.”

She said defence helicopters and aircraft would fly over the Gold Coast to survey key areas to ensure they can operate safely in any built up areas.

Gold Coast airspace will also be restricted.

“ADF’s training is designed to ensure we can manage any request if called upon by QPS throughout the duration of the Games.”

She said the ADF had provided security for previous major events.

Then NSW coroner Michael Barnes’s 2017 report into the Lindt Siege cafe recommended it be made easier for the ADF to take control of attacks on home soil.

“While the ADF has never been called out to respond to a terror incident, a number of steps have been taken to prepare for such an eventuality,’’ the report said.

“The army has two established two tactical assault groups. These groups are designed to be able to rapidly deploy to conduct domestic counterterrorist operations.”