New brigade command post enhances defensive training at TFTA

A new underground command post at Townsville Field Training area is set to enhance defensive exercises as troops begin to familiarise themselves with being under the earth. See the photos.

The sign for the entrance of the underground CP bunker "CP Earthworm" at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Photo: TPR Dana Millington

An air-conditioned server room, sleeping space for up to 20 soldiers and light-cancelling ventilation are all elements that feature in the recently completed underground command post at the Townsville Field Training Area.

The construction troop from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment (3CER) alongside trade apprentices completed the build in around 20 days while navigating tactical and non-tactical exercises.

The commanding officer of 3CER, Nick Trotter said that they have learnt a lot of important lessons from the build and that if they were to do it again they could complete it in a shorter time span.

“They did a fantastic job … this is the first time that we’ve done that on this scale for a very long time,” he said.

“No army can stay mobile and stay in an offensive role for too long before you need to stop, hold your ground, resupply, rest and plan the next phase and to do that you put yourself in a vulnerable position because you’re static.

Australian Army officers and soldiers receive a Rehearsal of Concept from 3rd Brigade Headquarters in the Underground Control Post Bunker during Exercise Brolga Run, on 22 May 2024, at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Photo: TPR Dana Millington

“So the best way to improve your survivability from enemy weapons systems, such as artillery, that indirect fire, is to get underground and that’s what we’re doing on this exercise, it’s a defensive operation.

“For something as complex as a brigade command post with all the computer systems, and communication gear that needs to be well and truly protected and the best way to do that is to get it underground and put a roof over its head and cover it with earth.”

Australian Army officer Lieutenant Ji-Sang Yu from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment in the underground CP bunker at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Photo: TPR Dana Millington

Commander of the 3rd Brigade Brigadier Dave McCammon, DSM and Bar in the underground CP bunker at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Photo: TPR Dana Millington

The bunker also features firing pits, an operations room and admin and ammo bays.

The brain behind the build is 3CER Lieutenant Ji-Sang Yu who was first briefed on the project back in November last year.

“It’s amazing and I don’t want to keep taking the credit for it because a lot of the guys worked really hard,” he said.

“I was quite nervous because I imagined asking a fresh mechanical engineer to build a car. At uni we learn the basic principles and aren’t just thrown in but we learnt a lot of lessons from this.”

He said that the ADF doctrine only had designs for three-by-three structures so he revised the measurements to account for a much larger space as well as revising original timbre designs and replacing it with steel.

Originally published as New brigade command post enhances defensive training at TFTA