Year in Focus

Sapper Sitrep

35th FIELD SQUADRON (photos tagged)

During 2009, the 35th Field Squadron has continued to support the 11th Brigade by recruiting, training and sustaining Combat Engineers to support and enhance the capability of 11 BDE. The year has been challenging but rewarding for all members of the 35 FD SQN.

The year started with a bang, literally, with live rounds going down range in early February when all squadron personnel undertook the AIRN and mandatory training weekend. Once they had passed the AIRN practice, some of the more confident Sappers attempted to improve their marksmanship skills by firing LF6. 1 Troop, Mt Isa, has been going through a transition process this year as reduced numbers of personnel attending has seen many training activities cancelled. Personnel that have actively paraded have supported other activities within the Squadron.
This element of 1 TP travelled to Townsville to conduct a plant task at the Mt Stuart MTR Range, which consisted of a basic cut and fill to enable firers to fire from an alternate firing point.

The capability of 1 Troop has been severely restricted during 2009. Planning is currently under way for the relocation of 1 Troop from Mt Isa to SE QLD. This relocation to SE QLD would see a troop embedded in Brisbane providing it with a significantly larger recruiting base than it currently has in Mt Isa.

This troop would be designated as the High Readiness Reserve (HRR) Troop for the Squadron, which would give reserve members posted within the area the opportunity to join the HRR. The several personnel remaining within Mt Isa will become special conditions members and remain part of the HRR or Support Troop.

In December 2008, 2 Troop finished the year off with a challenging trek up the mighty Mt Bartle Frere. The walk was challenging and completed within 9 hours. After the initial mandatory training in February, 2 Troop concentrated on revising their field craft, patrolling skills, navigation, and radio communication training.

High risk engineer search was conducted in April at the Line Creek Junction Training Facility. The troop conducted route search into the facility and then proceeded to train in occupied and unoccupied building search. Also in April, 2 Troop provided a cenotaph party to the Rollingstone RSL which held a dawn service at Balgal Beach and a morning service at the Rollingstone RSL.

Personnel from 1 Troop and 2 Troop conducted Demolitions training in May. Training included urban demolitions and typical cutting and borehole charges. NCO's were given the opportunity to practice their demolition calculations and knowledge.

3 Troop has concentrated on the development of their sappers with personnel attending Phase 1, 2 and 4 IET courses. Remaining qualified personnel were introduced to Urban Breaching and Combat Engineer Method of Entry (MOE) techniques.

The culmination of their training was the TP demolitions and Urban Breaching Practice. The exercise was conducted in three phases; Lead up training, basic demolitions and urban breaching. The lead up training covered a variety of topics including demolitions safety, charge composition, calculations, engineer MOE and basic room clearance drills. A static demolitions practice was conducted on the first day of the exercise and ensured all personnel had rehearsed the necessary basic skills prior to advancing to the urban phase of the exercise. It also ensured that the basic fundamentals of demolitions was revised and tested. The next phase of the training was to conduct urban breaching. This exercise was conducted at the Urban Operations Training Facility (UOTF) at Shoalwater Bay Training Area. This is a purpose built facility that includes pre-constructed frangible mouse holes that allows training to occur with out destroying the facility.

The Sappers were stepped through each phase of urban breaching beginning with a dry 'walk through talk through' and finishing off the day with a TP(-) breach and clearance using live charges and blank ammunition. The Sappers were able to see and feel the effects of the charges first hand, they were also able to begin to appreciate the difficulties of breaching and fighting in an Urban Environment.

During July the Squadron's HRR Troop, with attachments from 5 CER and 8 CER, participated in Exercise Talisman Sabre at SWBTA under command of 8/9 RAR. It had the potential to be a great learning experience for all personnel but the lack of engineer tasks and planning saw the troop tasked as Infantry soldiers. This has had a negative flow on effect for recruiting personnel to the HRR. Lessons learnt highlighted the need for C2 training and to have engineers directly involved in the planning for future exercises involving the HRR Troop. This year the Training Cell has trained and sent Recruits to ARTC. Some personnel excelled during their time at ARTC with Sappers Eden and Smith both being awarded Best Shot in Platoon, Skill at Arms, during their training. All soldiers within the training cell have completed their mandated Gap training and are now awaiting an IET course to further their careers.

The Training Cell also assisted with the Careers Open day at Lavarack Barracks. The engineers provided the largest display and also put on a BNS demonstration. Interest from the general public was well received and we hope this will attract new blood in to the squadron.

Throughout the year 35 FD SQN have supported numerous units within 11 BDE. In May, the Squadron provided enemy parties to 31/42 RQR in Tully whilst also conducting BNS and a live claymore demonstration. September will see personnel move to High Range Training Area to support the annual cadet camp where improvised flotation, field machines, and route clearance demonstrations will be conducted and in October, 2 Troop will provide small boat handlers to support 141 SIG SQN. A member of the Squadron is also deployed on OP Slipper.

With the role of the reserve taking on a greater responsibility within the wider Army, 35 FD SQN has had a change of direction for recruiting and training in 2010. Focused on providing a HRR Troop to 7 BDE, the METL's have identified the requirement to undertake specific training for 2010 to meet this capability.