Ex Thunder Run

By LT Dion Paull

THE first major gunnery exercise for the 2013 training year was held during March when 8/12 Regt deployed to the Cultana training area to conduct Exercise Thunder Walk/Run in the lead up to Ex Kite Hawk in April.

Offensive support sub-units deployed to the field as 101 Composite Bty with a gun troop of six M777A2 Howitzers, while Combat Service Support deployed to establish a tactical patrol base.

CO 8/12 Regt Lt-Col Julian West said the exercise provided a great opportunity to practise gunnery across the spectrum of conventional operations.

"This involved training from the coordination and execution of joint fires, including Danger Close and Direct Fire serials, to the tactical deployment of the gun line, small-arms live-fire practices and a regimental route march," he said.

The regiment successfully completed a road self-deployment of military and civilian vehicles from Robertson Barracks to the Cultana Training Area for the exercise.

Thunder Walk focused on joint fires teams training with the groups conducting live-fire immediate neutralisation missions as well as infantry minor and small-team tactics.

The gun line conducted live-fire and movement and was tactically tested through a complex enemy scenario.

Elements from the Adelaide-based 102 Coral Bty also deployed to Woomera to successfully conduct a trial of the Excalibur Precision Guided Munitions.

Ex Thunder Run consolidated the live-fire training with a focus on the speed of response after a call for fire, and culminated in the conduct of live-fire danger-close missions which had high-explosive rounds impacting 175m from dug-in friendly troops.

The exercise allowed the regiment to enhance its digital gunnery procedures with the newly acquired M777A2 Howitzer and the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System.

Soldiers certified to deploy on Advisory Task Force 2 and 8/12 Regt is postured to conduct further field training in 2013.

  2 Troop 'C' Detachment Conducts a Fire Mission 

  'Fire' 

3 Troop Comes Into Action at the Live Fire Defence Position

Gun Detachment Brings M777A2 Into Action

Ex Kite Hawk

By Sgt Michael Smith

JOINT fires teams (JFT) from 8/12 Regt deployed to the Mount Bundey Training Area to conduct live-fire training with Tiger helicopters from 161 Sqn, 1 Avn Regt, from April 15-19.

Before Exercise Kite Hawk, the JFTs spent time in the 161 Sqn flight simulation centre.   This gave junior soldiers exposure of the aircraft's capabilities and an opportunity to meet and discuss tactics with the pilots.

Commander of the JFT for 103 Bty, Bdr Michael Krek, said the exercise provided a great opportunity for the soldiers.   "They were able to practise their observation skills and target talk-on using the Tigers during both day and night controls," he said. "It was good to have the attack helicopters on for the week as this gave the lads multiple controls and plenty of ammunition to destroy targets."

The combined exercise focused on JFT training with the Tigers conducting live-fire attacks, from several different battle positions, engaging targets with 70mm rockets and the 30mm cannon.   The missions were conducted in late afternoon and evening, which presented an opportunity for the pilots to focus on their night flying and mission procedures.

During their training, the JFTs used infrared pointers to help the aircraft identify and engage targets out to 4km. Focusing on the speed of response after a call for fire, the exercise culminated in live attacks from the Tigers.

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