The Royal Australian Artillery LIAISON LETTER Spring Edition 2013 Exercise Talisman Sabre 2013 The Official Journal of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery Incorporating the Australian Gunner Magazine First Published in 1948 CONTENTS Editor’s Comment 1 Letters to the Editor 2 Regimental 7 Operations 19 Capability 21 RAA Professional Papers 23 Around the Regiment 33 Personnel & Training 43 LIAISON Associations & Organisations 47 LETTER Spring Edition NEXT EDITION CONTRIBUTION DEADLINE Contributions for the Liaison Letter 2014 – Autumn 2013 Edition should be forwarded to the Editor by no later than Friday 14th February 2014. LIAISON LETTER ON-LINE Incorporating the The Liaison Letter is on the Regimental DRN web-site – Australian Gunner Magazine http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/Sites/RRAA/. Content managers are requested to add this to their links. Publication Information Front Cover: Exercise Talisman Sabre 13 Front Cover Concept by: Major D.T. (Terry) Brennan, Staff Officer to Head of Regiment Compiled and Edited by: Major D.T. (Terry) Brennan, Staff Officer to Head of Regiment Published by: Lieutenant Colonel Dave Edwards, Deputy Head of Regiment Desktop Publishing: Michelle Ray, Combined Arms Doctrine and Development Section, Puckapunyal, Victoria 3662 Front Cover & Graphic Design: Felicity Smith, Combined Arms Doctrine and Development Section, Puckapunyal, Victoria 3662 Printed by: Defence Publishing Service – Victoria Distribution: For issues relating to content or distribution contact the Editor on email: [email protected] or [email protected] Contributors are urged to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in their articles. The Royal Australian Artillery, Deputy Head of Regiment and the RAA Liaison Letter editor accept no responsibility for errors of fact. The views expressed in the Royal Australian Artillery Liaison Letter are the contributors and not necessarily those of the Royal Australian Artillery, Australian Army or Department of Defence. The Commonwealth of Australia will not be legally responsible in contract, tort or otherwise for any statement made in this publication. RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition Liaison Letter Contributor 'Big Sky Publishing' Incentive Prize Big Sky Publishing provide an incentive prize to encourage individuals to contribute to the Liaison Letter. The winner is judged by the Editor. I am pleased to announce that the prize for this edition goes to Colonel Sean Ryan, Commandant Combined Arms Training Centre for his contribution outlining his experiences as a Forward Observer in Bosnia. His article can be found in the Professional Papers section. Colonel Sean Ryan will receive a copy of Lonesome Pine by Simon Cameron … published by Big Sky Publishing. Congratulations to Colonel Ryan – I look forward to receiving more quality contributions from individuals across the Regiment for the Liaison Letter 2014 – Autumn Edition. RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition troubling us and nor are we good listeners. I know Editor's Comment for one that I have to plead guilty. One such person from my Welcome to the Liaison personal perspective was Major Letter 2013 – Spring Tony Thwaites. I was not simply Edition. As always I trust very saddened–Iwasshocked – youfinditaninformative to hear of his untimely death. and enjoyable read. I had contemplated making Whilst serving we are a little protected from this edition my last as physical neglect through the need to do annual editor, however it was medical and dental checks as well as attend physical not to be and assisted by training and pass a range of physical and strength the persuasive 'lobbying' tests. The one thing I felt during my time in the from Colonel Ian Ahearn, Colonel Commandant full-time Army was that collectively we had no Eastern Region and Deputy Chair of the RAA Historical trouble understanding and dealing with physical Company, I am pleased to soldier on for a while yet. injuries and being supportive of those individuals during their treatment and recovery. I had contemplated making this I do not believe the same can be said for emotional edition my last as editor … well being, especially mental illness – I believe up until recently it has been the silent injury that The death of any member of the Royal Regiment slipped along under the radar. Whist the whether serving or retired is always a sad occasion. recognition, understanding and treatment of At times this can be especially so when they are a mental issues has been steadily improving within colleague you have worked closely with and have Defence I firmly believe there is still a stigma known throughout most of your career. One such attached to those who admit problems and seek person from my personal perspective was Major treatment. I believe the book 'Exit Wounds' by Tony Thwaites. I was not simply very saddened – I recently retired Major General John Cantwell has was shocked – to hear of his untimely death. I only assisted in highlighting that mental illness respects spoke with him late last year and he was a man that no boundaries. A review of this book is in the regardless of the time lapse between meetings Professional Papers Section. made it always feel like it was only yesterday that you were last talking. He was a man full of life who As I read through the eulogy I was could light up a room with his deep distinctive voice moved from laughter to tears and in conversation and with laughter, whilst his large back as Gus described the person physical stature towered over everyone in a non who we all knew as 'Thwaitesy'. threatening jovial and friendly manner. In the Vale Section there is one of a number of Although we have improved our support I believe eulogies delivered at Tony Thwaites funeral. This we as an organisation still have a way to go to one was written and delivered by Major Gus Pallot understand and respect those who seek assistance who graduated in the same class, served with him and most importantly appreciate that the and became a life long friend. As I read through the individuals can recover and generally like any other eulogy I was moved from laughter to tears and back injury depending on its severity re-enter as Gus described the person who we all knew as mainstream employment within Army. 'Thwaitesy'. A highlight of this edition is the 'Five Minutes With .... It may just be my age or the stage of life that I have section' which contains excellent contributions from reached combined with the shock of Tony Thwaites Major General Paul Symon, Director of the Defence death but it started me thinking about friendships Intelligence Organisation, and Warrant Officer Class and more importantly taking the time to listen One David Lehr, RSM Ceremonial - Army. I believe when talking to friends and colleagues. Those of us everyone will find their responses to my questions whoareofthemalespecieshaveareputationfor frank and insightful and in some instances avoiding the doctor / dentist and most importantly educational. not discussing issues and concerns that may be 1 RAA Liaison Letter 2013 - Spring Edition In the Professional Papers section Colonel Sean Ryan, Commandant Combined Arms Centre, who is a major supporter and regular contributor to the Letters to the Liaison Letter has provided a paper on his experiencesasCaptainservingasaforward Editor observer with the British Army in Bosnia. I encourage everyone to take the time to read the paper. Royal New Zealand Artillery Update Congratulations to all involved on the content, I believe the book 'Exit Wounds' by editorial standards and publication quality of your recently retired Major General fine Gunner liaison letter. It is an interesting and John Cantwell has assisted in topical publication which generates a good deal of highlighting that mental illness interest and discussion on this side of the Tasman. respects not boundaries. We have been following the equipment and organisational changes that have been underway in In the Around the Regiment section there are a the last year or so in the RAA. It is an interesting and range of articles from units on topics such as challenging time for you. You have the benefit of Exercise Talisman Sabre 13, whilst in the Capability some years of operational Artillery experience Section there is an article on the development of which we have been lacking recently in the RNZA. the Amphibious Ready Element. 16th Air Land Like us, you have had to cut your cloth to suit the Regiment has provided an article on the final C-RAM budget, at least to some extent, in a period of considerable financial constraint. rotation in the Operations section. In all likelihood New Zealand is now moving out of As always I would like to thank everyone for their the period of substantial cuts as our economy support of the Liaison Letter, particularly continues to improve, so it is unlikely that there will noteworthy are those individuals who have found be significant reduction changes in the RNZA in the thetimeintheirbusylivestomakeacontribution.I foreseeable future. encourage everyone to consider taking up your pen or keyboard, especially if you have not previously By 2020 the intent is that the done so, and express your opinion; or comment on Defence Force will be capable of issues be they contemporary or heritage; or record conducting amphibious military your operational experiences for others learn from operations and responding to as well as to preserve Gunner history. emergencies in our region. Finally take a moment from you busy life, seek out a friend and ask them how they are going? Most To provide some information and material for importantly listen to what they have to say – you discussion I thought it might be useful to never know it may make all the difference!!!! summarise where the RNZA is at.