Police visit Army base to improve ‘cohesion’
Queensland Police officers in Townsville recently had a close look at Army’s capabilities in an event that aimed to give the officers a better understanding of how Army works.
CAPTION: Corporal Ryan Waterham, from the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, demonstrates the unit’s unmanned aerial system to Queensland Police officers at Lavarack Barracks. Story by Captain Lily Charles. Photo by Corporal Brandon Grey.
The event was hosted by the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), and supported by the 5th Aviation Regiment.
Captain Jeremy Rooke, from 3RAR, worked alongside police on Operation COVID-19 Assist.
He said getting a better understanding of how each organisation operated would improve cohesion in the future.
“Activities like this provide an understanding for both organisations on the other’s capabilities and an opportunity for relationship-building prior to potential future tasks where Army and Queensland Police may be working together,” Captain Rooke said.
“Working together on Operation COVID-19 Assist, the different vernacular used by both organisations presented a minor challenge.
“However, the overwhelming positive was that, given the professional nature of both organisations, it was relatively seamless in coming together.”
CAPTION: Townsville police district officer, Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon, takes a sight picture with an SR98 Sniper Rifle during a capability demonstration at Lavarack Barracks. Photo by Corporal Brandon Grey.
Members of 3RAR’s Reconnaissance Platoon gave a presentation on their capabilities at the event and 5th Aviation Regiment personnel presented briefs on the MRH-90 and CH-47 aircraft.
The event ended with familiarisation flights around Townsville on the CH-47 aircraft, giving the police officers a bird’s-eye view of the region where soldiers and police worked together during Operation Townsville Flood Assist in 2019.
“The 2019 Townsville floods and Operation COVID-19 Assist are examples of why events like the one at 3RAR are important,” Captain Rooke said.
“The concepts and mutual understanding of capabilities are the essential components that can be developed now so that when these relationships are required in the future at short notice, they can be easily implemented.”
The event also involved soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and the 31st/42nd Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment.
CAPTION: An Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the 5th Aviation Regiment prepares to depart Lavarack Barracks, Queensland, during a capability demonstration for members of the Queensland Police Service. Photo by Corporal Brodie Cross.
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