8/9RAR soldiers take to the sky

Soldiers from 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (8/9RAR), took to the sky during Exercise Air Shark to ensure they are ready to deploy anywhere at short notice.

CAPTION: Army riflemen from Bravo Company of the 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, dismount a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster after arriving at Toowoomba Airport. Story and photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

The platoon from Bravo Company deployed from Gallipoli Barracks with three protected mobility vehicles and a G-wagon before arriving at RAAF Base Amberley where they loaded it all onto a C-17A Globemaster bound for Toowoomba.

Lieutenant Julian Stolfo, a platoon commander with 8/9RAR, said the soldiers valued the opportunity to demonstrate their agility in integrating with the RAAF, and knowing they can deploy anywhere in the world as a motorised battalion.

“The exercise objective was to test our readiness and to gain an understanding of how to integrate with the RAAF for future tasking,” Lieutenant Stolfo said.

“The ability to force project a platoon or combat team into any location is incredibly valuable to rehearse.

“It’s also important to understand the complex processes involved in deploying a platoon and it’s a great opportunity to conduct real time training.”

CAPTION: Army rifleman Private Tom Spence from Bravo Company of 8/9RAR reverses an Australian Army Bushmaster onto a RAAF C-17A Globemaster at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

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