Aussie Diggers train first batch of Ukrainian recruits

The Australian contingent deployed on Operation Kudu has taken responsibility for its first company of Ukrainian recruits, as part of the UK-led and based training program.

CAPTION: Australian Army soldiers and officers receive their first rotation of Ukrainian recruits during Operation Kudu in the UK. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Corporal Jonathan Goedhart.

The contingent of around 70 soldiers, mostly from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, is providing critical training to recruits of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) to support their national defence following the Russian invasion.

The Ukrainian company of nearly 200 recruits received a week of foundation training from the 1stBattalion, Irish Guards, with their follow-on training to be conducted by the Australian soldiers.

Officer Commanding the Australian contingent Major Greg Sargeant said the Ukrainian recruits had the advantage of diverse backgrounds.

“There is a broad range of prior experiences, military skills and ages within the company of recruits we’re training,” Major Sargeant said.

“Some of these recruits are university qualified, some were mechanics, farmers, hairdressers or lawyers before the conflict.

“For some, it’s their first time handling a weapon.

“Others have previous military experience or have recently experienced front-line combat as a result of this current conflict.

 

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CAPTION:An Australian Army soldier from 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, assists Ukrainian recruits with cleaning their rifles. Photo by Corporal Jonathan Goedhart.

 

“It’s our responsibility that, regardless of background, all the recruits in our company come out with the same basic military tactics and skills to adequately defend themselves, their mates and their sovereignty.”

Already through their first introduction-to-field exercise with the Irish Guards, the recruits are now advancing their training in both urban and wooded environments.

The next focus will be on tactical care of combat casualties, mine recognition and further field exercises.

“The speed at which the company have learned is a testament to the initial instruction provided by the Irish Guards,” Major Sargeant said.

“The dedication of the recruits, and their steadfast desire to keep practising, learning and perfecting their skills is a testament to the determination of the Ukrainian soldiers.”

 

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CAPTION: Australian Army soldiers in the UK for Operation Kudu.


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6 thoughts on “Aussie Diggers train first batch of Ukrainian recruits

  • 22/02/2023 at 2:01 pm
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    Agree mate..

    we’re definitely going to be on the wrong side of history & as you said we almost invariably always are.

    Reply
  • 12/02/2023 at 10:20 pm
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    FYI. Moderator is doing just the right amount of censorship. Call it moderation like the Twitter 1.0 goons but we don’t have freedom of speech/expression in this country and the moderation of this site is decided by a half decent guy today, but it it might be a half indecent they tomorrow. Enjoy being able to protest this epic fail of decision (from the actions of our current administration). No offence to the men and women of the Australian Defence forces but the higher ups have not given the strategic advice necessary for this matter. Sure, inside up to a point – lending a hand with humanitarian assistance or diplomacy but giving over weapons…seriously. It’s clear and accepted that Nazism and war crimes (the types of crimes most soldiers detest) is commonplace amongst the UAF.
    Yet here we are…there is a point where the average soldier has to stop and assess whether their actions constitute criminal acts. Yet, once again, here we are – thanks for taking the opportunity to express disagreement with my first comment via censorship. I feel the average person would have appreciated the blunt criticism of our current situation in support of the AFU. Reading the room, it’s clear the average reader of this journal aren’t ok with censorship, communism nor the current globalist play for the Ukraine. Technocratic censorship sucks but it’s your site and if you slide down the slippery slope you will notice in your clicks. Mark my words. We are on the wrong side of history this time and it’s shamefully obvious. We are the bullies and they suspect we are going to get what’s coming to us. Mates can be honest with real Mates. We should be discussing our country’s concerns about this being a provocative action against the Russian Federation and if we were to have negotiated a peace deal early, the West would have been strategically much better off.

    Reply
  • 12/02/2023 at 10:37 am
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    And NOW it has started !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not OUR PROBLEM period !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  • 12/02/2023 at 9:55 am
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    Now we have the A.A.T.T.U. training the Ukrainian Volkssturm and the Zelensky-Jugend.
    Forced conscription of 16 to 60 y.o. men with almost zero standards for mental and physical Health.
    20 000 Ukrainian casualties a month, 150 000 K.I.A. 35 000 M.I.A. are the conservative numbers.

    For all the great Soldiering the A.A.T.T.V. did, we unsurprisingly lost that War and every one since.
    No one sensible believes this War will end differently.
    The longer we prolong this War, the more of THEIR blood is on OUR hands.
    Not our Monkey, not our Circus, but certainly our Moral culpability.
    DUTY FIRST.

    Reply
    • 12/02/2023 at 4:33 pm
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      Michael McNamara JOHNSON IS RIGHT!!
      [a little Blazing Saddles pun there Mate]

      But you are right.

      I reckon, the day will come when the People of Australia will be deeply ashamed they backed the wrong horse in this Carnival.

      All the best from Chookland
      from a weary old O Boat Submariner and RAN Lifer.

      Rick Fishbourne VD [scar] Bar & Sidecar.
      Glory to Australia
      [except when commies are in charge]

      Reply
      • 12/02/2023 at 5:29 pm
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        “The next Man makes a move, the Nigger gets it!”
        My favourite scene, and you couldn’t make it today.

        O Boats!
        “You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din”
        I’ll stick to my hole in the ground!

        Cheers.

        Reply

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