Smooth and lethal: Boxer squadron’s first live fire
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Radio traffic across the Battle Group Warhorse net lit up when enemy armoured vehicles were seen advancing toward 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles.
CAPTION: An Army Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) conducts a live-fire activity on Exercise Diamond Strike 23. Story by Major Roger Brennan. All photos by corporal Nicole Dorrett.
Officer Commanding A Squadron, Major Katherine Clarkson quickly understood the threat and radioed though a situation report.
“Niner, this is one-niner … my assessment is we have triggered the most dangerous course of action. Over,” Major Clarkson said.
“Noting our successes in clearing to the 68 northing I request this call-sign proceed and conduct an assault by fire to prevent being interdicted from an enemy break-out to the south. Over …”
This simulated enemy engagement had been months in the planning and was the first time A Squadron in its entirety had conducted a live-fire manoeuvre exercise with its Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles.
CAPTION: Officer Commanding A Squadron, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), Major Katherine Clarkson delivers orders on Exercise Diamond Strike.
“I’m so proud of everyone … the effects on target were smooth and lethal,” Major Clarkson said after completing the activity.
“We’ve put a new capability through static and troop-level live-fire activities in previous iterations, but to have the whole squadron roll out and conduct safe gunnery – it’s a fantastic milestone.”
Driver, Trooper Wade Musicka said the vehicles had been pushed more than ever and he was lucky to crew Boxer, after having completed initial entry training at the School of Armour.
“The platform can fire out to 3.5 kilometres and has a target acquisition capability that can identify unmanned aerial systems,” Trooper Musicka said.
“The lethality of the vehicle, combined with the ease in which it can traverse difficult terrain allows the crew to feel safe and comfortable so we can get on with the job,” he said.
“The squadron loves them and the platform’s only going to get better with each new development.”
CAPTION: An Army M1A1 Abrams tank from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) conducts a live-fire activity on Exercise Diamond Strike.
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Great bit of kit; arguably best of type state of the art in so many ways.
Reassuring to see ADF coming to grips and incorporating these most modern vehicles; Cav role is always critical to successful manoeuvre operations.
But we need a Regular Cav Regt similarly equipped in each State, starting with Qld and WA as there is never enough Cav combat power to go around.
Would also need to develop for the ADF the local knowledge advantage and also the local logistics advantage once we have mastered this vital element of Australian operations.
When we have about 4 x Regular Cav Regts then we are getting close to enough.
Matched with at least the same number of Regular Tank Regiments and Regular Medium SP Artillery Regiments.
About time also that we built a strategic road/rail link between our East and West coasts. Well overdue.
Wake up Australia – surely we learned from WW2 that the 7 P’s are important!
Blue Leader. This is Sunray Minor Pronto.
How many people are you planning for this fantasy 3rd A.I.F. defending against the invading Yellow Hordes?
I simply ask, because it is way TOO BIG for modern Australia.
You would need Conscription, so good luck and GOOD BYE to all that fantasizing.
Never gonna happen.
B.T.W. Who was supposed to be coming to this party?
Are the Indonesians acting up again?
Sunray Minor Pronto OUT.
What a Bloody Joke!!!!
The A.D.F. proudly showing how they will fight a 20th Century Battle in the 21st Century.
This Show-Boating our inferior and outdated equipment and training as if it weren’t going to get all those Diggers killed the first time they go up against a modern Military is shameful!
Where are our Drones?
Where is the Anti-Drone Warfare?
Where is the E.W.?
Are our Commanders really planning to send our Diggers to be slaughtered by fighting like this?
We are way out of our depth, on the wrong side of History, and our Diggers will pay dearly for it.
Neutrality for Australia.
DUTY FIRST.