Overnight success bridges gap for Battle Group

Under the over of darkness, using specialist equipment, soldiers from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment constructed a 46-metre Dry Support Bridge, proving the Battle Group with a vital armoured assault corridor.

CAPTION: Australian Army heavy vehicles cross a Dry Support Bridge built by soldiers from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment during Talisman Sabre 2025 at Townsville Field Training Area. Story and photos by Corporal Luke Bellman.

The sky was overcast, plunging the area into complete darkness, leaving soldiers to rely solely on Soldier Personal Radios for communication.

The operation took place during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 at the Townsville Field Training Area, where bridging was essential to enable armoured units to manoeuvre across key terrain and maintain momentum during the simulated advance.

Acting Officer Commanding of 25 Support Squadron Captain Tom Butson said the task was a critical step in opening ground lines of communication.

“It was an important stepping stone – we had tanks and combat vehicles crossing to push further north-east,” Captain Butson said.

The eight-person team began construction early in the night, guiding the 35-tonne launch vehicle – equipped with a vehicle-mounted crane – into position at the home bank.

Each of the eight bridge modules, which spanned six metres in width, was carried on flat racks.

Once in place, the crew deployed an A-frame gantry from the vehicle, extending it across the 46-metre gap. This acted as a launch rail, allowing modules to slide across the span without the vehicle entering the water.

Engineers began with the ramp module, using the crane to boom out and interlock each aluminium section. Hydraulic systems and locking pins secured the modules as they built outwards, one by one.

CAPTION: Corporal Benjamin Hunt, section commander for the Dry Support Bridge, said the team stayed focused and adapted quickly.

Despite the noise and zero visibility, Corporal Benjamin Hunt, section commander for the Dry Support Bridge, said the team stayed focused and adapted quickly.

“The darkness slows the process down, but we’re trained to build it blind if we have to,” Corporal Hunt said.

“With the truck noise and no moonlight, clear communications were critical to keep the build moving.”

After eight hours of precise work, the military load classification 90-rated bridge – capable of supporting tanks and HX81 trucks – was ready by first light.

The successful build marked the first of two bridging operations for the squadron during the exercise.

CAPTION: Australian Army heavy vehicles cross a Dry Support Bridge built by soldiers from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment.

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