Urban environment tests staff cadets

Goulburn’s famous resident, ‘Rambo’ The Big Merino, was upstaged recently when 133 staff cadets from the Royal Military College – Duntroon arrived to secure the town from fictitious enemy forces during Exercise Koepang.

CAPTION: A staff cadet from Royal Military College – Duntroon provides security during Exercise Koepang, the cadets’ final field exercise, in Goulburn, NSW. Story by Captain Carlie Gibson. Photo by Corporal Jack Pearce.

The cadets operated as five platoons, rotating through five concurrent tactical areas of operation over a two-week period, testing their ability to conduct stability operations in an urban environment.

This included vehicle checkpoints, cordon and search, asset protection and stakeholder engagement.

It was their final field exercise before they graduate as lieutenants.

Senior instructor Major Sam O’Neal said the urban environment offered complexities the cadets needed to think about when making decisions.

“Until now, the cadets have been testing their leadership and combat skills in the field, or using simulation,” Major O’Neal said.

“Developing and testing their plans in an urban environment, where they need to consider the impact on the community and working with other agencies, is far more complex, and offers significant training benefits.”

Those agencies included the NSW Police Academy, Goulburn Police, NSW Fire and Rescue, NSW Ambulance, NSW State Emergency Service and Goulburn Mulwaree Council.

CAPTION: Two Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters prepare to land on an oval in Goulburn as part of Exercise Koepang. Photo: Corporal Annika Smit

Defence support included a RAAF C-27J Spartan, RAN EC-135s, Army UH-60M Black Hawks and explosive ordnance disposal teams from 5th Engineer Regiment.

In their culminating activity, five platoons of 26 personnel entered the Mulwaree High School under the cover of darkness to clear the campus of “enemy forces”.

“They were told the complex spaces between the buildings and stairwells were exploited by the enemy party who had established ambushes and strong points, and the teams had to work together to secure the building,” Major O’Neal said.

CAPTION: Staff cadets participate in a training serial at a water filtration plant as part of Exercise Koepang. Photo: Corporal Annika Smit

Staff Cadet Jade Walker said it was a challenging test of combat and leadership skills.

“It allowed each platoon to not only enhance the skills they’ve learnt across the exercise, but also to practise working together as a combat team,” Staff Cadet Walker said.

The warmth and hospitality of locals more than made up for Goulburn’s chilly sub-zero temperatures.

On the last day of the exercise, cadets hosted a community day to talk about their experience, demonstrate their skills and thank the town for providing a valuable training opportunity.

CAPTION: Staff cadets paint children’s faces during the Community Open Day at Prell Oval in Goulburn. Photo: Corporal Annika Smit

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