Issue 8
December 2005

64 Pages This Issue

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	Unlike in the movies where a good sniper bags an impressive collection of bad guys in a single day and, in fact, quite unlike his counterpart in either World War, today's sniper may never fire that one, well-aimed shot he is so highly trained for. But yet, he remains one of the most valuable battlefield assets under a battalion commander's control. Words Brian Hartigan Pics Brian Hartigan and ADF Buy this story now for just $2

	Once the election paraphernalia was safely tucked away, the convoy team stayed on site at the warehouse to boost numbers. The warehouse compound, although very defendable with its high walls and towers, had one major flaw - the front gate was the only way in or out... Part 2 of a 2-part report. Words AJ Shinner Pics supplied by AJ Shinner Buy this story + Part 1 together from the Issue #7 page

	Training smart is how you could best describe the engine that is driving the Australian Army Training Team Iraq. Drawing on a lineage from its Vietnam-era namesake, the team is responsible for advising and training the 2nd Brigade of the Iraqi Army's 10th Division. Words Corporal Cameron Jamieson Pics Corporal Cameron Jamieson Buy this story + the one below for just $2

	I laugh in amazement at the wording on my report - "Rocket attack on his first night, subject to occasional rocket and mortar attack and indirect LMG fire on his first formal move". Ha! I bet the boys back home will have a laugh at this. Looking back on my operational tour in Iraq, it was hard to believe I had just finished four months on Exercise Long Look - the trip of a lifetime. Words 'Duke' Pics supplied by 'Duke'

	More than 1700 Defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, PNG and Indonesia participated in the multi-national maritime Exercise Kakadu 7 in the seas off Darwin in August. But, while the major emphasis was on naval forces, 2000kms to the east, 600 RAAF personell achieved a significant milestone during Kakadu - fully standing-up RAAF Base Scherger, from a "bare base" to full war footing. Words Brian Hartigan Pics Brian Hartigan and ADF

	"What do you want to interview me for. I was only in the army long enough for breakfast and left not long after lunch." Not a bad way to describe 30 years in the infantry, including active service in Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam. Words Kiwi Mac Pics Kiwi Mac, WO1 Scoff Cootes, RAAF and AWM

	Navy's ANZAC-class frigates are slowly but surely transforming into leading-edge multi-purpose surface combatants. When the capability requirement was signed off in the late '80s, the goal was to introduce a fleet of cost-effective mid-size warships to undertake some of the lesser warfighting roles on the high seas. Fifteen year or so later, the ANZACs are taking on a somewhat bigger silhouette. Words Ian Bostock Pics supplied by Ian Bostock, and ADF

	The heat shimmered off the bitumen as it would from a hotplate. The midday Somali sun bore down with all its 50-degree fury on the road between Mogadishu and Baidoa as we sat in our vehicle control point (VCP) and slowly baked. Between the glare and the sweat channeling grit down from under my helmet into my eyes, I could barely observe the goings on before me as I sat miserable in my turret. The series continues... Words Wayne Cooper Pics Supplied by Wayne Cooper, and ADF
Plus... Exercise Mercury '05 VP Day celebrations Letters to the Editor Heads up Plus our regular columns; Military Fitness by Don Stevenson and Major Travis Faure Just Soldiers by WO1 Darryl Kelly Private Nobber by Jonathan Garland Letters from the front by Private Henry Wright Games reviews and two huge competitions - 2 full versions of VBS1, 4 copies of Call of Duty 2 and 4 copies of Call of Duty 2 Big Red One to give away