10th Force Support Battalion conduct beach landings

Soldiers from the 10th Force Support Battalion (10FSB) conducted beach landings and reconnaissance missions during their annual littoral training at Cowley Beach Training Area in early April.

CAPTION: Army soldiers from 10th Force Support Battalion conduct a beach landing of an HX-40M during Exercise Green Anchor. Story by Captain Joanne Leca.

Conducted over three days, Exercise Green Anchor certified 10FSB soldiers and other elements of 17th Sustainment Brigade, including 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion, to project a landing force.

Corporal Corey Farrell said it was rewarding practise for the amphibious beach teams, which used four LCM-8s in varying conditions.

“This exercise is an opportunity for the soldiers with a little less experience to put theory into practice,” Corporal Farrell said.

“It’s beneficial for the soldiers to take charge and have the confidence to run through by themselves.

“I’m confident that when we deploy on domestic and international operations, the people I work alongside will understand what they need to do.”

10FSB has put its training into effect on many deployments, including Operation Resolute, which supports maritime security operations as a whole-of-government effort to protect Australia’s borders and offshore maritime interests.

Earlier this year, 10FSB LCM-8 crews deployed as a recovery team during Exercise Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

Corporal Farrell said the littoral space was changing rapidly, making it important to continue training people in all conditions.

“It’s important we think about every outcome and every condition we could face – for us this could mean landing without port facilities, low light or rough sea conditions,” he said.

“We’re also a country surrounded by water; it’s important we know how to land from the sea.”

The 43 soldiers who participated were certified in their ability to establish life support to sustain force elements and equipment for littoral and amphibious missions.

For Lieutenant Lachlan Atkins it was his first exposure to the training.

“It was the first time I saw our boats and crew in action – seeing the environmental challenges the crew can face during a beach landing,” Lieutenant Atkins said.

“We practised how to conduct an LCM-8 insertion in low-light conditions at different sites of the Cowley Beach Training Area.

“The water was pretty rough, but completely appropriate to experience in a training environment – we learned how to overcome the worst conditions the sea can throw at us.

“This type of littoral training is relevant and critical to accomplish logistical missions.

“No day is the same – one day you can be patrolling or supporting on an exercise and another day you can be working alongside Australian Border Force.”