Aussie troops train in the Malaysian jungle
Surrounded by mountains and sprawling Malaysian jungle, where rain is a constant and unrelenting presence, lies Camp Paradise.
CAPTION: An Australian soldier from Rifle Company Butterworth 144 gives feedback to a soldier from the US Army during close combat shooting drills as part of Exercise Keris Strike in Malaysia. Story and photo by Lieutenant Chloe Reay.
Usually housing members of the Malaysian 5th Brigade, the camp was transformed into a centre of trilateral engagement for personnel from the US Army, Malaysian Army and, for the first time, the Australian Army.
It is here that soldiers will strengthen interoperability through tough training in the jungles of Borneo – including sampling local food.
Members of the 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR), 1st Brigade, and supporting elements have deployed to Malaysia for three months as part of Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB) rotation 144, under command of 2nd/30th training group.
RCB personnel will participate in multiple exercises and international engagements, including Exercise Keris Strike.
Officer Commanding RCB 144 Major Jamie Frisby, of 5RAR, said it was an honour to return to Malaysia to conduct realistic and relevant training with friends and partners in the region.
“The contingent faces a unique set of challenges related to operating in an austere environment within the Malaysian jungle and rural settings,” he said.
“This activity is an excellent rehearsal for future deployments into the near region, testing the readiness of our people and continuing to enhance our strategic relationships.
“It is also a great chance for our soldiers, enabling us to further enhance foundation warfighting skills and resilience within our teams.”
Having completed a two-year posting to the Malaysian Army Academy (Akademi Tentera Darat) as the embedded Australian instructor, Major Frisby said enduring relationships with regional partners were important.
“Australia has a strong military history in Malaysia, and it is an honour to be able to expose Australian soldiers to that history and forge our new path forward within the region,” he said.
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Would be great to see our armoured reconnaisance forces also doing this training with their vehicles and crews in Malaysia, especially in close country operations, working alongside our infantry. Armour can play a vital role in such country if used cooperatively and intelligently; can save many infantry lives and would be great see younger generations of our armour diggers learn the same lessons that our Vietnam Veterans brought back from their operational service. Our armour in Vietnam helped to drive home to the enemy that Phuoc Tuy Province was NOT the place where they could operate as they wished. That respect by the enemy ensured that there was only one Long Tan! Their resounding defeats, even with determined repeated attacks, at Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral gave them great respect for the Australian AFV crews!