PHYSICAL training instructors from 23 Squadron honoured Remembrance Day at Amberley Air Base with a host of punishing workouts.
All Amberley-based units competed in teams of four, with exercise repetitions adding up to 1111, to symbolise Remembrance Day.
Twenty-Three Squadron physical training instructor Corporal Alex Hobday said he was thrilled with the turnout – the first of its kind held at Amberley.
“This event brought together aviators and soldiers based at Amberley to pay our respects to our fallen brothers and sisters in arms,” Corporal Hobday said.
“Teams of four competed in a range of exercises, including burpees, squats, sled drags and a run around the track.
“In between exercises, we paused for a minute of silence to remember and honour those who have come before us.
“It was great seeing so many units getting together, taking part in physical fitness, meeting new people and working together as a team – teamwork being at the core of what we do in the ADF.”
Competition winners were determined as the fastest to complete all exercise repetitions, with the Army’s 9 Force Support Battalion taking out first place, followed by teams from Air Force’s 23 and 6 Squadrons, in second and third place respectively.
Captain Andrew Castle headed up the winning team – 9 Force Support Battalion.
He said he was grateful the event was held at RAAF Base Amberley in the lead-up to Remembrance Day.
“It was an opportunity to bring people together from all services and units, keep fit and also take those moments to pay our respects to those who have served before us,” Captain Castle said.
“Some of the exercises were quite challenging, but our general fitness and day-to-day training helped us take out first place and we look forward to events like this continuing.”
Squadron 23 is a non-flying base operations and training squadron that was formed in 1937.
It saw action against the Japanese during World War II as a bomber squadron while operating from Archerfield during the early stages of the war.
The squadron carried out maritime patrols off Australia’s east coast before converting to a dive-bomber role and taking part in the New Guinea campaign.
Later in the war, the squadron converted to Liberator heavy bombers and flew missions against Japanese targets in the Netherlands East Indies.
