RAAF Base Amberley personnel tested their skills in counter-intelligence and surveillance, recently.
The 2 Security Forces Squadron (2SECFOR) honed their skills during Exercise Nomad Walk, the last in a series of drills designed with building complexity in the lead-up to Exercise Talisman Sabre.
Flying Officer Marat Roche was responsible for integrating the squadron’s intelligence and surveillance systems.
“We utilised the R70 Skyranger unmanned aerial system (UAS), agile camera system, android tactical assault kit, patrol persistent surveillance system and tactical reconnaissance to provide early warning and increase the situational awareness,” Flying Officer Roche said.
The R70 carries long-range, high-resolution imaging payloads.
R70 operators can rapidly attach, carry, and deliver nearly any object up to 2kg on specialised missions.
“Exercising on RAAF Base Amberley provided a good opportunity to test these systems and rehearse their full rollout before Exercise Talisman Sabre.”
“The technology supported the development of a quick reaction force concept of operations as well as the rehearsal of clear and secure, counter-penetration, counterattack, and destroy or neutralise tasks.”
A RAAF spokesman said the intelligence systems provided real-time monitoring, enabling commanders to extract actionable intelligence, identify patterns and coordinate security effects.
“Battle captains directed response teams towards adversaries in the training area,” the RAAF spokesman said.
Aircraftman Jacob Flinn, of 2 Rifle Flight, recently completed the Air Defence Guard Close Combatant Course and said the exercise was an opportunity to employ the skills he had learnt on course.
“The corporals in my flight helped to make the skills learned seem relevant and explained why they were important in 2SECFOR’s role in airbase defence,” Aircraftman Flinn said.
“Exercise Nomad Walk demonstrated a significant increase in capability, particularly in mounted response operations involving protected mobility vehicles and tactical fighting patrols utilising surveillance and reconnaissance vehicles.”
