Army Reserve Sharpens Air Assault Skills in Central Queensland
by The Queenslander Staff
The Australian Army Reserve’s 31st/42nd Battalion, in coordination with C Squadron from the 5th Aviation Regiment, recently completed a series of air assault operations in central Queensland. The operations were part of Exercise Brahman Stride, conducted over a 10-day period in October and November.
This training involved complex aviation helicopter missions and troop lifts, focusing on improving the skills necessary for various operational scenarios. Captain Steven Young of C-Squadron highlighted the exercise’s importance in enhancing the integration and interoperability of the troops. “This exercise provided the soldiers and aircrew with important integration opportunities in using rotary wing assets to enable the insertion and extraction for their training,” he said.
The exercise saw personnel from Mackay and Gladstone depots collaborate with those from Rockhampton to conduct urban clearance activities north of Yeppoon. Captain Young emphasized the exercise’s role in ensuring readiness for a range of potential missions, including combat operations, disaster relief, and medical evacuations.
The completion of Exercise Brahman Stride marks a significant step in the ongoing preparation and readiness of the Australian Army Reserve, particularly in enhancing their capabilities in air assault operations.
