RAA Liaison Letter 2024 - 2025 Edition

RAA Liaison Letter – 2024 / 2025 Edition 98 (DPRAC CP) – or in simple terms, the orchestration and synchronisation of effects. By viewing the practice through this lens the the feasible means by which subordinate commanders would achieve their task was woven into the safety architecture. … the intent was clear from inception; commanders and staff officers would be tested to analyse problems and synchronise their actions, as distinct from a common LFX format of the Combat Team Scenario Training Exercise (STX) Lane. Delivering this took in excess of six months to prepare. The planning commenced with the tactical context and then was adapted where required by land range safety constraints. Once the problem set had been framed and range practices drafted, physical folders of range documents and a ‘document checklist’ generated shared awareness and accountability; DPRAC Safety Officers (DSOs) were effective in managing DPRAC workload. Harmony of planning was imperative for the training to achieve its maximum potential and in the DPRAC being able to allow the practices to be fully immersive. Through orders, rehearsals and exercise design DPRAC could allow multiple traces to be open concurrently, with OICs fully aware of how they were required to shape their own practices to facilitate combined arms effects. Lastly in relation to planning, early and regular engagement with Land Range Safety (LRS) experts is essential. The advice regarding areas in which DPRAC is not an expert is crucial, as was access and advice for administration such as LRS Management Tool. Including the LRS team on key final planning events and as execution capabilities commence operating ensures that an experienced set of eyes can view the problem set holistically and independently. DPRAC in Execution By supporting the exercised headquarters’ planning rather than imposing safety constraints upon it, DPRAC can enable task organised elements to realise the combined arms live fire effect. It is through this lens that a combined arms and integrated/joint practice should give clarity to the role of DPRAC. Time for rehearsals, walkthroughs, integrated practice briefings and the filtering down of orders also contributed to shared understanding, and the time required for these to occur must not be underestimated. Whilst there were instances that the DPRAC was required to be proximal to the point of friction, having a single DDPRAC to command the DPRAC CP (supported by watchkeepers and signallers) the risk of discussions or agreements falling through a diffused staff was minimised, and consistent messaging to OICs and DSOs was assured. The wrap-around approach, as opposed to scripted and directed events, necessitated flexibility with timings and relied more on correct sequencing and triggering, complicated by the non-existent enemy having the initiative. This was resolved by progression in the battle being triggered at the Brigade HQ intelligence cell, who in turn were trained during the LFX activity due to their requirement to make running estimates and predict enemy actions based off Situation Reports (SITREPs). Delivering this took in excess of six months to prepare. Complex, visually striking and large-scale activities such as the BS CALFX are excellent opportunities for public relations and naturally pique the interest of senior leaders, capability managers, industry representatives and civilians. Visitors should therefore be anticipated and supported, however require certain accommodations which may impose on the training value and the DPRAC CP especially at short notice. For the BS CALFX a dedicated visits plan and visits cell was employed to great success. The likelihood for visitors was understood early, and the activity design accommodated specific visits serials. Messaging the aperture for visits and pre-empting the narrative allowed visits to be incorporated without materially impacting the activity itself and set expectations with prospective visitors that they would not be able to derive their own visit format. The visits cell delivered a daily tour to approved visitors as a single entity this simplified visitor management and shielded the DPRAC CP from becoming a fascinator or a help desk. Overall this resulted in visitors having the lowest possible impact on the training value for the training audience, and the lowest potential for consequent safety incidents. DPRAC and Partner Nations Australian range doctrine is sometimes perceived internally as obfuscated, convoluted,