RAA Liaison Letter 2024 - 2025 Edition

RAA Liaison Letter – 2024 / 2025 Edition 70 110 Battery Major Brett Watson, Battery Commander When in doubt… cluster out! 2024 was another great year for 110 Battery – building on the foundations of 2023, the Battery considerably advanced the NASAMS warfighting capability as it worked towards next capability milestones on the IIS journey. The major activity for the year was Exercise RAPTORS STRIKE where the Battery took a novel approach by participating in two discrete RAAF exercises over a three-month period. This culminated with Exercise DIAMOND STORM, conducted at Bradshaw Field Training Area (BFTA), which served as the Unit’s capstone FTX and the first major collective training activity for NASAMS. DIAMOND STORM demonstrated how procedural, technical and cultural integration with the RAAF was critical to realising the full potential of NASAMS in an IAMDS. Exercise success hinged on a collaborative and multi-disciplinary team effort across 16 Regiment involving 110 Battery, the Unit Ops Cell, the Network Management Cell, and CSS Battery. During Exercise RAPTORS STRIKE, the Battery demonstrated commendable progress related to the introduction into service of NASAMS. Key operational concepts were demonstrated utilising a task-organised Battery construct, such as the ability to deploy via road from Adelaide to BFTA – a distance of over 3,000 km each way; the conduct of deliberate technical reconnaissance; deployment in defence of a ‘critical asset’ in the North of Australia; integration with the RAAF; demonstration of the NASAMS kill chain; and the conduct of simulated and successful engagements against contemporary threat emulations. This construct included Command Posts, Fire Distribution Centres, Canister Launchers, CEATAC & CEAOP RADARs, an EO/IR sensor, the A1 Echelon and Reconnaissance Teams. In addition, 110 Battery was ably supported by ADAFCOs working from RAAF Williamtown – a key capability for integration with RAAF C2 – and a beefed up A2 Echelon from CSS Battery which provided invaluable support both in-exercise and during the road move. Personnel were also afforded every opportunity to enhance their experience in the North of our country. Following a multi-day drive through the heart of Australia, time off was provided to explore the Katherine region and personnel were able to participate in helicopter reconnaissance tasks, conduct familiarisation with SOCOMD vehicles, and received exposure to a wide array of RAAF aircraft. It was also fantastic to see GNR Dawes, GNR Svenson and PTE Lock recognised with Certificates for Outstanding Performance from the Task Group Commander and Exercise Director. For the remainder of the year, the Battery continued to refine its warfighting SOPs and develop operator technical and tactical mastery. Personnel from the Battery participated in Australia’s first ADAFCO course; supported CASG trials; supervised CH-47 Chinook trials with NASAMS mission systems; deployed on HMAS Warramunga to foster interoperability with the RAN; and deployed on numerous exercises domestically and abroad including Exercises LONG LOOK, AUSTRAL SHIELD, WALKER, RETIMO, YAMA SAKURA, and PHANTOM SHIELD, and a Multilateral (AMD) SME Exchange/Defence Design Workshop. These activities have served to further broaden the knowledge and skills of members in the Battery, as well as provide memorable experiences. In closing – this has been yet another year of firsts for 110 Battery. Full credit again goes to the soldiers and officers – their hard work and commitment has been outstanding.