RAA Liaison Letter 2025/2026 Edition 22 powerful moment when Brigadier Nick Wilson took the reigns of the Brigade as its first commander. 2024 also saw the advancement in Air Defence capability, the introduction of new uncrewed air systems across two units, preparations for a new Self Propelled Howitzer capability, mission changes and focus for both 1st Regiment, RAA and 8/12 Regiment, RAA and an enormous demand on the School of Artillery to prepare and deliver the suite of new and old courses to train our people. The recruit to segment plan is a truly innovative method of ensuring we have the right people in the right jobs, and the benefits in the 2025 and beyond have been manifest for our Regiment and Army. Realisation. 2025 has been in many ways, the year of the gunner. The delivery of the first HIMARS platforms, the superb and now multiple deployments of 20th Regiment, RAA to the north of Australia support our border protection operations, firing of modern weapons from new and existing platforms and announcement after announcement from Army and Defence that demonstrated the enduring relevance of the gunner in peace and conflict. For me, as the Exercise Director for Talisman Sabre, I have never been prouder to wear a white lanyard. Gunners and gunnery dominated the exercise. We supported the most complex and sophisticated Joint Live Fire Power Exercise in ADF history in Shoalwater Bay Training Area, including the inaugural live fire employment of Australian HIMARS. We live fired ENASAMs at Bradshaw Field Training Area (BFTA), coordinated the safe live firing of SM-2 and SM-6 on and offshore. Finally, the RAA led the live firing of the Precision Strike Missile (PRiSM), a 311km launch to strike from Mount Bundy Training Area to BFTA. I observed a full commitment of gunners, from fulltime, part time, public servants and contractors to demonstrate a staggering realisation of artillery modernisation, well in advance of capability milestones. We were everywhere, just as our motto demands of us. So much more happened in 2025. Another impressive EX ALON, live firing once again, deployments to the north of Australia by 20 Regiment, RAA and to PNG by 4th Regiment, RAA in support of their 50th anniversary of independence. 16th Regiment, RAA has commenced its move to its new home in Edinburgh, we recognised a birthday milestone for 20th Regiment, RAA and so much more. It has been a true year of realisation. I have witnessed so much in four years, led by a regimental leadership team that knows their mission and delivers. As always, this can never happen without our gunners, who have time and again performed. I thank the hard work of Major Gary Down, who worked miracles with our UK counterparts to recommence the visit to the Royal Artillery for our Ewan and Mattner award winners. I am pleased we have commenced recognition of all gunner service through the “All Ranks Recognition”. All gunners will now be recognised for their service, regardless of duration with a RAA pin and certificate. I commend units to start presenting these to our people as they leave service. It is the least we can do. I want to thank the Head of Regiment team for their commitment, diligence and support to me over my time, it cannot happen without the passionate few. I wish my successor, Brigadier Andrew Langford, as much joy in his time as Head of Regiment as I have experienced. Whilst the last four years has been momentous, there is much more hard work to come. I will leave you with a cautionary comment which many of our Royal Military graduands have heard from me.
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