RAA Liaison Letter – 2025 / 2026 Edition 62 retention across key employment categories. These results highlight the success of JFW’s modernised training pathways, career development focus, and operational relevance, ensuring the Wing remains a critical enabler for Army’s future force. Modernisation accelerated at pace. JFW supported the successful firing of Long-Range Fires during EX TALISMAN SABRE 2025, demonstrating readiness for future strike operations. Instructors were qualified on new capabilities to deliver sustainment training for L113 Long Range Fires, L8116 AS09 Huntsman, AS10 AARV, and DTCS NEXTGEN – positioning JFW to deliver training at the forefront of Army’s future fires capability. The Mortar Cell drove digital transformation by introducing Digital Call for Fire into their Fire Control System through DTCS NEXTGEN and commenced digitisation of Battle Management Systems with upgrades to M32A1 LHBMC. These advancements ensure our teams remain lethal, connected, and interoperable. Instructor excellence has been central to these achievements. CAPT Doug Bell earned the Army Silver Commendation for exceptional skill, judgement, and devotion to duty as an Instructor in Gunnery. SGT Thomas Haynes received the Army Bronze Commendation and represented the School as Instructor of the Year at the Forces Command Instructor of the Year awards with BDR Bohmer receiving the same for managing ACSO training during highthroughput periods. BDR Shane Hague and BDR Josh McCutcheon were awarded the Soldiers Medallion for Exemplary Service, demonstrating unmatched instructional quality and leadership under pressure. Noteworthy recognition also went to CPL Sam Bryant for refining SOPs and integrating digital indirect fires while performing above rank expectations. International engagement was equally significant. JFW delivered training to international students on the Forward Observer and Mortar Continuums, setting conditions for future integration of forces through shared learning and common doctrine development. These exchanges pave the way for further instructor and student exchange programs and combined operations, strengthening interoperability across allied forces. To further enhance capability, JFW introduced higher-level targeting into career progression courses, realising the Land Targeting enterprise and preparing the workforce for the Division as the echelon of action. This initiative creates Officers, Warrant Officers, and SNCOs as capable strike planners aligned with the Operational Fires and Targeting Concept. Captains Bell and Jude, having attended the Joint Operational Fires and Effects Course in the USA, now bring advanced targeting expertise back to Australia, ensuring this knowledge is embedded into officer and NCO development pathways.
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