RAA Liaison Letter – 2025 / 2026 Edition 63 Our reputation as a globally engaged Wing was reinforced through representation at the ADF Target Coordinate Mensuration Working Group (MoonShot Labs, St Louis), ABCANZ Annual Meeting in New Zealand, and advanced targeting courses in the USA. WO2 Ben Kingston also contributed to HIMARS introduction into service training for Long Range Fires in both the USA and New Zealand on Ex Suman Warrior 2025. These achievements reflect our priorities: delivering Directed Training Requirements, introducing new capabilities, and driving continual improvement. They also embody our command philosophy – engaged leadership, teamwork beyond disciplines, and personal accountability. JTAC Troop The Troop’s year has been a busy one consumed with currency activities, capability development, International Engagement and instructing on JTAC Courses. JTAC Troop conducted three live fire currency activities for Army JTACs in RAAF Williamtown and Townsville. The Troop ensured not only currency was achieved, but proficiency skills were developed as JTAC Troop shifts its training focus to LSCO actions, developing skills in coordinating air to surface effects in conjunction with multiple JFOs and an ability to coordinate kinetic effects in close proximity to friendly forces dislocated in a JFECC. In capability development, BDR Freegard and BDR Roadnight have established a Link 16 capability in the Troop, increasing our effectiveness in the ability to integrate with the more prevalent 5th generation fixed wing airframes coming into service along with the anticipated introduction of the AH-64E into Armys’ ORBAT in 2026. Outside of currency activities and JTAC Courses, JTAC Troop supported multiple exercises for Army and RAAF. SGT Sutherington led Ex Alpha Storm 25-1 at Evens Head Air Weapons Range supporting the OPCON of new Hornet pilots and WSOs for 1 SQN, RAAF as well as instructing on reconnaissance courses at the School of Infantry on emergency CAS procedures. During Ex Talisman Sabre, BDRs Freegard and Sabin supported 1 (AS) DIV HQ performing RSO-Air duties on Townsend Island coordinating highly congested airspace of fixed, rotary, surface and naval fires for the live fire phase. International Engagements saw SGT Oblea and BDR Ruff deploy to Malaysia on Ex Bersama Lima 25, working with Malaysian, Australian and UK fighter aircraft and WO2 Nicholls attending the JCAS Symposium in Virginia Beach, gaining an understanding on how JTAC and JFO programs are utilised and managed by US and NATO countries. Additionally, BDRs Freegard and Sabin were able to travel to the UK for a tour of School of Artillery and other UK Royal Artillery units as winners of the RAA JNCO of the year, a great experience and fantastic use of the Gunner Fund. During 2025 JTAC Troop has performed exceptionally in developing the JTAC capability within RAA. Looking to 2026 our focus remains on providing high quality instruction, developing skills and TTPs for Air to Surface Fires in the LSCO fight and pursuing the development of Digitally Aided Close Air Support. New Equipment Training Team (NETT) 2025 has been an extremely challenging year within NETT with the introduction into service of multiple major capabilities across the RAA.
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