6 bn rar

Caughey assumed command of the Battalion in East Timor. Tetley and later MAJ P. Charlie Company returned to Australia in September Solomon Islands. The infantry section was comprised of soldiers from Charlie Company, and the platoon headquarters was from Alpha Company. These soldiers returned to Australia in August Afghanistan — SOTG 1. The section strength deployment provided a significant capability brick in support to all SOTG offensive operations against the Taliban.

Goddard assumed command of the Battalion. Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Alpha Company deployed with their IMV and proved the operational utility and flexibility of the motorised infantry capability in support to a domestic event support operation DESO.

Afghanistan — SOTG 2 and 3. Iraq — OBG-W 1. Blue Dog — Mascot Status. Afghanistan — RTF 1. Afghanistan — SOTG 4 and 5. Blue Dog — Promoted. Afghanistan — RTF 3. Iraq — OBG-W 4. MTF 1 quickly adapted to life in an Afghan winter and learnt many new skills associated with patrolling in sub-zero conditions.

While the emphasis of patrolling with our ANA counterparts was dismounted, the combined arms emphasis with Engineers and RAA Joint Fire Teams meant that many of our section commanders had attachments for patrols that exceeded the size of their section. This emphasis utilised the advantage of the ANA understanding the local population to an extent and the Australian planning and patrolling skills, together with our access to enabling assets such as offensive support and aviation to provide a more effective combined approach for security operations and development of the ANA.

This formula would be predominant throughout the operation with some operations and patrols taking a more deliberate focus towards targeting caches within our AO containing IED components. Over the course of the MTF 1 tour, the prevailing and pervasive threat remained the IED, although there remained a significant small arms fire threat.

These incidents resulted in nearly contacts where the soldiers of MTF engaged the enemy, some being less than a minute, but several lasting hours.

MTF 1 conducted a number of deliberate, combined operations with the Mentoring Team C teams working with 2nd Kandak and Combat Team D in the central and southern Baluchi operations in the spring; with the focus being on the clearance of these areas to facilitate the delivery of development projects in these areas.

These changes resulted in MTF 1 having over members of the Battlegroup living in patrol bases forward from Tarin Kot and occupying an additional 4 patrol bases with their ANA counterparts, bringing the number of external locations from 6 to The build of a new patrol base in the Musazai area of the Mirabad Valley in mid August was heavily contested by the enemy who launched several attacks as the build commenced.

These attacks were repulsed by a dogged combined arms defence and aggressive patrolling. On the same day, the build-site for PB Musazai was again heavily attacked, resulting in a prolonged engagement that lasted over three hours.

There were several more significant engagements, primarily in the East Dorafshan area during the run off election which saw the soldiers from Mentoring Team C heavily committed together with their Afghan counterparts. During this RIP, the long awaited Rotary Wing support to insert and extract soldiers from both Task Forces was instrumental in reducing the potential for casualties through excessive road movement. Upon return to Brisbane, the Battalion reformed with our rear element and participated in an emotional welcome home parade marching behind riderless horses symbolising our fallen warriors.

Leave commenced in early December with a decent break until 1 February This outstanding result came on the heels of the Battalion winning the BDE cross country and obstacle course competitions and placing second in the shooting competition. Note: click the above image to open an application. Complete online and email or print and post same to:. Formation 1. Page 1, Page 2 2. After the first 6 months a 'State of the Battalion' was given Vietnam - 3.

Long Tan 18 Aug 6. Townsville — Vietnam — On 1 June Lieutenant Colonel D. Drabsch assumed command of the Battalion. The Battalion also captured assorted weapons and 13 tonnes of rice.

D Company distinguished itself by extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations against an opposing armed force in Vietnam on August 18, As the battle developed, it became apparent that the men of D Company were facing a numerically superior force. The platoons of D Company were surrounded and attached on all sides by an estimated reinforced enemy battalion using automatic weapons, small arms and mortars.

Fighting courageously against a well armed and determined foe, the men of D Company maintained their formations in a common perimeter defence and inflicted heavy casualties upon the Viet Cong. The enemy maintained a continuous, intense volume of fire and attacked repeatedly from all directions.

Each successive assault was repulsed by the courageous Australians. Heavy rainfall and a low ceiling prevented any friendly close air support during the battle. After three hours of savage attacks, having failed to penetrate the Australian lines, the enemy withdrew from the battlefield carrying many dead and wounded, and leaving Viet Cong dead forward of the defence position of D Company.

Alternatively, continue reading below. Use your last name, postcode and ST as the reference. The dog was left as a surprise gift in the dug-in command post during a relief in place activity.

The webmaster and committee accept no responsibility for any accidental misrepresentation or factual errors which may inadvertently appear in this web site. Comments by contributors reflect their own views and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the 6 RAR Association Committee or it's members.

Note: click the above image to open an application. Complete online and email or print and post same to:.