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Whyalla has again been chosen to host an army training exercise.
Following on from previous successful exercises in the Eyre Peninsula city, military personnel from the Royal Military College – Duntroon (RMC-D) will start arriving in Whyalla on Monday, October 30 in preparation for the training exercise that will run from Tuesday November 7 until Wednesday, November 22.
A headquarters will be established by RMC-D, in Jubilee Park to support the exercise, with the majority arriving on November 7. Cadets will conduct armed (using blank ammunition) uniformed foot patrols through Whyalla as part of the large peacekeeping exercise among the civilian population of Whyalla.
Exercises will include vehicle check points (on minor roads), cordon and strikes (clearing buildings sourced from the local community), vital asset protection, patrolling, cache searches in buildings and parks and key leadership engagement including meetings and school assemblies.
The exercise will involve about 60 role players acting as local militia and key leaders within the civil community with all carrying defence identification. There will be about 20 to 30 medium ridge support vehicles involved in the exercises.
There will be “skirmishes” between the cadets and role players daily from November 7 between 6am and 11.59pm. These skirmishes will involve the firing of blank ammunition.
Members of the community will be invited, in some scenarios such as vehicle checkpoints, to be involved in the exercises but are under no obligation to take part and will be waved through as such if they are not prepared to be involved.
Captain James Roberts from the RMC-D said people may hear loud noises late into the evening and early in the morning. He said due to increased traffic and traffic control tasks, Whyalla could also expect minor delays in traffic along smaller roadways; but they would be attempting to keep the disruption to the community to a minimum.
He stressed there was, however, no danger to residents and there will be daily updates issued by RMC-D to inform the public where and when exercises would be conducted with residents invited to observe.
This is the final exercise for the cadets who graduate as Lieutenants into the army after 18 months of intense training.
“The ability for army’s future officers to operate in a civilian community offers an invaluable training opportunity by providing a realistic replication of an overseas peacekeeping deployment,” Capt Roberts said.
“We’ve always received a good reception from the Whyalla community and found people are generally keen to participate when asked.
“The trainees will conduct tasks that would be expected whilst on peacekeeping operations such as East Timor and the Solomon Islands.
“This is primary based on providing protection and supporting the local government to reassume control and responsibility for the local area.”
Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer welcomed the arrival of the cadets and said it was a good thing for the city while Capt Roberts said there would be some spinoffs for the Whyalla community with the forces buying and consuming locally where possible.
“It is an exciting time for the community when these sort of exercises occur,” Mayor Breuer said.
“I think a lot of people enjoy these exercises, seeing these young people in action and being a part of the action.
“We are always assured it is all carefully planned and completely safe.”
Any community members with questions can contact Captain Roberts on 0429 390 137 or by email james.roberts9@defence.gov.au
