Above: Army vehicle technician CPL Jacob Sofia, from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, inspects the engine of an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle during Exercise Eagle March at the Townsville Field Training Area.

Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment conducted Exercise Eagle March at the Townsville Field Training Area from 12–16 May 2024, showcasing the firepower and coordination of ASLAVs and the Army’s new M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks in a live-fire environment. 

Above: CPL Alex Cronin, from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, carries his winch cable towards a bogged Australian Light Armoured Vehicle during Exercise Eagle March at the Townsville Field Training Area.

The exercise tested the regiment’s ability to perform tactical tasks under pressure, including combat operations, casualty care, and legal and ethical decision-making in complex scenarios. It marked the first time the M1A2 Abrams was used in advanced collective live-fire training. Commanders and troops were challenged to manage battlefield priorities, partner force dynamics, and simulated legal inquiries, reinforcing the regiment’s role as both a reconnaissance and strike force capable of full-spectrum operations.

Image and article courtesy of Defence

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Exercise Griffin Guns 2025 - Northern Territory

Above: Army personnel from the 1st Aviation Regiment conducted Exercise Griffin Guns from the 12th to 23rd of May 2025. Click on the image to view more.

Army personnel from the 1st Aviation Regiment conducted Exercise Griffin Guns from the 12th to 23rd of May 2025. Exercise Griffin Guns is a live fire aviation training exercise conducted in the Northern Territory that includes a field component, forward arming and refuelling, and the firing of weapons such as precision guided munitions, Laser Guided Rocket and Hellfire. The exercise enables personnel from the 1st Aviation Regiment to maintain currency and increase proficiency within their respective jobs.

Image and article courtesy of Defence

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RAEME Corps History - A New Army 1945 to 1959 continued

An Era of change

Above: Churchill armoured recovery vehicle Mark II

The 1950s was an era of growing change, when new weapons and equipment were introduced into service replacing World War II items. For example, during 1959, the 7.62 mm L1A1 Self Loading Rifle (or SLR) began to replace the .303” Lee Enfield rifle, and the 50 ton Centurion Tank became the Army’s Main Battle Tank. This situation placed extra strain on RAEME as the Corps was faced with the requirement to maintain old fleets of weapons, vehicles and other equipment, while it came to terms with the repair and maintenance requirements of the new. The Centurion tank’s introduction into service raised particular issues for RAEME Craftsmen. In addition to absorbing the general maintenance of the Centurion, another major issue was that the heaviest recovery equipment in the Army inventory at that time was the World War II vintage Churchill Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) and the M1A1 Ward LaFrance Recovery Vehicle (Wheeled). The Churchill ARV was under-powered for the job and had a major problem with Puckapunyal dust. The Ward LaFrance, with its 12 ton rear winch, was also a most unlikely vehicle to use to recover a 52 ton Centurion tank. In these circumstances and faced with the situation of having to make do with what was on hand, 2 Base Workshop, Moorebank kept a Recovery Team, equipped with a Ward LaFrance wrecker, on continual stand-by.

Above: 1955: The newly arrived Centurion ARV undergoing its CES inventory check.

This precaution was necessary until two Centurion ARVs arrived from the UK during 1955 and was justified when a Centurion tank became bogged in the Holsworthy area. Craftsman Ron Bondiii was one of the first RAEME tradesmen to meet the issues of recovering a disabled Centurion tank without the benefit of a purpose built ARV:

The tank was bogged up to the sponsons, so deep it was possible to step straight onto the hull without climbing up. The major problem for the Recovery Team was a lack of heavy duty snatch blocks and ropes to connect to the bogged tank. It took two and a half days of hard work, a set of Staghound (armoured car) tow ropes and a large degree of RAEME know-how, to finally extricate the bogged Centurion. Proof that even with unsuitable equipment, where there was RAEME will there was a way.

The above article is an extract from the Corps History Book 'With Skill and Fighting - Craftsmen of the Australian Army 1942 - 2014'