Aviators from units across Combat Support Group were put through their paces in northern Australia as part of Exercise Stoic Gauntlet 24 from June 27 to July 11.
The exercise brought together units from across the country to RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory to practice airbase operations with 17 Squadron whilst operating under simulated ground and air threat conditions in austere, deployed, and uncertain environments.
This also involved a task element deploying at short notice to RAAF Base Curtin to establish a spoke location to enable air power projection across a wider area.
Commander Task Unit and Commanding Officer 17 Squadron, Wing Commander Fiona Pearce, said despite the challenges the exercise generated many innovative responses.
"Most of our aviators aren't directly involved with ground defence on a day to day basis, so this provided an opportunity to test their ability to adapt and respond to an evolving environment," Wing Commander Pearce said.
"Working alongside 381 Squadron and learning from each other has been fantastic, especially how we can incorporate their expeditionary skills into what we do at a fixed base."
Commanding Officer 381 Squadron Wing Commander Andre Holmes said working with 17 Squadron to better understand and support fixed airbase operations has been beneficial.
"It has required a considerable change in mindset to meld the two units together, but we've generated some good outcomes in challenging the paradigm," Wing Commander Holmes said.
"Building a better understanding of the unique pressures of operating in northern Australia has been incredibly beneficial, particularly with the growing strategic relevance of this region. The more we can work together and achieve asymmetric advantages through the quality aviators we have, the better."
Given our current strategic environment, learning how to operate under a different set of circumstances is critical, Wing Commander Fiona Pearce said.
"This exercise has tested our ability to continue day to day tasks while responding to simulated threats," she said.
"We deliver some very important effects in our region, and that's why we need to ensure our northern bases are defendable and that we can operate in unpredictable environments."
Exercises like this are critical to ensure Defence has the capability to defend and project air power from our northern bases in line with the 2024 National Defence Strategy.
