28 February 2024
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, were led through a week of jungle warfare training at Tully, Queensland, earlier in February.
Basic jungle skills developed into live-fire jungle shakeouts at a platoon level, and progressed to individual and section-level skills.
Bravo Company’s Lance Corporal Jamal Basaid said the training covered off on tactics, techniques and procedures.
“There’s a lot to learn about surviving in a jungle environment,” Lance Corporal Basaid said.
Major Tom Folley said the jungle was one of the harshest environments to operate in.
“Kokoda and the Vietnam War have shown us the relentlessness of this environment,” he said.
“There's more vegetation; the terrain and weather have a lot more affect than they do on you in an urban environment.
“Treating casualties is very difficult, lines of communication and supply are stretched.
“You’re not just competing against the enemy, you’re competing against the effects of the environment.
“Soldiers are required to be more resourceful, adaptable and resilient when it comes to operating in the jungle.”
Major Folley said different tactics were required.
“Jungle navigation relies heavily on basic soldier skills. The thick canopy from the trees makes GPS harder to use,” he said.
“You rely on maps, a compass, bearing and your paces.
“The weapon systems have the same effect as they would in an urban environment, however, the soldiers need to be able to employ them effectively.”
Lance Corporal Basaid said morale was important for soldiers to overcome living in such conditions.
“The best way to keep it high is by talking, laughing and getting to know each other,” he said.
“But when the job’s on, the job’s on.”
