Supporting Amphibious Development from Ashore

 

Situated on the Brisbane River at Bulimba, the base became the home to 30 trainees and 30 support staff from 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment. 

 

The Platoon conducted a series of tactical insertions at Bribie and Moreton Islands as well as surf negotiation on the Gold Coast.

 

The course develops skills for pre-landing force operations from Navy's amphibious ships, HMA Ships Canberra and Adelaide. 

 

A number of zodiac boats are required to insert the Battalion’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance elements prior to the arrival of the main landing force.

 

Sergeant Mike Morton said Moreton’s facilities were ideal to hone their water-craft handling skills in a wide range of conditions.

 

“Being on the Brisbane River in close proximity to Moreton Bay and the South East Queensland coast makes Moreton an ideal location for the Platoon to practise their skills in riverine, in-shore and coastal settings from calm water to surf conditions,” Sergeant Morton said.

 

“This variety also allows the Platoon to practice in the types of environments that could be expected during the initial phases of an amphibious lodgement.”

 

This is only the second such course to be conducted at Moreton and the first conducted by the Battalion independently.

 

“Moreton provides a great balance between access to a diverse range of conditions as well as the administrative facilities to enable the Platoon to gain maximum training benefit in the time allocated.”

 

Commanding Officer Moreton, Commander Mark McConnell said hosting the Army training evolutions showed the capability of Navy’s newest base after its commissioning in May 2016.

 

“Moreton is proud to be able to lend support to the development of the amphibious capability,” Commander McConnell said.

 

“With the improvement of the site in the next two years, Moreton looks forward to continuing to provide this type of assistance well into the future.”