Today, the Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly opened our new training facility for future crews of the Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs).Australia can call their ocean going, mechanized, combined arms task force organized naval infantry....part of the Australian Army if that makes them feel better.
The LHDs will be the biggest ships ever built for the Royal Australian Navy and are currently being worked on at our Williamstown shipyard.
Originally a warehouse, the 4000 square meters of space in Sydney has been transformed into a purpose-built base for the training needs of future crews.
Director Maritime Bill Saltzer said: “For the crews it will be a virtual LHD so they can gain a real understanding of what it will be like to be on board the Navy’s biggest ships and for the Navy it will be one of the most advanced training facilities currently available in Australia.
“The equipment installed has the ability to replicate any scenario, incident or event the LHDs may encounter which means the crews that will be trained here will be familiar with all the ship’s capability and systems before they even step on board.
“We have even constructed a marine evacuation system at the facility where crews can be trained in emergency evacuation procedures.”
Classes will start on Monday 6 May and more than 700 personnel will be trained over the next two and a half years.
But we all know whats coming. The Navy will insist that it needs ground forces that are better integrated into its naval mission, the Army will complain about the drain of dedicating a unique force to the Navy for amphibious missions and a Marine Corps will be born.
I look forward to it.
Australia will never have a marine force. The army is already similar to the US Marines so there is no need. Additionally, with the government pulling money out of defence, another force will never be affordable.
ReplyDeleteThe Old amphibious Army of the United States during world war two had it's own patch, trained as amphibious troops they reverted after the landings to combat engineers or regular Infantry. like the sea going Marine patch it uses a seahorse.
ReplyDeleteIt was known as; "The 544th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment" and "The 36th Engineer Group" The Unit still exists today and has Amphibious training as a part of it's mission. I must say, United States Army Amphibious Engineers doesn't have quite the ring to it United States Marine does.
I would say, the Australian term for Combat Engineers, "Sappers?" would do as a name.
Call them The Queens 1369th Amphibious foot Brigade.
"The Queens 1369th Amphibious foot Brigade"
DeleteOr "The Frog Squad"?