weapons, including 81mm mortars and Mk 47 automatic grenade launchers, integrated 155mm danger-close artillery missions fired by 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, and M1A1 tanks in attack-by-fire positions. Commander 1st Brigade Brigadier Matt Pearse said the formation received outstanding support from across Army and RAAF, and the results of Exercise Predator’s Run 18 were extremely satisfying. “The exercise has provided an excellent chance to build teams and confirm procedures at every level,” Brigadier Pearse said. “But definitely the most challenging aspects came from the force-on-force activities that tested commanders to out-think and out-manoeuvre their opponent to safely achieve their respective missions. “Learning was aided by observer trainers from the Combat Training Centre who identified, through a detailed after-actions review process, lessons learnt for each combat team.” Regimental Sergeant Major 1st Brigade Warrant Officer Class One Michael Landy said Find, like, share at
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the successful execution of Exercise Predator’s Run 18’s training objectives was down to a fundamental application of the brigade’s traits. “Being soldiers, we are expected to exhibit the highest standards of professional conduct and, as such, we must be brilliant at the basics, work together as a team, strive for excellence and understand the bigger picture,” Warrant Officer Class One Landy said. “In my opinion, Exercise Predator’s Run 18 achieved this outcome. “It was great to see each and every soldier dedicated, enthused and working together to achieve our mission and objectives.” Exercise Predator’s Run 18 also saw two landmark moments with the execution of the first Joint Precision Airdrop System delivery to non-special forces in Australia and the refuelling of an M1A1 Abrams tank directly from the fuel tanks of a RAAF C-130J Hercules. Brigade air liaison officer Squadron Leader Nathan Thompson said the 1st Brigade on Exercise Predator’s Run 18 was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate both capabilities. “This exercise has allowed us to employ a number of air force capabilities for the combat brigade,” Squadron Leader Thompson said. “The amount and quality of air-land integration will set 1st Brigade up well for the remainder of its readying period.” With the completion of Exercise Predator’s Run 18, the 1st Brigade will now shift its focus to individual career-progression courses, cyclone preparation and detailed planning for 2019, including the Joint Warfare Series and Exercise Talisman Sabre 19. “There’s no doubt the 1st Brigade have a busy training year ahead, but the 2018 Predator series of exercises has given us a strong foundation in core skills and teamwork, and a couple of focus areas to work on,” Brigadier Pearse said. 23