1ST ARMOURED REGIMENT – AUSTRALIAN ARMY Lieutenant Colonel T Orders (1st Armoured Regiment) 1st Armoured Regiment is fortunate to share a proud history through our affiliation with the Royal Tank Regiment, and has benefited from a close relationship over the years. Our history is what shapes our identity and it is this identity that we draw strength from. It is a privilege to share some reflections on 2020 — a year that has proven unlike any other in unit history. THROUGH MUD… The devastating bushfires that affected so much of Australia in December and January led to one of the largest domestic deployments of the Australian Defence Force in our history. 1st Armoured Regiment formed part of this response, deploying to Kangaroo Island, South Australia to provide much needed disaster relief to the local community. The operation saw the Regiment deploy its Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV) and suite of support vehicles to support emergency services and the community by providing much needed relief and recovery. The opportunity to directly support the community during their time of need was an incredibly rewarding experience for the soldiers of the Regiment and we are proud to have been part of the response. AND BLOOD... The COVID-19 global pandemic has impacted our lives in ways that have not been seen for living generations. The isolating conditions imposed by the pandemic presented both challenges and opportunities in ensuring we remain connected and operationally sound. It has required different methods of training in order to maintain our proficiency while supporting the wellbeing of our people. The pandemic also saw the
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Regiment once again deploying as part of the Australian Defence Force’s provision of assistance to the Government of Victoria. At the time of writing, the Regiment remains deployed in Melbourne providing supporting the management of the COVID-19 outbreak in the state.
TO THE GREEN FIELDS BEYOND… As we reflect on the past year, we look to the future. The Royal Australian Armoured Corps stands on the cusp of a major recapitalisation of our Armoured Vehicle fleet in the coming years, including tank and combat reconnaissance vehicles. The Regiment must ensure we are well positioned and prepared for new capability introduction while remaining uncompromising on the standards we set to be ready now. 2020 has tested us in different ways and we look forward to the challenges that lie ahead and ensuring we live up to our motto to be ready.
