Daughter requests information

Sad news, I have been informed today of the passing in February of Adrian Peter Jasse. Adrian was a veteran of 1 RAR’s first tour of Vietnam (Signals Platoon).

If anyone remembers serving with Adrian his daughter Sandie would love to hear from you. Please contact her at [email protected]

 

Army personnel complete Boxer turret conversion courses

From Defence Connect

Armoured cavalry crew have secured new qualifications on Army’s next-generation combat vehicles.

Thirty-five armoured cavalry crew are now qualified to operate new digital sensors, thermal sights and mission systems fixed to turrets on Army’s next-generation Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles (CRV), after completing two conversion courses in Queensland.

The courses, which form part of the Commonwealth government’s LAND 400 Phase 2 project, aim to support the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) Australian Light Armoured Vehicle crew’s transition to the Boxer fleet.

The conversion courses were developed as part of a collaboration between the Australian Army, the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group and LAND 400 Phase 2 prime contractor Rheinmetall Defence Australia.

“Together, we have trained the first generation of Boxer commanders and gunners in remarkably short timeframes, despite the challenges of COVID-19. Overall the vehicle performed above expectations,” Commanding Officer of 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Tom McDermott, said.

“The accuracy of the MK30 cannon and co-axial machine-gun is very impressive.”

The 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment has also conducted live fire exercises in the Townsville Field Training Area since the Boxer CRV’s introduction.

The exercises have involved target practice with the MAG-58 Machine Gun, digitised 30mm turret training, and the firing of smoke canisters from the Boxer’s Grenade Launching System.

Since commencing the exercises, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment is estimated to have fired over 7,800 rounds of 30mm ammunition and a further 35,000 rounds of 7.62mm through the coaxial machine gun.

Officer Commanding A Squadron, Major Dan Solomon, lauded the vehicle’s weapons systems.

“The Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle is far more capable, mobile, better protected and enabled than the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle it is replacing,” he said.

“With the increased range of the gun and greater optics package in the turret, the lethality is far greater, allowing us to achieve greater stand-off from our targets.

“The Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle is on its way to being one of the greatest armoured fighting vehicles in the world, and it’s a privilege to be part of the journey of the Boxer’s introduction into use.”

The 1RAR Brisbane Old Boys Monthly luncheon

The next luncheon will be on Sunday 28 November 21, at the Gaythorne RSL.

The lunch is open to all EX 1 RAR members, your families and friends.

If you are attending, would you please RSVP by Thursday 25 November 21.

Please, RSVP to Paul Anderson at [email protected]

or Andrew Skinner at [email protected]

Date: 28 November 2021

Time: 12:00pm

Location: Gaythorne RSL

534 Samford Road

Mitchelton, QLD 4053

Why Veterans Reunite

“I now know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite.  Not to tell stories or look at old pictures.  Not to laugh or weep.  Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who once acted at their best; men who suffered and sacrificed together, who were stripped of their humanity.  I did not pick these men.  They were delivered by fate and the military. But I know them in a way I know no other men.

I have never given anyone such trust.  They were willing to guard something more precious than my life.  They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me.  It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another.  

As long as I have memory, I will think of them all, every day.  I am sure that when I leave this world, my last thought will be of my family and my comrades…Such good men.”

By an unnamed Soldier