Australian Air Defence Regiment Battery Malaysia DPR/TV/584

Canberra jet bombers soon to be used in Vietnam were the "enemy" force in exercise "Kangaroo Hop" in Malaysia's northern Kedah State. Aim of the exercise was to practise gunners of the 110 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, in air deployment techniques and to test the Canberras of No.2 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, in detecting camouflaged "enemy" positions. The heavy 40 mm Bofor anti-aircraft guns were airlifted from Butterworth to Alor Star by Royal Air Force transport aircraft, flown up from Singapore for the exercise. In sun-scorched padi fields the Australian artillerymen carefully camouflaged their guns against air detection. The Battery was situated around Alor Star airfield - location of the Royal Malaysian Air Force flying training school. Exercise "Kangroo Hop" immediately followed an exercise in Singapore which involved a strenuous 110 mile drive for the artillerymen. The 110th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery is commanded by Major Garth Hughes Brisbane, Queensland. It was formed at Woodside, South Australia in May 1965 came to Malaysia in June last year, relieving the 11th LAA Battery which had served at Butterworth during Indonesian confrontation. The Battery has number of National Servicemen serving with it.