Artillery airlift DPR/TV/837

Helicopters - the aerial pack-horses for Australian Army personnel training in Malaysia - are now taking part in a large-scale Commonwealth manoeuvre in Johore State. The exercise code-named "All Black" involves units of the 28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade based at Terendak Garrison in Malacca State. Major Australian units in the brigade are 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, and 107 Field Battery, Royal Australian Artillery. Other troops involved from the Brigade are members of the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry and 1st Battalion, The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. 8 RAR is being practised in the techniques associated with search and destroy operations. "All Black" was launched in the Mersing area on Johore's north-east coast. The manoeuvre later shifted inland into steamy mountainous jungle. Royal Air Force Belvedere helicopters joined 107 Battery for training in air mobility and portability. The battery, moving in support of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, was flown by the Bellvederes to an otherwise inaccessible jungle hilltop in the exercise area. In less than three hours, six 105-millimetre Pack Howitzers, ammunition, rations, the battery's personnel, a Land Rover and trailer were lifted out on the 12-minute flight from a rubber plantation. Battery Commander, Major George Barnard of Lismore, NSW, said that he had wanted to simulate the same problems for the battery as occur in Vietnam. He said he was pleased with the battery's performance during the exercise. (Also identified: Bombardier Graham Woodward of Cronulla, NSW)