Australian troops in exercise 'Knuckle Down' DPR/TV/1260

Preparations for the forthcoming five nation exercise, code-named Bersatu Padu, have started with a Battalion group exercise in Malaya for Singapore based troops. Centering around movement, deployment and counter-revolutionary warfare techniques, the exercise commenced with the establishment of a fire support base from which 108 Field Battery could provide support for infantry phases of the exercises. Soldiers of 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, gunners of 108 Battery and sappers of 2nd Field Troop combined in the Kota Tinggi training area in southern Malaya. As the first troops were moved into the area by RAF Whirlwind helicopters, they were greeted with sweltering conditions and flying tin tailings from the landing zone. Code-named Knuckle Down, this shakedown exercise was the first in which all Australian troops have taken part since the Force moved to Singapore three months ago. Exercise Bersatu Padu, to be staged in West Malaysia in June, is designed to train and exercise combined forces of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom under the conditions that would prevail after the United Kingdom withdrawal from the area. The troops quickly moved into the jungle in search of a Gurkha company which had been given the role of enemy for exercise. Knuckle Down. Tropical downpours hampered operations with strongly defended and protected positions making 1 RAR's task all the more difficult when the "enemy" was contacted. With the gurkha camp overrun, a thorough search of the area ended the first of a series of exercises for Australian troops preparing to take part in Bersatu Padu. Also identified: Craftsman Mike Bey of Blackburn, Vic; 2nd Lieutenant (2Lt) Barry Sydes of Lake Macquarie, NSW; Sergeant Peter Peddie of Swansea, NSW; 2Lt Des Wilmore of Broken Hill, NSW; Warrant Officer 2 Ken Phipps of Richmond, NSW; Sergeant John Stahtoures of East Brisbane, Qld; Private Leigh Court of Hilton, WA.