Operation Foreign Legion: CMF mini war DPR/TV/1450

A Vietnam-style "text-book" operation will be carried out by a Citizen Military Forces unit early next month. The ambitious three-day airborne operation, code-named Foreign Legion, will be held by Headquarters Company of the 2nd Division, commanded by Major-General Eric Marshall. The HQ Company, commanded by Major Les Mechtler, will operate in the Singleton area after assembling at Greenhills and being air-lifted into their operational area by RAAF aircraft. More than 150 soldiers will take part in the operation. The RAAF will provide C-130 medium transports to carry armoured personnel carriers to Dochra airfield, near Singleton. Iroquois helicopters and Caribou transports will also carry troops into the area. One of the highlights of the exercise will be an assault landing of troops helicopters to secure the airfield at Dochra. This will be followed by the landing of the airborne armoured personnel carriers which will be used to carry out an attack on an enemy force. Engagement of enemy forces will take place under similar conditions to those that have been experienced by Australian troops in Vietnam. The exercise to be held on October 2, 3, and 4 will practise junior commanders and their troops in: Airborne movement and assault landings; Obtaining artillery support in operations; Use of gunships to assist ground assaults; Aerial medical evacuation ("dustoffs") and resupply by air; Tactics and basic requirements for ground operations. Hungarian-born Major Mechtler is well-known in Eastern Command for his enthusiasm and imaginative approach to military training.