2nd Cavalry Regiment - Operation Catalyst

2nd Cavalry Regiment - Operation Catalyst (Iraq)

Operation Catalyst is Australia's Defence contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq. Operation Catalyst commenced on 16th July 2003 to follow-on from Operation Falconer.

Following the transition of sovereignty to the Interim Iraqi Government, the ADF continues to contribute to Multinational Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq and assist national recovery programs.

2 Cav soldiers - Iraq 2004
(www.news.com.au)

A security detachment of about 120 personnel, many from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment provide protection and escort for Australian Government personnel working in our Representative Office in Baghdad. The Security Detachment is also responsible for aspects of the protection of the Iraqi Army Training Team.

2 Cav soldiers - Iraq 2004
(www.news.com.au)

The regiment in recent times, has also seen its troops and vehicles deployed in places such as East Timor and most recently 2 Cav has provided some soldiers and vehicles as part of the Australian contribution of coalition forces in Iraq. These troops have been involved in providing patrols and convoy escort through the streets of Baghdad and recently (25/10/2004) were involved in an incident where an improvised explosive device (IOD) was exploded with resulting injuries to three 2nd Cavalry Regiment soldiers and to an ASLAV vehicle.

Aftermath of an IED explosion - damaged ASLAV - 25-10-2004
(www.news.com.au)

Damaged ASLAV - 25-10-2004
(www.news.com.au)

2 Cav Troops in Baghdad - 2 of them were injured in the 25-10-2004 explosion (but are ok!)
(www.news.com.au)

Aftermath of an IED explosion - damaged ASLAV - 25-10-2004
(www.news.com.au)

(www.army.gov.au)

Below are some articles from www.army.gov.au

New tasking allows 2 Cav Regt room to spread out its wings

2 Cav Regt ASLAVs in the Secdet troop departing the Australian Army Training Team Iraq’s position on a patrolling task.
Photo by Cpl Neil Ruskin, 1JPAU

From Cpl Damian Shovell in Iraq

NORTHERN Iraq: An ASLAV troop of from 2 Cav Regt is providing security to the Australian Army Training Team Iraq (AATTI) as it provides mentoring and advice to Iraqi Army recruits.

The troop is an additional part of the Secdet providing security to Australian embassy staff in Baghdad.

Troop Leader Lt Jeremy Smith said the troop’s job at AATTI is primarily area security through patrolling and in providing a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and mobility to nearby airfields.

He said the troop, which spent half of it’s tour of Iraq at the Secdet in Baghdad, welcomed the change of scenery and the tasks of patrolling in and outside of AATTI’s perimeter, and making cross country moves across Iraq’s open terrain.

“It’s good, it breaks up the tour for us and keeps us fairly fresh and we’re doing things more like what we train mostly for back in Australia,” he said.

He said the more traditional armoured corps’ role, troop environment and independent vehicle compound coupled with a slightly slower pace than in Baghdad, has proven a morale booster.

“We don’t have as many tasks on, but when we have tasks they’re over a different type of terrain, a longer distance and carry a different type of threat.

“We’re pretty much our own entity. We’ve got our own fitter armourer, vehicle mechanic and electrical technician – so we’ve got the ability to conduct our own repairs here.”

The troop at AATTI will rotate with each Secdet and include a handover where patrol routes and introductions to local contacts within security organisations and the Coalition will be passed on.

Lt Smith said the troop has developed an excellent working relationship with US Striker vehicle crews in the area and has used their facilities to conduct repairs.

“We’ve also used their ranges for an armoured shoot with the 25mm Bushmaster and the new Mk19 40mm grenade launcher.”

The Mk 19 is mounted on both the ASLAV-PC, using the Remote Weapon Station, and ASLAV-F variants within the troop.

Lt Smith said the Mk 19 was an excellent weapon and, combined with the 25mm Bushmaster, was especially suited to open terrain.

“It’s an excellent area suppressive weapon and it’s very accurate – especially on the Remote Weapon Station.

“But, because you don’t need to get rounds exactly on target [because of its lethal radius], it’s one of the better weapons we can use to suppress a threat.”

Lt Smith said although the troop has no direct influence on the training of the new Iraqi army, one added task the troop will soon have is providing overwatch during high-level training outside the compound.

He said contact with Iraqi trainees had been limited to occasions when the troop attended range shoots, where they received introductory training on the AK47.

Keeping your head down
RWS Offers under-armour protection

Looking down the barrel. A Secdet ASLAV-PC fitted with the Remote Weapon Station on patrol in Baghdad
Photo by Cpl Neil Ruskin, 1JPAU

From Cpl Damian Shovell in Iraq

BAGHDAD: For LCpl Mark Watson, a crew commander in one of SECDET’s four ASLAV-PCs fitted with the Remote Weapon Station (RWS), his deployment allows him to see an acquisition he helped trial, used on operations.

LCpl Watson, A Sqn, 2 Cav Regt, was involved in the first RWS trial-unit testing in Darwin at the beginning of the year and said having the RWS in Iraq is giving crew commanders an increased advantage.

“It gives the vehicle a bigger edge,” he said.

“Where before, the ASLAV-PC vehicle had the same weapon, with no real sighting system for it.

“With this, you can look down at your cross [on the sighting system] and that’s where your rounds will go.”

He said the main advantage the RWS offers is the increased targeting ability, with added crew protection second.

“It’s a lot easier [than the old pintle mount]. On the old mount you had to get up there and swing it around yourself, where as with this, you’re able to concentrate more on what’s going on and moving your thumb to move the weapon.”

He said the system would allow the commander to identify where he is being fired upon from, then sit down under armour and use the screen to sight and engage targets.

“Once you’ve acquired a target, it’s very accurate.”

The RWS also has a thermal system for night fighting.

The RWS is designed to take the MK19 automatic grenade launcher and .50 calibre machine gun, and changing between weapons is simple.

“You unhook a cable, take out the retaining pins, put the new weapon in and hook the cable back up.

“It retains the bore sight values for the old weapon and takes them over to the new weapon, so there is no need to re bore-sight the gun and there is also the potential to mount a Javelin on the side.”

LCpl Watson said RWS conversion training would take about a week.

“The system itself is very simple and has been designed for use by soldiers. If there is a problem it will tell you, which make things easier.”