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Norforce exercise puts focus on skills

Robert DoughertyBroome Advertiser
Norforce Private Daniel Coppin and Private Kate Rankin take cover before a marksmanship test.
Camera IconNorforce Private Daniel Coppin and Private Kate Rankin take cover before a marksmanship test. Credit: Robert Dougherty

Under the cover of darkness camouflaged soldiers stalked through the Broome bush and photographed the Port of Broome last weekend.

West and East Kimberley members of Norforce roamed undetected through the town on August 12 and 13 as part of larger training exercises in the region involving more than 40 personnel.

Norforce Private Kate Rankin and Private Daniel Coppin take cover before a marksmanship test in Broome.
Camera IconNorforce Private Kate Rankin and Private Daniel Coppin take cover before a marksmanship test in Broome. Credit: Robert Dougherty

West Kimberley Squadron training warden officer Paul Harrison said Broome’s training mission was an excellent success, with members practising their radio communications, reconnaissance and surveillance skills.

“We started off with low level soldier skills at the Broome depot, then we advanced to a full mission profile at Demco Beach where the solders tactically moved into the location,” he said.

Members including personnel from Broome, Derby and Kununurra practised their rifle and light machine gun marksmanship and weapon-handling skills at the Department of Defence’s Broome rifle range.

Private Kate Rankin takes aim with a Minimi light machine gun during a marksmanship test at the Department of Defence’s Broome rifle range.
Camera IconPrivate Kate Rankin takes aim with a Minimi light machine gun during a marksmanship test at the Department of Defence’s Broome rifle range. Credit: Robert Dougherty

Others undertook an exercise near Fitzroy Crossing using shelter building, fire-making and survival techniques to bolster their Kimberley-focused training.

Private Daniel Coppin throws a M18 smoke grenade to screen movement during the operation in Broome.
Camera IconPrivate Daniel Coppin throws a M18 smoke grenade to screen movement during the operation in Broome. Credit: Robert Dougherty
Private Daniel Coppin throws a M18 smoke grenade to screen movement during the operation in Broome.
Camera IconPrivate Daniel Coppin throws a M18 smoke grenade to screen movement during the operation in Broome. Credit: Robert Dougherty
Private Daniel Coppin throws a M18 smoke grenade to screen movement during the operation in Broome.
Camera IconPrivate Daniel Coppin throws a M18 smoke grenade to screen movement during the operation in Broome. Credit: Robert Dougherty

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