107 Battery RAA Association

   ******Click Here for Battery Commander Report 2021*****

From the BC

I sympathise with the Rammers who find themselves disappointed and deflated at the cancellation of the reunion. Having just returned early from a second tour of Afghanistan I wasn’t in a position to attend, but very much looked forward to hearing of its success in the next Ramblings.

As a BC, I learned to disregard medical advice regarding my Rammers at great peril, and I often disappointed keen young Rammers eager to get back into the fight by enforcing their doctor’s advice. I can’t see why we’d take a different approach here. Just as importantly, I don’t think I could forgive myself if I were to discover that I had inadvertently passed on a deadly condition to one of my fellow Rammers at such an event.

The right choice has been made here, though I do understand it is very disappointing.
Look forward to that catch up we’ve promised one another the last few years!
Ubique

James

Update from 4 Regiment
Good afternoon Warren and Hilton,
 
The Regiment has had a busy year this year, mainly via non-gunnery tasks. We have had our people on operations and exercises around the globe: Afghanistan, The Philippines, PNG, Finland and Seattle. By far the most significant task was on our own doorstep - Op Flood Assist. The Regiment was the designated Response Force and carried out sterling work rescuing and housing civilians; protecting property; and, cleaning up. What made this different to other disaster responses was the fact that many of our own were also flood affected. Our first exercise of the year involved trialling new and exciting long range, precision guided ammunition at Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
 
Next year is a “readying year” for us, which means much significant gunnery related activity as well as more overseas activities. In the midst of all of this will be the 60th Anniversary Celebrations on the 1st and 2nd of May following immediately after your 107 Battery 50th Reunion co commemorate your deployment to Vietnam in April-May 1970. Supporting the Regimental Birthday will be the release of our Illustrated History of the Regiment that you have kindly supported with imagery from the 60s and 70s.
 
A merry and safe Christmas to you and your families and we hope to see you in the New Year.

 
Steve Wilson WO2
Unit Welfare Officer
4 Regt RAA
21st December 2019
 


 

From the Battery Commander, Major Chris Lingard - December 2018
As the year draws to close, I take this time to bring the members of the association up to date on the activities and accomplishments of 107 Bty during this eventful year.
2018 was exceptionally successful for the Bty, it encompassed several major exercise and activities. We began with Ex FIRST RUN which tested all members of the Bty in the application of technical gunnery procedures within a tactical scenario. This culminated in a CO/BC fire plan for the Bty.
Late March to early April saw 107 Bty personnel on Ex SSANG YONG held in the Republic of Korea (ROK) attached to 1 RAR in a Joint Relation Operation. This allowed the Bty to observe and participate in the planning and execution of amphibious operations whilst enabling opportunities to exchange subject matter expertise with the US Marine Corps (USMC) and the ROK Marine Corps.
This was followed by Ex CHAU PHA which comprised of high angle shooting and technical gunnery procedures. The exercise then transitioned into Ex BROLGA SPRINT which facilitated a Live Fire Exercise (LFX) supporting 3 BDE. This LFX consisted of Danger Close lane for five Combined Combat Teams from 1 RAR, 2 Cav, US Army, USMC, and the Japanese Self Defence Force (JSDF).
As the Regt began to transition into the ‘Reset’ phase of the Force Generation Cycle (FGC), members of the Bty attached to 3 RAR and 3 CER as OPFOR in order to support 7 BDE certification as the ‘Ready’ Combat Brigade during Ex HAMEL.
Running concurrently to the previous exercise’s detailed above, members of the Bty also participated in two rotations of Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB). ECN 255 and 254 members from the Bty also were sent as support on Ex RIMPAC, which was a combined live field training exercise that included operational and tactical level training in the Hawaiian and Southern California operating areas.  Members of the Bty also deployed to the Philippines in order to develop the Philipino Army’s Forward Air Controllers in Airspace deconfliction and offensive support Coordination.   
The remaining six months of the year saw the Regt assume its position in the ‘Reset’ phase of the FGC. The Bty conducted Ex SHEEP WHISPERER, a training week which took place at Cowley Beach Training Area. This consisted of Junior NCO’s development in leading, and training in basic communications. Our final activity of the year was Ex BLACK DAGGER which involved providing support to the ADF JTAC trainees whilst also conducting Regt range and course training. This saw 107 Bty detach personnel in order to support 109 and 106 Bty. Concurrently the remainder of the Bty conducted Infantry Minor Tactics training, acting as enemy party.
As the year came to an end the Regt conducted various sporting carnivals and challenges. The Bty proved once again its superiority, winning the Regt Athletics Carnival and the Cross Country. The Bty also placed extremely favourable in the Kingsford challenge coming first and second with the two sections entered. These victories have positioned the Bty extremely well in retaining the Champion Bty of the Regt. The Bty hopes to continue its high level of training and success into 2019.


 
Members of A Det conducting High angle shooting on Ex CHAU PHA at High Range.




 



 



 
Members of the Bty conducting Communications training at Cowley Beach training Area.




 
The Champion sections of the Kingsford Challenges.




 
107 Bty member on board the USS Bonhomme Richard
on Ex SSANG YONG.
Top row: GNR Bossman, LT Laufman, GNR Booth, GNR Beven, GNR Allen, GNR Findlay, GNR Dekuek, LBDR Leigh, GNR Dale.
Middle row: GNR Pawson, BDR Kingston, LT Brown, GNR  Judge, BDR Hamer, GNR Drew
Front row: LBDR Fazldeen , LBDR Hillhouse

Top row: GNR Bossman, LT Laufman, GNR Booth, GNR Beven, GNR Allen, GNR Findlay, GNR Dekuek, LBDR Leigh, GNR Dale.
Middle row: GNR Pawson, BDR Kingston, LT Brown, GNR  Judge, BDR Hamer, GNR Drew
Front row: LBDR Fazldeen , LBDR Hillhouse

Top row: GNR Beven, GNR Drew, LBDR Fazldeen,
Middle Row: BDR Hamer, GNR Findlay, GNR Booth, GNR Pawman, LBDR Leigh, GNR Allen




 
107 Bty Awards 2018
At the Bty function the following awards were presented by Mr. Brett Armstrong representing 107 Battery Association and former BSM of 107 Battery 2005-06, to the soldiers on behalf of the association




 
Most outstanding Soldier  GNR Michael Neilson
BC Major Chris Lingard, Brett Armstrong, GNR Michael Neilson & acting BSM SGT Mick Saliba.




 
Most proficient JNCO BDR Mitch Hamer
BC MAJOR Chris Lingard, Brett Armstrong, BDR Mitch Hamer, and acting BSM SGT Mick Saliba.




 
Best Detachment  A Detachment, BDR Ben Kingston
BC MAJOR Chris Lingard, Brett Armstrong, BDR Ben Kingston, and acting BSM SGT Mick Saliba.



 
Best Signaller  GNR Hayden Farrier

BC MAJOR Chris Lingard, Brett Armstrong, GNR Hayden Farrier, and acting BSM SGT Mick Saliba



Other Awards Included;
Best Officer
LT Stacy Brown
Best SNCO
SGT Michael Saliba
Best 254 Artillery Command Systems Operator - OpCP
GNR Keegan Valencic
Best 255 Artillery Observer - FO Ack   
GNR Michael Neilson  
Best 162 Driver  
GNR Corey Judge
Best Sportsman
BDR Ben Kingston
Best Driver
GNR Peter Booth