Darwin and Adelaide based 102nd and 103rd Batteries from 8th/12th Medium Regiment participated in combined arms team training activities whilst on Exercise PREDATOR’S STRIKE. The activities on the exercise involved the utilisation of Joint Fires Teams that were on the ground to determine targets for the artillery guns to fire upon. The 8th/12th MED REGT elements have performed approximately 15 fire missions per day as part of the Combined Arms Training on the 1st Brigade exercise and have utilised these practices to prepare for the upcoming Exercise HAMEL 12 which will see these fire missions put to the test in a simulated operation designed to certify 1st Brigade’s deployability.

1st Catering Company, part of 1st Combat Service Support Battalion have deployed their tactical field kitchen capability into the field for the first time as part of Exercise PREDATOR’S STRIKE. Formed in October 2011 as a way of consolidating the previously separated catering capabilities, 1st Catering Company form a deployable kitchen that has the ability to feed a larger scale force hot meals in the field. 1st Catering Company currently provides up to 7500 meals daily for Exercise PREDATOR’S STRIKE; however this will increase to approximately 12,000 as the 1st Brigade transitions into Exercise HAMEL 12.