Historical information

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.

Significance

Rare example of an assessment prepared by a trooper in a Victorian Citizen Military Forces regiment during an exercise in Northern Territory.

Physical description

Typed assessment of the performance of armoured vehicles during Exercise "Northern Explorer" in September 1988. Document is titled "A Veh Ops in the Tindal AO" prepared by Trooper D J Pratt 1 Troop A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. Three pages dated 22 September 1988.