Australian Defence Force training exercise in Geraldton involves 180 personnel and 50 vehicles

Geraldton will resemble a garrison city this week, with 180 soldiers from Perth’s security response task unit deployed north as part of a major training operation.

The Australian Defence Force convoy of personnel, equipment, weaponry and 50 vehicles — including armoured and logistics vehicles — arrived in Geraldton on Monday for the week-long exercise.

The personnel are from Perth’s 13th Brigade’s security response task unit, in Geraldton to test out a range of scenarios, patrol the streets and work with other agencies.

Task unit commanding officer Lt Col. Alex Davidson said people in Geraldton should feel confident in approaching the ADF.

“The purpose is to test the task unit’s ability to secure and protect critical infrastructure,” he said.

“People in Geraldton can expect to see soldiers walking down the streets, patrolling, interacting with the population, asking questions and they should do the same to us.

“The big thing for us, to be good at our job at providing security, we have to have the trust of people in the community. So, we look forward to people engaging with us.

“Just because there will be soldiers in uniform carrying all their equipment, we hope people aren’t shy in coming up to us.”

One of the first mock scenarios dealt with on Tuesday morning involved a group of pretend protesters with placards antagonising the guards at the Pilbara Regiment barracks, sparking jeers from passersby.

The ADF will be based at the Lester Avenue barracks as well as the Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station, about 30km east of Geraldton in Kojarena.

The ADF’s zodiac inflatable boats will be used around the port, while drone-like unmanned aerial vehicles are set to be deployed out towards the satellite station.

Lt Col. Davidson warned there was potential for noise from simulated, blank gunfire, but that it would be short in duration if it occurred.

“Geraldton was chosen (for this exercise), first of all, because the 13th Brigade has historical links to Geraldton. But also having the defence facility inland is nice and handy,” he said.

“This is a good test for our communications and logistics to be tested from Perth. Geraldton will be a good challenge for my team.”

Lt Col. Davidson said training exercises had been conducted remotely before, but probably not to this scale.

The ADF is in town until Sunday, June 15.

The community is invited to come along meet the ADF, ask them questions and check out some of their gear and vehicles at a public event on the foreshore on Friday, June 13 between 2pm and 5pm.