The Australian Border Force’s (ABF) Maritime Border Command (MBC) has just concluded a successful two-week, joint agency border protection training exercise on the Mid-West coast of Western Australia.
The planning and preparation for the training exercise included involvement from the WA Police Force, Australian Federal Police and ABF-WA, and was a key element of Rotation 7 for the Regional Force Surveillance Group (RFSG), an Army Regiment assigned to MBC.
Based out of Geraldton, the RFSG made excellent use of their assets such as small craft called Regional Patrol Craft (RPC), Ground Support Radar (GSR), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), shore foot patrols and numerous four and six wheel drive vehicles to enhance their capability within the objectives of the training exercise to protect Australia’s borders.
A number of commercial ships in Geraldton harbour and anchorages were boarded and inspected by the ABF during the exercise. There was also significant community engagement, which included visits to several schools in the district.
Commander MBC, Rear Admiral Lee Goddard, CSC RAN said the success of the training exercise tested and demonstrated the capability of inter-agency surveillance and response at any point along the WA coast, and at any time.
“The level of co-operative engagement between ABF, ADF, WA Police Force and AFP this past fortnight has exceeded expectations on many levels,” RADM Goddard said.
“From a tactical and operational level, training exercises like this greatly enhance our common goal of protecting remote coastlines from potential civil maritime security threats as well as increase community awareness of border protection activities.
“Whether it be the movement of illicit drugs or illegal foreign fishing and other civil maritime security threats, MBC is committed to protecting Australia’s maritime environment and defending our borders.”
