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For the past two weeks 140 members of the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers, an Australian Army Light Armoured Regiment consisting mainly of part-time soldiers, left their occupations and homes to conduct Exercise Lightning Ridge Charge west of the Ridge.
The Lancers, descended from the 12th Light Horse Regiment that charged victoriously at Beersheda in World War I, hail from Maitland to the borders, including soldiers fromt he Walgett Shire. Mick Thomsen, a Police Sergeant from Walgett, is also a Troop Sergeant in the Regiment.
The Commanding Officer of the Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Chayko, said that the Exercise would not have been possible without the generous co-operation of landholders who provided their country for “Lightning Charge”. We ended up with Australia’s largest military training area, in excess of 200,000 acres ideal for the manoeuvre of light armoured fighting vehicles”.
Landholders who provided access were: Bill and Liz Powell, Morella; Dave and Mardi Remond, Morendah; Tim and Sandy Remond, Karinga; Ben Shearer, Aitken; and Wayne and Judy Newton, Malabar.
The Regiment used the country to great effect to achieve training objectives in armoured reconnaissance and protected troop lift in order to fulfil its operational role to provide elements to reinforce the Regular Army. Training was conducted in the aging but capable Vietnam era M113 light armoured fighting vehicle.
In addition to landholders the 12th/16th Hutner River Lancers are grateful for the assistance and co-operation of the Dharriwaa Elders Group, the Department of Lands and Water Conservation and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The Regiment followed strict environmental and cultural guidelines to ensure that impact on the land was minimised.
Exercise Lightning Charge provided a boost to the local economy with over $40,000 spent within the Shire on fuel, fresh food and hardware in under two weeks.
The Lancers are committed to multi-national exercises this year. However, the warm welcome and generosity of the Lightning Ridge, Walgett and district community has provided a compelling case for the Regiment to return in 2004.
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