An air traffic control tower (ATC) had been taken by enemy forces. The flight of armed Air Force security forces had to take it back.
This was a scenario 2 Security Forces Squadron (2SECFOR) faced on Exercise Nomad Walk, a blank-fire urban activity rehearsing quick reaction force operations with integrated vehicles, small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and military working dogs (MWD).
The ATC tower was a building in the urban operations training facility at the Singleton military area, with other structures also used to simulate infrastructure around an airfield.
The section wrestled back control of the ATC tower, but also had to clear the area of assailants. Enter the R-70 SkyRanger and Black Hornet UAS for layered intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Corporal Dillon Walker, who had recently been promoted to section commander, referred to the training facility as an urban complex. He described how they deployed the Hornet as forward reconnaissance.
"It flew through the numerous buildings, with the R-70 UAS observing at a higher altitude, and gave us a cursory picture of the enemy footprint in the complex we were about to clear," Corporal Walker said.
"It made the drills much more fluid for the assaulting party, because they were able to punch through the areas they deemed low threat - still with security, but they could then move to where they last saw the enemy."
MWDs were used to help clear rooms in the complex.
"The MWD would walk into a courtyard with multiple rooms, sniff a door and sit - and straightaway you knew there was something it wanted you to see," Corporal Walker said.
"Rather than kicking down every door and having the potential for anything to happen, whether it be booby traps or contacts, we had this asset that was so handy and efficient."
'If the section succeeds, then the squadron succeeds and it's very rewarding.'
As well as Nomad Walk, 2SECFOR conducted the integrated live fire exercise Crack Thump 3 from May 18-23.
2SECFOR Airbase Defence Element Commander, Squadron Leader Dominic Haynes, said the exercises prepared aviators to secure airfields effectively.
"This type of training is critical to our unit's preparedness and ability to employ various use of force options that contribute to the sustained projection of air power," Squadron Leader Haynes said.
"Our training progression is scaled across the threat spectrum; from employing our capabilities in permissive through to uncertain and hostile environments, with each stage assured in blank and live-fire environments."
The exercises were conducted as part of the lead up to Exercise Talisman Sabre, where 2SECFOR will deploy across multiple areas of operation.
Corporal Walker said that if they trained for scenarios made as complex as possible, they would be ready for anything.
"There's not a lot of people who want to do this, or even can do this," he said.
"We have chosen this line of work and can effectively impact in this area. If you can be an asset why wouldn't you?"
The most enjoyable part of the training for him was witnessing his team improve with each run through.
Corporal Walker was especially proud of his section's growth during Nomad Walk, 'putting in the reps' to make their responses more effective with each scenario.
"If the section succeeds, then the squadron succeeds and it's very rewarding," he said.
Squadron Leader Haynes said seeing the aviators thrive in a challenging training environment - and enjoy it - was a rewarding experience as a commander.
"I've been at the unit for three years, and in that time I've watched the unit become far more capable, resilient, and prepared to provide the Air Force with a well-rounded and skilled capability," he said.
