When an alert signalled an incoming fire mission on the detachment commanders' display (DCD) of his M777A2 howitzer, Bombardier Bayley Little roused his gunners with "Fire mission! Take post!".
He checked the data and bellowed orders to bring the gun into action, loaded the ammunition, confirmed the lay of his gun, and fired.
The rapid movements, shouted catchwords and thunderous retort of the 155mm rounds may look chaotic from the outside, but to the knowing eye it is a well-rehearsed symphony of destruction.
The gunners from 1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, practised their devastating craft during Exercise Diamond Dagger, a 7th Brigade combined-arms live-fire activity held throughout May and June at Shoalwater Bay.
Nothing gets the blood pumping for Bombardier Little like a fire mission in full swing.
"Your adrenaline's through the roof," he said.
"When we get those big fire-for-effect missions, like 10- or 12-rounders or more, that's when people have some real fun."
The gunners of 104th Battery, to which Bombardier Little's 'Charlie Gun' belongs, were responsible for engaging danger-close fire missions in support of the brigade's combat teams.
'When we get those big fire-for-effect missions, like 10- or 12-rounders or more, that's when people have some real fun.'
Danger-close missions use advanced training safe distances, allowing rounds to be adjusted to within 350 metres of friendlies (or less depending on the degree of protection). These mission profiles are called in by a joint fires observer like Lance Bombardier Sebastian Astlinger, who integrated into infantry companies from 7th Brigade to ensure accurate delivery of fire.
Lance Bombardier Astlinger worked with the company headquarters to determine the coordinates, type of ammunition and timing of the fire to get the best effect.
Once all the technical data was confirmed, he said being up close to the shells dropping on their target was a great feeling.
"Watching the rounds land and seeing the smoke plumes come up, knowing it really has an impact when they see that supporting fire coming in for their attack," Lance Bombardier Astlinger said.
Back on the gun line, danger-close missions require extra precision. The slightest change in elevation or charge temperature can have significant consequences, according to Bombardier Little.
"Usually we have a .5 tolerance, so when the gun fires, it stays laid on the target. However, there is only a .2 tolerance for danger close, so you have to constantly check the lay key on the DCD," he said.
"The propellant needs to have the exact temperature loaded into the DCD, because that will affect the distance. If you're 5 degrees Fahrenheit out, you could drop short of the target, and with danger close you don't want that to happen."
'Your adrenaline's through the roof.'
During the exercise, 7th Brigade units achieved the Army Training Level 5 live-fire combat team certification, which 104th Battery Commander Major Stephen Bowles said was a major success.
"We were able to support five combat teams, including the Republic of Fiji Military Forces company, to achieve the same training levels," Major Bowles said.
"We provided Fiji with an Australian forward observer as well, allowing them to attack and defend as a combat team."
After the thunder had died away and the dust settled, soldiers were able to walk through the impact zone and see firsthand what well-placed artillery fire can do.
Bombardier Little said seeing the effects on the ground was the best part of the exercise.
"Seeing the destruction of what we did was insane. It was a warm and fuzzy to know that we can provide such an effect on the target," he said.
