3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment in Townsville, Queensland | Government organisation

3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Locality: Townsville, Queensland

Address: Kapyong Lines, Lavarack Barracks 4813 Townsville, QLD, Australia

Website: http://3-rar-ri-store.square.site

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25.01.2022 On the 24th of April 1951 - 69 years ago, the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment fought the Battle of Kapyong which showcased the Battalion's character and reptutation contributing to their title "Old Faithful". In the Kapyong Valley in Korea 2,800 coalition forces comprising Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and United States Defence Forces successfully defended a 10,600 strong Chinese offensive from the PVA 118th Division. In true 3 RAR spirit, Old Faithful succe...ssfully held high terrain across three days, halting the continuous Chinese attacks. With both Alpha and Bravo Company facing encirclement, the tenacity of 3 RAR persisted and the forward positions maintained the defensive line. For this action, Old Faithful was awarded a US Presidential Citation and the battle honour for Kapyong. Whilst the Battalion could not come together to commemorate and reflect on this significant occassion, the CO and RSM took the opportunity to pause and reflect those who forged the name Old Faithful, engage with our veteran community in person and over the phone, and promote our latest JNCOs. #OldFaithful #StrongerTogether

24.01.2022 Good luck to the #OldFaithful team in the "Mud Run" tomorrow!! Looks like it will be a great day. 3rd Brigade - Australian Army

24.01.2022 #oldfaithful has hit the ground running on Operation COVID-19 Assist, deploying to Cairns, New South Wales and Victoria to support the whole of government response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Our soldiers and officers have been working side by side with government agencies on a wide range of tasks, including border control point operations and support to quarantine measures. #GoodSoldiering #DutyFirst

24.01.2022 #OnThisDay || 50 years ago the name of #AusArmy officially changed from Australian Military Forces to Australian Army. We are Australia's Army - making a difference everywhere we serve, every day. #GoodSoldiering

22.01.2022 #OldFaithful = Life Governor 597. This recognition coincided with the Battalion farewelling the Colonel Commandant MAJGEN Mark Kelly a few months ago. MAJGEN Kelly was Colonel Commandant of The Royal Australian Regiment from 2011-2019 and has been replaced by MAJGEN Shane Caughey. #DutyFirst #TheRoyalAustralianRegimentFoundation

22.01.2022 Yesterday saw the handover of command of #OldFaithful from LTCOL Michael Kearns to LTCOL Gerard Kearns. In addition RSM Andrew Munn handed over the pacestick to RSM Adam West. Over the last two years 3 RAR has transitioned from a Standard Infantry Battalion to a Mechanised Infantry Battlegroup and is poised to be at the fore of 3 Brigades Readying Year and soon to become Armys Ground Combat Element as part of the Amphibious Task Group. An exciting 2020 awaits!! Also the outgoing CO had the honour of promoting a large number of JNCO/SNCO/Officer as well as issuing some incredibly well deserved commendations and other honours and awards. #MechanisedInfantry 3rd Brigade - Australian Army

21.01.2022 Suicide prevention remains a global challenge, this is why we need mark World Suicide Prevention Day. Take time to notice and ask "what's going on?" with your family, friends, colleagues & yourself. If you or someone you know needs support contact one of the services below.

20.01.2022 Last week the CO - LTCOL Gerard Kearns and RSM - WO1 Adam West, DSM had the distinct privilege of recognising those who have proudly served and continue to achieve exceptional feats for Old Faithful within the veteran community. Bob Bakkers and John Mitchell are the 3 RAR Museum Curators. The pair took the reigns of the museum after the Battalion relocated to Townsville and do an exceptional job showcasing Old Faithfuls history! They were presented the Battalions new polo s...hirt to proudly wear to work and in the community. The CO, RSM, and a team of our junior leaders additionally hosted and thanked Mr. Bob Dabinett, OAM for his devotion and hard work as the President of the 3 RAR Association. Bob is a well known face within the Battalion, always engaging and chatting with the men and women of the unit when he visits. The gifted Battalion flag will always be a reminder of Old Faithfuls gratitude for your work within the Unit and our veteran community. #OldFaithful #StrongerTogether

20.01.2022 Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, Royal Pacific Islands Regiment and Old Faithful line up to conduct Advanced Weapon Handling training and PL Defensive Live Fire in conjunction with the Extended Range Machine Gun training. A stand out event for Exercise Wantok Warrior.

20.01.2022 Today commemorates the formation of #OldFaithful's predecessor, the 67th Australian Infantry Battalion. The 67th Battalion was originally formed on 20 Oct 1945 to be part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan after World War II. The Battalion was re-designated the 3rd Battalion in November 1948, and became part of the Royal Australian Regiment officially in March 1949. #DutyFirst

19.01.2022 75 years young today! Old Faithful would like to wish all members, past and present, a Happy 75th Birthday. The day was made memorable by a visit from the Colonel Commandant of the Royal Australian Regiment, Major General Shane Caughey AM, CSC, and the re-raising of Delta Company. 3 RAR currently has members in the Middle East, Papua New Guinea, OP Resolute, and across Australia on Operation COVID-19 Assist who are celebrating this milestone in compliance with the operational... environment we are working in. The Battalion was raised on 20th October 1945, as the 67th Battalion, 34th Infantry Brigade. The 67th Battalion was formed from 2nd AIF personnel of the 3rd, 6th, and 11th Divisions. After concentrating on the island of Morotai, Dutch East Indies, the 34th Brigade moved to Japan and joined the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) in February 1946. The Battalion then went on to earn itself an incredibly rich history, deploying to Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq, the Solomon Islands, and Afghanistan and was directly responsible for earning 13 of the 17 Battle Honours proudly displayed on the Royal Australian Regiment’s Colours today. The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment turns 75 years old today, with our fighting men and women ready, agile, and always Faithful. Pivtured: 3 RAR with attachments from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment and the 4th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery before stepping off on Operation COVID-19 Assist in Townsville, August 2020

18.01.2022 Ex WANTOK WARRIOR continues to enable partnered training, mateship and trust. PNGDF Maritime EOD and #3CER Divers have been honing their skills together over the last seven days. Awesome!! 2nd Battalion, Royal Pacific Islands Regiment 3rd Brigade - Australian Army Forces Command - Australian Army Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea

17.01.2022 The last 7 days have been a busy few for Old Faithful with several training activities occurring across the Sub-Units. Alpha Company spent the week refining their section SOPs through a live fire section defence range. Bravo Company conducted AMO training ... with 5 AAvn, ensuring their insertion is always swift regardless of platform. Charlie Company spent the week at the Jungle Training Wing in Tully. This enabled them to utilise the CH-47 Chinook to insert and conduct familiarisation training. The week concluded with Brigadier (Retd.) George Mansford speaking to and socialising with the team. Support Company continued on with specialist basic courses in barracks to instruct new skills and train their new specialist soldiers for the platoons. Admin Company continued servicing our fleet of M113s ready for the upcoming exercises whilst also conducting drivers courses. Its been a busy yet rewarding week for Old Faithful as we continue to ensure we are ready when required. #OldFaithful #AlwaysReady

17.01.2022 Fantastic to see both Minister for Defence's Soloma (PNG) and Reynolds (AUS) and East Sepik Provincial Governor Bird visit Ex WANTOK WARRIOR last weekend. They were able to see first hand the great work being done by #OldFaithful and #PrideOfTheNorth and also be there for the official opening of Camp Key. 3rd Brigade - Australian Army Forces Command - Australian Army 2nd Battalion, Royal Pacific Islands Regiment

15.01.2022 Welcome to Townsville from #OldFaithful BRIG Fegan. It's great to see a former 3 RAR Officer take the reins of 3rd Brigade - Australian Army. BRIG Winter thank you for your continued support and we wish you all the best in the USA. The Brigade is Ready Now through your Combined Arms leadership. #MechanisedInfantry

15.01.2022 Ex Wantok Warrior 2019 has been another example of Army pulling together and Combat Teaming, for an effect greater than the sum if its parts. Although built upon the structure of C Coy, 3 RAR special thanks is extended to our enablers and reinforcements from across Old Faithful, 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, 3rd Combat Signal Regiment, 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion - Australian Army from 3rd Brigade - Australian Army; 1st Military Police Battalion from 6th Brigade, 1st Close Health Battalion - Australian Army, 2nd General Health Battalion, 3rd Health Support Battalion and 10th Force Support Battalion - Australian Army from 17th Sustainment Brigade - Australian Army, Emergency Physician support from the Royal Australian Navy and lift provided by the Royal Australian Air Force.

15.01.2022 #OldFaithful is delighted to have had so many esteemed members of the Battalion, both past and present recognised in the Australia Day Honours and Awards. From a junior leader through to a previous Regimental Sergeant Major, an Officer Commanding and a Commanding Officer. The 3rd Battalion looks to those who have gone before us and who have upheld the highest traditions of the Australian Army, we commend not only their exemplary performance, but all who have been recognised t...his Australia Day CPL Lachlan Mitchell BRIG Wade Stothart DSC, AM, CSC LTCOL Judd Finger CSC WO1 Andrew Shore OAM, CSM #3BDE #AlwaysReady See more

15.01.2022 Great work CAPT (Johnny) Moulton!! An awesome Liaison Officer between #PrideOfTheNorth and #OldFaithful over the last two years. Thanks for all your efforts - they are much appreciated. #PNGDF #MechanisedInfantry 3rd Brigade - Australian Army

14.01.2022 Keep an eye out over the skies of Townsville tonight and tomorrow night to catch Bravo Company conducting Air Mobile Operations (AMO) with the 5th Aviation Regiment - Australian Army. Training opportunities such as this ensures Old Faithful is capable of deploying through a variety of means and platforms such as the MRH-90 Taipan. #StrongerTogether... #OldFaithful See more

14.01.2022 With advanced elements arriving prior, the bulk of the 3 RAR BG came ashore in Dili 20 years to the day - 21 Sep 1999. #OldFaithful remained in East Timor until Feb 2000 and played a key role in the Australian led International Force for East Timor (INTERFET). #DutyFirst 3rd Brigade - Australian Army

14.01.2022 "I feel I should mention the Apple Orchard when our youngest troops, those young fellows in C Company who, in their first encounter, went "up the Guts" with fixed bayonets. It was fortunate there were so few casualties, very fortunate. When the bullets are flying they are all big battles." - 3 RAR Korea veteran Max Eberle. Another important day in Old Faithful's history books, The Battle of Yongju or 'The Battle of The Apple Orchard' was fought with nothing but rifles, bayonets and grenades and resulted in the dislodging of an enemy Battalion. For its actions, the Regiment was awarded the Battle Honour Yongju, now proudly displayed on the Regimental Colours.

14.01.2022 An incredibly busy few weeks of competition for #OldFaithful - Brigade Cross-Country Champions; Second in Brigade Military-Skills Competition and Brigade Obstacle Course; and Third in the RAR Duke Of Gloucester Cup. In addition the Battalion smashed the NQ Army "Mud Run"!! Well done to all involved and also well done to Support Company Battalion Swim and Cross-Country Champions, whilst also seeing teams represent the Battalion in a large number of sports - all this with over a third of the Unit away from Townsville on various commitments!!

14.01.2022 EXERCISE LONG KHANH 2020 Old Faithful has done it again! On Monday afternoon, Combat Team Bravo put on a masterclass in Combined Arms Live Fire. With support from across the Brigade, K20 executed a combat team deliberate attack, complete with a joint fire plan, live breach, tank attack by fire, and helicopter CASEVAC.... Watch below to witness the culmination of months of planning, training, and synchronisation to ensure the attack was conducted to the highest safety standards while providing our team with the best possible training. Thanks to all our supporting units - we couldn't have done it without you! To the team banging it in on the ground - enjoy the accolades, you've done us all proud. #GoodSoldiering #OldFaithful

11.01.2022 Wantok to Wantok, friend to friend. The #ADF has been partnering with #PNGDF for 40 years & we will be together for another 40 years & beyond. Our annual Exerci...se #WantokWarrior at Moem Barracks with 2nd Royal Pacific Island Regiment & 3 RAR training as a single, fully integrated force #CampKey #PNGAusPartnership #PNG #PacificStepUp #PNGDF by Gary Ramage, Newscorp See more

09.01.2022 A chance encounter at the East Sepik Provisional Administrator's Office in Wewak led to an invitation for soldiers from Ex Wantok Warrior to join in with the Provincial Garamut (drum) and Mambo (flute) festival. A great exposure to the cultural groups of the East Sepik as they compete to represent the region later this year. Something the team will not forget.

09.01.2022 Teamwork, makes the dream work. The 3 RAR Task Unit comprises of many different uniforms and units. We're working beside our brothers and sisters in the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force on Operation COVID-19 Assist, utilising a broad range of skills from the Tri-Services.

09.01.2022 Throughout the course of this week, Anti Armoured Platoon - K61 are running qualification shoots for the men and women of Old Faithful. The weapons being fired are the 84mm Carl Gustav and the 12.7mm .50 Cal Machine Gun. It is important for members of the unit to continually learn new skills and subsequently the employment of new weapon systems. #OldFaithful... #AlwaysReady See more

08.01.2022 From the archive: 24 September 1999 - 3RAR during a cordon and search operation in Dili, East Timor supported by ASLAV's from 2CAV

08.01.2022 They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will ...remember them. Lest we forget #WeRememberThem #RemembranceDay

07.01.2022 3 RAR Champion Unit 2019 in the 3rd Brigade - Australian Army Commander's Trophy, retaining the title the Battalion won last year. The last few weeks has also seen #OldFaithful win the Bde Athletics Carnival and the Rugby GF vs 2 RAR. #MechanisedInfantry #LeadingTheWay

07.01.2022 We're back! Old Faithful doing what we do best - Combined Arms live fire. The integration of dismounts, Armoured Personnel Carriers and Main Battle Tanks is a a fundamental skill that our Combat Teams have been rehearsing and putting into practice this week. To say we've been busy is an understatement. All three rifle companies have been put through their paces during Exercise Brolga Run, with help from Support and Admin Company detachments.... Watch this space, it will all come together through more Combined Arms live fire action during Exercise Long Khanh, coming soon... #GoodSoldiering #OldFaithful

06.01.2022 While C Company was in Papua New Guinea conducting Ex Wantok Warrior, the remainder of #OldFaithful was busy at High Range Training Area. A Combat Team level activity for A and B Coy including Platoon level live fire, Exercise Kapyong Warrior enabled both Sub-Unit's to hone their combined arms skills. In addition, SPT Coy capabilities were deployed to both support the Rifle Coy's and conduct independent live fire of their own. #MechanisedInfantry #CombinedArms 3rd Brigade - Australian Army

06.01.2022 As Ex Wantok Warrior 19 draws towards an end we reflect over 75 years of Australian and PNG Wantok. We have been fortunate to participate in a number of ceremonial events with our PNGDF partners including the naming of Camp Key, generation of CPLs, refurbishment of a WW2/independence monument, commemoration of the 74th anniversary of the Surrender of General Adachi to Australian Troops at Kiarivu Village followed by the 74th anniversary of the surrender ceremony at Cape Wom. Today culminated with the 44th anniversary of PNG independence. On each occasion we have learnt something new, furthering our understanding of the depth of the special relationship shared by PNG and Aust.

06.01.2022 As State and Federal governments ease restrictions, it has allowed Old Faithful to recommence our training up to section level. This week saw sections undertake the Individual Soldier Challenge to test their basic soldier skills. The key subject matters tested were care of the casualty, navigation, and weapon handling. The Battalion additionally took the opportunity to train our M113-AS4 crews. The training incorporated various driving and servicing activities, ensuring they... remain current on the platform. It is important for the Battalion to continually train our teams within restrictions so we remain current and ready to respond when required. #OldFaithful #MechanisedInfantry #AlwaysReady

05.01.2022 #OldFaithful welcomed outgoing Commander 3rd Brigade at the Madden Club for the final time last week. BRIG Scott Winter presented a number of Joint Operations Command commendations from the 2019 Townsville Floods, promoted a few JNCO's and, presented a number of other honours and awards before being farewelled by the CO. 3rd Brigade - Australian Army

05.01.2022 With the last payday before the Battalion Ball arriving, now is a great time to buy your tickets through the online store! http://3rar-regimental-institute.square.site

04.01.2022 Old Faithful is fortunate to be supported by The Sallyman - Greg Curnow and has been for quite some time. The Sallyman provides support to our members, their families and our veterans on base, in the field, and on operations. Whether it be a warm brew or a cup of cordial, the Sallyvan can always be relied upon. As a result of recent restrictions, the annual Red Cross Door Appeal has gone digital for the first time in their efforts to fundraise for the greater Townsville regi...on. It is now our turn to repay the generosity and support through #OperationSallyvan. You can support the fundraiser by: 1. Personal donations to the appeal via the link: https://digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au/3rarsallymang 2. Personally sharing this link with family and friends via social networks and/or email. 3. Personally signing up as a volunteer collector, via the Join us section of the appeal website. #OldFaithful #OperationSallyvan

03.01.2022 Certificates of training are being finalised for issue by 2nd Battalion, Royal Pacific Islands Regiment, enabling the small arms shooting packages conducted during Ex Wantok Warrior 2019 to be captured for future training. The Extended Range Machine Gun training and PL Defensive Live Fire saw the Urimo Military Training area host the first live fire activity since 1993. However the Advanced Weapons Handling range and train the trainer at Moem Barracks was the clear favourite. Thanks 1st Close Health Battalion - Australian Army, 2nd General Health Battalion, 3rd Health Support Battalion and our friends from the Royal Australian Navy for making this possible.

02.01.2022 The last week has seen the highly successful conduct of Exercise Southern Tiger, a bi-lateral training opportunity for #OldFaithful with the 7th Royal Ranger Regiment. An exciting opportunity to conduct #MechanisedInfantry and dismounted specialist skills with the Malaysian Armed Forces.

01.01.2022 Today #OldFaithful commemorated the Battle of Maryang San with the privilege of having COL Peter Scott, DSO (the Battalion Intelligence Officer at Maryang San) as the Principal Guest. The annual '3 Peaks Run' was followed by breakfast in the Madden Club where various presentations and promotions took place. A short Memorial Service then took place to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the battle; an important chapter in 3 RAR's deep and rich history. #HonourThePast

01.01.2022 "In this action 3 RAR had won one of the most impressive victories achieved by any Australian battalion. In five days of heavy fighting 3 RAR dislodged a numerically superior enemy from a position of great strength." - Robert O'Neill, official historian for the Korean War. This week we remember the Battle of Maryang-San, fought during the Korean War by the 3 RAR from the 5th-8th of October, 1951. After 5 days of heavy fighting on mountainous terrain, the enemy withdrew leaving the Australian Battalion atop hill 317 unopposed. Read more on the battle: https://www.awm.gov.au/node/18168