I don't know about issuing ammo to the soldiers on base, however, I was often amased at how I could (as a non uniformed civvy) drive around inside Enoggera Army Base when I was doing contract work their years ago. After signing in daily past the fat, unarmed middle-aged scurity guard, I was able to drive anywhere without once being challenged for ID etc.

 

Slightly different atmosphere when at Amberley, however, I was still able to wander from 38SQN down to the Photographic Section. The mind boggles.

 

I think they have beefed up security since I was there last. I believe they now have a bigger dog and a longer chain!

 

Forget terrorists, drunk locals can stroll around!  http://www.strategypage.com/CuteSoft_Client/CuteEditor/Images/emdgust.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0" alt="" />

I recall being on secondment to 2CAV once when it was still at Holsworthy (yes, I'm showing my age - it was the 80's) and doing my turn on guard duty at night. When patrolling the dimly lit grounds we were issued pick handles...

i can appreciate that historically the biggest threat mayve been disorderly drunks and the odd protester, but the whole pretence of the latest issue was one of deliberate terrorism involving actively destroying defence assets and mass murder.

does it not strike people as odd that even if the gate security is 'armed' its bearly an actual deterrant, yet those actively trained in weapons handling and the actual targets are not equipt to deal with such an event.

how far do you think attackers would get it their alleged plan actually worked? how far do you think theyd get if soldiers signed out a weapon when they presented for duty?

just thoughts...

When I was in the School of Artillery at Manly in the early 90's 1 CDO regiment climbed the cliffs, took over the guard house which had 1 axe handle between 6 soldiers and planted fake explosives on the guns. Unfortunately it turned out to be a career limiting move for the CO of 1 CDO as he had neglected to tell anybody of the "raid" and the Chief of Ground Forces got called out in the middle of the night. Doesn't say much for base security there but then again it is pretty hard to steal a howitzer.

Thats pretty funny, I have heard (from reputable source) that the Brit SF community regulary carry out similar activites to highlight inadequacys in existing security procedures at various UK military and Gov installations.  I know for a FACT that they managed to actually get on board a Vanguard at Faslane and put stickers with teh following crest in a few areas!!!!

http://www.crestinsignia.co.uk/store/images/uploads/1112.jpg" width="500" border="0" />

Similarily the Nuclear Reactor at Dounreay in Scotland has also had its security shown to be rather less than adequate in a similar manner.

Given that recent operational deployments have involved a lot of OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR - of which urban security, vehicle searches and check point/roadblock monitoring are a part of.

It is surprising that they don't deploy ADF personnel at these base check points to provide them with situational training.

(i.e: How to approach vehicles etc) http://www.strategypage.com/CuteSoft_Client/CuteEditor/Images/emdgust.gif" alt="" />

During the early 90's this was pretty much the be all and end all of our training and interestingly armed military personnel were used for security at a number of installations during the 91 Gulf War. The ADF is much smaller than it was then so we probably don't have enough spare bodies to use in this way.

Both 6 RAR and 8/9 RAR were still Reg in 1991 and I believe 8/9 RAR started its conversion in 1992 with 6 RAR following with a single RR Coy in 1993. The RR scheme didn't really get up to speed until 95 or 96 just before the whole thing was canned.

 

So in terms of my comment, which refered to 1991, the ADF was larger than it is today.