Australian soldiers from 2nd Division fire off practice mortar rounds as part of the mortar concentration activity at Puckapunyal Military Area.
Photo by
PTE Sera Mar
Army reservists from across the country gathered at Puckapunyal Military Area in early June to demonstrate and develop their skills during the 2nd Australian Division’s mortar concentration live-fire weekend.
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The activity, which is an intensive training event that brings together mortar platoons to practise firing real explosives, provided an opportunity to refresh and strengthen the reservists’ skills.
Many came from their place of civilian employment just one day before sending rounds down range on Saturday, June 6, making it an immediate transition for the reservists.
Captain Richard Jones said it was the first time such a large-scale mortar concentration had been conducted across the command since Army Reserve mortars capability was re-raised in the division four years ago.
“So, it’s been awesome to get the opportunity and see some really good training outcomes for everyone,” Captain Jones said.
“We can’t wait to go again next year.”
Australian soldiers from 2nd Division observe an illumination mortar round.
Photo by
PTE Sera Mar
Although the live-fire serials were the centrepiece of the weekend, the training extended beyond the gun line.
Soldiers were exposed to the broader systems and processes that underpin effective indirect fire, reinforcing technical understanding and team integration.
Lance Corporal Matthew Spain spent time in the command post, which offered a new perspective on the trade.
“I’ve been privileged to work in the command post and do a lot of the map work in my training, it was quite interesting,” Lance Corporal Spain said.
“Seeing the capability of some of the ballistic computers, where you don’t even need to do the mathematics, is pretty incredible.”
By combining hands-on firing and planning and co-ordination elements of mortar operations, the activity helped build stronger understanding of the capability across all ranks and rolls.
The momentum held at Puckapunyal will carry into the division’s next major training activity, Exercise Austral Shield 2026.
This becomes part of the Australian Defence Force’s broader homeland defence series and will be an opportunity for Reserve units to integrate, validate and expand on skills refined during the mortar concentration.
