DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 429/09
Thursday, 10 December 2009
LAST OPERATIONAL PATROL FOR M113A1S
M113A1 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) have a long and proud history in the
Australian Army since they were first introduced in 1965.
After nearly 45 years of service to the nation, three M113A1’s, one of which saw
service in Vietnam, had their last street patrol in East Timor before being cleaned in
preparation for shipping back to Australia.
Three Black Hawk S70’s, also on operational deployment in East Timor, over-flew
the APCs as they turned and headed back to base.
“This is a big milestone for the 1st Armored Regiment to see the last M113A1s on an
operation,” Troop Leader, LT Nathan Scott said.
“The end of forty years of proud history.”
Driving LT Scott’s vehicle, Lance Corporal
(LCPL)
Zachery Williams, who at 21
years of age was born 23 years after the APCs came into service with the Australian
Army, praised the simplicity of the M113A1.
“Part of the reason the vehicle has been so successful is
its simple design,” LCPL
Williams said, speaking from experience as a certified driver, loader and gunner on
the Abrams M1A1 AIM tanks.
“The M113 is easy to maintain and keep running”. LCPL Williams said.
“It is also straight forward to upgrade, and there have
been many variations of the
vehicles since its introduction in the 1960s.”
The M113A1s have been an important part of Australia’s mission in East Timor since
they were first used to secure the Dili area when INTERFET inserted in 1999.
Since 2006 the APCs have been used to carry the Quick Response Force (QRF), made
up of Australian and New Zealand infantry who were
dispatched to deal with any
outbreaks of civil unrest in the capital.
With the improved security situation in East Timor, the New Zealand Queen
Alexandra Mounted Rifles will now transport the QRF in Pinzgauer armored light
operational vehicles.
DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
LT Scott said his troops have worked closely with the Kiwis to ensure that they could
pick up where the M113A1s left off and the camaraderie between the armoured
personnel has been high.
“With there
being an ANZAC Battle group here in East Timor, I think it was great
this morning to have a New Zealand troop sergeant out here on the last M113A1
operational patrol. It embodies the ANZAC spirit.”
The six M113A1s that have been in service in East Timor arrived with the
International Stabilisation Force following the outbreak of violence in East Timor in
2006.
After they return to Australia the vehicles will be converted into M113AS4s.
Media Note:
Interviews with the Commander of the International Stabilisation Force can be
arranged by contacting Defence media.
Imagery is available at:
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
