Australian Army Gunners from the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery fire the M2A2105mm Howitzer during the Royal Australian Artillery's 150th Birthday celebration at Townsville, QLD, on 1st August.
The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery (RAA) marked the 150th anniversary of Australian artillery on Sunday.
A Commemorative Service was held in celebration to honour past and serving members of the Royal Australian Artillery and its forerunners.
Between August and December 2021, the RAA will execute a series of commemorative activities to celebrate and highlight the commencement and ongoing continuous service of the RAA and its various Australian Artillery forebears.
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the Royal Australian Artillery remains an ever-present feature of the Australian Army’s land warfare capability.
“Now is a fitting time to reflect on the establishment of an enduring Australian artillery capability: the batteries, the equipment and most importantly, the Gunners who have served and protected Australia and its national interests for 150 years,” Minister Dutton said.
“As we reflect, we must also look to the future of the RAA, an arm that continues to adapt and brings together many of the Australian Army’s multi-domain effects – land, air and electromagnetic – into a unified and potent outcome.”
Today, Artillery’s role extends across multiple combat disciplines and domains of warfare, including guns, mortars and missiles, drones, radars and joint fires coordination.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said the defence men and women of the Australian Artillery provide fundamental capability to the Australian Army and to our country.
“Since before the Federation of Australia, the story of the Australian Artillery originates on 1 August 1871, when the NSW Colonial Government funded and raised its first permanent battery," Minister Gee said.
“There will be many proud family members and friends today as we recognise the contribution of our Artillery members and enjoy the services taking place across the country in recognition of this significant anniversary.”
The Australian Army’s longest continuous serving permanent unit is ‘A’ Battery, currently part of 1st Regiment, RAA. Today, ‘A’ Battery perpetuates the history of that original NSW Artillery Battery.
Australian Army Gunners from the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery fire the M2A2105mm Howitzer during the Royal Australian Artillery's 150th Birthday celebration at Townsville, QLD, on 1st August.
