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Australian Defence Force gunners will begin training in the United States next year as the nation readies its new HIMARS regiment.
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Australia will base its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launcher unit, 14 Regiment, out of Puckapunyal in central Victoria and gunners will undertake training at the US Artillery School in Oklahoma as early as next year.
The initial battery will field the first of 20 recently purchased HIMARS to be delivered in 2025.
Initially, one troop of four HIMARS is expected to operate, with the rest used for training, maintenance, and certification. This will expand to a battery of three troops in 2027.
Royal Australian Artillery 8th/12th Regiment Gunner Izaiah Roch said he was keen to see the HIMARS at Shoalwater Bay, Queensland, and said his career goal was to join a HIMARS troop.
“The fact that it’s new and no one in Army has used it before gives me the drive to stay in artillery,” Gunner Roch said.
“It (HIMARS) might not be the be-all and end-all, but it’s good knowing there is more to explore in the job.”
Following the recent Exercise Talisman Sabre, Australian troops have been able to see American HIMARS and Korean K9 Thunder vehicles up close, as well as talk to current operators.
“I was cool with being a rocket man. When the Australians ask me what job I do, I tell them I’m HIMARS and their eyes light up,” said American 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Battalion, Specialist Juan Jimanez.
“It’s good for you guys to see how we operate and shoot.
“It gets the excitement going, so when you do get them, it’s like, ‘Alright, let’s go play’.”
