AFG is a
tri-Service unit, comprised of members from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Regular Army and
Royal Australian Air Force. In
total, 159 service personnel form what is locally known as 'The Guard'.
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History of the
Federation Guard
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Australia's Federation Guard (AFG)
was officially launched on 07 March 2000 at Parliament House in
Canberra for the INTERFET welcome home parade.
Since that
time it has gained a reputation as Australia's premier ceremonial unit
both within Australia and internationally.
AFG was
initially formed to provide ceremonial Guards the Centenary of Federation in 2001.
AFG
is also called on to participate in the ceremonial welcoming of foreign
dignitaries to Australia and to provide ceremonial support for
Australian civil and military events.
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AFG is a
tri-Service unit, comprising of members from the Royal Australian Navy,
the Australian Regular Army and the Royal Australian Air Force. In
total, 159 service personnel form what is locally known as 'The Guard'.
The members of AFG possess a wide range of qualifications and
experience. They all enlisted into the Service for a specific trade and
have been tasked or volunteered to put those trades on hold for one or
two years while they showcase the talents of the Australian Defence
Force in a ceremonial capacity. |
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AFG was
initially formed to provide ceremonial Guards for functions associated
with the Centenary of Federation in 2001 (hence the name). However, the
range of duties and the standard of performance the unit's members have
displayed to date have helped AFG to become recognised as an integral
part of military service that has continued beyond our Centenary of
Federation. Since the Guards inception, unit personnel have performed a
range of ceremonial duties around the world including:
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Ceremonial
Support for Gallipoli commemoration services (Turkey 2000 - 2002)
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Ceremonial
Support for Greece & Crete commemoration services.
(Greece& Crete 2001)
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Ceremonial
Support for 60th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore. (Singapore
2002).
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House
Guards at Buckingham Palace, St James Palace and the Tower of
London (2000).
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Centenary
of Federation celebrations throughout Australia (2001)
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State
Funeral for the Last ANZAC, Alec Campbell. (Tasmania 2002)
AFG
is also called on to participate in the ceremonial welcoming of foreign
dignitaries to Australia and to provide ceremonial support for
Australian civil and military events, such as the opening of Royal shows
and military parades.
L1A1
Self Loading Rifle (SLR)
The
rifle used by AFG is the L1A1 Self Loading Rifle, commonly known as the
SLR. Unlike some ceremonial units around the world, the SLR has not been
structurally modified for ceremonial occasions and weighs approximately
5 kilograms. The magazine and bayonet have been chrome plated to enhance
the drill movements performed by members of the unit.
Precision
Drill Team
In
addition to the extensive drill training that members of the unit
undertake, approximately 30 members of the unit take it one step further
as part of the Precision Drill Team. These members undertake intensive
drill training and present a unique display of precision drill in 5-15
minute procedures which highlight the exceptionally high level of skill
and teamwork that epitomise the goals of the Australian Defence Force.
http://www.defence.gov.au/afg/default.htm |
