Fish out of water
16 November 2010
Looking at images and footage of ADF troops on the ground in landlocked Afghanistan, you could be forgiven for thinking it was an all-Army affair. But that’s not the case.
Clearance Diver LEUT Richard Brickacek has just completed a deployment to Afghanistan, where he put his Navy skills to vital use.
LEUT Brickacek was deployed there as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) member with the 1st Mentoring Task Force, based in Uruzgan Province. His job was to clear away Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that were discovered by the Australian patrols.
“Being a Clearance Diver, we need to know how to dispose of explosive ordnance and IEDs above and below the water, but it’s strange being this far away from an ocean,” LEUT Brickacek said.
“Basically, we’ll take on the role of on-scene commander, set up a cordon to ensure the other members of the patrol are in safe areas, and dismantle and dispose of the explosives.
“Most of the work I’ve done has been manual, hands-on work. In areas such as the green zone, it’s pretty difficult to get a car or robot to the IED’s location because of the terrain, so all the work is done by hand to render the area safe.”
LEUT Brickacek grew up in Randwick, Sydney, and obtained degrees in mathematics and physics from the University of Sydney.
He joined the Navy in 2004 as a Seaman Officer, before completing his Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate in HMAS Warramunga while deployed to the Middle East in 2006. LEUT Brickacek joined Australian Clearance Diving Team Four in 2007.
This was LEUT Brickacek’s second deployment to the Middle East but, unlike the first, there was no water in sight and the conditions were much tougher.
“The toughest situation I have been involved with was on a patrol when we lost two of our mates in an IED blast,” he said.
“I was only four metres away from where it exploded, so I consider myself pretty lucky to still be alive.
“Being in Afghanistan has been an amazing experience. It’s a country of extremes – either really cold or really hot. It’s a totally different way of life; it’s something that’s really hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it yourself.
“The Afghans live off the land and are lucky if they have electricity. You need to interact with them and accept their way of life and not judge them. I believe we are making a difference – it’s baby steps, but in the right direction.”
Even though LEUT Brickacek has faced some of the most dangerous situations in Afghanistan, working with his mates in infantry, cavalry, engineers and EOD teams has made it worthwhile.
“The best part of this deployment is the camaraderie between the guys on the ground. Being together, out there doing it tough and coming back at the end of the day when everyone is safe, is something you never forget,” LEUT Brickacek said.
“Being a Navy person, in the desert working alongside Army personnel, I’m normally the butt of the jokes, but they have accepted me really well – especially after they’ve seen me do my work and what I’ve been able to contribute to the Task Force.”
LEUT Brickacek finished his deployment in Afghanistan late last month and said he couldn’t wait to get back to his fiancée, Emma.
“I proposed not long before I deployed to Afghanistan and I’m stoked that when I get home I have my wedding in December to look forward to,” he said.
“Emma has been great, organising everything and I know it’s going to be a fantastic day for the both of us.
“It’s been tough, as I’ve spent my last three birthdays deployed overseas, so hopefully I’ll be able to celebrate the next one in Australia with my new wife.”
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| A controlled detonation in Uruzgan Province. | MATESHIP PREVAILS: Unsure of the state of his patrol mates, LEUT Richard Brickacek runs to their aid only seconds after an IED detonates in Afghanistan. | TOUGH WORK: LEUT Richard Brickacek exploits an IED in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. |
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