RFSU.

This is coolbert:

Here is an Australian reserve military unit that performs a similar function to the Canadian Rangers. Regional Force Surveillance Units.

"The Regional Force Surveillance Units (RFSUs) are specialised units of the Australian Army responsible for patrolling northern Australia. The RFSUs regularly conduct operational patrols during peacetime, and the reservists who make up 90% of the RFSUs personnel carry out most of their training during these patrols."

Similar mission to that of the Canadian Rangers:

* Reconnaissance and surveillance.

* Showing-the-flag.

[done without actually being seen. You show-the-flag by having an armed presence protecting your contiguous territory and exercising the right as a sovereign to use force if necessary!]

Guarding and protecting the sparsely inhabited and extremely remote, unforgiving Northern Territories of Australia. Rough, rugged terrain, replete with dangerous animals that CAN KILL AND EAT YOU! [Saltwater crocodile]

"The RFSU's are unique and unconventional units whose mission is to conduct long range reconnaissance and surveillance patrols in the sparsely populated and remote regions of northern Australia. Unlike most Australian Army units, the RFSUs are on a permanent operational footing, conducting real patrols with real world objectives during peacetime."

BUT, IN CONTRAST TO THE RANGERS, THE RFSU CARRIES OUT THEIR MISSION IN A CLANDESTINE AND SURREPTITIOUS MANNER. RATHER THAN WANTING TO BE SEEN, THE TROOPERS OF THE RFSU DO NOT WANT TO BE SEEN.

"To be effective, RFSU patrols must remain completely undetected, so bushcraft skills, particularly camouflage and concealment, are very important to the RFSU patrolman."

Bushcraft. The ability to live in a wilderness, survive and thrive. Northern Australia is some of the harshest terrain on the planet. Six months of dry, followed by six months of wet! As late as 1941, the largest city in all of the territory was Darwin, total population 5,000 isolated people. Forbidding and remote for the most part!

"a high proportion the RFSUs' personnel are Indigenous Australians"

Aborigines. Persons that are accustomed to the terrain, climate, know how to forage if necessary. Both RFSU and Canadian Rangers are comprised primarily of "Natives" ideally suited for the task.

"this land provides, and you need not be beholden to any man!!" - - Caleb - - "The Highlander".

Used to counter drug smuggling and the movement of illegal aliens. Primarily from Indonesia, but not exclusively so. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR THE AUSTRALIANS, RIGHT NOW, AS WE SPEAK. BOTH DRUGS AND ILLEGALS FILTERING SOUTH FROM INDONESIA POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY. MUST BE COUNTERED!

And in the case - - worst-case scenario - - of an armed invasion of the Northern Australian territories by a hostile foreign power, the RFSU will form the nucleus of a guerrilla warfare movement. Already the RFSU are trained by the Australian SAS. Special Air Services. Active duty Aussie Army troops that specialize in guerrilla warfare and counter-terrorism.

coolbert.