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Ever Vigilant

The regimental history of the North WEst mobile force

NORFORCE

At the height of WW2, Australia was all but invaded and occupied by the Japanese. Among those who stood ready as part of a combined force to repel this invasion was the North Australia Observer Unit (NAOU), whose task was to observe, report and then to remain behind and report the enemy's movements and strengths.

The NAOU operated throughout a vast expanse of some of the most inhospitable land and water on earth. From barren desert to impenetrable mangrove swamps and mudflats, treacherous coral reefs and submerged rocks, with daytime temperatures which can reach 50° C. Deadly snakes, spiders and scorpions, mosquitos and sandflies, feral pigs and cattle, wild water buffalo with sweeping horns to gore a person to death. Six metre saltwater crocodiles patrolling their territory, with powerful jaws to tear a person or boat to pieces. This is North West Australia: 1.8 million square kilometres of largely uninhabited country, a quarter of the continent -Australia's Front Door.

The geography and climate of North West Australia has changed little since the NAOU existed, and its remoteness and isolation make it vulnerable still. For the last two decades the North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) has patrolled this Area of Operations, securing the approaches to some of Australia's most vital assets and significant industrial infrastructure. In the footsteps of the wartime observer unit, NORFORCE patrolmen now serve as vedettes -a reconnaissance and surveillance force to watch for and warn of incursions or suspicious activity in northern Australia. A potent mix of full-time and part- time soldiers, with a significant Aboriginal representation, today NORFORCE remains EVER VIGILANT throughout the harshest and most dangerous terrain imaginable.