DIGGERS will soon have access to fresh, barista-made coffee in the field as well as the barracks, thanks to recent AAFCANS initiatives.
The first new custom-built 2WD mobile amenities vehicles (pictured) will hit the roads around Gallipoli Barracks in July-August. In line with the AAFCANS strategy, “where you go, we go”, plans for three 4WD all terrain mobile amenities kiosks and trailers will form part of a new fleet. The first of these will be trialled at Lavarack Barracks during July-August. Six of the AAFCANS workhorse mobile food vans, currently operating across Army and Air Force bases will gradually be replaced. A further nine new vehicles will be added to the fleet, taking the count from 19 to 28 by 2023. The new vehicles will sell fresh coffee as a key part of the new service. When not supporting exercises, the new mobile kiosks will be positioned on base to provide convenient additional amenities. The new all-terrain design allows AAFCANS to sell freshly-prepared meals and snacks along with baristamade coffee on the move. AAFCANS managing director Stewart McGrow said the new trailers could store up to three days of supplies, allowing extended timeframes in the field. “These vehicles will improve AAFCANS’ ability to access remote areas, expand our current exercise offer and considerably improve our overall capability to support troops,” he said.
“AAFCANS will be supporting Hamel 2018 with kiosks in Rockhampton, Camp Growl and mobile amenities vans will operate within the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. “Added to this, AAFCANS will support the Army retail amenities kiosk deployed to Sam Hill and The Plains.”AAFCANS plans to invest $8 million over the next five years upgrading canteens, increasing kiosks for extra convenience and improving ICT capability. Comd 17 CSS Bde Brig Andrew Freeman said the introduction of three 4WD all-terrain mobile amenities kiosks and trailers reinforces the longstanding history of amenities support AAFCANS has provided troops in the field. “AAFCANS strategy of, ‘where you go, we go’, further demonstrates AAFCANS’ commitment to our soldiers,” he said. “In addition to the $2.6 million investment to refresh and improve AAFCANS’ domestic mobile amenities capability, $18,000 of AAFCANS profits has been reinvested into the upgrade of the deployable amenities container currently held and operated by 2FSB. “Soldiers deployed on our major exercises, like Ex Hamel, will directly benefit from this upgrade.”
Donna Browne and Sgt Dave Morley
