Soldiers from 1st Battalian, the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), achieved gold at this year’s Exercise Cambrian Patrol, proving why they are Australia’s best.

Wind howled through the Welsh hills as the Australian infantry section stepped off into darkness for the biggest challenge of their careers.

Ahead lay unforgiving terrain, freezing water crossings and a gauntlet of combat scenarios to test the limits of endurance, skill and teamwork.

Fresh from their Duke of Gloucester (DoG) Cup victory, the team had just over a week of rest before flying to London and travelling from there to Cardiff.

After a crash course in British Army doctrine and weapons, they began their patrol at 2am from Maindy Barracks into the soggy, undulating landscape of the Brecon Beacons.

‘The views were unreal.

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