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Personnel from the Australian Army and representatives from the Queensland Police Force are preparing to take part in an exercise aimed at strengthening cooperation across joint operations.
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Approximately 100 personnel from the Army’s 11th Brigade are heading to Toowoomba for Exercise Arras Sprint – a week-long training exercise alongside the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
The exercise aims to strengthen cooperation between the forces by simulating a training response to a domestic security scenario.
Soldiers are set to be equipped with weapons with blank ammunition only.
The activities are set to take place around the O’Quinn Street Depot, the city hall and in Queen’s Park.
Personnel from the 11th Brigade have been selected from local and Queensland Army Reserve units including the 25th/49th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment (25/49 RQR).
Exercise Arras 2022 is the second iteration of the exercise in Toowoomba, Queensland.
“This exercise builds upon previous joint responses conducted by the Queensland Police Service and Army personnel from the 11th Brigade over the past two years,” exercise director, Colonel Arran Hassell said.
“This includes support to vehicle checkpoints and hotel quarantine as part of the whole of government response to COVID-19.
“Our aim is to effectively and realistically train our people alongside the QPS officers and local government without causing concern or alarm amongst the community.”
Exercise staff are expected to host a visitor’s day at the O’Quinn Street Depot on Friday, 20 May, featuring an ARH Tiger helicopter, a Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle, along with other platforms.
The Defence Force Recruitment team will also be present to service enquiries from potential recruits.
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