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The high-end war-fighting phase of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2017 has begun in central Queensland, with more than 10,000 combat soldiers going into the battlefield.
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The battle phase has begun at Stanage Bay and will continue with 10 days of field warfare training in the Shoalwater Bay training area, near Rockhampton.
The USS Bonhomme Richard hosted the official opening of Australia’s largest military exercise on 29 June off the NSW coast.
Minister for Urban Development Paul Fletcher, representing the Minister for Defence, and the US Charge d’Affaires James Carouso were joined at the opening by the US Pacific Forces Commander Admiral Harry Harris Jr and Officer Conducting the Exercise Vice Admiral David Johnston, along with other senior ADF leaders.
VADM Johnston said the exercise highlighted the interoperability between the forces.
“Talisman Sabre is the premier Australia-US bilateral exercise,” VADM Johnston said.
“This year, we are pleased to see personnel from New Zealand, Japan and Canada embedded within Australian and US units.”
More than 33,000 military personnel are participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2017.
"The exercise provides invaluable experience to improve combat training, readiness and interoperability, exposing participants to a wide spectrum of military capabilities and training experiences," VADM Johnston said.
Focused on mid-intensity, high-end warfighting, Talisman Sabre incorporates force preparation activities, special forces activities, amphibious landings, parachuting, land force manoeuvres, urban operations, air operations, maritime operations and a number of live fire components.
"Regular training and exercising between our military forces serves to enhance our combat readiness and interoperability," said VADM Johnston.
"This enables our military forces to be prepared and capable of meeting future security challenges in our region and globally."
Exercise Talisman Sabre is the largest combined, joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force and provides invaluable experience to ADF personnel to improve combat training, readiness and interoperability, exposing participants to a wide spectrum of military capabilities and training experiences.
