Photo By Master Sgt. Marianique Santos | R. Neils Marquardt, American consul general to Sydney delivers a speech July 14 during...... read more read more
ROCKHAMPTON, QUEENSLAND, Australia – Exercise Talisman Saber 2013 kicked off July 14 with a ceremony and open day at the Rockhampton Show Grounds.
From July to August, more than 28,000 U.S. service members and Australian Defence Force personnel will participate in the exercise, focusing on training a Combined Task Force in a mid-intensity, conflict scenario including simulated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
In her opening remarks, Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow provided a short history of U.S. and Australian military relations, concluding with a warm welcome to the American troops.
“Please enjoy the hospitality of our city,” Strelow said. “Make yourselves at home as old friends should, and from the generation that gets to enjoy the peace that was won in those tumultuous and dark days, we thank you for a friendship that has proven its mettle.”
In addition to being the official starting point of the exercise, the open day also served as an opportunity for ADF and U.S. service members to reach out to the community.
One of the highlights of the day was the performance of the ADF Army Band and the U.S. 7th Fleet Navy Band. During one of their musical sets, the U.S. 7th Fleet Navy Band collaborated with high school students from in and around the Rockhampton area. The musicians played together and provided the students opportunities to play lead melodies.
The local community was also able to interact with U.S. and Australian service members who answered inquiries regarding military life and the use of military assets displayed at the show grounds. Residents of the area had the opportunity to see and climb into static displays of armored vehicles and rotary aircraft that will be used in the field portion of the exercise.
Talisman Saber 2013 was designed to utilize a realistic scenario to train U.S. Pacific Command units and Australian forces in planning and executing combined and joint military operations on land, air and sea.
Already in its fifth iteration, Talisman Saber is a biennial training activity aimed at improving Australian Defense Force and U.S. combat readiness and interoperability.
“This exercise is the largest exercise that the United States does with any single nation anywhere on earth,” said R. Neils Marquardt, American consul general to Sydney, at the opening ceremony. “We do it in Australia. This is an enormously important exercise, very much reflecting the friendship between our two countries.”
Throughout Talisman Saber 2013, the U.S. and ADF aim to enhance multilateral collaboration in support of future combined operations, humanitarian emergencies and natural disaster response to show both countries’ dedication to maintaining regional security, peace and stability.
| Date Taken: | 07.15.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.16.2013 00:44 |
| Story ID: | 110236 |
| Location: | ROCKHAMPTON, QLD, AU |
| Web Views: | 539 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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