Photo By Cpl. Michael Stevens | Standing at the opposite ends of Quay Street, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, the...... read more read more
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ROCKHAMPTON, Queensland, Australia — The city of Rockhampton welcomed visiting U.S. service members participating in Exercise Talisman Saber 2009 during an Open Day celebration along the town's Fitzroy River here.
The celebration featured more than 15 attractions that local citizens were able to admire, including a collaboration of Australian Defense Force and U.S. armed forces military equipment and personnel. Residents enjoyed performances by the Australian Army Band and the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band, as well as an F-111 "Aardvark" fly-by, which electrified the crowd as it dumped gallons of fuel and set it on fire in mid-air.
As the public made their way through the attractions, they had the opportunity to speak with the visiting service members and visit a TS09 tent, which was handing out information packets on the upcoming exercise.
"I think it's real good to get the public involved and to increase their awareness of what Talisman Saber really is," said Australian army Pvt. Matthew Worley, an infantry soldier with the 31/42 Royal Queensland Regiment. "Informing the local population of the benefits of the exercise and how it increases our cohesion as allies is a very positive thing."
A turn-out of the local populace creates a positive impact on increasing the recruitment of the Australian Defense Force, added Worley.
At the center of Quay Street, Australians and Americans stood together as each service band performed their nation's respective national anthems. The crowd was then addressed by the mayor of the Rockhampton Regional Council, Brad Carter, who took the time to recognize all the prior military members that were in attendance. Carter continued his speech by welcoming the visiting U.S. service members and acknowledging the enormous economic impact the exercise has on the town.
The exercise brings more than 16,000 U.S. and 8,000 Australian military personnel to the various training areas throughout the Northern Territories and Queensland.
"It's very enjoyable to have the Americans come through our town again," said Patrick McHugh, a local resident. "They do nothing but great things for us here and are always welcome."
Approximately 4,000 residents came to the celebration to welcome the visiting troops.
"It's a great feeling to see so many people turn out and support this joint exercise," said U.S. Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Gary Teicher, the ground maintenance chief with Marine Corps Forces Pacific, whose job at the celebration was to hand out information packets on the exercise. "It's important for the public to have an understanding of what we're trying to accomplish out here and why it's beneficial for the U.S. and Australian forces to work together."
TS09 is a biennial combined training activity, designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting combined task force operations, which will help improve Australian Defense Force and U.S. combat readiness and inter-operability.
The exercise is scheduled to last throughout the month of July.
| Date Taken: | 07.05.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.07.2009 00:03 |
| Story ID: | 36046 |
| Location: | ROCKHAMPTON, QL, AU |
| Web Views: | 284 |
| Downloads: | 245 |
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