Australia and New Zealand Headed for Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2019

11 Juli 2019

USS Ronald Reagan (photo : RT)

The fleet sails for Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2019

Australian, United States, Japanese and New Zealand naval vessels have sailed for Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2019 following an opening ceremony in Brisbane this week.

The ceremony, held in the Port of Brisbane on the US Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, formally launched Australia’s largest bilateral exercise with the United States of America.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, CSC, said the exercise was designed to enhance combat readiness and interoperability between the Australian and United States Armed Forces.

“This premier military engagement reflects the strength of the Australia-US alliance and the closeness of our military to military relationship,” Minister Reynolds said.

“Exercise TALISMAN SABRE will involve more than 34,000 personnel from Australia and the United States.

HMA Ships Canberra and Adelaide in formation with amphibious landing crafts (photo : RAN)

“Forces from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom will be embedded alongside Australian Defence Force personnel, and delegations from India and the Republic of Korea will observe the exercise. Eighteen nations from across the Indo-Pacific region have also been invited to an international visitors program.”

The bilateral exercise follows extensive and ongoing local community engagement throughout the exercise area.

“TALISMAN SABRE would not be possible without the generous cooperation of the local community including landowners, governments and traditional owners.”

The majority of TALISMAN SABRE 2019 activities will take place in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and surrounding state forests, near Rockhampton.

Other events will occur around Stanage Bay and the Capricorn Coast, Whitsunday region, Mackay region, Bundaberg and surrounding region, the Townsville Field Training Area and the Evans Head Air Weapons Range in NSW.

In preparation for TALISMAN SABRE 2019, the Australian amphibious task group comprising HMA Ships Canberra and Adelaide have completed Exercises SEA EXPLORER and SEA RAIDER 19 to hone operational skills and undertake required certifications. (RAN)

Royal New Zealand Navy's HMNZS Canterbury berthed in Australia as New Zealand Army's Light Armoured Vehicles (NZLAVs) disembark the ship for Exercise Talisman Sabre (photo : NZDF)
Kiwis headed for Talisman Sabre 2019

More than 600 New Zealand Defence Force personnel, 27 New Zealand Army light armoured vehicles, three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters and Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Canterbury are on their way to Australia for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019.

This is the third time New Zealand has been invited to take part in the exercise, which is a bilateral, Australian-hosted and United States-supported combined exercise that is held every two years to improve combat readiness, exercise war fighting skills and systems and interoperability.

More than 30,000 service men and women will take part, including personnel from Canada, the United Kingdom and Japan.

Commander Joint Forces Rear Admiral James Gilmour said the exercise provided an essential training opportunity for the NZDF to test its people, capabilities, skills and focus around combat scenarios, while working alongside some of its closest military partners.

New Zealand Army vehicles after disembarking the Royal New Zealand Navy's HMNZS Canterbury (photo : NZDF)

“Being invited to participate in this exercise shows that New Zealand has a place at the table when it comes to providing war-fighting expertise and support in an international environment,” Rear Admiral Gilmour said.

“This exercise allows our Navy, Army and Air Force the opportunity to work alongside our allies and partners, focusing on our interoperability on the sea, land and in the air and testing real-world scenarios.

“It is the perfect opportunity for us to integrate as both a joint force and in a coalition-like environment.

“To ensure we are able to protect New Zealand’s interests, we must guarantee the NZDF’s effectiveness in a war-fighting environment.

“We are engaged in operations around the world, as well as working with our neighbours in the South West Pacific.”

HMNZS Canterbury will transport most of the NZDF contingent and machinery. (Contact)