Town or postcode

Personnel & Equipment | Safety & Environment | Community

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) and United States (US) forces are set to participate in four weeks of intensive training at Shoalwater Bay, Rockhampton, Townsville and the Coral Sea during Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2005 (TS05).

More than 6,000 Australian and 11,000 US personnel from Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine and Special Forces units will participate in TS05, a merger of the TANDEM THRUST and CROCODILE series of exercises.

TS05 will commence on June 12, with a troop build-up now under way in Rockhampton and, expected to begin in Townsville around May 27.

TALISMAN SABRE’s primary aim is to conduct collective training and exercise inter-operability between Australian and US forces.

The biennial exercise will further develop the ADF’s capability to undertake joint, combined operations and will help build regional security and complement our regional partner’s activities with the US.

Based on fictional scenarios, the exercise includes combined Special Forces operations, parachute drops, amphibious landings at Shoalwater Bay, artillery and infantry manoeuvres, air combat training and advanced maritime operations.

Aviators with specific questions on air space requirements are encouraged to call 1800 123 154. This toll free number will be available from 13-30 June.

Australian and US web sites designed to provide the community with exercise information, photographs and videos are available at www.c7f.navy.mil/TS05.

BACKGROUND

Personnel & Equipment
The majority of ADF land forces, from Townsville’s 3 Brigade (3BDE) and Darwin’s 1 Brigade (1BDE) will train alongside US troops primarily at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area near Rockhampton and in the Townsville area.

Combined Royal Australian Navy (RAN), including HMAS MANOORA and United States Navy (USN) ships will be exercising off the coast of Queensland from Brisbane to Shoalwater Bay. The USN will also be conducting an exercise to sink two decommissioned warships in international waters about 200km off the Queensland coast

Over 100 aircraft operating from RAAF Base Amberley, RAAF Townsville and Rockhampton in Queensland and off shore on the USS KITTY HAWK will participate in TS05 in complex air combat and maritime training opportunities.

Aircraft involved include Australian F/A-18 Hornet, AP-3C Orion maritime patrol, PC9, DHC4 Caribou, C-130 Hercules and Army rotary wing aircraft and US P3, F-18 Hornet, Lear jets, C-130 Hercules, E-2C Hawkeye, EA-6B Prowlers, C2 Greyhounds aircraft and MH-47 Chinook and Seahawk helicopters.

Visit the American site