Talisman Sabre 2019, Largest Ever Bilateral Defense Exercise in Australia Opens

| Australia Department of Defence | July 9, 2019

Rear Adm. Karl Thomas, commander of Task Force 70, speaks in the hangar bay aboard the Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during during a reception celebrating the opening of exercise Talisman Saber 2019. Talisman Saber 2019 exemplifies the alliance between U.S. and Australian forces and our enduring military relationship. Ronald Reagan provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Se)

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Australian Soldiers aboard a High Mobility Transporter scans their field of fire during a field training event during Exercise Talisman Saber 2019, at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, July 7, 2019. During the exercise, U.S. and Australian forces utilized M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, and High Mobility Transporters (HMT's), and showcased how the Combined Joint Task Force 667 communicates and maneuvers together as a team. Exercises like Talisman Saber provide effective and intense training to ensure U.S. and Australian forces are capable, interoperable, deployable on short notice and combat-ready. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Nicolas A. Cloward)

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U.S. Marines, Soldiers, and Airmen Conduct HIMARS Rapid Infiltration in Australia

U.S. Marines assigned to 3rd Marine Division simulate preparing a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to fire during Exercise Talisman Saber 19 at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, July 6, 2019. In HIRAIN missions, HIMARS are flown in C-130s to an area, unloaded to rapidly conduct a fire missions, then reloaded in and relocated to follow on objectives. (Photo by U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kaleb Martin)

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CANBERRA, Australia -- The opening ceremony for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 was held in the Port of Brisbane aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), July 7, to formally launch Australia’s largest bilateral exercise with the United States.

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.

“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 is the culmination of 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.