U.S., Australian Forces to Conduct military training exercise Talisman Sabre 2011

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36th Contingency Response Group travels to Australia, participates in Talisman Sabre 2011
UNITED STATES - 27 JULY 2011

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Members of the 36th Contingency Response Group and the Royal Australian Air Force, 381st Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron from Williamtown, Australia traveled to Williamson Airfield to test their combined combat capabilities during Talisman Sabre 2011.

Talisman Sabre 2011 is an exercise designed to train U.S. and Australian forces to plan and conduct combined task force operations to improve combat readiness and interoperability on a variety of missions from conventional conflict to peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance efforts.

Commanders from both units see Talisman Sabre 2011 as an opportunity to explore their capabilities as a combined joint task force.

"It came down to basically understanding what each other's skills are and what we can do together," said Wing Cdr. Lee de Winton, commander of the 381st Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron.

In order to learn as much as possible from each other, U.S. and Australian forces worked side-by-side to open a functional air operations center, assess air operations capabilities and sustain an operational base from the ground up.

"The thing we're looking at while we're here is how to mix and match our strengths and weaknesses," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Eb Toro, 36th Mobility Response Squadron commander.

Both leaders see the potential benefits of learning each other's strengths and weaknesses, and strive to correct what's not working well and highlight what is effective.

"I believe my squadron will come out with a better understanding on how to run an operations room for an air base because that's not something we do," de Winton said. "My squadron has more of a long-term sustainment capability, like showers, bathrooms and food. Colonel Toro's squadron isn't used to doing that part; they may be able to learn a little from us."

For three weeks this combined effort will focus on security forces movement-to-contact training, airborne sustainment training, heavy equipment drops and retrieval of aerial assets, and the palletizing of equipment for forward deploying troops.

Both commanders expressed their gratitude for getting the chance to have their squadrons participate in Talisman Sabre 2011 and said they would love to do it again in the future.

"Our biggest goal coming out here was to see how we interoperated with the Australian Defence Forces," Colonel Toro said. "So far, everything is working great."


After receiving the call "Cleared for take-off," members of the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, go to full throttles up and begin their journey to participate in Talisman Sabre, July 25. Talisman Sabre is a biennial military exercise which combines Australia and U.S. air, land and maritime forces. It is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defense Force.

Capt. Russ Kirklin, 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron pilot, refuels from a KC-135 out of the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Topeka, Kansas, in preparation for the 13-hour training sortie to Talisman Sabre, July 25. Exercise Talisman Sabre is designed to train Australian and U.S. forces to plan and conduct Joint Combined Task Force operations to support and strengthen defense capabilities to protect Australia and its national interests.

The boom of a KC-35 from the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Topeka, Kansas, is seen through the pilots over-head window as a B-52 Stratofortress from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron lines up to receive fuel, July 25. When the two jets connect, the KC-135 will transfer 80,000 pounds of fuel to the B-52.

A B-52 Stratofortress from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron approaches the Andersen flightline and prepares to land after a 13-hour exercise sortie to Talisman Sabre in Australia, July 25. Talisman Sabre is a biennial military exercise which combines Australia and U.S. air, land and maritime forces. It is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defense Force.

 

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One of a kind: U.S. and Australian forces excel during Talisman Sabre 2011

SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Australia (July 28, 2011) - Nearly 22,000 U.S. and Australian troops trained together during Talisman Sabre 2011 at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia, one of Australia's largest training facilities from July 11 to 29.

Talisman Sabre 2011 is a biennial joint international training exercise aimed at improving and validating the Australian Defense Force and United States combat readiness as a combined joint task force. The exercise left participants with a better understanding of how each country operates and how they can benefit from their differences.

"Working so closely with [Australians] I've seen how they think, how they develop their courses of action, come up with their schemes and how they maneuver and implement their planning," said Major Gary Bourland, Australian Headquarters Joint Operations Center Marine Corps liaison. "Learning this allows me to inject my own way of operating and share how we do it in the Marine Corps. It gives them a different flavor and tone."

Throughout history, the Australian Defense Forces have fought and worked side by side with American troops in every major conflict since World War I and continue to show their dedication to common goals.

"They are wiling to dedicate so much per capita of their military," said Bourland. "To lose soldiers and still have the dedication to stick by the U.S. is massive and still, time and time again, they continue to show their dedication to the U.S. That is why Australia is our strongest ally."

The exercise called for both countries to conduct land, air and sea operations throughout the training areas, which showed the different ways each side accomplished the mission.

"[Talisman Sabre 2011] is a realistic and challenging exercise that brings us together with our Australian allies to improve our ability to work both bilaterally and multilaterally, and be poised to provide security for our citizens both regionally and globally," said Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk, U.S. 7th Fleet and overall combined task force commander for Talisman Sabre 2011.

Because America and Australia fall under the South-East-Asia Treaty Organization, they are commited to providing mutual aid and protection in an event of external aggression. Exercises such as Talisman Sabre 2011 are vital in keeping the ability to work together alive.

Through joint training, both militaries are able to learn from one another's experiences.

"They have a different philosophy for war and fight differently than us," said Bourland."We [U.S.] share tactics, techniques, procedures and implement them to their infantryman. When we do operations, they are a fresh set of eyeballs on routine situations that we do, which will add to our effectiveness during future operations."

As the exercise comes to an end, both countries share their new experiences and mentalities.

"We have grown more familiar with each other," said Buskirk. "I think maybe 10 years ago we didn't integrate as well as we do now, but through our common operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, we have come closer and closer in the doctrines. So, you get to a point now you don't see yourself as another country, you see yourself as a particular unit. We can take it to the next level now."

An Australian M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, fires a round during a live-fire training exercise, July 28. The Australians were firing with Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel have participated. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries' bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation's force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

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Photos: U.S. Marine Corps (Unit: 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit)

Under the guidance of Lance Cpl. Anthoney J. Robinson, a vehicle commander with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Australian soldier Lance Cpl. Amy Easthan fires the mk-19 automatic grenade launcher, July 28. Marines and Australians were participating in a bilateral live-fire training exercise during exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel have participated. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries' bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation's force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

A Light Armored Vehicle with the Light Armored Reconnaissance Team, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to move into position to fire during a live-fire training exercise, July 28. Australian soldiers and U.S. Marines were conducting a bilateral live-fire exercise during exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel have participated.

Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire a Browning .50 caliber machine gun during a live-fire exercise, July 28. The Marines were firing with Australian service members during exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel have participated. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries' bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance.

An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank fires a round during a live fire exercise conducted by U.S. Marines with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Australian Army soldiers in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 demonstrates the United States and Australian commitment to their military alliance, and enhances stability and security throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation's force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires a Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher during a live fire training exercise, July 27. The exercise was conducted in Australia during exercise Talisman Sabre 2011.

U.S. Marines with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire M16 A4 service rifles during a live fire exercise in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 demonstrates the United States and Australian commitment to their military alliance, and enhances stability and security throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation's force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

A Marine with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M240B machine gun during a live fire training exercise, July 27. The exercise was conducted in Australia during exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel have participated. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries' bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance.

A Marine with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M240B machine gun during a live fire exercise, July 27. The exercise was conducted in Australia during exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel have participated.

A Marine with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security while conducting stability and support operations. SASO operations are part of a scenario based operation, which took place during exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel will participate. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries' bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation's force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

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44th Fighter Squadron Airmen participate in exercise Talisman Sabre
18 July 2011

An F-15C Eagle from the United States Air Force's 44th Fighter Squadron returns to RAAF Base Darwin after an afternoon familiarisation sortie as part of the lead up to Exercise Talisman Sabre, July 12. RAAF Base Darwin is hosting six F-15C Eagle fighter jets from the United States Air Force's 44th Fighter Squadron for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. The Eagles, based at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, are being supported by technicians from the 18th Maintenance Squadron, also from Kadena. These aircraft are conducting missions over training areas in the Northern Territory with a mix of United States Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force aircraft.

F-15C Eagles from the United States Air Force's 44th Fighter Squadron return from a sortie during the buildup to Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, July 12. RAAF Base Darwin is hosting six F-15C Eagle fighter jets from the United States Air Force's 44th Fighter Squadron for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. The Eagles, based at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, are being supported by technicians from the 18th Maintenance Squadron, also from Kadena. These aircraft are conducting missions over training areas in the Northern Territory with a mix of United States Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force aircraft.

United States Air Force 18th Maintenance Squadron Crew Chief, Airman First Class Orlando Nastacio, waits for the F-15C Eagle to shutdown after a sortie in the buildup to Exercise Talisman, July 12. RAAF Base Darwin is hosting six F-15C Eagle fighter jets from the United States Air Force's 44th Fighter Squadron for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. The Eagles, based at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, are being supported by technicians from the 18th Maintenance Squadron, also from Kadena. These aircraft are conducting missions over training areas in the Northern Territory with a mix of United States Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force aircraft.

An F-15C Eagle pilot from the United States Air Force's 44th Fighter Squadron initiates shut down procedures at RAAF Base Darwin after an afternoon familiarisation sortie as part of the lead up to Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, July 12. RAAF Base Darwin is hosting six F-15C Eagle fighter jets from the United States Air Force's 44th Fighter Squadron for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. The Eagles, based at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, are being supported by technicians from the 18th Maintenance Squadron, also from Kadena. These aircraft are conducting missions over training areas in the Northern Territory with a mix of United States Air Force, Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force aircraft.

 

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Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 successfully concludes
29 July 2011

ROCKHAMPTON, Australia - The largest combined Australian and United States military training exercise, Talisman Sabre 2011 (TS11), concluded with a closing ceremony at Camp Rocky, Rockhampton, July 28.

The ceremony featured a media briefing with Australian spokesperson Brigadier Bob Brown and activities for the U.S. and Australian troops involved in the Exercise.

Talisman Sabre is a biennial military exercise that trains Australian and U.S. forces to plan and conduct combined task force operations to improve combat readiness and interoperability on a variety of missions, from conventional conflict to peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance efforts.

"This exercise has been two years in the planning, and we have had a highly successful outcome," said Brigadier Bob Brown.

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 featured 14,000 U.S. and 8,500 Australian personnel across six defence training areas in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Maritime forces exercised in the Coral, Timor and Arafura Seas.

"Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 is an excellent opportunity for us to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment, which will increase the U.S. and Australian capabilities to both respond to crises in this region and provide humanitarian assistance when called upon," said Colonel Andrew MacMannis, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

"We look forward to training with our Australian counterparts and reinforcing our security responsibilities in the Pacific region."

The 31st MEU took part in an amphibious landing on Freshwater Beach, Queensland on July 19, which involved more than 15 amphibious assault vehicles and 350 Marines and sailors.

In addition to the amphibious landing, training operations during Talisman Sabre included urban operations, strategic forced insertion by a parachute drop, refugee camp simulations and air-to-air combat operations.

Several military and humanitarian assistance scenarios were also conducted with U.S. and Australian interagency participation. "We have worked, eaten and trained alongside each other at sea, on the ground and in the air," said said Brigadier Bob Brown .

"In doing so we have developed new and lasting friendships between us and our U.S. counterparts. The deep and enduring bond between the people of our armed forces has only been enhanced by the successful conduct of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011."

In addition to the 22,500 troops, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 involved an estimated 18 sea vessels, 25 aircraft and 1,500 road vehicles.