BUILDING UP BOND
TOWNSVILLE is hosting a trilateral defence exercise for the first time in three years at its High Range training area.
Exercise Southern Jackaroo, which runs until May 28, is an annual activity between Australia, the United States and Japan, aiming to expand on strong relationships and exchange combat techniques.
The activity maintains the 3rd Brigade’s “ready” status, before being passed on to the 7th Brigade in Brisbane next year.
Major Roland Spackman, Brigade Major of the 3rd Brigade, said the American forces brought different tactical ap- proaches systems.
“They get to experience our vehicles and weapons and we get to learn from their own tactics, techniques and procedures,” he said.
Maj Spackman said the trilateral activity provided the opportunity to integrate foreign personnel.
“I think any chance to operate with our partners is building a common understanding, a common ability to operate together with standard operating procedures and tactic techniques,” he said.
“It also builds that mutual understanding throughout the region of working together for security.”
The training area is built to replicate real- life simulated combat scenarios and includes 3rd Brigade Headquarters.
The liaison offices comprise of nodes Alpha, and weapons Bravo and Charlie, which are tasked with managing, planning and administering a battle.
It also features a Role 1 medical facility that will manage simulated casualties and treat soldiers injured during the exercise.
Captain Lachlan Joseph has served in the Australian Army for eight years and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2016 and 2017. Capt Joseph said he hoped to learn about how the Americans and Japanese operate from the training exercise.
“So in the event where we need to deploy on operations together we can do that in a seamless fashion,” he said.
“One of the key outputs, one of the things I’m seeing, is we each do things very similarly.
“It’s good to forge some social ties across nations as well, so we’ve been sharing food and having conversa- tions and learning about each other’s equipment capabilities.”
The international contingents include one light infantry platoon from the US Army, one Marine Rotational Force from Darwin and one light infantry company from the Japanese Defence Force.
US Marine Lance Corporal Jorean Cusimano said he found working with Australian forces easy because of the similarities the two nations share.
“I know the Australians have a lot to bring to the table as well. I’m looking forward to learning all about their weapons systems, their vehicles … and seeing how we can help each other out,” he said.
The international troops were given a Welcome to Country by an indigenous elder during a traditional ceremony on May 11 at Lavarack Barracks.