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Australian Commodore Visits Future Talisman Saber Flagship

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050613-07
Release Date: 6/13/2005 8:06:00 AM

By Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class D. Arthur Jones, USS Boxer Public Affairs

DARWIN, Australia (NNS) -- Australian Commodore Davyd Thomas, commander, Float and Deployable Joint Task Force Headquarters and Combined Forces Maritime Component commander for Talisman Saber 2005, visited his future flagship, USS Boxer (LHD 4), May 31 for a meeting with his staff members to discuss the concept of Australian and U.S. operations for the exercise.

Talisman Saber, a combination of what were once Exercises Tandem Thrust, Kingfisher and Crocodile, is an exercise involving more than 16,000 Australian and U.S. service members from various branches of the armed forces.

“The commodore was very pleased to get out here and meet his U.S. counterparts,” said Australian Lt. Cmdr. Frederick John Ross, future operations planner for Talisman Saber. “It was important for the commodore to meet his staff and familiarize himself with the ship and other exercise platforms.”

Planning for the biennial exercise commenced in early 2003 and is a major exercise for both countries. The exercise provides Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet an opportunity to train with the Australian Joint Operations Staff to work as a designated Combined Task Force. The exercise will focus on crisis action planning and execution of contingency response operations.

Talisman Saber has an array of events, including a command-post exercise, a force-on-force and live-fire field training exercise and a strategic air drop.

Each facet builds unanimity in Australian and U.S. forces during intensive operations conducted in the Shoalwater Bay training area.

Challenges faced by Australian and American military personnel will strengthen ties, as participating units share the skills and understanding necessary to prepare for real-world events in the future that may require joint operations on land and at sea.

“With today’s global climate, it is important for our coalitions to stay focused and work as a cohesive team,” said Ross. “Exercises like Talisman Saber give us the opportunity to hone our skills and reinforce these longstanding friendships.”