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Joint Staff Embarks Boxer for Talisman Saber

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050616-03
Release Date: 6/16/2005 6:27:00 AM

By Photographer’s Mate Airman Paul Polach, USS Boxer Public Affairs

TOWNSVILLE, Australia (NNS) -- A joint task force of nearly 50 Australian and U.S. service members, known as Combined Forces Maritime Component Command (CFMCC), embarked USS Boxer (LHD 4) in Townsville, Australia, June 10-11 to lead Exercise Talisman Saber 2005.

Headed by Australian Commodore Davyd Thomas, Commander, Float and Deployable Joint Task Force Headquarters, CFMCC will perform command and control of joint maritime operations during command post and field training portions of the exercise. Key leaders supporting Thomas include Rear Adm. Victor G. Guillory, Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet, and Australian Brig. Gen. John Cantwell, commander, 1st Brigade, Royal Australian Regiment, who will lead landing forces during the field training exercise.

“Members of Combined Forces Maritime Component Command are basically supporting [Commodore] Davyd Thomas,” said Australian Lt. Cmdr. Dave Graham, a member of the CFMCC staff. “We provide him with the best possible information so that he can make decisions in regards to this exercise.”

Talisman Saber tests Australian and U.S. service members across the full spectrum of joint capability, from operational aspects to humanitarian assistance operations.

“Talisman Saber is going to be a lot of hard work,” said Graham.

Graham expressed his enthusiasm for working aboard the U.S. Navy ship. “Boxer has been one of the best ships I have been on, and the ship’s company is really professional and enjoyable to work with,” he said.

Talisman Saber involves more than 16,000 Australian and U.S. service members cooperating to conclude three phases of operations in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. Shoalwater Bay is considered one of the best training facilities for air, land and sea operations in the Pacific Rim.

The knowledge shared between the participating U.S. and Australian forces during Talisman Saber will serve as a solid foundation for any future allied operations.