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Australian Soldiers Board ESG 7 Ships for Talisman Saber

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070617-03
Release Date: 6/17/2007 12:42:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Adam R. Cole, Task Force 76 Public Affairs

USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- Landing on a U.S. amphibious assault ship at sea from a Marine Corps helicopter was just one of many firsts for the command staff of the Australian Army’s 3rd Brigade (3BDE), who arrived on USS Essex (LHD 2) June 12, while another element of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment embarked USS Juneau (LPD 10).

Led by Brig. Gen. John G. Caligari, the Australian army members — who serve in the same capacity as both U.S. Soldiers and Marines — are working closely with the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) to plan and coordinate a portion of the field training component of Exercise Talisman Saber 2007 (TS07). Members of the Australian brigade now embarked on Juneau are doing the same bilateral planning, as they mull over geographic maps and landing zones.

TS07 is a U.S.-Australian exercise involving more than 32,000 personnel from both nations that will focus on improving interoperability and enhancing regional stability.

“During this planning phase, our combined staffs and units are coming up with planning that tailors to our combined capabilities so that we are most effective and put forward our best tactical options,” said Caligari, who is also serving as the combined force land component commander during the exercise.

Caligari, like Australia forces overall, has a close link with the U.S. forces. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. His unit worked with U.S. forces in Somalia during contingency operations there in early 1993, and he worked with the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps team during operations in East Timor in 2000.

While Caligari may be comfortable working with U.S. forces, he and his staff are still getting used to their surroundings aboard Essex, which he admits is a lot more constricted than working out in the “bush,” though more comfortable than Australian vessels.

“Gym hours, meal hours … just finding our way around … it takes a little adjustment to get attuned to shipboard life,” said Caligari. “But the Australian Army is made to be flexible, fit in and change to our environment, so we’re starting to get there.”

More than just fitting in, his team is focused on interoperability and learning from their U.S. brethren. Army members serving with 3BDE’s staff is focused on achieving the mission objectives of the exercise by establishing a solid foundation of cooperation with their counterparts.

“It’s important to practice procedures, to improve ‘skills with drills,’ such that we can function together as a combined team more efficiently and effectively,” said Maj. Eamon P. Lenaghan, operations officer with the 3BDE. “We know that an integrative approach is the only way we are going to see results. Though interoperability is key, we’re also looking to build interpersonal relationships.”

The combined nature of Talisman Saber has and will be visibly apparent in the upcoming days and following weeks of the exercise, as the Marines and soldiers of both nations will continue planning, complete amphibious operations, and then share outposts ashore. At present, U.S. Marines and Australian soldiers are working side-by-side in a landing force operation center and supporting arms cooperation center.

U.S. Marines say they have a deep respect for their Australian counterparts and take seriously the opportunity to work with their long-time allies, knowing that lessons learned here may soon be applied in possible contingencies in the future.

“It is an absolute pleasure and rewarding experience to work with our Australian forces because of their high level, the same level as we have, of experience and expertise,” said Col. John L. Mayer, commanding officer of the MEB’s 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, whose team spent two weeks in Australia prior to the exercise to lay down initial planning and build relationships.

“Australians serve right next to us in a number of operations throughout the globe, so we know that the training accomplished here will carry on,” added Mayer.

Caligari’s outlook is similar. He hopes that both forces are able to gain from each other’s company, learn some tactics, exchange some lingo — a cup of coffee is a cup of brew for Australians — and make lasting friends.

“We both have things we can teach and things we can learn,” said Caligari.

Beyond the comforts of Essex, Caligari says the best part is the hospitality.

“The Essex crew and our Marine counterparts have been overly friendly and welcoming; it is a pleasure to be aboard,” he said.

Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 76 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan. The 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade is headquartered in Okinawa, Japan.