Australian soldiers, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade join forces for Talisman Saber 2007
ABOARD USS JUNEAU (June 12, 2007) -- Soldiers from the 2nd Royal Australian Regiment, based out of Townsville, Australia, observe as Marines from the Okinawa, Japan-based 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade prepare to load a landing craft utility from the USS Juneau (LPD 10) and sail to Her Majesty’s Australian Ship Kanimbla for interoperability training, June 12.
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June 12, 2007; Submitted on: 06/13/2007 12:09:50 PM ; Story ID#: 200761312950
By Cpl. Kamran Sadaghiani, 31st MEU
The soldiers, belonging to 3rd Brigade, embarked Juneau to integrate with the MEB’s 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit for combined training in preparation for Exercise Talisman Saber 2007, an Australia-U.S. combined and joint training exercise which increases war fighting capabilities while observing environmental regulations.
Throughout their stay aboard Juneau, the soldiers will receive orientations from the Marines on operating assault amphibian vehicles and how the MEU’s combat service support element functions.
As a light infantry element, the soldiers do not use mechanized vehicles, so coming aboard ship and working with the Marines is a great learning opportunity to expand their knowledge base, explained Australian Army 1st Lt. Simon Ashley-Bunn, a light infantry platoon commander.
“I think this is a unique chance for us to take advantage of this, because the more we train together, the more we learn from each other to sharpen our operational capabilities,” said Ashley-Bunn.
Third Brigade and elements of 3d MEB will be conducting three weeks of combined and joint training along with Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 76 during the exercise.
Talisman Saber, a biennial exercise, provides U.S. and Australian forces an opportunity to practice working together in a combined and joint environment, test interoperability and to refine procedures and doctrine. The exercise also allows military personnel from two allied nations to train together and enhance their war fighting skills