Japanese troops set to join Southern Jackaroo

Japanese troops have arrived in Darwin ahead of the trilateral Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2021, joining United States Marines already undertaking training in the region.

CAPTION: An Australian Army soldier and a Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldier conduct bilateral forward observer training during 2019 Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Shoalwater Bay. Photo by Corporal Tristan Kennedy.

Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, having served the mandatory quarantine period, will join their counterparts from Australia and the United States for the exercise in the Northern Territory which will run from 15-25 June.

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Rick Burr AO, DSC, MVO, said the annual activity reinforced the cooperation between Australian, Japanese and US forces across a range of military disciplines including infantry, aviation, artillery, and combat engineer training.

“The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin will bring more equipment this year, allowing for a more complex exercise to advance our ability to work together,” Lieutenant General Burr said.

“During the exercise, the three forces will conduct complex activities coordinating artillery, unmanned aircraft systems and rotary wing assets.

“There is a lot to learn from our partners and this trilateral format allows us to better understand our respective capabilities.

“It also enables us to continue to work together and be ready to contribute to national and collective responses.”

All international participants are subject to strict screening and quarantine requirements prior to departure and on arrival into Australia.

Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2021 will commence following an opening ceremony on 15 June.

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