Aus, USA, Indo train together to tackle natural disasters

The Australian Defence Force (ADF), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) and Indonesian National Armed Forces recently completed Exercise Crocodile to enhance trilateral coordinated response to humanitarian crises and provide disaster relief.

CAPTION: Forces from Australia, the US and Indonesia conduct airfield reconnaissance and assessments in an MV-22 Osprey during Exercise Crocodile Response in Nhulunbuy. Story by Lieutenant Gordon Carr-Gregg. Photo by Corporal Cameron Hermanet.

The annual Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise was conducted in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the United States Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and the Indonesian Search and Rescue National Agency (BASARNAS).

Staged at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Crocodile Response deployed HADR capability by air and sea to the Gove Peninsular township of Nhulunbuy more than 600km east of Darwin.

Commander Headquarters Northern Command Colonel Marcus Constable, who oversaw the exercise, said it was a tangible demonstration of how Australia, the US and Indonesia would  stand together in times of crises.

“Working with DFAT, BHA & BASARNAS – the lead agencies in the event of a crisis – allows us to conduct planning and coordination for a partnered mission, building and fostering mutual cooperation between our forces and governments for future interoperability,” Col Constable said.

“Capability also deployed to Nhulunbuy to conduct HADR-related tasks such as landing zone assessments, water purification, establishing C2 nodes and supporting civilian or non-government agency distribution.”

Lead US planner for the exercise Major Bret Waters said the exercise supported the strategic objectives of US forces in the region.

“The MRF-D deployed significant and self-sufficient capability to a remote and austere part of Arnhem land,” Maj Waters said.

“We were also able to work with the United States Navy landing ship dock USS Ashland to conduct interoperability rehearsals at sea with ADF and USMC assets, a significant capability which we would look at using in the event of a real-world crisis.

“At the same time as Crocodile Response, we fielded a warfighting force in Queensland for Exercise Southern Jackaroo alongside our ADF and Japanese Ground Self Defense Force counterparts.

“As the first regimental headquarters to lead MRF-D, we look forward to our other upcoming exercises this year to integrate two highly capable and interoperable forces, along with our shared regional allies and partners, to advance our shared goals, demonstrate the strength and endurance of our alliance, and contribute to regional security.”

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