Multinational urban-assault in Townsville

Personnel from Australia’s 3rd Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the US Army conducted an assault on the urban operations training facility in Townsville Field Training area in May.

CAPTION: An Australian Army soldier from 1st Military Police Battalion and his military working dog Petra alongside soldiers from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during an assault at the Urban Operations Training Facility on Exercise Brolga Run 2024 at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Story and photo by Captain Brittany Evans.

Exercise Brolga Run, a multilateral combined-arms exercise, also included personnel from the US Marine Corps and Papua New Guinea Defence Force.

Commander Combat Training Centre Colonel Benjamin McLennan said it was important to collaborate with partner and allied forces when training.

“Communication is degraded by the enemy, geography and equipment – it is difficult to execute,” Colonel McLennan said.

“It shows the importance of positive leadership, to bring people together in teams from very diverse backgrounds and contexts, to make the team a whole and achieve.”

Urban combat operations are conducted to capitalise on tactical advantages associated with control of an urban area.

Urban training facilities allow military teams to role-play different scenarios and prepare for real-world engagements.

Colonel McLennan said it was beneficial for other nations to experience Australian Army training facilities.

“In a military context, we have the best training areas in the world and the quality of our facilities within, like the urban operations training facility,” he said.

“We’ve got a history of valued, challenging, realistic and immersive training – other nations respect that.

“Being exposed to different types of terrain will help when they are deployed anywhere with similar terrain.

“Teams will be better prepared for crisis or combat anywhere, anytime.”

Colonel McLennan said Exercise Brolga Run had significant outcomes for 3rd Brigade, demonstrating collective capability, cohesion and commitment.

“This exercise is an opportunity to enhance relationships, not just with international forces,” Colonel McLennan said.

“Logistics within 3rd Brigade is learning how to work better with the armoured battalion, or regiment, and working to Brigade Headquarters.

“It’s enhancing these relationships – and relationships matter when all else fails.

“The brigade will be more ready at the end of this activity.

“A few drops of sweat saves buckets of blood.”

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The headline for this story on the Defence website reads “Allies train for crisis and combat“. Ignorant editorial errors such as this give me the s#1ts – especially in formal Defence communications.
For clarity – Japan and Australia are not allies – yet. Japan and the US have been formal allies since 1951.

 

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