Diggers host Malaysian counterparts

Australian and Malaysian personnel deepened old bonds in September on Exercise Southern Tiger.

CAPTION: Australian and Malaysian Army soldiers conduct dry-fire rehearsals during Exercise Southern Tiger at Cultana Field Training Area, South Australia. Story by Captain Peter March. Photo by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

Hosted by 10th/27th Battalion, the Royal South Australia Regiment (10/27RSAR), foundation war-fighting and combined arms training were held at Cultana Training Area, Murray Bridge Training Area and Edinburgh Defence Precinct.

A company-sized contingent of Malaysian Army soldiers from various combat and combat support elements within the 4th Mechanised Brigade trained with members of 9th Brigade and 3rd Health Battalion on the annual exercise.

Commanding Officer 10/27RSAR Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Jackson said the exercise enhanced relationships.

“It’s been a great opportunity for us to train alongside our Malaysian partners,” Lieutenant Colonel Jackson said.

“Individual soldiers getting time on the tools is always a good thing. Soldiers are out there training, getting better at their core trades.

“Meanwhile, the soldiers and officers that organised the training and were involved in planning the exercise also benefited from increasing their understanding of how Army is contributing to implementing the National Defence Strategy.”

CAPTION: A vehicle recovery serial is conducted at Cultana Training Area during Exercise Southern Tiger. Photo by Captain Peter March.

Commanding Officer of the Malaysian Army’s 14th Mechanised Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Azllan bin Zainul Abidin, said the exercise played an important role in maintaining cooperation between the two nations.

“This was a very good opportunity to have my soldiers exposed to Australian culture, Australian Army culture, it’s training and training environments,” he said.

“Seeing the differences between our two armies and the way we train will be of great benefit to all those involved.”

Personnel engaged in blank and live-fire drills to develop interoperability, while exchanging cultural insights to strengthen mutual understanding.

The exercise culminated with a live-fire in complex combat scenarios.

Commander 9th Brigade, Brigadier Tim Orders, said the level of the training was remarkable.

“What the units achieved over the three weeks has strengthened the relationship between our two countries immeasurably,” he said.

“The trust we’ve built throughout this training is especially valuable in the current strategic environment.”

CAPTION: Australian and Malaysian Army soldiers conduct dry-fire rehearsals during Exercise Southern Tiger. Photo by Private Sukhraj kaur.

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