Mission accomplished across air, land and sea

Exercise Bersama Lima 2024 has concluded with all activities conducted across air, land and sea a resounding success.

CAPTION: Royal Australian Air Force 77 Squadron members on the apron with the F-35A Lightning II at Paya Lebar Air Base during Exercise Bersama Lima 2024, Singapore. Story by Captain Andrew Page. Photos by Corporal Lisa Sherman.

The annual exercise involves the participation of Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) partners Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Commander of the Australian Contingent Major Mark Tamblyn said the exercise helped to build relationships with FPDA partners and improved interoperability.

“Training on an exercise like this helps us to work together as one cohesive team,” Major Tamblyn said.

“With these partnerships, we’re ready to respond to natural disasters and security situations in the coordinated defence of Malaysia and Singapore.”

This year’s Bersama Lima included the deployment of Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft to host nation Singapore – a first for an FPDA exercise.

Another first was the deployment of a Royal Australian Navy clearance diving team to Tioman Island, Malaysia, where together with other FPDA nations, they cleared mines laid by a fictitious enemy.

Bersama Lima 2025 will be hosted in Malaysia to continue enhancing training realism and sophistication among the FPDA nations.

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