Exercise Southern Jackaroo – CONTACT magazine

Corporal Jayden Eva, Corporal Stephen Peters and Craftsman Aiden Nydrle conduct vehicle recovery training during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Story by Captain Andrew Page. Photos by Private William McCormick.

Australian Army News

Recovery mechanics keep vehicles moving

09/07/202610/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 444 Views 0 Comments 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Townsville Field Training Area

While combat units manoeuvred across the Townsville Field Training Area during Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Army recovery mechanics worked behind the

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Corporals Jacob Sofia and Harrison Hinson, of 2nd Cavalry Regiment, with the Quantum Vector drone during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Story by Sergeant Matt Bickerton. Photo by Ian Hitchcock.

Australian Army News Science & Technology

New drone uses AI on Southern Jackaroo

09/07/202609/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 617 Views 1 Comment 2nd Cavalry Regiment, drone, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, fixed‑wing reconnaissance drones, Townsville Field Training Area, Vector AI

One of Army’s newest fixed‑wing reconnaissance drones took flight on Exercise Southern Jackaroo, identifying targets in depth and enabling drone

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Australian Army officer Captain Ian Eagle and New Zealand Defence Force soldier Lance Corporal Aaron Marinus during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area. Photo by Private Alli Craig.

Anzac spirit strong at Southern Jackeroo

09/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 545 Views 0 Comments Exercise Southern Jackaroo, NZDF, Reservists

Two former New Zealand cavalry soldiers have reunited in Townsville nearly a decade after first serving together. CAPTION: Australian Army

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An M1A1 Abrams from Battle Group Heeler in a battle hide during Exercise Southern Jackaroo, part of Exercise Diamond Strike, in the Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Story by Major Roger Brennan. All photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Australian Army News

Exercise wraps with a full-on attack

14/07/202314/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3450 Views 1 Comment 7th Brigade, CTC, Diamond Strike, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, M1A1 Abrams, MRF-D

Pinned down in a deep creek line in the Townsville Field Training Area, soldiers from the 7th Brigade’s Battle Group

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Australian Army riflemen from Battle Group Heeler deliver ammunition in a simulated urban assault during Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Townsville Field Training Area. Story by Major Roger Brennan. All photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Australian Army News Videos

Souther Jackaroo tests forces ahead of Talisman Sabre

07/07/202314/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3679 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 7th Brigade, Diamond Strike, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Exercise Talisman Sabre, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), MRF-D, Townsville Field Training Area, USMC

As dawn broke across the Townsville Field Training Area, marines from the US Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) heard

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Members from the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, His Majesty’s Armed Forces – Tonga and the Australian Army attend the opening ceremony for Exercise Diamond Strike at Jezzine Barracks, Queensland. Story by Major Roger Brennan. All photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Australian Army News

Multiple nations combine on Ex Southern Jackaroo 2023

29/06/202330/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2703 Views 0 Comments 7th Brigade, Diamond Strike, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, French Armed Forces in New Caledonia, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF)

Huddled in a small command post in the middle of Townsville Field Training Area, soldiers from the Australian Army’s 7th

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Army Corporal Sam Jamieson from 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment trains with the United States Marine Corps at Shoalwater Bay training area, Queensland, as part of Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2022. Story by Major Jesse Robilliard. Photo by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

Australian Army Japan News USA Videos

Jackaroo removes fences to improve interoperability

26/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3685 Views 0 Comments 6 RAR, EF-88, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), USMC

The Australian Army, United States Marine Corps (USMC) and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) are removing the barriers to success

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Australian Army soldiers, from 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, watch a demonstration of the M224 60mm mortar by United States Marine Corps personnel at Shoalwater Bay training area, near Rockhampton.

Australian Army Japan News USA

Exercise Southern Jackaroo enhances international combat readiness

17/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3356 Views 0 Comments 6 RAR, 7th Brigade, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, US Marines

Hundreds of Australian soldiers, troops from the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) and US Marines have started a major

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Australian Army Japan MRF-D News

Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2022 begins

10/05/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2892 Views 0 Comments Exercise Southern Jackaroo

Hundreds of Australian soldiers, troops from the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) and US Marines have started a major

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Asia Australian Australian Army MRF-D News USA Videos

Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2017

31/05/201702/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 6545 Views 0 Comments Exercise Southern Jackaroo

Exercise Southern Jackaroo is the Australian Defence Force’s annual trilateral exercise with elements from United States Pacific Command (US PACOM)

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