New and improved Camp Rocky hosts biggest Talisman Sabre war games yet

Step inside Camp Rocky, home to thousands of military personnel taking part in Australia’s largest joint-military training exercise, Talisman Sabre.

MAJOR Lucas McKennariey stood next to the large ­armoured truck and pointed to the ground.

“I thought I’d be sleeping here,” he said.

“(Last time), we just slept next to the vehicles,” he said of his time spent at Camp Rocky during Australia’s largest joint-military training exercise, Talisman Sabre.

It is Major McKennariey’s third time participating in the exercise, but his first time since 2009.

Troopers Ashley Humphries, Darryl Sawley and Kon Thon on the ground at Camp Rocky for the Talisman Sabre training exercise. Picture: Peter Wallis

The Combat Team Commander with Battle Group Jacka said the changes in the exercise’s base camp – on ­Canoona Rd in Rockhampton – were evident to those who had previously participated in the biennial exercise, which started in 2005.

One of those was the ­investment in infrastructure, including the fact soldiers passing through the base were now all accommodated in large, shared military tents of up to 12 people, with concrete floors added in 2014.

Ships in action during Talisman Sabre 2019. Picture: Australian Defence Force

“We just slept next to the (bushmaster) vehicles,” Maj McKennariey said of his time spent at Camp Rocky during 2007 and 2009.

“The facility has grown significantly. When I first came here, it was very much a small smattering of buildings.

“The mess is more accommodating, there are more ablutions and this has been set up more to support more ­forces moving through here. The exercise is getting bigger and bigger, so it’s responding to that need.”

Australian and American troops on the ground at Camp Rocky. Picture: Peter Wallis

More than 34,000 personnel from five countries are participating in the largest ever Talisman Sabre along the Queensland coast, from now until July 24.

Designed for the Australian and American militaries to practice combat readiness and interoperability, the exercise has expanded to now include troops from New Zealand, Canada, the UK and, for the first time, Japan.

Inside Camp Rocky, home of Talisman Sabre

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On any given day, hundreds of military personnel come and go from Camp Rocky on their way in or out of Shoalwater Bay to play war games.

A sea of 230 large military tents borders an open-air mess hall with ceiling fans, where up to 1000 people can be fed at one time.

Major Jessica Luciani said the base was the theatre gateway, or entrance point, for military units to the massive training exercise.

“They come from all across Australia as well as our coalition partners and the Kiwis,” she said.

“As part of our role here, we receipt them into the theatre, which includes accommodating them, rationing them and so forth.”