US aircraft arrive and some foreign troops exit quarantine in preparation for Talisman Sabre

As submarine, US aircraft arrive and members of foreign militaries complete hotel quarantine, the director of Australia’s largest military exercise has warned of an increase in defence vehicles on land, sea and air.

As US aircraft arrive and hundreds of members of foreign militaries complete their time in quarantine, the director of Exercise Talisman Sabre has warned of an increase in military vehicles on Queensland roads, waterways and in the air from now through to August.

In a video posted to the official Talisman Sabre Instagram account, Air Commodore Stuart Bellingham also thanked the community for their support as members about 1800 members of the US, Canadian, UK, South Korean, Japanese and New Zealand militaries converge on the Sunshine State for the ninth iteration of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021 (TS21), the country’s largest bilateral training exercise.

“Queenslanders have welcomed the ADF and US forces into their communities for Talisman sabre since 2005,” he said.

Australian Army Private Jacob Hosking, with 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, packs his Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile during a patrol in the field near Stanage Bay in Central Queensland during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019. Picture: Sgt. 1st Class Whitney C. Houston/US Army

“Due to COVID-19 you’ll notice fewer international participants this year compared to the past. Following state and territory guidelines all forces entering Australia will comply with strict mandatory quarantine and travel requirements.

“Please also be aware of high levels of military activity on Queensland roads, waterways and in the air before and after the exercise.”

Some US aircraft have already arrived in Australia, including a United States Air Force Lockheed C5 Galaxy from Hawaii that landed at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley, on South Amberley Road, near Ipswich, yesterday.

The Courier Mail understands the transport plane is headed for Townsville today.

Air Commodore Bellingham said TS21 – which will involve 17,000 military personnel – was designed to strengthen the Australian Defence Force (ADF)’s alliance and to help improve combat readiness.

Australian Army soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiments (3RAR), Bravo Company conducted air mobile and stability operations at the Combat Training Centre’s Jungle Training Wing in Tully in March. Supported by the 5th Aviation Regiment, the training activity formed part of Exercise Ready First. The exercise helped prepare the soldiers for the upcoming Exercise Talisman Sabre. Picture: CPL Brandon Grey

US marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen and women are expected to converge on regions extending from Weipa to the Whitsundays and down to Evans Head in NSW now through to August 1.

The majority of the mock war-games are scheduled to take place in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area in Byfield, north of Rockhampton, as well as further north in Townsville and off the east coast of Australia from July 14-31.

About 700 foreign troops have been or remain in quarantine for at least the past fortnight, with many staying in Brisbane hotels.

A small number have also been in quarantine in New South Wales.

An Australian Department of Defence spokeswoman previously said a further 1000 US soldiers would quarantine in Bladin Village in the Northern Territory before the exercise, and some UK, Canadian, Japanese, and Republic of Korea forces would do so in Sydney.

A US Air Force C5M Super Galaxy 85-007 from Hawaii landed at the RAAF base in Amberley, near Ipswich, on Tuesday night. It was spotted leaving RAAF Amberley Wednesday, headed to Townsville. Picture: Phillip Mcfarland/Aviation Enthusiasts Down Under/Facebook

All foreign military personnel were required to undergo COVID-19 testing prior to leaving their home country and after arriving in Australia, as well as having to comply with the mandatory quarantine restrictions.

This year TS21 will consist of a field training exercise incorporating force preparation – or logistics – activities, amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvre, urban operations, air combat and maritime operations, according to the ADF web site.

Air Commodore Bellingham said the support of Queenslanders enabled the ADF to deliver on their national security objectives.

“Minimising community impact is central to our exercise planning. We can’t hold this exercise without you and we’re grateful of your ongoing patience and support,” he said.

The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) sails during Talisman Sabre 2019 visited Queensland as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019. It is unclear how many ships might be participating in TS21 or if their crew will be allowed to come ashore due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Supplied

“Your support enables the Australian Defence Force to deliver on our national security objectives and it is truly appreciated by all of those who serve.”

In June, Australia Joint Operations Chief Lieutenant General Greg Bilton said TS21 was limited to about 17,000 personnel due to the global pandemic.

“Around 1,800 foreign military personnel will arrive in Australia for this year’s exercise. We will also have part of the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin participating, as well as naval and air assets exercising exclusively offshore,” he said at the time.

Talisman Sabre 2019 was the largest bilateral defence exercise to ever hit Queensland’s shores.

That exercise comprised more than 34,000 mostly American and Australian military personnel and included personnel from New Zealand, Canada, the UK and for the first time, Japan, while a Chinese spy ship observed in the distance.

HMAS Brisbane leads the American navy ship USS Rafael Peralta into Sydney Harbour on July 3. Picture: Julian Andrews

The initial Talisman Sabre in 2005 had about 17,500 Americans and Australians with 27,500 personnel involved in the 2007 exercise.

Previous iterations of Exercise Talisman Sabre has seen several US and Japanese war ships visit Australia, however the ADF are yet to confirm how many ships are participating in TS21 or if their crew will be permitted to come ashore because of COVID-19 restrictions.

But three ships from Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States arrived in Sydney on July 3, ahead of a regional quadrilateral exercise dubbed Pacific Vanguard.

Crew members from the JS Makinami, ROKS Wang Geon and USS Rafael Peralta were able to access a controlled quarantine area beside their ships, but had no interaction with Australian personnel.