Defence embraces global changes with Talisman Sabre to go ahead despite pandemic
Despite the impacts of a pandemic, military troops will converge in Queensland as Australia’s biennial war games go head, albeit a little differently this year.
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DESPITE the impacts of a pandemic, troops will converge in Queensland as Australia’s biennial war games go ahead, albeit a little differently this year.
Exercise Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral training activity between Australia and the United States and tests the combat readiness of our Army, Navy and Air Force troops as well as Marines in a series of complex war scenarios.
A Defence spokeswoman told the Townsville Bulletin the event would commence in July after extensive planning.
“Defence is working with relevant state and territory authorities, including chief health officers, to design an exercise that is safe for participating forces and the Australian community,” she said.
TS21 exercises are planned across the state including in Townsville, Charters Towers, Bundaberg, Shoalwater Bay, Lindeman Island, Mackay, Ingham, RAAF Base Scherger in Mission River, Cowley Beach and Evans Head in NSW.
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Due to the pandemic, Defence changed the way it operated, while ensuring its operational readiness.
To ensure the event runs despite the pandemic, a reduced number of international forces will travel to Australia and the components of the exercise involving foreign maritime and air elements, will occur exclusively offshore.
All foreign forces entering Australia will need to comply with mandatory quarantine and movement restrictions – including pre-departure screening and testing, mandatory quarantine and returning a negative COVID-19 test result before exiting quarantine.
The defence spokeswoman said the exercise would not impact limits on returning Australians.
“The arrival of international partners for TS21 will not affect the number of returning Australians,” she said.
“Comprehensive COVID-19 risk management plans, agreed to by relevant health authorities, will also be implemented throughout the exercise.”
Originally published as Defence embraces global changes with Talisman Sabre to go ahead despite pandemic
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