The North Queensland Warfighter is taking over the region, as combined army exercises kick off
Seven nations, thousands of soldiers and hundreds of armoured vehicles are set to take over North Queensland. Find out all the details – including which town they will be infiltrating.
Townsville
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Seven nations, thousands of soldiers and hundreds of armoured vehicles will begin their takeover of North Queensland this week as major exercises kick off.
Australian, Malaysian, Korean, Japanese, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and American soldiers stood side by side on Lavarack Barracks on Monday morning for the opening ceremony of the North Queensland Warfighter.
The Commander of the 1st Division, Major General Ash Collingburn addressed the troops and emphasised that despite coming weeks being physically and mentally demanding, they will emerge better soldiers and stronger partners.
“It is designed to push your limits because war, if and when it comes, will not wait for you to catch your breath, check your gear or to ask for a second chance,” he said.
“This exercise is more than just training, it’s a rehearsal for the realities of war.”
The commander of 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Ben McLennan said more than 3,500 soldiers, 400 armoured vehicles and a dozen of the most sophisticated helicopters in the world would be calling North Queensland home for the next month.
“No one else in the world does training like this,” he said.
Brigadier McLennan said for the next four weeks the community will see more traffic on the Bruce Highway, to and from Hervey’s range as well as a number of aircraft in the skies.
During the string of exercises, Army units will also conduct urban raids in Ingham and beach landings in Forrest Beach and Lucinda.
Brigadier McLennan encouraged his troops to demonstrate the “Australian way” to their international counterparts.
“How you lead, how you operate, how you dig deep when you’re wet, tired and hungry, that will leave a lasting impression,” he said.
The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force deployed its largest capability group in the exercise’s history with 300 personnel and 70 vehicles participating in the training.
Commander of the 46th Infantry Regiment, Colonel Morita Yuya, said it would be an incredible learning experience for all involved.
“We’re here to use the very good training infrastructure in Australia and not only strengthen our missions execution capability but also to show our existence here, and to utilise this opportunity as a deterrence to any adversaries,” he said.
Task Force Commander for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Major Nicholas Foust, said his team was ready to work alongside partners in the region, though they had concerns about the local wildlife.
“Being up for long periods of time, tired, hungry and pushing through but I think one of the more bigger concerns is just getting bit by snakes or spiders,” he said.
He said outside of the exercise he was shocked at how accommodating the community of Townsville had been and that Australia was already starting to feel like a “second home.”
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Originally published as The North Queensland Warfighter is taking over the region, as combined army exercises kick off
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