2RHPZ
07-08-2004, 03:56 AM
Defence training areas in Queensland and the Northern Territory will be upgraded to establish a network of state-of-the-art facilities where Australian and United States forces can undertake joint training, Defence Minister Robert Hill has announced.
Australia and the US agreed to develop a Joint Combined Training Centre at the annual Australia-United States Ministerial consultations (AUSMIN) in Washington today.
Senator Hill said the centre was a long-term commitment that would create jobs and provide Australia with the world’s best joint training facilities and high technology equipment.
It would include state-of-the-art technology that allowed commanders to oversee the exercises in real time, then replay missions in debriefs to personnel.
Under the concept, facilities at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland and the Bradshaw Training Area and Delamere Air Weapons Range in the Northern Territory will be further developed and able to be linked with American facilities.
"Our initial priority will be to upgrade the Shoalwater Bay facility to support the first of the Talisman Sabre series of biennial joint training exercises that will be undertaken in 2007," Senator Hill said.
"Talisman Sabre will see tens of thousands of Australian and US military personnel undertake land, sea and air training in operations such as full-scale amphibious landing, airstrike bomb runs using live munitions as well as high-tech computer simulated scenarios.
"It will provide training for Australian and US forces in the planning and conduct of combined operations – vital experience given the increasing need for our military to work together in coalitions in these uncertain times and to prepare for future challenges.
"We also plan to further develop and link Bradshaw and Delamere into the training centre so that similar training exercises can be undertaken there."
Senator Hill said today’s agreement was a long-term commitment to further strengthen the Australian-US alliance.
"The Alliance is not just a symbolic statement of principles – it enables the Australian Defence Force to access the expertise of the world’s only superpower," Senator Hill said.
"Today’s historic agreement is further evidence of the close ties between our nations."
Full article (http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Hilltpl.cfm?CurrentId=4016)
Australia and the US agreed to develop a Joint Combined Training Centre at the annual Australia-United States Ministerial consultations (AUSMIN) in Washington today.
Senator Hill said the centre was a long-term commitment that would create jobs and provide Australia with the world’s best joint training facilities and high technology equipment.
It would include state-of-the-art technology that allowed commanders to oversee the exercises in real time, then replay missions in debriefs to personnel.
Under the concept, facilities at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland and the Bradshaw Training Area and Delamere Air Weapons Range in the Northern Territory will be further developed and able to be linked with American facilities.
"Our initial priority will be to upgrade the Shoalwater Bay facility to support the first of the Talisman Sabre series of biennial joint training exercises that will be undertaken in 2007," Senator Hill said.
"Talisman Sabre will see tens of thousands of Australian and US military personnel undertake land, sea and air training in operations such as full-scale amphibious landing, airstrike bomb runs using live munitions as well as high-tech computer simulated scenarios.
"It will provide training for Australian and US forces in the planning and conduct of combined operations – vital experience given the increasing need for our military to work together in coalitions in these uncertain times and to prepare for future challenges.
"We also plan to further develop and link Bradshaw and Delamere into the training centre so that similar training exercises can be undertaken there."
Senator Hill said today’s agreement was a long-term commitment to further strengthen the Australian-US alliance.
"The Alliance is not just a symbolic statement of principles – it enables the Australian Defence Force to access the expertise of the world’s only superpower," Senator Hill said.
"Today’s historic agreement is further evidence of the close ties between our nations."
Full article (http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Hilltpl.cfm?CurrentId=4016)