MolliG
03-31-2004, 11:00 AM
26 March 2004
Exercise Mercury 04: Counter-Terrorism Exercise
The National Counter-Terrorism Committee’s multi-jurisdictional counter-terrorism exercise (MJEX) Exercise Mercury 04 has been designed to exercise Australian, state and territory government agencies' ability to prevent, respond and recover from terrorist threats and acts of terrorism simultaneously in multiple jurisdictions.
The exercise, which ran from 22 - 26 March 2004, was Australia’s largest and most ambitious counter-terrorism exercise ever undertaken. It encompassed four jurisdictions simultaneously - the primary jurisdictions being the Northern Territory and Tasmania, with the secondary being Victoria and South Australia.
As part of the Northern Territory jurisdiction, Exercise Mercury was held in the East Timor Gap where a Tactical Assault Group (TAG), an element of A Squadron 5 Aviation Regiment, a RAAF AP3C and HMAS Kanimbla were involved in training to resolve an incident recently.
The aim was to test Australia’s well-planned and coordinated approach to national security and highlight the strong relationship between the states and territories and the Australian Government.
Exercises such as Mercury 04 enhance capability, understanding and interoperability and will contribute to the effectiveness of any response to a real terrorist event.
Read ministerial release: Defence Minister praises ADF Counter-Terrorism response (http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Hilltpl.cfm?CurrentId=3690)
Footage (.MPG)
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/Mercury01.mpg (6.17MB)
Tactical Assault Group (west), day operations from HMAS Kanimbla with a rigid hull inflatable boat and Black Hawk helicopter.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/Mercury02.mpg (5.51MB)
Tactical Assault Group (west), night operations from HMAS Kanimbla with a rigid hull inflatable boat and Black Hawk helicopter.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/Mercury03.mpg (2.81MB)
Tactical Assault Group (east), night arrival and operations in Hobart.
Images
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU24MAR04DH017_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers being transported by 5 Aviation Black Hawk to their target vessel as part of ongoing training during Exercise Mercury in the seas to the north of Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU25MAR04NR06_lo.jpg
The in-exercise response to a terrorist incident conducted in Tasmania as part of Exercise Mercury. Its purpose is to showcase the capability of having proven command structures, procedures and techniques within our national resources to deal with threats or acts of terrorism in Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU21MAR04DH003_lo.jpg
A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) trooper scales a ladder up the side of HMAS Kanimbla during exercises as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU21MAR04DH025_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers in a rigid hull inflatable boat along side HMAS Kanimbla conduct water operations as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU21MAR04DH090_lo.jpg
A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) trooper scales a ladder up the side of HMAS Kanimbla during exercises as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU21MAR04DH097_lo.jpg
A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) trooper scales a ladder up the side of HMAS Kanimbla during exercises as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU21MAR04DH208_lo.jpg
Troopers from the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) conducting night boarding exercises on HMAS Kanimbla as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH024_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers conduct casting exercises from a 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk helicopter as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia. A safety boat from HMAS Kanimbla stands by.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH066_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers conduct fast roping exercises from a 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk helicopter aboard HMAS Kanimbla as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH127_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers conduct fast roping exercises from a 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk Helicopter aboard HMAS Kanimbla as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH144_lo.jpg
A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) trooper onboard HMAS Kanimbla carries equipment after roping from a 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk helicopter as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH154_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers in a rigid hull inflatable boat along side HMAS Kanimbla conduct water operations as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH161_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers storm the flight deck of HMAS Kanimbla after roping from a 5 Aviation Regiment helicopter as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH182_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers storm the flight deck of HMAS Kanimbla after roping from a 5 Aviation Regiment helicopter as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH211_lo.jpg
A 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk helicopter loaded with Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers prepares to conduct night exercises as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia.
All images, footage and text from www.defence.gov.au. Hi-res pictures can be found at the original page here (http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304.cfm).
:D
Exercise Mercury 04: Counter-Terrorism Exercise
The National Counter-Terrorism Committee’s multi-jurisdictional counter-terrorism exercise (MJEX) Exercise Mercury 04 has been designed to exercise Australian, state and territory government agencies' ability to prevent, respond and recover from terrorist threats and acts of terrorism simultaneously in multiple jurisdictions.
The exercise, which ran from 22 - 26 March 2004, was Australia’s largest and most ambitious counter-terrorism exercise ever undertaken. It encompassed four jurisdictions simultaneously - the primary jurisdictions being the Northern Territory and Tasmania, with the secondary being Victoria and South Australia.
As part of the Northern Territory jurisdiction, Exercise Mercury was held in the East Timor Gap where a Tactical Assault Group (TAG), an element of A Squadron 5 Aviation Regiment, a RAAF AP3C and HMAS Kanimbla were involved in training to resolve an incident recently.
The aim was to test Australia’s well-planned and coordinated approach to national security and highlight the strong relationship between the states and territories and the Australian Government.
Exercises such as Mercury 04 enhance capability, understanding and interoperability and will contribute to the effectiveness of any response to a real terrorist event.
Read ministerial release: Defence Minister praises ADF Counter-Terrorism response (http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Hilltpl.cfm?CurrentId=3690)
Footage (.MPG)
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/Mercury01.mpg (6.17MB)
Tactical Assault Group (west), day operations from HMAS Kanimbla with a rigid hull inflatable boat and Black Hawk helicopter.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/Mercury02.mpg (5.51MB)
Tactical Assault Group (west), night operations from HMAS Kanimbla with a rigid hull inflatable boat and Black Hawk helicopter.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/Mercury03.mpg (2.81MB)
Tactical Assault Group (east), night arrival and operations in Hobart.
Images
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU24MAR04DH017_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers being transported by 5 Aviation Black Hawk to their target vessel as part of ongoing training during Exercise Mercury in the seas to the north of Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU25MAR04NR06_lo.jpg
The in-exercise response to a terrorist incident conducted in Tasmania as part of Exercise Mercury. Its purpose is to showcase the capability of having proven command structures, procedures and techniques within our national resources to deal with threats or acts of terrorism in Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU21MAR04DH003_lo.jpg
A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) trooper scales a ladder up the side of HMAS Kanimbla during exercises as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU21MAR04DH025_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers in a rigid hull inflatable boat along side HMAS Kanimbla conduct water operations as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU21MAR04DH090_lo.jpg
A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) trooper scales a ladder up the side of HMAS Kanimbla during exercises as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU21MAR04DH097_lo.jpg
A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) trooper scales a ladder up the side of HMAS Kanimbla during exercises as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU21MAR04DH208_lo.jpg
Troopers from the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) conducting night boarding exercises on HMAS Kanimbla as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH024_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers conduct casting exercises from a 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk helicopter as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia. A safety boat from HMAS Kanimbla stands by.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH066_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers conduct fast roping exercises from a 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk helicopter aboard HMAS Kanimbla as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH127_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers conduct fast roping exercises from a 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk Helicopter aboard HMAS Kanimbla as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH144_lo.jpg
A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) trooper onboard HMAS Kanimbla carries equipment after roping from a 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk helicopter as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH154_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers in a rigid hull inflatable boat along side HMAS Kanimbla conduct water operations as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH161_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers storm the flight deck of HMAS Kanimbla after roping from a 5 Aviation Regiment helicopter as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH182_lo.jpg
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers storm the flight deck of HMAS Kanimbla after roping from a 5 Aviation Regiment helicopter as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304/JPAU22MAR04DH211_lo.jpg
A 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk helicopter loaded with Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers prepares to conduct night exercises as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia.
All images, footage and text from www.defence.gov.au. Hi-res pictures can be found at the original page here (http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2004/mar/260304.cfm).
:D