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Australia and the United States have worked together to demonstrate advancements in the capacity and capabilities of both armies in a bilateral exercise.
Exercise Kenney Strikes Back saw High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems from the Royal Australian Artillery’s 14th Regiment and US MRZR vehicles transported to RAAF Base Amberly via the US Air Force’s C-17 Globemaster IIIs.
Once landed in north Queensland and the south coast of NSW, US and Australian forces worked together on a multitude of communications, fire missions and reloading exercises.
The US Army’s 17th Field Artillery Battery (FAB) were involved throughout the exercise through acting as a major point of information transformation and reconnaissance.
17th FAB Commander Captain Daniel Schell said the exercise solidified the existing strengths of the US forces but also the value in collaborating with international partners.
“One of the great things about this exercise has been the chance to see some of the similarities we have with Australian forces, share lessons learned and work through some of the new things that we’re doing as part of coalition and joint training,” he said.
“We were able to receive a mission during our flight window and then store that information.
“We hit the ground running and moved over to the firing point, then transferred the information from US forces to Australian forces, who then prosecuted the target.”
Warrant Officer Class Two Mick Krek, Sergeant Major of 14 Regiment’s 54th Siege Battery, said the exercise offered a range of experience and education, specifically when collaborating with the US forces.
“Working with our American counterparts is always a rewarding activity. They come with a lot of experience, which is helpful for us as we’re a new unit and we still have a lot to learn,” he said.
“At the same time, the USAF also learns a lot from the Australian call signs, and I feel our training has postured us perfectly to execute missions such as this to deny avenues of approach to the north.”
