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Combat Support Group is taking Williamson Airfield from “bare to there” ahead of the start of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019.
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In the next week, the base will swell to hold about 1,300 personnel, plus aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force, Australian Army, the United States and New Zealand for the exercise from 11-24 July.
Combat Support Group (CSG) is setting up the remote airfield situated in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area to perform a critical role for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19), Australia and the United States’ largest bilateral exercise.
TS19 is a bilateral combined Australian and US training activity. TS19 is designed to practise the two countries’s respective military services and associated agencies in planning and conducting combined and joint task force operations, and improve the combat-readiness and interoperability between Australian and US forces.
As a forward operating base, it will be an epicentre for air operations and also provide important facilities for the exercise such as catering, communications, security and medical support.
The importance of ensuring the base’s readiness is not lost on Wing Commander Alan Brown, Base Commander Williamson Airfield for TS19.
“If we weren’t here, the aircraft would turn up and not have any support. People would have no health facilities, they wouldn’t be fed, there’d be no communications – we are key enablers,” WGCDR Brown said.
Occurring every two years, Talisman Sabre is a major exercise reflecting the closeness of our alliance and strength of the enduring military relationship.
TS19 will be the eighth iteration of the exercise and consists of a field training exercise incorporating force preparation (logistic) activities, amphibious landings, land force manoeuvre, urban operations, air operations, maritime operations and Special Forces activities.
WGCDR Brown added, “Combat Support Group is extremely important to any air operation that occurs. It doesn’t just happen by itself; there’s a lot of talented people behind the scenes that support those air operations.”
The Talisman Sabre series of exercises is the principal Australian and US military bilateral training exercise focused on the planning and conduct of mid-intensity high-end warfighting. Historically, Talisman Sabre exercises have been conducted across northern and eastern Australia, and within Australia’s exclusive economic zone. Additional participants from third-party nations may participate or observe the exercise if invited.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
