Australia – A country known for kangaroos, vacationing and one of the largest global military exercises. Exercise Talisman Sabre, or EX TS, is a biennial joint military exercise organized by the Australian Defense Force and the United States Military. The exercise, which took place from the end of June to early August, is the largest combined exercise undertaken by the Australian Defense Force, with participation of more than 34,000 personnel, 30 ships and 200 aircraft from across Australia, the United States of America, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada.
EX TS is the Australian Defense Force’s largest and most complex deployment of live, virtual and constructive integrated simulation which takes place in six locations across Australia. Cubic has provided support to EX TS since the exercise series commenced in 2005. This year, over a hundred Cubes supported the exercise throughout Australia, including a small team that was sent to the Korean Battle Simulation Center, in South Korea.
Making a difference before the big event.
Before the exercise started, Cubes raised money to support the Cancer Council. Over two mornings, Cubes cooked up 80 kilograms of sausages, feeding hundreds of troops arriving at Shoalwater Bay to participate in the exercise. The raised nearly $2,000 for the organization.
The Big Event.
After enjoying the fundraiser and a few calm days down under, the exercise began! Finally, after months of preparation, our CGD AU Cubes supported the exercise in different ways and in various locations.
Shoalwater Bay.
Shoalwater Bay was the focus of the exercise, where most of the live exercises took place. At the training range, Cubic was responsible for the provision of instrumentation and establishing training range and exercise communications to support the Australian Army, the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps.
Combat Training Centre (CTC) – Live Instrumentation System (LIS).
At the CTC-LIS*, the team provided Exercise Control simulation support, tactical live, virtual and constructive simulation interfacing and support, communications, maintenance, tactical data management and analysis and support to the Combat Training Centre’s After Action Reviews.
HMAS Adelaide.
Onboard the HMAS Adelaide, they did “fit-outs” for the 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment with the ABG PAN harness system before the battalion landed at Shoal Water Bay Training Area. Cubes were able to gain a better understanding of what it is like for sailors and soldiers to prepare for battle by living aboard the ship alongside the customer. During their stay, they were interviewed by the Navy media team about how Cubes support Army training. The team was able to explain what CGD AU offers the Australian Army and how Cubes strive to achieve the very best outcome every time. “This is a very important part of Talisman Sabre because it allows Army to understand the mechanics of the maneuvers as they unfold in a real-time environment, said Cubic’s CTC liaison officer, Major Pat McErlean.
Camp Cubic.
CGD AU also set up “Camp Cubic”, which provided a kitchen, showers, laundries and accommodations to Cubes during the exercise. Despite the rugged terrain and fluctuating temperatures, a few of our Cubes forwent the comfort of a warm bed and cooked meals to live alongside troops so they could fully support their needs and be fully accessible throughout the exercise.
In the end, the exercise was a huge success and our efforts were also recognized by the Minister for Defence Industry at Australia’s parliament.
*CTC-LIS, is a live simulation system that instruments soldiers, vehicles, weapons, helicopters, amphibious platforms and facilities (buildings).
