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More than 100 US Spartan Paratroopers jumped out of an RAAF C-17A Globemaster III over the skies of Charters Towers, Queensland, as part of the ongoing Exercise Talisman Sabre.
The Paratroopers – known as the Spartan Brigade – are based in Alaska from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.
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According to Major General Jake Ellwood, Commander Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, the Spartan Brigade executed a tactical manoeuvre from a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III aircraft.
“This is one of the large-scale activities that Exercise Talisman Sabre is renowned for. It’s a demonstration of immense skill by a highly-trained team, and a true test of our ability to operate together,” MAJGEN Ellwood said.
Once on the ground, the Paratroopers were airlifted by an Australian CH-47 Chinook helicopter to the Townsville Field Training Area where they joined soldiers from the 3rd Brigade to assault enemy forces as part of a fictional training scenario.
Colonel Michael ‘Jody’ Shouse, Spartan Brigade Commander, added the parachute drop was a key activity for TS21, demonstrating how Australia and the US can operate together to execute complex manoeuvres.
“Executing airborne operations thousands of miles from our home station alongside our allies and partners such as the Australian Defence Force is the strength of our organisation,” he said.
“Exercises like Talisman Sabre really show the capability of our Paratroopers.”
Talisman Sabre is Australia’s largest bilateral exercise with the US. This year’s event involves 17,000 personnel from countries including Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the UK alongside Australia-based personnel from India, Indonesia, France and Germany.
All international military participants taking part in the exercise onshore have undertaken the mandatory 14 days’ quarantine.
It also coincides with the 70th anniversary of the signing of the ANZUS Treaty and the 10th anniversary of the announcement of the US Force Posture Initiatives.
Australian Aviation reported last week how Australian Tigers, Classic Hornets and Chinooks took part in a live-fire exercise at Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland.
Strikes were conducted from sea, land and air onto Townshend Island and Pyri Pyri as the bilateral training exercise with the US continued.
The Australian aircraft joined AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters, F-35s and UH-1Y Iroquois used by the US.
