U.S. – Australia Relations

Tandem Thrust Ends with a Final Blast

Rockhampton — 29 May 2001

MSPA 169/01

Eight batteries of field artillery (four guns per battery), infantry mortar, and armoured vehicles and tanks unleashed a final salvo in the biggest display of coordinated firepower in Australia in 20 years, bringing to an end the month-long combined Australian-United States exercise TANDEM THRUST.

Taking place in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area north of Rockhampton in Central Queensland, Exercise TANDEM THRUST saw almost 27,000 Australian and United States military personnel practice combined military training aimed at improving the ability of the forces of both countries to work together in coalition operations.

The live firing phase that concludes tomorrow is the final chapter of the exercise that started in May after two years of extensive planning.

With the field manoeuvre phase completed last week, it was left to the gunners, troopers and aviators to practice coordinated live exercises that saw them using live rounds to confirm their ability to bring effective fire down on their selected targets.

TANDEM THRUST has been hailed a success by its planners, having achieved its aims of bringing together the forces of both nations and developing their ability to work together with a range of military scenarios.

Taking part in today's live firing operations from the Australian Defence Force are armoured units, artillery and infantry from the Darwin-based 1st Brigade, artillery and infantry from the Brisbane-based 7th Brigade, artillery from the Townsville-based 3rd Brigade, F-111 bombers from the RAAF's Amberley-based 6 Squadron and Hornets from the Tindal-based No. 75 Squadron.

The majority of the US forces involved were from United States Marine Corps infantry and artillery units based in Hawaii and Japan.

TANDEM THRUST concludes tomorrow.

Original document from www.defence.gov.au.

Last update: Tuesday, 15 December 2009 GMT+1100