Exercise Talisman Sabre
Bowen will play a key role in the largest ever Exercise Talisman Sabre in July.
From 8 July, more than 800 United States military personnel will arrive in Bowen, supported by Australian Defence Force personnel, to coordinate the entry of a larger American contingent at Kings Beach via a 500-metre long temporary pier.
Personnel and more than 600 armoured vehicles, trucks and trailers will come ashore from more than 10 vessels off the coast.
This year’s iteration of Talisman Sabre will be the 10th and largest in the biennial exercise’s history.
More than 30,000 military personnel will participate across northern Australian and as far south as New South Wales from 22 July to 4 August.
Talisman Sabre Exercise Director, Brigadier Damian Hill, said Bowen was one of the most critical training areas for moving a large force into an area of operations.
Bowen key projection point
Bowen is a key to ship-to-shore projection point for thousands of personnel, their vehicles and equipment into the exercise area.”
“The maritime approaches to Bowen mean we can transport a significant fighting force from ship to shore via temporary pier facility on a scale that is really remarkable. From there the force can move north towards Townsville where the bulk of the land combat phase of the exercise will take place.”
“Residents of Bowen and the surrounding areas will likely notice a significant number of US service personnel in the area from mid-June as they come ashore. I encourage them to say ‘G’day’ but also to be mindful of staying safe around large military convoys on public roads.”
“I thank the members of the Bowen community who have helped us in shaping a safe and productive Talisman Sabre and I look forward to them seeing what we and our American allies can do as a combined force when the exercise gets underway.”
Bowen will also play host to Australian Defence Force personnel conducting amphibious Exercises Sea Explorer and Sea Raider in the lead-up to Talisman Sabre 23, reflecting the importance of community support for ADF field training.
In addition to Australia and the United States, Talisman Sabre 2023 will also include participants from Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand Papua New Guinea, Tonga, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany. India, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand will attend as observer nations.
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