New Zealand soldiers join warfighting exercise in Queensland

Exercise Diamond Run, which started last week, runs for nearly three weeks and is one of three major warfighting exercises for both armies in the lead up to Exercise Talisman Sabre, also in Queensland, next year. 

Australia’s 7th Brigade, from Brisbane, has been joined by soldiers from NZ Army’s 1st Brigade to test combat and combat support capabilities. 

The exercise simulates a conflict between allied and enemy forces in a fictional Asia-Pacific area.

It is being held north of Rockhampton at Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area, a 454,000-hectare area around seven times the size of the Waiouru Military Training Area, and which provides a variety of terrain including hills, mountains, wetlands and sand.

The training area includes two big airfields and an Urban Training Facility that simulates a town.

The NZ Army’s Major Tamaroa Wawatai says it’s vital New Zealand soldiers take part in large and complex military exercises with allies and partners as it puts interoperability and sharing of resources “into action”.

Our shared commitment to this initiative enables both armies to share situational awareness and develop a common understanding of tactics, doctrine, and operational concepts.

Commander of Australian Army’s 7th Brigade, Brigadier Giles Cornelia, DSM, CSM, says combined exercises under Plan ANZAC – the bilateral agreement between the two armies - increase interoperability between the two armies.

“Australia and New Zealand are the best of mates. Together we are generating readiness for land combat operations, security and stability missions and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

 “As allies we have a mutual commitment to support each other’s security, coordinate our efforts in the South Pacific and maintain a combined focus on the security and stability of our broader region.”