Chapter Two > Outcome One: Command of Operations > Australian Defence Force Exercises

Outcome One: Command of Operations

Australian Defence Force Exercises

The following tables list the exercises planned and conducted by the ADF during 2003-04 as described in the Portfolio Budget Statements 2003-04 and the Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements 2002-03.

Table 2.9 ADF Joint Exercises
Exercise Forces Objective and performance
Day Bubble

July 2003

Conducted		 Navy and Special Forces Objective: To conduct familiarisation training in multi-swimmer release techniques from submarines.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided valuable training for both the Special Forces and the Navy's Collins-class submarine capability.
Day Shark

August 2003

Conducted		 Air Force and Special Forces Objective: To test counter-terrorist troops offshore manoeuvrability using C-130 aircraft.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided valuable training for both the Special Forces and the Air Force's C-130 aircrews.
Vital Launch 04

March 2004

Conducted		 ADF Objective: To practise Deployable Joint Force Headquarters and component staff in the methods, procedures, planning and conduct of joint and combined operations through participation in the joint military appreciation process.
Performance: Achieved. A successful enabling exercise in preparation for Exercise Vital Prospect.
Mercury 04

March 2004

Conducted		 ADF and other government agencies Objective: The multi-jurisdictional exercise Mercury 04 was designed as a follow on activity to the national counter-terrorism exercise, but the scope and complexity of the activity has greatly increased. Mercury 04 was the inaugural multi-jurisdictional exercise.
Performance: Achieved. A very successful exercise with many lessons learnt. The interaction between government departments at the strategic-level was of particular value.
Northern Trilogy 2004

May 2004

Subsumed into Exercise Mercury 04		 ADF Objective: To exercise Headquarters Northern Command in providing support to a consequence management incident, which involves chemical, biological or radiological material.
Performance: Achieved. (As part of Exercise Mercury 04.) The Multi-jurisdictional Exercise Mercury 04 provided an excellent opportunity to exercise Commander Northern Command and his staff.

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Table 2.10 Combined ADF / United States Exercises
Exercise Forces Objective and performance
Gold Eagle 03

May - July 2003

Conducted		 Army Objective: To develop further the interoperability between the Australian Army and the United States Marine Corps in combined operations by conducting a field training or amphibious exercise.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided an opportunity to improve the knowledge of ADF personnel as part of their professional development and to provide exposure to the latest procedures and thinking by Australia's major allies.
Pacific Reserve 03

July 2003

Conducted		 Army Objective: To develop further the interoperability between the Australian Army Reserve and the United States Army Reserve by undertaking a field training exercise.
Performance: Achieved. A valuable exercise for the participating forces.
Pacific Bond 03

July - August 2003

Conducted		 Army Objective: To improve interoperability between the Australian Army and the United States Army by conducting a field training exercise.
Performance: Achieved. Exercises conducted with other countries provide professional development for ADF personnel. The ADF benefits from the insight into the latest procedures and thinking of Australia's major allies.
Lungfish 03

August 2003

Conducted		 Navy and Air Force Objective: To practise undersea warfare with joint and independent maritime patrol aircraft cooperation and to practise and develop combined Navy/United States Navy submarine operations.
Performance: Achieved. A valuable exercise for both the ADF and United States submarine forces.
Crocodile 03

September 2003

Conducted		 ADF Objective: To exercise Australian and United States forces in the conduct of an Australian-led, United States-supported warfighting campaign by conducting a command post exercise and a field training exercise.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise was conducted successfully and tested high end warfighting capability and interoperability with United States forces.
Extendex 03-4

September 2003

Cancelled		 Air Force Objective: To conduct maritime patrol aircraft undersea warfare training.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the United States and Australian forces.
Extendex 04-1

December 2003

Cancelled		 Air Force Objective: To conduct maritime patrol aircraft undersea warfare training.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the United States and Australian forces.
Extendex 04-2

March 2004

Cancelled		 Air Force Objective: To conduct maritime patrol aircraft undersea warfare training.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the United States and Australian forces.
Gold Eagle 04

March 2004

Conducted		 Army Objective: To develop further the interoperability between the Australian Army and the United States Marine Corps in combined operations by conducting a field training exercise.
Performance: Achieved. A valuable exercise for the participating forces.
Lone Arrow

March 2004

Cancelled		 Air Force Objective: To conduct C-130 aircraft training for selected combat airlift instructor aircrew.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the United States and Australian forces.
Tricrab 04

April - May 2004

Cancelled		 Navy and Air Force Objective: To improve interoperability with the United States Navy by conducting an explosive ordnance demolition and mine clearance diving exercise.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the ADF and United States forces.
Air Warrior II 2004

June 2004

Cancelled		 Air Force Objective: To train airlift and ground force crews in short-notice tactical operations and combat airlift.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the United States and Australian forces.
Extendex 04-3

June 2004

Cancelled		 Air Force Objective: To conduct maritime patrol aircraft undersea warfare training.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the United States and Australian forces.

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Table 2.11 Combined ADF / Five Power Defence Arrangements Exercises
Exercise Forces Participating Countries Objective and performance
Flying Fish 03

June-July 2003

Conducted		 ADF Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and United Kingdom Objective: To exercise assigned Five Power Defence Arrangement forces in the conduct of joint and combined operations in a multi-threat environment for the defence of peninsular Malaysia and Singapore so as to enhance interoperability and strengthen the professional relationship between the defence forces of the five nations.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise was successfully conducted despite force levels from participating nations being reduced due to real world tasking. Interoperability and professional relationships between participating nations were improved.
Suman Warrior 03

September - October 2003

Conducted		 Army Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and United Kingdom Objective: To exercise the armies of the Five Power Defence Arrangements in combined land operations by conducting a brigade to unit-level command post exercise.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise was conducted successfully and participating forces gained valuable experience in combined land operations.
Bersama Shield 04
(formerly the Integrated Air Defence System air defence exercise)

May 2004

Conducted		 Navy and Air Force Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and United Kingdom Objective: To practise and develop operational procedures and tactics with Five Power Defence Arrangements units in a joint/combined maritime exercise.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided an opportunity to improve anti-air warfare interoperability between participating nations.

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Table 2.12 Combined ADF / New Zealand Exercises
Exercise Forces Objective and performance
Wyvern Primo 03

June - September 2003
(revised date)

Conducted		 Army Objective: To exercise the Australian crisis management machinery to resolve an offshore hostage incident.
Performance: Achieved. A very successful exercise with many valuable lessons learnt. Good value to both the Australian and New Zealand counter-terrorism organisations.
PWO Sea Assessment Week

November 2003

Conducted		 Navy and Air Force Objective: To improve the ability of students to act as Defence Watch Principal Warfare Officers at sea by undertaking training and subsequent assessment.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided practical training for future warfare officers of both the ADF and New Zealand Defence Force prior to graduation.
Aswex 2003

November 2003

Conducted		 Navy and Air Force Objective: To improve undersea warfare skills in all participating maritime units and exercise interoperability between maritime undersea warfare platforms.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise increased the proficiency of participating units in their ability to detect, track and prosecute conventionally powered submarines.
Ocean Protector 04-1

January - February 2004

Conducted		 Navy and Air Force Objective: To return the surface combatant, major amphibious and afloat support, submarine and mine countermeasures force element groups to the minimum level of capability following a reduced activity period.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise was conducted successfully and an increase in operational capability achieved.
Tasman Exchange 03

March - April 2004
(revised date)

Conducted		 Army Objective: To improve interoperability between Australian and New Zealand armies by conducting a field training exercise.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise was conducted successfully with improved interoperability between the Australian and New Zealand armies.
Vital Prospect 04

May 2004
(revised date)

Conducted		 ADF Objective: To practise Deployable Joint Force Headquarters and component staff in the methods, procedures, planning and conduct of joint and combined operations through participation in the joint military appreciation process.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise was conducted successfully with the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters successfully deployed to provide an operational-level of command and control to simulated forces. New Zealand Defence Force personnel observed the exercise.

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Table 2.13 Other Combined Exercises
Exercise Australian Forces Participating Countries Objective and performance
Focused Logistics Wargame 03

April - July 2003

Conducted		 ADF Canada, United Kingdom and United States Objective: To facilitate Australian input into the United States multilateral logistics objectives identified in Joint Vision 2010.
Performance: Achieved. The main focus was multinational planning and command post exercise. A high-level of multinational logistic interoperability was achieved.
Rifle Company Butterworth

May - August 2003

Conducted		 Army Malaysia Objective: To provide an opportunity for training and exercising in Malaysia and to train with elements of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided ongoing training in tropical conditions and opportunities to work with the Malaysian Armed Forces to improve interoperability between the two countries.
Long Look 03

June - September 2003

Conducted		 Army United Kingdom Objective: To broaden the military experience and knowledge of selected personnel and to promote cooperation between the two countries.
Performance: Achieved. Valuable experience gained by both the United Kingdom and Australia.
Paradise 03

July 2003

Cancelled		 Navy and Air Force Papua New Guinea Objective: To improve interoperability with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force by conducting an annual maritime surveillance exercise with Navy patrol boat elements.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the Australian Patrol Boat elements.
Night Tiger 03

July 2003

Cancelled		 Air Force, and Special Forces Malaysia Objective: To develop relations and improve interoperability by conducting training with the Malaysian Special Forces.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the ADF.
Taa Nok In Sii 03-1

July 2003

Conducted		 Air Force Thailand Objective: To progressively develop Royal Thai Navy maritime air surveillance capability and combined Royal Thai Navy and Air Force surveillance procedures.
Performance: Achieved.
Singas Exchange 03

July 2003 - March 2004

Conducted		 Army Singapore Objective: To broaden the military experience and professional knowledge of selected personnel and to promote continued cooperation between the two countries.
Performance: Achieved. Valuable experience gained by the Australian Army and the Singapore Defence Force.
Kakadu VI/03

July - August 2003

Conducted		 Navy and Air Force Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Objective: To conduct a series of graduated training activities with regional naval and air forces in all areas of maritime warfare, in order to improve preparedness, interoperability and mutual understanding.
Performance: Achieved. In addition to the valuable training and interoperability opportunities, the exercise provided an excellent conduit for international engagement activities.
Red Flag 03-4

August 2003

Cancelled		 Air Force Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States. Objective: To conduct a long-range deployment and participate in a multinational large force employment exercise.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo being experienced by the ADF.
Tamex 03-3

August 2003

Cancelled		 Navy and Air Force United States Objective: To practise combined maritime patrol aircraft undersea warfare operations and improve interoperability the United States Navy.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by United States and Australian forces.
Pacific Protector

September 2003

Conducted		 Navy Japan, United States and French Armed Forces in New Caledonia Objective: To practise international efforts for constraining trade in weapons of mass destruction.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise objectives were achieved and provided an excellent start to the United States-led Proliferation Security Initiative.
Pacific Airlift Rally 03

September 2003

Conducted		 Air Force Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, United States, Vietnam, Russia and Sri Lanka Objective: To improve regional engagement and coalition airlift development through a military airlift symposium and command post exercise to exchange humanitarian airlift, air-land and airdrop delivery techniques for specific regional aircraft.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by United States and Australian forces.
Equateur 03

October 2003

Conducted		 ADF France, New Zealand and Tonga Objective: To conduct operational-level planning for non-combatant evacuation operations in a benign environment.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided a good enabler for the field training exercise Croix Du Sud.
Haringaroo 03-3

October 2003

Cancelled		 Army Malaysia Objective: To practise combined operations requiring interoperability at a tactical-level with elements of the Malaysian Army.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the Australian Air Lift Group.
Night Falcon 03

October - November 2003

Conducted		 Special Forces Papua New Guinea Objective: To practise regional deployment of a Special Air Services troop and to conduct war roles training and non-special forces training with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided a good opportunity to operate with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force in Papua New Guinea.
Wallaby 03

October - November 2003

Conducted		 Army Singapore Objective: To improve interoperability by conducting a field training exercise with Singapore.
Performance: Achieved.
Longreach 03-1

November 2003

Cancelled		 Deployable Joint Force Head-quarters New Zealand and Papua New Guinea Objective: To practise the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters in contingency.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo being experienced by the Australian Air Lift Group.
Night Leopard 03

November - December 2003

Conducted		 Special Forces Brunei Objective: To conduct bilateral special forces war roles training with the Royal Bruneian Armed Forces Special Combat Squadron.
Performance: Achieved. A very successful inaugural special forces exercise with Brunei.
Star Tiger 03

November - December 2003

Cancelled		 Special Forces Malaysia Objective: To develop interoperability between the Malaysian Special Forces and Australian Commando Regiment by conducting special forces training.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the Australian Air Lift Group.
Taa Nok In Sii 03-2

November - December 2003

Cancelled		 Air Force Thailand Objective: To progressively develop Royal Thai Navy maritime air surveillance capability and combined Royal Thai Navy and Air Force surveillance procedures.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the Australian Maritime Patrol Group.
Rifle Company Butterworth

November 2003 - February 2004

Conducted		 Army Malaysia Objective: To provide an opportunity for training and exercising in Malaysia and to train with elements of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided ongoing training in tropical conditions and opportunities to improve interoperability with the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Tamex 03-4

December 2003

Cancelled		 Navy and Air Force Unites States Objective: To practise combined maritime patrol aircraft undersea warfare operations and improve interoperability with the United States Navy.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the United States and Australian forces.
Tasmanex 04

February 2004

Conducted		 Navy and Air Force New Zealand and France Objective: To develop interoperability between New Zealand and France by conducting combined maritime operations including maritime surveillance, undersea warfare and mine countermeasures operations.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided further maritime training opportunity, building on the skill sets achieved during Exercise Ocean Protector.
Southern Tiger 04

March 2004

Conducted		 Army Malaysia Objective: To improve interoperability between the Australian and Malaysian Armies at the tactical level.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided a good opportunity to improve interoperability between the ADF and Malaysian land forces.
Tempest Express-6

March 2004

Conducted		 ADF Canada, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu, Bangladesh, China, Republic of Korea, Madagascar, Maldives, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka and UN Objective: to practise activating a Joint Task Force and transition to an Australian-led coalition task force in a crisis action planning environment.
Performance: Achieved. This exercise was conducted as part of a series of United States-led training activities in various countries around the region. The exercise was very successful and all objectives were achieved.
Tamex 04-1

March 2004

Cancelled		 Navy and Air Force Unites States Objective: To practise combined maritime patrol aircraft undersea warfare operations and improve interoperability with the United States Navy.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the United States and Australian forces.
Taa Nok In Sii 04-1

April 2004

Conducted		 Air Force Thailand Objective: To progressively develop Royal Thai Navy maritime air surveillance capability and combined Air Force and Royal Thai Navy surveillance procedures.
Performance: Achieved.
Bell Buoy 04

April - March 2004

Conducted		 Navy Canada, Chile, Republic of Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States, South Africa and France Objective: To exercise and develop regional naval control and protection of shipping doctrine and procedures and improve interoperability by conducting a naval control and protection of shipping combined operations exercise.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided a good opportunity for nations to work together to exchange and coordinate merchant shipping information and naval control and protection of shipping procedures.
Tamex 04-2

June 2004

Cancelled		 Navy and Air Force United States Objective: To practise combined maritime patrol aircraft undersea warfare operations and improve interoperability with the United States Navy.
Performance: Cancelled due to the high operational tempo experienced by the United States and Australian forces.
Rimpac 04

June - July 2004

Conducted		 Navy and Air Force Canada, Chile, Japan, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom and United States. Objective: To improve interoperability with regional forces to operate in coalition arrangements by conducting a combined maritime warfare exercise.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise provided a valuable opportunity for the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters (Maritime) to participate and exercise command in a multinational exercise.
Croix Du Sud

June 2004
(was revised from April 2004)

Conducted		 ADF France, New Zealand and Tonga Objective: To improve interoperability with France, New Zealand and Tonga in a combined exercise with a focus on non-combatant evacuation.
Performance: Achieved. The exercise was conducted successfully within the exercise scenario.

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