Media Room: Defence Alert

US Soldiers, sailors and airmen based at ‘Camp Rocky’ to support Exercise Talisman Sabre have spent days clearing rubbish, weeding and restoring the grounds of the Rockhampton Special School at the corner of Denisson st and William St, South Rockhampton.

For 4 days last week, up to 15 volunteers took time out each day to work at the School giving support and manpower to clean up the yards and shrubs.

The organizer of the US volunteers, Chief Sue Ball said "They are continuing to help out at the school to finish the job, and have so far found the experience very rewarding.

"The troops have been very enthusiastic about working on this community service project, they loved working with such great kids at the special school.

"This has been a really lovely community to work with, and we hope we can finish this job", she said.

"We want to give something back to the Aussie community to show our appreciation for hosting us."

Community service projects, a longstanding Navy tradition, provide opportunities for members of the US Forces to interact with charitable organizations in the area the command is visiting.

TALISMAN SABRE’s primary aim is to conduct collective training and exercise inter-operability between Australian and US forces.

The biennial exercise will further develop the ADF’s capability to undertake joint, combined operations and will help build regional security and complement our regional partner’s activities with the US.