Image Gallery: March 2004
Exercise Mercury 04: Counter-Terrorism Exercise
26 March 2004
The National Counter-Terrorism Committee’s multi-jurisdictional counter-terrorism exercise (MJEX) Exercise Mercury 04 has been designed to exercise Australian, state and territory government agencies' ability to prevent, respond and recover from terrorist threats and acts of terrorism simultaneously in multiple jurisdictions.
The exercise, which ran from 22 - 26 March 2004, was Australia’s largest and most ambitious counter-terrorism exercise ever undertaken. It encompassed four jurisdictions simultaneously - the primary jurisdictions being the Northern Territory and Tasmania, with the secondary being Victoria and South Australia.
As part of the Northern Territory jurisdiction, Exercise Mercury was held in the East Timor Gap where a Tactical Assault Group (TAG), an element of A Squadron 5 Aviation Regiment, a RAAF AP3C and HMAS Kanimbla were involved in training to resolve an incident recently.
The aim was to test Australia’s well-planned and coordinated approach to national security and highlight the strong relationship between the states and territories and the Australian Government.
Exercises
such as Mercury 04 enhance capability, understanding
and interoperability and will contribute to
the effectiveness of any response to a real
terrorist event.
Read ministerial release: Defence
Minister praises ADF Counter-Terrorism response
| Tactical
Assault Group (west), day operations from HMAS
Kanimbla with a rigid hull inflatable boat and
Black Hawk helicopter. View MPEG Video (6.17 MB) |
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| Tactical
Assault Group (west), night operations from HMAS
Kanimbla with a rigid hull inflatable boat and
Black Hawk helicopter. View MPEG Video (5.51 MB) |
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| Tactical
Assault Group (east), night arrival and operations
in Hobart. View MPEG Video (2.81 MB) |
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| JPAU24MAR04DH017 Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers being transported by 5 Aviation Black Hawk to their target vessel as part of ongoing training during Exercise Mercury in the seas to the north of Australia. (Date taken: 24 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU25MAR04NR06 The in-exercise response to a terrorist incident conducted in Tasmania as part of Exercise Mercury. Its purpose is to showcase the capability of having proven command structures, procedures and techniques within our national resources to deal with threats or acts of terrorism in Australia. (Date taken: 25 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU21MAR04DH003 A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) trooper scales a ladder up the side of HMAS Kanimbla during exercises as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin. (Date taken: 21 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU21MAR04DH025 Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers in a rigid hull inflatable boat along side HMAS Kanimbla conduct water operations as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin. (Date taken: 21 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU21MAR04DH090 A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) trooper scales a ladder up the side of HMAS Kanimbla during exercises as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin. (Date taken: 21 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU21MAR04DH097 A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) trooper scales a ladder up the side of HMAS Kanimbla during exercises as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin. (Date taken: 21 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU21MAR04DH208 Troopers from the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) conducting night boarding exercises on HMAS Kanimbla as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin. (Date taken: 21 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU22MAR04DH024 Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers conduct casting exercises from a 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk helicopter as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia. A safety boat from HMAS Kanimbla stands by. (Date taken: 22 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU22MAR04DH066 Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers conduct fast roping exercises from a 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk helicopter aboard HMAS Kanimbla as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia. (Date taken: 22 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU22MAR04DH127 Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers conduct fast roping exercises from a 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk Helicopter aboard HMAS Kanimbla as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia. (Date taken: 22 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU22MAR04DH144 A Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) trooper onboard HMAS Kanimbla carries equipment after roping from a 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk helicopter as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia. (Date taken: 22 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU22MAR04DH154 Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers in a rigid hull inflatable boat along side HMAS Kanimbla conduct water operations as part of Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Darwin. (Date taken: 22 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU22MAR04DH161 Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers storm the flight deck of HMAS Kanimbla after roping from a 5 Aviation Regiment helicopter as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia. (Date taken: 22 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU22MAR04DH182 Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers storm the flight deck of HMAS Kanimbla after roping from a 5 Aviation Regiment helicopter as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia. (Date taken: 22 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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| JPAU22MAR04DH211 A 5 Aviation Regiment Black Hawk helicopter loaded with Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) troopers prepares to conduct night exercises as part of ongoing training for Exercise Mercury in the seas north of Australia. (Date taken: 22 March 2004) Low-res | High-res |
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