Nearly one hundred soldiers from the Darwin based 1st Armoured Regiment have deployed to the United States Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre at 29 Palms in California to participate in Exercise Gold Eagle.
The Australian soldiers wasted no time in integrating with their Marine Corps equipment and procedures and deployed promptly on the first phase of the their exercise, which saw each of the three tank troops conducting a live fire clearance of a simulated village in conjunction with Marine Corps infantrymen.
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The Officer Commanding, A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, Major Michael Murdoch, outlines his plans for the Divisional live fire component of Exercise Gold Eagle with his Officers and Senior Non Commissioned Officers.
(Date taken: 14 October 2009)
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As the sun sets in the high desert of California, Australian tank crews load their M1A1 Abrams Tanks during Exercise Gold Eagle. The Exercise is being conducted at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre at 29 Palms in California.
(Date taken: 15 October 2009)
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An Australian crewed Abrams M1A1 Main Battle Tank launches a shot downrange during a practice shoot as part of Exercise Gold Eagle in California. The shoot was conducted to confirm the weapon’s aiming systems prior to a number of live fire exercises involving the Australian Armoured soldiers and members of the United States Marine Corps.
(Date taken: 15 October 2009)
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Australia crewed Abrams Main Battle Tanks engage targets during a “zero” shoot at 29 Palms in California.
(Date taken: 15 October 2009)
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Corporal Adam Lea, guides and Australian crewed M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank during Exercise Gold Eagle. Corporal Lea and the tank crew are members of the Darwin based 1st Armoured Regiment.
(Date taken: 15 October 2009)
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M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks position themselves in the high desert training area at 29 Palms in California. The Australians are participating in Exercise Gold Eagle with the USMC.
(Date taken: 15 October 2009)
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A United States Marine Corps “Humvee” provides the safety control for the Australian manned M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks as they prepare to test their weapons and targeting systems as Exercise Gold Eagle commences in California.
(Date taken: 15 October 2009)
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A 120mm projectile hurtles downrange as a crew from the Australian Army’s 1st Armoured Regiment put their machines through their paces during Exercise Gold Eagle in California.
(Date taken: 15 October 2009)
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An M88 Armoured Recovery Vehicle hoists an Abrams tank’s power pack, allowing Australian mechanics to conduct repairs and maintenance in the field during Exercise Gold Eagle in 29 Palms, California.
(Date taken: 16 October 2009)
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United States Marine Corps Infantrymen surge forward, with an Australian manned M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks providing close support during a live fire exercise at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre in California.
(Date taken: 16 October 2009)
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United States Marines occupy the second storey of a building in their Urban Training Range , with an Australian crewed M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank advancing into the village during a live fire exercise on “Range 210” at 29 Palms in California.
(Date taken: 16 October 2009)
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Dust rises in the streets of a United States Marine Corps Urban Training Area as the 120mm main gun of the M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank engages targets during a combined Australian Army and Marine Corps live fire exercise in 29 Palms California. Marine Corps infantrymen race forward under the cover of the Australian manned tank.
(Date taken: 16 October 2009)
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Range 210, an urban assault training range, shudders under the recoil of tank fire during a joint Australian and American exercise in California. The Australian manned tanks are participating in a live fire exercise with United States Marine Corps soldiers during Exercise Gold Eagle.
(Date taken: 17 October 2009)
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An Australian Armoured Corps manned M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank moves in unison with United States Marine Corps Soldiers during a urban live fire exercise at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre in 29 Palms California.
(Date taken: 17 October 2009)
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With a fluoro belted safety supervisor watching on, United States Marine Corps infantrymen surge from cover. The Marines are working Australian Tankers during Exercise Gold Eagle.
(Date taken: 17 October 2009)
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An Australian manned M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks advances into the urban raining range during a live fire practice with the United States Marine Corps.
(Date taken: 18 October 2009)
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A massive cloud of dust rises as an Australian operated M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank engages targets during a live fire training exercise with United States Marine Corps soldiers during Exercise Gold Eagle.
(Date taken: 18 October 2009)
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A United States Marine breaks cover during an Australian Armoured and Marine Corps infantry live fire assault on the training range at 29 Palms in California.
(Date taken: 18 October 2009)
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American Marines surge forward, supported by an Australian manned M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, during a live fire practice as part of Exercise Gold Eagle in California.
(Date taken: 18 October 2009)
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Australian Armoured Corps soldiers and Officers gather with their Marine Corps brethren to conduct a debrief after another successful live fire Assault during Exercise Gold Eagle in California.
(Date taken: 18 October 2009)
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