18 July 2025
Sitting at a desk five days a week in an otherwise wholesome job had Army Reserve soldier Sapper Nicholas Kour champing at the bit to throw his uniform on and deploy on Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.
Hailing from Sydney, the 5th Engineer Regiment soldier couldn’t contain his excitement as he carefully prepared his kit before boarding a Royal Australian Air Force flight to RAAF Base Tindal, near Katherine in the Top End, where soldiers will provide critical base protection security as part of Joint Task Force 629.
“It’s going to be a good experience. We’re always looking to get any extra training outcomes, value, and learn anything new that we can,” Sapper Kour said.
“It gives me the opportunity to get out and change what I’m doing and actually be outside when I work, which is nice.”
It wasn’t just the great outdoors that attracted Sapper Kour to the Army Reserve, admitting he’s always been a keen admirer of the Australian Defence Force.
“I always enjoyed watching what the ADF does and for me now it’s all about service, giving back to my community, and giving back to the people around me."
“It’s one of those things where the more you get involved, the more you get out of it. I’ve gotten so much out of it in the two-and-a-half years I’ve been in,” he said.
Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 will run until August 4.
