22 July 2025
Australian Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart paid a visit to logistics and support personnel from 17th Sustainment Brigade (17 Sust BDE) participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25.
The Force Support Group (FSG), with coalition attachments, is positioned in both the urban and tactical field environments.
During the visit, Lieutenant General Stuart observed FSG positions in Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) to speak with soldiers about their role providing catering, water, fuel, ammunition, amphibious operations, air cargo support, protection, engineering and distribution effects.
He also visited urban sites in Rockhampton, where the FSG is seeking to conceal capabilities in urban clutter, drawing lessons from contemporary operations.
The visit came as Army continues to test its distributed sustainment capability under realistic field conditions, focusing on resilience, mobility, and adaptability in large scale combat operations.
Commander FSG Colonel Clarke Brown said the visit was a valuable recognition of the soldiers’ efforts.
“It reinforces the vital role sustainment and support elements play in enabling combined operations,” Colonel Brown said.
“These are the people who make sure the mission continues. In every operation, someone must keep the vehicles moving and the rations flowing – and that’s what these teams are doing, day in and day out.
“Whether it’s managing contested supply routes, responding to rapid tasks, or dealing with the fatigue that comes with tempo, these soldiers are proving that logistics is integral to Army’s ability to fight and win,” he said.
From July 5 to August 4, personnel from 17 Sust BDE are training across SWBTA, Rockhampton, Townsville Field Training Area, Charters Towers, and Bradshaw Field Training Area.
They are contributing to high-end warfighting activities alongside more than 40,000 military personnel from 19 nations who are participating in Talisman Sabre this year.
