28 July 2025
It’s not every day you see Army Reserve soldiers from Victoria’s 4th Brigade patrolling the streets of Darwin.
Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 brought about this change, as soldiers from across the 4th Brigade are eager to fulfil their mission of defending Australia’s northern region.
It’s a role Corporal Matthew Hines from 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment relishes.
“Exercises like Talisman Sabre allow us to practise our homeland defence role, just in case we’re ever forward-deployed to help protect facilities and assist local authorities,” Corporal Hines said.
A cavalry troop’s role can differ on any given day from reconnaissance to setting up observation posts, and Exercise Talisman Sabre is challenging their knowledge and skills in all these areas.
“Talisman Sabre 2025 is very different to the last iteration,” Corporal Hines said.
“Seeing more international partners participating, and the combined armies and all the various air force aircraft come together and operating as one in and around Darwin has been pretty incredible.
For many 2nd (Australian) Division reservists, this is their first time conducting homeland defence operations during Exercise Talisman Sabre, and it is an experience Corporal Hines said will stay with him and many of his mates for some time.
“We’ve been going through rehearsals to counter drones, which was really interesting, and conducting patrols,” Corporal Hines said.
“We can be pretty intimidating patrolling in public in our full soldier combat ensemble with our weapons, but the trick is to be friendly and approachable to any locals we encounter.”
Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 will run until August 4.
