The Australian Army, United States Army and United States Air Force demonstrated a new capability as part of Exercise Kenney Strikes Back.

Multiple high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) from 10th Brigade’s 14th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (14 Regt, RAA), were loaded onto USAF C-17 Globemaster IIIs, operated by 62nd Airlift Wing.  

The HIMARS, along with Australian Army Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles and US Army MRZR all-terrain vehicles, were transported from Royal Australian Air Force base Amberley to far-north Queensland and the south coast of NSW before rapidly establishing communications, simulating a fire mission and re-loading onto the C-17s for a quick exit.

Battery Sergeant Major of 14 Regt’s 54th Siege Battery, Warrant Officer Class Two Mick Krek, said it was a successful and educational exercise.

He said after deploying to RAAF Base Scherger and HMAS Albatross, they established forward positions to execute targets of opportunity with the launchers, denying avenues of approach to Australia.

“Working with our American counterparts is always a rewarding activity. They come with a lot of experience, which is helpful for us as we’re a new unit and we still have a lot to learn,” WO2 Krek said.

“At the same time, the USAF also learns a lot from the Australian call signs, and I feel our training has postured us perfectly to execute missions such as this to deny avenues of approach to the north.”

Working alongside 14 Regt were elements of the US Army’s 17th Field Artillery Battery (17th FAB).

17th FAB Battery Commander Captain Daniel Schell said the learning opportunities were mutual, and it was rewarding to demonstrate proof of concept for combined HIMARS rapid infiltration missions.

“We were able to receive a mission during our flight window and then store that information,” Captain Schell said.

“We hit the ground running and moved over to the firing point, then transferred the information from US forces to Australian forces, who then prosecuted the target.

“One of the great things about this exercise has been the chance to see some of the similarities we have with Australian forces, share lessons learned and work through some of the new things that we’re doing as part of coalition and joint training.”