More than 1000 soldiers, sailors and aviators aboard HMA Ships Canberra and Choules participated in Exercise Wader last month, to validate the ADF’s ability to project and sustain combat power from sea to shore.

Commander of the Australian Amphibious Task Group Captain Christopher Doherty said the lead-up planning activity, Exercise Sea Horizon, prepared Australia’s Amphibious Force (AAF) for the execution of Wader. 

“The AAF provides the Government with a versatile and credible range of options to support our allies, partners and regional neighbours across a range of contingencies,” he said. 

“Exercise Wader, conducted in the littoral environment, is essential to ensuring we are prepared to operate across the full spectrum of missions.”

Commanders and planners synchronised maritime manoeuvre, aviation, logistics and land combat elements to achieve a controlled, coordinated projection of force.

Landing craft insertion and air-mobile operations were executed in unison, deploying combat and logistic forces with speed and precision. 

Each movement reflected months of preparation, collective training and joint integration.

'Exercise Wader, conducted in the littoral environment, is essential to ensuring we are prepared to operate across the full spectrum of missions.'

Corporal Chase Watson, of the 1st Royal Australian Regiment, reflected on the rehearsals in the lead-up to Wader, and the execution of the exercise. 

“Everything happens quite fast. We form up and are guided down to collect our weapons and ammo,” Corporal Watson said.

“Then we board the small boats and project from the ship to shore, allowing us to break out and secure the beach.

“Repetitions are important in an amphibious role, because practice really does make perfect.”

The AAF underscored its transformation into an integrated and mission-focused force capable of operating in contested environments.

“Should the Australian Government direct the ADF to provide assistance or undertake combat operations, the AAF is prepared to project power from the sea and secure key points of entry,” Captain Doherty said.

“We are designed for that purpose, which is to set the conditions for a larger ADF contingent to deploy after our amphibious operation and then conduct the overall mission.”