Australian Defence Force personnel and international partners have tested their resilience, adaptability and survival skills during a recent combat survival course in North Queensland.

Delivered by the Combat Survival Training School (CSTC) at RAAF Base Townsville and the Tully Field Training Area, the course challenged participants to operate in harsh tropical conditions while developing the skills needed to survive, evade, resist and escape in isolated and hostile environments.

The activity brought together aircrew from Navy, Army and Air Force, alongside military personnel from Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Sweden, Thailand and France – strengthening interoperability and professional relationships with partner nations.

Chief Instructor Combat Survival Training School, Flight Lieutenant Marat Roche, said the training reflected the realities of contemporary operations through realistic multinational training.

“Combat Survival Training School prepares selected personnel in survival, evasion, resistance and escape techniques for both hostile and non-hostile environments,” he said.

“Our aim is to ensure personnel are prepared to survive, avoid capture and, if necessary, endure isolation until recovery.

“Combat survival is a core operational capability, and this course provides the opportunity to practise these skills in a realistic but controlled environment so individuals are better prepared if they ever become isolated in the field.”

Flight Lieutenant Roche said multinational participation added significant value to the training.

“Training alongside our international partners builds trust, strengthens interoperability and gives us confidence in how we will operate together in real-world situations.”

'Training with other nations has been incredibly valuable because they bring different perspectives and approaches to survival challenges.'

Throughout the course, participants completed scenario-based activities designed to build confidence, self-reliance and sound decision-making under pressure. Training included survival site development, shelter construction, fire-lighting techniques and trap and snare construction suited to North Queensland’s tropical environment.

Students were assessed on both individual and team-based survival tasks, reinforcing the importance of leadership, cooperation and mutual support in demanding conditions.

RAAF Flying Officer Matthew Martin said the course delivered practical skills directly applicable to future operations.

“Training with other nations has been incredibly valuable because they bring different perspectives and approaches to survival challenges,” Flying Officer Martin said.

“The course has given me confidence that, if I ever found myself in this situation, I’d have the skills to survive, be recovered and continue the mission.”

Lieutenant Heydan Chan from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force said the experience highlighted the value of multinational training.

“The most valuable part of this course has been developing the core skills needed to survive more effectively in the field,” Lieutenant Chan said.

“I’m also learning different jungle survival techniques from our partner nations that I can take back and share with my unit.”

North Queensland’s heat, humidity and rugged terrain provided a realistic training environment for the course, preparing personnel for the conditions they may encounter on future operations, while reinforcing the importance of readiness, resourcefulness and teamwork.