Australia, Japan and the United States have concluded Exercise Southern Jackaroo, the first ground exercise involving the three nations held in Australia. The inaugural exercise took place from 18 to 26 May 2013.
An important step forward in trilateral defence cooperation between the nations, Exercise Southern Jackaroo saw Australian Army, Japan Ground Self Defense Force and US Army personnel participate in skills-based live-fire training and adventurous training, at Puckapunyal and Melbourne.
During the exercise, 14 personnel from each of the three nations participated in live-firing activities focused on advanced marksmanship skills within urban terrain, as well as adventurous training including abseiling from buildings in the Melbourne CBD.
Over the last year, trilateral ground cooperation between Australia, Japan and the US has strengthened, with the Chief of the Australian Army attending the Senior Level Seminar between the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, US Army Pacific and US Marines Forces Pacific. Earlier this month, Japan and the US participated in the Australian Army’s Skill at Arms Meeting held at Puckapunyal, Victoria.
Exercise Southern Jackaroo reflects the shared commitments of Australia, Japan and the US to strengthening defence and security cooperation, and working closely together to promote regional stability, peace and prosperity.
The three nations share several common security interests. Practical cooperation, through exercises such as Southern Jackaroo, is a central part of our trilateral defence relationship.
The importance of trilateral defence cooperation was demonstrated in the response to the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, when the Australian Defence Force, Japanese Self Defense Forces and US Forces Japan worked together to provide rapid humanitarian and disaster relief assistance.
Imagery is available HERE.