Australian, U.S. commanders welcome New Zealand troops to combat exercise

Australian and U.S. military chiefs have welcomed New Zealand troops to Australia's largest combat exercise with the United States, saying New Zealand forces will learn to work better with the two regional powers.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) on Sunday issued a statement on behalf of commanders of the three forces taking part in Exercise Talisman Sabre, conducted every two years by Australian and United States forces.

New Zealand forces and a small contingent of Japanese troops are joining the exercise for the first time this year.

"The training that our personnel are getting in Exercise Talisman Sabre helps us better understand how we can work together with our partners as well as within our defense force as we enhance combat capabilities needed to support New Zealand's requirements and a joint task force," Major General Tim Gall, Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, said in the statement.

The NZDF had deployed around 620 personnel, two ships, four aircraft including two NH90 helicopters, 22 Light Armoured Vehicles and 23 other military vehicles to the exercise areas in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

U.S. Marine Lieutenant General John Wissler, III Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General, said New Zealand's presence was a great opportunity to increase interoperability.

"What we're trying to do here is bring together the unique capabilities of all our forces Australia, U.S., New Zealand and our Japanese partners and ensure we can rely on each other's capabilities, operate together and be successful in very complex operations as we have laid out in this exercise," Wissler said. Endi