Latest news with #ExerciseTalismanSabre
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
US Navy sailor missing at sea for two days, feared dead
A US Navy sailor has fallen overboard during military exercises in the Timor Sea just north of Australia, triggering a massive search. Rescue crews have been operating around the clock in an attempt to locate the man who has been missing since Monday. Australian assets are being contributed to the search and rescue operation led by the US, which has yet to yield any results. The sailor was reported missing from the nuclear-powered USS George Washington aircraft carrier which is still sailing in the Timor Sea, northwest of Darwin. It remains in the area while more than 40,000 military personnel from 19 countries take part in Exercise Talisman Sabre. This biennial event is Australia's largest military training exercise and has been underway since July 17. It was due to wrap up by August 4 but rescue operations have hampered this as emergency teams continue searching for the lost sailor. Australia's Border Force and Defence Force have supplied a boat and an aircraft to assist the US Navy to find the soldier.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
US Navy sailor is feared dead after going overboard TWO days ago in Australia's Timor Sea
A US Navy Sailor is suspected to have died after falling overboard in the Timor Sea. Rescue crews have been operating around the clock in an attempt to locate the man who has been missing since Monday. Australian assets are being contributed to the search and rescue operation led by the US, which has yet to yield any results. The sailor was reported missing from the nuclear-powered USS George Washington aircraft carrier which is still sailing in the Timor Sea, northwest of Darwin. It remains in the area while more than 30,000 military personnel from 19 countries take part in Exercise Talisman Sabre. This biennial event is Australia's largest military training exercise and has been underway since July 17. It was due to wrap up by the end of July but rescue operations have delayed its ending as emergency teams continue searching for the lost sailor. Australia's Border Force and Defence Force have supplied a boat and an aircraft to assist the US Navy to find the soldier.
Canada News.Net
3 days ago
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
China eyes blue waters of western pacific
New Delhi [India], July 29 (ANI): Geography is an enemy to China's aspirations for a powerful blue-water navy. While one cannot doubt the might of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), China remains hemmed in by a network of islands and land masses that stand in the way of free access to the Pacific Ocean. Another obstacle for Chinese military domination is its lack of true allies and, correspondingly, a network of military bases around the world it can rely upon in time of need. China's isolation sharply contrasts with its nemesis the USA, which demonstrated its ability to deploy over long distances and to intimately interoperate with allies like Australia and the UK during the recently concluded Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia. Geostrategic experts call this natural network of land masses around China the First Island Chain, and it extends from the Japanese mainland and archipelago to Taiwan, the Philippines, before being anchored in the south in Indonesia. This island chain is extremely significant because, if China and the USA go to war over Taiwan, for example, then it would form a critical line of defense to contain China. Capturing Taiwan is therefore not only a 'patriotic duty' for communist China, but it would immediately give Beijing an open channel into the wider reaches of the Pacific Ocean. There is a Second Island Chain, but it is a chain in name only since it is characterized by vast oceanic stretches. It extends from Japan's outlying volcanic islands, passes through the Mariana Islands (where Guam is the critical hinge), the Caroline Islands, and terminates in western New Guinea. As it figures out how to more effectively penetrate into the Pacific Ocean, the PLAN has been making more frequent forays into the Western Pacific in recent years. These voyages have a training purpose and they lay down a marker to countries like Japan and the USA that China can sail wherever it pleases. Perhaps the clearest example of this mindset yet was the exercising of two PLAN aircraft carriers in waters far to the east of Taiwan and the Philippines recently. The first carrier, Liaoning, crossed the First Island Chain from the East China Sea on 27 May, with the Shandong carrier group following suit on 7 June. The latter had sailed from the South China Sea. Whilst in the Western Pacific, the two carrier groups conducted 'realistic combat training and adversarial drills,' according to China's Ministry of National Defense. Liaoning operated there from 27 May till 19 June, whilst Shandong remained there from 7-22 June. The training included reconnaissance, early warning, counterstrike, anti-surface warfare, air defense, and tactical flights. From 14-18 June, the two carrier groups likely performed carrier-versus-carrier wargames, with Liaoning presumably acting as the 'blue force' simulating an American carrier strike group. The two carriers remained some 500-600 km apart, just beyond their outermost defensive boundaries, and they performed intensive aircraft sorties. The highest number of daily sorties occurred on 14 June, when 90 take-offs occurred from Liaoning. The two carrier groups had recrossed the First Island Chain by 22 June. This twin deployment marked three significant 'firsts' for the Chinese military, according to Yu-cheng Chen and K. Tristan Tang in a report published by The Jamestown Foundation think tank in the USA. Firstly, they asserted, it was the first time two PLAN carriers have sailed simultaneously in the Western Pacific. Japan's Ministry of Defense has recorded 14 previous instances of Chinese aircraft carriers operating in that maritime zone since 2021, but this was the first time the PLAN did so with two carriers. The second milestone came about since this was the first time a Chinese carrier had voyaged beyond the porous Second Island Chain. This was achieved when Liaoning and her escorts sailed approximately 300 km southwest of Minami-Tori-shima and moved southwest by another 400-500 km the following day. Prior to this, the farthest a PLAN flattop had proceeded was when Liaoning reached 700 km east of Guam in December 2022. Significantly, Chinese carriers are nowaays foraying farther from home. Last year there were five Chinese carrier deployments, and four of those occurred near the Bashi Channel that separates the Philippines and Taiwan. Yet this year, with four carrier deployments already, all have been longer and more dispersed. Thirdly, Chen and Tang noted, was the record length of time a Chinese carrier group has conducted operations beyond the First Island Chain. For 27 days, at least one Chinese carrier group was operating in the Western Pacific. Liaoning was there 24 days, whilst Shandong managed 16 days. This accords with the PLAN's desire to expand its training plan and validate training scenarios in maritime areas China previously did not address. Chen and Tang commented, 'The drills constitute a shift in the PLAN's focus toward long-range operations. This likely stems from an assessment by the PLA's Central Military Commission (CMC) that the navy has achieved sufficient combat capability in the country's near seas.' The academics continued, 'The PLA has begun to cross the Second Island Chain, which includes Guam, in the Western Pacific. This shift brings Chinese forces closer to Hawaii. As a result, the United States may need to adjust its force deployments and rotation schedules accordingly. In addition, the latest shift could imply that the PLA Navy believes it has secured operational dominance in nearby waters. If so, it likely will engage in more assertive and potentially unsafe behaviour during naval encounters with vessels from neighbouring states in future.' Chen and Tang highlighted two pertinent points. 'The first is that the PLA has started shifting the focus of its training from near-seas comprehensive operations toward far-seas mobile operations. The second - which follows from the first - is that the CMC likely has determined that the PLA now possesses comprehensive near-seas combat capabilities, such as those needed for operations around Taiwan.' Far-seas mobile operations ,designed to control key straits, protect sea lines of communication, safeguard China's overseas interests and deter a military crisis, are a challenge for China. This is primarily because China lacks shore-based air support and close-range logistical supply. This lack of a supporting network forces the PLA to concentrate its naval assets and to perform far-seas raiding and guerilla warfare. This requires speed and effectiveness, as well as early-warning and monitoring capabilities. China is still developing doctrines for far-seas mobile operations, but they are predicated on China comprehensively dominating its near seas first. If the PLA cannot operate freely within the First Island Chain, it does not bode well for missions farther afield. China has already normalized operations around Taiwan, and it seems the PLA is now doing the same in the Western Pacific. Chen and Tang assessed: 'The PLA Navy's shift in training focus from near-seas to far-seas operations could lead to more direct pressure on the United States. Key US military outposts beyond the mainland - such as Hawaii - could have to contend with increased naval presence by Chinese naval forces operating closer and with greater endurance than before. This development not only challenges the United States' strategic depth in the Pacific, but may also compel it to reconsider its force deployment and readiness posture throughout the Indo-Pacific region.' Of course, it is helpful to contrast this Chinese carrier activity with that of its adversaries. During Exercise Talisman Sabre, held in and around Australia from 13-27 July, the USA and UK both operated aircraft carriers. The US Navy contributed USS George Washington, while the Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales participated in the massive wargames involving 19 nations. Equipped with F-35 fighters, the two carriers met in the Timor Sea north of Darwin in what they described as a 'powerful demonstration of naval power.' The US carrier was accompanied by a cruiser and destroyer, whilst HMS Prince of Wales was escorted by a multinational flotilla comprising Australian, British, Canadian, New Zealand and Norwegian warships. Rear Admiral Eric Anduze, Commander of Carrier Strike Group Five, spoke to ANI from his flagship USS George Washington shortly after the multinational exercise kicked off. He stated, 'We participate in Talisman Sabre 25 in order to rehearse, join and combine operations with our Australian counterparts, demonstrate maneuverability of naval forces in a contested environment, and increase operability and lethality.' Asked about the importance of such wargames, Anduze shared, 'We rehearse our tactics and communications, how we operate and how Australia operates, how we communicate and how we integrate across multiple domains. All of these experiences increase interoperability and strengthen our alliance as a whole for the security and freedom of the Indo-Pacific.' He elaborated on the importance of allies and interoperability: 'The US conducts routine operations in this area of operations to ensure freedom of navigation, a free and open Indo-Pacific that's resilient and prosperous for all. And we have to do it with allies and partners in order to be successful and have the most impact. So anytime we have the ability to share, coordinate and work together, it's a chance for our tactics to become more refined and for us to be able to come together quickly.' ANI asked whether aircraft carriers like USS George Washington have become vulnerable. Anduze asserted that aircraft carriers 'are still the most survivable airfield in the world. As time has evolved, threats have changed, and we've adjusted our tactics with the times in order to become more survivable. We have defense in depth, technology and tactics that help us protect this vessel, and all of the assets that sail with or around her throughout the entire area of operations.' The commander further noted: 'Submarine and missile technologies have evolved over the years, and aircraft technology has evolved over the years. It's a game of what technology does the enemy possess, and what technologies can we develop to counter those things, whether it's new aircraft like the F-35 and its stealth capabilities, better defense missiles, adjustments to our Aegis system and its ability to intercept incoming threats.' He assured, 'We're evolving and adjusting. And that's the technical piece of it, but there's also the tactical piece. I can't go into specifics of how we've changed our tactics to improve the security of the aircraft carrier, but we're always evolving. We're always assessing the threat and our capabilities, developing technologies and looking for ways to integrate those.' Indeed, a major portion of these developing threats is the PLA, which has developed weapons like the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile, DF-17 hypersonic missile and modern conventional and nuclear-powered submarines. As another example of the interoperability being achieved by Five Eyes partners - Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and USA - the Australian military rearmed a Canadian warship in Darwin during Talisman Sabre 2025. HMCS Ville de Quebec received RGM-84 Harpoon Block II missiles on two occasions. This proves the ability of partners to rearm each other far from home, thanks to common weapons. China, which has few close military allies, cannot compete with such an ability. Yet more interoperability occurred when two US Air Force pilots flew Australian F-35A fighters during Talisman Sabre 2025. This 'interfly' activity illustrated the close bonds between countries like the USA and Australia. One of the aviators involved, Major Justin Lennon of the USAF, noted, 'In the long term, as a coalition, normalizing interfly gives commanders additional options for agility and versatility in a future conflict. In a prolonged conflict, airplanes are capable of flying more hours a day than a pilot. Having the added flexibility to put any pilot in any F-35 and generate combat airpower anywhere in the world adds to the F-35 coalition's lethality.' China is working hard to extend its reach and to project power far from home shores. However, Beijing's ability to do so remains its obvious weakness, especially when one compares China's solitary status with the network of alliances and partnerships that the USA has forged in the Indo-Pacific region over decades. (ANI)
Scoop
3 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Reserve Force Soldiers Hone Their Combat Skills In Annual Waiouru Exercise
More than 300 New Zealand Army Reserve Force soldiers from around the country have tackled sub-zero temperatures at Waiouru for a crucial annual activity to ensure they are combat-ready and can integrate seamlessly into the Regular Force. They joined more than 70 Regular Force personnel in the Waiouru Military Training Area for Exercise Tauwharenīkau, which wound up recently. The nine-day combined arms collective training exercise includes intelligence-driven and action-based missions based on a simulated conflict scenario centred on unrest on a fictional island in the South Pacific. The lead unit for the exercise was New Zealand Army Reserve unit 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Shaun O'Connor, said the exercise prepared Army Reserve personnel to surge and embed seamlessly into 1st (New Zealand) Brigade when required. 'The work that goes into maintaining combat readiness is at the heart of what we do as an organisation, giving us the skills, tools and resilience to respond to any situation when called upon,' Lieutenant Colonel O'Connor said. 'Reservists are trained to the same standard and meet the same operational levels as their Regular Force peers, and bring a valuable diverse mix of backgrounds, expertise and skillsets to the Army.' Currently, more than 2,000 Reserve Force soldiers stand ready to support the Regular Force. Assistant Chief of Army for Reserves, Colonel Brendon Jull said the exercise proved the Reserve Force doesn't just contribute high-quality personnel to Army but was integral to delivering its operational outputs - both at home and abroad. 'The fact that the NZ Army can run this exercise while concurrently deploying close to 700 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel to a major Australian exercise (Exercise Talisman Sabre) highlights the NZDF's ability to deliver large-scale, integrated operations across domains, services and nations.' Lieutenant Colonel O'Connor said the Reserve Force was hoping to deploy a company-sized group to the next iteration of Talisman Sabre in 2027. 'This year's Exercise Tauwharenīkau was intended to replicate the scale and complexity of the kinds of operations soldiers would be likely to encounter once deployed overseas.' The exercise operated under a combat framework that includes a command-and-control centre, a light infantry rifle company made up of three 33-soldier platoons, and combat support units including engineers, signallers, mounted armoured capability, intelligence specialists, medics and dental specialists. The exercise also incorporated operational support from the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) No. 3 Squadron NH90 helicopters and No. 40 Squadron C-130J Hercules aircraft. The exercise also featured an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) detachment from both the Army's 16th Field Regiment and the RNZAF, as well as infantry support dogs, explosive detection dogs and a mounted reconnaissance section – the Waikato Mounted Rifles. Reserve Force training typically occurs once a fortnight or monthly. Reserve Force soldiers can also take part in all NZDF exercises, both nationally and internationally, based on time availability and skills required.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
SAF artillery, aircraft make Exercise Talisman Sabre debut in Australia
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The Singapore Army HIMARS participating in the combined joint live-firing at Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. SINGAPORE – The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) participated for the first time in the multinational Exercise Talisman Sabre (XTS), co-hosted by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command. More than 100 SAF personnel, two Himars rocket launchers and two Chinook helicopters were deployed between July 13 and 28 alongside 40,000 personnel from 18 other partner nations at the military exercise, said the SAF on July 28. The 11th iteration of XTS, the largest multinational military exercise in the Asia-Pacific and held every other year, will conclude on Aug 4. Partner nations at the drills include Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Britain and Japan. Malaysian and Vietnamese forces attended as observers, according to the Australian Department of Defence. Teams from the SAF's Special Operations Task Force, Special Operations Aviation Task Group, medical and information domains took part in integrated training with partner forces. 'We value such multilateral training opportunities, which allow the SAF to enhance interoperability and deepen mutual understanding with partner militaries,' said Brigadier-General Anand Sathi Kumar. 'Such opportunities will further hone the SAF's tactical competencies, demonstrate our soldiers' professionalism, and build enduring friendships with partner nations.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole backfilled; road to be repaved after LTA tests Asia Gunman kills 5 security guards near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Singapore HPB looking for vaping, smoking counselling services for up to 175 secondary school students Singapore Jail for former pre-school teacher who tripped toddler repeatedly, causing child to bleed from nose Singapore Police statements by doctor in fake vaccine case involving Iris Koh allowed in court: Judge Singapore Woman allegedly linked to case involving pre-schooler's sexual assault given stern warning Singapore Singapore lion dance troupe retains title at Genting World championship Singapore SMRT reports unauthorised post on its X account, says investigation under way Aircraft from the RSAF participating in a joint mission with the United States' 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. PHOTO: MINDEF The SAF's Himars crew trained with Australian and US forces at a combined live-firing exercise on July 14 in Queensland, with the US Department of Defence describing the SAF artillery as delivering precision long-range fire after moving from concealed positions. Mr Euan Graham, a senior analyst on defence strategy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said that the presence of Singaporean forces at XTS is noteworthy. 'Singapore has advanced military capabilities that no other partner in South-east Asia comes close to, so for them to take part in Talisman Sabre is an opportunity for them to drill as part of a large coalition force, and at the more complex end of the activity spectrum,' he told US-based defence news outlet Breaking Defense.
