U.S., Australia wrap up Talisman Sabre exercise

From the Navy Times (Jul 20): U.S., Australia wrap up Talisman Sabre exercise

The sailors and Marines of the George Washington carrier strike group and the Bonhomme Richard expeditionary strike group bid "hooroo" to the Australian Defence Force on Saturday after wrapping up Exercise Talisman Sabre.

About 33,000 troops, 200 aircraft and 21 ships participated in the two-week biennial exercise.

"During TS15 we demonstrated our Pacific partnership with the Australians and Kiwis," Cmdr. Michael Posey, the lead planner for the exercise, said in a Navy release. "The first level of TS15 validated our long-standing relationship with the Australians and it was a reminder that our two nations have fought together in every major conflict since World War II."

It was the sixth iteration of the exercise and, significantly, members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force participated as embedded units with the United States, a further sign of Japan's growing involvement in regional security.

New Zealand defense forces also participated as embedded forces with the Australian military, the release said.

Bonhomme Richard ESG conducted more than 20 amphibious landings with landing craft air cushion and landing craft utility units, and MV-22 flights.

George Washington CSG also conducted war games. Five U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets took fuel from a Royal Australian air force KC-30A, according to a release.

The next Talisman Sabre is scheduled for Summer 2017.

The Bonhomme Richard and George Washington sailors also got to enjoy some liberty in Australia.

The sailors of the GW CSG visited Brisbane while the Bonhomme Richard took in the sights at Fremantle and Bunbury.

This is also the last major exercise for George Washington as the forward-deployed carrier in Japan. The super carrier is headed to Norfolk after seven years in Japan. It is on its way to San Diego where it will swap crews with the carrier Reagan, which will take over as the forward-deployed carrier in 7th Fleet.

http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2015/07/20/talisman-saber-navy-australia-2015-exercise/30411567/