June 18, 2019 - Defence force arrives for Exercise Sea Raider

The three services of the Australian Defence Force have arrived in the Cassowary Coast Region and Hinchinbrook Shire with almost 2000 personnel for Exercise Sea Raider 2019.

The strategic exercise, from June 22 to July 3, aims to train a defence-ready force able to quickly deploy throughout the region.

The ADF’s Amphibious Task Group will conduct operations from the two largest Royal Australian Navy platforms, HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Canberra, with Army Aviation helicopters, and Army and Navy landing craft ferrying personnel to and from the coast.

Exercise Director Colonel Matthew Sieber, on exchange from the United States Marine Corps, presented plaques to Cassowary Coast Mayor John Kremastos and Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo at the exercise’s opening event at Cowley Beach Training Area on Friday. 

Colonel Sieber thanked Mayor Kremastos and Mayor Jayo for their councils’ cooperation and support over the past several months.

“It takes us a year to plan this exercise and your councils have been invaluable,” he said.

“I think we have taken up all the accommodation you have got to put our enemy forces. In the (United) States we haven’t seen this sort of support so you should be very proud.”  

Commander Landing Forces Colonel Kim Gilfillan said the amphibious capability that the ADF, particularly the army and navy, was putting together was important strategically for Australia and vital to stability in the region. 

“It is also really important working in with the community and we are looking forward to it,” Col Gilfillan said.

Commander Officer HMAS Canberra Captain Ashley Papp said most of the nation did not know why a defence force was needed.

“There are some nasty people out there and peace doesn’t enforce itself,” Captain Papp said.

“You need your defence forces to be ready. This is how we get ready, to prove to the people we serve that you can call us. You know you can rely on us and trust us to get the job done.

“We are self-contained, we are not putting any garbage ashore. We are not a burden on the local community. We appreciate and enjoy the environment; we police it and we care for it. Like they say in Queensland – leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but memories.”

Mayor Kremastos welcomed the ADF personnel, adding that national security was paramount and the Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook Shire were happy to play their part.

He said that his experience while living in another part of the state was that the crime rate went down when the defence forces were training nearby.

“I think we will be safe. Enjoy your stay. I know there will be economic benefits for our region as well,” Cr Kremastos said.

Exercise Sea Raider’s scenario involves the ADF being asked for help from the government of “Cowley Island”, a fictitious country that extends from Mourilyan Harbour south to Townsville. 

A vital part of the exercise is interacting with the community and incurring the most limited disruption to the community while in the midst of defence training. Another aspect is learning to live on board a ship and get on to a landing deck and on to a boat or helicopter.

“It gets pretty exciting, particularly in the middle of the night. That’s why we do it in a controlled environment,” Col Sieber said.

Local residents can expect to encounter ADF personnel and “opposing forces” (the enemy) around Tully Heads, Cardwell, Lucinda and Ingham. Some residents will also be involved in role play.

The main ground force will include 7 Royal Australian Regiment forces, supported by the 2 Royal Australian Regiment (Amphibious) reconnaissance elements, and 10 Force Support Battalions water transport elements. RAAF support will be provided by members of Headquarters Air Command, Air Warfare Centre, Surveillance and Response Group and Combat Support Group.

END