Australian Defence Force troops train in Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Talisman Sabre 2011

Australian Defence Force Bombardier Rodney Alchin, an unmanned aerial vehicle master controller from the 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment, stands with a Scan Eagle UAV during Talisman Sabre 2011 at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. Talisman Sabre 2011 is a combined U.S. and Australian exercise aimed at improving combat training, readiness and interoperability across the spectrum of military operations from conventional conflict to peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance efforts. The exercise forms part of the Australia Defence Forces' extensive training program to ensure preparedness or any future deployments and the continued readiness to protect and support Australia and its national interests and to ensure Australian and U.S. military forces can work together efficiently and safely. More than 22,000 Australian and U.S. personnel will participate in Talisman Sabre 2011, which will see personnel and assets from the Australian and U.S. Navy, Army and Air force, as well as the U.S. Marines, training in six Defence training areas in Central and Northern Queensland and the Northern Territory, with maritime forces exercising in the Coral, Timor and Arafura Seas.