(Left to right) Acting Assistant Queensland Police

(Left to right) Acting Assistant Queensland Police Commissioner Michael Hannigan, the commander U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen and the Commander 17 Combat Services Support Brigade, Brig. David Mulhall, meet at the official reception prior to the commencement of the Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 Open Day at the Rockhampton Showground.
Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 has formally kicked off with a public Open Day at the Rockhampton Showground. The Open Day saw the 1RAR Band and Australian Federation Guard perform alongside the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, demonstrating the interoperability of the two military forces that Exercise Talisman Sabre aims to strengthen. The Open Day also showcased a wide array of static displays from Australian and U.S. participants as well as other Australian Government agencies such as AusAID the Australian Federal Police, the Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence and the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service. More than 22,000 Australian and U.S. personnel will participate in Exercise 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 defense training areas in Central and Northern Queensland and the Northern Territory, with maritime forces exercising in the Coral, Timor and Arafura Seas.