1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,320 Speaker 1: So now we know that Australia is hosting the largest 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:07,320 Speaker 1: ever Talisman Saber. With the defense exercise set to wrap 3 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: up on Monday. More than forty thousand military personnel from 4 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: nineteen nations have taken part in a range of activities 5 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 1: in PNG the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia. And 6 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:23,760 Speaker 1: joining me in the studio is Commander of the First Brigade, 7 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 1: Brigadier Doug Hashley. Good morning to you. 8 00:00:27,040 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, good morning, Katie. Great to be here. 9 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:30,640 Speaker 1: Good to have you on the show. Now, Doug tell 10 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 1: us what can Territorians expect to ads the exercise now 11 00:00:34,479 --> 00:00:35,479 Speaker 1: draws to a close. 12 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 2: Look, there'll be a lot more vehicle movement, personnel movement 13 00:00:39,320 --> 00:00:44,720 Speaker 2: moving through airports and other areas. So it's something you mindful. 14 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:46,360 Speaker 2: I suppose if you're driving around and you see a 15 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:48,559 Speaker 2: big convoy, give give it a bit of space, give 16 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:50,920 Speaker 2: it a bit of patience. Let those people get to 17 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 2: where they need to go and everyone will stay safe. 18 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:55,279 Speaker 1: What kind of vehicles are we talking for our listeners 19 00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:56,480 Speaker 1: that might be out and about. 20 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:00,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, range of big heavy armored vehicles are some bush Masters, 21 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 2: which is what they're saying. Probably the most around town, 22 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:06,400 Speaker 2: but also some really heavier, heavier hauling kind of vehicles 23 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 2: to move some of the really incredible capabilities we've got 24 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:10,280 Speaker 2: around around them. 25 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:14,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, right, like I would imagine there's been a lot here, 26 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 1: you know when you talk about some of that equipment. 27 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, a tremendous amount. I mean you've got to 28 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:22,679 Speaker 2: drive past the depot at Baggitt Road. You see all 29 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:26,119 Speaker 2: the vehicles right at a raid on the field. Look, 30 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 2: and we've the exercise this few year has been more 31 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 2: expansive and broader than any that I've participated in. You know, 32 00:01:33,240 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 2: the objectives, the ambition was unparalleled. So it's been fantastic. 33 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:40,560 Speaker 1: Can you tell us a little bit more about some 34 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:43,560 Speaker 1: of the activities that the first Brigade has been involved in? 35 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:46,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, So the first Brigade, who I have the privilege 36 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 2: of commanding a couple of thousand people. We punched down 37 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:53,120 Speaker 2: to Bradshaw Field Training Era, which is just on the 38 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 2: WA border. That's a big move for hundreds of vehicles 39 00:01:56,480 --> 00:02:00,120 Speaker 2: and thousands of personnel. We exercised down there. Again, it's 40 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:02,920 Speaker 2: a fictitious enemy people playing enemy for several days and 41 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 2: then shortly after we arrived there were given a no 42 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 2: notice task to conduct a tactical air land operation and 43 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:12,880 Speaker 2: embark our people and vehicles on military aircraft to move 44 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 2: from that area to the east coast of Australia itself 45 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 2: was a massive activity to try and work out what 46 00:02:19,639 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 2: we can fit on aircraft and what we can't and 47 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:24,040 Speaker 2: who's going to do what. So that took us a 48 00:02:24,040 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 2: little bit of time. We got over there and then 49 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:28,080 Speaker 2: we're in the box, so to speak, and we had 50 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 2: an enemy that was thinking and acting and we had 51 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:32,519 Speaker 2: to respond to the challenges that were coming our way, 52 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:35,560 Speaker 2: as well as working with foreign partners along the way. 53 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:38,320 Speaker 2: So fantastic activity and really police. 54 00:02:38,639 --> 00:02:42,400 Speaker 1: How important is it for you and for your team 55 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 1: to be part of exercises like that. 56 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:50,040 Speaker 2: It's super important. So it's all about building readiness, readiness 57 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:52,959 Speaker 2: to operate together. None of us want to go to war, 58 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:56,239 Speaker 2: none of us want conflict, but sometimes these things occur 59 00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:59,079 Speaker 2: and you need to be ready to respond. So doing 60 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:02,639 Speaker 2: these type of exercise make sure that we're not talking 61 00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:05,799 Speaker 2: to people or organizations at two o'clock in the morning 62 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:08,600 Speaker 2: when we're about to go live. We've done that, We've 63 00:03:08,720 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 2: exercise the communications pathways, we know who we're talking to. 64 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:14,680 Speaker 2: We understand where the eriscent opportunities are and we can 65 00:03:14,760 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 2: operate together effectively. 66 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, and it sounds as though, you know, it's been 67 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 1: a real opportunity to sort of do that and do 68 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:25,040 Speaker 1: it in what, you know, what is as close to 69 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 1: being a real situation as possible. 70 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:31,960 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, tremendously realistic and relevant. Training. Working with partners 71 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 2: is a key aspect of that, because it's good if 72 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 2: you're trained by yourself, but we never operate by yourself, 73 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 2: So that's been a key aspect. And then the fact 74 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:41,960 Speaker 2: that we're forced to make decisions and plan on the 75 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 2: run without a complete knowledge of what's coming has been 76 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 2: really useful. 77 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 1: Also. Now I understand that as things sort of wrap 78 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 1: up that there's going to be an open day at 79 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 1: Robertson Barracks. It is fast approaching. When's that happening? 80 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:57,960 Speaker 2: That's the Saturday, the sixteenth of October, sorry, sixteenth of August. 81 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 2: Sorry August sorry check. Look, a tremendous opportunity for us 82 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 2: to open the doors of Robertson Barracks and to show 83 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 2: the day on community what it is we do, what 84 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 2: our people have been doing in the field, and for 85 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:12,400 Speaker 2: some of my soldiers to proudly show their friends families 86 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:16,040 Speaker 2: what it is they do. They are incredible people, the 87 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:19,400 Speaker 2: best of Australia's young men and women, and I'm sure 88 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 2: that anyone who comes along will have a great day. 89 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 2: They'll get some vehicle rides, there'll be helicopter flyovers, they'll 90 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 2: have to handle equipment, They're able to speak to soldiers. Importantly, 91 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 2: be food and drinks first day if required. So a 92 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 2: really memorable day for everyone who comes. 93 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 1: Along, Doug, in terms of, you know, giving people a 94 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:41,800 Speaker 1: taste of a day in the life of a soldier, 95 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,840 Speaker 1: do you think that that'll be what territorians can get 96 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:46,040 Speaker 1: as well? When they head out there. 97 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:49,360 Speaker 2: They'll get to speak to soldiers and they will see 98 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:50,920 Speaker 2: just how good it is being a member of the 99 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 2: Defense Force, just how good it is being a soldier 100 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 2: in dar On, and just how good it is being 101 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 2: a member of the first Brigade. 102 00:04:56,080 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 1: It's nice to hear that pride in your voice, and 103 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 1: I know that you know that you are obviously very 104 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 1: proud of your team and the exercise that's taken place. Now. 105 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,040 Speaker 1: I said to you off, I wasn't going to involve 106 00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 1: you in a political discussion, and I'm certainly not going to, 107 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 1: but there has been discussion about, you know, whether a 108 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 1: flyover should happen on Territory Day by a small number 109 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 1: of people, I think in the Northern Territory community, because 110 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 1: I think that by and large the Northern Territory is 111 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 1: really proud of our defense history and really proud of 112 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 1: the men and women who are part of the defense force. 113 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: How important is it for you guys to be able 114 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 1: to do things like the open Day, to be able 115 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:38,039 Speaker 1: to have things like those flyovers? I mean you mentioned 116 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 1: as part of the open Day there'll be helicopter flyover 117 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:43,479 Speaker 1: as well. How important is it to actually be able 118 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:46,720 Speaker 1: to show the community the work that you guys do. 119 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 2: I think it's incredibly important. You know, we prioritize community 120 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:54,160 Speaker 2: relations really highly. To say thanks to the day in 121 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 2: community for the support they provide us the impulse that 122 00:05:56,839 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 2: sometimes they have to deal with with vehicle movements, but 123 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:04,240 Speaker 2: also to give my people an opportunity to show how 124 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:06,479 Speaker 2: good it is what they actually get to experience and do, 125 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:09,719 Speaker 2: because look, being an army is not for everyone, but 126 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:12,680 Speaker 2: for those who serve, I think ninety nine percent have 127 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:15,760 Speaker 2: a really positive experience and walk away really proud with 128 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 2: what they've achieved, what they've learned, the skills, and that 129 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 2: sets them up well for a lifelong career or anything afterwards. 130 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:25,159 Speaker 2: So really important these type of community open doors. 131 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:28,839 Speaker 1: Well Commander of the First Brigade, Brigadier Doug Pashley, good 132 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 1: to have you in this studio, mate, Thanks so much 133 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:31,160 Speaker 1: for your time. 134 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:32,040 Speaker 2: Thank you for your time.