The 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen AFB, Guam, and Royal Australian Air Force counterparts jointly rehearsed contingency base set-up and sustainment at Williamson Airfield, Australia. During exercise Talisman Sabre, “Our biggest goal coming out here was to see how we interoperated with the Australian Defence Forces,” said Col. Ebe Toro, 36th CRG commander. “So far, everything is working great,” he added. In addition to opening an air operations center and functional base, the airmen joined forces for base defense maneuvers, loading and air-drop of heavy equipment, and aircraft retrieval. Talisman Sabre is the largest joint US and Australian exercise. It’s held bi-annually over two weeks. This year’s exercise, which concluded on July 28, drew nearly 14,000 US and 8,500 Australian personnel from all services to multiple venues in and around Australia. (Andersen release) (Australian DOD release)
Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds took charge of NATO Allied Air Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa on Oct. 31, one day after being confirmed for the post by the Senate.
