Australia and U.S. in
TANDEM THRUST Amphibious Operation
By GySgt. Marlton J. Martin, USMC

Exercise TANDEM THRUST 2001 was a “royal” success for members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) who joined forces with 2,000 U.S. Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable) in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.  This bilateral exercise gave the ADF and the MEU an opportunity to demonstrate combined arms “from the sea” capabilities and plans for executing contingency operations.

The MEU, based in Okinawa, Japan, deployed aboard the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), comprising the USS Essex (LHD 2), the USS Juneau (LPD 10) and the USS Germantown (LSD 42).

“The Australian Defence Force and U.S. Marine Corps share many common bonds,” said Col. James M. Lowe, 31st MEU commanding officer.  “TANDEM THRUST offers both teams an opportunity to exercise side-by-side as one team in a challenging amphibious operation.”

According to ADF Lt. Col. Quentin L. Flowers, Chief of Staff, Combined Amphibious Task Group, this was the first time the Australians were able to provide amphibious support for TANDEM THRUST. “Now, we have some of the same capabilities and are playing an integral part in planning and conducting the entire exercise,” said Lt. Col. Flowers, adding that the warfighting doctrine between the ADF and the Marines is very compatible. “We fit right in together, because we have worked so closely in the past.”

ADF amphibious support for TANDEM THRUST-01 included a battalion task force from the 2d Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) based in Townsville, Australia.  The 2RAR joined The MEU’s Battalion Landing Team – 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (BLT 1/5) the MEU’s ground combat element – to go ashore as part of the landing force.

Other support under operational control of Col. Lowe included four Blackhawk and two Sea King U.S. Navy helicopters, two newly commissioned Australian amphibious assault ships HMAS Manoora (L 52) and HMAS Kanimbla (L 51), the refueler HMAS Success (OR 304), a Beach Master Unit from the Australian Army, and combined staff and command and control personnel from the Australian Army and Navy.

Soldiers of the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) and U.S. Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) disembark from a Royal Australian Navy landing craft during combined amphibious operations. Photo by Sgt. Bob O’Donohoo, Australian Army