Photos from the US military’s major training exercise with Australia and New Zealand
It's summer and it seems like the perfect season for nations to begin training their troops with major operations. Australia is no exception as it launches its annual Army training, Exercise Hamel.
Named after The Battle of Hamel at France in 1918, the exercise takes its roots from its successful attack on German positions by Australian forces in conjunction with American units — paving the way for an allied victory of World War I.
Keeping up with this spirit, the Australians will host over 8,000 troops during its trilateral exercise in South Australia — including US Marines and soldiers, and the New Zealand Army.
Check out the photos of what went down down-under.
US Marines move to their first objective point during Exercise Hamel at Cultana Training Area, South Australia, Australia.
An Australian Army soldier moves across the mock battlefield in the early hours of the morning.
A platoon sergeant looks at a map of Cultana Training Area in order to complete his objective.
US Marine officers pass information by radio.
Marines press forward for patrol.
Troops found themselves moving in and out of rocky trenches.
A rifleman scans the area outside of the objective.
A US anti-tank missileman looks for activity from the trenches.
An infantry unit leader sights in to look for enemy forces across the cliff.
US Marines clear trenches in the harsh terrain of South Australia.
A New Zealand Army soldier drags a "wounded" enemy soldier to safety during the clearance of the township of Iron Knob, South Australia, as part of Exercise Hamel.
A New Zealand Army infantry soldier patrols the perimeter of an internally displaced persons camp.
A Combined Anti-Armor Team HMMWV moves into a screening position in the foliage.
Australian Army soldiers identify mock enemy positions during the clearance of the township of Iron Knob, South Australia.
Australian Army soldiers push forward through the town using cover.
A United States Army soldier engages the enemy forces scattered throughout the town.
An Australian Army Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter takes off from the Battlegroup Griffin position at Port Pirie, South Australia.
US Marines set a 360 degree security for a simulated aircraft wreck site.
US Marines prepare for a possible attack in the cover of darkness.
