CORAL SEA (July 15, 2019) – The newest addition to the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85), is participating in exercise Talisman Saber 2019 off the coast of Northern Australia, as of July 11.
Wasp ESG consists of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20), Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), McCampbell and Legend-class U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752).
The U.S. and Australian-led exercise, aimed at improving U.S. and Australian combat readiness and interoperability, kicked off with a photo exercise that showcased McCampbell as well as 16 other naval vessels, July 11.
“During Talisman Sabre ‘19 we want to demonstrate and exercise our partnerships throughout the Pacific,” said Commander Patrick Sullivan, commanding officer of McCampbell. “It is an honor to work with our Australian and Japanese partners to increase both our skill and lethality.”
Ships participating in Talisman Sabre ‘19 will simulate training in all aspects of naval warfare including air, surface, anti-submarine, and amphibious assault landings.
“Interoperability and working alongside allies and partners really is the future, particularly in the Pacific. It’s just too important, too large a region, for us not to reach out and work together with our great allies and partners in the region,” said Rear Admiral Fred Kacher, commander, ESG 7. “Australia in particular, in a very important part of the world, has been a steadfast and longstanding ally who has fought and served alongside us for over a century. So for us, having the chance to integrate with them in a high-end exercise like Talisman Sabre is a tremendous opportunity.”
Talisman Sabre 19 is in its eighth iteration of the biennial exercise. With over 34,000 U.S. and Australian participants, the exercise will enable the partners to conduct operations in a combined, joint and interagency environment that will increase both countries' ability to plan and execute contingency responses, from combat missions to humanitarian assistance efforts.
McCampbell, part of the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently participating in Talisman Sabre 2019 off the coast of Northern Australia. A bilateral, biennial event Talisman Sabre is designed to improve U.S. and Australian combat training, readiness and interoperability through realistic, relevant training necessary to maintain regional security, peace and stability.