Australian Army Reserve’s Largest Exercise in Decades Showcases Rapid Deployment Capabilities

In the largest Army Reserve exercise in three decades, nearly 2000 personnel practised a rapid deployment to Australia’s north to respond to simulated security threats. Soldiers from 11th and 13th Brigades, and the Regional Force Surveillance Group alongside maritime and air capabilities, formed security response task units in Derby and Cairns during Exercise Austral Shield 2024, held from July 12-28. In the east, 11th Brigade soldiers from Townsville, Brisbane and Sydney deployed by road to secure infrastructure at Cairns Airport, Barron Gorge Hydroelectric Power Plant and HMAS Cairns. Attacks by the opposing force were light at first, with discrete surveillance that escalated to drive-by shootings, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and fully armed, close-quarters combat. Army forces worked with local authorities in both states to enhance security, including joint patrols with Australian Federal Police in Cairns.

Exercise director Brigadier Damian Hill said,“The exercise tested the ADF and its contingency forces in domestic security response. The exercise demonstrated that we can deploy our reserve and full-time capabilities at relative short notice. Also, that we have the mechanisms in place to work with emergency services and other national security agencies to defend our nation against any type of adversary.”

AFP Operational Delivery Team Lead, Acting Sergeant Brian McAlonan, said they didn’t often get to work closely with Army. Seeing blue and green working side by side at Cairns Airport goes to reassure the travelling public that in the event of a major incident, the best possible protection will be afforded to them.”

Brigadier Hill said after years assisting with bushfires, floods and COVID-19, the exercise was an opportunity for reservists to get back to foundation soldiering. They don’t necessarily join the Army Reserve to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, although as we have seen they are always willing when those issues occur. They joined to be a soldier, and what they got out of this exercise by and large was soldiering.”

The task force also conducted offensives against an enemy at Cowley Beach, Tully and Townsville. Meanwhile, in the west, 13th Brigade deployed from Perth to Derby in north-western Australia to secure the town and RAAF Base Curtain. Soldiers worked out of Derby Airport to clear enemy from the town’s infrastructure, including a night-time clearance of the fishing club. They also conducted joint vehicle checkpoints and patrols with West Australian police officers, including clearance of an IED at the water purification plant. Plans for Austral Shield 2026 are already underway, with a more expansive and challenging ‘all domain’ environment that will bring together three services, along with space and cyber elements.