Three-hundred-and-thirty-five US paratroopers dropped into Charters Towers under the cover of night, exploiting allied night vision capabilities to launch a surprise operation designed to overwhelm any adversary.
They were not alone, German and French paratroopers jumped alongside them, taking part in one of the first major actions of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.
The troops, from the 11th Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, flew more than 10,000 kilometres from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska aboard six C-17 Globemasters to execute a Joint Forcible Entry Operation (JFEO).
JFEOs are large-scale missions that see Army and Air Force units working together to drop troops into contested areas and secure key terrain for follow-on forces.
The operation included a 14.5-hour flight, mid-air refuelling and real-time communication with US and allied headquarters throughout the journey.
In addition to the paratroopers, the operation also airdropped heavy equipment, including 10 Humvees, command and control vehicles, mortar systems with transport vehicles and several door bundles.
Colonel Brian Weightman, Commander of the 2nd Brigade, 11th Airborne Division, said it was their asymmetric advantage that created unstoppable momentum.
"We own the night. Our ability to fly halfway around the world, communicate in real time, and drop combat-ready troops and equipment into an area should serve as a reminder to any potential adversary," Colonel Weightman said.
The German contingent, from 26 Paratrooper Regiment, also played a role in the airborne operation. Five German personnel jumped alongside US forces and around 10 medics supported the operation, along with 15 staff members responsible for coordination.
'We own the night. Our ability to fly halfway around the world, communicate in real time, and drop combat-ready troops and equipment into an area should serve as a reminder to any potential adversary.'
First Lieutenant Marcel, a staff officer with the German Joint Visitor Bureau, said the exercise was a rare and valuable opportunity for his unit.
"It is a rare opportunity for German forces to train in Australia and a valuable experience in operating in a new environment," he said.
He described the key challenges including navigating long-distance deployments, managing customs processes and learning new logistics systems on the ground.
"In Europe everything is a lot smaller; here it was about getting to know who the point of contact was and how the logistics work," he said.
In preparation for the operation, Colonel Weightman said that the German paratroopers had previously travelled to Alaska to complete joint training at the Advanced Airborne School.
"It was seamless. I sat next to our German colleague's right before we jumped. We stood up, hooked up, checked our equipment and exited the aircraft together. That's how a strong alliance works," he said.
Thirty-six French paratroopers from New Caledonia also joined US and German troops in the airborne operation, marking the first time French paratroopers have conducted a jump in Australia.
' We stood up, hooked up, checked our equipment and exited the aircraft together. That's how a strong alliance works.'
French airborne officer Captain Marvin, from the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia, said the operation tested his troops in new ways, but the most important outcome was working side by side with regional partners.
"We train in New Caledonia which is a really little island, but this is different, [it's bigger, it's harder and we're doing it together]," Captain Marvin said.
"The most important thing is just working with partners in the region because it's important [for real world situations]."
Behind the scenes, the ADF played a crucial role in enabling the complex operation, providing safety support, medical coverage and preparing the drop zone on a remote cattle station near Charters Towers.
The 480-hectare drop zone bordered a five-kilometre lake, requiring ADF water safety teams to be on standby in case of parachute overshoots during the night insertion.
Following the drop, the multinational force began seizing training objectives and airfields before handing control to Australia's 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, as part of a broader joint operation set to continue with a second parachute insertion at Shoalwater Bay.
This operation proved that allied forces could deploy globally and seize key terrain within 24 hours.
