Personnel from Army's 1st Brigade and the United States Marine Corps rehearsed combined arms operations across the Northern Territory during Exercise Predators Walk.
The first in a series of brigade-level training activities, the exercise, held from May 18 to June 12, showcased the cooperation and interoperability between the two.
In a key activity at Dundee Beach, soldiers from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment (1CER) and engineers from the US Marine Rotational Force - Darwin (MRF-D) constructed and refined a corduroy road.
Lieutenant Georg Lange, of 1CER, said the experience strengthened technical skills and teamwork.
"We've rehearsed different points of entry operations, expedient timber road construction techniques and conducted route remediation works, but more importantly we've built trust. That's what makes combined operations effective," Lieutenant Lange said.
US combat engineer Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Pitzer said the experience had been rewarding.
"We're all out here working together towards the same goal sharpening our skills. The environment here is tough, but that's what makes this training so valuable and realistic," Staff Sergeant Pitzer said.
At Mount Bundey Training Area, gunners of the 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (8/12 Regt RAA) and MRF-D Fury Battery provided fire support coordination and sensor integration for lethal effects across a dispersed battlespace.
Bombardier Tristan Williams, of 8/12 Regt RAA, said the exercise allowed the refinement of skills in coordinating fires in a combined environment.
"It's about building a shared understanding so when it matters, we can deliver accurate and timely fire support," Bombardier Williams said.
Meanwhile, infantry soldiers from the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5/7RAR), executed dismounted offensive and defensive operations and live-fire training serials, focusing on small-team tactics and procedures, battlefield shooting, combat fitness and night fighting.
'We've built trust. That's what makes combined operations effective.'
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Ash Zimmerlie said the purpose was to bring together the specialist components of the combined arms fighting system to produce a whole battlefield effect greater than the sum of its parts.
"For the battalion, this activity focused on rehearsing the light infantry team's unique contribution - close combat and dismounted lethality," Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerlie said.
Battlefield clearance team commander Lieutenant Carmen Saftenberger, of B Company 5/7RAR, said urban assault training sharpened their effectiveness.
"Operating in this realistic training environment gives us a different perspective on how to approach problems," Lieutenant Saftenberger said.
"It's challenging, but it makes us a better, more capable team."
Commander 1st Brigade, Brigadier Rob Haertsch, said the exercise marked an important step in the brigade's training progression.
"Exercise Predators Walk rehearses the brigade's readiness through tough training whilst at the same time reinforcing the shared commitment between Australia and the United States to regional peace and security through shared interests," Brigadier Haertsch said.
"By integrating across all skill sets with our MRF-D partners, the activity has delivered realistic, mission-focused training that reflects the demands of the security environment."
The focus for 1st Brigade now shifts to July.
"We will take the lessons learned from this activity into execution for our next key rehearsal, Exercise Predators Run, where we will advance in complexity and scale," Brigadier Haertsch said.
