Wolfhound Soldiers partner with Australian 7th Brigade

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brian Erickson | Pfc. Carlos Coyomani, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 27th Field Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, looks through the scope of his M240L Machine Gun as he pulls security during a mission at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Australia during Talisman Saber 15 on July 14, 2015. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brian C. Erickson, 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office)  

SHOALWATER BAY, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

07.15.2015

Story by Sgt. Brian Erickson 

3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

ROCKHAMPTON, Australia – Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds,” 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division completed training objectives with the Australian 7th Brigade at Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Talisman Saber 15 on July 14, 2015.

“Our mission is to enable the 7th Brigade and to make them successful,” said Capt. Eric Donahue, commander, C Company, 2-27 Inf. Regt., 3rd BCT, 25th ID.

The 2-27 Inf. Regt. Soldiers mission of TS15 is Exercise Hamel, an annual certification exercise for the Australian Defence Force. This year it coincides with TS15, allowing for bilateral operations.

For the second half of Exercise Hamel, the Wolfhounds were under the operational control of the Australian 7th Brigade.

“We are here to help facilitate quality training for 7th Brigade in a partnered training environment,” said Donahue.

Donahue said that this training has allowed his Soldiers to sustain their operational readiness and further hone their combat skills.

The combined effort by U.S. and Australian’s is seen by many Wolfhound Soldiers as one of the best aspects of Talisman Sabre 15.

“For the guys who have not been deployed, getting experience to work with other militaries, will make it easier in the future,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Lyday, a squad leader in 3rd Platoon, C Company.

Lyday said that it has been easy for them to jump in and train with the Australian Army because they have a history of working together and many of their procedures are the same.

According to Donahue, partnering with the 7th Brigade has been fascinating. He said it was a great opportunity to see the units work together to accomplish the mission.

“It is a unique opportunity to get the chance to work in a peacetime environment with our Australian partners,” said Donahue. “It’s great to work together… to accomplish the same objective.”

• Date Taken: 07.15.2015
• Date Posted: 07.16.2015 23:46
• Story ID: 170293
• Location: SHOALWATER BAY, QUEENSLAND, AU