ADF,U.S. Join Forces to Protect Environment

Photo By Janine Fabre | Australian Defence Force soldiers from 9th Force Support Battalion clean a Kalmar rough terrain cargo handler at Camp Rocky in Rockhampton July 18, 2011 prior to it travelling to the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Talisman Sabre 2011. The Shoalwater Bay Training Area has been host to Australian and U.S. forces during Talisman Sabre 2011, and while the use of fast jets and military vehicles has been crucial to ensuring the exercise remains as realistic as possible, the protection of the environment has been an important aspect of the planning process. In order to minimize the likelihood of introducing or spreading weeds, pests, seeds and disease, a dedicated wash-down facility has been established at Camp Rocky, in which all vehicles entering and leaving the Shoalwater Bay Training Area are cleaned and inspected by specially trained personnel. Talisman Sabre 2011 is a U.S.-led, Australian-supported bilateral exercise aimed at training U.S. and Australian forces in planning and conducting combined operations and improving U.S.-Australian interoperability.  

ROCKHAMPTON, QL, AUSTRALIA

07.15.2011

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Kim McLendon 

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command         

ROCKHAMPTON, Australia – The Australian Defence Force and U.S. military are committed to maintaining and managing the unspoiled habitat of Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Talisman Sabre 2011. Acting as good stewards of the environment, TS11 has incorporated an existing weed and seed program into the exercise.

The weed and seed program is designed to prevent the introduction or spread of undesired planets to and from the environmentally protected ecosystem of the training area during TS11.

“It’s important to work side by side with our Australian counterparts to prevent the spread of unwanted elements from one area to another,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Bustillos, from Azuza, Calif., with the 48th Infantry Division of the California National Guard. “It’s somewhat simular to what we do on the road between California and Las Vegas.”

SWBTA, located 30 miles north of Rockhampton, is the drainage area of a network of creeks and rivers. This area, with meadows of seagrass and mangrove communities, is home to dugong and endangered sea turtles. It’s a place where varied wildlife from butterflies to crocodiles co-exists.

The Australian Department of Defence is committed to maintaining and managing this unspoiled habitat during TS11.

TS11 is a biennial combined training activity designed to train ADF and U.S. forces in planning and conducting Combined Task Force operations to improve ADF/U.S. combat readiness and interoperability. It reflects the closeness of the alliance and the strength and flexibility of the ongoing military-military relationship.

During TS11, ADF and U.S. military, including their civilian contractors, must thoroughly clean vehicles, equipment, containers and even boots before entering and after exiting the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.

The strict weed and seed bio-security management system is required for all vehicles entering the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. The program is designed to prevent the introduction and spread of undesired plants to and from the environmentally protected ecosystem of Shoalwater Bay.

Trained personnel inspect vehicles to ensure they are free of contaminants. Personnel from the 10th Force Support Battalion, from Townsville, Queensland, and U.S. military personnel attended a one-day course to learn how to inspect vehicles. Inspectors learned the necessity of job and how and where to look for seeds and vegetation during an inspection.

“We learned about weeds that are harmful,” said ADF Pvt. Ryan Jedryhowski, from Sydney, attached to the 10th FSB. “Rats tails grass can get into grazing lands used for cattle and destroy the grazing lands.”

“Not just keeping seeds from getting out but there also Patterson’s Curse,” said ADF Chief Warrant Class 2 Chris Dow, 10th FSB. “It’s a ground cover with pretty purple flowers, but it quickly takes over and kills animals.”

Patterson’s Curse is poisonous to animals and grows easily.

At Camp Rocky in Rockhampton, vehicles are pulled into wash stations and washed down with high-pressure water hoses.

According to Jedryhowski, they have inspected from 20 to 200 vehicles a day.

“We are trained to look for what the drivers might miss,” said U.S. Army Spc. Nadine Rivera, from San Antonio, with 57th Transportation Battalion based in Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. “The seeds can get stuck in the dark areas, in the grease that no one thinks to look.”

Inspectors must inspect the vehicle and sign the driver’s forms before the vehicle can depart for SWBTA.

“It’s worth the pain of doing it, because it prevents the spread of obnoxious weeds where we don’t want them,” said ADF Pvt. Doug Mancell, from Sydney, with 17th Construction Squadron, Engineer Support.

“We’re the custodians. It’s up to us to take care of it,” said Dow, from Townsville, Queensland. “Local residents are very passionate about heritage landmarks, and they trust us to take look after it.”

• Date Taken: 07.15.2011
• Date Posted: 07.23.2011 04:42
• Story ID: 74196
• Location: ROCKHAMPTON, QL, AU