Good practices found for Talisman Saber 2009: environment post exercise report

The ADF has received a tick of approval in environmental management from the Director of Environmental Impact Management, Mr Colin Trinder, in the Environmental Post Exercise Report for Exercise Talisman Saber 2009 (TS09).

The report released this month has revealed successful conduct and good practices by participants in the biannual joint exercise conducted by Australian and United States forces, held last year.

Good practices such as briefings, pre and post exercise surveys, quick action to fix issues and an overall commitment from Australia and the US to promote a strong culture of sustainable environmental management led to a ‘light' footprint.

Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Mark Evans said the report is a good indication of Defence's commitment to upholding the Statement of Environment and Heritage Principles, as agreed to in 2005 by Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and the Commander US Pacific Command, Admiral Timothy Keating.

"The ADF has clearly indicated its commitment to sustaining the environment during exercises such as Talisman Saber in the report," Lieutenant General Evans said.

"The measures taken by the ADF to limit the footprint by exercise participants has been successful. This report details how our commitment to protecting the environment and meeting capability objectives can be achieved simultaneously."

An Environmental Management Group (EMG) was established to monitor compliance and provide advice to commanders during the conduct of TS09. More than 600 pre and post exercise site inspections were reviewed by the EMG.

The report found that environmental breaches were attended to immediately. The incidents recorded during TS09 were all minor in nature and have not resulted in any permanent environmental damage.

The successful conduct of TS09 allows the planning and preparation for Talisman Saber 2011 to commence.

TS09 was held from 6-25 July 2009 across six Defence training areas in Central and Northern Queensland and the Northern Territory with Maritime Forces exercising in the Coral, Timor and Arafura seas. More than 27,000 personnel participated in TS09.

Source: ADF