3 Brigade moving in on the foe

Amid blankets of dust and twisting mountain ranges, 170 vehicles and 1,200 soldiers move forward, covering an area of over 20 kilometres. At Exercise Talisman Sabre (TS21), 3rd Brigade (3 Bde) is ramping up activities, taking ground from the adversary with a formation level Forward Passage of Lines.

CAPTION: Australian Army Bushmaster’s from Battlegroup Coral, conduct a forward passage of lines at the Townsville Field Training Area in Queensland, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021. Story by Captain Diana Jennings. Photo by Corporal Brandon Grey.

This complex manoeuvre involves the soldiers of Battle Groups (BG) Coral and Eagle leapfrogging through the each other’s occupied areas as they advance on their adversary.

As the action unfolds, the deployed headquarters is constantly planning and transmitting instructions to the teams on the ground.

BG Coral Platoon Commander, Lieutenant Luke Frawley, said while many of his soldiers had never completed the activity before, they were ready.

“My platoon was well prepared to conduct the task, advancing through the area of operation and clearing north towards our next objective,” Lieutenant Frawley said.

“It’s good to see the combined arms effort, being supported by the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and military police controlling movement along the route.”

Headquarters 3 Bde’s Captain Jacob Malouf said he was pleased to see such a complex task completed by the BGs and their supporting elements, moving them one-step closer to the opposing position.

“Our orders are filtered from the Brigade Headquarters down to the battle group, combat teams, platoons and finally to the individual soldiers on the ground,” Captain Malouf said.

“As a headquarters, it’s great to see that the soldiers and teams of the 3rd Brigade are able to safely and successfully execute such a complex task.”

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