KOWARI 2014 美澳與解放軍班排演習

【Comment】

RIMPAC 2014的PLA 海軍只是起頭。 

就在香港佔中之際，

美澳陸戰隊與PLA陸軍，一起參加 KOWARI 2014 聯合演習進行訓練與求生。演習地點在澳洲北方領地，到10月25日結束。

參加人員：澳洲、PLA，各10名，5名美國陸軍、5名美國陸戰隊，以及100名後勤人員。

演習旨在瞭解嚴苛的環境下軍隊的基本原則、程序、技巧與裝備。屬單兵到班排訓練。

Chinese troops training with US, Australia in exercise Down Under○Stars and Strips (2014.10.07) http://www.stripes.com/news/chinese-troops-training-with-us-australia-in-exercise-down-under-1.307065

Chinese soldiers began an exercise Down Under alongside U.S. and Australian troops Tuesday, according to Australian Defence Minister David Johnston.

Ten members of China’s People’s Liberation Army are participating with U.S.  Marines and soldiers and Australian Army forces in Exercise KOWARI 14, Johnston said in a statement.

The exercise, which includes field training and survival tests in remote and coastal areas of Australia’s Northern Territory, builds on engagement that started with the Chinese navy’s first-ever participation in the RIMPAC exercise in Hawaii in July.

However, it also comes at a time when the White House has spoken out in support of pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong.

“Exercise KOWARI 14 will provide participants with an understanding of the basic principles, procedures, techniques and equipment that can enhance survival prospects in the harsh Australian environment,” Johnston said.  “The exercise demonstrates the willingness of Australia, China and the United States to work together in practical ways.”

Five U.S. soldiers, five Marines and another 100 support personnel are involved in the exercise and working out of Larrakeyah Barracks in Darwin, according to the statement.

U.S. officials said earlier that the Marines would come from a rotational force that deployed to Darwin over the summer.  Plans are in place to grow the deployment to a 2,500-strong Air Ground Task Force — a move that some in China see as part of an effort to encircle their homeland, which has grown its own military capabilities rapidly in recent years.

Ross Babbage, a former Australian assistant defense secretary, said the move to base U.S. forces in Darwin is about moving them away from Okinawa and finding places to train in the Pacific -- and not about dealing with China.

He added that the training had no bearing on the democracy protests in Hong Kong.

“It’s not riot control or anything like that,” he said.

Kowari 14 commander Brigadier Peter Clay said the training would provide challenging situations in some of the toughest terrain that Australia has to offer.

“The troops will have to depend on each other absolutely in order to succeed,” he said.

U.S. Defense Department spokesman Lt. Col. Jeff Pool has said the goal of the training is to enhance military-to-military relationships.

“We believe that training with any nation helps,” Warren said.  “All of the parties who are being trained work better together … It helps increase understanding” and “it’s good for American national security.”

The exercise concludes Oct. 25, officials said.

Minister for Defence – Australia, China and the United States start first trilateral land exercise

http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2014/10/07/minister-for-defence-australia-china-and-the-united-states-start-first-trilateral-land-exercise/

7 October 2014

Defence cooperation between Australia, China and the United States will be highlighted during Exercise KOWARI 14, which commences in the Northern Territory today.

Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston said the inaugural environmental survival training exercise between the three countries will be based out of Larrakeyah Barracks, Darwin, with field training and survival tests in remote inland and coastal areas.

“Exercise KOWARI 14 will provide participants with an understanding of the basic principles, procedures, techniques and equipment that can enhance survival prospects in the harsh Australian environment,” he said.

“The exercise demonstrates the willingness of Australia, China and the United States to work together in practical ways.”

Ten soldiers from the Australian Army, 10 from China’s People’s Liberation Army, five from the United States Army and five from the United States Marine Corps will take part, with a further 100 military personnel providing support in roles including liaison and logistics.

The Australian Army’s 2nd Division will lead Exercise KOWARI, with the North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) responsible for the conduct of the survival training phase.

Commander of the Exercise, Brigadier Peter Clay, said Australia was pleased to host Exercise KOWARI 14.

“The Exercise will provide some extremely challenging situations for the participants to work through, in some of the toughest terrain that Australia has to offer,” he said.

“The troops will have to depend on each other absolutely in order to succeed.”

“NORFORCE, with its deep connections to indigenous communities, and unrivalled expertise in survival skills, is the ideal unit to provide this training.”

Exercise KOWARI will conclude on 25 October.