Townsville to Host Largest Army Training Activity in Decade as Exercise Hamel Takes Off

About 7,000 personnel from across Australia will arrive in Townsville this month to participate in Exercise Hamel, the country's largest Army training activity. The 5th Aviation Regiment will be based in the city, hosting the largest concentration of Army aviation in a decade, with 35 combat aircraft and 800 personnel supporting the exercise.

Key Takeaways:

• The exercise, called Exercise Hamel, will involve 7,000 personnel from the Army, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force.
• Approximately 3,500 troops will be involved in Townsville's 3rd Brigade, while the 5th Aviation Regiment will be the central base for the largest concentration of Army aviation in a decade.
• The 5th Aviation Regiment will have about 35 Army combat aircraft on the tarmac, including Chinooks, Black Hawks, and Kiowa helicopters.
• An additional 310 people from Townsville, Darwin, Sydney, and Brisbane will be supporting the Army.
• The exercise will include live firing training in the first two weeks of November.
• The Royal New Zealand Air Force will act as Australia's opponents for the exercise.
• Lieutenant Colonel James Brown, Commander of the 5th Aviation Regiment, has thanked residents in advance for their patience and understanding.
• The exercise will take place from now until the end of October, with preparations underway for launch.
• The purpose of the exercise is to ensure that Australia's armed forces are trained, certified, and ready to go on operations.

Statistics:

• 7,000 personnel will participate in Exercise Hamel.
• Approximately 3,500 troops will be involved in Townsville's 3rd Brigade.
• 35 Army combat aircraft will be deployed at the 5th Aviation Regiment's base.
• 800 personnel will support the Army during the exercise.

Sources:

• "Exercise Hamel tests Australia's armed forces", Townsville Bulletin, 2023.