The North Queensland Warfighter is one of the largest exercises conducted in Australia. It is a key opportunity for the ADF to train with our allies and regional partners to provide operationally-meaningful and tactically-effective contributions to the collective security of our near region.
The exercise will involve up to 3,000 personnel and their equipment from Army’s 3rd Brigade (based in Townsville) and visiting forces from the United States, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.
Community impacts expected during the exercises include:
- Large military vehicle convoys on public roads, including major highways, urban areas and country roads.
- Training activities will involve the military vehicles, helicopters, watercraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as Australian and foreign military personnel carrying weapons. Blank ammunition, pyrotechnics and simulated battle noise will be used during the exercise.
You should not be alarmed if you hear or see any of the above.
- Public safety is of utmost importance and all required risk reduction measures will be taken. The public should not handle weapons or touch ammunition/ordnance.
- Temporary closures of waters and airspace in vicinity of training areas (including Non-Defence Training Areas) will be communicated via notices to mariners and notices to airmen respectively. Please heed these notices and maintain a safe distance from military training.
Peak impacts are expected for the following durations:
- Maritime environs (Lucinda to Townsville): 13 May to 24 May
- Hinchinbrook Shire (multiple locations): 13 May to 06 June
- Bruce H’way (Townsville to Ingham): 13 May to 13 June
- Flinders H’way (Townsville to Mingela): 06 June to 13 June
- Hervey’s Range Rd (Townsville to TFTA): 23 May to 13 June
The ADF sincerely thanks the residents from the many communities hosting various components of the exercise for their continued support.
This training is vital to maintain Australia’s world-class military capability, ensuring our ADF is a respected and professional fighting force, ready to protect and defend Australia and its interests.