RAF Support Force personnel have been in Australia supporting exercise Talisman Sabre.
12 chefs from No.3 Mobile Catering Squadron, based at RAF Wittering, deployed to RAAF Curtin air base for this large biennial multinational warfighting exercise, where they worked alongside personnel from the Royal Navy and Army. The Squadron were asked to participate in the exercise following their success during last year’s exercise Pitch Black.
“This large-scale Exercise across remote Australian locations was invaluable, not only to demonstrate our leading capabilities, but also to develop our ability to operate in unfamiliar environments alongside our Allies”.
Flying Officer Gunn
RAF Support Force
Working with their Australian counterparts, No. 3 Mobile Catering Squadron prepared more than 40,000 meals for over 600 UK, Australian and US personnel who were conducting F-35A and F22 fighter jet operations. This tested the team’s readiness and ability to conduct their role in an austere environment.
In the lead up to the exercise, 3 Mobile Catering Sqn learned how to prolong the side effects of snake and spider bites and manage the challenges associated with operating in a field environment in the scorching Southern Hemisphere sun.
“It has been an honour and privilege for the twelve individuals from across the chef profession to be asked to join our Australian counterparts on exercise Talisman Sabre as the only RAF logistics component to be involved. This opportunity has allowed us to strengthen our relationship with partner nations, demonstrate our professionalism, and share our deployed experience.”
Warrant Officer Booth
No.3 Mobile Catering Squadron
Over 34,000 troops have taken part in this iteration of Talisman Sabre, which saw personnel from Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Tonga, the UK and United States, train together to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Training with defence partners allows us to strengthen our relationship whilst increasing operational effectiveness and interoperability ensuring our collective ability can meet global challenges.