US-Australia joint military drill: How the Kapyong Command Post helped define the course of battle
- Ritambhara K
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
Inside the 3rd Brigade’s Battle Group Kapyong Command Post, the strategy for the fight came together.
An Australian Army soldier from the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, takes a sight picture with an anti-drone gun during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 at Townsville Field Training Area. Photos: Corporal Luke Bellman
Staff collaborated to direct armored vehicles, manage drone operations, and coordinate troop movements during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.
They successfully cleared enemy forces from Objective Emerald using a combination of indirect fire, armored maneuvering, and breaching teams, seizing key terrain under cover of darkness. The mission then shifted to supporting a broader brigade-level assault on Line Creek Junction.
Throughout the operation, they worked closely with Battle Group Eagle, a reconnaissance unit that provided essential intelligence to guide planning and targeting.This tight coordination gave teams access to real-time information, allowing for quicker decisions and more precise actions on the battlefield.
To enhance their capabilities, the team tested cutting-edge technologies, including first-person-view drones and optionally crewed M113 vehicles—remotely operated platforms equipped with mini-guns.
The drones offered speed, maneuverability, and the ability to carry out short-range strikes, while the M113s delivered heavy firepower without putting troops in harm’s way.
The command post also directed the use of detection dogs and composite reconnaissance anti-armor teams, blending advanced sensing with strike capabilities for high-risk operations.
Major Joseph Smith, Operations Officer for Battle Group Kapyong, highlighted how the command post enabled fast decision-making and precise coordination across a constantly changing battlefield.
“This is where it all comes together—everything timed and synchronized to maintain pressure on the enemy,” he explained. He emphasized that having accurate, real-time information and the ability to quickly adapt is what gives them a tactical advantage in operations like this.
Major Smith also noted that Exercise Talisman Sabre offered valuable time and scale for collective training, allowing the brigade to better understand its role within the broader force structure.
“It’s our second major training event this year, following the North Queensland Warfighter Exercise, and it’s really helping to solidify the connection between brigade and division,” he said.
Among those in the command post was Captain Karl Helmuth from the Philippine Marine Corps, embedded as an observer to learn how Australian forces plan, direct, and adjust in real-time.
Captain Helmuth spent time exchanging ideas with Australian personnel and gathering insights to share with his own forces back home. With his background in amphibious infantry, the experience offered Captain Helmuth a unique opportunity to observe large-scale operations involving armored and mechanized forces.
“There’s a lot to learn here, especially when it comes to command and control,” he said. “Every day has been a highlight for me.” Captain Helmuth said the lessons learned at the command post would directly influence training back home.
“When I return, I’ll be passing on everything I’ve learned to my senior leadership. The way the command post operates here has been truly impressive,” he said.
But it wasn’t just the operations that stood out—he was equally struck by the soldiers’ strong morale and the quality of the Australian Defence Force’s field rations.
“Everyone knows their role and just gets on with the job,” he noted. “And the ration packs are excellent—everything you need is in one kit, and they’re easy to eat in different ways.”
For Captain Helmuth, the experience was more than just observing—it was about building relationships.
“You don’t get an opportunity like this anywhere else,” he said. “Exercises like this are invaluable.”
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