Exercise Suman Warrior 2024 united 195 military personnel from the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) nations of Singapore, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.

CAPTION: Personnel conduct a rehearsal of concept drill during Exercise Suman Warrior in Warminster, United Kingdom. Story and photos by Captain Adrienne Goode.

Held from September 9 to 20 in Warminster, UK, the exercise reaffirmed the commitment of these long-standing partners to regional security.

Conducted every four out of five years on a rotational basis, Exercise Suman Warrior is a land-based command post exercise designed to enhance interoperability, strengthen military ties, and improve collective responses to potential security threats in the Pacific region.

This year’s exercise focused on combined arms operations within a multi-threat environment, integrating a multinational brigade headquarters and battle group headquarters.

The Australian Army was represented by 34 members of the 9th Brigade and 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, who contributed to the FPDA’s strategic goals by providing a platform for personnel to engage in the simulated exercise.

Lead Australian planner Major Ryan Bell, of 9th Brigade, said the exercise enabled a shared understanding of each other’s systems, processes and capabilities.

“Each nation brings a unique approach to solving complex problems, and by combining our expertise, we achieve results far greater than those possible unilaterally,” Major Bell said.

He said the exercise highlighted Australia’s commitment to the FPDA, which had been a cornerstone of regional stability for more than 50 years.

Combat team commander Major Edward Wright, of 9th Brigade, said the exercise’s greatest value was the opportunity to engage with partner nation forces, where his Malay language skills helped him forge strong relationships with Malaysian and Singaporean personnel.

“Language has been an invaluable aid for us, not so much as an operational tool but a social tool that means we can immediately break down cultural barriers and biases, and build trust quickly at an individual and small-team level,” Major Wright said.

“Learning a language and then applying it also demonstrates cultural understanding, which further enables ADF members with language skills to interact with partner forces.”

The exercise also showcased 9th Brigade’s ability to fight as a team in an integrated workforce.

Captain Rob Cardone said Exercise Suman Warrior was a unique opportunity to expand his skills and work in a complex, multinational environment.

“As a part-time officer, this opportunity has had a meaningful impact on my career development, has honed my operational skills and broadened my understanding of joint military operations,” Captain Cardone said.

“It has also reinforced the effectiveness of the training I’ve received as an Australian Army infantry officer, allowing me to operate confidently alongside my peers from other nations, highlighting the strong foundation of our training.”

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