Military skills reinforce regional partnerships during Exercise Hydra

Soldiers from eight nations are engaging in a military skills competition in Brisbane testing the teamwork, physical stamina and mental rigour of partners across the Indo-Pacific.

Exercise Hydra, an annual military exercise, is designed to test individual and team skills and reinforce the strong military relationships between Australia and its regional partners.

This year Brisbane’s 7th Combat Brigade competed against teams from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, France, Tonga, Fiji, Malaysia, the Philippines and the United States.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the exercise helped to extend the comradery of soldiering across the region and further deepen Australia’s military ties.

“This international military skills competition focussed on soldiers developing friendships, mutual respect and professional competition,” Minister Reynolds said.

“Soldiers competed in a range of physically and mentally challenging activities including navigation, obstacle courses, marksmanship and a casualty evacuation scenario.

“But the real value of the exercise is the opportunity for soldiers across the region to come together to learn from each other, strengthen relationships and build friendships through good soldiering.”

Now in its third year, soldiers participating in Exercise Hydra are awarded bronze, silver or gold standards at the conclusion of the exercise.

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