Who says penguins can’t catch a wave? 🌊 🏄‍♂️🐧 Exercise Surfing Penguin saw #AusArmy soldiers swapping boots for flippers at Rainbow Beach! Our team proved they’re ready for anything the sea can throw at them. 📍 Rainbow Beach, QLD 📷 CAPT Joanne Leca

It was a privilege to represent the Chief of Army last weekend in Port Moresby, as the Papua New Guinea Defence Force celebrated it’s country’s 50th Anniversary of Independence. ADF personnel embarked on HMAS Choules are supporting Operation WANTAIM. #StrongerTogether

Wonderful to witness my Duntroon classmate, Susana Fernandez, CSC, invested with a Conspicuous Service Cross at Government House Queensland this morning. Congratulations Sana - the Class of 96 continues to excel, both in and out of uniform. #YourADF

While in Japan for Exercise #YamaSakura 89 last week I also visited the #MountFuji Training Centre and took the opportunity to test the capabilities of a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type 10 Main Battle Tank and Type 16 Manoeuvre Combat Vehicle. #StrongerTogether

It was great to visit my Division Plans team and Headquarters 3rd Brigade on Exercise #YamaSakura 89 in Osaka, Japan, last week. We continue to enhance interoperability with our American allies and Japanese partners through focused #trilateral training. #StrongerTogether

The Exercise Yama Sakura 89 Combined Arms Rehearsal at Camp Senzo, Osaka, highlighted how important it is to be on the same page when it comes to deploying land forces. @USFJ_J @USForcesJapan @USARPAC @INDOPACOM @DeptofDefense @USArmy @AustralianArmy @JGSDF_pr @Japan_GSDF

Here comes the boom 💥 @AustralianArmy soldiers from Battlegroup Ram, teamed up with @YourPhilArmy for a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. The combined integrated fire teams conducted the activity as a part of Exercise Alon 2025, at 📍 Fort Magsaysay, Philippines. This was the culmination of weeks of integration training between 🇦🇺 and 🇵🇭, which showcased: 💥 M777 Howitzers 💥 81mm F2 Mortars 💥 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) #YourADF #StrongerTogether @TeamAFP

⚡ Yama Sakura 89: That's a Wrap! ⚡ Start to finish, the exercise was a Trilateral Success!! #YamaSakura #YamaSakura89 #USARPAC #USARJ #USFJ #USJapanAlliance #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific #JGSDF @USArmy | @AustralianArmy | @JGSDF_pr | @USARPAC

🇦🇺 🇯🇵 🇺🇸 #AusArmy members joined leaders and staff officers from @USARPAC and @Japan_GSDF at the Combined Arms Rehearsal for Ex #YamaSakura89 for essential trilateral operational planning and preparation to meet the commander’s intent for the command post exercise

Flashback to Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. What an amazing training opportunity. #Talismansabre2025 #StrongerTogether #FriendsPartnersAllies

Celebrating Partnership & Excellence A memorable award ceremony for Exercise Yama Sakura 89 took place today, August 31, 2025, at Camp Asaka. @USFJ_J @USForcesJapan @USARPAC @INDOPACOM @DeptofDefense @USArmy @AustralianArmy @JGSDF_pr @Japan_GSDF

Beard guru 🧔‍♂️ Sergeant Jackson Gracie, Senior Online Boat Platoon Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR), is the only @AustralianArmy member permitted to wear a beard outside of religious, cultural, or operational exceptions. His rugged facial hair continues a tradition begun in 1965, when Governor-General Lord De L’Isle recommended that the Assault Pioneer Platoon Sergeant of the 4th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (4 RAR), wear a beard. In 2004, the Regimental Council extended the privilege to 2 RAR’s Pioneer Sergeant due to its long-standing link with 4 RAR, a role now upheld by the Senior Online Boat Platoon Sergeant. #YourADF #AusArmy

Objective achieved ✅ During Exercise Alon 25, soldiers from the @AustralianArmy's 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, conducted an amphibious landing and assault on opposing force positions at 📍 San Vicente, Philippines. The exercise was carried out in partnership with @TeamAFP's Philippine Marine Corps as a part of a Combined Joint Forced Entry Operation. #YourADF #StrongerTogether

This is the third time #AusArmy has participated in Exercise #YamaSakura alongside the headquarters of the land forces of @Japan_GSDF and @USARPAC, continuing to refine our land force readiness.

⚡Yama Sakura 89⚡ Nothing sets the tone for a successful exercise better than a chance to get to know a little about each other. #YamaSakura #YamaSakura89 #USARPAC #USARJ #USFJ #JGSDF @USArmy | @AustralianArmy | @JGSDF_pr | @USARPAC | @USARJ_PAO army.mil/article/288161

BALITANG KATIHAN FLASH REPORT | Isinagawa ang Live Fire Exercise na bahagi ng Exercise ALON 2025 ngayong ika-27 ng Agosto 2025 sa Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. #MatatagNaSandiganNgBagongPilipinas #StrongerArmyStrongerCountry #ServingthePeopleSecuringtheLand #ALON2025

Yama Sakura 89 Ceremonial Flag Raising Australian Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and U.S. Soldiers prepare to raise their respective national flags 🇦🇺🇯🇵🇺🇸 during a ceremonial flag raising at Camp Itami, Japan, Aug. 26,2025. #YS89 (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Johanna Pullum)

Warming up for Exercise #YamaSakura 🥁🥁🥁 #AusArmy soldiers joined the United States Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force for traditional Japanese games and cultural engagement at Camp Itami, Osaka. 📸 CPL Brandon Grey

Philippine, Australian Forces Stage Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise in Fort Magsaysay The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) conducted a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFX) at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on August 27 as part of Exercise ALON 2025. Held at Fire Base, Barangay Canantong in Laur, the exercise showcased the integration of land and air combat capabilities, highlighting rapid deployment, tactical mobility, and precision engagement. Key highlights included Close Air Support (CAS) for ground forces and synchronized air-ground coordination in a dynamic battlefield scenario. AFP participants included the Army Artillery Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, and air assets from the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy. The ADF deployed combat elements from its battlegroup. Notable AFP assets were the A-29 Super Tucano, AW109 helicopters (Air Force and Navy), T-129 ATAK helicopters, ATMOS 155mm self-propelled howitzers, and 105mm howitzers. The ADF fielded advanced systems including 155mm M777 howitzers, 81mm mortars, heavy machine guns, sniper systems, EF88 Steyr rifles, Minimi light machine guns, MK47 grenade launchers, FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank systems, and RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets. Senior military officials witnessed the event, including Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete PA, Commanding General, Philippine Army; Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura PAF, Commanding General, Philippine Air Force; and Lt. Col. Andrew Raven, Commanding Officer, 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, Commander Battlegroup Ram. The CALFX enhanced AFP–ADF interoperability in tactical insertion, indirect fire support, mobility, and command-and-control, strengthening both forces’ ability to conduct joint operations and respond to contingencies. ALON 2025 reaffirms the enduring defense partnership between the Philippines and Australia, underscoring both nations’ commitment to regional security, stability, and collective defense./// Photos by A1C Ted Castro PAF/PAOAFP #AFPyoucanTRUST #OneAFPOnePHILIPPINES #StrongAFPStrongPHILIPPINES #OurSeasOurRightsOurFuture