Exercise Bersama Shield has concluded in Malaysia. A contingent of around 25 Australian Defence Force personnel and a RAAF C-27J Spartan aircraft deployed to Malaysia, joining participants from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) nations on Exercise Bersama Shield The FPDA was established in 1971 as a security arrangement between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Conducted from 22 April – 8 May, Bersama Shield enhanced interoperability and strengthened the relationships of FPDA nations through the conduct of combined joint maritime, land and air operations in a multi-threat environment.
Commander of the Australian Contingent, Squadron Leader Jamie Fox, said Bersama Shield was a valuable opportunity to work with partners in the FPDA. “The personnel deployed on Bersama Shield enjoyed working closely with our FPDA partners both within the headquarters and during training serials,” Squadron Leader Fox said. “This person-to-person engagement is essential in continuing to build on our existing strong relationships.”
Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, said Australia remained firmly committed to the FPDA. “The ADF’s contribution to Bersama Shield supports our shared vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region and makes a meaningful contribution to collective security,” Lieutenant General Greg Bilton said.
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