Carter: U.S., Australia Are 'Cornerstone' of Peace, Prosperity

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, October 13, 2015 — Australia is a strong partner to the United States and is making valuable contributions to peace and security around the world, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in Boston today.

"Our alliance remains strong, its reach is global, and our nations remain a cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and in the world," Carter said after two days of discussions for the 2015 Australia-U.S. ministerial consultations.

Carter co-hosted the talks in Boston with Secretary of State John Kerry.

The United States and Australia face a full spectrum of complex threats, Carter said, citing as examples illegal trafficking, cybersecurity and the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and violent extremism.

Australia has been with the United States since the start in Afghanistan, and has expanded its critical role in Iraq and Syria to "deliver ISIL a lasting defeat," Carter said, noting that Australian pilots have recently begun flying in Syria.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Australia, Kerry said.

"Good friends are vital all the time, but they are especially welcome in turbulent, challenging times," the top U.S. diplomat said. "That is why the United States' partnership with Australia is so important."

Carter and Kerry spoke in a news conference with the visiting Australian dignitaries, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defense Minister Marise Payne.

U.S., Russia to Discuss Air Safety Protocols

"Our counter-ISIL fight will proceed unchanged, as we continue to urge Russia to change its failing strategy," Carter said.

Russia must act professionally in the skies over Syria and abide by basic safety procedures, he said. U.S. and Russian officials will have another conversation on the topic tomorrow, he added. In a statement after the news conference, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said U.S. defense officials will hold a third secure video conference tomorrow with Russian Defense Ministry officials. "The focus of these discussions is on specific safety protocols for aircrews flying over Syria. Those discussions are progressing, but nothing has been finalized," Cook said.

"Even as we continue to disagree on Syria policy, we should be able to at least agree on making sure our airmen are as safe as possible," Carter said at the news conference.

The Syrian crisis requires a political solution, Kerry said. "A military component can help you get to that solution,” he added, “but Syria is literally being destroyed in the process."

Deepening the Alliance

Carter said he and Payne signed a bilateral statement on defense cooperation that includes increased intelligence sharing, improving multilateral and defense industry engagement, and fine-tuning interoperability.

The foundation of the U.S.-Australia relationship is built on values of freedom, democracy and rules-based order, Carter said. "Today, by deepening our alliance, we renew those values and stand resolved to defend them together," he added.

Since 2013, the U.S. rotational force near Darwin has expanded more than five-fold to 1,150 Marines, he said. "Australia and America both want to sustain and renew an Asia-Pacific regional security architecture where everyone rises and everyone prospers," Carter said. "That's the essence of the U.S. rebalance toward the region."

Tensions in South China Sea

The United States and Australia share an interest in upholding basic international norms such as freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce, Carter said.

"Together, our nations favor peaceful resolutions to disputes and oppose coercion and infringement on well-established international norms, especially in the face of rising tensions in the East and South China Sea," he said.

The United States will continue to "fly, sail and operate" wherever international law allows, explaining that, the "South China Sea is not and will not be an exception."

Anchoring Regional Stability

"The United States stands ready to continue our role as a pivotal security partner in this region, as we have done for over 70 years," Carter said. The strong U.S.-Australia defense partnership will continue to "anchor regional stability and strengthen our capacity in a variety of other areas, including disaster relief, and response to humanitarian crises," he added.

Preble, Fitzgerald Enjoy Australian Culture In Darwin

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alonzo M. Archer, USS Preble Public Affairs

DARWIN, Australia (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) arrived in Darwin, Australia, for a port visit, July 20 after successfully completing Talisman Sabre 2015 (TS15).

Sailors on both ships stood at parade rest in their dress white uniforms along the edges of the ship as they entered the port, as a gesture symbolizing respect and friendship otherwise known as "manning the rails."

This port visit follows both ships' participation in TS15, in which Preble and Fitzgerald were among the 21 ships from the U.S., Australian and New Zealand navies that participated in the exercise that trained more than 30,000 U.S. and Australian Defence Force in planning and conducting combined task force operations.

"Talisman Sabre was a very challenging exercise for us, but we emerged more capable than we were before we went into it," said Cmdr. Jeffrey Heames, commanding officer of Preble. "We've learned a lot and we've reinforced the strong relationship we have with our Australian partners. We're ready for the next challenge, and the next contribution for us in terms of promoting regional stability in the area."

Moored alongside Preble, is Fitzgerald. Having also played a large role in the rigorous TS15, they look forward to some time off and exploring Australia.

"Talisman Sabre provided a great opportunity to improve individual ship and strike group readiness in a complex multi-warfare environment with our Australian counterparts and serves to strengthen ties and improve our overall ability to work together," said Cmdr. Christopher England, Fitzgerald's commanding officer. Pulling into Darwin after the exercise provides a chance for the crew to unwind and enjoy the local Australian culture."

Preble and Fitzgerald are currently deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific region.

George Washington Carrier Strike Group Strengthens Alliance with Australia, New Zealand during Talisman Sabre

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Shayla D. Hamilton,

USS George Washington Public Affairs

TIMOR SEA (NNS) -- The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG) concluded its participation in exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 (TS15), July 18.

"During TS15 we demonstrated our pacific partnership with the Australians and Kiwis," said Cmdr. Michael Posey, lead TS15 planner, Commander Task Force 70. "The first level of TS15 validated our long-standing relationship with the Australians and it was a reminder that our two nations have fought together in every major conflict since World War II."

While Talisman Sabre has been a bilateral exercise, members of the New Zealand Defense Forces participated as embedded units within the Australian Defence Force, and members of the Japan Self-Defense Force participated, for the first time, as embedded personnel within U.S. military units.

During TS15, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 F/A-18 Super Hornets executed an in-flight tank refueling from a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30A.

According to Posey, this symbolizes the ever-growing partnership between the U.S. and Australia. The strategic partnerships and tactical interoperability were two of the important elements incorporated to achieve success in TS15.

"This exercise was planned for almost two years," said Posey. "I really enjoyed working with members from other nations and services. It has been a reminder of why we fight. To realize and see firsthand that U.S. and Australian forces share those same values has been very valuable."

TS15 is a biennial land, sea and air military training exercise between U.S. and Australian forces that features more than 33,000 personnel, 21 ships, 200 aircraft and three submarines, which increases U.S.-Australian interoperability to respond to a wide variety of contingencies and maintain security, peace, and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.