U.S., Australia and Japan kick off Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2026

TOWNSVILLE, Australia — Southern Jackaroo 2026 began on May 29 with an opening ceremony that assembled military personnel from the United States, Australia, and Japan for more than a month of training through July 3.

U.S. Marines and Sailors from 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and Combat Logistics Battalion 5, both part of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 26, are participating alongside the Australian Defence Force’s 3rd Brigade, with additional maneuver elements from the U.S. Army and Japan Self Defense Force.

This year’s iteration centers on sharpening interoperability. The training is designed to align communications, tactics, and procedures in demanding field conditions to reduce friction and strengthen integration, positioning the three nations to act collectively in future contingencies across the region.

The exercise also stresses combined arms proficiency. Units will progress through force-on-force offensive and defensive scenarios, mounted machine-gun gunnery, and mortar employment.

Live-fire attacks and mounted maneuvers will test how effectively the multinational formation can synchronize fires, movement, and effects to gain battlefield advantage. Activities will culminate in a combined arms live-fire event featuring all participating forces.

“Exercise Southern Jackaroo enhances our collective capability by integrating U.S. Marines alongside our allies in realistic, demanding scenarios,” said Lt. Col. Mark Saville, commanding officer of 1st Bn., 5th Marines. “By practicing how we communicate and work together on the ground, we ensure that our combined forces maintain a high state of combat readiness and a decisive tactical edge.”