Reinforced partnerships, enhanced cooperation and mutually beneficial information sharing activities were some of the highlights from this year's Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023 (IPE23).
Australia's flagship regional engagement activity travelled by air and sea across South-East Asia and the North-East Indian Ocean, from India in the west to the Philippines in the east.
The IPE23 program engaged 14 nations and involved more than 2000 personnel from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army, RAAF and Australian Public Service.
Sub-Lieutenant Leroy Lidbetter supported numerous IPE23 activities and training exercises as part of the headquarters team.
"IPE is a very rewarding force assignment, you get to interact with joint and defence environments here in Australia and across the Indo-Pacific region," Sub-Lieutenant Lidbetter said.
"You see firsthand how diplomacy and campaigning in competition can be achieved with our friends and neighbours through military-led activities.
"Highlights were meeting various officers from different countries and engaging with them on a person-to-person level, as well as observing the amphibious landing at Zambales and air training activities during Exercise Alon."
This year, for the first time, the ADF and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted IPE23 Exercise Alon, a bilateral amphibious training activity in the Philippines supported by United States Marine Corps personnel from the Marine Rotational Force - Darwin.
The exercise included air, maritime, amphibious and follow-on land operations, including the deployment of about 100 AFP personnel embarked in HMAS Canberra; artillery and aviation live-fire serials; and Joint Australian Training Team - Philippines training activities.
One soldier who participated in Exercise Alon was Private Jake Sewell, from the 1RAR Direct Fire Support Weapons (DFSW) Platoon.
"1RAR was part of the Ground Combat Element as part of the Amphibious Task Group, and DFSW is a heavy weapons platoon that specialises in anti-armour and machine guns," Private Sewell said.
"We were involved in the Zambales exercise that conducted a beach assault from landing crafts. Once the beach was secured, we moved inland with bushmasters where we established a 50-cal gun line to support the air insertion of Australian and Filipino forces.
"I was able to participate in live-firing off the deck of HMAS Canberra, and work alongside our partner nation while also socialising with them after hours.
"We learnt how to demonstrate our capabilities as a platoon, observed teamwork, professionalism, respect and camaraderie between both countries."
Commander IPE23 Air Commodore Tony McCormack said the extensive four-month international engagement program is different from other defence exercises and activities.
"IPE is important to Australia and our regional partners because we all live here, this is our region, and it's our neighbourhood," Air Commodore McCormack said.
"Every activity we undertook was at the agreement of the partner country, and we ensured that they were mutually beneficial. We learned as much from them as they did from us."
Air Commodore McCormack said the experience also had its lighter moments.
"We also had some fun along the way with activities such as a yoga session with the Indian Navy and an impromptu chilli eating competition between Australian and Indonesian chefs," Air Commodore McCormack said.
"We built relationships, strengthened friendships, learned from each other and, importantly, we all enjoyed ourselves and are richer for the experience.
"I'd like to express my gratitude to all the sailors, soldiers and aviators who participated in IPE23, and thank their friends and families who supported them."
