RAA Liaison Letter – 2025 / 2026 Edition 88 capable of synchronising air and missile defence operations across multiple echelons. Personnel from the 16 Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, and the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade formed the nucleus of this headquarters in Darwin from 7–11 July 2025. The task demanded more than technical interoperability; it required cultural alignment, trust, and the ability to innovate under pressure. Both nations brought distinct systems, procedures, and operational philosophies. Bridging these differences was essential to achieving unity of effort. The result was a combined command and control framework that broke down national stovepipes and enabled joint decision-making at the operational level. A first for the Indo-Pacific region. Challenges and Adaptation Operating within a complex, multinational environment presented significant challenges. Staffing and equipment shortfalls tested the adaptability of the team, while the integration of multiple air defence systems under a single battle tracking construct required technical ingenuity. Time zone discrepancies, differing reporting formats, and the sheer scale of the exercise added layers of complexity. Despite these obstacles, the combined team demonstrated exceptional resilience. Problems became opportunities for innovation, and through collaboration, the headquarters validated its ability to share data, track engagements, and sustain operations under realistic conditions. This adaptability was not incidental; it reflected a deliberate commitment to fostering an inclusive and adaptive environment where initiative could thrive. Operational and Strategic Impact The establishment of the CAMD HQ delivered effects well beyond the tactical level. It improved the resilience and lethality of Australia’s IAMD system, strengthened allied deterrence, and enhanced Australia’s credibility as a trusted partner in the region. The headquarters provided a blueprint for future combined operations, directly supporting Australian Government and Defence strategic priorities. Logistics played a critical role in sustaining this effort. Joint supply nodes, digital tracking systems, and coordinated maintenance between U.S. and Australian logisticians reduced resupply timelines and validated shared support networks. These achievements underscored the importance of integrated sustainment in enabling high-tempo operations. Conclusion The CAMD HQ initiative during Talisman Sabre 2025 represents a decisive step forward in combined operations. It demonstrated that trust, shared purpose, and unity of effort are not abstract concepts but operational imperatives. By establishing the first combined IAMD command and control framework in the IndoPacific, Australia and the United States have set the conditions for enduring interoperability and collective security in an increasingly contested region. 20th Regiment RAA 2025 has been a defining year for the 20th Regiment, RAA, marked by major capability advancements and historic milestones. The Regiment successfully received into service the A61 Integrator Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System (TUAS) and commenced operations immediately. The new capability represents a significant leap forward in delivering persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) effects. The Integrator TUAS capability was showcased during the Regiment’s first ever Regimental field exercise – Exercise Chimera’s Walk 25 – integrating TUAS operations alongside the Regiment’s inaugural tactical employment of the Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV) fleet. The exercise involved all deployable soldiers, officers and equipment. In Dec 25, Minimum Viable Capability (MVC) was declared, a significant and important milestone for 20 Regt and Army’s TUAS capability. Each Battery played a significant part in driving the capability forward from Test and Evaluation activities to SOP development, to Force Modernisation activities and support to multiple warfighting exercises. In addition to operational achievements, the 20th Regiment celebrated several historic ceremonial events, reinforcing its proud heritage. The Regiment conducted a full ceremonial parade to mark 100 years of Locating Artillery; formally re-raised the 133rd Battery; and named the Regimental Lines - ‘Terendak Lines’. This occasion also included the presentation of the
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