Top brass fly in for Rocky visit

AUSTRALIA'S army and navy top brass made an un-announced visit to Rockhampton and Shoalwater Bay this week to see the joint American and Australian Talisman Saber exercise.

Lt Gen David Hurley, the vice chief of the defence force, Lt Gen Ken Gillespie, the chief of the army, and navy chief Vice Admiral Russell Crane were joined by Minister for Veterans' Affairs Alan Griffin.

Their tour included a close-up look at amphibious naval operations on board a US Navy helicopter carrier in the bay and a mock-up of a small town where soldiers from both nations are conducting urban operation training.

Australia is scheduled to buy two of the Landing Helicopter Deck craft over the next few years.

An official statement said the ships were able to land personnel by sea and air.

The top brass took time to have a meal in Camp Rocky, the base in Rockhampton that American and Australian troops involved in Talisman Saber call home.

The Australian Defence Force said the forces' chiefs mingled with the troops.

There are more than 8000 Australian and 16,500 American personnel taking part in Talisman Saber.