U.S. Marine Sgt. Jorge Stewart, Fire Direction Centre

U.S. Marine Sgt. Jorge Stewart, Fire Direction Centre Chief from 81 mm Mortar Platoon, calls fire orders to the gun line. The ridgeline of Townshend Island, in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, was lined with members of the U.S. Marine Corps 81 mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, who were providing mortar fire support during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. Over 100 Marines were deployed to Townshend Island to support a Combined Joint Live Fire Exercise, and were tasked with integrating their expertise in mortar fire with Naval Gun Fire, US FA-18 and Australian FA-18 Super Hornets air power, and fire power from the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter. Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 is a U.S. led, Australian supported bilateral exercise that is aimed at training U.S. and Australian forces in planning and conducting combined operations and improving U.S.-Australian interoperability.