11/26/2016: Exercise Croix du Sud (CDS) is a medium size tactical multi-national Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) and Stability and Security Operations (SASO) Field Training Exercise (FTX) being held in the vicinity of Noumea, New Caledonia from 07 – 18 November 2016.
Ex CDS16 is conducted by the French Armed Forces New Caledonia (FANC) as part of French regional engagements in the South West Pacific region and provides a unique opportunity for the ADF to engage with foreign Defence Forces in the region to conduct force integration training at the operational and tactical level.
Ex CDS16 aims to strengthen and enhance regional cooperation, coordination and interoperability and demonstrates Australia’s enduring contribution to HADR with multinational partners. Participating nations for Ex CDS16 include France (New Caledonia and French Polynesia), Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, United Kingdom, United States and Vanuatu.
Credit: Australian Ministry of Defence:11/21/16