Commander Australian Army 7th Brigade

Today we celebrate 125 years of @AustralianArmy and @Australian_Navy

Sharing skills to be able to fight side by side: Our Signallers from 🇦🇺 7th Combat Signal Regiment and 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment training with fellow communications experts from 🇵🇭 84th Infantry - Victorious Battalion and 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division @yourphilarmy last year during Exercise Alon in the Philippines.

Demanding training: Combat casualty scenarios in the jungle.

Planning artillery support in the Australian bush with the 🇬🇧 @BritishArmy Royal Gurkha Rifles and 🇦🇺 1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery during Exercise Talisman Sabre.

Our Battlegroup Ram from 🇦🇺 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment sending some Javelin anti-tank missiles (and setting off nearby car alarms)! They were training with the 🇵🇭 @yourphilarmy last year during Exercise Alon in the Philippines.

Evacuating a casualty: Soldiers from 🇦🇺 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment during the Duke of Gloucester Cup in Tully, Queensland. It was one of many scenarios during days of torrential rain as teams from Australian Army infantry battalions were put to the test.

In the Queensland bush, scouting ahead of the main force: Our Battlegroup Warhorse Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles from 🇦🇺 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment Queensland Mounted Infantry

Our signallers keeping us connected and communicating, even in remote parts of the Northern Territory. Exercise Mobility Bluegum 2025 with @AusAirForce tested 7th Brigade's ability to quickly deploy soldiers, vehicles, artillery and equipment over continental and oceanic distances.

Our Battlegroup Ram from 🇦🇺 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment training with 🇵🇭 @yourphilarmy earlier this year. Sharing skills on the range and making new mates during Exercise Alon in the Philippines: a highlight of 2025.

Fighting through the urban area. Our 🇦🇺 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment training as part of a multinational Battlegroup Ram with 🇫🇯 🇹🇴🇬🇧 🇳🇿 soldiers during Exercise Talisman Sabre earlier this year.

More action from the 7th Brigade 2025 Combatives Tournament! Great effort from competitors and support from the units cheering on their soldiers!

From all of us at 7th Brigade, we wish you a Merry Christmas. It’s been an incredible year for our team, participating in exercises, operations and activities in all corners of the globe. To our broader team, particularly our families, thank you for your tireless support. As we all pause to reflect and connect with friends and family, our thoughts as always are with those who are deployed and far away from home. To Queensland, Australians and our international partners, thank you for your support in 2025. As always, stay safe and look after your mates this holiday season.

'Tis the season of giving! And a shout out to the Australian Army Amenities Fund for the organisation's generous support to 7th Brigade in 2025. The fund supported multiple functions that helped Gallipoli Barracks personnel commemorate and maintain the traditions of the profession of arms. The fund also supported the delivery of new artworks in the Soldiers Mess.

Clearing obstacles and gaining entry: Our 🇦🇺 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment training with 🇫🇯 Republic of Fiji Military Forces @RFMF_Defence on Exercise Talisman Sabre this year in Queensland. A great opportunity to share skills.

Our Battlegroup Ram 🐏 from 🇦🇺 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment when they headed off to train with great mates from 🇵🇭 84th Infantry - Victorious Battalion and 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army @TeamAFP

Being part of a Defence family takes a big effort. We particularly think of and thank the loved ones of Defence members who are deployed on operations during the Christmas break. Check out the December edition of the Army Families Newsletter for resources for staying connected with the Army community. army.gov.au/.../members-ve…

Command of the Australian Army’s 7th Brigade has officially been handed over to Brigadier Jennifer Harris CSC, and Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One Grant Gripske, after a ceremony at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane. Former Commander 7th Brigade, Major General Giles Cornelia DSM, CSM, said his focus over the past two years of his leadership of the Blue Diamonds was to bed in as the online Contingency Force Brigade and optimise it for air-land force projection. “We as a brigade have demonstrated our commitment to readiness, our ability to deploy at short notice, and our adaptability to any environment we find ourselves needed in,” MAJGEN Cornelia said. “I am delighted to be handing over to Brigadier Harris – the 7th Brigade has role clarity and will be in great hands.” Former RSM of the 7th Brigade, WO1 Nathan Cole, said he was proud of the Brigade’s efforts during his tenure. “Serving alongside our people as part of the Ready Brigade, we know we have asked a lot of our personnel, but we also know that how we train is how we fight,” WO1 Cole said. In December 2025, MAJGEN Cornelia was promoted from Brigadier to Major General. WO1 Cole was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One - Tier C. Previously the Commander of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025, BRIG Harris said her focus for the Brigade would be amplifying the great work achieved to date with a focus on agility, and integration. “The biggest challenge ahead for us will be the rate at which the strategic landscape is changing. We must be relentless in our preparation to respond effectively.” “We know the importance of achieving integration at speed across our ADF and with partner nations.” “We will continue to build on our preparedness foundation, ensuring our teams are ready to respond to the challenges ahead.” RSM 7th Brigade, WO1 Grant Gripske said he was most looking forward to propelling the Brigade’s momentum to “fight tonight” and to continue to build tough soldiers, both mentally and physically. “Our Command teams will continue to set the moral and physical standard, leading by example, with discipline and care for our soldiers. I have met with the command teams from our units, and I can say with great confidence that the Brigade is in excellent shape,” WO1 Gripske said.

Plenty of energy at the 7th Brigade Combatives Tournament!

AIRLAND INTEGRATION: 7th Brigade tested its ability to quickly deploy overseas during the Royal Australian Air Force Exercise Mobility Bluegum. A key component was the integration of @AusAirForce Air Mobility Group and Army's Ready Brigade, the 7th Brigade. Elements included infantry, 155mm artillery, Protected Mobility Vehicles and communications. The force projection demonstration tested the participants’ ability to rapidly deploy combat forces and equipment over continental and oceanic distances – employing an intermediate staging base to remote overseas territories. This year’s joint planning validated the ability of AMG and 7 Brigade to execute tactical air-land operations in challenging and time-sensitive scenarios.

Good soldiering during the 🇦🇺 7th Brigade Military Skills Competition!