National Anti Terrorism Exercise (NATEX)

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National Anti Terrorism Exercises (NATEXs) also known as National Counter Terrorism Exercises (NCTE) are an exercise program involving the Australian Federal Government and all States and Territories [1]. Australia’s national anti-terrorist arrangements are well practised with two major NATEXs held annually [2].

The program includes discussion exercises, tactical response exercises, investigation and consequence management exercises and multi-jurisdictional exercises [3]. Such incidents practised include recapturing buildings, freeing hostages, cordoning off areas or responding to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive attack .

NATEX exercises of various types are run and tested several times per year testing various elements of the Australian Defence Force such as the Tactical Assault Group, Special Operations Command (Australia) and SASR. Exercises involve various elements of State/Territory Police Forces such as their respective Police Tactical Group and various intelligence agencies and units [4]. As well as involving various elements of the Federal Government exercises also test the capability, co-ordination and response of the State/Territory Government, State Emergency Services, the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Federal Police and other Commonwealth agencies.

Exercises are tailored to prepare for specific events such as the 2000 Sydney Olympics games, 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and the 2007 Sydney APEC forum [5].

[edit] See also

• Police Tactical Group
• Special Operations Command (Australia)
• Tactical Assault Group
• Australian Special Air Service Regiment
• Mercury 05 NATEX
• Mercury 05
• Blue Luminary 06