Helicopters swooped over Sydney’s harbour on Sunday and dropped army commandos atop a building in counter-terror exercises ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
The two-day operation by the National Counter Terrorist Force and the Sydney-based Tactical Assault Group is routine, but has been tailored for the World Cup, which starts in Sydney October 10, military officials said. Thousands of international tourists are expected to travel to Australia for the event.
Special Operations Commander Major-General Duncan Lewis said there has been no specific threat against the World Cup.
”What we are doing is making prudent preparations to ensure that … should something develop, that we’re postured in a way that we can react immediately to that threat and ensure the safety of the community,” Lewis said.
As part of Operation Scrummage on Sunday, heavily armed troops were dropped from three Black Hawk helicopters onto a building on the Australian Navy’s Garden Island facility to carry out a mock hostage rescue. Two speed boats carrying special forces commandos also sped across Sydney’s famed harbor to the island to help.
The exercise will continue Monday night in another area of the city, military officials said.
Australia has been on heightened terror alert since the October 12 bombings on the Indonesian island of Bali, which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.
The government said last week that special forces and assault groups will be on standby in Sydney, Perth and Townsville during the World Cup, which involves teams from 20 countries, including defending champion Australia and Cup favourites England and New Zealand.
The opening ceremony will be held October 10 in Sydney. Matches will be played at 11 venues across the country. The final is scheduled for November 22 in Sydney. – Sapa-AP