What are US and Japanese soldiers doing in the middle of the Australian bush? The BBC joined US, Japanese and Australian troops in remote North Queensland, where they trained together in some of Australia's toughest terrain. But why were these exercises taking place in Australia - a country not at war, thousands of kilometres from today's major conflicts?

Our Australia correspondent Katy Watson explains. Related topics - US Armed ForcesUpdates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage. - AsiaUpdates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage.

- JapanUpdates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage.