Anzac stars in Austhai 08

9 September 2008

HMAS Anzac (CAPT Stuart Mayer) recently participated in Exercise Austhai 08 that has strengthened Australia's maritime cooperation and interoperability with the Royal Thai Navy.

Anzac, which proudly carries the motto 'United We Stand', joined the missile corvette HTMS Sukhothai and the frigate HTMS Tapi, in the Gulf of Thailand off of Sattahip.

CAPT Mayer said that Austhai, conducted in early September, helped to develop skills common to both navies as well as increase interoperability for combined operations.

CO Anzac said Austhai reaffirmed the strong ties between the RAN and the Royal Thai Navy.

"This iteration of the Austhai series has built on past successes," said CAPT Mayer.

"It provided an important opportunity for the navies of Australia and Thailand to work together to improve our combined maritime procedures," continued CAPT Mayer.

" Anzac's ship's company was proud to take part in this exercise with an important regional partner."

During the week long exercise, seamanship and core mariner skills were honed with a host of exercises and evolutions successfully conducted.

CAPT Mayer said these included maritime interception operations and helicopter cross-deck flying.

Understanding between the two navies was also enhanced with a number of personnel from the RAN and Royal Thai Navy taking part in an exchange program.