Busy Japanese Visit To Conclude An Action Packed NT09 For Ballarat
1 October 2009
The visit of HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Success to Japan as part of Northern Trident 2009 (NT09) proved to be the perfect opportunity to strengthen ties between Australia and Japan. The visits to Tokyo, and later to Kure, provided the opportunity for the ship's companies to engage their Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) counterparts in a series of diplomatic and professional engagements. This interaction contributed to a growing knowledge and appreciation of each others skills and the information shared will no doubt contribute to a closer cooperative relationship in combating common maritime threats in the future.
At the welcome ceremony attended by Rear Admiral Hatada, Chief of Staff to Commandant Yokosuka District and Commander Tanaka, Commanding Officer of JDS Inazuma, the JMSDF host ship for the Australian visit, Ballarat's Commanding Officer, CMDR Kevin Turner told the assembled crowd, "The crews of the Australian ships have been eagerly anticipating their arrival in Japan. The Japanese visit forms an important element of the NT09 voyage and will act to strengthen the bonds between our nations. Though the NT09 deployment is nearing its end and has been a busy one for all involved, we are delighted to have the opportunity to spend time in Japan, a nation with whom Australia shares such an important relationship in trade, tourism and maritime security."
Commander Turner's words of welcome were immediately followed by the presentation of a First Visit Plaque by Mr.Kazuki Obata, Director of Tokyo Port Management, to commemorate Ballarat's first visit to the port of Tokyo. The crew of Ballarat certainly used the first visit of the ship to their advantage, exploring the sights, the cuisine and the culture of the city but also eagerly taking up the chance to learn more about their host ship Inazuma who is berthed alongside them in Tokyo Harbour before returning the favour and proudly showing off Ballarat to their interested JMSDF guests.
Following the three day visit to Tokyo the Australian vessels conducted the first round of bilateral exercises between the RAN and JMSDF in Japanese waters. The exercises focussed on manoeuvring in the maritime environment, communication and boarding exercises to improve joint responses to rapidly emerging threats such as piracy and organised crime in the maritime domain.
"In the past Australia and Japan have worked together under the Joint Security Initiative to promote maritime security."
"The exercises conducted as part of Nichi Gou Trident will allow us to continue to share information and practical experience with our JMSDF partners. They will allow us to work more effectively against common threats in the maritime domain, something both nations are actively working towards" said Commander Kevin Turner.
The JMSDF vessels Sazanami and Samidare joined Ballarat and Success for the exercises having returned from completing their own counter piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden. The mutual experience of these vessels and that gained by Ballarat and her crew in their counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden in May will provide ample opportunity for lessons to be learned during the exercises.
