HMAS Newcastle Shows Her Enterprise in Talisman Sabre 09

28 July 2009

As a participant in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2009 (TS09), HMAS Newcastle became a decisive member of a lethal fighting force comprising RAN, USN and Canadian Ships.

During TS09, Newcastle showed off the ship's new capability following the recent FFG Upgrade program, taking place in a multitude of tasks including Air Defence, Surface, Anti-Submarine and Amphibious Landing activities, designed to improve the interoperability between forces.

A multinational exercise of this size would not be possible without the provision for Replenishment At Sea (RAS). Newcastle conducted a number of RAS's with both USNS Amelia Earhart and HMAS Success. Replenishing with Amelia Earhart, which is less than twelve months old, allowed Newcastle to be the first RAN ship to come alongside her imposing 42,000 tonne bulk. Newcastle was not alone however, with the Arleigh Burke USS McCambell already hooked up on her starboard side and with USS Mustin on standby station, awaiting her turn. As Newcastle Navigator LEUT Phil Alley described, "this is cool, absolutely cool, a Navigator's dream."

Equally noteworthy was the opportunity to conduct operations with an Aircraft Carrier. Newcastle had the opportunity to take station next to USS Essex during her flying operations with a spectacular show put on by four of her US Marine Sea Harriers conducting short take off's with vertical landings. The event was made even more exhilarating with the RAN looking forward to soon having two ships with similar capability.