Minister for Defence visits the fleet at sea

4 March 2010

The Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner today paid a visit to ships of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as they took part in the annual Fleet Concentration Period (FCP) along the eastern seaboard of Australia.

Yesterday morning, Senator Faulkner flew out to the frigate HMAS Darwin while at sea off the coast of New South Wales, and spent a night on board the ship.

Whilst on board Senator Faulkner viewed anti-air gunnery serials with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft, replenishment at sea with HMAS Sirius, flying operations with a Seahawk helicopter from 816 Squadron and a Sea King helicopter from 817 Squadron and a number of ships engaged in close quarters manoeuvring. The crew of Darwin also demonstrated their skills at responding to ship-borne emergencies.

Senator Faulkner said he enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the men and women serving in HMAS Darwin and was impressed by their motivation, training and professionalism.

“The time I spent on board HMAS Darwin was most worthwhile. It was a great opportunity to see firsthand Navy demonstrating a range of its core capabilities,” Senator Faulkner said.

“I’d like to thank the men and women serving in HMAS Darwin for hosting my visit.”

“We have just spent the month conducting anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare evolutions and were delighted to show the Minister just what our ships and crews are capable of,” Commander Smith, Commanding Officer HMAS Darwin, said.

Eleven warships sailed out of Sydney Harbour and began the intensive five-week exercise on Monday 15 February 2010. The FCP is an annual event, designed to test and hone the skills of thousands of men and women from the RAN and the RAAF. The New Zealand Navy will also take part, with both the multirole ship HMNZS Canterbury and Anzac Class frigate HMNZS Te Mana exercising along the eastern seaboard.

Imagery and vision can be found at http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/faulkner/gallery/20100304/index.htm