Never Running On Empty
11 July 2009
As more than 24,000 Marines, Army, Navy and Air Force personnel from Australia and the United States rehearse and conduct complex operations during Talisman Saber 09, one of the key objectives is to test the resourcefulness and interoperability of the participants.
"The learning value of the exercise would be minimal if those involved weren’t confronted with difficult situations outside their normal operational or ‘comfort’ zones," said CMDR Jason Sears, Supply Officer in the Australian Amphibious troop support ship HMAS Kanimbla (Commander Tim Byles).
And although Talisman Saber is an exercise, some of the challenges that CMDR Sears faces could easily occur in more critical circumstances. On a ship which can accommodate up to 400 embarked Army personnel, as well as her usual 200 officers and Ships Company, supplies at sea must be monitored closely.
"Imagine this scenario," said CMDR Sears.
"Just days ago, HMAS Kanimbla was running low on a number of essential items including fresh produce, some of which would be exhausted within thirty-six hours. We also received three requests for parts needed to maintain critical equipment from the ships steering gear, fridges and water purification plants."
For Kanimbla, heading to the nearest port was out of the question because the ship was required to join the rest of the Task Force further out to sea. To make matters even more difficult, the Navigator advised that weather conditions would deteriorate, making resupply by helicopter impossible.
Naturally with an exercise the size of Talisman Saber where interoperability and co-operation is a central theme, there is a number of supply ships willing to help. But the closest, USS Essex, advised that she would be unable to assist for forty-eight hours.
What sounds like a disaster in the making, is exactly the sort of problem CMDR Sears is trained to solve. In this situation, CMDR Sears knew that landing craft attached to HMAS Kanimbla were operating near a small coastal town which could supply some of the required provisions.
"We contacted local suppliers who met our landing craft with a number of the products that we were running low on. Also, the Australian ship HMAS Success was nearby and able to render assistance," CMDR Sears said.
With an exercise such as Talisman Saber, the number of demands upon supply capabilities from HMAS Kanimbla increases dramatically. The ship must cater for the usual requirements of Ships Company as well as the needs of the Australian Ready Battalion Group and the Primary Casualty Reception Facility.
"And our responsibility to support these groups continues beyond their stay onboard Kanimbla. While they conduct land based operations, we will continue to support them by supplying essential items like water and receiving role players or actual participants who need medical care," said CMDR Sears.
When the Australian Government calls upon the Defence Force to deliver humanitarian assistance, it is usually to a remote location where access is difficult and specialist amphibious skills are required. Under such circumstances, ships like Kanimbla act as a kind of ‘floating aid station’, distributing assistance, as well as caring for the sick and injured.
CMDR Sears said that the experience gained and skills improved upon during Talisman Saber would be essential in ensuring that the Royal Australian Navy and Kanimbla in particular, would be able to respond efficiently for any future requirements to provide humanitarian aid.
And in the meantime, the five hundred members of the ADF onboard HMAS Kanimbla can enjoy fresh milk for another week at sea, instead of the powdered variety.
