Publication:Sea Talk Summer 2008/A snapshot of 2008

Photographers’ pics of progress

Fleet Commander — RADM Coates.

HMAS Farncomb returns to Fleet Base West berthing alongside Diamantina Pier. Farncomb proved the effectiveness of her new replacement combat system at Exercise Rimpac 08. Pic by POPH Damian Pawlenko.

The Fleet Commander, RADM Nigel Coates, provided a snapshot of RAN Fleet activities in the Chief of Navy’s State of the Navy presentation transmitted electronically to all in the Service on October 31.

He highlighted:

• Operation Catalyst in the North Arabian Gulf spearheaded by HMA Ships Arunta, Stuart and Parramatta;
• Deployment of Task Force 158 under CDRE Bruce Kafer, the fourth Australian command team to the Gulf to assume command of Coalition maritime security operations in the Gulf;
• The short notice assignment of HMAS Perth to Operation Astute after the attempted assassinations of Timor-Leste’s President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao in February;
• Commissioning of the last Armidale class patrol boat, HMAS Glenelg, and resolution of the initial ACPB teething issues and deployment beyond Operation Resolute patrols to neighbouring nations;

MIDM Simon Joyce maintains a lookout onboard HMAS Manoora as a part of his Sea Training Deployment for the New Entry Officer’s Course. Pic by ABPH Quentin Mushins.

• Deployment of major fleet units in a variety of exercises such as Exercises Bersama Shield and Lima, and RIMPAC, the world’s largest maritime exercise, that the US hosts biennially off Hawaii, and our own major maritime exercise, Exercise Kakadu;
• Progress in the submarine community in a variety of endeavours including confirmation by HMAS Farncomb of her impressive combat system by sinking of a former US warship during RIMPAC 08;

Photographers, mainly from the Navy, have captured action in many of the activities. These pages provide a few examples of their work and establish conclusively that it’s possible to have fun as well.

Dawn rendezvous: Heavy landing craft HMAS Tarakan approaches HMAS Manoora off Magnetic Island, Qld. Pic by ABPH Quentin Mushins.

• Participation with amphibious units, HMAS Tobruk and heavy landing craft (LCHs) in Operation Outreach, the ADF’s support to Australia’s indigenous community, through insertion of personnel, stores and equipment into remote coastal communities;
• Work by clearance divers in explosive ordnance demolition tasks, participation in adventure training and major exercises such as Exercise RIMPAC;
• Deployment of coastal minehunters to participate in Exercises Kakadu and Bersama Lima;
• Survey work by hydrographic ships and survey motor launches in Torres Strait, Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, the Bonaparte Archipelago and the Sahul Banks in the Arafura Sea;
• Introduction of the RAN’s third Augusta 109 aircraft and development of plans to bring the Navy’s MRH-90 helicopters into service as well as achievement of availability rates which were “the highest we have seen in many years”;
• Discovery of HMAS Sydney (II) off the West Australian coast.

RADM Coates said that, while more work was required on training throughput and retention, 2008 had been “another busy and successful year”.

“But let’s not forget all that we have achieved together and take pride in the fact that we operate a good fleet that has a bright future,” he said.

ABB Craig Everett fires the saluting gun on board HMAS Toowoomba as she enters the Pusan Harbour, in the Republic of Korea. Pic by ABPH Justin Brown.

In the wardroom pantry of HMAS Darwin: ABSTDs Kelly Ruutz and Sophia Bougoure, Gap Year SMN Laura Johnson and SMNSTD Cassandra Tyrrell. Pic by ABPH Jo Dilorenzo.

Sea Hawk Tiger 70 from 816 Sqn flies into ANZ Stadium to deliver the NRL premiership trophy. Pic by ABPH Brenton Freind.

HMAS Warramunga approaches HMAS Sirius for a replenishment at sea during a Five Power Defence Arrangements exercise, Bersama Lima, involving maritime, air and land forces from Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Pic by ABPH Nadia Monteith.

Ship’s company of HMAS Arunta compete in various events in the the maxi yacht race during the Henley-on-Todd Regatta in Alice Springs. Pic by ABPH Morgana Salabert.

THE GRANDEUR AND MAJESTY OF HIGH-RISE NATURE: HMAS Ballarat in New Zealand’s Milford Sound, after a SW Pacific deployment including providing support role at the coronation of the new King of Tonga, King George Tupou V, on July 31. Pic by ABPH Andrew Black.