Punching above their weight
10 Jun 2010 By Natalie Staples
They may be small, but the concentrated force of the RAN’s Minor War Vessels packs a powerful punch.
Five of the fleet were put through their paces, in waters off Darwin, as part of the Minor War Vessel Concentration Period (MWVCP), a collective training activity geared at honing fundamental war-fighting skills in the minor war vessel community while also exercising border protection competencies, amphibious skills and common mariner skills.
Cairns based HMAS Bundaberg joined Darwin based Armidale Class Patrol Boat’s Glenelg and Pirie and Heavy Landing Crafts (LCH) Balikpapan and Betano for the two week long exercise.
Following a comprehensive harbour phase of briefings covering topics like Force Protection, Damage Control and an inter-ship sports day that saw Assail Five claim victory in the touch football competition, the ships sailed for a challenging sea phase.
The sea phase, comprising of graduated serials, commenced with the ships departing Darwin harbour in formation and honing their Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres as they sailed to the Beagle Gulf. An aviation serial was conducted by HMAS Bundaberg, with a media contingent winched from the deck by an Agusta A109E helicopter from 723 Squadron.
“The safe and efficient conduct of helo operations is a big ticket item in terms of the outcomes of MWVCP. During the sea phase, we successfully put all crews over the ASSA line. The crews’ consolidated skills can now be exported throughout the Fleet, as these crews move on to serve elsewhere,” said Commander (CMDR) Alex Hawes, Commander Task Group, MWVCP.
As the sea phase continued, the training escalated from seamanship, tactical evolutions and gunnery to complex multi-unit activities including an amphibious Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) staged at the HMAS Coonawarra boat ramp, supported by the Army’s Darwin based 2CAV with an ASLAV, GMV and 3 Unimogs.
“The NEO was an opportunity to train for assistance to civil community and importantly integrated the Australian Army. The interoperability between the RAN and the Army is essential for current ADF operation and pertinent for the future capability,” said CMDR Hawes.
Crews were also challenged to integrate to achieve a mission during a scenario based boarding operation. The serial commenced with the A109E helicopter searching the grid for Marine Vessel (MV) Sapphire Bay and two Defence Martime Service assets simulating fishing vessels and a Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel (SIEV). Once located, the ACPB’s swung into action locating and conducting multiple boardings. To complicate the scenario, three additional patrol boats, HMA Ships Launceston, Childers and Wollongong were introduced unexpectedly, and a Search and Rescue operation was conducted, which saw Glenelg tow Childers.
For the second year running, Betano (Lieutenant_William_Hooper, RAN), was recognised as the most proficient during sea phase.
“The free-play period provided the ships and aircraft with an opportunity to exercise control of force in a scenario based time frame, allowing for free thought and the coordination of multiple classes of ships to achieve the mission,” said CMDR Hawes.
"It really set my team back on their haunches to see the way in which the assigned units carved through the free play phase. With an hour to run I had used all my planned primary and contingency scenarios. That's a pretty satisfying place to be at the end of the day."
“In company time is a precious resource to our ships at sea so while it can be challenging to schedule exercises, given the high tempo of OP Resolute commitments, it remains achievable. Too busy to train is an unacceptable stance, as all these capabilities are perishable.”
“The patrol boats and landing craft that took part in MWVCP 2010 provide a wide range of services, ranging from specific Naval operations, through logistic support to fleet activities and remote communities, and to training of officers and sailors in both general mariner and employment specific skills. In terms of the defence of Australia's national interests, these ships operate on the front line of border protection, in support of Defence international engagement activities and, when required, in aid to the civil community, as such the crews must remain at the top of their game,” said CMDR Hawes.
“During the exercise the crews performed very well, but there still remains scope for improvement across the board. What really impressed me was to see the enthusiasm at all levels for the training on offer. Where opportunities presented to exercise further, invariably Commands took up the challenge without hesitation. This is good Navy.”
“We have a dedicated body of Servicemen and women in the Minor War Vessel community supported by an extraordinarily understanding Family network. We know our efforts contribute significantly to the safety, security and good order of the Country we love. We need no more motivation than that and we expect no accolades for the privilege of the duty of Service. On on.”
More images (via Flickr)
