Rite of passage for 11 Squadron

5 February 2008

Number 11 Squadron RAAF started the new year with a series of Passage Exercises (PASSEX) in conjunction with the Royal Australian Navy from 15-25 January 2008.

Six crews from 11 Squadron and submarines HMAS Collins and HMAS Rankin participated in the exercise, staged in the Southern Ocean and flown out of RAAF Base Edinburgh.

PASSEX is an exercise in which AP-3C Orions attempt to locate, track and simulate attack on a submarine to deny it passage while transiting.

The aims of the exercise were to maintain Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) proficiency, exercise air-sub cooperation procedures and focus on team building within the crews and maintenance personnel.