Serving and providing in the South China Sea

7 November 2008

HMAS Sirius' motto is "To Serve and Provide." She has accomplished this and so much more during Exercise Bersama Lima 2008. All the methods of replenishment central to her concept of operations have been put to the test and proven to be rock solid.

Between 8 and 24 October soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and frogmen of the Five Power Defence Agreement (FPDA) nations came together once again to sharpen the tip of the sword in Anti Air, Anti Submarine, Anti Surface and Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving. HMA Ships Sirius, Anzac, Norman and Yarra along with ships and aircraft from the United Kingdom, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore participated. This multinational exercise is aimed at enhancing FPDA interoperability whilst cultivating professional ties at all levels with our regional neighbours.

The Royal Navy's Linx helicopter behind the Royal New Zealand Navy's Sea Sprite helicopter in formation during Exercise Bersama Lima in the South China Sea, with ships of Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Operations conducted by Sirius included underway replenishment, vertical replenishment, raft-up refuelling, surface and anti-air gunnery, explosive ordnance disposal, casualty control drills, damage control and tactical manoeuvres. The ability to conduct replenishment alone allowed the Australian, New Zealand and British units to stay on task longer and undertake operations of a greater diversity. Over one million litres of fuel and fifteen tonnes of stores were provided by Sirius to three of the participating nations during the eight days of the sea phase. In a first for the FPDA, the underway "hook-up" of both the Singaporean frigate RSS Intrepid and the Malaysian frigate KD Lekir made a clean sweep for Sirius – five out of five participating Navies.

(Left to right) Able Seaman Steward Kristen Wishart from HMAS SIRIUS, Able Seaman Writer Nicole Brooks from HMNZS TE KAHA, and Leading Seaman Cook Raja Sulong from the Malaysian Navy KD LEKIR on the bridge of HMAS SIRIUS.

Sirius made the most of the opportunity for inter-Navy learning by participating in a well-organised personnel exchange program. This program saw officers and sailors from each ship spending a day at a time across on one of their counterparts to see how the other side lives. This event was a great opportunity to foster friendship and co-operation between the participating Navies.

Bersama Lima has been a very successful exercise for all involved. The Men and Women of Sirius have lived up to our motto. It's what we do and it's who we are!