Toowoomba Provides Air Defence Assistance to USS Nimitz

16 November 2009

As part of its final tasking in the Middle East Area of Operations, HMAS Toowoomba (CMDR Ivan Ingham) joined CTF 50 (Commander of the Carrier Strike Group assigned to the Middle East), to provide important air defence to nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.

Nimitz, the first of class of the Nimitz class of aircraft carrier, operates in the Northern Arabian Sea providing a vital platform to launch aircraft in and out of Afghanistan. Aircraft include F/A-18 (Hornets), F/A-18E/F (Super Hornets) and EA-6Bs (Prowlers).

The aircraft capability on Nimitz provides direct fire support for combat troops in Afghanistan, including Australians; their aircraft fly daily strategic strike missions.

The Anzac Class frigate was called upon to replace USS Sampson, a member of the CTF 50 group who was temporarily reassigned to another task. Support included air defence and planeguard responsibility for launch and recovery cycles both day and night in Nimitz.

The Bridge Teams were kept busy with high speed manoeuvring at very close range during the tasking.

Working with Nimitz led to an opportunity for a personnel exchange programme. Lucky personnel from both ships were able to cross-deck and learn about the roles and duties of their counterparts, reinforcing interoperability and developing understanding within a maritime operational environment, as well as forging friendships.

Additionally, the tasking generated the rare event of a RAS directly from the aircraft carrier.