U.S. Admiral Visits HMAS Kanimbla
10 July 2009
Practice for HADR, or Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief, is a significant part of Exercise Talisman Saber 2009 according to the Commander of the combined United States and Australian Amphibious Task Force.
Rear Admiral Richard B. Landolt, whose day job is usually Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet in Okinawa, Japan is in charge of U.S Marine, Navy and Australian Amphibious Forces while they are at sea for Talisman Saber. In a flying visit to HMAS Kanimbla (CMDR Tim Byles) during the early part of the exercise, Admiral Landolt said it was important that forces from both nations prepare for situations which may present in this part of the world.
"Talisman Saber provides the opportunity every two years for the United States and Australia to practice as a coalition of forces. In this case US, Australian and Canadian forces," he said.
"These days we are much more likely to be called on to provide assistance in the unfortunate circumstance of natural disasters," said Admiral Landolt.
"Amphibious Forces bring the type of capability and equipment that are key to successful humanitarian operations. For example, in terrain such as we will experience here, helicopters provide more flexibility than conventional fixed wing aircraft. They can get into places such as beaches and forested areas where it may be necessary to provide water, medical assistance, and humanitarian supplies," Admiral Landolt said.
Talisman Saber is a United States led, Australian supported, training activity that aims to improve combat training, readiness and interoperability across the full spectrum of military operations from conventional conflict to peacekeeping to humanitarian aid. It is the third in this series of Australian-United States bilateral exercises. Held biennially, the exercise is conducted primarily in Australia but also involves participation in scenarios and ‘real life’ training in Hawaii and mainland United States.
"You think it’s easy, it’s not," Admiral Landolt said.
"We have this opportunity every couple of years to come to the Australian range and practice under difficult circumstances in an environment where we otherwise do not get to operate."
From his flagship, USS Essex, a WASP class LHD similar to the ships about to enter the Royal Australian Navy fleet, Rear Admiral Landolt is working closely with his Deputy Amphibious Task Force Commander, CAPT Stephen Woodall, RAN.
USS Essex has provided her share of disaster relief support during her operational life. The ship provided Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations to East Timor in October 2001. While on deployment to the Arabian Gulf in January 2005, Essex received additional tasking to provide assistance in Indonesia for the victims of the Tsunami. Essex was again deployed for humanitarian assistance in February 2006, helping the survivors of the Leyte mudslide in the Philippines.
"This is a very valuable chance to test new equipment and introduce folks who have not been to this part of the world in a rain forest environment," said Admiral Landolt.
"It’s the first time for many U.S. Marines and North Queensland is a great place to get acclimated."
