Defence Austrailia Online
ROYAL Australian Navy warships have operated thousands of kilometres apart across the Indo-Pacific, training alongside key regional partners and the United States as Australia strengthens its maritime presence across the region.
Four Navy ships deployed during August as part of Australian Maritime Task Group 665.5, undertaking operations, multinational exercises, replenishments and regional engagement from South-East Asia to Hawaii, Guam, North-East Asia and Papua New Guinea.
Anzac-class frigate HMAS Perth operated in support of the United States Navy’s Seventh Fleet and Australian Government tasking, including activities alongside the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group.
The frigate also visited Malaysia and Thailand, trained with Royal Thai Navy ship HTMS Bangpakong and completed a replenishment at sea with a US civilian oiler.
Commanding Officer HMAS Perth Commander Dylan White said the deployment had already tested his crew across a broad range of operations.
“Although we have only been deployed for just over a month, we have already conducted a wide variety of operations and international engagements whilst in the region,” Commander White said.
“Regional presence deployments enable us to work with allies and partners and build skills that are only possible when away from the comforts of home.
“We are looking forward to more opportunities to extend ourselves during the remainder of the deployment.”
Further east, HMAS Sydney completed Exercise Pacific Dragon in Hawaii before beginning Pacific Vanguard activities in Guam.
The ship travelled more than 3500 nautical miles, or about 6500 kilometres, and operated alongside ships from seven allied and partner nations.
HMAS Sydney Commanding Officer Commander Hayden Jenkins said the activities provided important opportunities to sharpen the Navy’s operational capability.
“These activities have increased our interoperability, enhanced our warfighting skills and lethality, and contributed to maritime presence across the Indo-Pacific region,” Commander Jenkins said.
HMAS Supply was meanwhile supporting US Seventh Fleet operations across North-East Asia.
The Navy’s replenishment ship conducted both replenishment-at-sea and vertical replenishment activities while operating from ports including Subic Bay in the Philippines, Okinawa and Sasebo in Japan.
Closer to Australia, hydrographic survey ship HMAS Leeuwin completed a five-week mission in Papua New Guinea as part of a longstanding partnership focused on improving navigational safety and maritime knowledge.
Despite operating thousands of kilometres apart, the four ships formed part of the broader Australian Maritime Task Group 665.5 effort, strengthening cooperation with regional militaries while maintaining an Australian naval presence across the Indo-Pacific.
