The Royal Australian Navy Ships HMAS Sydney, Warramunga, and Sirius, which are based on both the east and west coast of Australia, have concluded their participation in Exercise Blue Raptor in the North West Shelf area.
Exercise Blue Raptor was a maritime security exercise which tested communications, procedures and protocols between the Navy ships and other units of the Australian Defence Force with the oil and gas installations in the area.
The exercise is part of a number of routine patrols conducted by the Navy in the region and was supported by a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion.
These patrols are conducted as part of Australia’s robust maritime security framework to safeguard against unlawful interference with off-shore facilities.
“The Navy routinely conducts patrols and exercises in the North West Shelf area in addition to operations conducted by Border Protection Command.
“This exercise demonstrates the importance of security in the region due to its vital strategic and economic importance to Australia as a maritime nation,” Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs said.
[mappress] Press Release, August 28, 2013; Image: Australian DoD