March has been a busy month for Jervis Bay and surrounding waters with the bay dotted with frigates HMA Ships Newcastle and Anzac, Mine Hunter HMAS Gascoyne, helicopters and the Navy’s newest ship, Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Canberra.
Anzac achieved Unit Readiness in preparation for her Centenary of Anzac deployment across the globe, while Newcastle conducted Mission Readiness in preparation for her operational deployment.
Canberra started her First of Class Flight Trials and conducted her first launch and recovery of a helicopter at sea.
Canberra departed Jervis Bay to conduct hot weather trials off the coast of Townsville before she will proceed south in April for cold weather flight trials off Tasmania. The vessel has two MRH-90 helicopters from 808 Squadron and one S70B-2 Seahawk helicopter from 816 Squadron and their flight and support personnel embarked for the trials.
After the hot and cold weather trials, Canberra will return to Fleet Base East, Sydney, in May before commencing her work up at sea across all her capabilities.
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Image: Australian Navy