Royal Australian Navy Minehunter Coastal (MHC), HMAS Gascoyne, has been hard at work conducting Route Survey of Darwin Harbour over the past few weeks. Route Survey is the exploration of a route to determine the nature of the seabed and the nature of any underwater objects that are detected. The dat
Akaroa Harbour, in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand, formed a training ground on 6 November for a rehearsal of amphibious landings taking place within Exercise Southern Katipo 2013 that started two days ago. Around 200 battle-ready troops and 280 tonnes of equipment and vehicles embarked in HMNZ
An air and maritime exercise involving Australia and its regional security partners starts today in Malaysia. Exercise Bersama Lima 2013 is a Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) activity involving Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia and New Zealand. Commander Australian Contingent,
An experienced pair of hands guides the way to help HMAS Sirius prepare for a relatively short notice deployment to Asia. The battle tanker, which has recently completed a short period of programmed maintenance, had her program changed to support the Australian Defence Force contribution to Exercise
On her way home from Operation LANDSCAPE, HMAS Choules stopped off in Townsville and used the newly commissioned Berth 10 to clear customs and quarantine. This was the first operational use of the new facility since it was commissioned in late October. Commanding Officer Choules, Commander Ashley Pa
The New Zealand Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral (RADM) Jack Steer, thanked Royal Australian Navy personnel for their contribution within the last year in assisting the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in various operations from onboard HMNZS Wellington. RADM Steer was able to personally thank the Australia
Defence Material Organisation (DMO) has successfully completed a vehicle load trial on NUSHIP Canberra in the first Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Harbour Acceptance Trial to be done in Australia. The ship moved from its location at BAE Williamstown in Victoria, across the bay to Webb Dock to underta
The professionalism of ESPS Cantabria ship’s company under the leadership of Commander Jose Luis Nieto Fernandez was formally recognised recently with a Commander Australian Fleet commendations. Rear Admiral Tim Barrett presented the awards on the flight deck of the combat support ship. Reading from
HMAS Success has successfully completed her first Replenishment at Sea (RAS) as part of Sea Qualification Trials, just days after returning to sea. In flat seas and heavy rain Success held a steady course in preparation for HMAS Darwin (CMDR Terrence Morrison) to approach and hook up for the RAS (L)
After nine months operating as part of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet, Spanish Armada Ship, ESPS Cantabria was farewelled from her temporary homeport of Garden Island, Sydney. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO, CSC, RAN joined the Spanish Ambassador to Australia, HE Mr Enrique Viguera, Com
Parliamentary Secretary to the Australian Minister for Defence, the Hon Darren Chester MP, made his first visit to the Headquarters Northern Command and HMAS Coonawarra yesterday, where he met with personnel and toured the Navy’s most northerly base. After an invigorating physical training session w
HMAS Choules has completed its mission at Manus Island and heads home today, 31 October 2013. Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AO, CSC, RAN said HMAS Choules provided maritime support to Department of Immigration and Border Protection efforts to increase the capacity of the facilities on Manus
Two of the Royal Australian Navy’s Coastal Hydrographic Survey ships have recently returned to their homeport of Cairns, having completed a survey of Dawson Strait, Papua New Guinea. The two ships, Mermaid and Paluma, commenced vital survey work in August to assist mariners in the safe passage and n
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) held a change of command ceremony Oct. 28. Capt. Richard McCormack relieved Capt. Will Pennington as commanding officer. Pennington served as commanding officer from July 31, 2012 to Oct. 28, 2013. “My time aboard Blue Ridge has been a unique experienc
