Australian Navy Clearance Divers are playing a key role at RIMPAC 2012, both in Hawaii and on the US mainland. Their focus is on mine countermeasures – the largest collection of Mine Counter Measures (MCM) capacity ever deployed by Australia on this exercise. Commander Doug Griffiths is in charge of
HMAS Darwin has successfully exercised complex ship and air launched torpedo delivery during the multinational maritime exercise RIMPAC 2012. Firing one MK46 torpedo from Darwin and two Mk46 torpedos from embarked S-70B-2 Seahawk “Valkyrie”, Darwin demonstrated a combined ability to detect and count
HMAS Melbourne has departed the Middle East Area of Operations after a successful six-month deployment as part of Operation SLIPPER. Melbourne heads home to Fleet Base East in Sydney, NSW, after conducting maritime security patrols, counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations from the Red and Arabi
As part of Exercise RIM-OF-THE-PACIFIC (RIMPAC 2012), a group of officers from United States Ships Chafee and Crommelin spent the day on HMAS Perth observing and experiencing life onboard an Australian ship. The visitors were given a tour of the ship, including a walk through of the engine room and
The Air Force’s newest helicopter, the NH90, has successfully completed its first landing on the Navy’s multi-role vessel, HMNZS CANTERBURY. The interface trial is the first stage of a process intended to integrate helicopter and ship operations – an important step towards the New Zealand Defence Fo
The U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier returned to its forward-operating port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, July 26, to conclude the first half of its 2012 patrol. USS George Washington (CVN 73) and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, traveled more than 10,800 nautical m
There has been some sensationalist reporting relating to a minor flood in HMAS Farncomb on 25 July 2012. The following media release is the actual statement made by the Department of Defence on 25 July 2012. On Wednesday 25 July (Australian Eastern Standard Time), while participating in Exercise RIM
The “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP)8 took part in a coordinated operations mining exercise (MINEX) with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), July 19. The exercise took place in northern Japan’s Mutsu Bay and consisted of VP-8 and JMDSF P-3C Orion aircraft operating with the Av
The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific, July 20. With a crew of more than 145 Sailors and officers, Louisville will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities
HMS Diamond has taken her place among the international naval effort determined to stamp out criminal activity on the seas east of Suez. The state-of-the-art destroyer has relieved her sister HMS Daring as the latest Royal Navy warship serving with the 26-nation Combined Maritime Forces, sailing in
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, and the Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Timothy Barrett AM CSC RAN joined family and friends on the wharf at Garden Island, Sydney, to farewell HMAS Anzac as she sailed for her third tour of duty. The surface frigate’s departure mark
Australian sailors, soldiers, airmen and women have joined defence forces from 21 other nations, including France, Canada and Russia, for Exercise RIM-OF-THE-PACIFIC (RIMPAC 12) in the islands of Hawaii. Approximately 1100 Australian Defence personnel are among 25,000 personnel participating in the
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the launch of the second Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) at the Navantia shipyard in Spain. The launch represented a major milestone in the shipbuilding process and was attended by the Chief of Navy, Vice
Spain and Australia have agreed today that the Combat Supply Ship Cantabria will operate with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from February to November 2013. This deployment will be the longest and most extensive that the Navy ship will have made to date. Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral General
