A 10-nation military exercise provides the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) with a unique opportunity to enhance its core skills in planning, coordinating and controlling forces and operations. “The simulated scenarios unfolding in this exercise mirror the kinds of situations that NZDF personnel fac
Hobart welcomed the first Collins Class submarine visit to the region for five years, with the arrival of HMAS Farncomb into port late last week. Commanding Officer, Commander Byron Williamson said the routine port visit allowed the submarine to be resupplied and provided some rest and recreation to
The UK’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship, Fort Victoria, simultaneously refueled the Australian ship, HMAS Melbourne, and the Norwegian ship, HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen, in balmy conditions off the north-eastern coast of Somalia. This risky manoeuvre requires nerves of steel from each ship’s captain and
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
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
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)
The United States and New Zealand announced on Monday a resumption of military-to-military contacts as part of expanded defense cooperation that will see the first visit by a New Zealand naval vessel to an American port in more than three decades. The announcement followed a meeting at the Pentagon
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
Sailors and Soldiers of HMAS Choules recently had the chance to undertake Height Safety training while deployed in support of Operation LANDSCAPE. Mr David Thomas from Fire & Safety Australia joined the ship in location to instruct members of Ship’s Company over a four-day period, in two Working at
USS Denver (LPD 9) held a change of command ceremony aboard the ship Oct. 24 while in its homeport of Sasebo. Capt. Michael Donnelly relieved Capt. Kevin P. Lenox as commanding officer, becoming the 31st commanding officer of Denver since the ship’s commissioning in 1968. “I am extremely humbled to
Training elements of the Royal Australian and Royal New Zealand Navies recently joined forces to collaborate on unit readiness evaluations during Exercise ANZAC 2013. Australia’s Sea Training Unit – Major Fleet Units (STU-MFU) worked closely with their Royal New Zealand Navy counterparts, the Mariti
ESPS Cantabria has taken part in her final exercise as part of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet. The Spanish Armada ship was in high demand during exercise TRITON CENTENARY (TS13) part 2, and refuelled ships from participating nations. TS13 was the final phase of the Royal Australian Navy’s Internati
