US and Australian forces collaborate in Talisman Sabre 13

TS 13 continues with an air defence exercise.

HMAS Sydney (FFG 03) is an Adelaide class frigate (based on the US Navy Oliver Hazard Perry class) and is nearing the end of her operational life. She will be replaced with a new HMAS Sydney (the fifth so-named ship) a Hobart class destroyer in 2017, providing the RAN with an enhanced air-warfare capability.

U.S., Australian Forces Collaborate on Air Defense

CORAL SEA (NNS) — The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group, Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) collaborate in an air defense exercise (ADEX) in support of exercise Talisman Saber 2013 (TS 13).

ADEXs provide combined training and validation for maritime and air operations and flex combined staffs in crisis action planning for contingency operations and humanitarian missions.

“We’re integrating the Australian forces into our air defense system to build a combined force for our nation and our allies,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rene “Sleepy” Cornejo, air warfare commander of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) and air missile test commander for Commander, Task Force 70 (CTF 70). “We use the air defense to protect the carrier strike group to include the air wing, which also provides defense for our surface assets.”

TS 13 is a biennial training exercise aimed at improving ADF and U.S. combat readiness and interoperability as a Combined Joint Task Force.

“The exercise allows U.S. and Australia air defense assets to execute a pre-planned response to a hostile threat,” said Lt. Bill Webb, George Washington’s tactical actions officer. “One scenario we conduct is to have our aircraft act as enemy combatants. We then intercept them using our other aircraft, ships, and Australian forces. Integrating our forces definitely makes us stronger.”

The alliance between the two nations provides ADF with access to technology and defenses that increases the capacity and strength of its forces.

“We integrated HMAS Sydney (FFG 03) this year into the strike group and for today’s exercise, we had the Royal Australian Air Force solely providing assets,” said Cornejo. “Prior to integrating Sydney, we conducted classroom training. Once we got underway, we activated Sydney as the alternate air missile defense commander. Now we’re finally conducting TS 13 and testing each other’s air and weapons capability.”

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75472

Operation Slipper: Australia’s contribution to the War on Terror

HMAS Newcastle is an Adelaide-class frigate commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in 1993.

The Adelaide-class is a modified version of the US Navy Oliver Hazard Perry-class in RAN service. Four ships were built in the US and two were built in Australian yards. The vessels are nearing the end of their operational life with two (Canberra and Adelaide) already decommissioned. They will be replaced by Hobart-class air defence destroyers from 2016 onward.

HMAS Newcastle participates in Counter Terrorism Operation

HMAS Newcastle’s boarding team conducts an approach and assist visit with a Dhow in the Middle East Area of Operations.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ship HMAS Newcastle is participating in a focused operation in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea as part of the international campaign against terrorism.

During the operation, Newcastle has conducted an Approach and Assist Visit (AAV) to a Yemeni flagged fishing vessel (dhow) in the Gulf of Aden.

Newcastle’s boarding party was invited to board the Yemeni flagged vessel by its crew, and donated a small quantity of sunglasses and sunscreen to the fishermen as a sign of good will.

AAVs are conducted regularly by coalition ships to foster good relationships with the local maritime community by approaching vessels and engaging in dialogue in the maritime environment. AAVs typically include confirmation of the welfare of the mariners, and seek information on what they may have seen in the area or any issues they may have.

Newcastle’s Boarding Officer, Lieutenant Alec Fieldsend said his boarding party was well received by the crew of the Yemeni fishing vessel.

“It’s all about building relationships with them and letting them know that we’re in the area to protect them and to keep the region secure,” LEUT Fieldsend said.

“For most of these fishermen, security in the maritime environment directly relates to their ability to make a living. So, most of them are very happy to see us out here conducting patrols,” he said.

CTF 150 is one of three task forces operated by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a 28-nation coalition based in Bahrain.

CTF 150’s Area of Operation (AOO) spans over two million square miles, covering the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Oman. The task force exists to create a lawful and stable maritime environment free from terrorism, smuggling and other illegal activities.

Newcastle’s participation in CTF 150 is part of her assignment to Operation SLIPPER – the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the international campaign against terrorism, counter smuggling and counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and enhancing regional maritime security and engagement.

Newcastle’s current deployment is the 55th rotation of an Australian warship to the MEAO since 1990. She is due to return to Australia in October, after handing over Operation SLIPPER duties to HMAS Melbourne.

Imagery is available on the Royal Australian Navy Media Library at http://images.navy.gov.au/S20130678.

http://news.navy.gov.au/en/Jul2013/Operations/140

HMAS Newcastle conducts RAS in Gulf of Aden

HMAS Newcastle is one of the Royal Australian Navy’s Adelaide-class frigate, which is based on the US Navy’s Oliver Hazard Perry class. Six frigates were built between 1978 and 1992, with the first four built in the US and the remaining 2 built in Australia. As the aging class begins to decommission (Canberra in 2005 and Adelaide in 2008) they will be replaced by the Hobart-class air warfare destroyer.

HMAS Newcastle Replenishes at Sea in the Gulf of Aden

A heavy pallet of food stores being transfered via heavy jaskstay from USNS Patuxent to HMAS Newcastle.

HMAS Newcastle’s Ship’s Company has battled through 35-degree heat and 97-percent humidity to complete multiple replenishment operations with the United States Naval Service ship USNS Patuxent in the Gulf of Aden, in the Middle East Area of Operations.

Newcastle was supplied with 400,000 litres of F44 and F76 fuel during the four-hour Replenishment At Sea – Liquids (RAS-L).

The RAS-L involved a large fuelling hose being extended from Patuxent to Newcastle to transfer the fuel.

Thirty-eight pallets of stores, mostly fresh food, were then transferred from Patuxent to Newcastle by heavy jackstay.

Petty Officer Boatswain (POB) Francis Standen said “heavy jackstays” were an important seamanship skill to have on a warship and it was good for the crew to successfully complete the evolution while on operations.

“We don’t get to conduct heavy jackstay very often, so the experience was great for the whole crew,” he said.

“Everyone did really well and it was great to see the whole ship’s company working together to get the job done,” POB Standen said.

Leading Seaman Maritime Logistics – Supply Chain (LSML-SC) Sarah Hickling said the food stores transferred from Patuxent to Newcastle during the Heavy Jackstay would keep her crew fed for several weeks.

“We took on frozen meat, potatoes, strawberries, mandarines and all kinds of tinned, frozen and dry food. We also took on stores for our canteen. Overall, we took on enough food to last us another two to three weeks,” LSML-S Hickling said.

The evolutions allowed Newcastle to continue her mission at sea, without having to visit a port to refuel and resupply.

The Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigate (FFG) will conduct more RAS evolutions during her deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).

Newcastle was in the area participating in a counter terrorism focused operation as part of the multi-national Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150).

Patuxent is a non-commissioned United States Naval Service oiler assigned to the replenishment taskforce, CTF 53.

CTF 150 is one of three task forces operated by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a 28-nation coalition based in Bahrain.

CTF 150’s Area of Operation (AOO) spans over two million square miles, covering the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Oman. The task force exists to create a lawful and stable maritime environment free from terrorism, smuggling and other illegal activities.

Newcastle’s participation in CTF 150 is part of her assignment to Operation SLIPPER. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution of a Major Fleet Unit in the Middle East Area of Operations as part of the international campaign against terrorism, counter smuggling and counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and enhancing regional maritime security and engagement.

Newcastle’s current deployment is the 55th rotation of an Australian warship to the MEAO since 1990. She is due to return to Australia in October, after handing over Operation SLIPPER duties to HMAS Melbourne.

Imagery is available on the Royal Australian Navy Media Library at http://images.navy.gov.au/S20130651.

Construction milestone for HMAS Hobart, RAN’s new air warfare destroyer

Construction of HMAS Hobart, lead ship in a new class of air warfare destroyers for the Royal Australian Navy, proceeds apace. The Hobart design is based on the Spanish Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate, which beat out the US Arleigh Burke- class in the RAN’s search for a new air defence destroyer.

The new destroyer will be the third HMAS Hobart. The first was HMAS Hobart (D63) a Leander class cruiser that served during the Second World War. The second was HMAS Hobart (D39) a Perth class destroyer that served from 1965 to 2000.

Consolidation of final keel block for first Air Warfare Destroyer

Consolidation of final keel block for first Air Warfare Destroyer.

Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM MP today announced the final keel block for the future destroyer, Hobart, has been successfully lifted into place by the AWD Alliance in Adelaide.

Dr Kelly said the final keel block is the 18th of 31 blocks to be joined into what is rapidly becoming the recognisable structure of the Hobart.

“This particular block will house flotation and stabilisation equipment for the Hobart and will now be consolidated into the existing ship structure to complete the keel,” Dr Kelly said.

“The keel is the main structural element stretching along the centre line of the bottom of a ship from the bow to the stern.

“The keel blocks will contain part of the Vertical Launch System, the diesel and gas turbine main engine rooms, auxiliary engine rooms, ballast tanks, propeller shafts and sonar equipment.”

Each destroyer will have six Vertical Launch System modules containing eight cells which are able to store and launch missiles.

“There are a total of 48 cells in each ship, with each cell able to be armed with either a single Standard Missile 2, or four Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles.

“The Hobart Class destroyers will provide the Royal Australian Navy with the most capable warships they have ever operated, with a sophisticated range of both offensive and defensive weapons.”

Dr Kelly said the AWD project is the most complex naval ship construction program ever undertaken in Australia.

“This milestone demonstrates the ongoing progress and quality of work being undertaken by the national shipbuilding industry across the country,” Dr Kelly said.

Consolidation of the entire hull will be complete in early 2014 and will be followed by fit-out and testing of the ships’ systems before sea trials are undertaken.

The AWD Alliance is made up of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) representing the Australian Government, ASC as the lead shipbuilder and Raytheon Australia as the mission systems integrator.

http://news.navy.gov.au/en/Jul2013/Fleet/79/Consolidation-of-final-keel-block-for-first-Air-Warfare-Destroyer.htm