Australia and Thailand Participate in Combined Naval Exercise

Regional security and stability in South East Asia will be the focus of a combined Navy Exercise between Australia and Thailand, being conducted this week in the Gulf of Thailand.

HMA Ships Parramatta and Ballarat, two Royal Australian Navy Anzac Class Frigates, will operate in the maritime exercise AUSTHAI 11 with two Thai ships HTMS Phutta Loetla Naphalai, a missile frigate, and HTMS Rattanakosin, a missile corvette, in the waters off Sattahip and Ko Samui.

Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore said that AUSTHAI 11 presented a great opportunity to work alongside the Navy of a regional partner. 

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NAVY PEOPLE: SPORT AND SEAMANSHIP

Alice Springs boy Luke Ettridge has managed to mix the sea and his passion for sport. He joined the Navy in 2004 and has specialised as a physical trainer. He’s already been promoted to Leading Seaman.

Aboard Anzac Class frigate HMAS Parramatta Luke is responsible for fitness classes, testing and recreational activities, as well as keeping watch on the bridge of the ship.

“I love that my job is based around sport and fitness. I am the only physical trainer onboard and, because of that, I have a lot of social interaction with the crew, “he said.

Luke is now based in Sydney with his brother and girlfriend, who are both in the Navy, while his parents are still at home in ‘the Alice’.

NAVY PEOPLE: NAVY LIFE FOR MOUNT CLAREMONT ACTION MAN

Mount Claremont local Steed Wilson has now clocked up five years in the Navy, he’s seen the world, and as a member of his ship’s boarding party, he rappels down ropes from helicopters as easily as most people walk to the corner shop.

Steed has specialised as a Marine Technician, but he has always been pretty fit. Even at Scotch College he played water polo and touch rugby. He currently plays in the Australian Defence water polo team and recently played at the Australian countries in Albury, New South Wales.

Like many locals, Steed started life somewhere very different. He was born in Zimbabwe and moved to Perth eight years ago with his sister and parents. His parents currently live back in Zimbabwe but his sister and friends still live in Mt Claremont.

Aboard HMAS Parramatta, Steed is specifically responsible for electronic testing and lighting for the crew of 170 sailors and officers.

“I see most of the crew during my working day,” he said. “My reward is getting a thank you from someone when I have fixed the defect in their compartment”.

During his five years in the Navy, Steed has been involved in maritime exercises with the US Navy off the coast of Hawaii, in border protection, and soon he and his shipmates are heading to south-east Asia.

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NAVY PEOPLE: KEEPING COMMUNICATIONS OPEN

The Navy has come a long way since they used signal flags, and Gosnall’s man Leo Vredenbregt is part of the latest generation of communicators.

After Gosnells Senior High School, Leo turned his Navy cadet time into a permanent career.

23 years later, Leo is a Chief Petty Officer who manages communications and information systems aboard HMAS Parramatta, one of the Navy’s latest warships. He and his shipmates are recently back from pirate patrol in the middle east.

HMA Ships Parramatta and Ballarat visit Surabaya

A traditional welcome by local dancers and regional Navy officials was received by HMAS Parramatta (Commander Heath Robertson, RAN) and HMAS Ballarat (Commander Guy Blackburn, RAN) as they arrived in Surabaya, Indonesia, the first port visit on their South East Asian Deployment (SEAD).

The successful visit with our regional neighbours began with COParramatta hosting a luncheon with local dignitaries. Ballarat held a reception with ceremonial sunset for guests ranging of TNI Officers, local officials and expatriate Australians. Parramatta and Ballarat also welcomed Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore AM CSC RAN who visited the ships during their time in Surabaya.

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F/A-18F Super Hornets will join Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom

Air Force multi-role F/A-18F Super Hornets, Navy guided-missile frigates and a Collins class submarine will join the armed forces of Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom in a major military exercise designed to enhance regional security.

The exercise called BERSAMA SHIELD 2011 (BS11) will bring together the member countries of the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) as they exercise in various locations on the Malaysian Peninsula and in the South China Sea between 2 and 13 May.

WARM WELCOME FOR NAVY SHIPS DURING TASMANIA NAVY WEEK

The Navy opened their ships and Tasmania opened their arms to welcome three major fleet units as part of Navy Week 2011 in Tasmania at the weekend.

The week commenced with the transmission of a local FM breakfast show from the hangar of HMAS Parramatta as they steamed in company with HMAS Ballarat along the Derwent and into Hobart.

Navy Week also coincided with the Tasmanian Wooden Boat Festival, the Royal Hobart Regatta, the Hobart Cup and Festival in Devonport with some magnificent weather over one of the busiest long weekends of the year in Tasmania.