ADF Assets Exercise Around Malaysia

Royal Australian Air Force multi-role F/A-18F Super Hornets will soar through the sky over Malaysia while Navy Anzac Class frigates and a Collins Class submarine will patrol the South China Sea in a major military exercise commencing today.

Exercise BERSAMA SHIELD 2011 (BS11) will see six F/A-18 Super Hornets from No. 1 Squadron, the Anzac Class frigates HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Parramatta, and the Collins Class submarine, HMAS Dechaineux, join other warships and combat aircraft from Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

The Commander of the Australian Contingent, Wing Commander Kenneth Robinson, said the exercise will be conducted by member countries of the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) invarious locations on the Malaysian Peninsula and in the South China Sea between 2 and 13 May.

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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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.