The
ship’s company of HMAS Melbourne has been busy ensuring its
level of readiness is at optimum level while on patrol in The
Gulf.
“What we’re doing here at the moment is conducting a
number of anti-air warfare drills,” said the Commanding Officer
of HMAS Melbourne from the ship’s bridge.
The RAN is patrolling the Persian Gulf enforcing UN sanctions
as part of the Multi-national Interception Force, which has been
stopping Iraq from exporting oil and contraband for more than
10 years.
“The on-watch warfare officer is simulating a generic air-threat
from all around the ship and we’re practising our procedures
and our drills to be able to respond,” he said.
“That’s very important when you’re in a part of
the world where circumstances can change very quickly.”
HMA ships’ boarding parties have been kept very busy for
their entire rotation, intercepting vessels ranging from wooden
dhows to massive super-tankers.
“We may or may not get early warning or an indication that
things might be changing, therefore we always have to be on the
front foot and as well prepared as we can be to deal with circumstances
as they unfold.”
