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Sydney
shines in Japanese naval review
HMAS
Sydney (CMDR Michael van Balen) participated in a Japanese Fleet
Review while conducting a port visit recently as part of her North
East Asian deployment.
The Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force’s (JMSDF) 50th Anniversary
Fleet Review incorporated multi-national ships and symbolised goodwill
and comradeship.
Sydney’s first port of call in Japan was the historic city
of Nagasaki, on the southern island of Kyushu.
Representatives from the Japanese Self Defence Force, local business
and Australian embassy staff attended an official reception the
first evening. The guests were treated to culinary delights that
included kangaroo meat, as well as a rendition of Ceremonial Sunset
performed by Sydney’s guard and band contingent.
Upon departing Nagasaki, Sydney met with JDS Sawakaze and Kurama
for the scheduled GOODWILLEX and the transit to the JMSDF International
Fleet Review.
GOODWILLEX proved to be one of the major events of the deployment
and a rare chance for the Japanese and Australian units to operate
together.
Several members of ship’s company from all units seized upon
the opportunity to undertake a few days’ exchange and learn
more about their counterparts.
With the completion of GOODWILLEX, Sydney detached and proceeded
into harbour.
Whilst transiting the harbour, a 21gun salute was exchanged with
the shore battery at Kannon Saki, the ceremonial clearing of guns
symbolic of the amity intended for the Fleet Review.
On October 13 Sydney departed for her anchorage in Tokyo Bay in
preparation for participation in the JMSDF International Fleet Review.
A total of 47 ships and submarines, including Japanese, Indian,
French and Russian ships, participated in the review along with
numerous Japanese naval helicopters. Ten Japanese ships, bearing
amongst them the Prime Minister of
Japan and 600 guests, stately sailed past the lines of assembled
ships and conducted the review, which took approximately one hour.
Sydney returned home earlier this month.
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