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HMAS
Dechaineux leaves Fleet Base West on her way to join several
other RAN vessels in Exercise Singaroo. The exercise involve
both Australian and Singaporean forces.
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Photo:
ABPH Joanne Edwards
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By
Rachel Irving
HMAS
Dechaineux left Fleet Base West earlier this month, heading north
to participate in Exercise Singaroo.
The submarine, commanded by LCDR Simon Rusiti, will spend three
months away with port visits to Darwin and six days in Singapore.
Dechaineux is the only Australian submarine participating in this
year’s Ex Singaroo, a bilateral maritime warfare exercise in the
Northern Australian Exercise Area, involving Australian and Singaporean
vessels.
Dechaineaux will join a large number of other RAN ships, Anzac,
Canberra, Melbourne, Wollongong, Bendigo, Kanimbla and Westralia
and RSS Vigilance and Victory.
Five 816 Squadron Seahawks, RAAF Hawks and Hornets and a number
of civilian contract aircraft will also take part.
The bilateral maritime warfare exercise was scheduled to begin
on August 11 with the sea phase conducted in the North Australian
Exercise Area.
Executive Officer, LCDR Nick Watson, said the boat was looking
forward to the challenges of Singaroo.
“The Singaporeans always make very capable opposition,” LCDR Watson
said.
“The deployment is the highlight of what has been a very busy
year for Dechaineux.”
Upon returning to Australia, the sub will dock at Australian Submarine
Corporation (ASC) in Adelaide.
She will remain at ASC for a four-month certification extension
docking, before rejoining the fleet early next year.
