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Pte
McErlie from C Coy 2RAR, checks out another ship on the
horizon at sunset aboard the USS Tarawa
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Photo
by LAC Mike Lewis, 92 Wg
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RIMPAC
round-up
ADF personnel and their assets achieved the targets they set when
they headed off to take part in RIMPAC 2004, COMFLOT, Cdre Davyd
Thomas said at the completion of the exercise.
Cdre Thomas was Deputy Commander of the Combined Task Force and
2IC of the exercise.
The ADF contributed 1000 personnel to the exercise held in and
around the Hawaiian islands.
The RAN sent surface ships Newcastle, Success and Parramatta and
the submarine Rankin.
The Army had 120 riflemen from 2RAR and the RAAF provided Hercules,
Orion and Boeing 707 aircraft and personnel. They joined 17,000
other servicemen and women from seven other nations including
Canada, Chile, Japan, Republic of Korea, the US and the UK. In
all; 40 ships, nine submarines and 90 aircraft were used.
The purpose of the exercise was to achieve integration and interoperability
with other nations.
Aiming for efficiency in working as a coalition force, the ADF
units were fully integrated into multinational forces for exercise
warfare scenarios.
Cdre Thomas said ADF personnel overcame communication and system
differences and shared their skills and expertise with our friends
and allies.
“We came here to improve our readiness and efficiency in operating
as a coalition force.
“We have done exactly that, and made some good friends along the
way,” he said.
