September 02, 2002

Seven ships, diving and demolition experts from two nations, a LADS aircraft and civilian scientists.

These are just some of the assets scheduled for Exercise Dugong, one of the largest naval drills seen on the NSW south coast for many years.

Nearly 500 men and women are expected to take part.

The exercise will be conducted between November 4 and November 22 at two locations.

The primary area of operation will be in and around Twofold Bay at Eden.

The other will be Jervis Bay to the east of Nowra.

Exercise Dugong is scheduled annually and is classified as a mine counter measures and EOD activity set to test the capabilities of Australian and USN units. As a result, minehunting vessels and divers trained in detecting explosive devices in littoral waters and on beaches will be heavily involved.

The drill was not held in 2000 because of the clearance diver's commitment to Sydney Olympic Games protection.

Another exercise was scheduled for Exmouth last November but was cancelled due to the increased operational tempo caused by September 11 and Op Relex.

For Dugong 2002, the RAN's LADS Fokker aircraft will survey the seabed in and around the exercise areas.

Expected to take part are the Australian warships Huon, Hawkesbury, Norman, Gascoyne, Wallaroo and Bandicoot.

Also expected to conduct mine lay and recovery operations are DMS training vessel Seahorse Horizon and Dive Launch Seal.

Navy divers and explosives experts will have a vital role.

Australian Clearance Diving Teams One and Four will be joined by RAAF EOD experts and Australian Naval Reserve Diving Teams Five and Ten.

Mine Warfare Groups 50, 54 and ADRDT Six will have significant exercise support roles.

Coming from Guam in the Pacific is the US Navy's EODMU 5.

Scientists from DSTO are scheduled to come from Salisbury in South Australia to utilise the remote ordnance breakdown equipment...called "Whalebone".

The exercise comes as work continued on the multi-million dollar multi-user wharf and Navy ammunition storage complex at Eden. Twofold Bay was selected as the venue this year because it would provide the opportunity for a comprehensive seabed and "Q route" survey of the approaches to this vital new defence asset.

Significant consultation has occurred between the exercise planners and local community organisations in the preparation phase of this activity.

As such, a "Navy Open Day" is programmed in Eden as part of the exercise.

Ten days ago the principal players in the exercise attended a two-day seminar led by LCDR Max Muller, planning officer at MHQ, to finalise exercise planning.

Senior staff from the US, RAAF and DSTO joined RAN personnel at the seminar held at HMAS Waterhen.