Tasmanex testing time

HMAS Success cuts a fine figure silouhetted in the exercise area.

HMAS Sydney leads HMNZS Canterbury on Sydney Harbour. Photo ABPH Yuri Ramsey

By LEUT Chris Woods

Almost 2000 sailors from Australia and New Zealand have taken part in a joint naval exercise off the NSW coast.

Ex Tasmanex 2003 involved HMA Ships Sydney, Adelaide, Westralia and Success plus HMNZS Canterbury.
Additionally, RAAF FA-18 and Hawk aircraft along with Learjets from HMAS Albatross provided input into this vital exercise.

“The object of Tasmanex was to exercise us in co-ordinated operations, both maritime and air to get each working with the other,” the CO of HMAS Sydney CMDR Michael Van Balen, said.

“It provided an opportunity to learn from each other and gain benefits from having a number of units operating in the same area at the same time”, he said.

Tasmanex has been the first opportunity to exercise in any great numbers since ships have been deployed to meet operational commitments.

The exercise’s objectives were achieved in a variety of ways, CMDR Van Balen said.

“Firstly, warfare serials saw us demonstrating our skills against attacks by aircraft. We also co-ordinated strikes between various ships, hunted submarines and practised our seamanship skills through replenishment operations and personnel transfers.”

“Not only was this an opportunity to exercise inter-ship skills, but it enhanced the personal skills of ship’s company members to enable us to meet the missions the Maritime Commander sets for us.”

One of the other significant achievements of Tasmanex was the opportunity to conduct a console replenishment-at-sea between HMAS Success and Westralia.

This event was a rarity as it is not often that one supply ship gets the chance to RAS with another supply vessel, particularly since they are both based on opposite sides of the country.

Success did RAS with each fleet unit and topped off the exercise by conducting a ‘double hook-up’ with Sydney and Adelaide.

Each fleet unit was put through her paces under the watchful eye of the Sea Training Group (STG) who moved from ship to ship throughout the exercise.

NBCD exercises, aerial attacks and tracking, NGS and casexs all added to the mix of events that the crews had to work through.

As FA-18s and Hawks swooped, the warships provided a protective screen for the supply vessels, however no matter how effective the defence, STG made sure nobody remained unscathed.

Tasmanex was a very busy period, however the lessons learnt and the chance to work in a task group situation were invaluable.

The exercise came to a close with a spectacular fleet entry into Sydney Harbour.

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