Tobruk forges closer links with French

By LEUT Terry Bird

HMAS Tobruk conducts a tricky transfer of personnel during a joint exercise with two French warships.

HMAS Tobruk had a French connection recently when it conducted an intensive two-day Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the Western Australia Exercise Area (WAXA) with the French ships FS LaTouche-Treville (DDG 646) and FS Commandant Birot (FFG 796).

It’s been a busy time for Tobruk, which circumnavigated Australia after completing Exercise Sea Lion and, as part of a New Entry Officer Course (NEOC) training cruise, took the ADF lead in the conduct of the PASSEX.

The air defence component (ADEX) included Hawk aircraft from 79 Squadron (SQN) operating from RAAF Pearce conducting attack runs.

The two visiting French ships, home ported in Brest and Toulon respectively, are participating in a five-month out of area deployment designed to foster improved relations and inter-operability with nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Prior to the rendezvous with Tobruk, the French ships enjoyed visits to Japan and Singapore as well as a PASSEX with HMAS Warramunga (CMDR John Van Dyke) near Christmas Island.

After leaving Australia the ships will undertake port visits to South Africa before returning to France.

Officers of the watch on all ships gained some excellent experience operating with foreign warships.

Activities including OOW manoeuvres, replenishment at sea approaches, light Jackstays, flying exercises, CASEX and ADEX were conducted over both days.

Tobruk, acting as a target merchant ship, was also boarded by a boarding party from FS Commandant Birot From a ship’s company perspective was extremely beneficial to see how another Navy conduct these evolutions.

During the Exercise, Tobruk’s Sea King helicopter, along with La Touche- Treville’s Lynx helicopter conducted number of flying exercises including passenger transfers and vertical replenishments (VERTREP) on all three ships.

Tobruk’s bridge, helicopter control and deck teams also gained some very valuable deck landing practice (DLP) with the Lynx helicopter.

Members of Tobruk’s ship’s company and NEOCs were crossdecked to the two French ships. French personnel were also able spend the better part of a day in Tobruk.

All participating personnel were transferred to/from their respective ships, via light jackstay, RHIB or the Tobruk’s embarked Sea King and Lynx helicopters.

Tobruk returned to Sydney on April 20 for brief respite before sailing May for Army Support activities in northern Australia and another NEOC cruise.

Tobruk’s French connection then continues in early June when she participates in Exercise Croix Du Sud in Noumea.

Following a brief New Zealand visit, Tobruk will return to Sydney for FAMP in early July before sailing again September 2004.

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