By
LEUT Mark Williams
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Ships
taking part in the Western Pacific MCMEX/DIVEX at anchor
at Changi Naval Base in Singapore.
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The
laying of mines across major sea lane choke points such as the
Singapore Straits would bring major economic disruption to the
world economy, the Singapore Defence Minister, RADM (NS) Teo Chee
Hean warned recently.
To clear the lanes and make them safe would require more effort
than the sovereign states alone could provide, RADM Teo said.
His remarks came during the opening ceremony of the Western Pacific
Mine countermeasures/diving exercise, MCMEX/DIVEX 02/04. The Rear
Admiral’s remarks gave “purpose” to the exercise.
Two coastal minehunters, HMAS Diamantina (LCDR Paul Scott) and
HMAS Huon (LCDR Kel Dillon) and AUSCDTONE (LCDR Dave Hughes) took
part in the extensive drill.
Held from April 20 to May 5, the exercise initially began at the
Changi Naval Base in Singapore before moving to the Singapore
Straits and off the Indonesian island of Palau Bintan (southeast
of Singapore).
Singapore and Indonesia co-hosted the exercise. Nineteen ships
took part from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Thailand,
Japan and South Korea as well as Australia.
Eight other nations sent observers including China, Canada, Russia,
France and the US.
The WPNSMCMX and DIVEX (weapons mine counter measure and diving
exercise) key objectives of achieving interoperability among nations
in MCM were successfully achieved with all activities coordinated
well by the co-hosts.
There were a number of highlights during the exercise.
For Diamantina, the exercise also saw a milestone achieved for
the ship as she conducted her first ever MDC firing only days
prior to her second birthday.
