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Soldiers
participating in Exercise Swift Eagle board a CH-47D Chinook
helicopter after its landing on HMAS Kanimbla.
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Photo:
CPL Cameron Jamieson
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Keeping
a look out for hostile visitors - SMN Michael Holthouse
from HMAS Kanimbla gets ready for action. He is on force
protection duties as part of Exercise Swift Eagle.
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Photo:
CPL Cameron Jamieson
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By
CPL Cameron Jamieson
The
Navy is continuing to push back the boundaries of amphibious expeditionary
force operations following the efforts of HMAS Kanimbla during
the recent Exercise Swift Eagle.
While Kanimbla’s primary focus was the projection of the land
elements from Australia into the mythical operational area of
Capronesia, the ongoing role of providing the Joint Taskforce’s
command and control platform, coupled with being a major resupply
and sustainment node for the operation, proved the versatility
and adaptability of the amphibious transport.
Kanimbla was a constant hive of activity, buzzing to the sound
of numerous types of helicopters while an assortment of watercraft
were regularly docked to the stern of the ship or brought alongside.
The Commanding Officer of Kanimbla, CMDR Stephen Woodall, said
the exercise was an opportunity to show how the capability of
the ADF to operate from ships at sea has come a long way in the
last three years.
“Part of that is due to the LPAs and their increased capability,
and part of it is also due to the refocus on amphibious operations
and manoeuvring from the sea,” he said.
“Now the increasing role for Special Forces and counter-terrorism
is another avenue which these ships are very useful for.”
The evolving capabilities of the amphibious transports are also
having an impact on the next generation of LPAs.
“I think they are a test bed at the moment for their replacements,”
CMDR Woodall said.
“A lot of the work we are doing now is finding out what it is
that we think we need for the replacement ships, such as trials
of command and control issues, the size of ship we need and the
number of people we need to be able to embark.
“All of those factors will flow into the replacement ships and
that’s when you will see another significant step forward in capability.”
As for the current employment of the current LPAs, Kanimbla’s
Exeuctive Officer, LCDR Viktor Pilicic, agreed the ships have
plenty to offer for offshore operations.
“It’s proven that it is capable of embarking multiple aircraft
of various types, including Chinooks and Iroquois helicopters,”
said LCDR Pilicic.
“While we always want better communications equipment, the current
fit is by far the best around and its support to the deployable
joint force headquarters has been invaluable.
“I think Kanimbla’s very well placed to continue serving the ADF
for the next ten years.”
