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LEUT
Kerry Matthews in the ops room.
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HMAS
Adelaide Operations
(MPEG Video 7.51 MB)
At
24 years old, FFG HMAS Adelaide is one of
RAN’s oldest ships with only 18 months before she pays off.
By
CPL Damian Shovell
At
24 years old, FFG HMAS Adelaide is one of RAN’s oldest ships with
only 18 months before she pays off.
But far from spending her twilight years reclining, she’s patrolling
the Northern Persian Gulf carrying out Operation Catalyst tasks,
as well as giving a few tips to young players at the same time.
Adelaide’s captain, CMDR Bruce Victor, said Adelaide’s mission
as part of the Maritime Interception Force (MIF) is twofold -
prevent the supply of illegal imports into Iraq (including weapons)
and contribute to Iraq’s security and stability by securing the
two oil terminals, Al Basrah and Kal Alamaya.
CMDR Victor said about 10 Coalition ships from the three MIF contributing
nations, the US, Great Britain and Australia patrol the Persian
Gulf, and have recently been joined by the Iraqi Coastal Defence
Force following their commencement of operations on October 1.
“They are just starting to be integrated into our operations up
here on a limited scale,” he said.
“We see them each day, when they conduct patrols. It’s good integration
and it demonstrates the success of the whole of Australian government
commitment.”
He said Adelaide’s usual rotation in The Gulf is between three
and four weeks on task, followed by a week of rest.
He said tasks are set by the mission and include boarding and
searching merchant ships going into Iraq and the oil terminals
and in conducting security (patrolling) operations.
Additionally, Adelaide provides logistical support by refuelling
smaller Coalition vessels, conducts daily helicopter surface sortie
missions and when required, provides meals to US personnel stationed
on the oil platforms.
CMDR Victor said Adelaide is achieving this in a challenging environment,
not only from the increased threat level following the attacks
on the terminals that HMASStuart responded to on April 24, but
from the physical environment with summer heat exceeding 50 degrees,
shallow depth for the ship to operate in and at times, extremely
reduced visibility from fog and sand storms.
“… And it’s not unusual to have sixty or seventy dhows operating
within 3000 yards of the terminal.”
He said Adelaide’s lead-up training took into the account challenges
Stuart faced and emphasised dealing with mass casualties away
from the ship, recovering casualties onboard and evacuating them
to shore, having to deal with multiple threats from different
angles, and organising other ships into search-type patterns.
“… Having said that, nothing that we’ve done here is any different
to the training that we’ve had in Australia.”
CMDR Victor said he’s seen no evidence of directed attacks, and
said the main protagonists entering the exclusion zone were from
accidental and belligerent incursions, which he said are dealt
with through a series of graduated responses.
CMDR Victor praised his ship’s company for their efforts.
“Overall the sailors are working at least 12 hours on watch each
day and usually more than that when we have all the extra activities
being conducted outside of their watch times.
“One of the greatest challenges is responding with flexibility,
and it’s the Australian can-do attitude from the whole of ships’
company in the way that these guys are able to function.
“To be able to do so many different evolutions when they’re called
upon - that really does demonstrate the quality of the training
that we receive back in Australia.
To be able to fly the aircraft, fuel patrol boats, receive other
boats alongside – when we can be doing two different boardings
and still be defending the oil platforms at the same time, it
demonstrates the quality of the training that we’ve been given.”
Top
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LS
Stuart Pretten and POMED David Spencer return to Adelaide
from USS Essex (background).
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LS
Cole Stockman conducts maintenance onboard Adelaide’s Seahawk
helicopter.
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Officer
of the Watch LEUT Elena McEwen checks the bearing to another
vessel.
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AB
Allan Beare Above: AB Allan Beare of the Seahawk crew of
the Seahawk crew keeps his kit in work- keeps his kit in
working order. ing order.
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Sailors
man the distance line during a RAS with USS Guadalupe.
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ABET
Mark Baker helps keep HMAS Adelaide’s 76mm gun ready to
go.
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Nothing
escspes the watchful eyes of ABCSO Justin Caboche, on watch
in the operations room.
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AB
Chris Edmond demonstrates how to use a Broco cutter.
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ABCSO
Nathan Young ensures Adelaide’s safety while on watch during
the night.
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ABCSO
Nina Clements and POCSS Paul Cocks in the operations room.
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