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THIS
WAY: Navy units taking part in the first Minor War Vessel
Concentration Period in Cairns.
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HMAS
Cairns played host to the first Minor War Vessel Concentration
Period for 2005.
The exercise was conducted from February 28 to March 11 in the
Cairns Exercise Area and in the Cowley Bay Training Area.
It was the first exercise of this type conducted in Cairns and
integrated elements of the Hydrographic, Amphibious and Patrol
Boat Force Element Groups.
The exercise also enhanced bilateral naval relations between the
Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and French Armed Forces. Close to
300 personnel from the Australian Navy, Army and French Navy took
part in the event.
Ships took part in a five-day sea phase in the Inner Great Barrier
Reef waters between Cairns and Dunk Island.
The ships included: HMAS Benalla, HMAS Shepparton, HMAS Labuan,
HMAS Brunei, HMAS Tarakan, HMAS Balikpapan HMAS Wewak, HMAS Gladstone,
HMAS Ipswich and FNS La Moqueuse.
Among the aviation units taking part were two Squirrel helicopters
from 723 Squadron.
