During exercises in Britain and Scotland, Anzac proves she is the...
Pride of the fleet

By LEUT Rachel Irving

HMAS Anzac carried the pride of the Royal Australian Navy on her shoulders in Portsmouth recently when she was just one of six ships to sail past in formation for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

SPECTACULAR: Fireworks in Portsmouth dwarf the ships in the water. The display is designed to re-enact the Battle of Trafalgar.

FIRE AWAY: Joint Maritime Course participant, the German Gepard Class Fast Inshore Attack Craft FGS Gepard, launches decoys against infra-red enemy missile attacks.

SMOKING: A German Gepard Class Fast Inshore Attack Craft gains speed during the Joint Maritime Course, off north west Scotland.

GLORIOUS: Tall Ships and warships lineed up alongside HMNB Portsmouth, in preparation for the Queen’s Fleet Review.

TEAM WORK: A Joint Maritime Course Carrier Group containing (from left to right) British Ship HMS Westminster, Turkish ship TCG Orucreis, American Ship USS McFaul and British Aircraft Carrier HMS Illustrious.

In a spectacle unlike any other, more than 170 ships from around the world lined the Solent in a formation which stretched seven miles long and four rows deep.

Ships from countries as diverse as Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Poland, Pakistan, Morocco, Nigeria and Turkey all anchored in a display of sea power and maritime brotherhood.

HMS Invincible signalled the start of the International Fleet Review at 1pm with the firing of the Royal Salute.

The Queen, embarked in HMS Endurance, then began her journey along the lines of ships, with 30,000 sailors from more than 38 nations manning their upper decks to salute Her Majesty.

Anzac was one of just two foreign vessels in a group of six ships to then conduct a fast steam past down the central line of ships, saluting the Queen, with a traditional ‘Cheer Ship’.

Her Seahawk helicopter, Syndrome, led a formation of four helicopters out in a flypast of aircraft old and new. Commanding Officer of Anzac, CAPT Richard Menhinick, said the event was a ‘once in a lifetime’.

“Sailing seven nautical miles at 17 knots with 300 yards between ships was an event we will never forget,” CAPT Menhinick said.

“The panorama for the ship’s company is one that will remain unrivalled through their careers. “It was a truly spectacular day.”

In the evening, with hundreds of ships including Anzac at anchor in darkness, a Son et Lumiere show filled the night sky in a spectacle for the quarter of a million people who lined the shore.

The show re-enacted battles from the era of Nelson and culminated in a fireworks display and the lighting of the assembled fleet.

The International Fleet Review was held as part of commemorations to mark the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

It is the first time a Royal Review has taken place since 1977. HMAS Anzac was in Portsmouth as part of her Northern Trident deployment. She will stay in Portsmouth and participate in the International Festival of the Sea celebrations.

 

By LEUT Rachel Irving

Anzac really has had no time to rest during her Northern Trident tour. Before heading to Portsmouth for the Inter- International Fleet Review, national Anzac spent some time further north, participating in the Joint Maritime Course in Scotland.

During the course, 48 ships and submarines and more than 80 aircraft battled it out in a 10 day scenario that saw the Mustardians and Heb- Hebrideans work together to expand their territorial rideans waters, while the Brownians and Cyanicans de- defended their territory.

fended Anzac sailed with the Mustardian force, un- under the command of HMS der Illustrious Illustrious, and on the , first day, ran into opposition, coming under at- attack from terrorist jet skis, fast attack craft and tack aircraft.

She was then confronted with her first anti- antisubmarine exercise in order to clear the area of submarine Brownian and Cyanican threats while awaiting the arrival of Illustrious Illustrious.

Principal Warfare Officer LEUT Stefaan De Brauwer said the course gave the operators a chance to learn to work with other navies, pro- providing the experience required to conduct op- viding operations with other countries. erations “The operators learn to work,” he said.

“The Scottish Exercise Area is a challenging environment due to the many islands and lochs which also provide some spectacular views.”

Anzac will continue her Northern Trident de- deployment and is set to arrive home to HMAS ployment Stirling mid-August.

.