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Adelaide’s three carrier send-off
By LEUT Debra Holland
Volume 50, No. 18, October 04, 2007 |
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HMAS Adelaide notched up another first in her long and distinguished career.
In the Indian waters of the Bay of Bengal, Exercise Malabar 07-2, Adelaide took up station alongside 14 other international naval vessels. These included the aircraft carriers USS Kitty Hawk, USS Nimitz and INS Viraat.
Malabar 07-2 has proven to be the largest multinational naval exercise yet held in the north-east Indian Ocean, bringing together 26 ships, 200 aircraft and some 20,000 personnel.
The Commanding Officer of HMAS Adelaide, CMDR Rob Slaven, said that Malabar 07-2 had provided Adelaide’s crew with a swag of memorable experiences, with the exercise clearly competing with RIMPAC for both size and the wow factor.
Malabar marks Adelaide’s last major international exercise and ‘warmed the turn’ for her visit to India.
“The most inspiring sight for the ship’s company has been the sight of three aircraft carriers steaming a mere 500 yards astern the nuclear powered submarine USS Chicago.
“For a great many of the crew, this was the first time that they have operated with an aircraft carrier. Also having three battle groups operating in such close proximity to each other is a rare privilege,” CMDR Slaven said.
This is the first time that Australia has been invited to deploy ships to Exercise Malabar, with the RAN working side by side with units from India, Japan, the United States and Singapore.
The five participating nations proved their ability to operate together, with the demonstration of effective common procedures and new-found friendships. |
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TASK GROUP: Exercise Malabar is an annual maritime training exercise conducted between the navies of India and the United States. Malabar 07-2 heralded the inaugural participation of the RAN at the request of the Indian Navy. HMAS Ships Adelaide and Sirius joined naval forces from India, the United States, Singapore and Japan for the week-long exercise in the North East Indian Ocean.
Photo: MC2 Jarod Hodge, USS Kitty Hawk |
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NAVIGATOR: LEUT Gillin takes a bearing through the pelorus onboard HMAS Adelaide.
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FLYING COLOURS: ABCIS Sofi Griffin manning the flag bin on HMAS Adelaide during a replenishment at sea.
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IN CONTACT: ABMT Watson in the command control station communicating with the engine room onboard HMAS Adelaide.
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NAVY OFFICERS: CMDR Robert Slaven and Officer of the Watch SBLT Daniel Lister on Adelaide’s bridgewing during manoeuvre in the NW Indian Ocean.
Photos: ABPH Nadia Monteith
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ON WATCH: ABCSO Neale Merrick in the operations room of HMAS Adelaide. |
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DRIVING SEAT: SMNBM Corey Wright on the helm of HMAS Adelaide. |
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MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE: HMAS Adelaide rides shotgun on no less than three aircraft carriers during the initial phase of Exercise Malabar in the Bay of Bengal – (L to R) USS Kitty Hawk, HMAS Adelaide, INS Viraat, USS Chicago (in distance) and USS Nimitz. Adelaide safely escorted her charges throughout the exercise and notched up some considerable kudos for the RAN with her swift and decisive reactions to the “ditching” of an Indian Sea Harrier fighter late in the WAREX Phase. Adelaide enjoyed the exercise, renewing several inter-ship friendships made earlier this year during Exercise Bersama Shield and the defence expo IMDEX, while forging new links with our Indian Ocean neighbours. Adelaide later conducted goodwill port visits in India.
Photo: LEUT Keith Whitehead |
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