While on board USS Blue Ridge, Royal Australian Air Force SGT John Mace took part in a ceremony to commemorate the Battle of Java Sea. The battle saw the defeat of a combined Dutch, English, American and Australian Cruiser Task Force by a marginally more powerful Japanese force in February 1942.

A Royal Australian Air Force Sergeant has had the experience of a lifetime on board a United States Navy vessel during Operation Southern Swing.

SGT John Mace, from the Defence Signals Directorate, was attached to USS Blue Ridge for three months - and was full of praise for an adventure he described as both challenging and rewarding.

He not only made many new mates, but developed a greater understanding and respect for those who serve at sea.

'There are very few idle moments while at sea and rank does not exclude you from this,' he said.

According to John, this was the first time members with his specific skill set had been attached to USS Blue Ridge.

'SIG David Burgess and myself were loaned by the Defence Signals Directorate to assist in the Signal Research and Target development mission conducted within Australia's Area of Responsibility,' he explained.

During the deployment, the ship's company visited ports ranging from Brunei where more than 90 per cent of the population is Muslim to Dili, East Timor, delivering supplies to the United Nations and equipment for community relations. USS Blue Ridge also docked at Chennai, India; Phuket, Thailand; Darwin and Brisbane; Noumea, New Caledonia and Guam.

The Air Force Sergeant was impressed with the importance placed on community relations at each port.

'Prior to pulling into each port ... the Padre and CPO Jimmy Hill put out an email for volunteers to participate in Comrel (Community Relations),' John explained.

'This normally consists of helping out at a local orphanage or school by weeding, painting or a variety of chores to assist in some way. In India they took skateboards and other sporting equipment to give the children and in Dili they gave clothing and other gifts. While in Brisbane, the Seventh Fleet band and volunteers visited a home for the elderly where they provided entertainment and helped out with lunch and anything they could.

'The beautiful thing about this is that it is difficult to get involved due to the number of people on the ship that volunteer.'

John spoke highly of the professionalism of those he worked with and the high standard they continually maintained.

'This has been one of the most enjoyable times of my career, especially in the people I have met and worked with, the places that I have visited and the unique work I have been part of,' John said.

'My next goal is to work with the USS Blue Ridge and DSD to try and make this a permanent deployment for us - I am sure that both organisations would benefit from such an arrangement.'