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What
the exercise is all about
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The
RIMPAC series of exercises is a biennial series of multilateral
exercises held under US auspices. The 20th and largest in
the series, RIMPAC 2004 will comprise forces from the USA,
Australia, UK, Canada, Japan, Korea, Peru, Chile and France.
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It
will be held between
June 29 and July 25.
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RIMPAC
provides the ADF with the chance to integrate operational
headquarters staff and tactical units into a US-led coalition
task force covering all facets of maritime warfare, including
undersea warfare, anti-surface warfare and amphibious operations.
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View
the RIMPAC
04 website.
THREE crews and support personnel from No. 92 Wing intend to make
a greater impact than Chad Rowan when they deploy to the Hawaiian
Islands for Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004.
Rowan is the Hawaiian-born Sumo wrestling champion, standing 104cm
and weighing 227kg, who in 1993 became the first foreigner to
reach Sumo’s top ranks.
The 92WG members and two AP-3Cs will deploy in early July and
join HMA Ships Newcastle, Parramatta and Success, HMA Submarine
Rankin and a Clearance Diving Team, as well as a rifle company
from 2RAR, on the island of Oahu for RIMPAC.
They will engage in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, surveillance
and other maritime tasks in support of the Multinational Force
(MNF) assembled to thwart the opposing US/ Japanese Bilateral
Force (BIF). They will also have the chance to launch MK-46 anti-submarine
torpedoes at the US Navy’s instrumented underwater range.
The crews look forward to the professional and personal benefits
of working in a multinational environment in one of the world’s
most spectacular areas.
Squadron Leader George Zidlicky, a 92WG OPSO, said the exercise
created an environment for significant cross-pollination of ideas
and processes.
“I look forward to working with US and Canadian personnel, as
they are a significant part of our other overseas exercises. The
opportunity to visit some of the famous military sites such as
the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri is a distinct bonus,”
he said.
Flight Lieutenant Damien Donavan, also a 92WG OPSO, said RIMPAC
would provide an enriching opportunity to work with personnel
from other countries as well as other areas of 92WG, such as aircrew
and maintenance personnel with whom direct contact was “rare”.
“Not only do we enhance our defence capabilities but we can also
improve our working knowledge and skill-sets by learning how other
nations do things,” he said. “Of course, the prospect of watching
the sun set over the Pacific or soaking up some rays on Oahu in
the middle of the Australian winter are no small considerations.”
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CPL
Nick Hurn, foreground, and LAC Rob Lobban and LAC Lindsay
Davis load sonobuoys into an Orion as they prepare to deploy
on RIMPAC.
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Photo
by LAC Casey Smith
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For
Corporal Roy Betts, an 11SQN avionics technician, the deloyment
is his first time overseas.
“Work-wise
I hope there is enough to do with out being over worked as I would
like some time to be able to explore some of the sights. I am
also looking forward to seeing how the aircraft are put into use
in an operational situation and how our operating procedures differ
from those in other countries,” he said.
Fellow 11SQN technicians Corporal Nick Hurn, Leading Aircraftmen
Rob Lobban and Lindsay Davis expected to get experience that will
benefit them when they are deployed to places such as the MEAO.
They also hoped to find time to see the scenery of the Hawaiian
Islands.
Sergeant James Frost, an 11SQN Airborne Electronics Analyst, believes
the exercise will enhance his crew’s knowledge and tactical experience.
“Over the course of the deployment the crew should steadily improve,
individually and collectively. Individually this will be accomplished
with each member completing category upgrades in their specific areas.
“These individual improvements combined with the crew’s exposure
to such a challenging environment will greatly increase the crew’s
proficiency and general ability.”
Flying Officer Joyce Small, an 11SQN navigator, hopes to increase
her knowledge and understanding of submarine and fleet support
operations conducted with foreign forces.
“Since
I have not had much exposure to operations or exercises outside
Australia, this will be a good opportunity to build upon the training
that my crew and I have received in the simulator and during local
missions,” FLGOFF Small said.
“Another advantage of participating in RIMPAC is continual exposure
to the fleet support environment, which allows for progressive
improvement in personal ability and crew coordination.”
Group Captain Warren Ludwig, OC 92WG, has been appointed the MNF
Maritime Patrol Commander. He will control the tasking of all
Maritime Patrol aircraft participating in the exercise, while
Wing Commander Dick Larking, CO 11SQN, will be the Detachment
Commander.
Caribous
deploy
TWO
Caribous and their crews provided air transport support throughout
Exercise Croix du Sud 2004 in New Caledonia. The major biennial
exercise for the French Armed Forces New Caledonia ended on June
13.
