17 November 2020
HMAS Arunta has conducted a passage exercise with Japanese Ship Shimakaze after a two-day logistics' visit to Sasebo, Japan.
This was Arunta’s fifth interaction with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) during her deployment.
Commanding Officer Arunta Commander Troy Duggan said the crew was extremely pleased to be working with the JMSDF again.
“Our navies share a lot of similarities in the way we operate, which can be seen by the professional way this exercise was conducted," he said.
The Australian and Japanese ships rendezvoused off the coast of Japan to conduct the passage exercise, which included maritime manoeuvres.
Officer of the watch Sub Lieutenant Samantha Brandstater said she was impressed with the high level of professionalism displayed by the crew of JS Shimakaze during the passage exercise.
“One of the most important elements of conducting manoeuvres is clear and concise communications between participants,” she said.
“The fact that the exercise effectively and efficiently achieved all of its aims is testament to the coordination of both ships, and demonstrates a high level of interoperability between our two navies.”
Arunta carried out its latest passage exercise with the JMSDF after two weeks on Operation Argos.
Operation Argos supports the enforcement of United Nations’ Security Council sanctions on North Korea by monitoring and deterring illegal ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods.
Arunta will return to her home port of Fleet Base West, Western Australia, after an absence of 164 days, which included participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific as part of Regional Presence Deployment 2020.
