The crew of HMAS Toowoomba has been sharpening their skills in the South China Sea with one of the ship’s primary weapons, the Mark 45 five-inch naval artillery gun. 

Sailing on its regional presence deployment, Toowoomba’s crew conducted a live-fire exercise on April 3 to maintain their operational readiness.

While from the outside, the firing looks relatively simple, Electronic Technician – Weapons Able Seaman Jessica Marchesani said it took a team to do it right.

“This is a whole-ship evolution. It takes all departments working together in the ultimate team exercise,” Able Seaman Marchesani said.

The modern naval artillery gun mount features an automatic loader that can fire up to 20 rounds per minute.

The Weapons Electrical Department’s six-man crew – composed of a gun captain, panel operator and ammunition loaders – are responsible for ‘feeding the beast’.

“We’re getting quicker. There’s a lot of effort that goes on behind the scenes,” Able Seaman Marchesani said. 

“On the planning and technical side, there’s a lot of effort to ensure a safe and effective shoot.”

A weapon that has been continually updated since it was developed in 1968, the Mark 45 Mod 2 Gun is designed for use against surface warships, anti-aircraft defence and shore bombardment.

'This is a whole-ship evolution. It takes all departments working together in the ultimate team exercise.'

Live-fire exercises are conducted in a controlled firing area with strict safety measures and mandatory maritime broadcasts to ensure the safety of all mariners.

This includes required safety broadcasts, notices to mariners and navigational warnings to ensure a safe operating environment.

It can be said that the electronics technicians, or ‘greenies’, provide the muscle, but the brains are up in the operations room, where the principal warfare officers and fire control officers point and shoot.

Operations room supervisor Petty Officer Cooper O’Hara said what looked like a one-minute shooting serial could take his team hours of preparation.

“They did really well today. We have been conducting extensive drilling leading up to the firing to ensure we could carry out a professional serial,” Petty Officer O’Hara said.

Petty Officer O’Hara added that on a long regional presence deployment throughout East Asia and South-East Asia, it was important for the teams to continue training in international waters, just as they would when operating on station in Australian waters.

“It’s extremely important to continue to develop our skills in this environment to guarantee, if required, that we are always ready to carry out our higher authorities’ intent,” Petty Officer O’Hara said.

Commanding Officer Toowoomba Commander Alicia Harrison said that through training, operations and engagement, Australia aimed to deepen trust and interoperability with its partners, and the experience and readiness of its own people.

“These deployments and training exercises are routine, transparent and showcase the professionalism and capability of the Royal Australian Navy,” Commander Harrison said.