Royal Australian Navy ships deployed across the Indo-Pacific during August delivered a range of operational, training and engagement activities with allies and partners as part of Australian Maritime Task Group 665.5.

HMAS Perth conducted operations in support of the United States Navy’s Seventh Fleet and Australian Government tasking. 

The destroyer joined USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group activities, visited Malaysia and Thailand, trained with Royal Thai Navy ship HTMS Bangpakong, and completed a replenishment at sea with a United States civilian oiler.

Commanding Officer HMAS Perth Commander Dylan White said the deployment tested the ship and crew across a diverse range of activities.

“Although we have only been deployed for just over a month, we have already conducted a wide variety of operations and international engagements whilst in the region,” Commander White said.

“Regional presence deployments enable us to work with allies and partners and build skills that are only possible when away from the comforts of home. We are looking forward to more opportunities to extend ourselves during the remainder of the deployment.”

'These activities have increased our interoperability, enhanced our warfighting skills and lethality, and contributed to maritime presence across the Indo-Pacific region.'

In the central Pacific, Commanding Officer HMAS Sydney Commander Hayden Jenkins told how they successfully completed Exercise Pacific Dragon in Hawaii before commencing Pacific Vanguard activities in Guam.

“In doing so, Sydney travelled more than 3500 nautical miles, approximately 6500 kilometres, and operated with ships from seven allied and partner nations,” Commander Jenkins said.

“These activities have increased our interoperability, enhanced our warfighting skills and lethality, and contributed to maritime presence across the Indo-Pacific region.”

HMAS Supply supported Seventh Fleet operations across North-East Asia, conducting a replenishment at sea and vertical replenishment activities while operating from ports including Subic Bay, Okinawa and Sasebo.

Commanding Officer HMAS Leeuwin Commander Danny Finn explained the hydrographic survey ship completed a five-week mission in Papua New Guinea (PNG), continuing a longstanding partnership that supports navigational safety and maritime knowledge.

“It's great to come back to help improve the charting quality here for the safety of PNG personnel and also for ships transiting through. Deployments like this deepen our partnerships with the PNG Defence Force and the local community,” Commander Finn said.

Operating thousands of kilometres apart, the four ships delivered complementary effects that strengthened partnerships, improved interoperability and maintained Australian maritime presence across the Indo-Pacific.