Warramunga all fired up on Indian Ocean

Warships of the Royal Australian Navy, United States Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted two days of combined training in the Indian Ocean while sailing to India for Exercise Milan.

CAPTION: HMAS Warramunga fires its 5-inch naval gun during a joint live-firing with USS Halsey while at sea on regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring. Photos by Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

Australia’s Anzac-class frigate HMAS Warramunga joined with the United States’ Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Halsey and Japan’s Takanami-class destroyer JS Sazanami from February 17-18 while sailing from Singapore to the Indian port of Vishakhapatnam.

Called ‘Noble Dingo’, the two-day training activity in the Bay of Bengal was designed to enhance the three navies’ ability to operate together.

The ships steamed in formation and conducted tactical manoeuvring, coordinated helicopter operations, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare exercises as well as conducting a combined 5-inch gun firing.

Five personnel each from Halsey and Warramunga participated in a cross-deck exchange to experience life in their ally’s ship while building professional relationships.

Warramunga, Halsey and Sazanami arrived in Vishakhapatnam on completing Noble Dingo, in time for the Exercise Milan harbour phase, which commenced on February 19.

Noble Dingo was part of the Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment Warramunga has been undertaking throughout South and South-East Asia since early February.

CAPTION: USS Halsey, JS Sazanami and HMAS Warramunga conduct a cooperative activity during a regional presence deployment

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