Sydney and Choules meet at sea
HMAS Sydney rendezvoused with HMAS Choules in the Arafura Sea on 4 October, spending time operating together before continuing their separate deployments.
CAPTION: HMAS Sydney (V) sails in company with HMAS Choules off the North Coast of Australia during a Regional Presence Deployment. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photo by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.
Sydney was on her way back to Australia after more than four months at sea as part of a regional presence deployment across the Indo-Pacific.
Choules had departed Australia only days earlier and was en route to participate in Exercise Keris Woomera, a bilateral military exercise between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the ADF.
Keris Woomera enhances interoperability and strengthens the defence relationship between Australia and Indonesia.
CO Sydney Commander Hayden Jenkins said it was great to see another Australian ship as it operated across Australia’s northern approaches.
“Sydney has continued to demonstrate preparedness while nearing the conclusion of a four-month regional presence deployment,” he said.
“Across Australia’s northern approaches, Sydney conducted a replenishment with HMAS Stalwart before rendezvousing with HMAS Choules.
“Both activities provided an opportunity to enhance professional skills, build experience and demonstrate the ship’s capability.”
Sydney sailed from Fleet Base East on 9 June, participating in Exercises Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) and Pacific Dragon, both conducted in the waters off Hawaii from June to August.
Sydney then transited the Pacific Ocean to Guam for training activities and engagements, taking part in military Exercises Pacific Vanguard and Nichi-Gou Trident before sailing through the South China Sea.
Choules has also had a busy year supporting Exercise Pacific Partnership, a US-led multinational activity focused on strengthening humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities across South-East Asia.
Choules visited the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, where ADF personnel worked alongside regional and international partners to improve disaster preparedness and response planning.
CO Choules Commander Paul Hardman said his crew and embarked members of Australia’s Amphibious Force were looking forward to strengthening ties with the Indonesian National Armed Forces.
“As one ship returned from deployment and another sailed north to represent Australia abroad, the rendezvous highlighted the RAN’s enduring presence across the Indo-Pacific and its commitment to working alongside regional partners,” he said.
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