Three nations unite beneath the waves

Pittwater Basin on Sydney’s Northern Beaches appears like the perfect place to spend the school holidays, but, as thousands enjoyed their break at the beach, work was taking place beneath the waves.

CAPTION: An underwater demolition explosion during Exercise Dugong 2026 in Pittwater, NSW. Photo by Able Seaman Taylor Johnson.

Highly trained specialist clearance divers from three nations formed a 350-strong contingent from the RAN, Royal New Zealand Navy and US Navy participating in Exercise Dugong.

The Australian-led exercise focused on mine warfare, clearance diving and seabed warfare, providing a realistic training environment for Australia, New Zealand and the US to rapidly neutralise underwater threats, keep sea lines of communication open and protect freedom of navigation.

Two ships, HMAS Yarra and USS Pioneer, eight deployable autonomous underwater vehicles and specialist clearance diving teams participated, with activities spanning multiple locations along the east coast.

Exercise Director Captain Scott Craig said Dugong not only demonstrates trilateral cooperation, it proved that mine warfare and seabed warfare forces remain essential in complex and contested maritime environments.

“Exercise Dugong provides an important opportunity to integrate personnel, technology and capabilities with Indo-Pacific regional partners, sharing knowledge on emerging technologies so we remain prepared to address future maritime challenges,” Captain Craig said.

“I have been highly impressed with the expertise, hard work and dedication on display from all partner nations, showcasing we are a united, professional force.”

CO HMNZS Matataua Commander Greg Camburn said the exercise allowed New Zealand’s clearance divers and mine countermeasures operators to work side by side with their counterparts.

“Operating autonomous underwater vehicles and dive teams alongside USS Pioneer and Australian minehunters demonstrates our ability to rapidly deploy, integrate and conduct littoral mine countermeasures as part of a unified force anywhere in the region,” Commander Camburn said.

LTJG Tiernan Brunner, from US Navy EOD Mobile Unit 5, based in Guam, said the exercise was an invaluable opportunity to share tactics and procedures, and build relationships.

“We’re learning a lot and very grateful to gain exposure to different tactics we can integrate into our own procedures,” LTJG Brunner said.

“This is something we are looking forward to continuing throughout the exercise.”

This year’s exercise also carries special significance for the RAN, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Australian clearance diving capability.

Since 1951, RAN clearance divers have played a vital role in maritime operations and undersea warfare.

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