iNFLATABLE BOATS

Maningrida, NT

Australian Army soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment prepare Zodiac rigid inflatable boats to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks during Exercise Warfighter held in Townsville, Queensland. *** Local Caption *** The Australian Army’s 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment conducted amphibious training at Pallarenda, Townsville from 8-10 March 2021 to test the readiness of its soldiers prior to the Joint Warfare Series later in the year. The Warfighter Exercise focused on foundation warfighting skills relating to 2 RAR’s amphibious role and saw troops conduct a night amphibious beach landing followed by reconnaissance and surveillance along the coastline. This was the first time 2 RAR conducted amphibious training at Pallarenda, enhancing the training experience for soldiers who were operating in a realistic and unfamiliar environment.

HMAS Warramunga launches a Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat while she transits to Exercise Malabar. *** Local Caption *** HMAS Warramunga departed Fleet Base West in Western Australia on 15 August 2021 in order to conduct Warramunga's first major deployment since completion of AMCAP upgrade at the Henderson Dockyard. HMAS Warramunga took the opportunity to conduct a series of evolutions designed to evaluate the Anzac Class ship's capabilities since her upgrade and test the skills of her Crew. These included a weapons launch from the torpedo tubes, firing the 5-inch gun and conducting navigation and maritime warfare exercises. Warramunga also conducted a replenishment at sea with HMAS Sirius which tested both ship’s capability to refuel while underway. HMAS Warramunga is due to participate in Exercises MALABAR and AUSINDEX before returning the Fleet Base West in September.

Defence Work Experience Program visits HMAS Cerberus articipants in the Defence Work Experience Program ride in a Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats during their visit to HMAS Cerberus, Victoria. This activity was conducted outside any COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria and in accordance with applicable COVID-Safe practices. *** Local Caption *** Defence's work experience program has recommenced under strict Covid-safe conditions in Victoria. Maritime Warfare South at HMAS Cerberus hosted work experience students for the first time in May 2021. Twenty young people from the local area enjoyed undertaking activities within some of the Navy's newest facilities, including the recently completed Survival at Sea Training Centre and School of Ship Safety and Survivability.

Honorary Lieutenant Daniel Blackman drives one of HMAS Hobart's Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats. *** Local Caption *** Make-A-Wish Australia, The Royal Australian Navy and The Australian Federal Police joined forces for a very special cause over the weekend, which saw a young boy’s spectacular wish come true. 12-year-old Daniel wished “to ride in a police car, fly in a helicopter and head out to sea on a battleship” as he has always felt a special connection with emergency services and the armed forces, being born on Anzac Day. The wish, dubbed ‘Operation Kingsman’, came to life over two magical days across Canberra and New South Wales. Daniel enjoyed a police escort to his own helicopter where he flew across the skies to HMAS Creswell, in Jervis Bay, to spend the night in the establishment’s cabins. Daniel then boarded HMAS Hobart, where he executed his mission aboard the ship with Commanding Officer Captain John Stavridis. The Australian Navy and Australian Federal Police embraced the wish and supported Daniel throughout his mission to ensure that he felt like one of the crew.

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021 - HMAS Brisbane’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat returns to the ship after a man overboard training exercise, as they sail off the coast of Queensland, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021. *** Local Caption *** Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021 (TS21) is the largest bilateral training activity between Australia and the United States, commencing on July 14 2021. Held every two years, TS21 aims to test Australian interoperability with the United States and other participating forces in complex warfighting scenarios. In addition to the United States, TS21 involves participating forces from Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The exercise includes a Field Training Exercise incorporating force preparation (logistic) activities, amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvres, urban operations, air combat and maritime operations. Activities will peak from 18-31 July across Queensland. TS21 is a major undertaking for all attending nations and demonstrates the combined capability to achieve large-scale operational outcomes within a COVID-19 safe environment.

HMAS Parramatta's Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) conducts a man overboard recovery during a training exercise while deployed with task force Indo-Pacific Endeavour 17. *** Local Caption *** An Australian Defence Force (ADF) Joint Task Group, Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017, is participating in a series of key Military Exercises throughout the Indo-Pacific Region. Running from September to November, Indo Pacific Endeavour will focus on enhancing military cooperation with some of Australia's key regional partners including Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Brunei, Timor-Leste, Thailand, Cambodia and the Federated States of Micronesia. The deployment, in planning for more than 12 months, is part of ongoing efforts to enhance and develop strong positive relations with regional militaries through both dialogue and practical activities. The Joint Task Group will demonstrate the ADF’s ability to operate across the full spectrum of military operations, from high-end military capabilities such as anti-submarine warfare to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. HMAS Adelaide will be accompanied at various stages of the deployment by HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Darwin, HMAS Toowoomba, HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Sirius, making it the biggest coordinated task group deployment in many decades. Indo-Pacific Endeavour will also involve personnel from the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force and include Defence civilians, ADF helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.