DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 039/10
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Navy’s Fleet sails into action off the East Coast
Eleven Australian Navy warships have sailed out of Sydney Harbour to begin an
intensive five-week war game stretching from Southern New South Wales to
Queensland.
The Fleet Concentration Period (FCP 10) is an annual event, designed to test and hone
the skills of thousands of men and women from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The New Zealand Navy will also be on
show, with the giant multirole ship HMNZS Canterbury playing a key role in the
exercise.
The exercise will begin at Jervis Bay, with anti-surface warfare serials, surface
gunnery against towed targets and naval gunfire support against shore batteries. It
will then progress to more complex scenarios and the task group will head north to the
coast off Newcastle for comprehensive anti-air warfare manoeuvres against RAAF
Hawk aircraft.
Simultaneously, an amphibious ship, clearance divers and an Army combat team will
conduct in-depth training within Queensland’s Shoalwater Bay Training Area,
culminating in an amphibious landing of soldiers from the 3rd Brigade (3 Bde).
Whilst in Jervis Bay simulated mine clearance operations, utilising advanced
technological equipment and Navy divers, will occur.
Commodore Training, Commodore Daryl Bates, says it will be a very busy time for
the RAN.
“The training these ships will undertake over the next five weeks will be as
challenging as it is varied. The aim is to make sure we are well prepared for the year
ahead,” Commodore Bates said.
FCP 10 is part of the RAN’s ongoing training program and will increase Australian
Defence Force capability to protect Australia and its interests. In addition FCP 10
will strengthen defence relationships and improve interoperability with the Royal
New Zealand Navy. It is a carefully planned activity and will be conducted within
strict environmental, safety and risk management constraints.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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