Fleet Base West has been seeing a lot of activity in recent times, as Australian and New Zealand ships, along with around 1200 sailors and officers, have converged on the West.
Australian and New Zealand Navies are participating in the comprehensive maritime training Exercise TRITON STORM 2 from 8 March – 8 April 2011.
As an Australian Navy-led, joint combined training activity, the exercise involves HMA Ships Perth, Parramatta, Ballarat, Toowoomba,Sirius and Waller, Ships Te Mana and Te Kaha as well as operating with RAAF and RNZAF including Hawks, AP-3C and P3K Orions and Wedge tail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft.
The purpose of TRITON STORM 2 is to ensure Navy personnel have the training required to progress Navy’s mission in 2011.
It also enables new personnel to be integrated into the ships’ company and apply their skills in practical situations.
The exercise is providing HMAS Toowoomba (Commander Andrew Quinn) the opportunity to progress to Unit Readiness, in preparation for operational deployment mid year.
HMAS Toowoomba successfully completed Work Up Progress Evaluation (WUPE) in the first week of Exercise TRITON STORM and will continue their training to achieve Unit Readiness in April.
Toowoomba’s involvement in TRITON STORM 2 provides Fleet Commander; through Sea Training Group, a very detailed assessment of the ship’s capabilities and also the opportunity to improve.
These training and assessment scenarios are designed to be as realistic as possible and require the ship’s company to complete tasks under significant stress.
Commander Andrew Quinn commented on the early progress of Toowoomba’s training.
“I am very proud of the efforts and enthusiasm of my crew. There’s more work to be done but we are achieving what we have set out to do. I believe we are on track to achieve our unit readiness in the coming weeks.”
The Exercise Director, CAPT Vandyke, said that training and preparedness is particularly important for all of Navy whilst maintaining the current high operational tempo, including response to civil emergency situations.
“Realistic training is an essential part of what we do. So when things happen for real, you are prepared mentally, physically and professionally.”
Exercise TRITON STORM 2 is the second of the four exercises in the TRITON Exercise series.
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