HMAS Sydney recently joined a multinational task group to conduct cooperative activities in the Pacific Ocean.
Participants included the French Navy's FS Bretagne; German Navy's FGS Frankfurt Am Main and Baden-Wurttermberg; Italian Navy's ITS Cavour, Alpino and Montecuccoli; and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's JS Izumo and Onami.
Commanding Officer Sydney Commander Grant Coleman said working with partner nations enabled Australia to deepen its military-to-military relationships.
"While we often work with our French partners in the Pacific, the opportunity to integrate with the Italian and German navies does not often arise due to our geographical distances, but over recent years they've participated in more activities together in the Indo-Pacific region," Commander Coleman said.
"Enhancing our relationships with allies and regional partners such as Japan through cooperative activities like this allows us to strengthen our interoperability."
Sydney conducted cross-decking activities, officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres including a formation foxtrot and a replenishment at sea (RAS) with Frankfurt Am Main.
"It was our second replenishment at sea with the German Navy FGS Frankfurt Am Main and it was a dual RAS with ITS Montecuccoli so it was great to work with them again after Exercise RIMPAC," Commander Coleman said.
Executive Officer Sydney Lieutenant Commander Simone Macintosh conducted key leadership and cross-decking activities on board Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour.
"I am so grateful to have been invited. I had the privilege of experiencing exceptional hospitality and camaraderie by Rear Admiral Ciappina in the North Pacific Ocean," Lieutenant Commander Macintosh said.
"This opportunity highlighted our shared commitment to naval interoperability and further reinforces the strength and unity of our friendships and alliances."
Sydney is conducting a regional presence deployment enhancing cooperation and relationships with regional partners and allies.
