The US Navy has described HMAS Rankin as “a formidable opponent†after her performance in the last major training exercise before the start of RIMPAC.
Rankin (LCDR Steve Hussey) was the centrepiece of Exercise Silent Fury as a “hostile†submarine, pitted against a highly capable US Navy USW task group last month.
The US guided missile destroyers USS O’Kane and USS Paul Hamilton, guided missile frigate USS Reuben James, nuclear submarine USS Key West, Destroyer Squadron 31, six Patrol Squadron anti-submarine P-3C Orion combat crews and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 37 united themselves against the Australian “Black Knightâ€.
“Silent Fury was an excellent opportunity for us to challenge our air crews in our primary mission area of undersea warfare,†said CMDR David Smith, Commanding Officer of the US Patrol Squadron 4.
“Rankin was a formidable opponent and provided unique training opportunities for the entire task force and us,†he said.
“Silent Fury was an outstanding precursor for us as we get ready for RIMPAC.â€
The US recognises that the Collins class diesel submarines are superb at exceptionally silent underwater operations.
Rankin took a break from an 18,000 nautical mile odyssey, completing a maintenance period in Pearl Harbour Naval Base prior to the exercise.
The submarine will take part in further operations with the US Navy before returning to Australia in September.
It was a long journey for the Black Knight, having departed Australia in April.
Her first port of call was Jinhae, Republic of Korea, for a quick rest before participating in Exercise Pacific Reach, an escape exercise off the coast of Korea.
Here the team swapped tales with submariners from across the Pacific Rim and enjoyed some of the local hospitality and cuisine.
The Black Knight became the second Australian Collins class submarine to visit the land of the rising sun, arriving in the naval port of Kure, Japan, in May via the Inland Sea.
While in port the ship’s company was treated to outstanding traditional Japanese entertainment care of host submarine JDS Fuyushio and once again everyone indulged in the delicious local fare.
Rankin also became the first Collins submarine to conduct a goodwill exercise with the Japanese Self Defence Force, dodging typhoons to work with both Japanese surface units and aircraft.
http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/4713/feature/feature01.htm
Rankin (LCDR Steve Hussey) was the centrepiece of Exercise Silent Fury as a “hostile†submarine, pitted against a highly capable US Navy USW task group last month.
The US guided missile destroyers USS O’Kane and USS Paul Hamilton, guided missile frigate USS Reuben James, nuclear submarine USS Key West, Destroyer Squadron 31, six Patrol Squadron anti-submarine P-3C Orion combat crews and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 37 united themselves against the Australian “Black Knightâ€.
“Silent Fury was an excellent opportunity for us to challenge our air crews in our primary mission area of undersea warfare,†said CMDR David Smith, Commanding Officer of the US Patrol Squadron 4.
“Rankin was a formidable opponent and provided unique training opportunities for the entire task force and us,†he said.
“Silent Fury was an outstanding precursor for us as we get ready for RIMPAC.â€
The US recognises that the Collins class diesel submarines are superb at exceptionally silent underwater operations.
Rankin took a break from an 18,000 nautical mile odyssey, completing a maintenance period in Pearl Harbour Naval Base prior to the exercise.
The submarine will take part in further operations with the US Navy before returning to Australia in September.
It was a long journey for the Black Knight, having departed Australia in April.
Her first port of call was Jinhae, Republic of Korea, for a quick rest before participating in Exercise Pacific Reach, an escape exercise off the coast of Korea.
Here the team swapped tales with submariners from across the Pacific Rim and enjoyed some of the local hospitality and cuisine.
The Black Knight became the second Australian Collins class submarine to visit the land of the rising sun, arriving in the naval port of Kure, Japan, in May via the Inland Sea.
While in port the ship’s company was treated to outstanding traditional Japanese entertainment care of host submarine JDS Fuyushio and once again everyone indulged in the delicious local fare.
Rankin also became the first Collins submarine to conduct a goodwill exercise with the Japanese Self Defence Force, dodging typhoons to work with both Japanese surface units and aircraft.
http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/4713/feature/feature01.htm
