The ADMM-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise commenced on Sept 30, 2013 around Jervis Bay and the East Australian Exercise Area.

The exercise jumpstarted the RAN International Fleet Review happening from Oct 3 to 10, commemorating the arrival of Navy's first fleet into Sydney.

The ADMM-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise is commanded by Co-Exercise directors Rear Admiral Dato Nasaruddin Bin Othman from Malaysia and Commodore Peter Leavy from Australia.

CDRE Leavy emphasised that the exercise is targeted on building a common understanding.

"The overarching goal is to promote information sharing and develop a baseline for communications at sea between ADMM-Plus countries. Force elements from Malaysia, Australia, Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam will participate in the exercise. Participants have so far conducted successful air and boat boarding demonstrations viewed by members of the ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Maritime Security," said CDRE Leavy.

"Further multilateral, investigative boarding exercises, major ship manoeuvring, flying operations, communications testing and other seamanship serials will occur over next two days," CDRE Leavy explained.

Rear Admiral Bin Othman added that the exercise was highly beneficial for all the countries involved.

"The exercise truly demonstrates the capacity of the ADMM-Plus framework to bring the region's navies together to foster practical cooperation against shared security challenges," Rear Admiral Othman stated.

Photos:

The inaugural ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting (ADMM)–Plus Maritime Security training exercise commences in Sydney. (Credit: defence.gov.au)
The inaugural ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting (ADMM)–Plus Maritime Security training exercise commences in Sydney. (Credit: defence.gov.au)
The inaugural ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting (ADMM)–Plus Maritime Security training exercise commences in Sydney. (Credit: defence.gov.au)
The inaugural ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting (ADMM)–Plus Maritime Security training exercise commences in Sydney. (Credit: defence.gov.au)

Meanwhile, the Royal Australian Navy - the Seahawk helicopter and HMAS Perth - rescued two French yachtsmen on Sep 29. The yacht sunk 360 miles of Jervis Bay due to rough conditions.

The Seahawk helicopter is based at 816 Squadron at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, New South Wales, while HMAS Perth is normally based at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.

Luckily for the rescued yachtsmen, the Seahawk helicopter and HMAS Perth will be participating for the International Fleet Review in Sydney, and so they chanced upon their sinking yacht.

"The recovery of these two sailors has gone very smoothly. The Rescue Coordination Centre did a great job managing a number of assets including ourselves, fixed wing aircraft and the merchant vessel Williams Strait. The final piece of the rescue saw the Seahawk helicopter use its night vision capability to ensure a successful outcome," said the Commanding Officer of HMAS Perth, Captain Lee Goddard.