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A US Navy replenishment oiler has refuelled the Anzac Class frigate during its deployment in the Asia-Pacific region.
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US Navy replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn has successfully refuelled the Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Ballarat during the frigate’s Regional Presence Deployment.
HMAS Ballarat rendezvoused with USNS Big Horn and guided missile destroyer USS Curtis D. Wilbur after voyaging through the Luzon Strait.
Commanding Officer Ballarat, Commander Antony Pisani, said the ships’ time in-company was a demonstration of the strength of the Australia–United States alliance.
“This activity builds on the strong and enduring mateship that exists between the Australian and United States navies,” CMDR Pisani said.
“It also shows that our two countries are committed to a secure and stable maritime environment, and promotes the importance of navy-to-navy relationships across the region.”
The vessels also conducted a number of maritime evolutions and navy-to-navy training exercises, designed to bolster interoperability.
Officer of the Watch, Lieutenant Glenn Hanson, noted the benefits of the engagement for Ballarat’s bridge team.
“One of the most important elements of conducting maritime manoeuvres and replenishments at sea is clear and concise communications between participants,” LEUT Hanson said.
“The fact that all evolutions carried out [were] undertaken effectively is proof of the mutual professionalism of the ships involved.”
CMDR Pisani added that such engagements were part of the Royal Australian Navy’s broader efforts to build relationships across the region.
“Carrying out these activities with our close partners demonstrates our collective resolve to support an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” CMDR Pisani said.
Earlier this month, HMAS Ballarat wrapped up training exercises with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Murasame.
The ships remained in company for a day and conducted various maritime manoeuvres off the coast of Japan.
Ballarat and Murasame conducted a number of maritime evolutions, collectively referred to as ‘Officer of the Watch’ manoeuvres, with Ballarat’s MH-60R helicopter conducting a deck landing on Murasame as part of the activity.
These engagements are part of Ballarat’s two-month regional presence deployment throughout south-east and north-east Asia.
[Related: HMAS Ballarat wraps-up exercise with Japanese destroyer]
