USN holds operations with RAN in South China Sea
The USN Pacific Fleet’s America Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) has held joint training operations with their counterparts in the RAN.
Exercises began on 13 April in the South China Sea.
HMAS Parramatta (FFG 154) was joined by the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), before sailing to join the amphibious assault vessel USS America (LHA 6) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) on 18 April.
RAdm Fred Kacher, Commander of the America ESG, said: ‘To bring this much combat capability together here in the South China Sea truly signals to our allies and partners in the region that we are deeply committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific.’
Operations included force integration followed by training and manoeuvring exercises (including live-fire). Additionally, co-ordinated helicopter and small boat force protection drills took place.
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