The Ship’s Company of HMAS Parramatta has enjoyed a unique experience when the ship joined the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier battle group on 25 February in the North Arabian Sea.
Parramatta closed in on the carrier group at speed and assumed plane guard station for the USS Abraham Lincoln where she was perfectly positioned to observe the might of the carrier force on display.
On station for more than two hours, Parramatta’s ship’s company witnessed the continuous stream of F-18 Hornets circling the battle group.
“It is mind boggling” Chaplain Andrew Watters said. “I’d never thought I be so close to a US carrier to witness the full might of a carrier group. It’s not something that I’ll forget”.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is the fifth Nimitz-class super carrier in the United States Navy.
At 333 metres long, 77 metres wide and weighing in at 100,000 tonnes, the ship is more than 25 times larger than Parramatta . The Abraham Lincoln is powered by two nuclear reactors, four steam turbines and can reach speeds of more than 30 knots with unlimited range.
Parramatta departed company with the carrier group after the brief encounter to continue with her patrol in the Arabian Sea.
Parramatta is currently deployed to the MEAO as part of Operation SLIPPER and under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), which is responsible for maritime security operations in the Gulf region, the maritime environment around the Horn of Africa, and counter piracy and terrorism operations in the Gulf of Aden.
Parramatta’s presence is contributing to the inter-operability of 25 CMF nations and demonstrates Australia’s and CMF’s resolve to maintain safe access to vital international straits and the maintenance of good order at sea.
The Anzac Class Frigate will be relieved on station by HMAS Melbourne in early March and will return to Sydney at the end of the month.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , March 07, 2012; Image: navy