US, Royal Australian Navy Finish TS 13 Torpedo Exercise

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) and a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) submarine participated in a torpedo exercise in the Coral Sea, July 19, in support of exercise Talisman Saber 2013 (TS 13).

TS 13 is a biennial training event aimed at improving Australian Defense Force (ADF) and U.S. combat readiness and interoperability as a Combined Joint Task Force.

“This has been a great opportunity for our Sailors to participate in realistic and relevant training for the forward-deployed region,” said Master Chief Jason Haka, command master chief aboard Lassen. “Everyone has given a 110 percent towards making everything run smoothly and I think it really showed out here today.”

The exercise gave more than 400 U.S. Navy and ADF crewmembers the opportunity to hone their skills and demonstrate their operating ability as a cohesive unit.

“We’re always looking for new, challenging exercises to take on,” said Cmdr. Scott McClelland, commanding officer of Lassen. “This training will only help to improve our war-fighting force and continue our commitment to the security interests of Australia.”

Other active participants in TS 13 included the George Washington Carrier Strike Group comprised of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, embarked Commander Destroyer Squadron 15, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG 88), USS Momsen (DDG 92), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and the RAN guided-missile frigate HMAS Sydney (FFG 03).

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Press Release, July 21, 2013; Image: US Navy