HMA Ships Sydney, Parramatta and Stuart sailed from Fleet Base East on 24 November with the next generation of warfare officers and sailors embarked.
Having completed several months of classroom theory at the School of Maritime Warfare, and practical training in the warfare simulators at HMAS Watson, 38 students spent the week at sea proving their skills in the Warfare Assessment Week.
The students were part of Principal Warfare Officer, Combat Systems Supervisor and Anti-Submarine/Surface Aircraft Controller courses.
HMAS Rankin, along with aircraft from 816 and 725 Squadrons and Air Force’s 92 Wing, provided realistic training support for the students. Air warfare exercises included support from Air Force’s 76 Squadron in their highly manoeuvrable Hawk-127 lead-in fighter jet and from Pelair Australia.
Specialising as a Principal Warfare Officer – Navigator, Lieutenant Commander Simone Paterson said the week proved the importance of simulation training in achieving and sustaining a war-fighting culture. She said it was particularly useful in a modern Navy with competing priorities for training and operations.
The success of the week was attributed to the efforts to prepare and coordinate all of the assets, as well as the support by ships’ companies and a realistic opposition.
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Press release, Image: Australian Navy