This week, warship TCG Buyukada (F-512), employed in the NATO counter piracy operation Ocean Shield, conducted several exercises with international naval forces from Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea, and Oman.
Vice Admiral Bruno Paulmier, Deputy Commander of NATO’s Allied Maritime Command, said:
Exercising with international forces while patrolling the joint area of operations enhances our interoperability and cooperation with our maritime partners. These opportunities also prove valuable tests of the skills among these forces.
On Sunday and Tuesday, TCG Buyukada conducted replenishment at sea (RAS) training with the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Success (OR 304), a multi-product replenishment oiler.
Monday, TCG Buyukada exercised with the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force ship JS Harusame (D-102), an independent deployer conducting counter-piracy in the region, testing common procedures and manoeuvres between these forces. During the interaction with the JMSDF, the Commander of Deployment Surface Force for Counter Piracy Enforcement, Captain Masatoshi Kashihara, visited TCG Buyukada and briefed on the activities of the ship in the operations area.
Wednesday the vessel had the opportunity to perform passing exercises (PASSEX), to include manoeuvring training and formation drills with the Korean Ship ROKS Dae Jo Yeong in the Arabian Sea. The Commander of TCG Buyukada Lieutenant Commander Ali Tuna Baysal welcomed the Commander of the Korean Escort Task Group XVII and Commanding Officer of ROKS Dae Jo Yeong Captain Sun-Woo Hwang, on board TCG Buyukada. Captain Sun-Woo Hwang and his contingent were briefed on the TCG Buyukada’s deployment in the region and her participation in Operation OCEAN SHIELD. The two Commanders also shared their experiences with counter-piracy operations and discussed future opportunities to work together.
Thursday the crew of TCG Buyukada conducted fire-fighting training with the Royal Omani Navy. This training is part of broader regional capacity building activities with countries in the area of operations. Fourteen Royal Omani Navy personnel observed the training, which included briefs about the fire-fighting systems, damage control and firefighting organization of the TCG Buyukada and direct observation of a fire simulation on the mess decks.
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Images: MARCOM