Ms Sharon Claydon, MP, Federal Member for Newcastle, has visited Australia’s sailors, soldiers and airmen (and women) in Hawaii for Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2016.
The MP linked up with Defence as part of the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program (ADFPP).
The program is a two way exchange in which MPs from the Canberra gallery spend time in the field with Defence personnel and Defence members are hosted in Parliament House by our serving politicians.
This exchange allows ADF members to view the operation of Parliament and the daily working routine of their hosts.
Ms Claydon was initially transferred by helicopter to HMAS Canberra for a couple of days at sea before visiting 2RAR troops at the Pohakuloa Training Area. “This is my first close interaction with Australian Defence personnel and I have been impressed by everyone I have come in contact with,” Ms Claydon said.
Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is a biennial multinational exercise involving Pacific Nations and will be conducted from 29 Jun – 4 Aug 2016 in and around the Hawaii Islands with an element operating in the Southern California Naval Training Area.