The Royal Australian Navy’s mine warfare and clearance diving task group spent two weeks testing its mine warfare capabilities during the Australian Navy’s large-scale exercise Ocean Raider.
During the drills, the group coordinated the location and disposal of simulated sea mines from Broken Bay, New South Wales, and in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia.
The headquarters team used minehunters, HMA Ships Gascoyne and Huon, and specialised diving unit clearance diving team four to achieve the mission.
Their ability to clear and secure access points allowed notional waiting forces to enter by sea and evacuate citizens affected by the conflict.
Director of the maritime evaluation team, Commander Max Muller , said the test demonstrated the headquarters and its forces could carry out complex maritime advance force operations in a real time environment.
“Live exercise training allows the Navy to test combat effectiveness in a warfighting environment,” Commander Muller said.
“This certification confirms Navy’s capability to shape the area of operations and enable successful amphibious operations.”
Held from November 14 to December 4, Ocean Raider, involved warships, submarines, aircraft and more than 1,500 Defence personnel, is designed to develop and certify fleets units in task-group-level joint sea combat and is held in locations around Australia.