Tuesday, 30 November 2021, 10:28 am Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Wellington has rendezvoused with Republic of Fiji Navy Ship (RFNS) Savenaca to carry out coordinated patrols as part of the South Pacific maritime border patrol Operation Calypso. The two ships were also able to conduct exercises to improve interoperability as they sailed from the area around Kadavu Island out into the Fiji Exclusive Economic Zone to carry out patrols. Commanding Officer of HMNZS Wellington, Lieutenant Commander Philip Davies, said although there was no opportunity to interact with the crew at a personal level, the ships operating together provided the chance to practice communicating through various means and manoeuvring whilst in close proximity. “These skills are important when we may be called on to assist in a response to a natural disaster. Coordinated patrols also demonstrate New Zealand’s commitment to combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region.” New Zealand is one of 17 nations contributing to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency’s efforts to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region. HMNZS Wellington covered approximately 5700 nautical miles and the Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion flew 23 hours in the Exclusive Economic Zones, high seas pockets and high seas corridors surrounding Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu during this operation, and the ship returns to New Zealand today. Twenty-four vessels from a range of countries have been reported to the relevant authorities. The post New Zealand And Fiji Navies Collaborate In Border Patrol Operation appeared first on JCs Royal New Zealand Navy . from JCs Royal New Zealand Navy https://ift.tt/3riu5Px via JCs Royal New Zealand Navy Ships and News https://ift.tt/3xJPMJK Thomas Manch15:34, Nov 26 2021 A United States warship has arrived in Wellington for a port visit and “official engagement” with the Defence Force, the first visit from the US navy since 2016. The crew of the USS Howard, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, “manned the rails” as it sailed into the harbour and pulled alongside Aotea Quay on Friday morning. The ship spent two weeks travelling to New Zealand from its home port, Yokosuka, Japan. The crew, which number more than 300 people, had all been tested for Covid-19, with a New Zealand Air Force C130 Hercules parachuting tests into the water near the ship as it passed Auckland. The tests were returned by a helicopter aboard the USS Howard, for processing before the ship arrived in Wellington. As a strong northwesterly bore down on Wellington, USS Howard Commander Travis Montplaisir said he was “excited to be here, but the wind is something else”. READ MORE: He said the ship’s visit was “a visible sign of our commitment to our allies, partners and friends”. ADVERTISEMENThttps://bdf1b57182458adfe2800d857fa97566.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlAdvertise with Stuff “We do our best work when we’re working alongside those allies, partners, and friends, and it enables us the opportunity to conduct interoperability events.” While he would not comment on any operations USS Howard may have conducted en route to New Zealand. “We did not see any submarines on the way down … But we were looking for them, we’re always looking for them.” Montplaisir said he would not comment on how long the USS Howard might remain in New Zealand, but said it would be at least 72 hours. “There’s no exercise in port, but there’s a number of distinguished visitor visits both off-ship for the leadership to go out and visit with the New Zealand leadership as well as that New Zealand leadership to come here and conduct those co-operative events. “We come together we share ideas, we talk about cooperation, the bonds that make us stronger, and that togetherness allows us to build that strong relationship that we need for future events and future exercise operations.” The USS Howard was carrying numerous missile systems, including Tomahawk land attack missiles, for purposes including ballistic missile defence and antisubmarine warfare. It was equipped with a gatling gun that could fire up to 4500 round per minute and “spy arrays”, Montplaisir said. The ship had been refuelled by the New Zealand Navy’s oil tanker, the HMNZS Aotearoa, on its way to Wellington. New Zealand Chief of Navy Rear Admiral David Proctor, in a statement issued last week about the USS Howard’s impending arrival, said New Zealand ships regularly participate in US-led exercises, including last month in Guam, and the Defence Force would “train and interact” with the US ship. “Ship visits like this are a demonstration of the US’ active engagement in our region. They present opportunities for improving interoperability between our forces and building trust and understanding between partners,” Proctor said. ADVERTISEMENThttps://bdf1b57182458adfe2800d857fa97566.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlAdvertise with Stuff “It is nice to be able to return the courtesy and show goodwill as we host a US Navy vessel and her crew here in New Zealand again.” The crew of the USS Howard, all fully vaccinated for Covid-19, had spent at least 14 days at sea before arriving in New Zealand, which amounted to the required self-isolation period required to enter New Zealand. It will not visit any other port during its time in New Zealand. The USS Howard is the same type of ship as the USS Sampson, which was visiting New Zealand in 2016 when the Kaikōura earthquake struck. Under New Zealand’s nuclear-free legislation, the prime minister has to sign off on the entry of a foreign warship into New Zealand waters, satisfied the ship “will not be carrying any nuclear explosive device upon their entry into the internal waters of New Zealand”. Nuclear-powered ships are entirely barred from entering New Zealand waters, under the 1987 legislation. The post US warship arrives in Wellington Harbour for ‘official engagement’ with Defence Force appeared first on JCs Royal New Zealand Navy . from JCs Royal New Zealand Navy https://ift.tt/3reiuB2 via JCs Royal New Zealand Navy Ships and News https://ift.tt/3xsrqDU The post HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 20, 2021 appeared first on JCs Royal New Zealand Navy . from JCs Royal New Zealand Navy https://ift.tt/3nWpFMo via JCs Royal New Zealand Navy Ships and News https://ift.tt/3p5mHo3 PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 23, 2021) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) conducts a Replenishment at Sea with the Royal New Zealand Polar-class logistics support vessel HMNZS Aotearoa. Howard is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photos by Ensign Morgan Bollinger)The post The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) conducts a Replenishment at Sea with the Royal New Zealand Polar-class logistics support vessel HMNZS Aotearoa. appeared first on JCs Royal New Zealand Navy . from JCs Royal New Zealand Navy https://ift.tt/3E9xRhG via JCs Royal New Zealand Navy Ships and News https://ift.tt/32E62R1 Leading Marine Technician (Propulsion) Jemma Hokai-Mataia. Supplied photo. Leading Marine Technician (Propulsion) Jemma Hokai-Mataia has enjoyed both the challenges and diversity that come with being a sailor in the Royal New Zealand Navy. Now, as the Sailor of the Year for 2021, she’ll be a voice for junior sailors and drive initiatives on their behalf. She says the nomination and eventual award, announced this week, came out of the blue. “It’s daunting, but I’m excited.” Each year the award is given to a junior sailor who takes action to make a significant and positive contribution to the RNZN and New Zealand Defence Force, and who personifies the core values of the service – Courage – Tū Kaha, Commitment – Tū Tika, Comradeship – Tū Tira and Integrity – Tū Maia. Originally from Auckland, LMT(P) Hokai-Mataia joined the Navy in 2013, two weeks after her 17th birthday. “My dad told me to get a trade, to have something to fall back on. I saw the Navy as a good opportunity to provide a trade, and my family was very supportive. “I didn’t know much about marine engineering to begin with, but I thought the trade looked interesting when I read about it. I’ve really enjoyed my roles as a marine technician.” After Basic Common Training and her trade training, she posted to HMNZS Canterbury and has been involved in humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions to the Pacific Islands. Posting to the frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, she helped deliver the ship to Canada and did two postings in support of the ship’s Frigate Systems Upgrade. She is currently operating as a Recruit Training School instructor for the Basic Common Trainees. Her Sailor of the Year citation praised her work ethic with the recruits, describing her as an “exceptional leader….a passionate, well-respected and influential instructor, composed at all times”. She says instructing was a good challenge. “You learn a lot about yourself, and it challenges the way you think. I enjoy hearing different perspectives from others.” Her biggest test in her career was similar to many others – Covid-19. “There was a lot of uncertainty around Covid when we were on ship. But we were looked after pretty well. “I’ve always had supportive people around me and I feel like any challenge have been achievable because of the support I’ve had.” The post RNZN Sailor of the Year recognised in challenging year appeared first on JCs Royal New Zealand Navy . from JCs Royal New Zealand Navy https://ift.tt/3cNZe5c via JCs Royal New Zealand Navy Ships and News https://ift.tt/3xpfDpZ |
AuthorJohn Currin served 15 years in the Royal New Zealand Navy and has retained an interest in naval, marine, military and happenings around the world. Archives
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