Combined New Zealand and Australian Military Exercise off Australian Coast
Tuesday February 8, 2005
Exercise Ocean Protector
What Ships and aircraft from the Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force are conducting a combined military exercise off the New South Wales coast, Australia.
When Exercise Ocean Protector commenced for RAN Ships and aircraft from the RNZAF and RAAF on 1 February 2005. RNZN Ships joined the exercise on 6 February 2005.
Where Exercise Ocean Protector is taking place in the Eastern Australian Exercise Areas (EAXA) off the New South Wales coast, Australia.
Who Ships and aircraft from the New Zealand and Australian Defence Forces.
- Royal New Zealand Navy ships HMNZS TE KAHA, HMNZS CANTERBURY and HMNZS ENDEAVOUR;
- Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K Orion maritime patrol aircraft from 5 Squadron;
- Royal Australian Navy ships HMAS PARRAMATTA, HMAS MELBOURNE, HMAS STUART, HMAS HUON, and HMAS DIAMANTINA;
- Royal Australian Navy Sea King helicopters from 816 Squadron; and
- Royal Australian Air Force Hawk 127 aircraft from 82 Wing, KB-707 aircraft from 84 Wing, AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft from 92 Wing.
Background:
Exercise OCEAN PROTECTOR is an annual combined maritime exercise, bringing together naval and air force units from Australia and New Zealand. It involved a range of structured training activities to develop and test maritime war-fighting skills.
Exercise Ocean Protector is the precursor to TASMANEX, a larger military exercise held in Australian and New Zealand waters between 14 February-3 March 2005, which includes visits to New Zealand ports of Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier and Auckland.
ENDS
For further information, contact Lieutenant Vicki Rendall, Navy Assistant Public Relations Officer, Ph: (04) 496 0292 or Mob: 021 745 288.
Photo caption:
HMNZS ENDEAVOUR conducts in-close manoeuvring with New Zealand Ships in Australian waters.
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