Four fighter controllers, from the Royal Navy, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy, have embarked on an exchange on board HMAS Sydney.
In late June, the ship sailed out of Singapore with the United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group (CSG), deployed to the Indo-Pacific region under Operation Highmast and led by HM Ships Prince of Wales and Dauntless.
While on board Sydney, the four fighter controllers worked in the Combat Information Centre, where they supported air operations using tactical control methods.
The exchange opportunity marked a significant step in cross-navy collaboration, and for Royal Navy fighter controller Lieutenant Paul Rogers, it was his first time operating on board a foreign warship.
"This experience is so crucial for the integration of HMAS Sydney into the CSG task group and allows me to see the functionality of the AEGIS System and SPY Radar in the Combat Information Centre," Lieutenant Rogers said.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how it works and putting it into practice."
Lieutenant Rogers has fitted in seamlessly with the crew, his dark blue Royal Navy uniform coincidentally matching the colour of Sydney's crew ball cap.
"I have enjoyed my time on board, albeit the short duration; the crew are friendly and have been extremely welcoming," he said.
'Integration with the UK carrier is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are super excited to generate and enhance our skills with our partners and key allies through other regions.'
Sydney's flight crew normally works with the ship's embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter - known to the crew as 'Electra'.
The fighter controllers have experience in managing fixed-wing fighter aircraft such as F-35s and F/A-18s, and even aerial tankers.
Royal Australian Air Force air battle manager Flying Officer Frank Headley has embraced the opportunity to work with both navies.
"Working with the two navies in an interoperable sense has helped us with the crucial aim of the integrated air and missile defence, which is our sole mission," Flying Officer Headley said.
"This is of value to both Air Force and Navy. I hope to be able to share the lessons learnt with the team back in Australia at 3 Control and Reporting Unit, especially in planning and execution for future missions."
Commanding Officer Sydney Commander Ben Weller welcomed the opportunity to integrate the fighter controllers.
"During this time, we'll be conducting a series of operations that we don't get a lot of opportunity to do," Commander Weller said.
"For most of the crew, integration with the UK carrier is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are super excited to generate and enhance our skills with our partners and key allies through other regions."
