The Royal Australian Navy has demonstrated its ability to maintain a coordinated maritime presence across the Indo-Pacific, with four ships operating simultaneously from Japan in the north, Malaysia in the west, Papua New Guinea in the south and Hawaii in the east as part of Australian Maritime Task Group 665.5.
Throughout August, HMA Ships Sydney, Perth, Supply and Leeuwin conducted multinational exercises, maritime security activities, coalition sustainment tasks and hydrographic support missions, working with allies and partners to support freedom of navigation, open trade and regional stability.
Commander Australian Maritime Task Group Captain Darin MacDonald said Task Group 665.5 reflected Australia's long-standing commitment to the region.
"Australia is at home in the Indo-Pacific. We have a long history of Royal Australian Navy task groups operating in the region, supporting neighbours and partners in order to uphold regional security and stability," Captain MacDonald said.
"What Task Group 665.5 is achieving now is demonstrating the Royal Australian Navy's ability to coordinate maritime forces across a vast area of operations while maintaining a common purpose and command intent."
Across East and South-East Asia, Task Group 665.5 delivered a broad range of effects. HMAS Perth supported United States Navy Seventh Fleet operations and conducted regional engagement activities in Malaysia and Thailand.
'We have a long history of Royal Australian Navy task groups operating in the region, supporting neighbours and partners in order to uphold regional security and stability.'
HMAS Sydney worked alongside allied and partner nations during major exercises in Hawaii and Guam.
HMAS Supply sustained coalition and Australian warships through replenishment operations, while HMAS Leeuwin completed a hydrographic mission in Papua New Guinea that strengthened maritime safety and regional partnerships.
Commanding Officer HMAS Supply Commander Kylie Turnbull said the deployment demonstrated Australia's contribution to coalition operations.
"Not only is HMAS Supply demonstrating Australia's commitment to maintaining a near continuous presence in the region, we are also demonstrating our ability to provide interoperable logistical support to our allies and partners in order to contribute to regional security and stability," Commander Turnbull said.
The task group highlights Navy's capacity to operate distributed forces across a vast maritime area while delivering warfighting, logistics, engagement and hydrographic effects in support of regional security, stability and prosperity.
HMAS Stuart joined Task Group 665.5 in September, extending Navy's presence across the Indo-Pacific.
