Navy's Fleet Concentration Period Commences

Navy's Fleet Concentration Period Commences

Core maritime skills are being honed by hundreds of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) personnel from twenty-two ships, as they take part in the annual Fleet Concentration Period (FCP-08), commencing off the east coast of Australia today.

The comprehensive six-week program aims to regenerate Fleet mariner and war fighting skills and will involve assets from the New Zealand Navy and French Naval Forces stationed in the Pacific.

During the period a number of exercises will be conducted in waters off Townsville, QLD, and Jervis Bay and Eden on the NSW south coast.

Amphibious exercises Squadex and Sea Lion will be conducted in waters off Townsville. Participating will be five RAN Landing Craft Heavy Ships, with HMNZS Canterbury and French Landing Ship Jacques Cartier taking part in Sea Lion 08-2. Assets from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Australian Army will also participate.

Highlights of Sea Lion 08-2 will include Landing Ship Heavy (LSH) HMAS Tobruk undertaking a beach landing.

In waters in and around Jervis Bay on the south coast of NSW, RAN mine countermeasure skills will be practiced in exercise Mulgogger. Five Huon Class Mine Hunters alongside Australian Clearance Diving Teams (AUSCDT) One and Four will be tasked to sweep and neutralise mock enemy mines in realistic scenarios.

FCP-08 is part of ongoing efforts to improve Australian Defence Force capability to protect Australia and its interests. Defence participates in military exercises with the French Armed Forces of New Caledonia (FANC) and Royal New Zealand Navy each year to help enhance levels of interoperability - all three nations have a common interest in a stable and secure Pacific.

FCP-08 is a carefully planned activity and will be conducted within strict environmental, safety and risk management constraints.

ENDS

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