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On 13h of October the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta Liaison Officer (LNO) for Seychelles and Mauritius, Lieutenant Commander Billy Adams Royal Navy, boarded NATO’s Danish counter piracy maritime patrol aircraft for a reconnaissance mission off the coast of Somalia.

In the spirit of maritime cooperation, the Danish Commanding Officer, Major Michael Munkner, extended the invitation to the EU Naval Force LNO to witness the crew undertaking a mission and the evidence gathering process.

The Danish Detachment has operated from the Seychelles Airport for a number of years and carried out an abundance of sorties, providing vital intelligence to the joint maritime forces in their fight against piracy.

Speaking after the flight, Lieutenant Commander Adams stated “I would like to thank Major Munkner and his crew, both in the air and on the ground, for the opportunity to join them on a NATO mission. This was a fantastic experience, which gave me a better appreciation of how such vital evidence is gathered, processed and then disseminated to our allied forces. There is no doubt that the intelligence provided by the maritime reconnaissance assets is essential to both the success of EU Naval Force and Ocean Shield missions. Overflying the sunken MV Albedo and the beached FV Naham 3 emphasised the cost of piracy, both in term of financial loss and human loss.”

During the mission the aircraft also overflew the Royal Navy’s HMS Westminster, which was patrolling the East Coast of Somalia as part of the Combined Maritime Forces task force (CTF151), another counter piracy force in the region.
Press Release, November 06, 2013; Image: US Navy

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The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705) departed Nov. 4 from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a deployment to the Western Pacific region.

City of Corpus Christi’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Christopher Buziak, commented that the submarine is ready and her crew is excited to get underway and have the opportunity to operate in support of national objectives.

 ”The crew is really looking forward to seeing for themselves what deployment is about versus listening to their friend’s sea stories,” said Buziak.

Buziak, of Korean heritage, said that his submarine has the most diverse wardroom he has ever served with in his 20 years of service. With two department heads, three junior officers and a Chief of the Boat all of diverse ethnicity, Buziak feels the diverse culture brings unique problem solving approaches and perspectives.

“Many of my leadership team actually spent a lot of time living abroad and I think that sometimes brings a synergy of different viewpoints together to come up with potentially non-traditional solutions to problems,” said Buziak. “Our team here on City of Corpus Christi is a great example to people of diverse background that will succeed in the submarine force and find alignment with many of the values that they grew up with.”

The commander feels that as an ambassador of the United States and the Navy, it is important to show the allies how the United States is culturally sensitive to its partner’s traditions and values.
Press Release, November 6, 2013; Image: US Navy

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“My Sailors are a great combat team and the diversity only adds to it since it helps symbolize the freedoms and opportunities that we are fighting for and representing,” said Buziak. “The submarine force embodies many of the same values that most immigrant cultures possess: hard work, dedication, education, and self-improvement.”

 

Buziak said the goal is to improve their day-to-day excellence. Throughout the deployment, the crew will stress the highest standards of operational readiness.

 

Of the 135 Sailors who will be deploying, approximately 80% of the Sailors will be on their first deployment. For Fire Control Technician Seaman Joshua Zayac, a first deployment brings much enthusiasm and excitement.

 

“I’m excited to get out there and gain some once in a lifetime experiences and see the world,” said Zayac.

 

City of Corpus Christi is the second ship to be named after the Texas city and is capable of conducting anti-surface and anti-submarine operations along with guided missile strike operations using conventional Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles.

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SLNS Udara attached to the Nothern Naval Command on routine patrol arrested 30 Indian fishermen and 7 trawlers engaged in illegal fishing in the seas south of Nainathive on 04th November 2013.

The arrested persons were handed over to Fisheries department in Jaffna.
Press Release, November 06, 2013; Image: Sri Lanka Navy

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On her way home from Operation LANDSCAPE, HMAS Choules stopped off in Townsville and used the newly commissioned Berth 10 to clear customs and quarantine.

This was the first operational use of the new facility since it was commissioned in late October. Commanding Officer Choules, Commander Ashley Papp, said the facility was impressive.

“Berth 10 is a purpose built wharf and has improved access for large ships coming into Townsville. It also includes a new state of the art Bio Security Cleaning facility run by Joint Logistics Unit- North Queensland (JLU-NQ).”

“During our short visit, we picked up stores and offload the Townsville based cargo, watercraft and vehicles that were essential to the success of Op Landscape,” said Commander Papp.

The port upgrade will enhance the capability to support the Navy’s Landing Helicopter Dock and the capacity to provide access for other visiting and Royal Australian Navy ships.

Choules is on her return voyage to her homeport Sydney, following a successful mission supporting the Department of Immigration and Border Protection operation on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea.
Press Release, November 06, 2013; Image: Australian Navy