Building capability above and below the ocean was the aim of a multinational combined anti-submarine warfare serial during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).
Australian assets taking part in the serial in the air and waters off Hawaii included HMAS Sydney, her embarked MH-60 Romeo ‘Fenrir’ and a P-8A Poseidon ‘Blackcat’.
Also taking part in the serial was United States submarine USS Columbia and destroyer USS Decatur, Canadian frigate HMCS Regina and New Zealand frigate HMNZS Te Mana. Air assets included Te Mana’s embarked helicopter ‘Kraken’and Regina’s embarked helicopter ‘Bronco’.
Personnel on board ships demonstrated how they locate, track and engage an ‘adversary’ submarine, while beneath the ocean submariners practised hunting their enemy and remaining undetected.
Principal warfare officer Lieutenant Jonathan Allen said the purpose of the serial was to practise carrying out coordinated operations against a transiting submarine and for the submarine to practise evading anti-submarine warfare (ASW) forces.
“It was a multi-ship, multi-aircraft exercise so it took considerable planning for all the assets to be in the right place at the right time for the exercise,” Lieutenant Allen said.
“And then to carry out plotting and tracking of multiple assets simultaneously is excellent training for everyone involved in the exercise.”
On board Sydney, combat systems operator Seaman Tobias Melang, who specialises in underwater warfare, said he was excited to bring his sonar skills to bear during the exercise and to assist in building the tactical picture.
‘Having the opportunity to track a real submarine, especially a US nuclear submarine, is a pretty special thing to do.’
Seaman Melang joined the Royal Australian Navy in February 2025, completed his 26 weeks of initial training and within the space of a year is on his first overseas deployment, putting theory into practice.
“Having the opportunity to track a real submarine, especially a US nuclear submarine, is a pretty special thing to do,” he said.
“It’s a slow and meticulous process requiring clear communication and close analysis, so as a team we can best react.”
Seaman Melang said he had also really enjoyed the shore phase of RIMPAC, walking around Pearl Harbor, seeing all the different ships and meeting people from so many different countries.
“It has very much been a running start to my career, straight off course into workups ready for this deployment,” he said.
“RIMPAC has lived up to my expectations and to work closely with the US’s impressive fleet is rewarding.”
Commanding Officer Sydney Commander Hayden Jenkins thanked all of those involved in the exercise, while reinforcing the capability that it demonstrated.
“Strong coordination between participating nations ensured that four warships, three anti-submarine warfare helicopters and two maritime patrol aircraft could rapidly integrate and conduct this training safely and efficiently,” Commander Jenkins said.
“Training like this anti-submarine warfare exercise demonstrates Sydney’s high-end warfighting skills and ability to operate effectively with regional allies and partners.
“This activity also demonstrates the professionalism of each member of Sydney’s crew, including young Australians like Seaman Melang.
“Just 12 months on from training, he is now honing his skills in a complex multinational exercise alongside his peers across about 40 ships undertaking RIMPAC.”
