While taking part in Exercise Malabar, three liaison officers from India, Japan and the United States experienced life on board HMAS Choules.
Lieutenant Commander Mohit Kumar Mishra, from Indian Navy Ship Kolkata, Lieutenant Junior Grade Alison Gonzales, from United States Ship Rafael Petalta, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Yuichi Takaki, from Japanese Ship Shiranui, supported the Commander Task Group for the duration of the exercise.
Lieutenant Samuel Soares, the group’s Australian liaison officer, said it was good to see the international partners integrating on board.
“Whether it’s in the operations room or familiarising themselves with the ship’s systems and equipment, our guests are getting hands-on experience in working together,” Lieutenant Soares said.
In addition to their regular liaison duties, the officers handled Navy’s new EF88 Steyr service rifle and observed the Choules crew conducting damage control exercises.
As a damage control officer with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Lieutenant Junior Grade Takaki was especially interested in the exercise conducted on board Choules, which involved a fire.
“The first big point I’ve recognised between Australia and Japan is at the scene, everyone brought a radio, but in Japan they’ll bring one person with a radio who delegates where the scene is,” Lieutenant Junior Grade Takaki said.
“I’m quite fascinated that the directions come from the PA system, piped throughout the ship – especially telling people to rehydrate.”
He also noted there was a different culture in the way damage control exercises were conducted, noting Australians take more consideration and thought before going all in.
“The biggest culture shock though is the wardroom culture on board HMAS Choules. In Japan, the wardroom is where they eat and otherwise it is all about work. Here, it is where you relax and have fun, which I’ve enjoyed,” he said.
Exercise Malabar further strengthened Australia’s ties with its partners and continues the ADF’s robust and longstanding program on international engagement in the region.
